I'm Done with the Elite Marriage - Chapter 54
Outside the window, a sudden flash of white light appeared-it was Zhou Zhishan setting off fireworks.
The New Year was almost here.
The “bang bang” of the fireworks interrupted Fu Xunzhou’s words.
Fu Xunzhou wasn’t sure if Zhou Youling had heard what he said.
But she stopped at the window, right in front of him.
“Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, Happy New Year…”
On the TV, the host’s voice was mixed with the sound of fireworks, breaking intermittently.
It was unclear how much time had passed, but eventually, all the noise settled into silence.
Zhou Youling turned around, looking at Fu Xunzhou not far away.
She used to often accompany him during meals.
He would sit quietly at the dining table, and she would sit quietly across from him.
Fu Xunzhou was never much of a talker when eating, and he ate quickly.
He always seemed very busy, often heading straight to the study after meals, where a pile of documents awaited him.
Back then, Zhou Youling didn’t understand business, but since she started her restaurant, she seemed to understand a little more.
Take the daily expenses of the restaurant, for example; Zhou Youling had to spend a lot of time verifying every transaction. At the beginning and end of the month, it was even more hectic, as she had to calculate employees’ salaries, and sometimes time would fly by without her noticing. Not to mention all the other miscellaneous tasks.
Zhou Youling was merely running a restaurant, but Fu Xunzhou was leading a group with over 30,000 employees worldwide.
Zhou Youling remembered that shortly after they got married, Fu Xunzhou took over the Fu Group, and he was much busier then than he was now. At that time, her eyes and heart were filled with him, finding everything he did charming. When he worked in the study, she would follow him there, not daring to disturb him, quietly sitting on the sofa reading a book. He would barely glance at her the entire evening, and she would unknowingly fall asleep in the study, only to wake up in the bedroom.
Back then, Fu Xunzhou had mentioned that he would be quite busy for the next few years and asked for her understanding. Zhou Youling agreed willingly, but as time passed, she seemed to gradually struggle with the loneliness.
Their marriage was rushed, without a wedding dress, without vows, and ended in a bleak manner.
So, many times, Zhou Youling would think that the issues between them might not be entirely one person’s fault.
Or perhaps, as time goes by, people tend to forget those painful memories deep within.
Fu Xunzhou quietly finished his bowl of noodles, then took the initiative to wash the dishes, finally wiping his hands and turning to look at Zhou Youling.
The New Year’s chimes had long since passed.
Fu Xunzhou opened his mouth and said to Zhou Youling, “Happy New Year.”
Zhou Youling nodded and replied, “You too, Happy New Year.”
…
After the New Year, Zhou Youling moved back to her small apartment. She suddenly realized that compared to the big house, she truly preferred the coziness of a small place.
This New Year brought both joy and sorrow.
For Zhou Youling, everything seemed to be a fresh start. But for Bai Lingxue, the struggle continued.
On the second day of the New Year, Bai Lingxue returned to her small apartment from home, immediately pulling Zhou Youling aside to vent her frustrations. “I’m really going to be driven crazy by my parents. Why do I have to get married? What’s wrong with being single? Don’t they know I just went through a breakup with a jerk?”
Bai Lingxue slumped onto the couch, looking utterly despondent. “They actually want me to go on blind dates! In this day and age, blind dates! I refuse! I resist! I rebel!”
Zhou Youling was cooking noodles and casually prepared a bowl for Bai Lingxue as well. The aroma filled the room as the noodles were served.
“This smells amazing!” Bai Lingxue exclaimed.
Yet, even the delicious food couldn’t stop Bai Lingxue from complaining to Zhou Youling. “Guess who my mom picked for me? I’ll find the photo and show you!”
With that, Bai Lingxue flipped open her phone and handed it to Zhou Youling.
Zhou Youling was eating her noodles, glanced at the photo on the phone, and nearly choked on her food.
“Doesn’t it just kill your appetite?” Bai Lingxue remarked.
Zhou Youling managed to swallow her noodles and nodded honestly.
Bai Lingxue sighed, “Imagining spending the rest of my life with someone who looks like that, I start to wonder if I’m really my mom’s child. How could she be so cruel? Are all the decent men gone? She found me someone like this.”
Zhou Youling couldn’t help but laugh, covering her mouth.
Bai Lingxue shot her a look, “Go ahead, laugh at my misery. Why am I so unlucky? Honestly, I’m starting to think your ex-husband was one in a million. Say what you will, but Fu Xunzhou was wealthy, handsome, and didn’t cheat. That’s rare.”
Zhou Youling returned Bai Lingxue’s look with one of her own.
Bai Lingxue raised her hands in surrender, “Alright, alright, I’ll stop. Don’t be mad.”
“I’m not mad,” Zhou Youling had long since come to terms with it.
As they talked, Zhou Youling recounted how Fu Xunzhou had come to the Zhou Family to eat noodles on New Year’s Eve.
Bai Lingxue’s eyes widened in surprise. “Are you rekindling an old flame?”
Zhou Youling shook her head, “No way. Just thinking about my eccentric mother-in-law and his family makes me want to keep my distance, even if I still have feelings for Fu Xunzhou. Now, it’s purely that we shared a part of our lives, so we’re friends.”
Bai Lingxue nodded, “You’ve really moved on.”
Zhou Youling replied, “I guess so.”
Bai Lingxue then glanced at Zhou Youling’s slightly rounded belly, noticeable under her fitted sweater. “And the baby? Are you really planning to keep it a secret from Fu Xunzhou forever? Can you?”
“Yes,” Zhou Youling nodded. “I’m planning to open a branch in B City and have the baby there.”
Fu Xunzhou’s unexpected visit on New Year’s Eve prompted Zhou Youling to make this decision.
She had already considered opening a branch, and with Food and Color doing so well, why not expand into a chain?
Previously, Zhou Youling had been somewhat hesitant, but now she was almost certain about opening a new branch.
Zhou Youling was genuinely planning to leave Nanzhou City, seeking a fresh start in a place devoid of the Fu Family, and to raise her child alone.
Upon hearing this, Bai Lingxue frowned. “B City might not be far, but the world is vast. You might never cross paths with them again.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?” Zhou replied.
Lingxue sighed, “That’s so typical of you.”
…
With this plan in mind, Zhou Youling began her preparations. She wanted everything settled before her pregnancy became too obvious, avoiding any unnecessary complications.
Previously, Zhou Youling had switched her prenatal check-up location after accidentally bumping into Fu Ruxuan. Now, she wore loose, comfortable clothing to conceal her still-small belly.
On the third day of the Chinese New Year, Food and Color restaurant officially opened its doors.
To Zhou Youling’s surprise, the first customer was none other than Ji Yangwen.
Yangwen stepped out of his car, approached Zhou Youling, and grinned, “I have a redeeming quality-I always keep my promises.”
Zhou Youling invited Yangwen inside, playfully rolling up her sleeves. “Alright, what would you like to eat? Just name it.”
Yangwen, without hesitation, ordered three dishes and a soup.
Given her pregnancy, Zhou Youling felt a bit tired after preparing the meals and took a moment to rest.
Customers began to fill the restaurant, soon occupying the entire front hall.
Watching the bustling scene, Zhou Youling couldn’t help but share with Yangwen, “Soon, Food and Color will have a branch in B City.”
Yangwen paused, sipping his soup slowly. After finishing, he remarked, “I should congratulate you, but somehow I can’t.”
“Why’s that?” Zhou Youling asked.
Yangwen chuckled, “If I’m not mistaken, you’re planning to move to B City, aren’t you?”
Zhou Youling raised an eyebrow in surprise. “How did you know?”
“I know quite a bit-everything from astronomy to geography, and chemistry to physics,” Yangwen replied, taking another bite.
Zhou Youling laughed heartily at his jest.
Before long, Yangwen had finished all the dishes and soup on the table.
Zhou Youling nodded approvingly, “For your clean plate club effort, today’s meal is on the house.”
Yangwen feigned surprise, “Really? If I’d known, I would’ve ordered another dish. My stomach’s only half full.”
“You wish,” Zhou Youling teased.
Yangwen smiled gently, “No kidding, I didn’t want you to overexert yourself.”
“Cooking is my joy, not a burden. Besides, how could I refuse when you were the first one waiting at the door this morning?”
Yangwen remained silent, lazily tapping his fingers on the table.
As Zhou Youling got up to check the kitchen, Yangwen softly called her, “Youling.”
“Hmm?” Zhou Youling turned back.
Yangwen glanced at her belly.
Zhou Youling noticed his gaze.
Yangwen spoke, “You turned me down for other reasons, didn’t you?”
Zhou Youling hesitated, unsure how to respond.
Yangwen continued, “What if I said I don’t mind?”
