I'm Done with the Elite Marriage - Chapter 55
The restaurant was bustling with noise and activity.
For a moment, Zhou Youling wondered if she had really heard what Ji Yangwen had said.
Standing calmly in front of Ji Yangwen, Zhou Youling knew this was an absurd situation. She knew she should immediately reject Ji Yangwen’s ridiculous notion. However, before she could speak, Ji Yangwen stepped forward to stand before her.
When Ji Yangwen was serious, he had a presence that was hard to ignore.
Such a rare man, one in a million, was indeed difficult to refuse.
Instinctively, Zhou Youling took a step back.
Ji Yangwen, understanding the situation, remained where he was. He was a person who knew his boundaries and never forced others.
Afraid she hadn’t heard him clearly, he repeated, “I don’t mind. What matters to me is you.”
Zhou Youling appreciated Ji Yangwen’s respect. She gave him a slight smile and said softly, “I mind. Sorry, I need to check on the kitchen, so I won’t see you out.”
With that, she turned and quickly left.
The restaurant was large, with three floors in total.
Zhou Youling wandered aimlessly, like a headless chicken, through every corner.
She didn’t know how to face Ji Yangwen. They hadn’t spent much time together, and her understanding of him was superficial at best. Yet, she couldn’t deny the turmoil in her heart. This turmoil was stirred by Ji Yangwen, but the image of Fu Xunzhou flashed through her mind.
Ji Yangwen stood there for a long time without leaving.
He didn’t know why he had said those words earlier.
Learning about Zhou Youling’s pregnancy had been a surprise. Over the months they had known each other, Ji Yangwen had noticed subtle changes in her. He had thought she was simply more relaxed after the divorce, and he liked her current appearance, reminiscent of a youthful, gentle plumpness.
To be honest, upon learning the truth, he had been concerned; he was no saint.
Today, he had arrived early at the Food and Color restaurant. The moment he saw Zhou Youling, he had made up his mind.
So, he pushed open the door and walked up to her.
Ji Yangwen found it amusing that he had stumbled twice in front of the same woman in his life.
After leaving Food and Color, Ji Yangwen drove straight back to his family estate.
The Ji Family estate was located in the east of the city, not far from the famous Fu Family of Nanzhou City.
Ji Yangwen had a routine whenever he returned home; he would spend some time feeding the fish by the pond.
Today, there seemed to be guests at home. Before he even entered the main hall, he heard his mother, Mei Yiwen, speaking: “…I really can’t warm up to Yu Wanrong. She always seems so lifeless. But I understand, I suppose. Being alone, she tends to be more cautious.”
“Every family has its own issues.”
Almost as soon as Ji Yangwen entered the hall, he saw Fu Zhiqing, the younger sister of the Fu Family.
Fu Zhiqing and Ji Yangwen’s mother, Mei Yiwen, were close friends, often referred to as besties. Seeing Ji Yangwen return, Fu Zhiqing flicked her short hair and greeted him with a smile, “Oh, Yangwen, you’re getting more handsome by the day.”
Ji Yangwen didn’t particularly like Fu Zhiqing, but he greeted her politely.
Mei Yiwen beckoned Ji Yangwen over, “Ji Yangwen, come here.”
Yangwen sensed trouble brewing and tried to make a quick escape, but it was too late.
Mei Yiwen strode over, grabbed her son’s wrist, and pressed him onto the sofa, frowning, “Can’t you give me a break? Why didn’t you have lunch at home again?”
Yangwen rubbed his forehead, looking resigned, “Mom, I’m almost thirty.”
“You know you’re almost thirty!” Mei Yiwen’s expression darkened, “Look at others; by thirty, they either have kids or are already married. Look at you.”
Yangwen chuckled silently, having heard this lecture countless times.
Mei Yiwen handed her phone to Yangwen, “Here are some girls. See if any catch your eye, and I’ll arrange a meeting.”
Yangwen sighed and pushed the phone away, “Mom, I already have someone I like. Please don’t worry about it.”
Mei Yiwen’s eyes lit up, “Whose daughter? What’s she like? Why haven’t you brought her home for me to see?”
“I’d love to bring her home for you to see.”
Mei Yiwen looked intrigued, “What do you mean?”
Yangwen laughed, “What else could it mean? She doesn’t fancy me.”
Fu Zhiqing, who had been watching the drama unfold, chuckled, “Whose daughter is she?”
Yangwen acted as if he hadn’t heard Fu Zhiqing, not responding.
Mei Yiwen repeated, “Whose daughter is she?”
Yangwen finally replied lazily, “The Zhou Family’s.”
Mei Yiwen murmured, “The Zhou Family’s? Which Zhou Family?”
Yangwen answered, “Zhou Zhishan.”
At this, both Mei Yiwen and Fu Zhiqing were taken aback.
In his youth, Zhou Zhishan was a well-known figure in Nanzhou City, someone Mei Yiwen naturally knew, and Fu Zhiqing knew even better.
Zhou Zhishan had only one daughter, named Zhou Youling.
Mei Yiwen’s expression turned somber, but with Fu Zhiqing present, she refrained from saying anything.
Three years ago, Youling married into the Fu Family and recently divorced Fu Xunzhou, a fact that was no secret in their social circle.
Mei Yiwen wasn’t a traditionalist and didn’t see anything wrong with a woman who had been divorced. However, she often heard gossip about Youling from Fu Zhiqing, which led her to form some biases against the girl even before meeting her. Later, due to various social events, she met Youling and her impression was that the girl was quite alluring.
“Are you serious?” Mei Yiwen asked Yangwen sternly.
Yangwen nodded, standing up, “Mom, stay out of my business.”
“What if I insist on meddling?” Mei Yiwen stated her stance clearly, “I don’t agree.”
Yangwen put an arm around Mei Yiwen’s shoulder and whispered in her ear, “Mom, whether you agree or not doesn’t really matter. After all, she doesn’t fancy me. Besides, once you meet her, you’ll see her excellence and might even feel a bit inferior. Don’t believe everything you hear.”
Mei Yiwen turned to look at Yangwen, momentarily at a loss for words.
Her son was someone she knew inside out. If he had chosen someone, there must be something special about her.
Especially Yangwen’s last words struck a chord with Mei Yiwen.
Standing nearby, Fu Zhiqing’s expression was as icy as if she’d been submerged in a glacier.
Anyone who had interacted with Zhou Youling knew her worth, yet it seemed the Fu Family had failed to appreciate it.
Fu Zhiqing sighed deeply after leaving the Ji Family.
Recently, Old Master Fu had been frequenting the Food and Color restaurant, and Fu Zhiqing was well aware that it was Zhou Youling’s establishment.
Despite its growing fame, Fu Zhiqing had never visited Food and Color.
Since Fu Xunzhou and Zhou Youling’s divorce, Fu Zhiqing hadn’t seen Zhou Youling at all. Nanzhou City wasn’t small, but avoiding someone wasn’t particularly difficult.
Coincidentally, upon returning to the ancestral home, Fu Zhiqing encountered Fu Xunzhou. Perhaps feeling guilty, her instinct was to avoid her nephew.
Fu Xunzhou was seated in the hall, sipping tea, dressed in black, exuding an aura of aloofness. His presence was commanding, even without speaking.
Upon seeing Fu Zhiqing, Fu Xunzhou took a sip of tea, not bothering to greet her.
Following a ridiculous incident months ago, Fu Xunzhou, already indifferent to Fu Zhiqing, now seemed to disregard her entirely.
Fu Zhiqing paused at the hall entrance, ready to head upstairs, when she heard Fu Xunzhou’s soft voice, “Aunt.”
The vast hall contained only Fu Xunzhou, yet Fu Zhiqing suddenly felt the air grow thin.
Fu Xunzhou, seated on a single redwood chair, gestured for Fu Zhiqing to join him.
Understanding that Fu Xunzhou was waiting for her, Fu Zhiqing swallowed nervously and sat down opposite him.
Fu Xunzhou, relaxed like a lion in its domain, leaned slightly forward to pour tea for Fu Zhiqing.
If he wished, Fu Xunzhou could instill fear in anyone.
“White tea, I heard you like it,” Fu Xunzhou remarked succinctly.
Fu Zhiqing took a sip, commenting lightly, “Good tea.”
“Just good tea?” Fu Xunzhou didn’t bother feigning interest.
Fu Zhiqing set down her cup, cutting to the chase, “I heard you’re resigning as Chairman of the Fu Group.”
Fu Xunzhou’s expression remained unchanged, “Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted? Since the day I became Chairman, you’ve been trying to unseat me. It seems I’ve finally met your expectations.”
With no outsiders present, Fu Zhiqing spoke frankly, “Your elder uncle and second uncle are still capable, and if not, there’s your cousin Fu Hexu. You can’t blame me; everyone has their own interests.”
Fu Xunzhou sneered, his eyes filled with disdain, “Your interests are none of my concern. If you have issues, direct them at me; I won’t argue. After all, I don’t intend to stoop to a woman’s level. But why trouble others? Is it because you’re idle?”
Fu Zhiqing, unable to bear such insult, retorted, “Isn’t it too late to settle scores now? Zhou Youling is no longer your wife.”
Fu Zhiqing never denied her past actions. Previously, due to their familial bond, she refrained from “bullying” Zhou Youling in front of Fu Xunzhou. Given his busy schedule, he rarely involved himself in family matters. Fu Zhiqing exploited this, knowing Fu Xunzhou couldn’t intervene, and her prejudice against Zhou Youling led to constant petty acts.
After Fu Xunzhou and Zhou Youling divorced, Fu Zhiqing realized she’d been misled, feeling some guilt. Yet, her pride prevented any apology for past deeds.
“I may have been foolish once, but not forever,” Fu Xunzhou said, his demeanor calm, sipping tea before addressing Fu Zhiqing, “I’d appreciate it if you moved out of the house. From now on, I don’t want to see you.”
Fu Zhiqing stood, her anger boiling, “On what grounds?”
Fu Xunzhou placed his tea on the table, not bothering to look up, “No grounds needed. I can deal with you easily, and right now, you irritate me.”
Fu Zhiqing’s legs suddenly felt weak. She knew Fu Xunzhou was never one to be trifled with.