I'm Done with the Elite Marriage - Chapter 27

Two men, both dressed in crisp white shirts.

Both standing tall at 185 centimeters, with strikingly handsome features, they instantly became the center of attention.

Though the dinner rush had passed, it was still a prime time for evening strolls and exercise, and plenty of passersby were around to witness the scene.

Fu Xunzhou, poised and composed. Ji Yangwen, rebellious and unruly.

When two men like this stood together, each gripping a woman’s arm, the tension in the air was palpable. The scene practically crackled with hostility.

A group of passing girls, eager for drama, quickly whipped out their phones to capture the moment-a scene straight out of a romantic drama. Sometimes, reality really does outshine fiction.

Zhou Youling glanced between the two men. Both were so tall that she had to tilt her head back to look at them. She subtly tried to shake off their hands, but neither seemed inclined to let go. Their grips were firm, unyielding.

Fu Xunzhou didn’t like Ji Yangwen.

Likewise, Ji Yangwen had no fondness for Fu Xunzhou.

Bai Lingxue, who had just stepped out, froze in place, speechless. She couldn’t resist pulling out her phone to snap a picture of this once-in-a-lifetime scene. But then, remembering her friend Zhou Youling trapped between the two men, she smacked her forehead. Just as she was about to step in and defuse the situation, Zhou Youling’s voice rang out loud and clear: “Both of you, let go of me!”

Fu Xunzhou and Ji Yangwen released her arms immediately.

Standing between the two, Zhou Youling felt like she was wedged between two towering mountains.

Ji Yangwen, looking apologetic, quickly offered an explanation. “Sorry, I thought he was harassing you.”

“Harassing?” Fu Xunzhou let out a dry laugh, as if he’d just heard the most absurd joke. A case of the pot calling the kettle black.

If not for his impeccable upbringing, Fu Xunzhou might have been tempted to throw a punch at Ji Yangwen right then and there.

“Mr. Fu, please conduct yourself properly,” Zhou Youling said, casting a glance at Fu Xunzhou. She instinctively shifted a step to the side. The seemingly casual movement closed the distance between her and Ji Yangwen while simultaneously increasing the gap between her and Fu Xunzhou.

In that moment, Fu Xunzhou was acutely aware-he was no longer Zhou Youling’s husband.

Ji Yangwen turned and walked to his car, opening the back door. With a gentlemanly gesture, he extended his hand toward Zhou Youling. “Shall we?”

Zhou Youling grabbed Bai Lingxue’s hand and climbed into Ji Yangwen’s car without looking back at Fu Xunzhou.

Bai Lingxue, however, couldn’t resist sneaking a glance at Fu Xunzhou before getting in. His face had turned a deep shade of red, resembling a pig’s liver. He looked, she thought, like a little boy who had just been abandoned.

Ah, well. You reap what you sow.

Ji Yangwen shut the car door, then turned back to Fu Xunzhou. With a slight nod, he shot him a look brimming with smugness, his eyes practically shouting triumph.

No one could tell what Fu Xunzhou was thinking as he stood there alone in front of the restaurant. Passersby couldn’t help but glance at him as they walked by.

But Fu Xunzhou knew one thing for certain: watching Zhou Youling get into Ji Yangwen’s car felt like a knife slicing through his heart.

He suddenly recalled the question Fu Hexu had asked him earlier that evening: “Do you regret it?”

Fu Xunzhou thought, perhaps he did.

“A real man knows when to bend and when to stand tall. If it’s eating you up, just go win her back. It’s not the end of the world.” Fu Hexu’s words echoed in his mind, over and over.

For the first time, Fu Xunzhou felt a pang of panic. He got into his car and drove off in the direction Ji Yangwen’s car had gone.

In the car, Ji Yangwen was driving Zhou Youling and Bai Lingxue toward the single apartment.

The apartment wasn’t far, roughly ten kilometers away, but with the city’s endless traffic lights, the trip would take at least half an hour.

After getting into the car, Ji Yangwen apologized to Zhou Youling again. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put you in a difficult position earlier.”

Zhou Youling shook her head. “It’s fine.”

It wasn’t exactly a difficult position. In fact, Zhou Youling had used Ji Yangwen to some extent. She had to admit that part of the reason she got into Ji Yangwen’s car was to make a point to Fu Xunzhou.

Ji Yangwen was straightforward. “To be honest, my actions earlier were somewhat deliberate as well.”

Zhou Youling was surprised by his honesty.

Ji Yangwen continued, “I don’t particularly like some of Fu Xunzhou’s ways of handling things. We’re just not on the same wavelength. Besides, I heard you and he are already divorced.”

Zhou Youling fell silent. She wasn’t sure if she should be equally candid. She didn’t appreciate Ji Yangwen prying into her personal life.

Sensing her thoughts, Ji Yangwen explained, “I didn’t intentionally dig into your private matters. It’s just that our circle is small, and even the smallest news travels fast.”

He wasn’t wrong.

Good news rarely spreads, but bad news travels like wildfire.

By now, the news of Zhou Youling and Fu Xunzhou’s divorce had likely already made the rounds in their social circle.

It had only been a few hours since their divorce, yet even someone like Ji Yangwen, who wasn’t particularly interested in gossip, had heard about it. Who knew how many others were eagerly waiting to see Zhou Youling’s misfortune unfold?

To outsiders, Zhou Youling’s marriage to Fu Xunzhou had been seen as her “marrying up” into the Fu Family. Now that the marriage had ended in such a dismal way, it was bound to attract plenty of chatter. In their society, divorce often carried a heavier stigma for women than for men.

Sitting beside her, Bai Lingxue, sensing Zhou Youling’s sadness, couldn’t help but tug on her hand. “Don’t overthink it.”

Zhou Youling smiled. “It’s just the truth.”

Bai Lingxue sighed softly.

Zhou Youling, in turn, comforted Bai Lingxue. “I’m really okay. Since I made this decision, I’ve already prepared myself for the consequences.”

That afternoon, Ji Yangwen had run into Zhou Youling at the sales office purely by chance. He had been there for a routine inspection of the construction site and happened to notice a potential buyer looking at properties. It was only after interacting with her that he realized it was Zhou Youling.

After she left, Ji Yangwen belatedly remembered that the Civil Affairs Bureau was not far from the sales office.

When Ji Yangwen first learned that Zhou Youling and Fu Xunzhou were getting a divorce, he had been surprised-but not entirely. Three years ago, he hadn’t thought much of their marriage to begin with.

Too many coincidences had piled up. By evening, Ji Yangwen was almost certain that Zhou Youling and Fu Xunzhou were officially divorced.

For a fleeting moment, a dark part of Ji Yangwen’s heart felt a strange sense of satisfaction.

But then, catching a glimpse of Zhou Youling’s carefully masked smile in the rearview mirror, he was unexpectedly struck by a pang of sympathy.

For the next ten minutes, Ji Yangwen didn’t say another word. In truth, he was a man of considerable gentlemanly demeanor. The soft, soothing music playing in the car created a calming atmosphere, allowing Zhou Youling a brief moment to clear her mind.

Glancing at the rearview mirror, Ji Yangwen noticed Zhou Youling lost in thought. He couldn’t help but steal another glance, his gaze lingering for just a second longer.

Before long, they arrived at the single apartment complex.

The residential area, named Sunshine Garden, was a high-end apartment complex developed by Ji’s Group three years ago. While it featured single apartments designed specifically for young professionals, the majority of the units were upscale suites catering to the middle class.

As Ji Yangwen had previously described, the environment here was serene, the interiors meticulously designed. At night, the view was particularly stunning.

The building stood eighteen stories tall, and Zhou Youling had chosen a unit on the eighth floor.

When the door opened, Zhou Youling was immediately drawn to the cozy charm of the small apartment.

The space was modest-just 65 square meters-with a tiny balcony, yet it exuded a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Compared to Zhou Youling, Bai Lingxue was clearly more enamored with the place.

She wandered through the apartment, her excitement evident. “How did I not know about such a perfect development before? This is absolutely ideal for single women like us!”

Ji Yangwen added, “The security here is also top-notch.”

Bai Lingxue nodded knowingly. From the main gate to the apartment door, the layers of security were evident. Beyond the guards, there were numerous monitoring and alarm systems in place.

They spent nearly half an hour exploring the apartment. Most of the time, Zhou Youling stood on the balcony, gazing into the distance. She had impulsively signed the contract earlier that afternoon, making this apartment officially hers. Now, she was simply acquainting herself with her new home.

The cool evening air was refreshing, keeping her thoughts clear.

Meanwhile, Bai Lingxue, full of enthusiasm, bombarded Ji Yangwen with questions. She was already considering buying a unit for herself.

Once everything was settled, the group prepared to leave.

Ji Yangwen, ever the gentleman, offered to drive them back, but Zhou Youling politely declined. “A friend of ours is already on the way. Thank you for your help, Mr. Ji.”

“Just call me Yangwen. ‘Mr. Ji’ sounds far too formal.”

Zhou Youling responded with a faint smile.

Thankfully, Congshi arrived quickly, sparing them from any awkward silences.

Pulling up in her little Mercedes, Congshi gestured to them. “Hop in.”

After bidding farewell to Ji Yangwen, Zhou Youling and Bai Lingxue got into Congshi’s car.

As they drove off, Bai Lingxue couldn’t hold back any longer. “I’d bet anything that Ji Yangwen is going to pursue Lingling!”

Zhou Youling looked at her, exasperated. “What are you even talking about?”

“All you did was buy an apartment from him,” she added, shaking her head.

Bai Lingxue gave her a knowing look, as if to say, “Just wait and see.”

Congshi rolled her eyes at Bai Lingxue, clearly unimpressed by her gossiping. Turning to Zhou Youling, she asked, “Are you pregnant?”

The question nearly made Zhou Youling choke on her own saliva. “No, no, no!” she quickly clarified.

“Then why did you buy a pregnancy test?” Congshi pressed.

“Did you buy one?” Zhou Youling shot back.

Congshi’s face turned uncharacteristically red. “No… I was too embarrassed.”

Bai Lingxue burst into laughter. “Hahaha! I didn’t think there was anything that could embarrass you!”

“Shut up, you!” Congshi retorted.

Spotting a pharmacy up ahead, Zhou Youling motioned for Congshi to pull over.

Once out of the car, Zhou Youling headed straight inside to look for a pregnancy test. To be thorough, she picked out several brands, then made her way to the cashier to pay.

The cashier, with a kind smile, offered some advice. “It’s more accurate to test with your first urine in the morning. Of course, you can test now if you’d like.”

Just as Zhou Youling was about to respond, Fu Xunzhou suddenly appeared beside her.

The sight of him nearly gave her a heart attack. She had no idea when he had entered the store.

Fu Xunzhou’s eyes locked onto the pregnancy tests the cashier was handing over. He instinctively took them into his own hands, staring at them in a daze. “What is this?” he asked, his voice tinged with a mix of confusion and hope.

A strong premonition gripped him, one that filled him with a sudden, overwhelming sense of joy and anticipation.

Zhou Youling, caught off guard by his unexpected presence, felt a surge of irritation. But with the evidence right in front of him, there was no point in hiding anything.

Without a word, she snatched the pregnancy tests back from Fu Xunzhou’s hands. Her voice was cold as she said, “Don’t tell me you don’t recognize a pregnancy test.”