I'm Done with the Elite Marriage - Chapter 2
Rumors, once heard often enough, start to seem true. Alone in the expansive bedroom of the hillside villa, Zhou Youling couldn’t help but reflect on whether marrying Fu Xunzhou was a mistake.
For two years, Zhou Youling had given her all to this marriage, yet all she received in return was Fu Xunzhou’s cold demeanor.
As the evening approached, the sky over Nanzhou City was painted with hues of twilight.
Typically, Fu Xunzhou would return home around seven in the evening. In the past, Zhou Youling would begin preparing ingredients in the afternoon, all for a dinner that was perfect in taste and presentation.
Knowing Fu Xunzhou’s preference for home-cooked meals, Zhou Youling had mastered the art of cooking. Even if it was just the two of them dining, she would thoughtfully prepare four dishes and a soup, ensuring variety every day. A simple compliment from Fu Xunzhou about the taste could keep her happy for a long time.
But tonight, Zhou Youling suddenly felt a strong reluctance to go home, let alone cook for Fu Xunzhou.
In matters of the heart, Zhou Youling was particular.
She had married Fu Xunzhou because of a childhood betrothal arranged by their families and her belief that Fu Xunzhou was her savior. Without much thought, she agreed to the marriage, expecting a lifetime of mutual respect and companionship. However, Xue Yining’s appearance had thrown her into doubt.
As the city lights flickered on, Zhou Youling wandered the streets alone, ignoring the persistent ringing of her phone in her bag.
Fu Xunzhou had returned home, surprised to find Zhou Youling absent.
In the past, no matter the time, Zhou Youling would always be there to greet him at the door.
Today, Fu Xunzhou returned home an hour earlier than usual, expecting Zhou Youling to be there. He even took out a gift he had brought back for her from his trip.
The servants noticed Fu Xunzhou’s confusion and informed him, “Madam left in the morning, possibly for a spa appointment. Old Zhang went with her.”
Old Zhang was Zhou Youling’s dedicated driver, as she didn’t drive herself, he accompanied her everywhere.
Fu Xunzhou made two calls to Zhou Youling, both unanswered, which worried him. He then called Old Zhang.
Old Zhang answered, “Madam isn’t using the car; she’s walking alone.”
Fu Xunzhou stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, loosening his tie, and asked, “What’s going on?”
Old Zhang, puzzled, replied, “Madam seems to be in a bad mood.”
Fu Xunzhou instinctively asked, “Why is she upset?”
Old Zhang thought to himself: Isn’t it obvious? She waited with a table full of dishes for you last night until the early hours, who wouldn’t be upset?
But Old Zhang dared not voice this and simply said, “I don’t know.”
…
As night deepened, Zhou Youling, feeling downcast, wandered aimlessly through the streets. She wore a figure-hugging dress, her wavy hair cascading down her back, and high heels. Her striking appearance and flawless figure drew attention wherever she went.
Feeling hungry, Zhou Youling caught the scent of food and looked up to see a Chinese restaurant. Just as she hesitated to enter, someone was pushed out of the restaurant, colliding with her.
The youth who bumped into her quickly turned to apologize, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”
Zhou Youling was about to say it was fine when a waiter stormed out, angrily accusing the youth, “Get lost! Trying to dine and dash without paying?”
The youth, tall but slender, bent over to explain, “I didn’t dine and dash! My money was stolen by a pickpocket in your restaurant…”
The waiter sneered, “Oh, really? Look at you, do you look like someone who can afford a meal? Claiming your money was stolen here, stop lying!”
Though the youth’s back was to Zhou Youling, she noticed his ears turning red with embarrassment.
Despite the cold weather, the youth wore only a plain long T-shirt, cargo pants, and sneakers. He seemed about seventeen or eighteen.
“I didn’t lie… I didn’t…” the youth murmured.
The waiter held a violin, which he threw to the ground, “Ha, you think I don’t know you? You’re the poor guy who sings in the square without earning a dime, yet you dare to come here for a free meal.”
The violin hit the ground with a thud, not shattered but damaged.
The youth quickly crouched to pick up the violin, cradling it protectively, and scolded the waiter, “How dare you smash my violin! How dare you?”
“It’s just a broken violin, not even worth a meal!”
The waiter turned to leave.
“Stop.” Zhou Youling, who had been silent, spoke coldly.
The waiter paused.
In this business, people knew how to talk to different customers. For someone like Zhou Youling, they were all smiles, “Miss, would you like to dine?”
Zhou Youling glanced at the youth on the ground and told the waiter, “Apologize.”
“Uh?” The waiter was puzzled.
Zhou Youling repeated, “Apologize. I’ll cover his meal.”
The commotion had attracted attention. Customers entering and leaving the restaurant paused, curious to see how this young woman would handle the situation.
The waiter quickly smiled, “Miss, you have a kind heart. That kid tried to dine and dash, it’s not much, just 165 yuan1. Would you like to pay by card or cash?”
Zhou Youling remained indifferent, “Either is fine.”
The youth looked up, his dark eyes filled with gratitude.
But Zhou Youling noticed the youth’s eyes were red.
She pulled two red bills from her wallet and handed them to the waiter. As the waiter reached out to take them, Zhou Youling withdrew her hand, “Apologize.”
The waiter, adaptable, showed no remorse, smiling, “Sorry, my apologies, I was just too hasty earlier. Being a waiter isn’t easy; we have to cover any unpaid meals.”
Zhou Youling nodded, then handed the youth’s violin to the waiter, “And compensate for this.”
The waiter looked disdainful, almost rolling his eyes.
A broken violin, what’s it worth?
Zhou Youling, however, was serious, pressing the violin into the waiter’s arms, “An EU master violin made by contemporary Italian luthier Christina, not much, just over 100,000. Would you like to pay by card or cash?”
The waiter was utterly flustered.
Xu Jiaze, standing beside Zhou Youling, looked at the woman who stood up for him with admiration, feeling waves of emotion.
Zhou Youling turned to the youth and winked, “Did you get enough to eat earlier? Want to join me for a meal?”
Footnote:
- Yuan(元): Yuan (yuán) is the basic unit of currency in China. The symbol for yuan is ¥, 1 yuan ≈ 0.15 USD. Yuan (yuán)
