Volume One, Chapter Seven: A Rare Moment of Tenderness

Ye Wu woke up early in the morning with a throbbing headache.

The domestic help, ever considerate, brought her some medication. Once the pills had eased her discomfort, Ye Wu prepared to take a shower, only to hear the maid grumbling indignantly, "That little vixen outside has completely bewitched the master. He came home last night, saw you in such a drunken state, and yet he still drove away."

Only then did Ye Wu realize that Zhou Jinghuai had visited the night before.

The maid recalled something else. "Oh, and ma'am, the master ordered us to have Lawyer Gu’s coat dry-cleaned and delivered to him. At least the master has a shred of conscience left, knowing how to be considerate of you."

The maid, oblivious to Zhou Jinghuai’s ulterior motives, mistook his actions for genuine thoughtfulness. Ye Wu, however, understood clearly: Zhou Jinghuai was merely concerned about the risk of being cuckolded.

Feeling physically unwell, she spent the next two days resting at home and took the time to visit her grandmother.

...

On Monday, the atmosphere at Rong’en Group shifted dramatically.

A major project within the group had hit a snag, and all evidence pointed toward professional negligence on Ye Wu’s part. Following a board meeting, Ye Wu was suspended from all her duties, and she was required to vacate her office as Vice President that very day.

On the 32nd floor, in the vice-presidential office, Ye Wu stood before the floor-to-ceiling windows, quietly gazing out at the bustling city of Beijing. Behind her, Annie pushed open the door and whispered, "Ms. Ye, it turns out that Bai Qianqian is taking over the Meiya Project."

Annie was furious, but Ye Wu remained composed.

At this moment, she no longer wanted Zhou Jinghuai. Fame, wealth, and status had all become fleeting shadows. She would take what was rightfully hers and leave, walking out of Zhou Jinghuai’s world with her dignity intact. As for whether his feelings for Bai Qianqian were deep love or mere compensation, it no longer had anything to do with her.

Just as Ye Wu was about to speak, her phone on the desk rang. It was a call from Zhou Jinghuai’s father, asking her to come to his office.

Ye Wu agreed.

In the afternoon, she was driven to where Zhou Yanli worked. Zhou Yanli did not hold a position at Rong’en Group; he had his own business, appearing refined while actually biding his time and paving the way for his biological son.

It was late October. A gust of autumn wind blew by, carrying the scent of sweet osmanthus. As soon as Ye Wu stepped out of her car, Zhou Yanli’s private secretary approached. She was a beautiful woman who smiled at Ye Wu and led her to the door of an elegant tea room.

The secretary slid the door open and said respectfully, "Mr. Zhou, Jinghuai’s wife is here."

Zhou Yanli, who was busy tasting tea, looked up and said gently, "Ah Wu, you’re here. Come in and join me for a cup of tea."

Ye Wu removed her shoes and stepped into the tea room.

Zhou Yanli was likely aware of the personnel changes at Rong’en. He poured tea for Ye Wu without a word, discussing many matters regarding the group. In his heart, he had always deeply admired Ye Wu; with her around, Zhou Jinghuai’s position was secure. However, sometimes, competence is a double-edged sword. Once a beast has fully matured, it might become a threat. On this point, Zhou Yanli and his son were surprisingly in agreement, though Zhou Jinghuai’s methods were simply more aggressive.

"Ye Wu," Zhou Yanli said with a friendly, approachable air, "I have always admired you. Are you and Jinghuai having some issues lately? If it’s because of that girl, Bai Qianqian, there’s no need! She’s just a yellow-haired girl."

Ye Wu smiled faintly. "No, there are no issues."

She was not foolish enough to broadcast her conflicts with Zhou Jinghuai; there was little mercy to be found in the Zhou family.

Zhou Yanli was taken aback. He admired her even more now—the girl truly knew how to keep her composure. After a moment of contemplation, he voiced his concerns. "The Meiya Project is a collaboration with Mr. Chen. Jingyao has a volatile temper, and I fear that if he takes over, he will cause major trouble for the group."

Ye Wu understood the subtext of Zhou Jinghuai’s father. She replied coolly, "Don't worry. While the project is nominally under Assistant Bai, it is actually being directed by Zhou Jinghuai personally. There won't be any room for Zhou Jingyao to stir up trouble."

Having had his true intentions exposed, Zhou Yanli felt a touch of discomfort and said a few words to smooth things over.

By the time Ye Wu left, it was already dusk. The sunset shattered across the horizon. As Zhou Yanli’s secretary stood by the car bowing to bid her farewell, the woman’s smiling expression looked remarkably like a perfect doll. Ye Wu suddenly felt the woman looked familiar...

...

Before dark, Ye Wu returned to her office.

She began to organize her belongings, handing some over to others and discarding the rest. Annie cursed Zhou Jinghuai, shouting that when they made their comeback, they would make those fair-weather friends pay.

Ye Wu only offered a faint smile.

A knock sounded at the door. Zhou Jinghuai stood there, impeccably dressed, looking as handsome and imposing as a man from a magazine. He dismissed Annie, who muttered a curse about him being a scoundrel as she left.

Once they were alone, Zhou Jinghuai walked in, his deep eyes fixed on Ye Wu.

Meeting again, everything had changed. Zhou Jinghuai, mindful of their past, softened his tone. "Bai Qianqian has never been our problem. Ye Wu, if you are willing, I will call a board meeting next month to reinstate you at Rong’en Group."

Ye Wu laughed softly. How truly ridiculous.

Her break with Zhou Jinghuai, her hysteria that night, her drowning her sorrows in alcohol—to her husband, all of this was merely childish, willful behavior. He even acted as if keeping her was a favor, a moment of leniency, and that she should be overflowing with gratitude.

But regrettably, she no longer cared for any of the things he promised. How could he think she would still be willing to slave away for him, to continue living by his side? Just thinking of his care and affection for Bai Qianqian made her feel as though her youth had been fed to the dogs.

Ye Wu stepped toward Zhou Jinghuai and reached out to adjust his shirt collar. In the past, she had always been the one to fix his attire before he attended banquets. She had performed this gesture countless times.

Zhou Jinghuai leaned down naturally to make it easier for her. They were close—so close that the man’s hot breath brushed against her face. Zhou Jinghuai looked down at her features and couldn't help but recall the alluring sight of her that night on the bed. They had been married for four years and had been together many times, but he had never seen Ye Wu like that before.

Zhou Jinghuai’s Adam’s apple bobbed, a movement that was indescribably sexy.

When she finished, Ye Wu gently stroked the high-quality fabric of his shirt, a lingering touch of attachment in her fingertips.

Six years of love, four years of marriage—it was all over.

*This is the last time, Zhou Jinghuai.*

She tilted her head to look at him quietly and said softly, "No need. I don't want to come back."

Zhou Jinghuai was stunned.

Ye Wu had already brushed past him, carrying a small box as she walked toward the exit. She realized that after four long years, there was actually very little she could take with her from Rong’en. At the door, she looked up slightly, her voice strained. "Zhou Jinghuai, I’m leaving."

A jolt went through Zhou Jinghuai’s heart. He felt that Ye Wu was different, though he couldn't quite put his finger on how.

He stood in her office, watching her walk toward the elevator, watching her slowly vanish from his sight. At that moment, Zhou Jinghuai did not realize that Ye Wu had just bid him her final farewell. She was leaving Rong’en, leaving his side, and she would never return.