I'm Done with the Elite Marriage - Chapter 38

“Christmas is just around the corner. Got any plans this year?” Bai Lingxue asked.

“Not sure yet,” Zhou Youling replied, her gaze drifting aimlessly out the car window. The rain was still falling, casting reflections of neon lights on the glass. For some reason, it evoked a sense of melancholy.

The streets on this deep winter night seemed devoid of pedestrians.

Bai Lingxue glanced sideways at Zhou Youling and asked, “What’s on your mind? You were all smiles just a moment ago, but after seeing Fu Xunzhou, you seem off.”

Zhou Youling touched her face, “Stop it, will you? I’m not thinking about him.”

In truth, her mind was blank. She had to admit that seeing Fu Xunzhou did stir some emotions, but deep down, she genuinely wanted to let go.

It was during the idle moments of the day that her thoughts would occasionally drift to Fu Xunzhou. Xue Yining’s words earlier had sparked intense conflict within her. If Fu Xunzhou had never been involved with Xue Yining, had she misunderstood everything?

Had she wronged him?

Yet even so, she couldn’t feel his love.

Shaking her head, Zhou Youling decided to stop dwelling on these thoughts. Her priority now was to live in the present and prepare for the arrival of a new life.

“By the way, did you hear about Xu Jiaze advancing in that talent show?” Bai Lingxue asked.

Zhou Youling nodded, “Congcong mentioned it last time, said a talent agency approached him?”

Bai Lingxue said, “I think Xu Jiaze might really be a hidden gem. He’s currently at the top of the popularity charts, just a step away from debuting.”

“That’s great news for him,” Zhou Youling said. She had been so busy with the restaurant that she hadn’t kept up with Xu Jiaze’s recent developments.

Xu Jiaze had been discovered by a talent scout and was now participating in a highly popular domestic talent show. The show had caused a huge stir online shortly after its launch, and within just a week, Xu Jiaze’s name frequently topped the trending lists.

His good looks were secondary; what set him apart was his strong skill set. Talented in multiple instruments, with songwriting abilities, and a decent singing voice, he was a rare find.

Bai Lingxue remarked, “Back at the bar, everyone said Xu Jiaze was destined to shine. Who knew it would happen so quickly?”

“Indeed,” Zhou Youling agreed, feeling a bit nostalgic.

Life’s path can change dramatically with just one different step, like the butterfly effect.

Bai Lingxue asked, “How did you meet Xu Jiaze? Do you know anything about his background? He always seemed to be a lone wolf, yet he’s quite talented.”

Zhou Youling recounted the story of how she met Xu Jiaze, and Bai Lingxue listened with great interest.

The two friends returned to their cheerful conversation, arriving at their place, hand in hand, humming tunes as they went upstairs.

Not long after Zhou Youling got home, her phone rang.

It was Ji Yangwen calling, asking, “Did you get home?”

“Yeah, just got in,” Zhou Youling replied.

Ji Yangwen said, “I just landed in Nanzhou City and brought you a gift.”

Zhou Youling had the speakerphone on as she was about to take a shower. She was tying her hair into a bun and said to Ji Yangwen, “Thank you.”

“I was wondering if delivering the gift now would disturb you?” Ji Yangwen asked.

Zhou Youling paused for a moment.

Ji Yangwen continued, “It’s 10:30 PM now. If I head over from the airport, I should reach your place around 11:10. I’ll just drop it off and leave, so I won’t take up much of your time.”

Touched by Ji Yangwen’s gesture, Zhou Youling instructed him, “Be careful on the road.”

“Alright.”

True to his word, Ji Yangwen knocked on Zhou Youling’s door at around 11:10 PM.

Zhou Youling had just finished her shower not long ago. Her long hair was half-dried, and she was wearing a fluffy pajama set.

When she opened the door, the first thing she saw was a pot of flowers.

A pot of pink daisies.

Ji Yangwen set the flowers down and revealed his face, saying, “Good evening.”

He had traveled a long way, with a few droplets of water still clinging to his black coat. His hair was trimmed shorter than the last time Zhou Youling saw him, and he looked more energetic.

“A pot of daisies for you,” Ji Yangwen said.

Ji Yangwen had been on a business trip to Yunnan, a place known for its beautiful flowers all year round. For some reason, when he saw this pot of daisies, Zhou Youling was the first person who came to his mind. For the first time in his life, he carried the pot through security and onto the plane, all the way to her hands.

Zhou Youling couldn’t remember if she had ever mentioned her love for flowers to Ji Yangwen. When she moved into this apartment, she had thought about planting some flowers on the balcony, but she had been too busy with the restaurant to visit the flower market to pick one out.

“Thank you, I really like it,” Zhou Youling said, taking the flowers from him. “Come in and have some hot water.”

Ji Yangwen hesitated for a moment before stepping into Zhou Youling’s room.

The layout of this apartment was designed by Ji Yangwen himself, so he could almost navigate it with his eyes closed. Yet, he found himself captivated by the space.

Zhou Youling’s new home was decorated warmly, with lots of pink elements that didn’t feel out of place, giving it a fresh and cozy vibe.

A pink, delicate world, completely different from Ji Yangwen’s more masculine style.

Zhou Youling poured Ji Yangwen a glass of hot water, shrugged, and said, “I don’t have any drinks at home, just this. Hold it to warm your hands.”

Ji Yangwen took the white mug she handed him, the warm water making the mug’s surface pleasantly warm.

Zhou Youling seemed to be quite fond of the flowers. She held the pot, turning it around and around, saying, “Where should I put the flowers?”

The pink daisies seemed to blend perfectly with all the decorations in the room, even matching her fluffy pink pajamas.

Ji Yangwen took the pot from her and placed it on the dining table, saying, “Let’s put it here for now.”

Zhou Youling nodded, “That works.”

The two sat facing each other, Zhou Youling’s long hair cascading over her shoulders, with a few rebellious strands falling onto her cheeks, which she brushed aside.

The night was quiet, and Ji Yangwen seemed to hear the sound of his own heartbeat.

He knew he was already trapped in a quagmire, finding it difficult to extricate himself.

Ji Yangwen stood up and said, “It’s getting late, I should head back. You should get some rest.”

Zhou Youling stood up as well, not trying to keep him, and escorted him to the door, “Be careful on your way. And thank you for the flowers.”

“You’re welcome.”

After seeing Ji Yangwen off, Zhou Youling turned around to look at the flowers on the table.

She remembered how Fu Xunzhou used to bring her flowers when he returned from business trips, always buying them pot by pot. The garden at home was filled with all kinds of flowers, and she wondered if they would survive the harsh winter this year.

…

Perhaps due to his romantic setbacks, Fu Xunzhou had made unprecedented strides in his work, his bold and reckless actions unexpectedly yielding fruitful results.

As the year drew to a close, Fu Xunzhou submitted a report that satisfied everyone, leaving the shareholders who had previously voiced concerns speechless.

After the afternoon meeting, Yi Bochao stayed behind in the conference room, noticing Fu Xunzhou lost in thought. He said, “Did you hear about Xue Yining?”

Fu Xunzhou looked up, slightly furrowing his brow.

Yi Bochao noticed the confusion in Fu Xunzhou’s eyes and said, “It’s quite a story. Xue Yining caused quite a scene at Food and Color a couple of days ago, and after the video went viral, she’s pretty much ruined her reputation.”

Fu Xunzhou’s frown deepened, “What happened?”

Yi Bochao opened the video on his phone and handed it to Fu Xunzhou.

The video showed the chaos Xue Yining had caused at Food and Color a few days ago.

“…Hahaha. Isn’t it funny? You thought Fu Xunzhou liked me, so you tried so hard to emulate me. But guess what? Fu Xunzhou never even glanced at me… I’m so happy you and Fu Xunzhou got divorced. Congratulations to me.”

Fu Xunzhou’s face turned icy cold.

Yi Bochao quietly retrieved his phone from Fu Xunzhou’s hand and said, “Xue Yining once slandered your sister-in-law, and now she’s causing trouble at her restaurant. Honestly, if I were your sister-in-law, I’d be furious too.”

They were all classmates, and had always maintained a good relationship. Yi Bochao was surprised when he saw the video online yesterday, not expecting the seemingly innocent and gentle Xue Yining to act like this.

Yi Bochao had always known Xue Yining had feelings for Fu Xunzhou, but since Fu Xunzhou never reciprocated, everyone assumed nothing would come of it. Yet, it had escalated to this point.

The divorce between Fu Xunzhou and Zhou Youling was practically an open secret, and no one dared to mention it at the company because everyone could see Fu Xunzhou still wore his wedding ring.

As for Zhou Youling, her close friends knew she had successfully managed Food and Color after the divorce, seemingly having moved on from the shadow of it.

Yi Bochao couldn’t help but reminisce about Zhou Youling’s culinary skills.

Yi Bochao advised Fu Xunzhou, “Since it’s all a misunderstanding, you should win your sister-in-law back. Communication is crucial between couples. The lack of it is what allowed Xue Yining to take advantage.”

Fu Xunzhou slowly turned his gaze to the window.

Reflecting on it, since marrying Zhou Youling, he had heard the rumors outside but found them laughable, never bothering to explain anything to her. Little did he know, these words accumulated over time, eventually forming a barrier between them.

Yi Bochao said, “Man, you have to seize the opportunity!”

Fu Xunzhou finally stopped hesitating, stood up, and strode towards the elevator.

Once downstairs, he didn’t even consider driving, as Fu’s Group headquarters was only a few blocks away from Food and Color.

Outside, a light rain was falling, but Fu Xunzhou paid it no mind.

His hair was dampened by the rain, and his shoulders bore visible water stains.

The journey was long, yet so close.

Arriving across the street from Food and Color, Fu Xunzhou’s steps finally slowed.

Across the street, Ji Yangwen was thoughtfully holding an umbrella for Zhou Youling, who was cradling two pots of flowers, her smile radiant.