I’m Done with the Elite Marriage

Time flew by, and before anyone realized it, December was drawing to a close. Soon, a new year would dawn, and everything would start afresh.

Zhou Youling looked forward to the new year. She anticipated a fresh start and the arrival of a new life.

It had been almost a month since the divorce, and the once hot topic of Zhou Youling and Fu Xunzhou had settled into mere gossip. No one really cared how Zhou Youling was faring, but whenever her name came up, it was always with a sigh. Divorced women seemed to lose value, while divorced men became more desirable. Not even a month had passed since the divorce, and matchmakers were already lining up at the Fu Family’s door.

Zhou Youling was nearly three months pregnant. Apart from a few close confidants, no one knew about her pregnancy, and the Fu family was completely unaware of it.

Zhou Youling was slender, and even at three months, her belly remained flat. Due to some pregnancy symptoms, her weight had dropped two jin¹ from her original ninety jin.

When Rong Huiying learned about Zhou Youling’s weight loss, she insisted, “You should move back home. I can take care of you, and I’ll get to see you all the time.”

Leaning on the sofa, munching on an apple, Zhou Youling replied, “I can’t. It’s too far from the store. I’d waste two hours every day commuting. The single apartment is only twenty minutes away.”

Now, all of Zhou Youling’s focus was on Food and Color. Though it hadn’t been long, she was completely absorbed in it. It was a career she loved, and she was full of energy.

Rong Huiying was displeased, “Then explain why you’ve lost weight. Is it because you’re working too hard?”

Zhou Youling said, “It’s normal. The doctor said it’s normal. The doctor also advised maintaining my weight and not overeating, as gaining too much weight would be troublesome.”

“What kind of doctor is that? Do they even know what they’re talking about?” Rong Huiying clung to her old beliefs, “When I was pregnant, I had nourishing soups every day. I gained forty jin when I had you, and you were chubby and adorable.”

Zhou Youling sighed, “Mom, I don’t want to argue. Come with me to the next check-up, and let the doctor explain it to you.”

“Fine, I’ll go.”

Zhou Zhishan, listening from the side, felt overwhelmed and sighed, “Can you stop nagging? Lingling is grown up and knows what she’s doing. Besides, your ideas are outdated.”

Rong Huiying briefly doubted herself, then retorted to Zhou Zhishan, “No matter how grown she is, she’s still my daughter! And now that Lingling is pregnant, it’s different. She’s a priority!”

Zhou Zhishan knew better than to argue further.

Finishing her apple, Zhou Youling stood up, “Mom, I won’t move back for now. I’ll consider it in the later stages of pregnancy. The store is busy, and I need to get back.”

Rong Huiying was about to stop Zhou Youling, but she had already made her escape.

“This child, always making people worry,” Rong Huiying sighed.

Zhou Zhishan sighed along with her, “The kid’s grown up. You shouldn’t keep nagging, it’ll just annoy her.”

Rong Huiying retorted, “How am I nagging? Should I just say nothing? Can you keep quiet?”

Zhou Zhishan raised an eyebrow, “I can keep quiet.”

“Get lost, get lost.”

…

It took an hour to get from the Zhou Family to the Food and Color restaurant, and that was on a good day without traffic.

Zhou Youling didn’t drive, so the commute always felt like a hassle. She decided to stay in her single apartment instead. She was quite pleased with her apartment, especially now that Bai Lingxue had moved in across the hall. It was like being back in school, where a knock on the door meant seeing her best friend.

Though she said she was going to the restaurant, Zhou Youling really just wanted to escape her mom’s constant chatter. She returned to her apartment and knocked on Bai Lingxue’s door.

Bai Lingxue, still half-asleep, opened the door and then turned back to her room.

“Weren’t we supposed to try the new dishes at my restaurant this afternoon? Why are you still sleeping?” Zhou Youling asked.

Bai Lingxue flopped back onto her bed, “I was up all night chatting with a handsome guy. I’m exhausted.”

Zhou Youling sat on the sofa, unable to resist advising her, “Don’t get fooled by some handsome guy online. He might just be using photos to trick you. You don’t want to end up regretting it.”

“I’m not that dumb. I just think his voice is really nice,” Bai Lingxue had met a guy online whose voice was so charming it made her knees weak. “Ah, let me play you his voice.”

Bai Lingxue played a voice message for Zhou Youling.

The guy’s voice: “Sweetie, go to sleep now. Goodnight.”

The voice was so smooth it made one’s legs tremble.

Zhou Youling grabbed Bai Lingxue’s phone and listened a few more times, “Wow, is this guy a voice actor? He sounds amazing!”

Bai Lingxue shook her head, “He says he’s not a voice actor, just a college student.”

Zhou Youling looked incredulous, “You’re into younger guys?”

Bai Lingxue protested, “What do you mean younger guys? We’re just chatting normally. Besides, in my mind, he’s my big brother.”

Zhou Youling teased, “Gross!”

Bai Lingxue, now wide awake, got up to wash up and put on some makeup. She had plans to meet the guy today and felt a bit nervous.

While waiting for Bai Lingxue to get ready, Zhou Youling idly checked her phone.

Ten minutes ago, Ji Yangwen had sent her a message: [Cold air is arriving in Nanzhou City this afternoon, expect a 10-degree Celsius drop. Keep warm.]

Ji Yangwen was always thoughtful like that.

Since they met, he had provided Zhou Youling with the warmth and care that Fu Xunzhou never did.

Zhou Youling had to admit, she needed this kind of attention, even if she wasn’t ready to embrace a new relationship.

Moreover, her current situation didn’t allow for it.

She replied to the message: [Got it.]

“Wow!” Bai Lingxue peeked over, “And you have the nerve to lecture me! Aren’t you chatting with a handsome guy too?”

Zhou Youling locked her phone screen and retorted, “No, we’re just talking as normal friends.”

Bai Lingxue stuck out her tongue. “I don’t think Ji Yangwen sees it that way.”

Zhou Youling replied, “He admitted he wants to pursue me, but he also said he would be friends with me normally. To be honest, I don’t dislike him. But when it comes to feelings, I’m a bit confused.”

Bai Lingxue nodded, “Who wouldn’t be confused about Ji Yangwen? He’s so handsome, after all.”

Zhou Youling fell silent for a moment. She was very clear that she didn’t have any fluttering feelings for Ji Yangwen.

…

By the time they arrived at the restaurant, it was already past noon.

In less than a month, the interior of Food and Color had undergone a significant transformation. This transformation wasn’t about the restaurant’s decor but the internal work environment. The most noticeable change was in the kitchen.

Under the reorganization by acting Kitchen Supervisor Su Xingan, the kitchen was now spotless, with no trace of dirt or grime to be found.

Today’s new dish tasting was crafted by Su Xingan, and both Zhou Youling and Bai Lingxue found it delightful.

With the improved taste of the dishes from the kitchen, business at Food and Color had also picked up, with more returning customers. During peak dining hours, the wait time could be as long as four to five hours, a level of exaggeration that had to be seen to be believed.

Bai Lingxue was even prouder of this than Zhou Youling, as she could come and eat whenever she wanted without having to wait in line.

After lunch, Bai Lingxue was busy going on a date with her handsome guy, while Zhou Youling stayed at the restaurant.

Owning her own place, Zhou Youling did whatever she felt like. On a whim, she would try being a waiter, help out in the kitchen if it got busy, or even count cash at the register if she found it amusing.

In short, life was quite satisfying.

Just a few days ago, a reporter came to interview her, saying that Food and Color had become a must-visit restaurant for anyone traveling to Nanzhou City, and asked Zhou Youling about her secret to success.

Zhou Youling accepted the interview, and it was no longer a secret that she was the owner of Food and Color. Congratulations poured in from all sides.

Today, on a whim, Zhou Youling decided to learn how to make drinks at the bar.

The beverages at Food and Color were also a major highlight, with the most representative being a pot of fruit tea. The types of fruit tea were determined by the season, but all the utensils used for serving the tea were meticulously chosen.

However, Zhou Youling had just entered the bar when a front hall waiter came in and said, “Boss Zhou, there’s a customer causing a scene in the front hall, claiming there’s a cockroach in their dish. They’re threatening to call the media. But Zhou Xiaoming is already handling it.”

Having been in the restaurant business for a while, Zhou Youling knew that different situations could arise almost daily. These moments tested the waiters’ ability to adapt. Sometimes it was the restaurant’s fault, and they couldn’t make excuses. Other times, even if it wasn’t the restaurant’s fault, they had to face it positively.

Zhou Youling had great faith in Zhou Xiaoming’s abilities and continued to leisurely learn how to make drinks at the bar. But she could still hear the commotion outside.

After a while, Zhou Xiaoming entered the bar, looking a bit troubled.

Sensing that things might not be that simple, Zhou Youling asked, “What’s up?”

Zhou Xiaoming said, “A customer found a cockroach in their dish. I’m sorry, I didn’t handle it well. They seem to know you and specifically asked to see you.”

Zhou Youling paused, putting down the drink she was making.

As soon as she stepped out of the bar, she could hear the noisy commotion in the front hall.

She saw someone sitting not far away-it was Xue Yining.

Following Zhou Youling’s gaze, Zhou Xiaoming whispered, “It’s the customers at that table.”

For some reason, Zhou Youling was more certain that this situation would be tricky.

Xue Yining, sitting at the center of the storm, spotted Zhou Youling from afar and waved. “Boss Zhou, why don’t you come and explain yourself? There’s a cockroach in your restaurant’s dish.”

“Is that so?” Zhou Youling walked over calmly and stood in front of Xue Yining. “If it’s our restaurant’s fault, we’ll definitely give you a reasonable explanation.”

If it wasn’t, she wouldn’t let it go easily either.

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