I'm Done with the Elite Marriage - Chapter 56

Fu Xunzhou and Fu Hexu grew up together.

Everyone knew Fu Hexu was a troublemaker, but few realized that most of the time, it was Fu Xunzhou who cleaned up after him.

Fu Zhiqing vividly remembered one particular year when Fu Hexu somehow got targeted by a group of thugs. They frequently went to the school to confront him but never managed to catch him. Coincidentally, Fu Xunzhou bore some resemblance to Fu Hexu, and the thugs mistook him for their target.

Three of them cornered Fu Xunzhou, wielding a long iron rod. Despite being outnumbered, Fu Xunzhou somehow managed to seize the rod from the injured thug and ruthlessly broke the legs of all three.

Fu Xunzhou’s ruthlessness was genuine; he showed no mercy. He declared on the spot that if anyone dared to trouble Fu Hexu at school again, he would chop off their legs. The threat was enough to deter them from causing further trouble.

Because of this incident, Yu Wanrong punished Fu Xunzhou by making him kneel in the ancestral hall for three days and nights.

Yu Wanrong had tried to temper Fu Xunzhou’s nature over time.

She understood that surviving in a large family wasn’t easy; only by smoothing one’s edges could one navigate smoothly. But she didn’t realize that some traits, ingrained in one’s bones, couldn’t be changed.

Fu Zhiqing had always known that Fu Xunzhou’s personality was strikingly similar to her late Third brother, Fu Zhiming-ruthless and unfeeling.

As a child, Fu Zhiqing was mischievous, and no one in the family could handle her, except for Fu Zhiming. He disapproved of her antics and would slap her without hesitation. In front of relatives and friends, Fu Zhiming never showed Fu Zhiqing any kindness. He didn’t tolerate her behavior and would discipline her without holding back. As a result, Fu Zhiqing never liked Fu Zhiming.

After Fu Zhiming passed away, he left behind a wife and child. His wife, Yu Wanrong, had a personality completely opposite to his; she was reserved and never liked to compete. But their son, Fu Xunzhou, was a spitting image of Fu Zhiming in temperament.

Thus, Fu Zhiqing could never bring herself to like Fu Xunzhou either.

Looking at Fu Xunzhou now, for a moment, Fu Zhiqing thought she saw Fu Zhiming.

Fu Xunzhou stood up, his tall shadow looming over Fu Zhiqing.

Fu Zhiqing instinctively leaned back in her seat.

Fu Xunzhou paid no more attention to Fu Zhiqing and left the hall, getting into the waiting car outside.

Once inside, Fu Hexu, who was playing a mobile game in the passenger seat, put his phone away and turned to look at Fu Xunzhou.

“You really went to see aunt?” Fu Hexu asked.

Fu Xunzhou didn’t reply; his mood was even darker than when he had entered the house.

He knew better than anyone that saying or doing these things now was too late.

But unfortunately, he had realized it too late.

Sensing the tension, Fu Hexu refrained from saying much, but he couldn’t help but comment, “You’ve got the heart to make amends, which is a sign of growth. Aunt being kicked out of the Fu Family is a blow to her pride. She’s someone who values face, and in Nanzhou City, she might never hold her head high again.”

When it came to causing hurt, Fu Xunzhou knew exactly how to hit where it hurt the most. He used to care about family harmony, but now he couldn’t care less.

Fu Xunzhou glanced at Fu Hexu and asked, “How are you adjusting to the company business?”

The mention of this made Fu Hexu roll his eyes in exasperation. “It’s really tough for me.”

“Tough for you?” Xunzhou remained expressionless. “Maybe if you focused more, it would be easier.”

Fu Hexu knew he owed Xunzhou, so he didn’t argue further. Instead, he asked, “What are you planning to do next?”

Xunzhou didn’t answer, but a faint smile finally appeared on his lips.

The car drove straight to the entrance of the Food and Color restaurant, and Xunzhou got out alone.

Fu Hexu waved at him. “Actually, I suggest you buy a bouquet of flowers.”

Xunzhou paused for a moment but ultimately dismissed Hexu’s suggestion.

He remembered the first Valentine’s Day after marrying Zhou Youling. He had planned to buy her a bouquet of flowers. After all, nine hundred and ninety-nine red roses topped the list of gifts men give women. But when Youling learned about the roses, she shook her head and refused. She said, “Carrying a huge bouquet of roses into the restaurant is so embarrassing. If you want to give a gift, make it something small, understated yet luxurious.”

So, to this day, Xunzhou had never given Youling roses.

It was a little past three in the afternoon at the restaurant, past the lunch rush and not yet dinner time. For most restaurants, this would be the quietest time. But today was the third day of the Chinese New Year, and it was Food and Color’s first day of business this year. Even at three in the afternoon, the place was bustling with people.

The hostess greeted Xunzhou and informed him that a table was available. She led him to the table and offered to take his order.

After ordering a few of the restaurant’s signature dishes, Xunzhou was about to get up when the waiter eagerly introduced, “We have a new drink for tasting. If you could provide your honest feedback after trying it, would you be interested?”

Xunzhou nodded indifferently. After the waiter left, he slowly walked from Area A to Area B, observing this little world that Youling had built with her own hands.

The restaurant was decorated festively for the New Year, exuding a joyful atmosphere. Originally styled with a Chinese theme, it now felt even more like a celebration. Xunzhou could tell at a glance that this was Youling’s handiwork, as she was the only one who would put effort into these so-called rituals.

This year, the house felt empty, lacking the festive spirit, which was really the absence of Youling. In previous years, Youling would always decorate the house warmly and festively for the New Year. She often said that the New Year spirit was fading, so it was important to find it again. She mentioned that the Zhou Family had a tradition of setting off fireworks, and he would fulfill all her requests.

Xunzhou had left the Zhou Family on New Year’s Eve and hadn’t seen Youling since.

He didn’t know where Youling was now, instinctively searching for her figure, yet afraid of actually seeing her.

As if fate had a hand in it, Xunzhou spotted Youling at the bar.

She was focused on mixing drinks and hadn’t noticed Xunzhou standing nearby. Her movements weren’t particularly skilled; she was more accustomed to cooking than making beverages.

Today, Zhou Youling seemed to have finally crafted a drink she was satisfied with. She poured some out to share with her colleagues, her eyes filled with anticipation.

Fu Xunzhou was familiar with this look from Zhou Youling. Whenever she presented a new dish, she always awaited his reaction with eager eyes. If he nodded approvingly, she’d break into a smile. If he found fault, she’d furrow her brow, searching for the reason.

With the drink ready, Zhou Youling picked up the tray, intending to personally deliver it to the customer’s table.

Fu Xunzhou quietly followed not far behind her, all the way until she placed the drink on the table.

Unfortunately, the customer was not at their seat.

Zhou Youling glanced around, confirming she had the right table, and carefully placed the drink on the table. Just as she was about to leave, she noticed Fu Xunzhou.

Fu Xunzhou approached and sat down at the table, asking Zhou Youling, “Is this the complimentary drink?”

Zhou Youling was surprised to see Fu Xunzhou there, but she feigned indifference and nodded.

Fu Xunzhou asked, “Do you need an honest review?”

Zhou Youling wasn’t hopeful; she thought, of all people, why did it have to be Fu Xunzhou to taste her drink?

Fu Xunzhou took a sip and nodded lightly, “The taste is good.”

Zhou Youling thought he wouldn’t say anything negative, but his next words were, “However, it’s a bit too sweet.”

“Too sweet?” Zhou Youling was skeptical, “I just tasted it; the sweetness is balanced. You just don’t like sweet things.”

Fu Xunzhou felt a subtle joy because she remembered his dislike for sweets, but he maintained his composure and shook his head, “I’m giving an objective opinion. After all, the restaurant should cater to people like me who don’t prefer sweet food.”

Seeing Fu Xunzhou’s sincerity, Zhou Youling had nothing to say.

Fu Xunzhou took another sip, raising his eyebrows, “Now it’s not too sweet.”

“Are you doing this on purpose?”

Fu Xunzhou pushed the drink towards Zhou Youling, “Try it yourself. Could it be that the sugar didn’t dissolve evenly?”

This comment made Zhou Youling doubt herself. She took the drink from Fu Xunzhou and tasted it directly, completely forgetting that Fu Xunzhou was no longer her husband, anxious about the quality of her creation.

Fu Xunzhou noticed her lack of hesitation in drinking from the same spot he had.

As the drink entered her mouth, Zhou Youling was almost certain Fu Xunzhou was teasing her. The drink tasted perfectly fine! Where was the uneven sweetness?

She glanced at Fu Xunzhou again, only to see him looking innocently at her.

“Alright.” Zhou Youling, slightly annoyed, picked up the drink from the table, admitting her shortcomings, “I didn’t make it well enough. Let me get you another one.”

Fu Xunzhou, however, held Zhou Youling’s hand firmly, “No need, I want this one.”

His warm palm covered her cool hand, the touch reminiscent of old times.

Zhou Youling was startled by his touch and quickly pulled her hand back, inadvertently knocking over the drink.

The drink spilled directly onto Fu Xunzhou, and she was powerless to stop it.