I'm Done with the Elite Marriage - Chapter 14
Fu Hexu, dressed casually, noticed the jacket Fu Xunzhou had hung on the coat rack. Without a second thought, he grabbed it and slipped it on.
It fit perfectly.
The two brothers were not only similar in height but also in build, making it easy to mistake one for the other at a glance.
“Dressing up to charm a pretty lady over dinner,” Fu Hexu said with a grin, scrolling through his phone contacts. He winked at Fu Xunzhou. “I’ll return the jacket later.”
Fu Xunzhou glanced at him briefly. “No need. Keep it.”
…
Zhou Youling hadn’t experienced a hangover in ages.
When she woke up, it felt like a whirlwind of events had transpired, yet her memory was riddled with gaps.
As she walked into the bathroom, fragmented scenes began surfacing in her mind.
She vaguely recalled clinging tightly to Fu Xunzhou, demanding a shower. Cold water had poured over her, and Fu Xunzhou had hurriedly wrapped her in a towel. But she hadn’t been cooperative, and amidst the struggle, both of them had ended up sprawled on the floor.
Another fleeting memory emerged-Fu Xunzhou leaning in to kiss her.
The more she thought about it, the more her head throbbed. She splashed cold water on her face, trying to clear her mind.
Fortunately, despite the hangover, her skin still looked radiant. Otherwise, she wouldn’t know how to face her parents with a haggard appearance.
Her father and mother, who had been traveling across the country, had returned home the previous night. Early in the morning, they called their beloved daughter, asking her to come over and pick up some gifts.
The weather was warm, and Zhou Youling chose a white princess-style blouse from her wardrobe, layering it with a loose-knit vest. She paired it with matching wide-leg pants, creating a look that was both fresh and youthful.
–
In the early 1990s, the Zhou Family was at its peak.
Zhou Zhang had risen from poverty to amass a fortune in real estate, becoming a household name.
By the late ’90s, Zhou Zhang passed away due to illness, leaving his son, Zhou Zhishan, to take over the family business.
Zhou Zhishan had little interest in the family enterprise, but with no other choice, he took on the responsibility. It was the golden age of real estate development, and Zhou Zhishan managed to expand the business, achieving remarkable success.
By the early 2000s, Zhou Zhishan had become China’s richest man. However, a series of failed investments and policy changes soon led to the downfall of the Zhou Family’s empire. Zhou Zhishan was forced to sell off assets and juggle debts to keep afloat.
Though the Zhou Family was no longer as prominent as before, they still lived comfortably compared to most.
Now in his fifties, Zhou Zhishan had embraced a more relaxed lifestyle, delegating responsibilities while enjoying his retirement.
A month ago, Zhou Zhishan decided to embark on a world tour with his wife, Rong Huiying, starting with exploring the scenic wonders of their homeland.
–
When Zhou Youling arrived home, Zhou Zhishan was practicing Tai Chi1 in the garden.
Despite being over fifty, Zhou Zhishan maintained excellent health and looked much younger than his age. Upon seeing his daughter, he greeted her with his usual compliment, “Why do you look so beautiful today?”
“I look beautiful every day,” Zhou Youling replied cheekily. “Dad, you look like one of those grandpas at the park, radiating charm!”
Zhou Zhishan shot her a sideways glance. “Go on, you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Is Lingling back?” Rong Huiying emerged from the house upon hearing the commotion. “Don’t mind your dad; he’s obsessed with his Tai Chi. Come inside.”
Zhou Youling linked arms with her mother and entered the house. Her good looks were undoubtedly inherited from her parents. In their youth, Zhou Zhishan and Rong Huiying were the epitome of a perfect couple, often described as a match made in heaven.
Inside, Zhou Youling was stunned by the pile of items scattered across the floor.
“What on earth did you buy?”
Rong Huiying explained, “Just some local specialties and souvenirs. We visited so many places and met so many people. It’s amazing how vast and diverse China is!”
Zhou Youling squatted down and picked up a piece of lingzhi mushroom.
Rong Huiying quickly approached her. “That’s not just any lingzhi. It’s a premium one, great for boosting health and vitality. I bought it especially for you.”
“Why for me?” Zhou Youling immediately put it down.
Rong Huiying clicked her tongue. “Use it to make wine for Xiao Zhou. It’s good for strengthening the kidneys and overall health.”
“…Thanks, but no thanks.”
–
Zhou Youling slumped onto the sofa, completely at ease in her parents’ home. She picked up her phone, which had been vibrating non-stop, and opened her group chat.
The group consisted of three members: herself, Bai Lingxue, and Congshi.
The chat was already lively.
Congcong: [Just woke up. Another beautiful day!]
Xuexue: [Beautiful, my foot! My head feels like it’s splitting!]
Congcong: [I told you not to drink so much last night.]
Xuexue: [Your alcohol is suspicious. I don’t get drunk on anyone else’s.]
Congcong: [That’s your problem, not the alcohol’s!]
Xuexue: [By the way, @Youyou, do you remember what we talked about last night?]
Zhou Youling sent a sticker to show she was alive.
Youyou: [I remember. I’ll check out the restaurant later.]
Xuexue: [Great!]
–
Being at her parents’ house always brought a sense of relief. She didn’t have to put on a facade or worry about others’ opinions.
After listening to her mother’s chatter, Zhou Youling headed to the restaurant Bai Lingxue had recommended.
The idea Bai Lingxue had proposed last night intrigued her. When they were younger, their dream was for each of them to own a business and be their own boss. Yet, Zhou Youling had strayed from that path.
Now seemed like the perfect time to give it a shot.
Following the GPS, she realized she had a connection to this restaurant-it was the same place where she had helped Xu Jiaze and had argued with Fu Xunzhou.
Returning here felt surreal.
Coincidentally, the same waiter from last time greeted her.
–
The lunch rush had passed, and it was a weekday, so seating was immediate.
“Dining alone today?” the waiter asked with a smile, scratching his head sheepishly. “I got scolded by my manager for last time.”
Zhou Youling nodded and smiled. “Bring me all the signature dishes.”
The waiter hesitated. “Can you finish them all by yourself?”
“Who said I have to finish them?” She was here to explore the restaurant’s specialties.
–
The Chinese restaurant was decorated in a blend of traditional and modern styles. Each table was separated by screens, creating a unique fusion of Chinese aesthetics and contemporary design. It had gained popularity recently after being featured by a major influencer, quickly becoming a hotspot for young people.
Soon, the dishes arrived.
Each dish was vibrant and beautifully plated, perfect for photos. Zhou Youling joined the trend, snapping pictures of the food and even a selfie to share in the group chat.
–
Xuexue: [Wow! Who’s this youthful beauty?]
Xuexue: [Wait, you’re already at the restaurant?]
Xuexue: [How’s it?]
Xuexue: [I’ll head over too!]
Congcong: [What’s happening? I’m coming too!]
Youyou: [Come on over!]
–
Just as Zhou Youling was about to reply, she noticed something in the background of her selfie-a familiar silhouette.
Xuexue: [Isn’t that Fu Xunzhou behind you?]
She zoomed in on the photo. Sure enough, the figure was unmistakable.
Looking around, she spotted him sitting behind a screen not far from her, accompanied by a woman.
The man wore the same casual jacket she had seen earlier, his hand resting on the woman’s shoulder.
They were openly affectionate, and the woman’s exaggerated laughter drew attention.
–
Zhou Youling’s body trembled.
She had said she wanted a divorce, and he had asked to wait until after his grandfather’s birthday. Yet here he was, unable to wait, flaunting his infidelity.
Grabbing her glass of water, she marched over and splashed it onto the man’s face.
“Ah!” the woman screamed.
“What the hell?!”
Fu Hexu stared at her in disbelief, utterly confused.
Both froze, staring at each other in shock.
Footnote:
- Tai Chi(太极): Tai Chi (or Taijiquan) is a traditional Chinese martial art known for its slow, flowing movements. It combines deep breathing, meditation, and gentle exercise to improve balance, flexibility, and relaxation. Often called “meditation in motion,” Tai Chi promotes both physical health and mental calmness.
