I'm Done with the Elite Marriage - Chapter 86
Zhou Youling was a little scared, but not to the point of needing someone to hold her. At this moment, the elevator had only stopped and nothing seemed abnormal. After a while, Zhou Youling finally realized she was being held by someone.
She struggled to push Fu Xunzhou away, but just then the elevator suddenly shook, startling her so much that she immediately clung tightly to Fu Xunzhou’s arm, not daring to move.
Zhou Youling had often heard others talk about sudden elevator malfunctions before, but she’d never imagined such a thing would really happen one day, and that she would feel so frightened and helpless inside.
Fortunately, at this very moment, there was someone by her side.
Fu Xunzhou gently patted Zhou Youling’s back and said, “The gourmet video was well done.”
Zhou Youling didn’t know why Fu Xunzhou suddenly brought up the gourmet video at a time like this. She was scared out of her wits and naturally had no mood to pay attention to his words.
But Fu Xunzhou said, “It’s just, the way you do charity–I don’t think it’s quite right.”
“What’s wrong with it?” Zhou Youling frowned.
Fu Xunzhou smiled, “Don’t you think ten thousand yuan is a bit too little? It’s not even enough to buy a bag.”
Seeing Fu Xunzhou’s frivolous tone, Zhou Youling lifted her leg and stomped hard on his foot. “Are you crazy?!”
Obviously, Fu Xunzhou’s words had shifted Zhou Youling’s attention quite a bit, so she wasn’t just focused on the elevator malfunction anymore.
After Gourmet Chronicles’ charity gourmet video went online this time, it immediately attracted widespread attention. Zhou Youling ended up giving that pair of grandparent and grandchild ten thousand yuan in charity funds. It wasn’t a huge amount, but it was her heartfelt gesture.
Zhou Youling even decided that from now on, she wouldn’t take any money for participating in Gourmet Chronicles’ charity gourmet videos. Not only would she not take money, she’d even pay out of her own pocket.
And yet, Fu Xunzhou still thought she gave too little?
Zhou Youling was no longer afraid because of the elevator malfunction, and instead started arguing with Fu Xunzhou: “Almost forgot, you’re the big boss of Fu Group, rich and powerful, so of course you look down on my little bit of money.”
Fu Xunzhou laughed, “You could always ask me, you know. If you’re short on money, I don’t mind sponsoring you.”
“Ask you?” Zhou Youling rolled her eyes. “Go wash up and go to sleep.”
Zhou Youling was so angry at Fu Xunzhou she could cough up blood.
How had she never noticed how frivolous he could be before? If it weren’t for the inappropriate location, she’d have wanted to beat him up.
Fu Xunzhou looked at the lively expression on Zhou Youling’s face and couldn’t help but reach out, wanting to touch her.
When the two of them were together, he’d almost never seen this side of her. Zhou Youling always showed her obedient side in front of him, never like she was now.
And now, Fu Xunzhou felt he was truly getting to know her.
Zhou Youling nimbly dodged Fu Xunzhou’s outstretched hand, and even slapped his hand hard with a “smack.”
“What are you trying to do?” Zhou Youling stared at him with wide eyes.
Fu Xunzhou admitted, “Your face looks so tender, even more than Mumu’s.”
He’d always loved it.
Zhou Youling couldn’t help but roll her eyes again. “Crazy.”
Just then, someone outside called out softly.
Zhou Youling immediately shouted toward the outside, “There are people inside!”
Someone outside said, “Okay, may I ask how many people are inside?”
Zhou Youling said, “Two.”
The person outside asked, “How are you doing in there?”
Zhou Youling said, “No problem.”
“Miss, please don’t be afraid. We’ll have the elevator open very soon.”
Five minutes later, the elevator doors were smoothly opened.
Zhou Youling walked out of the elevator without issue, thanked the workers, and then negotiated with the property management. Before long, Zhou Youling left, not even glancing once at Fu Xunzhou behind her from start to finish.
After Zhou Youling left, the property staff noticed Fu Xunzhou didn’t look so well and asked, “Sir, are you alright? Do you need any help?”
Fu Xunzhou sat on a chair, his head still a little dizzy.
In that confined space just now, he was actually less bold than Zhou Youling. It was a strange feeling–cold sweat covered Fu Xunzhou’s back, and he even felt he couldn’t breathe freely. But as long as he thought of Zhou Youling being afraid, he had to be calmer than her.
The property staff saw that Fu Xunzhou really didn’t look well and asked again.
Fu Xunzhou waved his hand and stood up, saying, “I’m fine.”
He really didn’t have any major problems, and didn’t feel the need to trouble others.
After getting home, Zhou Youling felt something was a bit off, but she didn’t dwell on it. Anyway, she really didn’t want to get too entangled with Fu Xunzhou now, lest she get herself all upset.
The first thing she did when she got home, as usual, was to shower Mumu with kisses, hugs, and lift her high, then chat with Mumu for a while.
In Zhou Youling’s eyes, Mumu was simply the cutest child in the world. Now, her motivation to open her eyes every day was Mumu, and her motivation to come home every day was also Mumu.
After having a child, Zhou Youling’s mindset had changed a lot. She seemed to have become stronger, but her heart also seemed softer.
It was strange–although Zhou Youling didn’t spend that much time with Mumu, Mumu seemed especially close to her.
Thinking about it, Zhou Youling actually felt a little guilty. She’d been busy lately, so the time she personally cared for Mumu had decreased a lot.
Zhou Youling held Mumu and said, “Mom is sorry, okay? Tomorrow Mom has a day off, how about I spend the whole day playing with you?”
Mumu opened his mouth at her words.
Zhou Youling took it as agreement: “Then it’s settled, tomorrow morning we’ll get up early, while it’s still cool, and go for a walk in the park, how does that sound?”
Mumu opened his mouth again.
Seeing Mumu’s mouth opening and closing, Zhou Youling leaned in and asked, “Baby, do you want to say something to Mom?”
The nanny aunt beside them couldn’t bear it and whispered to Zhou Youling, “Mumu is probably hungry and wants to nurse.”
Zhou Youling: “…”
Early the next morning, Zhou Youling really did get up early, pulling the whole family along, and dragging Rong Duanjing and her Xingxing, a big group of people made their way to Central Park.
The weather was still cool at this time, quite suitable for going out for a walk.
By the afternoon, sitting under a big tree to enjoy the shade, people couldn’t help but just want to nap.
Looking at her dad fishing not far away, then at her mom holding Mumu and chatting and laughing with the nanny aunt, Zhou Youling suddenly felt that this kind of time was just too pleasant.
Rong Duanjing let Xingxing run around on the lawn, occasionally reminding, “Be careful, don’t go too far from Mom.”
Xingxing hurried over to find Mumu, running straight toward Rong Huiying.
Rong Huiying handed the Mumu in her arms to the nanny aunt and shouted to Rong Duanjing, “You two sisters go chat, leave the babies to us.”
Rong Duanjing replied, “Okay!”
All morning, Zhou Youling wandered around with Mumu, and finally understood how hard it was to take care of a child.
Zhou Youling admired Rong Duanjing: “It’s really not easy for you to spend so much time with Xingxing.”
Rong Duanjing smiled: “Being a mom is never easy, but I admire you even more, your career is going so well now.”
The two praised each other for a while, then lay down together on the lawn.
Rong Duanjing said, “I heard you got stuck in the elevator last night, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Zhou Youling said.
Rong Duanjing said, “That’s so strange, I had the same thing happen last year, it scared me to death, no exaggeration, I was sweating all over.”
As she spoke, Rong Duanjing asked Zhou Youling, “What about you? Were you scared at the time?”
Zhou Youling said, “No.”
Rong Duanjing said, “Then you’re really brave.”
Zhou Youling laughed, “It was nothing.”
Thinking back, Zhou Youling had actually been very scared at the time, but because Fu Xunzhou was there chatting with her, her attention was diverted, so she didn’t seem so afraid. Even later, when she went home alone, she didn’t feel that the incident was so frightening.
Zhou Youling didn’t tell her family about being stuck in the elevator with Fu Xunzhou, not even Rong Duanjing. To some extent, it was because Zhou Youling herself felt a bit confused inside.
After lying on the lawn for a while, Zhou Youling received a call from Huo Lianghan.
On the other end, Huo Lianghan was very excited and said to Zhou Youling, “I have some huge good news!”
Zhou Youling asked, “What is it?”
Huo Lianghan said, “After our video was released, it got a lot of attention. Last night someone messaged me privately, saying he’s willing to personally sponsor all our future filming.”
“Really?” Zhou Youling was happy to hear it.
Huo Lianghan said, “Guess how much he gave us?”
“One hundred thousand?” Zhou Youling guessed conservatively.
Huo Lianghan said, “You’d never guess in your dreams, it’s ten million.”
“Ten million!” Zhou Youling shouted, unable to sit still.
Huo Lianghan said, “I couldn’t believe it either, but now there’s one million in my account. What should I do? I feel so nervous!”
Zhou Youling couldn’t help but laugh, “He already transferred the money to you?”
Huo Lianghan: “Yes, a full one million! He said we can use the donation however we want, and to contact him again when it’s used up.”
Zhou Youling: “Did he give his name?”
Huo Lianghan: “No.”
Zhou Youling: “Huo Lianghan, we have a heavy responsibility now.”
Huo Lianghan: “Yes.”
If at first they just wanted to give it a try, now both Zhou Youling and Huo Lianghan felt a sense of responsibility. The two of them were now holding such a large sum of money, and they had to see this good deed through to the end.
Huo Lianghan added, “By the way, someone claiming to be Mu Yexin’s mother messaged me, saying Mu Yexin is her daughter and she wants to reclaim her now.”
Zhou Youling: “Is her identity real?”
Huo Lianghan: “I’ve basically verified it, what she said matches what we know. I think we should talk to Mu Yexin about this.”
No sooner said than done, that very evening Zhou Youling and Huo Lianghan went to see Mu Yexin and the old lady.
Holding the one million yuan donated by the anonymous person, Huo Lianghan was extremely excited.
That night, when he saw Zhou Youling, Huo Lianghan asked excitedly, “How should we allocate this one million? I mean, should we donate all of it in cash to Mu Yexin and the old lady?”
Zhou Youling shook her head, “That’s definitely not appropriate. We can ask for suggestions online, after all, more people means more ideas.”
Huo Lianghan slapped his forehead and said to Zhou Youling, “You always have the best ideas.”
Zhou Youling said, “Our current task is to help Mu Yexin find her biological mother, but I’m not sure if doing so will disrupt her life.”
That was exactly what Huo Lianghan was worried about. “Sigh, let’s first see what Mu Yexin and Grandma think.”
Returning once again to this dilapidated place, Zhou Youling’s heart felt heavy.
This city may look glamorous on the surface, but there are always people living in these corners, making one feel sorrowful at the sight.
Mu Yexin opened the door and saw Zhou Youling, happily exclaiming, “Elder sister! You’re here! Come in and have a seat!”
Little Mu Yexin was small in stature, but very polite.
Grandma hurried out when she heard the commotion, smiling at Zhou Youling, “You’re here, have you had dinner?”
Zhou Youling said, “I’ve already eaten. How have you two been these past couple of days?”
Grandma smiled and said, “We’re doing well. These past two days, some kind-hearted people have come to donate things to us, and quite a few have given us money. Not only that, even people from the government have come to help us.”
This was a tremendous blessing, and Grandma was truly happy. As she spoke, she wanted to kneel before Zhou Youling, “I really thank you.”
Zhou Youling quickly supported Grandma, “What are you saying? We only did a small thing.”
The group sat down on chairs, and the sensible Mu Yexin hurried off to pour hot water.
Zhou Youling softly said to Grandma, “Grandma, we’ve found Mu Yexin’s family.”
Upon hearing this, Grandma’s eyes flickered slightly, then she nodded gently and sighed, “That’s good, that’s good.”
In fact, one of the reasons Grandma agreed to the filming back then was to use the power of the media to find Mu Yexin’s family.
Grandma was already old, and her only wish now was for Mu Yexin to find her family and for them to be reunited. All this time, Grandma had always believed that when little Yexin’s family abandoned her, they must have had no other choice.
“Should we arrange a time for you to meet? We’ll handle all the arrangements,” Zhou Youling said.
Grandma wiped tears from the corners of her eyes and said to Zhou Youling, “Thank you, you’ve really gone to so much trouble. In my next life, I’ll repay you even if I have to be a cow or a horse.”
Zhou Youling shook her head, “Grandma, you’re truly the best person in this world. Compared to you, I’m nothing.”
Grandma held Zhou Youling’s hand and gently patted it.
Grandma’s hands were very small, but because of her age and years of picking up trash, they were covered in wrinkles and scars.
These hands were marked by the traces of time.
Zhou Youling held Grandma’s hand gently in her own palm.
Grandma said to Zhou Youling, “Then I’ll trouble you to arrange it. Let Yexin meet her biological mother.”
Huo Lianghan quickly chimed in from the side, “Grandma, I’ll arrange it right away!”
With a “clatter,” a teacup fell to the floor.
Mu Yexin stood not far from Zhou Youling and Grandma.
“Grandma, Elder sister, what are you talking about?”
Zhou Youling stood up, walked over, gently put her arm around Mu Yexin’s shoulder, squatted down and asked, “Yexin, do you want to meet your biological parents?”
“No!” Mu Yexin said firmly, “I don’t want to!”
As she spoke, Mu Yexin ran to Grandma and hugged her tightly, saying, “Grandma, are you abandoning me? I don’t want to meet them! I only want you!”
Grandma stroked Mu Yexin’s head and said, “Silly child, they’re your parents.”
“No, they’re not! They’re not!” Mu Yexin sobbed, her eyes brimming with tears, “From the moment they abandoned me, they stopped being my parents! I only have Grandma as my family!”
With a “smack,” Grandma gave Mu Yexin a heavy pat on the shoulder, “You’re talking nonsense again!”
Mu Yexin cried, her voice trembling, “Grandma, Grandma, I don’t want to leave you. I know you must not want me anymore, I know it.”
“Silly child, silly child.”
The grandmother and granddaughter cried together in a heap.
Zhou Youling couldn’t bear to see such a scene and couldn’t help but shed tears herself.
Huo Lianghan came over and gently patted Zhou Youling’s shoulder.
After leaving Mu Yexin’s home, Zhou Youling began to doubt whether what she was doing was really helping Mu Yexin and Grandma. Although their lives had been hard, the grandmother and granddaughter had never had to worry about being separated.
Huo Lianghan comforted Zhou Youling, “Grandma is getting old, and it’s true that she can’t keep taking care of little Yexin. Besides, Grandma’s wish to reunite Yexin with her family is a good one.”
Zhou Youling’s eyes were still red, and she said, “But now we have money. I’ve decided–we’ll use this one million to buy a small house for the grandmother and granddaughter, and set aside a fixed sum for them, so they can live worry-free from now on.”
Huo Lianghan shook his head, “If you do that, you’ll go against Grandma’s original intention. Grandma wants little Yexin to be reunited with her family.”
Zhou Youling fell silent.
Huo Lianghan smiled and said, “No matter what, let’s let Yexin meet her family first.”
Zhou Youling nodded.
By the time she got home, it was already past ten.
Whenever Zhou Youling thought of Mu Yexin and Grandma, she wanted to cry; her eyes were still red.
When she reached the elevator, she found that it was simply out of service today.
Zhou Youling suspected that the elevator was deliberately making things difficult for her. Yesterday it malfunctioned, and today it couldn’t be used at all. She glanced at the notice posted at the elevator entrance and sighed helplessly.
Her home was on the eighteenth floor, and walking up eighteen flights was no easy task.
“Why are your eyes red?” A clear, cool voice sounded behind Zhou Youling.
She turned instinctively at the sound and saw Fu Xunzhou standing not far from her.
Fu Xunzhou was wearing a white T-shirt, looking quite sunny and bright.
Zhou Youling ignored his question and turned to head for the stairwell.
Fu Xunzhou, being rather “insensitive,” followed right behind her, matching her step for step up the stairs.
Zhou Youling had pretty much confirmed her suspicion. For several days in a row, every time she came home, she would see Fu Xunzhou. Clearly, he was waiting for her here.
After climbing two flights, Zhou Youling couldn’t take it anymore. She turned around and said to Fu Xunzhou behind her, “Can you stop following me?”
Fu Xunzhou shrugged slightly and said, “The elevator’s out of service. This is the only way up.”
Zhou Youling deflated, helplessly turning back to continue forward. She sped up, trying to shake off Fu Xunzhou behind her, but she forgot about her own stamina. By the time she reached the fifth floor, she was already panting heavily.
Fu Xunzhou was only a few steps away from her, kindly reminding, “If you rarely use the stairs, I suggest you slow down.”
Zhou Youling rolled her eyes and simply stopped where she was, tilting her head to say to Fu Xunzhou, “After you.”
Fu Xunzhou walked up a few steps and stood behind her, saying, “Perfect, I need a break too.”
Zhou Youling was fuming and quickly took two steps forward to put some distance between them.
“Fu Xunzhou, what exactly do you want?” Zhou Youling couldn’t help but ask.
Fu Xunzhou said, “Isn’t it obvious? I’m pursuing you.”
Zhou Youling replied, “At least you’re upfront about it.”
Fu Xunzhou said, “An honest man doesn’t speak in riddles.”
Zhou Youling: eye roll.
She started walking again, this time slowing her pace.
Fu Xunzhou continued to follow, also slowing his steps.
Compared to Zhou Youling’s heavy breathing, Fu Xunzhou looked completely unfazed.
Zhou Youling knew this about him. Back when they were together, she knew that Fu Xunzhou was into fitness; he always made time for some exercise every day. When they first got married, even if he got home after ten, he’d still drag Zhou Youling onto the treadmill for a slow jog. If Zhou Youling really didn’t want to exercise, he’d put on a serious face and suggest they do some other kind of exercise instead…
Thinking of this, Zhou Youling’s cheeks flushed almost imperceptibly.
“Don’t pursue me,” Zhou Youling said bluntly.
Fu Xunzhou asked why.
Zhou Youling said, “They say marriage is the best guarantee for a relationship, but our three-year marriage has already come to an end. What’s the point of clinging together any longer?”
Fu Xunzhou said, “Then let’s not get married again–just date.”
Zhou Youling stopped in her tracks at that, turned to Fu Xunzhou, and said, “Are you crazy?”
Fu Xunzhou wasn’t annoyed and continued following behind her.
By the time they sluggishly reached the twelfth floor, Zhou Youling’s phone rang. It was Huo Lianghan, calling to arrange a meeting between Mu Yexin and her family, asking when Zhou Youling would be available.
Zhou Youling asked, “Do I have to go too?”
Huo Lianghan said, “Of course you do. You can help smooth things over.”
Zhou Youling: “Oh…”
After hanging up, Zhou Youling let out a soft sigh.
Fu Xunzhou asked from behind, “Why are you sighing?”
Zhou Youling replied offhandedly, “I’m annoyed.”
Fu Xunzhou: “Annoyed about what?”
Zhou Youling wanted to say, but then thought, what’s the point of telling him so much?
Fu Xunzhou smiled, “If we can’t be lovers, we can still be friends. Isn’t your reaction to me a bit too extreme?”
Zhou Youling felt a little guilty.
She thought, maybe Fu Xunzhou had a point.
Maybe because she was distracted, Zhou Youling’s foot suddenly twisted.
“Ah.” Zhou Youling let out a low, muffled groan.
Fu Xunzhou hurried forward and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Zhou Youling braced herself on the handrail with one hand and rubbed her ankle with the other.
She was wearing shoes with three-centimeter heels today, which shouldn’t have been a problem for walking or climbing stairs.
Zhou Youling felt her luck was just too bad.
Fu Xunzhou had already crouched down to carefully check her condition. “It’s not serious. Try walking.”
Zhou Youling took a step and gasped in pain.
Fu Xunzhou moved in front of her, bent down, and patted his own back. “If you don’t mind, I’ll carry you.”
Zhou Youling glanced at Fu Xunzhou’s broad back, steeled herself, and climbed on, saying loudly, “I don’t mind! Then I’ll trouble you, Mr. Fu!”
After all, she wasn’t the one doing the hard work.
