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Yu Jingxin had completely given up hope on Ji Qingyuan. She no longer expected him to show even the slightest concern for her daily life, nor did she expect him to return home.
Her father and brother were busy with various matters at the bank and its subsidiaries, especially in May when they were overwhelmed with work. Even Yu Qing’s graduation ceremony was missed, let alone time to check on her marital situation.
One evening, her father suddenly called her. Her heart sank, fearing he might ask why she and Ji Qingyuan hadn’t returned home together since their marriage.
“Jingxin, Yu Qing is really something these days.”
Finally reassured that this call wasn’t about Ji Qingyuan, she asked, “What about Yu Qing?”
“She spent over thirty million yuan in a single day. Yes, in one day, thirty million.”
Yu Jingxin tried to comfort her father. “Don’t worry about it. If everyone saved money like me, society wouldn’t progress.”
“I’m not worried—it wasn’t my money, but hers from her mother.”
“...”
What concerned Yu Shaohong was, “With such extravagant spending now, how can I ever give her just a few hundred thousand later without feeling embarrassed? You understand, right?”
Sighing, he shifted the topic to his eldest daughter. “The money I transferred to you last time, did you buy some clothes with it?”
Yu Jingxin hesitated. “Well… I’ve been busy.”
Yu Shaohong was growing increasingly exasperated with his two daughters. “No matter how busy you are, you need to spend money! What’s the point of earning it if you don’t use it? Hurry up and spend it. Otherwise, I won’t give you any more in the future. By the way, how’s…”
Yu Jingxin feared her father would bring up Ji Qingyuan, so she quickly interrupted. “Dad, I have an incoming call from the accounting department. Let’s talk later.”
Yu Shaohong never doubted his eldest daughter’s honesty. The bank had numerous business collaborations with Jiashi Group, and in the past six months, there were even more. He frequently held video conferences with Ji Qingyuan and didn’t sense any issues between the couple.
“Alright, focus on your work,” he said before hanging up.
Yu Jingxin put down her phone and crossed off another day on the calendar.
She wasn’t sure if their current estrangement was partly her fault. If she hadn’t acted out of spite, or for the sake of saving face, or mentioned loving someone else, would things be different now?
But even if she could turn back time, she knew she’d still say the same things under those circumstances.
The next time she heard news about Ji Qingyuan was in August. Zhou Siyuan sent her a message: [Leng Wenning got divorced. Keep an eye on your husband, okay? : )]
Upon reading the message, Yu Jingxin felt as though a bucket of cold water had been poured over her.
Suddenly, she wasn’t sure anymore. Was Ji Qingyuan abroad truly busy with his project, or was he waiting for Leng Wenning to divorce so he could make his move?
She deleted the message and promptly removed Zhou Siyuan from her contacts.
The next time she saw Ji Qingyuan was a few weeks later at a club.
In the past few months, she had grown familiar with businesses in Beijing and started investing. With too much money on hand, she found life unexpectedly meaningless.
She invested in bars, clubs, and horse racing venues. This particular club she had hesitated about initially, but since Yu Jingze and Qin Moling often came here to play golf, she decided to invest.
That day, she came to sign the contract. After finishing, she encountered Ji Qingyuan in the parking lot.
They hadn’t seen each other in seven months.
As Yu Jingxin opened her car door, she inadvertently noticed the license plate number she had memorized.
Ji Qingyuan also saw her and stepped out of his car.
Their eyes met.
From less than five meters away, Yu Jingxin couldn’t describe what she felt toward Ji Qingyuan—love, hate, resentment, all intertwined. She didn’t want to see him, yet she couldn’t help but long for him.
Ji Qingyuan looked at the woman in front of him. She was truly heartless. On Valentine’s Day, 520, Children’s Day, and Qixi Festival, every holiday she received a check from him, and not once did she thank him.
He had never met a woman as cold-hearted as her. Even if she didn’t love him, she didn’t have to openly admit loving another man in front of him.
He had asked her then if she still loved that man.
If she had lied and said it was all in the past—or remained silent—he would’ve assumed she no longer cared for him. But she had responded with an “Mm.”
Looking at her face, she seemed to have lost a bit of weight.
Deciding not to dwell on her narrow-mindedness, he walked over.
Yu Jingxin spoke first. “President Ji, it’s been a while.”
Ji Qingyuan: “Yes, quite a while—seven months and five days.”
Yu Jingxin was slightly taken aback. He remembered it just as clearly as she did.
After that, neither spoke.
Ji Qingyuan waited for her to apologize. If she admitted she was wrong, he could forgive her.
Meanwhile, Yu Jingxin waited for him to explain why he had disappeared for so long without ever asking about her well-being, only sending checks for holidays as if to brush her off.
Even upon meeting, he wouldn’t bother with even superficial politeness.
She waved her hand. “Goodbye, President Ji. I won’t keep you from your work.”
Without looking at his reaction, she turned and got into her car.
When she glanced back, he was already walking toward the club.
________________________________________
Ji Qingyuan had arranged to meet someone to discuss buying a private restaurant. He invited the owner to negotiate the transfer.
When he entered the private room, there was another person present—Fu Jichen.
He had previously collaborated with Fu Jichen and wasn’t unfamiliar with him, though they weren’t particularly close privately.
Fu Jichen had come to play golf that day and ran into a friend, so he stopped by for a while. Unexpectedly, his friend wanted to transfer ownership of the private restaurant to Ji Qingyuan.
After exchanging greetings, they took their seats.
Ji Qingyuan briefly explained why he was a few minutes late. “I ran into my wife in the parking lot and consoled her for a bit.”
The restaurant owner teased, “What, arguing as soon as you return?”
Ji Qingyuan chuckled. “What day doesn’t a woman get upset?”
Fu Jichen flicked his cigarette ash. “If you’re both aware of how women are, why go through the trouble of getting married?”
The restaurant owner replied, “You’ll have your moment of weakness someday.”
Fu Jichen remarked wistfully, “Rest assured, I won’t follow your path.” There wasn’t a woman he deemed worthy.
After some casual chatter, they returned to the main topic.
The negotiations went smoothly, with both sides making compromises. The price was reasonable.
Before leaving, the restaurant owner asked one more question. “Why are you suddenly interested in a private restaurant?”
Ji Qingyuan: “My wife is particular about food. The kitchen at home isn’t enough for the chef to showcase his skills.”
________________________________________
When Ji Qingyuan left the club, it was already late. By the time he arrived home, it was dark.
Yu Jingxin’s car wasn’t back yet, so he asked the housekeeper, “What time does Jingxin usually return?”
Housekeeper: “It’s hard to say. If she doesn’t go to a bar, she’s usually back around ten. Tonight, the driver isn’t back either, so she must be at a bar.”
Ji Qingyuan frowned. “A bar?”
Housekeeper nodded. “A bar inside the club.”
Specifically which one, he didn’t know. Sometimes, when Yu Jingxin came home late, she’d inform them in advance so they wouldn’t wait up and could rest early.
Ji Qingyuan called the driver and confirmed it was the usual club she frequented.
He grabbed his car keys and drove himself over.
At the bar, after searching for a while, he spotted a familiar figure sitting in a corner.
There were two drinks in front of Yu Jingxin. She rested her head on the table, gazing toward the stage where the resident singer performed. She seemed lost in thought, her expression unreadable.
Ji Qingyuan found a seat not far from her, his gaze fixed on her.
Whether it was the singer’s performance touching her emotions or memories triggered by the scene, she lightly wiped her eyes with her fingertips before returning to her previous posture, quietly resting her head on the table.
She looked utterly sorrowful and desolate.
He approached and sat down on the chair next to her.
Sensing someone beside her, Yu Jingxin abruptly turned her head, startled. “What are you doing here?”
Ji Qingyuan didn’t mention coming specifically for her. He pointed upstairs. “I had a business engagement and saw your car.”
Yu Jingxin nodded and sat upright. “Is there something you need?”
Ji Qingyuan glanced at her nearly empty glass. “Let’s go home.”
Yu Jingxin didn’t move, looking at him. “Leng Wenning got divorced.”
Ji Qingyuan met her gaze. “I heard.” After a pause, he added, “You seem to have plenty of time to care about others’ divorces.” Yet, she had never once asked about him.
Seven months—and not a single inquiry.
He countered, “Does Leng Wenning’s divorce have anything to do with you?”
Yu Jingxin: “….”
Ji Qingyuan stood up, picked up the coat from her chair, and tossed it to her. “Let’s go home.”
Yu Jingxin suddenly couldn’t understand him. Perhaps, like her, he had practical considerations. This marriage was one neither could easily dissolve.
Thinking this way, she inexplicably felt lighter.
Back at the estate, Ji Qingyuan opened the driver’s side door and got in. Yu Jingxin hesitated, unsure whether to take his car or hers.
The window rolled down, and Ji Qingyuan glanced at her.
Yu Jingxin opened the passenger door and got in—it was her first time riding in a car he was driving.
The ride was completely silent. She wanted to ask if he would leave again in a few days, but the words died on her lips.
Let him come or go as he pleased.
Ji Qingyuan waited for her to strike up a conversation, but she remained silent.
Out of the corner of his eye, he glanced at her. “Did you receive the cashier’s checks I sent you for the holidays?”
Yu Jingxin: “Yes.”
After a few seconds, she added, “Thank you.”
Ji Qingyuan didn’t respond. Her words lacked sincerity.
The silence continued until they reached home.
Yu Jingxin glanced at the suitcase in the bedroom and took her phone to charge. She didn’t know if the suitcase meant he was staying or leaving tomorrow.
Ji Qingyuan wheeled the suitcase into the walk-in closet. “Jingxin.”
Hearing him call her name after so long stirred mixed feelings within her. “What?”
“Which wardrobe should I use?” He had just checked, and it was completely filled with her clothes. He didn’t dare touch her belongings.
Yu Jingxin tentatively replied, “Since you’ll be leaving for another business trip in a few days, just leave them in the suitcase.”
Ji Qingyuan: “…For the next six months, I won’t be traveling.” Even if he did, it would only be short trips. He wouldn’t need to bring so much luggage.
Yu Jingxin: “Put them wherever you want.”
Ji Qingyuan suddenly remembered. “What happened to my old clothes?”
Yu Jingxin had assumed he wouldn’t return to live here, or if he did, they’d live separately. She had moved everything to the guest bedroom next door. “I thought you had a new home elsewhere.”
Ji Qingyuan snapped irritably, “Yeah, with kids.”
Yu Jingxin: “….”
She grabbed her pajamas and headed to the bathroom.
Ji Qingyuan stood with his hands on his hips for a moment before opening the wardrobe doors. Wherever there was space, he shoved his clothes, pushing hers aside forcefully.
By the time he finished organizing everything, half an hour had passed.
Yu Jingxin was still soaking in the bathtub. He stared at the bathroom door, wondering if his earlier comment had upset her.
Another ten minutes passed, and she still hadn’t emerged.
Ji Qingyuan grabbed a bathrobe and went to the other bathroom.
His shower was quick, lasting only twenty minutes. After drying his hair, he returned to the bedroom.
Yu Jingxin still hadn’t come out, but through the bathroom door, he could see she had gotten out of the tub. Soon, the sound of a hairdryer hummed through the room.
After a moment’s thought, Ji Qingyuan went to her vanity and placed a sheet mask on her bedside table.
Leaning against the headboard, he occasionally glanced toward the bathroom.
Finally, the door opened.
Ji Qingyuan flipped through a magazine in his hands, pretending to read casually.
Yu Jingxin emerged with a blank expression, bypassed the foot of the bed, and went directly to her side.
Seeing the sheet mask on the nightstand, she: “….”
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