Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Xie Qiyan went on a business trip and returned the same day. Huo Yang followed at his side with a laptop in hand, reporting on the latest progress. Once they entered the President’s Office, he swiftly handed things over to Yu Fei.

One stepped forward with a folder and took position to Xie Qiyan’s left for signatures; the other shut his laptop and turned to leave.

Their coordination was seamless. One secretary, one Executive Assistant-Xie Qiyan’s left and right hands, and each other’s best partners.

“The newest figures for the project we’re doing with Jiang Corporation have been uploaded to your computer. If this keeps up, it’ll be a huge help to Xie Corporation’s push into the film and television industry. Also, the issues on Xingyao’s side are basically resolved, except…”

Xie Qiyan didn’t slow down, but he cut his eyes toward Yu Fei.

That look made Yu Fei’s scalp prickle.

“Except what?” Xie Qiyan’s tone turned heavy.

Yu Fei gave a light cough. “Except Miss Xia. She won’t budge-everything else is fine.”

The president’s office door used an electronic lock. Yu Fei stepped up first and swiped his card. Xie Qiyan stopped as the door opened, yet he stood there without going in.

No one knew what he was thinking. After a moment, his gaze held a touch of ridicule. “There’s actually something Executive Assistant Yu can’t handle?”

Yu Fei: “…”

He had never said he was a superhero.

But as a corporate workhorse, he still had to dedicate himself wholeheartedly and shine where he was placed.

“Miss Xia wants you to go talk to her in person,” Yu Fei relayed, his heart sinking as he said it.

“Who does she think she is?” Xie Qiyan had only just gotten off the plane. Now he was back and immediately grinding through the documents in his inbox without stopping.

Yu Fei replied, “Her face isn’t big-just a little pale. She looks kind of sickly.”

Xie Qiyan lifted his eyes.

The air went quiet for several seconds.

Like it had frozen solid.

Yu Fei: “…”

“Did I ask you how she was?” Xie Qiyan always wore his emotions on his face. His thin lips moved, as if the next words out would be the extremely valuable: “Bonus canceled.”

Yu Fei lowered his head and muttered, “Didn’t you tell me to check Xingyao and, while I was there, see how that girl was doing…”

There was basically nothing to inspect at Xingyao, yet Xie Qiyan had insisted he go personally-and had even deliberately mentioned Xia Wanzhi. Wasn’t that just telling him to take a look and come back with a report?

Must be nice being the boss. You could flip your story whenever you wanted.

“What did you say? Louder,” Xie Qiyan said. His eyes were dark; his voice wasn’t loud and barely had any inflection.

But Yu Fei’s heart still jolted. He gave a dry cough. “I heard Miss Xia is canceling the engagement tonight.”

Xie Qiyan’s hands stopped dead. “What did you say?”

Yu Fei repeated, “Miss Xia is canceling the engagement. That cousin’s wife who was practically already a sure thing-gone.”

Xie Qiyan: “…”

After a long beat, Xie Qiyan gave a cold snort. “What does that have to do with me?”

Yu Fei had nothing to say. He found an excuse to step out and swapped Huo Yang back in to serve him.

He truly couldn’t serve this man for even one more minute.

–

That night, it was a rare occasion at the Zhou Family villa-four people gathered together.

“I don’t agree!” Zhou Yu loomed over Xia Wanzhi, who sat calmly on one side of the sofa, his emotions running hot.

Xia Wanzhi didn’t respond to him. Instead, she turned her gaze to Zhou’s Father and Zhou’s Mother.

Zhou’s Father clearly hadn’t expected the engagement cancellation to come this fast. Feeling he’d wronged the Xia Family, his face turned heavy at once.

Zhou’s Mother, on the other hand, was delighted deep down.

Xia Wanzhi knew Zhou’s Mother had been waiting for this moment.

“These past two months, thank you, Uncle and Auntie, for taking care of me. But you’ve seen the situation the Xia Family is in. Marriage has always been about a match in status. As for the Zhou Family… I can’t reach that high anymore.” Xia Wanzhi clenched her hands tight, ultimately choosing to leave Zhou Yu one last shred of dignity.

She had too many things to handle. She only hoped to turn a big issue into a small one, end things cleanly, and part with Zhou Yu on good terms.
Zhou’s Father couldn’t sit still when he heard this. “Child, what are you saying…”

“By all rights, this engagement should have been canceled long ago. It’s just that my father and mother are currently abroad and cannot return in person to explain things to you. Since that’s the case, I will be the one to personally break it off.” Xia Wanzhi lowered her eyes and unfolded the marriage certificate she had been keeping. In front of the three members of the Zhou Family, she picked up a pen and crossed out her and Zhou Yu’s names.

Zhou Yu’s parents naturally didn’t stop her.

Zhou Yu clenched his fists tightly. Realizing that Xia Wanzhi hadn’t exposed the fact that he had betrayed her, he completely lost the courage to speak.

So this was what she meant by a clean break.

The marriage certificate was made of paper. Looking at the two heavy strokes she had added, Xia Wanzhi felt a complex mix of emotions.

Helplessness, sentimentality, and also a sense of liberation.

As if feeling that wasn’t enough, she set down the pen and, with a sharp *rip*, tore the marriage certificate in half.

“Xia Wanzhi!” Zhou Yu’s pupils shook. Pain spread from his heart to his brain as he choked out, “Do you really not care for even a shred of the affection we shared…”

“I am not your destined partner. From now on…” Xia Wanzhi paused and let out a soft laugh. “Go find whoever it is you truly like.”

She was letting go.

Letting him go so he could be a man.

Letting him go so he could freely indulge in his desires as a man.

From this moment on, they would have nothing to do with each other.

Tonight was destined to be a sleepless one.

Under the circumstances, Xia Wanzhi chose not to stay the night at the Zhou Family home. She hailed a taxi in the middle of the night to go to Yun Li’s shop to help out, staying with her until they closed in the early hours of the morning.

“Are you okay?” Seeing that she had been silent, Yun Li wove a wreath of baby’s breath and daisies and placed it on her head. “You’re single now. Cheer up.”

Xia Wanzhi leaned against the back of her chair, her posture completely relaxed. “Actually, after moving into the Zhou Family house, I realized this marriage couldn’t continue. But I never thought it would end like this.”

How ridiculous. To think Zhou Yu would actually do something like that.

“Men are all no good.” Yun Li tidied up the leftover stems and leaves on the table, offering a piece of advice. “Freedom is paramount, happiness is everything. Never let a man bind your soul.”

Xia Wanzhi pursed her lips. After a long silence, a faint smile touched her face. “I know, my dear sister.”

“Right. Now here’s the question: where are you staying?” Yun Li clapped her hands together, posing a very serious problem.

She definitely couldn’t go to Yun Li’s place, especially with Yun Li’s mother-who harbored a grudge against the wealthy-living there.

“I’ll just make do with a hotel for the night.” Xia Wanzhi’s immediate plan was to pack her things and move out of the Zhou Family home. As for where she would live after that, she hadn’t decided.

“Why don’t you call that, what’s-his-name, Brother Xie to come pick you up?” Yun Li suggested with a smile.

Xia Wanzhi pushed her palm forward in a ‘stop’ gesture. “I’ll pass.”

“Don’t be like that. He’s already here.” Yun Li retracted her gaze, the smile on her face becoming more pronounced. She stood up and pushed her chair back under the table, then patted Xia Wanzhi’s shoulder, signaling for her to look behind her.

Across the street, a Rolls-Royce was parked by the curb with its hazard lights blinking.

A man sat in the driver’s seat, a cigarette held between his fingers resting on the window ledge. The scattered embers glowed bright red in the breeze. He looked over, his gold-rimmed glasses veiling the emotions in his eyes. From a distance, he looked every bit the refined scoundrel.

Xia Wanzhi’s heart skipped a beat.

Yun Li teased, “Are you thrilled to death?”

“More like just ‘dead.’ The capitalist has come to exploit me in person.” Xia Wanzhi started packing her things, wanting to flee.

Just as she was preparing to run, a young girl’s loud voice carried across the wide road: “Sister Wanzi! We’re here to take you home!”

Xia Wanzhi’s footsteps faltered, her large eyes filled with confusion.

What was going on?

It felt a bit like… a father bringing his kid to pick up the mother and take her home.