Embedded Files
Psst! We're moving!
The originally ample time was delayed by nearly two hours because of their reconciliation.
After hastily packing up, the two went downstairs.
Ji Qingyuan suddenly remembered something in the living room and rushed back upstairs, taking two steps at a time.
Yu Jingxin turned around. “Are you going to a meeting?”
Ji Qingyuan replied, “No, I’ll be right down.”
Yu Jingxin didn’t wait for him and got into the car first.
On the way back to the Yu family villa, neither of them spoke to each other. Yu Jingxin leaned back against the seat, staring out at the passing scenery.
She wondered if she would get pregnant this time. It seemed like he wasn’t very eager for a baby. If they missed this chance, who knew when the next one would come.
Today, when he defended Leng Wenning, she stopped expecting anything from him altogether.
Since their marriage, no matter what rumors circulated outside, he had never offered an extra explanation. Now she understood why—explaining too much would only hurt Leng Wenning.
No one had ever unconditionally stood up for her. Most of the time, she remained rational, prioritizing practical benefits. But deep down, she yearned for someone who would think only of her, regardless of right or wrong.
If they had a baby, before the child started their own family, they would become each other’s most important person. She would have something to hold onto, so that the next time Ji Qingyuan left home for an extended period, she wouldn’t have to drown her sorrows in bars.
After two and a half years of marriage, she sometimes compared Ji Qingyuan to other married men she knew. Aside from not loving her, he seemed flawless.
But for her, his lack of love was the most devastating blow.
Waiting every day for a man who came home physically but not emotionally was exhausting.
She didn’t know how much longer she could endure.
Beside her, Ji Qingyuan had glanced at her over a thousand times, but she didn’t notice.
Yu Jingxin snapped out of her thoughts, picked up her phone, and decided to buy some pregnancy tests online. These days were her fertile window, so the chances of conception were high. Better to stock up just in case.
Out of the corner of his eye, Ji Qingyuan caught a glimpse of her phone screen. A well-known brand for contraceptives popped up—a brand even he recognized from frequent TV commercials.
His heart sank. Was she planning to buy emergency contraception?
He quickly pulled out his phone to check. Emergency contraception worked best if taken within 72 hours. Over the next three days, he resolved to stay by her side and prevent her from buying or taking any pills.
Previously, he had wanted to wait until she no longer harbored feelings for Li Yanzhuo before having a child. That way, the baby would symbolize their love rather than being a mere byproduct of marriage.
But after two and a half years, she still showed little enthusiasm toward him.
Making her forget Li Yanzhuo felt like an impossible task, and he lacked the patience to wait that long.
Thankfully, he hadn’t asked her about having children earlier. If she said no, their marital relationship would likely plummet to sub-zero temperatures again. In truth, it was already frosty.
Ji Qingyuan messaged his secretary: [Cancel all appointments for the next three days.] Since it was a holiday, there was nothing urgent requiring him to go to the office anyway.
Before they knew it, the car turned into the driveway of the Yu family villa.
Yu Qing was also home today, sitting leisurely by the lake with Yu Jingze.
This was the first Mid-Autumn Festival Yu Qing had spent at home in years.
She wasn’t close to Yu Qing; they rarely exchanged more than a few words. From afar, Yu Qing waved at her, and she smiled back as a greeting.
She went inside to find her father while Ji Qingyuan walked over to the lakeside to chat briefly with them.
Yu Qing greeted Ji Qingyuan. “Brother-in-law.”
Ji Qingyuan nodded. “I didn’t know you were coming back, so I didn’t prepare a gift.”
Yu Qing replied, “I’m not a kid anymore. No need for gifts.”
She had flown in from Shanghai that morning. After the Li family dispute ended, a shareholders’ meeting was held. Her mother, one of the major shareholders, had authorized her to attend on her behalf.
In the future, her mother’s shares would belong to her.
With their grandparents gone, her father called her, asking her to return home.
This was the first Mid-Autumn Festival in twenty-four years where their entire family was reunited.
After exchanging a few words with Yu Jingze, Ji Qingyuan stood up. “You two talk. I’ll go find Jingxin.”
Yu Qing continued speaking to Yu Jingze. “Take me shopping this afternoon.”
Yu Jingze massaged his temples. “Didn’t Dad just give you a card? Can’t you hold off spending for two days?”
Yu Qing shot back, “Even if I save it now, won’t I end up spending it later?”
“…”
Yu Jingze tried to curb her extravagant habits. “This afternoon, I’ll take you to the club and play some tennis. It’s such a hassle to buy things here and then bring them abroad.”
That reasoning sufficed, and Yu Qing reluctantly agreed not to go shopping.
________________________________________
Yu Shaohong hadn’t been this happy in years. He opened a bottle of red wine.
Yu Jingze waved his hand. “I won’t drink. I have to drive Yu Qing out later.”
Ji Qingyuan racked his brain, trying to come up with an excuse to prevent Yu Jingxin from drinking. If she were pregnant, alcohol would certainly be harmful.
Yu Jingxin poured herself a glass of juice instead. “Dad, I won’t drink.” She fabricated an excuse. “I drank too much during a business dinner the other day, and my stomach isn’t feeling well.”
Yu Shaohong felt sorry for his daughter. “Don’t drink juice either. Have some warm water. Try to avoid unnecessary social events in the future. At your level, people are always inviting you. You need to learn how to decline.”
Yu Jingxin nodded. “Last time, it was with acquaintances. It was more like a casual gathering among friends.”
A weight lifted off Ji Qingyuan’s chest, but he became even more certain that Yu Jingxin intended to take contraceptive pills—people typically avoided drinking alcohol while on medication.
Yu Qing proactively handed over her glass. “Dad, pour me some wine.”
Yu Shaohong refused. “You shouldn’t drink. Stick to juice. Once you’re drunk, your spending will spiral out of control.”
Yu Qing countered, “…If I get drunk, I’ll just sleep at home. Not a penny will leave my pocket.”
Yu Shaohong thought about it and realized she was right. He poured her a glass.
Yu Qing was in a bad mood today, though no one noticed.
After dinner, Yu Jingxin and Ji Qingyuan stayed for a while before heading back.
Yu Qing’s tolerance for alcohol was decent. Even after finishing a glass, she felt nothing. She accompanied Yu Jingze to the club.
Yu Qing didn’t feel like talking. Leaning her head against the seat, she murmured, “Brother, let me nap for a bit. The alcohol is hitting me.”
Without giving it much thought, Yu Jingze handed her his suit jacket. “Cover yourself. Don’t catch a cold.”
Yu Qing closed her eyes. News about the Li family dominated headlines today. While others gossiped about it over tea, for her, it brought nothing but pain.
She shifted into a comfortable position, lying halfway on the seat.
Yu Jingze asked, “When are you leaving?”
Yu Qing replied, “Tonight.”
“Won’t you stay a few more days?”
“No.”
She had no attachments. Being here or elsewhere made no difference. Returning home after so many years didn’t evoke any sense of belonging. Living here felt unfamiliar, and this city held nothing for her to cherish.
________________________________________
It was a holiday, so the club wasn’t crowded. Only a few cars were scattered across the parking lot.
Yu Jingze spotted a familiar license plate—it belonged to Fu Jichen of the Fu Group.
Yu Jingze had reserved an indoor court. He played against Yu Qing. Whether it was due to Yu Qing’s sudden burst of skill or his own lack of practice lately, he ended up losing to her.
Yu Qing was physically drained. Grabbing a bottle of water, she twisted it open and sat down on the ground, drenched in sweat.
Yu Jingze looked at her. “I told you to bring a change of clothes.” There was no way she could shower now.
Yu Qing replied, “I’ll shower when I get home.”
Though exhausted, sweating had somewhat eased her tension.
Yu Jingze said, “Rest for a bit. I’ll bring the car around.”
Yu Qing nodded. “Alright. I don’t have the energy to walk anyway.”
After finishing her water, she asked the staff to collect her racket, grabbed her bag, and slowly headed toward the exit.
Outside the building, Yu Jingze’s car was slowly approaching.
Yu Qing retied her loose hair, which was soaked with sweat. After securing it, she checked her compact mirror to ensure no strands had escaped.
On the third floor, Fu Jichen stood by the window, about to light a cigarette. Suddenly, a blinding flash of sunlight hit his eyes. He squinted, unable to see anything.
There was no sun near the window. Someone must have reflected light using a mirror.
Once his vision cleared, he lowered his gaze to the parking lot below. A car was parked there.
All he saw was a pair of white athletic pants on the passenger side and an arm even paler than the pants before the door closed.
He didn’t manage to see the face of the person who had blinded him. The car slowly drove away.
He recognized the license plate—it seemed to belong to Yu Jingze.
The person inside was probably Yu Jingze’s girlfriend.
Fu Jischen drew his gaze back and lit a cigarette.
________________________________________
The weather was pleasant today, cloudless and clear.
By nightfall, the stars were sparse, and the moon shone brightly—an unusually radiant sight.
The Ji family residence buzzed with activity. The tables were filled.
Ji Qingyuan had two siblings besides his sister—a younger brother and the youngest sibling, his sister, who had grown up pampered. Like Yu Jingxin, she was money-minded.
Now that all three siblings were married, tonight marked their reunion.
At home, Ji Qingyuan and his younger brother held the least status.
Their sister teasingly called them “womanizers” and declared that womanizers didn’t deserve a voice. Even during meals, they couldn’t choose what to eat—they took whatever was served and weren’t allowed to complain.
Seating arrangements at family gatherings were always casual. Ji Qingyuan and Yu Jingxin chose chairs on the side.
Grandma was particularly concerned about Ji Qingyuan. After two and a half years of marriage without children, she worried that this trend couldn’t continue. Though usually open-minded, she found herself unable to remain so under these circumstances.
In front of everyone, she urged her grandson to make a statement. “Qingyuan, haven’t you had enough fun? It’s time to settle down.”
Ji Qingyuan replied, “Grandma, I haven’t been fooling around. My heart is always at home.” Though someone else’s heart wanders to the banks of the Huangpu River, far from Beijing.
What could he do?
Grandma cut straight to the point. “When are the two of you planning to have a child? I’m looking forward to holding my great-grandchild.”
Everyone at the table silently watched them.
Yu Jingxin glanced at Ji Qingyuan, unsure of his intentions.
Ji Qingyuan knew she didn’t want children. He stepped forward to deflect attention. “Grandma, I’ve already quit drinking recently. I won’t drink tonight either.”
Hearing him mention wanting children, Yu Jingxin breathed a sigh of relief.
She hoped that if they had a baby, it would be because both parents eagerly awaited its arrival—not because it was conceived without blessings.
As the meal neared its end, the housekeeper brought freshly made mooncakes.
Yu Jingxin, fearing weight gain, struggled to finish even a single piece.
Seeing her nibbling slowly, Ji Qingyuan asked, “Doesn’t it suit your taste?”
Yu Jingxin shook her head and whispered, “Eating too much will make me gain weight.”
Ji Qingyuan took the mooncake from her hand. “I’ll eat it.”
Yu Jingxin said softly, “Thank you.”
Witnessing her gentle demeanor, Ji Qingyuan momentarily considered moving back in. Even if she disliked him, she’d have to pretend otherwise in front of the family.
It was nearly midnight when they finally left the Ji residence.
Whenever they were alone, the air between them remained silent.
Ji Qingyuan stole a glance at Yu Jingxin. Her contemplative expression suggested she had no intention of having his child. He couldn’t understand why Li Yanzhuo still held such sway over her.
Despite his efforts over the past two years, he hadn’t managed to warm her heart. She still clung to memories of that man.
“Jingxin.”
“Hmm.” Yu Jingxin was gazing out the window, imagining what their child with Ji Qingyuan might look like.
“Jingxin.”
“What?” She turned to look at him.
Ji Qingyuan said, “Transfer some money to me. I owe my sister, and she’s been pestering me to pay up.”
Yu Jingxin asked, “How much?”
Ji Qingyuan replied, “Just 520 yuan short.”
Yu Jingxin generously transferred 550 yuan. “The extra amount is a gift for you.”
Ji Qingyuan: “...”
He merely wanted 520 yuan to post on social media. Who cared about the extra thirty?
Seeing him hesitate to accept, Yu Jingxin asked, “Too little?”
Ji Qingyuan replied indifferently, “Too much. I can’t accept it.”
Yu Jingxin detected the sarcasm. “Then don’t take it.”
After sulking for a moment, Ji Qingyuan reluctantly accepted the transfer. He glanced at her hand, wondering if it still hurt after all this time.
“Jingxin.”
“What now?”
“Getting impatient already?”
“...What do you want?”
Ji Qingyuan pulled something out of his pocket and tossed it to her. It landed beside her leg.
A tube of hand cream.
Google Sites
Report abuse