Chapter 176: 176. Chapter 176: The Third Choice

176. Chapter 176: The Third Choice

The "Luo Xiaoya" in the game spoke in a low tone, carrying a trace of imperceptible trembling.

The wind grew stronger, and the kite string was pulled taut, as if it would snap at any second.

"So, I desperately wanted to grasp you, control you, and monitor your every move, terrified that you would leave my sight.

But now, I realize that the tighter I grasp, the more it wants to escape."

"Luo Xiaoya" turned her head to look at Shen Huai, her eyes filled with confusion and helplessness: "Tell me, am I... should I let go?"

Two options appeared on the game interface again: A. Let go; B. Do not let go.

Shen Huai looked at these two options and fell into deep thought.

He suddenly realized that this so-called "Hidden Plot of Ex-Girlfriend" was actually the knots deep within the hearts of his ex-girlfriends.

Su Meng's knot was an irreconcilable regret and confusion about the future, while Luo Xiaoya's knot stemmed from inner insecurity and the fear of loss.

Then what was Lin Yeman's knot? Shen Huai was suddenly a bit curious.

He took a deep breath, his finger hovering over the screen, delaying his choice.

At this moment, Lin Yeman's voice came from behind: "General Manager Shen, the plot in this game is truly... intriguing."

Her tone carried a hint of teasing, but her eyes were full of probing intent.

Shen Huai ignored her and continued to stare at the screen.

"Why, is General Manager Shen hesitating? Don't know which option to choose to satisfy your 'ex-girlfriend'?" Lin Yeman continued, her tone full of provocation.

Shen Huai turned his head to look at her, a trace of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

"I am so curious, General Manager Shen is so open-minded in the game, how would you handle these 'emotional entanglements' if you met an ex-girlfriend in real life?" Lin Yeman smiled, curling her lips.

Facing Lin Yeman's provocative tone, Shen Huai smiled intriguingly.

He knew that moments like this were often a test of his true inner thoughts.

He did not like being pressured by anyone, including Lin Yeman.

He was not unaware of the trace of jealousy revealed in her words.

"You really understand me, Director Lin," Shen Huai said softly, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes.

Although he wanted to choose the opposite in his heart, he also understood that the Luo Xiaoya in the game was just using this conversation to express her inner knot.

He turned his head and looked at the options on the screen.

Whether it was "let go" or "do not let go," it was a game of inner decision-making.

Shen Huai knew this was not just about the game, but about how he faced his own past emotional entanglements.

"Actually, sometimes the answer isn't in the options."

Shen Huai said, his tone becoming more indifferent, "It lies in how we view the meaning behind these options."

Lin Yeman was slightly stunned, as if she hadn't expected Shen Huai to answer this way. She wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Shen Huai's firm gaze.

"In real life, I would of course choose to respect everyone's feelings," Shen Huai continued, moving his gaze away from the game screen and landing on Lin Yeman's face, "because everyone has their own story and knot."

Lin Yeman curled her lips into a smile; the probing intent in her eyes faded, replaced by a touch of gloom.

"General Manager Shen, it seems your game philosophy is truly spread evenly."

Shen Huai just smiled slightly and turned back to continue immersing himself in the game.

He knew that Luo Xiaoya's knot ultimately needed an answer.

And this answer perhaps did not lie in the options, but in how he understood and faced the essence of this relationship.

Shen Huai finally chose the "let go" option.

Lin Yeman stood to the side, and after seeing his choice, she unconsciously let out a sigh of relief; when she looked up again, her eyes were once again gleaming.

But Luo Xiaoya could no longer maintain that feigned strength.

Her eye sockets began to redden, tears swirled in her eyes, and her hands tightly clutched the corners of her clothes, struggling to keep her tears from falling.

But even though she had tried her best, the sadness on her face still uncontrollably emerged. "General Manager Shen is really... not sloppy at all in doing things." Luo Xiaoya's voice trembled slightly as she struggled to squeeze out a smile that was uglier than crying.

Seeing this, Shen Huai sighed slightly.

He put down the test phone, pulled a tissue from the desk, stood up, and gently handed it over.

"Luo Xiaoya, there are some things I've wanted to tell you for a long time."

"In this world, no one completely belongs to another person."

Shen Huai's voice was gentle and firm, like a warm seasonal wind, "The premise of love is respect, not control. The relationship between couples is not a simple legal clause; there is no such thing as right or wrong."

"You are a very excellent talent in the legal profession; you must have enough self-confidence. Being insecure and having an overly strong desire for control are actually manifestations of low self-esteem."

Luo Xiaoya was stunned; she hadn't expected Shen Huai to speak so directly.

These words were like a sharp sword, directly piercing the last line of defense in her heart.

"Shen Huai……"

This time, Luo Xiaoya did not call him General Manager Shen, but Shen Huai.

But just after the two words escaped her lips, her lips trembled, and tears could no longer be controlled, streaming down her face.

Her emotions completely collapsed, and she turned and ran out, her back full of unconcealable panic.

At this moment.

The long-standing obsessions in the depths of Luo Xiaoya's heart seemed to crumble at this moment.

"Not going to chase after her to comfort her?" Lin Yeman glanced at Shen Huai and asked indifferently.

"No need, she is stronger than we imagine." Shen Huai looked at the doorway where Luo Xiaoya had left, his eyes darkened, and he picked up the phone again.

Because of this little interlude with Luo Xiaoya, everyone hid a gossiping heart beneath their expressions.

Especially Su Meng, Liu Shishi, and the others, who narrowed their eyes and fell into deep thought.

To think that even Luo Xiaoya was Shen Huai's ex-girlfriend?!

Shen Huai drew a line in the game with two of his ex-girlfriends in succession, and both Su Meng and Luo Xiaoya looked very pained.

If that is truly the case, then could it be...

Thinking of this, Liu Shishi looked at Lin Yeman, her expression somewhat subtle.

Because this game currently only has models made for three ex-girlfriends: one is Su Meng, one is Luo Xiaoya, and the other is Lin Yeman.

Shen Huai has already drawn a line with two ex-girlfriends in a row, and only the NPC with Lin Yeman's model is left.

Just a few days ago, Shen Huai kissed Lin Yeman in front of everyone during the team-building event.

At that time, everyone's heart was boiling, and even she herself had thought about whether to give up.

After all, if she were to compete with Lin Yeman, she would undoubtedly lose.

But what if Shen Huai's choice is not what she thinks it is?

What if they were just teasing each other in an ambiguous phase, or he was just helping Director Lin out of a tight spot? For a moment, countless possibilities flashed through Liu Shishi's mind.

She stared fixedly at the screen of Shen Huai's phone.

As long as he makes the same choice to let go as he did before, she still has a chance!

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Shen Huai took a deep breath and pressed the phone.

The next instant.

The scene on the screen shifted quietly, from an endless lawn gradually solidifying into an indoor auditorium.

On the stage, two debate teams were in a fierce confrontation.

And off-stage, a bewitchingly beautiful figure was hidden in a corner, watching the man on stage who was debating against a crowd with an appreciative look. (End of chapter)