I'm Done with the Elite Marriage - Chapter 65

Ji Yangwen was ready to charge again, but Fu Xunzhou was not one to be easily intimidated.

Fu Xunzhou retaliated with a punch, returning the favor to Ji Yangwen. Then, without holding back, he landed another heavy punch on Ji Yangwen, one he had long wanted to deliver.

The onlookers at the elevator watched the two men with tense expressions, wanting to intervene but hesitant to approach. These two were clearly strong and capable, and the bystanders feared for their own safety.

To the surprise of the onlookers, the anticipated brawl quickly fizzled out, as one of the men did not fight back.

Ji Yangwen took the punches from Fu Xunzhou without resistance. The blows were heavy, causing blood to trickle from his mouth and leaving him slumped against the wall, unable to get up.

The chaotic scene the onlookers expected never materialized, leaving them somewhat disappointed.

The outcome seemed clear, as one had already surrendered.

Fu Xunzhou stood over Ji Yangwen, disdainful of even touching him. “Including you, this is the third person connected to Xue Yining who has come to bother me. You know what? It’s tiresome.”

Ji Yangwen looked up from the ground, gritting his teeth. “Why are you so heartless?”

Fu Xunzhou chuckled softly. “Heartless? I’ve been more than fair.”

Back in college, members of the Xue family had approached Fu Xunzhou, asking him to be considerate and not provoke Xue Yining’s emotions. At the time, Fu Xunzhou hadn’t given it much thought, as he didn’t fully understand what depression entailed.

Later, witnessing Xue Yining taking large amounts of medication and hearing about her suicide attempt, Fu Xunzhou began to educate himself about depression and related issues.

From then on, Fu Xunzhou showed Xue Yining a great deal of tolerance.

This tolerance was perhaps a form of sympathy for someone suffering from illness.

Ji Yangwen wiped the blood from his lips and said, “I understand I shouldn’t impose moral obligations on you. That punch was to let you return the favor. But even so, as Xue Yining’s family, I can’t help but resent you.”

Fu Xunzhou frowned slightly. “What right do you have to resent me?”

Ji Yangwen fell silent.

Fu Xunzhou continued, “Xue Yining’s depression isn’t solely because of me. Just because she likes me, does that mean I have to reciprocate?”

Ji Yangwen looked up at Fu Xunzhou. “My uncle once knelt before you, begging you to help, just to cooperate with Xue Yining’s treatment. But you refused.”

Fu Xunzhou remained expressionless.

At the time, he was in college and found Xue Yining’s relentless pursuit quite unpleasant. He couldn’t bring himself to play along, as his studies were more important to him. Yet, he had tried to be polite to Xue Yining, without showing any signs of dislike.

Ji Yangwen asked, “He knelt before you in public. How could you remain so indifferent?”

“I didn’t force him,” Fu Xunzhou replied.

Ji Yangwen said, “Yes, you didn’t force him. I know, you would say he was trying to impose his morals on you, right?”

Ji Yangwen clenched his fist and gritted his teeth as he spoke to Fu Xunzhou, “I really can’t stand your indifference. Anyone with a conscience wouldn’t just stand by and watch someone suffer. Or are you not even human?”

Fu Xunzhou replied, “Watch your mouth.”

Yangwen chuckled, “If I clean up my act, will my uncle come back to life?”

“Fu Xunzhou, you know what? I’ve learned something from you-how to be indifferent. Yes, your choices are yours alone, and no one can force you to change. But have you ever considered that some people might lose everything because of your decisions?”

“Since taking over the family business, I’ve often followed your principles. I can easily ruin a family’s life, and it has indeed brought me considerable benefits. But you know what? It weighs on my conscience.”

“Whenever I think about someone losing their home or family because of a decision I made, I’d rather earn less money than let things reach that point.”

Fu Xunzhou interrupted, “That’s your issue, don’t impose it on me.”

Yangwen took a deep breath and said, “Last night, Xue Yining attempted suicide.”

Fu Xunzhou was momentarily stunned.

Yangwen continued, “But you might be disappointed. After emergency treatment, she’s out of danger.”

“I’m sorry,” Fu Xunzhou said.

Yangwen shook his head, “No need to apologize. As you said, she’s not your responsibility, and it was her choice, so you don’t need to respond.”

The most helpless situations are like this.

Yangwen understood well that he had no right to resent Fu Xunzhou.

Even though Xue Yining attempted suicide because of Fu Xunzhou, it wasn’t his fault.

Yangwen slowly rose from the ground and said with a smile, “Mr. Fu, I apologize for my rudeness today.”

After apologizing, Yangwen remained the rebellious young man he always was, indifferent and carefree.

Fu Xunzhou’s brow remained furrowed as he reached out to stop Yangwen from leaving, “You approached Zhou Youling because you hate me, didn’t you?”

Yangwen chuckled at the suggestion, “Don’t assume the worst of others. If I wanted to cause trouble for you, I wouldn’t go to such lengths.”

Fu Xunzhou was skeptical, “Don’t harm Zhou Youling.”

“Relax, I won’t harm her; I’ll protect her well. Unlike you, I’m not that cold-hearted.” With that, Yangwen left.

Fu Xunzhou watched Yangwen’s retreating figure and called out, “If you dare hurt her, I’ll repay you a hundredfold.”

Yangwen laughed without turning back, “You should say that to yourself.”

Fu Xunzhou watched Yangwen’s departing silhouette, feeling conflicted.

From the start, Fu Xunzhou knew Yangwen and Xue Yining were siblings. Nanzhou City was a small circle: Zhou, Fu, Xue, Ji-these families were always crossing paths.

Yangwen’s mother, Xue Yimei, was Xue Yining’s aunt, and Xue Yimei was also the close friend of Fu Xunzhou’s aunt, Fu Zhiqing.

Knowing that Xue Yining had feelings for Fu Xunzhou, Fu Zhiqing often tried to play matchmaker. However, Fu Xunzhou’s refusal was quite evident.

Ji Yangwen, the only son in his family, had always been close to Xue Yining, almost like siblings. He was constantly worried about her condition but felt powerless. When it became clear that Fu Xunzhou could play a crucial role in Xue Yining’s situation, the Xue family took it very seriously, with Xue Yining’s father even personally pleading with Fu Xunzhou.

Fu Xunzhou recalled that three years ago, just before his wedding to Zhou Youling, Xue Yining’s father had suddenly passed away.

These two events were not necessarily connected, but before they happened, Xue Yining and her father had visited Fu Xunzhou.

At that time, Xue Yining tearfully accused Fu Xunzhou of abandoning her. In reality, Xue Yining was having a depressive episode and had imagined Fu Xunzhou as her long-term boyfriend. She accused Zhou Youling of being the “third party” who had stolen Fu Xunzhou from her, pleading with him not to marry Zhou Youling.

Xue Yining’s father looked helpless, urging Fu Xunzhou to be understanding and not to take the matter to heart. Somehow, this story got out, leading many to mistakenly believe that Fu Xunzhou had indeed been involved with Xue Yining. Some even thought that Xue Yining was Fu Xunzhou’s true love.

Fu Xunzhou, with only one mouth, couldn’t stop all the rumors. Those close to him understood without needing explanations, while explaining to outsiders seemed pointless.

Just days after this incident, Xue Yining’s father suddenly died of a cerebral hemorrhage. The suddenness of it all caught Fu Xunzhou off guard. After all, the man who had spoken to him just two days prior was suddenly gone, leaving Fu Xunzhou with a mix of indescribable feelings.

After Xue Yining’s father’s passing, Fu Xunzhou married Zhou Youling, and Xue Yining went abroad. Fu Xunzhou assumed that over the years, Xue Yining’s condition had improved.

…

At ten in the evening, Zhou Youling was alone in the hospital room.

She had sent her parents home, insisting she didn’t need anyone to stay with her. She had slept well alone the previous night and was confident she would be fine tonight too.

Just as Zhou Youling lay down, there was a knock at the door. Assuming her parents had returned, she said, “Mom, Dad, I told you I’m fine on my own. You won’t rest well here.”

Turning around, Zhou Youling saw Fu Xunzhou standing at the door.

“Why is it you?” Zhou Youling asked.

Fu Xunzhou stood at the entrance, softly asking, “May I come in?”

“What if I say no?” Zhou Youling replied.

Fu Xunzhou paused, then said, “I’ll just say one thing and leave.”

Zhou Youling maintained a cold expression, “Go ahead.”

Fu Xunzhou stated directly, “Don’t trust Ji Yangwen. He doesn’t genuinely care for you. He’s approaching you to get back at me. Xue Yining is his sister, and he resents me because of her.”

Zhou Youling, unaware of Xue Yining’s severe depression, frowned and asked, “What are you talking about?”

Fu Xunzhou found himself at a loss for words, realizing that explaining everything wasn’t something that could be done in just a few sentences.

Zhou Youling looked at Fu Xunzhou, as if giving him a chance to explain.

Fu Xunzhou said, “Don’t misunderstand, there was never anything between Xue Yining and me.”

“Alright, enough, I get it,” Zhou Youling said, biting her lip.

For some reason, just hearing the name Xue Yining made her feel repulsed. This woman’s name had haunted her throughout her three-year marriage, and even after the divorce, she kept popping up.

A few months ago, Xue Yining caused quite a scene by releasing cockroaches at Food and Color. Zhou Youling didn’t hesitate and called the police to have Xue Yining arrested. As for what happened afterward, Zhou Youling left it to the restaurant manager to handle.

Later, Zhou Youling accidentally learned that the rumors about Fu Xunzhou and Xue Yining were completely unfounded. But by then, she had already divorced Fu Xunzhou, and it was meaningless to discuss it further.

Fu Xunzhou knew Zhou Youling didn’t want to bring up these matters, so he asked with concern, “Are you feeling better today?”

Last night, Fu Xunzhou rushed over, and it was already 1 a.m. He only learned from the nurse that Zhou Youling was not seriously hurt, but he hadn’t had the chance to ask the doctor for details.

Zhou Youling nodded, “I’m fine, thank you for asking. I need to rest now, please leave.”

“I…”

In front of Zhou Youling, Fu Xunzhou always carried a sense of guilt. If his subordinates from the company saw him like this, they might doubt if they were looking at the same person.

That aloof, indifferent man, could he really show such a humble side?

Just then, the on-duty doctor came to check on Zhou Youling and, seeing Fu Xunzhou at the door, said, “Excuse me, could you please step aside?”

Fu Xunzhou, seeing the doctor, instinctively asked, “Doctor, how is she doing?”

The doctor looked Fu Xunzhou up and down and smiled slightly, “There’s nothing serious, no need to worry, but…”

As he spoke, the doctor remembered the instructions not to reveal that the patient was pregnant, so he didn’t continue.

Fu Xunzhou asked, “But what?”

The doctor smiled, “Nothing, just that the patient needs plenty of rest. It’s best if you don’t disturb her.”

Zhou Youling chimed in, “You should go, and don’t come back.”