I'm Done with the Elite Marriage - Chapter 15

Fu Hexu stared at the woman before him, feeling a vague sense of familiarity but unable to recall where he might have left this particular “debt of affection.” Growing up, he had been a notorious flirt, changing girlfriends as frequently as he changed clothes, to the point where he’d long lost track of how many people he might have offended.

The two stood frozen, staring at each other, neither speaking a word.

Zhou Youling, on the other hand, was utterly mortified by her own impulsive act. She couldn’t believe she had stormed over and splashed water on someone-only to realize she’d mistaken him for someone else. Why did this man look so much like Fu Xunzhou? And if that wasn’t enough, why was he wearing the exact same outfit?

Before either of them could speak, the woman beside Fu Hexu shrieked, “Who is this crazy woman? Waiter! Get over here and throw her out!”

“I…” Zhou Youling stammered, setting down the glass and hastily grabbing a napkin to wipe Fu Hexu’s soaked shirt. “I’m so sorry, I made a mistake.”

Fu Hexu let out a heavy sigh of relief.

Being the carefree, devil-may-care type, he shrugged it off with a grin. “No problem, just a little misunderstanding.”

The woman beside him, however, wasn’t as forgiving. “You’re always looking at other women, aren’t you? Didn’t you promise me you’d stop? Is this your idea of keeping your word?”

“Baby, I don’t even know what’s going on here. I’m totally innocent!” Fu Hexu protested, his face the picture of innocence.

Zhou Youling bowed repeatedly, apologizing profusely. “I’m really sorry. To make it up to you, I’ll cover your table’s bill.”

The woman shot her a glare but said nothing more.

Fu Hexu, still dabbing at his damp shirt, seemed disinterested in pursuing the matter further.

Zhou Youling couldn’t help but steal another glance at the man before retreating to her own seat, utterly embarrassed.

Upon closer inspection, the man’s resemblance to Fu Xunzhou was mostly in their general build and facial structure. Their features, however, were quite different. This man had a sun-kissed complexion, a stark contrast to Fu Xunzhou’s pale, porcelain-like skin.

They say there are many look-alikes in the world, but this was the first time Zhou Youling had encountered someone so eerily similar to her husband. She couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of surprise.

Unable to contain herself, she pulled out her phone and messaged her friends.

Zhou Youling: [I just saw someone who looks exactly like Fu Xunzhou!]

Bai Lingxue: [????]

Congshi: [?????]

Zhou Youling: [The guy in my photo earlier wasn’t Fu Xunzhou-it was someone else.]

Zhou Youling: [And to make things worse, I mistook him for Xunzhou and splashed water on him.]

Zhou Youling: [(((φ(◎ロ◎;)φ)))]

Bai Lingxue: [???]

Congshi: [Sorry, but I just mentally drafted a ten-thousand-word soap opera plot.]

Bai Lingxue: [Wait, why did you splash water on him in the first place?]

…

The meal was beyond salvaging for Zhou Youling. She hurriedly paid the bill and left the restaurant, avoiding any further interaction with the man she’d mistaken for her husband.

Meanwhile, Fu Hexu sat at his table, growing increasingly curious about the woman who had splashed him. She seemed so familiar, yet he couldn’t quite place her.

Wandering aimlessly, Zhou Youling found herself standing before Hongnan Square.

Hongnan Square was a property under the Fu Group, having opened just this past summer. It was a sprawling complex featuring high-end residences, a five-star hotel, SOHO apartments, and a shopping center. It was one of Fu Xunzhou’s bold initiatives after taking over the family business, and it had quickly become the largest entertainment and shopping hub in Nanzhou City.

Zhou Youling vividly remembered the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Hongnan Square. She had worn a pair of high heels that mercilessly rubbed against her heels, and by the time she’d walked a single loop around the complex, her skin was raw and bleeding. She had gritted her teeth, determined not to show any weakness that the Fu Family might exploit. But then, Fu Xunzhou had turned around, frowning.

It was the height of summer, yet the air conditioning inside the mall was set to an uncomfortably low temperature. Zhou Youling, dressed lightly, had goosebumps all over.

Fu Xunzhou had leaned in close, his voice low in her ear. “Can’t keep up? I told you not to come, but you insisted.”

In that moment, Zhou Youling’s heart felt as if it had been encased in ice, her breath catching painfully in her chest.

With so many people around, Zhou Youling had forced a smile, playing the role of the loving wife to perfection-even though she knew he was merely tolerating her.

That evening, Fu Xunzhou had gone off to attend a business dinner, leaving her behind. Alone in the backseat of the car, she had removed her heels, revealing heels that were bloody and raw. But she hadn’t cared.

All she could think about was how utterly defeated she had felt that day-all because of a single, cutting remark from Fu Xunzhou, like an icy blade piercing her heart.

Later that night, she had fallen asleep alone in their large bed, only to wake up to the sensation of someone touching her foot. Startled, she had opened her eyes to find Fu Xunzhou inspecting her injury.

He had clearly had a few drinks but wasn’t drunk. His expression remained cold as ever, but upon noticing she was awake, he had asked, “When did this happen? Was it because of the heels this afternoon?”

Zhou Youling hadn’t responded, her throat tight with unshed tears.

Fu Xunzhou had glanced at her, then reached out to pat her head, his breath tinged with the faint scent of alcohol. “Silly girl, why didn’t you say anything if you were hurt?”

Her tears had threatened to spill over, the weight of her emotions overwhelming her.

Fu Xunzhou clearly didn’t know how to treat injuries. He had gently lifted her foot and, like soothing a child, had blown on the wound. “There, all better. Next time, don’t keep quiet if you’re in pain. Tell me, okay?”

She had nodded, and his small gesture of care had melted away all her resentment.

Zhou Youling had always believed that Fu Xunzhou was a kind-hearted man at his core. She had convinced herself that the man who had saved her life years ago must have been him, which was why she had repeatedly renewed her faith in him.

But now, knowing that her savior wasn’t him, and knowing that his heart had always belonged to another woman, Zhou Youling could no longer deceive herself into enduring this marriage.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the mall.

Old Master Fu’s eightieth birthday was fast approaching, and she hadn’t yet prepared a gift. In previous years, she had always been the one to handle his birthday presents, going out of her way to please him-and, by extension, Fu Xunzhou.

In her first year as a member of the Fu Family, she had gifted Old Master Fu a string of prayer beads from a temple, earning his praise.

The second year, she had given him a bonsai tree, which he had adored.

This year would be her third-and possibly her last-time preparing a birthday gift for him. But finding the perfect present was proving to be a headache.

She wandered aimlessly until she found herself inside a luxury boutique.

After browsing for a while, she spotted a handbag priced at 200,000 yuan and decided to purchase it. However, the sales associate informed her that the bag had already been reserved by another customer.

Zhou Youling didn’t push the issue but lingered, staring at the bag for a moment.

It was a simple, classic design: black leather with gold hardware. Nothing particularly unique.

Oddly enough, Zhou Youling hadn’t been especially drawn to the bag at first, but hearing that it was reserved made her want it even more. It reminded her of her marriage-when she had learned that Fu Xunzhou hadn’t wanted to marry her, she had stubbornly insisted on marrying him anyway.

She turned to the sales associate and said, “Reserve one for me as well.”

As a VIP customer, Zhou Youling received the utmost attention and service from the staff.

Just as she was speaking, another associate approached with a smile. “Miss Zhou, I apologize, but the customer who reserved that bag has just arrived.”

Zhou Youling set the bag down and instinctively turned to see who the customer was-only to find herself face-to-face with Xue Yining.

Xue Yining’s expression lit up with surprise as she greeted Zhou Youling. “What a coincidence!”

She was dressed in a knitted vest over a white blouse, coincidentally matching Zhou Youling’s outfit.

“Yes, quite the coincidence,” Zhou Youling replied with a polite smile.

Xue Yining was Fu Xunzhou’s former classmate and, reportedly, his first love. Zhou Youling had never confirmed this with Fu Xunzhou, choosing not to dwell on his past relationships, though she couldn’t help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

She had seen Xue Yining a few times before. At her own wedding, it had been Xue Yining who had caught the bridal bouquet. Shortly after the wedding, Xue Yining had left the country, and three years had passed since then.

It was after her marriage to Fu Xunzhou that rumors began to spread, accusing Zhou Youling of scheming her way into the Fu Family and breaking up a pair of star-crossed lovers. If not for her interference, people said, Fu Xunzhou and Xue Yining would have been living a blissful life together.

That was when Zhou Youling learned that Fu Xunzhou had always harbored feelings for someone else-his “white moonlight,” Xue Yining.

Noticing Zhou Youling’s earlier interest in the handbag, Xue Yining remarked, “Oh, you like this bag too?”

Before Zhou Youling could respond, the sales associate chimed in, “Yes, Miss Zhou seemed to like it as well. Unfortunately, there’s only one in stock, and we’ve already placed a call to reserve another.”

Xue Yining offered an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, I really love this bag. Otherwise, I’d let you have it.”

Her words carried an unspoken declaration, a subtle reminder that what was hers would never be relinquished.

Zhou Youling met Xue Yining’s gaze, her own smile unwavering. “Thank you, but there’s no need. It’s just a 200,000-yuan bag-I’m worried it might be too cheap to carry in public. Oh, don’t take it the wrong way; it’s just that in our circles, people don’t usually carry bags that inexpensive.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, Zhou Youling regretted them.

She sounded petty and vindictive, like a jealous woman fighting over a man. She had always despised women like that, yet here she was, becoming one herself.

Xue Yining’s expression remained composed, her demeanor unshaken. She smiled and replied, “You’re right, of course. After all, you’re the young madam of the Fu Family. The Fu Family is on a level we ordinary folk could never aspire to. I envy you-marrying into a wealthy family, living a life of luxury without lifting a finger, and being able to afford million-yuan handbags without a second thought.”

Even Zhou Youling, as silly as she sometimes was, couldn’t miss the biting sarcasm in Xue Yining’s words.