I'm Done with the Elite Marriage - Chapter 17

Fu Xunzhou’s message brought Zhou Youling a strange sense of relief.

She couldn’t tell if she was finally free or if she had just pushed herself into a corner. Either way, there was no turning back now.

Taking a deep breath, Zhou Youling was about to step out of the restroom when she overheard another conversation about herself.

“Why haven’t we seen Zhou Youling? Didn’t she come?”

“She did. I just saw her earlier.”

“Honestly, I feel a bit sorry for her. Everyone says Fu Xunzhou doesn’t love her. Their marriage is just a sacrifice for their families.”

“Speaking of which, that younger sister-in-law and Second Aunt from the Fu Family don’t seem easy to deal with.”

“They say marrying into the Fu Family means a lifetime of luxury, but I’m not so sure.”

“Ah, what can you say? Marrying into a wealthy family is like diving into the deep sea.”

Zhou Youling had never realized she was such a hot topic. Today, it became clear. In just a few minutes, every group of women who entered the restroom had something to say about her.

Seriously, couldn’t they at least check if someone was inside before gossiping?

Boldly, Zhou Youling pushed the door open and stepped out, no longer hiding.

As she walked out, her expression shifted slightly. Upon seeing the two women fixing their makeup in front of the mirror, she immediately put on a look of grievance, as if she had suffered endless mistreatment in the Fu Family.

The two women froze, clearly caught off guard. Being overheard while gossiping about someone was awkward, no matter the situation. They exchanged glances, both at a loss for words.

Zhou Youling glanced at them discreetly. Judging by their age, they seemed to be in their thirties, likely distant relatives of the Fu Family.

Maybe they had even attended her wedding to Fu Xunzhou three years ago.

Walking up to them, she noticed they were using cushion compacts to touch up their makeup. She asked, “Elder sister, could I borrow your cushion compact?”

“Of course, of course,” the woman with long, flowing hair quickly handed it over.

“Thank you.” Zhou Youling sighed, taking the compact and dabbing it on her face. She didn’t say much, maintaining a sorrowful expression throughout.

The two women seemed to confirm everything they had just been gossiping about. Their gazes toward Zhou Youling were now tinged with sympathy.

The woman with long hair couldn’t help but offer some advice. “Try to look on the bright side. There’s no obstacle you can’t overcome.”

The other woman chimed in, “Exactly. Heaven is fair to everyone.”

“Thank you,” Zhou Youling said with a bitter smile. Then she asked, “I don’t look like I’ve been crying, do I?”

The second woman quickly replied, “Not at all, not at all.”

Of course, she hadn’t cried at all.

“That’s good to hear,” Zhou Youling said, still smiling faintly.

After lightly patting her face with the compact, she returned it to the woman, expressing her gratitude repeatedly.

The woman, feeling a bit embarrassed, offered, “No need to thank me. Do you want to touch up your lipstick too?”

After Zhou Youling left, the two women couldn’t help but comment again.

“You know, I actually kind of like Zhou Youling.”

“Me too! Her skin is so flawless. You’d never guess she’s wearing makeup.”

“Does Fu Xunzhou even have eyes? How could he not cherish such a beautiful wife?”

“Don’t worry! I bet he’ll regret it someday!”

…

Stifling a laugh, Zhou Youling walked out of the restroom, feeling both helpless and amused. She couldn’t help but admire her own cleverness. Instead of confronting others, she had chosen to play along with their assumptions. In the end, she even earned a few sympathy votes.

Her phone vibrated again. Zhou Youling glanced at the screen.

Fu Xunzhou: [Where are you?]

Holding her phone, Zhou Youling hesitated, debating whether to reply. Lost in thought, she turned a corner and accidentally bumped straight into a man’s chest.

Her nose collided with firm muscle, and she let out an “Ouch!” as she stumbled backward.

“Sorry,” they both said at the same time.

Looking up, Zhou Youling realized it was the same man who bore an uncanny resemblance to Fu Xunzhou.

The coincidence was almost too awkward to bear.

The memory of mistakenly dousing him with water last time was still fresh in her mind.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to,” Zhou Youling said, her face scrunched up as she rubbed her sore nose.

Fu Hexu’s sunny smile appeared. “I didn’t say you did it on purpose. Are you okay? Is your nose alright?”

Still holding her nose, Zhou Youling suddenly remembered the rumors about her nose being fake. She joked, “It’s nothing serious. Just that the ten-thousand-yuan implant in my nose might have shifted.”

Fu Hexu’s expression turned complicated. He instinctively wanted to help but seemed unsure of what to do.

In recent years, cosmetic surgery had become common, and he wasn’t opposed to it. After all, everyone had the right to pursue beauty.

But this situation left him at a loss. If he had really dislodged her implant, what was he supposed to do?

Seeing his conflicted expression, Zhou Youling couldn’t help but laugh.

Although this man bore some resemblance to Fu Xunzhou at first glance, a closer look revealed they were completely different. Not only in appearance but likely in personality as well.

Dropping her hand, Zhou Youling said, “Just kidding.”

Fu Hexu: “…”

For someone who had always been the one teasing others, it was a new experience to be on the receiving end.

Karma, perhaps.

As Zhou Youling tried to step around him, Fu Hexu blocked her path.

Today, he was dressed in a sharp suit, a stark contrast to his casual look the last time they met.

But no matter how dashing he looked in a suit, his resemblance to Fu Xunzhou left Zhou Youling unimpressed.

“Why did you throw water on me last time?” Fu Hexu asked, genuinely curious.

Feeling a bit awkward, Zhou Youling explained, “You looked like someone I know. I mistook you for him… and thought he was fooling around with another woman.”

Fu Hexu raised an eyebrow mischievously. “Let me guess. You thought I was Fu Xunzhou?”

“You know him?” Zhou Youling asked, surprised. Then a thought struck her, and she couldn’t help but wonder who this man really was.

Fu Hexu didn’t bother with theatrics. “I’m Fu Xunzhou’s elder male cousin. A lot of people say we look alike.”

“I see…” Zhou Youling nodded in understanding. She felt she should politely address him as “Elder male cousin,” but the words wouldn’t come out.

Fu Hexu didn’t seem to mind. He stepped back, giving her a once-over. “Let me guess who you are.”

Zhou Youling didn’t beat around the bush. Before he could guess, she said, “I’m Fu Xunzhou’s wife.”

Though not for much longer.

Fu Hexu nodded. He had already figured as much.

Finally, he understood why this woman had seemed so familiar the last time they met.

Years ago, he had risked his life to pull a little girl out of a fire. To this day, he had never received so much as a thank-you from her.

Just as Fu Hexu was about to say something, a firm hand clamped down on his shoulder.

He turned, frowning, to see Fu Xunzhou standing behind him.

Fu Xunzhou’s expression was as cold as ice, a stark contrast to Fu Hexu’s sunny demeanor.

“What are you two talking about?” Fu Xunzhou asked.

A strange emotion stirred within him. Seeing these two together made him uneasy.

Fu Hexu lazily glanced at Fu Xunzhou. “What else? Gossiping about you, of course. What did you think we were doing?”

Turning to Zhou Youling, he added, “This guy used to wet the bed as a kid. And he cried all the time. So annoying.”

Zhou Youling’s expression remained indifferent. She had no interest in learning anything more about Fu Xunzhou.

As a child, she had mistakenly believed he was her savior, turning gratitude into admiration.

Fu Xunzhou had always been the epitome of perfection-brilliant, handsome, and kind. She had idolized him, keeping her feelings to herself.

After marriage, she had gone to great lengths to cater to his every preference, transforming herself into the ideal wife. But in the end, she had been wrong about everything.

Fu Hexu, sensing the awkward atmosphere, decided to make his exit. “I’m off to wish Grandfather a happy birthday. You two carry on.”

Soon, only Zhou Youling and Fu Xunzhou were left standing in the hallway.

The hotel’s luxurious decor was impeccable, and the red carpet laid out for Old Master Fu’s birthday added an extra touch of grandeur.

Standing on the carpet, Zhou Youling felt unsteady. She had nothing to say to Fu Xunzhou, and their silence was suffocating. She turned to leave.

Just as she took a step, Fu Xunzhou grabbed her wrist. “We need to talk.”

“What do you want to talk about?” Zhou Youling asked.

Without answering, Fu Xunzhou pulled her along, searching for a quieter place to speak. The hallway was too noisy for a private conversation.

Zhou Youling allowed herself to be led, her expression detached. She didn’t resist, watching his back as he walked.

He never cared if she could keep up or if her high heels made it difficult to walk. He always moved at his own pace, exuding an air of calm confidence.

He didn’t care about her at all.

The urge to break free surged within her. She tugged at her wrist, but his grip only tightened.

To be fair, Fu Xunzhou had never forced her into anything she didn’t want. But perhaps that was because he simply didn’t care enough to try.

Finally, he found a small private room and pulled her inside, shutting the door behind them.

The room was modest, with a large dining table and chairs for ten.

Fu Xunzhou released her abruptly, nearly causing her to fall. She grabbed the back of a chair to steady herself.

Looking down, she noticed the red mark on her wrist from his grip. It had only been a moment, but his strength was evident.

The last time he had grabbed her like this, she had scraped her knee. That wound had only recently healed.

Fu Xunzhou, oblivious to her pain, stared at her coldly. “It’s been days. Have you had enough of this tantrum?”

“You still think I’m throwing a tantrum?” Zhou Youling sighed, her energy drained. She sank into a chair.

Looking up at him, she said earnestly, “I’m not throwing a tantrum. I want a divorce-for your sake and mine.”

“For my sake?” Fu Xunzhou’s usual composure twisted into something almost feral.

Leaning closer, he asked, “What exactly are you trying to do for me?”

Zhou Youling hesitated, unwilling to spell it out. Her lips moved, but no words came.

“Why can’t you just make this easy? Fu Xunzhou, don’t tell me you’re refusing because you can’t live without me.”

Fu Xunzhou scoffed.

He had never believed he couldn’t live without someone.

From her angle, Zhou Youling could see every flicker of emotion on his face-disdain, mockery. She saw it all.

Smiling bitterly, she said, “A divorce is just a signature and some paperwork. It shouldn’t be hard for you, right?”

Fu Xunzhou stayed silent.

“I don’t want any money or property. I’ll leave with nothing. The sooner I can leave the Fu Family, the better.”

Fu Xunzhou clenched his jaw. “You’re really set on this?”

Zhou Youling nodded.

“Fine. Divorce it is. Have it your way,” he said, finally relenting.

With one last look at her, he turned to leave. But as he opened the door, he came face-to-face with Rong Huiying, her expression livid.

She had been standing there for some time, having heard from Fu Hexu that the couple seemed to be arguing. Curiosity had brought her over.

But she hadn’t expected to witness this.

Trembling slightly, Rong Huiying stepped forward. Zhou Youling quickly moved to support her. “Mom, what are you doing here?”

“What were you two talking about? Divorce?” Rong Huiying’s voice was filled with pain as she looked at her daughter.

Zhou Youling nodded silently.

Rong Huiying shook off her daughter’s hand, stepped forward, and slapped Fu Xunzhou across the face.

Rong Huiying had been standing at the doorway for quite some time. After hearing from Fu Hexu that the young couple seemed to be having a disagreement, she became curious and came to see for herself.

However, she never expected to witness such a scene.

Rong Huiying trembled slightly, and Zhou Youling immediately stepped forward to support her mother: “Why are you here?”

“What are you talking about? Divorce?” Rong Huiying looked at her daughter with a face full of heartbreak.

Zhou Youling silently nodded.

Rong Huiying pulled away Zhou Youling’s hand that was holding her, stepped forward, and slapped Fu Xunzhou across the face.