I'm Done with the Elite Marriage - Chapter 63

Upon hearing that Zhou Youling was hospitalized, her cousin Rong Duanjing, who was in B City, hurried over to visit.

Rong Duanjing felt guilty because Zhou Youling had been staying with her for the past few days, and she hadn’t expected such an incident to occur the night Zhou Youling returned to Nanzhou City. Despite Zhou Youling’s repeated assurances that she was fine, Rong Duanjing still rushed over early in the morning.

Rong Duanjing was brought over by her husband, Mu Shao.

Mu Shao and Rong Duanjing were about the same age, but perhaps due to Rong Duanjing’s baby face, people often mistook Mu Shao for being several years older. Moreover, Mu Shao had started his own company after graduating from college, exuding a mature and steady aura that sharply contrasted with Rong Duanjing’s lively and energetic demeanor.

Seeing Zhou Youling unharmed, Rong Duanjing finally felt relieved.

Having given birth last year, Rong Duanjing particularly understood the challenges of pregnancy.

Upon seeing her niece Rong Duanjing, Rong Huiying couldn’t help but complain to her, “Can you believe she didn’t tell me about such a big incident last night?”

Zhou Youling looked helpless, “Mom, I’m really fine. I fell asleep as soon as I arrived last night; telling you would only make you worry for nothing.”

Rong Duanjing disagreed, “You’re pregnant now; if anything happens at night, it’s good to have someone there to help.”

Rong Huiying found a kindred spirit in Rong Duanjing and said, “You really understand.”

“Aunt, don’t worry too much. As long as she’s fine, that’s what matters,” Rong Duanjing said.

After chatting for a while, Rong Huiying remembered she had some things to buy and went downstairs.

Once her aunt left, Rong Duanjing held Zhou Youling’s hand and said, “You scared me to death! I was just telling you yesterday not to overwork yourself. It’s my fault for suggesting you look for a shop at a time like this, causing you trouble.”

Zhou Youling waved her hand with a smile, “I’m really okay.”

Mu Shao, who had been quiet, finally spoke up to advise Zhou Youling, “Don’t overexert yourself. Pregnancy is tough; you need to take care.”

Knowing Zhou Youling’s situation, outsiders couldn’t say much.

But having just gone through Rong Duanjing’s pregnancy, Mu Shao understood the difficulties of being an expectant mother. And Zhou Youling was facing it alone.

Zhou Youling nodded vigorously at Mu Shao, saying, “Got it. Since both of you are here, where’s Xingxing?”

Xingxing was Mu Shao and Rong Duanjing’s son, who had just turned one.

During her time in B City, Zhou Youling’s favorite thing was holding Xingxing. The adorable, chubby little boy was simply irresistible. Zhou Youling joked that it was her way of getting a feel for motherhood in advance.

But after just a few hours with Xingxing, Zhou Youling experienced the challenges of caring for a baby. One moment Xingxing needed a diaper change, the next he wanted to be fed, and then he couldn’t stay indoors and insisted on going out. The little one, just starting to toddle, was quite a handful.

Rong Duanjing said, “That little guy is with my mother-in-law right now, so don’t worry about him.”

Mu Shao received a phone call just then. He affectionately patted Rong Duanjing’s head and said, “You guys chat, I’ll step outside to take this call.”

As soon as Mu Shao left, Rong Duanjing started to complain, “I told him I didn’t need him to drive me here. It’s not like I can’t drive myself. But no, he insisted on bringing me. He always treats me like I’m a three-year-old.”

Zhou Youling squinted playfully and said, “Are you sure you’re not just showing off in front of me?”

Rong Duanjing burst into laughter, “Show off? Please! If you had a husband who treated you like his daughter, you’d be annoyed to death. How did I not see this nagging side of Mu Shao before? If I had known, I wouldn’t have chased him so relentlessly.”

Everyone knew that Rong Duanjing had a crush on Mu Shao since high school. This love story, from school uniforms to wedding gowns, was a result of her persistent pursuit. Yet, after marriage, Rong Duanjing grew increasingly “annoyed” with Mu Shao, mainly because she couldn’t stand his overbearing care.

But despite her complaints, whenever she saw Mu Shao, her eyes seemed to sparkle with pink bubbles.

Rong Duanjing explained that she had no resistance to handsome guys. Indeed, Mu Shao was quite handsome, having been the reigning heartthrob at University B for four years.

When it came to matters of the heart, Rong Duanjing certainly had her say.

“My entire adolescence revolved around Mu Shao,” Rong Duanjing said. “I admired him, liked him, secretly loved him. The most significant part of my emotional life belongs to him, and it seems I can’t let go.”

In fact, Rong Duanjing and Mu Shao had broken up once. She initiated it because they were about to graduate from college and go their separate ways, and she didn’t want to hold Mu Shao back. But after the breakup, she realized that she and Mu Shao were already inseparable.

Rong Duanjing’s words made Zhou Youling think of Fu Xunzhou.

Indeed, Zhou Youling’s entire adolescence was almost entirely filled with thoughts of Fu Xunzhou. Ever since she mistakenly believed Fu Xunzhou was her savior, she viewed him differently from others. To her, Fu Xunzhou was exceptional, unmatched, a hero beyond compare.

This emotion gradually transformed into a deep love, leading Zhou Youling to secretly adore Fu Xunzhou.

When she finally faced the truth, Zhou Youling fell into endless self-doubt. She didn’t know how to confront Fu Xunzhou, especially since she mistakenly thought he harbored feelings for his white moonlight. So, she decisively chose to step away from the relationship.

Zhou Youling sighed almost inaudibly, watching Mu Shao as he tidied Rong Duanjing’s clothes.

Mu Shao shook his head indulgently at Rong Duanjing, saying, “You’ve buttoned your shirt wrong. Are you silly?”

Rong Duanjing stuck out her tongue at Mu Shao, who towered over her, and said, “Can’t I be silly for three years after giving birth?”

“Alright, alright.” After fixing her clothes, Mu Shao turned to Zhou Youling and said, “Get some rest, don’t overexert yourself.”

Zhou Youling nodded, “Okay, I’ll be careful.”

After Mu Shao and Rong Duanjing left, Zhou Youling sat alone on the bed, lost in thought.

The setting sun seemed to paint the entire world red. This hue filtered through the glass window into the hospital room, enveloping Zhou Youling in a silence so profound it gave her the illusion of being isolated from the world.

Zhou Youling had never confessed to anyone that she envied the relationship between her female cousin and brother-in-law the most.

Since she was young, Zhou Youling had fantasized about her future romance. Like many others, she hoped her partner would adore her and treat her like a princess.

But that was merely a fantasy for Zhou Youling.

In the three years of marriage with Fu Xunzhou, although she understood his busy work schedule, she couldn’t help but feel disappointed at times.

“Knock, knock,” someone tapped on the hospital room door.

Zhou Youling looked up and saw Ji Yangwen standing at the entrance.

Ji Yangwen was clad in a black coat, the sunset’s glow perfectly reflecting off the glass, casting a radiant aura around him.

“What brings you here?” Zhou Youling’s tone carried a hint of surprise.

“May I come in?” Ji Yangwen’s demeanor relaxed in response to Zhou Youling’s tone.

“Of course!” Zhou Youling replied.

Accompanying Ji Yangwen was a vibrant bouquet of flowers in his hand.

It was a bunch of lisianthus, pink and white, her favorite colors.

Ji Yangwen said, “I picked these up on my way past the flower shop, wasn’t sure what else to bring.”

Zhou Youling accepted the bouquet with delight, saying, “Thank you, I love them.”

“How are you feeling?” Ji Yangwen stood before Zhou Youling and said, “I saw the news today about the stampede at your store, didn’t realize the poor soul was you.”

Zhou Youling chuckled, “I’m alright, it’s not serious.”

“That’s good to hear.”

“Please, have a seat.” Zhou Youling gestured to a nearby chair.

Ji Yangwen sat down and asked, “How’s everything going in B City? Need any help? I know some people there. If you need assistance, just let me know.”

Zhou Youling replied, “The necessary procedures are all sorted, and the renovation team is already working. I trust them quite a bit.”

Ji Yangwen nodded, “That’s reassuring.”

Zhou Youling placed the flowers in a vase and turned to see Ji Yangwen watching her.

“What is it?” Zhou Youling asked.

Ji Yangwen awkwardly cleared his throat and asked, “Is the baby… alright?”

Zhou Youling shook her head.

Realizing he might have overstepped, Ji Yangwen muttered, “Sorry.”

Zhou Youling laughed, “There’s nothing to apologize for.”

Ji Yangwen shrugged, “As long as everything’s fine.”

Just then, the voices of Rong Huiying and Zhou Zhishan echoed from the doorway.

They had gone to see Rong Duanjing and her husband off.

Rong Huiying said, “Mu Shao is really thoughtful, I absolutely adore him, he’s a rare gem.”

Zhou Zhishan replied, “Listen to yourself, aren’t I a good man too?”

Rong Huiying laughed, “Haha, stop flattering yourself…”

Rong Huiying caught sight of Ji Yangwen sitting in the hospital room. She thought she had entered the wrong room and quickly stepped back to check the room number, frowning slightly.

Zhou Youling couldn’t help but say, “Mom, you’re not in the wrong place.”

Once inside, Rong Huiying openly scrutinized Ji Yangwen, making no attempt to hide her curiosity. Nowadays, she was extremely cautious about any man approaching her daughter, fearing Zhou Youling might once again fall for the wrong person.

Ji Yangwen stood up from his seat and greeted Zhou Youling’s parents politely, “Hello, uncle, aunt. I’m Ji Yangwen, a friend of Zhou Youling.”

“Ji Yangwen?” Rong Huiying found the name familiar.

Zhou Zhishan approached and shook hands with Ji Yangwen, “Long time no see.”

“You know each other?” Rong Huiying asked.

Zhou Zhishan reminded her, “From the Ji Family south of the city, have you forgotten?”

Rong Huiying thought for a moment and suddenly realized, looking at Ji Yangwen, “Oh, I remember now! Your mom and I often play mahjong together.”

Ji Yangwen smiled and said, “Yes, she often mentions you.”

And so, they exchanged pleasantries.

Meanwhile, outside the hospital room, several members of the Fu Family found themselves in a dilemma.

To enter or not to enter?

Leading them was Old Master Fu.

Upon hearing that Zhou Youling was hospitalized, Old Master Fu insisted on visiting her immediately. Along with him came Zhou Youling’s former mother-in-law, Yu Wanrong, and others.

Hearing Rong Huiying and Ji Yangwen chatting and laughing inside, Old Master Fu hesitated.

Though advanced in age, Old Master Fu was still quite sharp. He had a pretty good idea that this young man from the Ji Family had won the favor of the Zhou Family.

Old Master Fu had mixed feelings. On one hand, he hoped Zhou Youling and Fu Xunzhou could reconcile; on the other, he wished for Zhou Youling to live her own life.

Ji Yangwen was young and promising, a standout among his peers, not inferior to Fu Xunzhou. If Zhou Youling chose him, her life might take a different turn. Besides, her divorce from Fu Xunzhou was an undeniable fact.

In comparison, the Fu Family felt even more embarrassed in front of the Zhou Family.

Old Master Fu sighed softly and finally decided to enter the room.

Rong Huiying turned at the sound and saw Yu Wanrong standing beside Old Master Fu.

Rong Huiying let out a slight scoff, “Oh, what brings you here?”