I'm Done with the Elite Marriage - Chapter 34

Fu Xunzhou hadn’t seen Zhou Youling for an entire week.

Seven days, a full one hundred and sixty-eight hours, and he hadn’t laid eyes on her.

In the past, Fu Xunzhou often went on business trips, sometimes for as long as two months, yet never did he find it so unbearable.

Without Zhou Youling, the house felt unsettlingly empty.

This city was vast, so vast that even though they were only a few kilometers apart, they couldn’t see each other.

Yet, the city was also small; if he wanted to see her, a single press on the gas pedal would bring him to her.

Every morning for seven days, Fu Xunzhou had to remind himself of one thing: he and Zhou Youling were divorced.

Whenever Fu Xunzhou was home, he would always sleep holding Zhou Youling in his arms. He loved the feel of her small frame, though he was always careful not to indulge too much, constantly restraining himself.

Zhou Youling would usually wake up a bit earlier than Fu Xunzhou, though sometimes she would linger in bed, her small head nuzzling against him as she struggled to get up. She would say she wanted to make him a loving breakfast, insisting that the food outside was never as good as home-cooked meals, especially since he traveled so often.

It wasn’t that they didn’t have servants, nor that Fu Xunzhou couldn’t eat anything other than Zhou Youling’s cooking. He simply hadn’t realized how much he took those little things for granted.

Perhaps, in some mysterious way, there was still a thread of fate connecting them. Fu Xunzhou happened to pass by today, not expecting to see Zhou Youling.

Watching Zhou Youling chat happily with another man, Fu Xunzhou experienced for the first time what it felt like to have his heart cut to pieces. The darker part of him wanted to push Ji Yangwen away, but reason told him they were no longer connected.

Driven by some inexplicable force, Fu Xunzhou got out of the car.

He wasn’t sure how he ended up walking into the restaurant, and when the welcoming waiter asked, “How many in your party, sir?” he didn’t respond, instead heading straight to the seat behind Zhou Youling.

Fu Xunzhou even concocted an excuse for himself. He wanted to tell Zhou Youling that he had found the ring he had lost.

It turned out he hadn’t accidentally left it behind on a business trip, but had simply left it in the pocket of a suit he hadn’t worn. He hadn’t intentionally stopped wearing the ring; he cherished it dearly. But with work being so hectic, he had momentarily forgotten where he had placed it.

Zhou Youling hadn’t noticed Fu Xunzhou’s arrival. She was laughing as she spoke to Ji Yangwen, “The boys from your school always hang around the entrance of ours. Were you one of them?”

Ji Yangwen denied it, saying, “No, I wasn’t one to hang around.”

“No?” Zhou Youling squinted, not pressing further.

Ji Yangwen sighed, “Alright, I admit it. I did.”

He added, “I even wrote you a love letter back then. Do you remember?”

Zhou Youling shook her head, “I have no recollection at all.”

Zhou Youling had heard Bai Lingxue mention this before, but she had assumed Bai Lingxue was mistaken. She didn’t expect Ji Yangwen to bring it up himself, leaving Zhou Youling feeling a bit awkward.

“I’ve figured it out, heartless indeed,” Ji Yangwen said, feigning exaggerated regret to ease the awkwardness.

Zhou Youling laughed, “You have to understand, back then, the stack of love letters I received was as high as a mountain. If I remembered each one, how would I have any time to study?”

Ji Yangwen chuckled, “I get it, I get it. Besides studying hard, our heroine also had to fight for justice.”

Zhou Youling covered her mouth with a laugh, “Alright, I admit, I’m not naturally inclined to study.”

“No need to hide it, I could tell.”

The two chatted and laughed, completely unaware of the lonely figure of Fu Xunzhou behind them.

In three years of marriage, Fu Xunzhou had never talked to Zhou Youling about childhood memories. They were four years apart; he saw her as a child, and she saw him as an unreachable Elder Brother. He didn’t know her school days were filled with such interesting stories, but he always knew she was mischievous. Unlike other girls, she wasn’t quiet; she was lively and loved finding odd things to play with. When their families dined together, she would often lower her head and occasionally feed a piece of meat to the puppy.

At that moment, Zhou Youling’s mind suddenly conjured the image of Fu Xunzhou.

If some people are naturally inclined to study, then Fu Xunzhou clearly was. In Zhou Youling’s childhood memories, Fu Xunzhou was always that kid from next door. He excelled in academics, won scholarships every year, and seemed to participate in every competition, always coming out with a prize. As she grew older, Zhou Youling admired Fu Xunzhou even more for his all-around abilities.

A week had passed since the divorce, and to say she didn’t miss him would be a lie.

Sometimes Zhou Youling doubted how a three-year marriage could just end like that.

But now, life felt relaxed; there was some regret, but more freedom.

Ji Yangwen noticed Zhou Youling’s momentary daze and teased, “Daydreaming? Thinking about someone?”

Zhou Youling’s expression shifted.

Ji Yangwen leaned back on the sofa, “Let me guess… a man?”

“Don’t make wild guesses.”

“Food and Desire, isn’t it fitting for the restaurant’s theme Food and Color?” Ji Yangwen smiled slightly, “I wonder if I have the honor of being the man you’re thinking about.”

Zhou Youling paused, realizing the meaning behind Ji Yangwen’s words.

He was pursuing her.

Ji Yangwen laughed, “No pressure, just like when we were kids. I’ll chase, you ignore.”

Zhou Youling lowered her head, “Sorry, right now, when it comes to feelings…”

“I understand,” Ji Yangwen nodded, “I’ll reserve a spot. I’m afraid when many pursue you, I won’t know where to line up.”

Zhou Youling laughed, shaking her head, “Don’t tease me.”

“I’m serious,” Ji Yangwen’s expression was sincere.

Just as Zhou Youling was at a loss for words, Zhou Xiaoming thankfully approached.

Zhou Xiaoming said to Zhou Youling, “The guest who had your Squirrel Fish expressed great satisfaction and would like to meet you.”

“Really?” Zhou Youling’s face lit up with delight.

Zhou Youling stood up from her seat, not even noticing Fu Xunzhou sitting not far behind her. She followed Zhou Xiaoming to the customer who had praised her dish, accepting the compliment in person.

What is the meaning of cooking, Zhou Youling wondered. Perhaps it is about gaining others’ recognition and finding one’s own value.

The confidence and radiance emanating from Zhou Youling seemed to affect everyone around her.

At the same time, both Fu Xunzhou and Ji Yangwen were watching Zhou Youling as she spoke to the customer with her head slightly bowed. She wore a white chef uniform, her sleeves rolled up to reveal her slender arms. Despite her petite frame, she seemed to possess boundless energy.

“Eating alone?” Ji Yangwen had somehow made his way to Fu Xunzhou’s table and sat down.

Fu Xunzhou glanced up at Ji Yangwen, noticing that his gaze remained fixed on Zhou Youling.

Every word exchanged between Ji Yangwen and Zhou Youling earlier had reached Fu Xunzhou’s ears.

Unable to hold back, Fu Xunzhou warned Ji Yangwen through gritted teeth, “Stay away from her.”

Ji Yangwen turned his head back.

The two men faced each other directly.

They had never gotten along, always finding fault with one another.

“Why?” Ji Yangwen smirked.

Fu Xunzhou enunciated each word clearly, “Don’t hurt her.”

Ji Yangwen’s smile grew more disdainful, “Hurt her? If I recall correctly, you’re the one who divorced her, aren’t you?”

Fu Xunzhou was left speechless.

Yes, he was the one who initiated the divorce.

If anyone had hurt her, it was him who had caused the deepest wound.

Ji Yangwen leaned forward slightly, placing his hands on the table like a predator ready to pounce.

He challenged Fu Xunzhou, “And what right do you have to tell me not to hurt her?”

Fu Xunzhou met his gaze, his eyes sharp and unyielding.

“You,” he said, “are a philanderer, unfaithful, and fickle. The women you’ve been with could line up from one end of the street to the other.”

Ji Yangwen let out a derisive chuckle, “Rest assured, at least when I marry a woman, I commit to her for life.”

With that, Fu Xunzhou was utterly defeated.

He knew he no longer had the right to interfere in Zhou Youling’s friendships, let alone her life. What he should do was quietly disappear from her world, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

Before Zhou Youling could see him, he made a hasty retreat.

Zhou Youling returned to her seat with a smile, eagerly recounting her lunchtime adventure to Ji Yangwen, which had been quite the close call.

Ji Yangwen listened intently, suggesting she make a dish for him to try.

Zhou Youling agreed with a laugh and dashed off to the kitchen.

Before long, Zhou Youling personally brought out a dish of spicy boiled fish, showcasing her culinary skills.

Fu Xunzhou realized that the day had finally come.

She no longer cooked for him, nor did she wait for him. She cooked for another man, smiling as she awaited his feedback.

Clearly, Ji Yangwen’s praise pleased her. She cupped her face in her hands, smiling with innocent delight.

Fu Xunzhou couldn’t bear to watch any longer. He pressed the gas pedal, becoming a true failure, leaving in disgrace.

As the car drove away, Zhou Youling slowly turned her head to look out the window.

Across the street, there was no one in sight, just a golden leaf gently falling from a tree.