Mysyery

Chapter 11: : Unprepared for Anything (Part 1)

Chi Xiaoying was preparing to take action for her own safety and begin the process of evacuation.

On the shuttle bus back to the city along the river, she was constantly thinking about this. First, she needed to go home and give her mother a preventive injection. After losing her father, she was her mother's only support. The older generation has a strong aversion to divorce, which they perceive as a thunderclap from a clear sky. She needed to take care of her mother, and then find a place to stay. That way, when Xuan Xiao spoke, she would at least have a place to call home.

She was simply moving from one temporary residence to another.

In terms of assets, 99% of the money in the household was earned by Xuan Xiao, and the house was also under his name. Legally, she should be entitled to half. However, she decided to let it go. She had her own abilities, no children, and had saved a good amount from her salary and bonuses over the years, so supporting herself wouldn’t be difficult. Her mother also had a retirement pension, so they would manage well. Leaving with a clean slate would allow her to hold her head high in front of Xuan Xiao in the future.

Having sorted out her thoughts, she felt much calmer. When she entered the house, she didn’t immediately change clothes and head to the kitchen. Instead, she turned on all the lights and went through each room, inspecting them from the outside in.

To say she felt no attachment would be a lie. When they first got married, she and Xuan Xiao lived in a small apartment. The house was newly built, and they only received the keys in the second year of their marriage. Xuan Xiao was busy with work, so she was responsible for the decoration and design of the home. Every decorative item, cushion, and small ornament in the house was chosen by her, piece by piece.

On moving day, she cooked a feast at home, inviting her in-laws, her mother, Bai Yuan, and Yen Nannan. They had a large table full of food, chatting and laughing as they ate, filling the entire house with their joyful sounds.

When she took Yen Nannan on a tour of the house, the usually talkative Yen Nannan fell unusually silent. However, she could see the envy in Yen Nannan's eyes. Was it at that moment that Yen Nannan’s feelings started to emerge?

After dinner, Xuan Xiao drove them back. She cleaned up everything, so exhausted that her back was stiff. Too tired to even change her clothes, she simply lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

In the early morning, Xuan Xiao, who had just returned home, kissed her awake and undressed her, removing every piece of clothing. It was as if he were encountering her body for the first time, touching it with his fingers and caressing her with an unprecedented patience.

“Aren’t you tired?” she asked.

“I could be even more tired,” Xuan Xiao said, his intense actions reflecting his desire to lose himself completely with her.

She was so exhausted that she became like a pile of soft, pliable clay, sprawled out on the bed. Usually, she would quickly roll out of bed and rush into the bathroom.

Xuan Xiao picked her up and carried her into the bathroom, but she waved her hand to refuse.

“What's wrong?” Xuan Xiao asked. “Are you feeling unwell?”

She turned slightly, looked at Xuan Xiao, and said, “I just don’t want to wash up!” Her tone was unusually coquettish. Xuan Xiao was momentarily stunned, a bit puzzled, and then lay down. She leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the lips, saying, “Good night, hubby.”

"Heaven, what are you thinking?" Chi Xiaoying muttered to herself with a self-deprecating smile as she held onto the door frame. She pulled her gaze away, suppressing the bitterness rising in her heart. After changing into a loose sweater, she had just stepped out of the bedroom when Xuan Xiao returned.

She was momentarily unsure how to react. When was the last time Xuan Xiao came back before 7 PM? Two months ago? Three months ago?

“Have you eaten?” she asked, regaining her composure.

Xuan Xiao shook his head. "No, I haven’t." His eyes remained fixed on her, and his expression was slightly tense.

“Hmm, let me see what we have at home.” She opened the refrigerator. “We have carrots, onions, and eggs. I can only make a simple curry chicken rice. Or should we go out to eat?”

“I haven’t had Southeast Asian food in a long time,” Xuan Xiao said, putting down his car keys and taking off his trench coat. “Let’s eat at home.”

“What can I do?” Xuan Xiao asked as he changed into casual clothes, rolled up his sleeves, and walked into the kitchen.

“Help me chop the onions,” Chi Xiaoying said, handing him the onions.

He took the onions, cleaned them with great care, and then cut them neatly on the chopping board. From time to time, he glanced up at her.

Chi Xiaoying, with her apron tied around her waist, looked particularly slender. The apron cinched at her waist highlighted her curves. Along with her busy hands and the steam from the stove, beads of sweat formed on her forehead, and her face flushed with a healthy glow, revealing a hint of delicate charm.

“The onions are ready.” He cleared his throat.

“Hmm, today I received a multimedia message on my phone about onions. It said that men are like onions: you peel them and cry, and by the end, you realize they’re actually heartless. Ha, isn’t that funny?” Chi Xiaoying swiftly added the onions to the pan to stir-fry.

Xuan Xiao stiffened. “What’s so funny about it? It’s really ridiculous.” He knew Chi Xiaoying had been acting strangely these past few days, including the odd phone call earlier, but he preferred not to pry. He was waiting for her to clarify things on her own. He wondered if this silly metaphor was a hint at something.

He couldn't help feeling a bit frustrated. He didn't like Chi Xiaoying's unusual behavior, which left him feeling confused and in the dark.

“During peacetime, how many world-shaking events can there be? Most of the time, we just live mundane lives,” Chi Xiaoying said with a light laugh.

“Do you want to change?”

“Yeah.” The steam obscured her expression, making it difficult for him to see.

“What kind of change are you thinking about? Do you want to switch jobs, move to a new place, or go on a vacation?” The kitchen began to fill with the distinctive aroma of Thai jasmine rice, mixed with the pungency of onions and the subtle sweetness of carrots. The scent made Xuan Xiao's heart tremble with an inexplicable sense of nostalgia.

"How about you? Don't you want to change?" Chi Xiaoying turned back with a smile, took the curry sauce, and cut enough for two people. Finished, her stomach started churning again.

She swallowed hard, her face starting to turn pale. Xuan Xiao, busy grabbing bowls and chopsticks, didn't notice.

"I like everything as it is now, and I don't want any changes for the time being," he answered earnestly.

Chi Xiaoying frowned. Really? What about Yan Nannan? Would she stay hidden in the dark as a secret lover? Would her position as the main wife remain unshaken? Or was Xuan Xiao worried

She appreciated Xuan Xiao's generosity and thoughtfulness, but she couldn't accept it. Yan Nannan's personality wouldn't allow her to either.

One person's departure would save the three of them from entanglement.

"After dinner, I have something to tell you." She lifted the pot lid, and the exotic aroma of curry chicken rice, mixed with steam, spread throughout the kitchen.

No one responded. She turned around to see Xuan Xiao standing in the dining room, answering a phone call. He looked angry and anxious, his voice harsh.

"The concrete part, didn't I remind you about it last night? Why isn't it done yet? The client delayed a day due to some issues, otherwise, the bid documents should have been delivered to them today. I don't want to hear your excuses. By tomorrow morning before work, I want the bound bid documents on my desk."

Xuan Xiao snapped his phone shut with a loud "clap," his face turning pale. He bit his lip, breathing heavily with anger.

"No, I can't lose credibility. I need to check the studio," he muttered to himself. He went inside to grab his coat and hurriedly headed out. While changing shoes at the entrance, he turned back.

Chi Xiaoying stood by the dining table, arranging the bowls and chopsticks. "Is Ning Yi at the studio now?"

"Xiaoying, you go ahead and eat. I might be back late. Don't wait for me."

"Okay." Chi Xiaoying sat down and smiled at him.

Staring at the colorful curry chicken rice on the table, Xuan Xiao hesitated for a moment, feeling the urge to stay. However, the matter of the bid documents took precedence. Resolutely, he pulled the door open and left.

After hearing the door slam shut, Chi Xiaoying began to eat. She shoveled bite after bite into her mouth, her cheeks bulging, yet she couldn't taste anything.

But how could she start? What reason could she give, or rather, which reason? Chi Xiaoying was at a loss. Was it because of Bai Yuan's words, the lipstick mark on Xuan Xiao, or that embrace by the river with Yan Nannan? Were these enough? And then there were the four years of pity? No, she couldn't mention that. She wanted to leave some good memories to savor later.

But no matter what, she had to make a change. She couldn't go on living like this any longer.

She had to change. She wanted a divorce.

She put down her bowl and picked up her phone. "Female experts, tell me, how can I achieve a divorce as quickly as possible?"

"Catch them in the act," Ning Beibei's voice came through from an unknown location, with sentimental music playing romantically in the background. "It will grant you immediate freedom, and you can set your own terms while gaining public sympathy."

"Skip that. Is there any other way?"

"Having no common language or an unharmonious s*x life, those are pretty flimsy reasons. If the other party doesn't agree, it could drag on. Alright, I'll call you tomorrow," Ning Beibei lowered her voice, "I'm on a date right now."

"Which lover is this?" Chi Xiaoying asked, repeatedly clutching her chest, feeling like she was going to be sick again.

"A newly emerged mature guy. Xiaoying, I have this feeling, like my Mr. Right has finally appeared. Oh, and he knows you," Ning Beibei's voice conveyed an almost girlish excitement.

Chi Xiaoying blinked. Did she know any mature guys?

No, she couldn't hold it in any longer. Without time to ask anything, she covered her mouth, dropped her phone, and quickly ran to the bathroom.