Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
Ji Qingyuan went to the study, leaving the lights off. Knowing that Yu Jingxin wouldn’t come over, he opened the window and lit a cigarette, chain-smoking one after another.
The cold wind couldn’t disperse all the smoke; half of it lingered in the room.
After extinguishing the cigarette butt, Ji Qingyuan called his secretary to request approval for a flight this weekend.
The secretary quickly asked, “President Ji, has the honeymoon destination changed?” If it had, she would need to book a hotel and arrange the itinerary again.
Ji Qingyuan: “The honeymoon is canceled.”
Secretary: “Understood.”
She didn’t dare ask further questions.
Recently, her boss had been negotiating an overseas project—clearly, that was taking priority.
Ji Qingyuan pulled out another cigarette but didn’t light it. Instead, he crushed it with force.
She was so beautiful—how could no one have pursued her? How could she not have had a boyfriend? If he had known about her feelings for someone else during their blind date, he wondered if he would still have wanted to marry her.
Perhaps, he wouldn’t have been as eager.
Or maybe, he still would have.
Who knew?
It was late at night.
Ji Qingyuan closed the window. In the dark, as he walked toward the door using the faint light from outside, he accidentally bumped into the corner of the desk. The sharp pain made his heart clench, and he rubbed his leg.
Even drinking cold water left a bitter taste in his mouth.
When Ji Qingyuan returned to the bedroom, Yu Jingxin had already finished bathing. She was leaning against the headboard, applying a face mask while reading a financial journal—just like any other day.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at her again. She showed no reaction, continuing to focus on her book.
He grabbed his sleepwear and headed to the bathroom.
Once the bathroom door closed, Yu Jingxin let out a long sigh, her heart aching. Everything was gone—even the honeymoon.
She had thought he might pretend, even if his heart wasn’t with her, at least accompanying her on the trip. It was something she had long anticipated—a journey just for the two of them.
Lost in her thoughts, Ji Qingyuan emerged from the bathroom after finishing his shower.
Yu Jingxin removed her face mask, avoiding looking at him, and walked straight to the bathroom.
Ji Qingyuan stared at her back. After everything they’d said, she didn’t even bother pretending anymore. He wondered who this man was—the one she had been pining for so long, unable to forget even after marrying him.
He turned off the bedside lamp on his side and closed his eyes.
In the bathroom, the faucet continued to gush water.
Yu Jingxin kept splashing cold water on her face, tears mixing with the water.
After steadying her breathing, she applied eye cream and climbed into bed.
Ji Qingyuan lay on his side, facing away from her.
Yu Jingxin turned off the light, plunging the room into pitch darkness.
She lay flat on her back, occasionally turning her head slowly to check if he had turned toward her.
He never did.
________________________________________
Early the next morning, Ji Qingyuan woke up at his usual time. Instinctively, he looked at Yu Jingxin. She had only covered herself with a corner of the blanket, leaving most of her body exposed.
He tucked the blanket around her. Her breathing was steady; she was sleeping deeply.
He hadn’t slept much that night.
After watching her for a while, he got up and left.
By the time Yu Jingxin woke up, he was already gone.
Her wedding leave still had two weeks left, but she didn’t know what to do.
Feeling guilty, she didn’t want to return to work early, fearing others might ask why she hadn’t gone on her honeymoon.
Ji Qingyuan sent her a message: [I’m going on a business trip this weekend. I don’t know when I’ll be back. Let’s have dinner at my mom’s tonight.]
Yu Jingxin replied: [Okay.] She glanced at the phrase “I don’t know when I’ll be back” and booked a ticket, deciding to travel alone.
________________________________________
In the evening, Ji Qingyuan returned home early from work. As he entered the villa, he noticed a suitcase by the couch—it belonged to Yu Jingxin.
Hearing the sound of the car, Yu Jingxin grabbed her bag and came downstairs.
Ji Qingyuan looked up at the stairs. She was wearing heavy makeup, though not a dress—just casual clothes. “Where are you going?”
He asked proactively.
Yu Jingxin: “Traveling. There’s a concert there.” She didn’t mention where.
As if suddenly remembering, she added, “Oh, right. My flight is at dawn. I’ll head to the airport after dinner at your mom’s.”
Her tone was cold, almost like she was informing him.
Ji Qingyuan nodded. He had initially planned to send her to the airport but hesitated upon hearing the word “concert.” He swallowed his words.
Glancing at his watch, he said, “Let’s go to my mom’s.”
Yu Jingxin responded and followed behind him.
At this time two days ago, he had kissed her at their wedding, promising to walk through life with her, ensuring she wouldn’t suffer a single injustice. He had even said he wished to meet her earlier in the next life.
But the person he wanted to spend his life with wasn’t her.
The person he wished to meet earlier wasn’t her either.
Once in the car, they sat on opposite sides of the backseat.
Ji Qingyuan took out his tablet and logged into his email.
Yu Jingxin plugged in her earphones and casually played a song.
They didn’t exchange a single word until they arrived at Ji’s family home.
This was Yu Jingxin’s second visit to the Ji residence. She had come once before the wedding. Everyone was home, and the parking lot was full.
After getting out of the car, Yu Jingxin walked around the trunk and reached out to link arms with Ji Qingyuan. But without turning his head, he strode toward the villa, leaving her hand hanging stiffly in the air.
Before she could feel disappointed, she quickened her steps.
This scene was caught by Ji Qingyuan’s younger sister, who happened to be upstairs.
After exchanging greetings, Yu Jingxin sat near Ji Qingyuan, deliberately keeping some distance between them.
“When are you two going on your honeymoon?” Mrs. Ji handed Yu Jingxin some peeled nuts.
“Thank you, Mom.” Yu Jingxin answered the earlier question. “I have a flight tonight. I’m going to see a concert first. Qingyuan is leaving this weekend, and we’ll meet up then.”
Ji Qingyuan glanced at Yu Jingxin. Lies rolled off her tongue effortlessly.
Mrs. Ji looked at her son. “What urgent matter can’t wait? If it’s really impossible, let your father handle it.”
Ji Qingyuan evaded the question: “When I return, I’ll spend more days traveling with Jingxin.”
His sister came downstairs. “Sister-in-law, you look stunning today.” Then she added, “I’ll borrow my brother for two minutes.” Waving her finger, she called, “Ji Qingyuan, come here.”
Ji Qingyuan, feeling down, didn’t indulge his sister as usual. “What is it? Just say it.”
“Come here!”
Reluctantly, Ji Qingyuan stood up and followed her upstairs, where she dragged him by the collar.
“Jiajia, what are you doing?”
“What do you think?”
Ji Qingyuan adjusted his shirt. “Is it because none of the directors liked your recent script? How much money do you need? I’ll invest.”
Sister: “….”
She stopped him. “Don’t change the subject! I saw Sister-in-law trying to hold your arm just now, and you didn’t even turn your head. Are you revealing your true colors as a scumbag on the third day of marriage?”
Ji Qingyuan: “….”
He hadn’t noticed Yu Jingxin reaching for him, but whether he had or not, it didn’t matter. Even if she had held his arm, it would have been for show—to impress the family. It was utterly meaningless.
His sister continued her tirade: “Whatever happened with you and Leng Wenning, let it go. Explain things properly to Sister-in-law and live your life. Don’t drag things out, or you’ll end up in a funeral pyre. I’ve been writing about a scumbag who ends up in a funeral pyre—I just cut him off directly. He was too disgusting to write about.”
She reminded her brother: “Don’t ruin a good life by being difficult.”
Ji Qingyuan: “….”
He tapped her forehead. “Are you losing your mind from writing scripts?”
His sister asked, “What’s really going on between you and Sister-in-law?”
Ji Qingyuan didn’t want to elaborate. The secrets between him and Yu Jingxin were theirs alone. “What makes you think there’s anything wrong? I just didn’t notice when we got out of the car. Don’t jump to conclusions.”
His sister narrowed her eyes, clearly not believing him. “I’ll keep an eye on every move you make.”
Ji Qingyuan used Yu Jingxin as an excuse. “I’m going downstairs. Jingxin is sitting alone and might feel awkward.”
This barely passed as a valid reason, but his sister let him go.
Because Yu Jingxin had to catch a flight, they ate dinner early.
The only topic that kept the conversation flowing at the table was related to Ji Qingyuan. His sister shared many stories about his childhood, purely to liven up the atmosphere and help Yu Jingxin get to know her husband better.
Ji Qingyuan placed a piece of meat on his sister’s plate. “Shut your mouth.”
Yu Jingxin quietly ate, occasionally chiming in.
She knew what Ji Qingyuan liked to eat. A dish slightly out of his reach remained untouched. To play the part of a loving couple, she picked up a piece and placed it on his plate.
Ji Qingyuan: “I’ll do it myself.”
By the end of the meal, he hadn’t touched the piece she had placed there.
Though there were other unfinished dishes on his plate, that particular piece stood out.
But Yu Jingxin knew—it was the one she had served him.
Before eight o’clock, they left.
As the car drove out of the Ji family estate, Yu Jingxin sighed in relief, finally done with this obligation.
She seemed completely liberated, and Ji Qingyuan noticed.
The cramped car felt suffocating.
Yu Jingxin tried to think of something to say, but then remembered he hadn’t even eaten the food she had served him. Everything felt unnecessary.
From now on, their relationship would be nothing more than a marriage of convenience—for the sake of mutual benefit, even conversation could be skipped.
Her phone rang—it was her father.
Yu Shaohong had just returned home and heard from the housekeeper that his daughter had visited earlier, taking quite a few things.
“Jingxin, when will you and Qingyuan return?”
Yu Jingxin: “Dad, I didn’t have time to tell you. I have a flight tonight for a concert. I worked hard to get the tickets and didn’t want to cancel. I’ll see you after the honeymoon.”
Yu Shaohong didn’t think much of it. “Alright.”
He added, “Are you adjusting well at the Ji family? If the chef’s food doesn’t suit your taste, force yourself to eat a bit. After some time, you can bring our family chef over. It’s not appropriate to change chefs right now. If anything happens, tell me.”
Yu Jingxin’s eyes welled up. “Mm, nothing’s wrong.”
Yu Shaohong reminded her: “Leave your clothes at home. You can wear them when you return. Buy more—don’t be stingy. Get some expensive ones. I’ll transfer you some money soon.”
Yu Jingxin steadied her breath, afraid her voice might betray her emotions. “No need. I have plenty of money.”
Yu Shaohong felt empty inside, fearing his daughter might be suffering silently in her new home. “I know you have money, but this is from your father. Spend it—you can’t just save it. Learn from Yu Qing. Spend all your money every month, and if you’re short, take some from your brother.”
Yu Jingxin: “….”
A faint smile appeared on her face.
“Dad, I need to go. Qingyuan and I just had dinner at my mother-in-law’s.”
“Alright. We’ll talk when you’re back at work.”
After the call ended, silence enveloped the car once again.
Finally, they arrived home. As Yu Jingxin opened the car door, she felt the air was breathable again.
With the flight approaching, Yu Jingxin went to fetch her suitcase. Ji Qingyuan had the driver assist and handed her a card. “Buy whatever you like.”
Yu Jingxin declined: “Thank you, no need.”
Standing face to face, she assumed he would accompany her to the airport.
Ji Qingyuan put the card away. “Safe travels.”
Yu Jingxin smiled faintly. “Thank you.”
Waving goodbye without another word, she turned and got into the car.
After closing the door, she glanced at Ji Qingyuan again. He was already walking toward the house, leaving her with just his back.
Google Sites
Report abuse