Chapter3
1538 Words
Four days after grandmother's passing, with the help of the neighbors, she was laid to rest in peace.
In the afternoon, Chu Yuxuan visited each household to express his gratitude. Due to the mourning period, he could not enter the homes but bowed at the doorsteps, presenting each person with a red envelope as a token of thanks.
In the evening, just after dinner, Xia Zhu called.
Already vexed, he did not incline to engage with her. However, despite repeatedly ending the call, Xia Zhu persisted. Frustrated, he finally answered, “Yes?”
“Where are you?” Xia Zhu’s voice on the other end was frigid, teetering on the brink of eruption. “Why haven’t you answered your phone these past few days?”
Indeed, over the past two years, Chu Yuxuan had always acquiesced to her wishes, never once ignoring her calls.
“I’m in the countryside, at grandmother's place,” Chu Yuxuan's tone was even colder than hers.
Upon hearing “grandmother,” Xia Zhu, who had been somewhat oblivious in recent days, suddenly remembered that the elderly lady had been in the hospital, and she had visited her half a month ago, noting the deteriorating condition.
Her tone softened, “How is grandmother? Why wasn’t she brought back home but sent straight to the countryside? Yuxuan, don’t be childish. Our issues shouldn’t affect grandmother; her health was quite frail.”
Though usually indifferent towards Chu Yuxuan, Xia Zhu maintained a respectful demeanor towards the kind old lady.
Chu Yuxuan almost laughed in anger, forcing himself to contain his rage as he replied, “Don’t concern yourself; grandmother has already been laid to rest.”
Xia Zhu's heart jolted. “When… when did this happen? Yuxuan, why didn’t you tell me?”
“Heh…” Chu Yuxuan found the situation distressing, responding curtly, “Xia Zhu, listen carefully. Grandmother is not someone you have the right to speak of; you are unworthy! I know why you’re calling. Expect me to return tomorrow morning, just as you wish!”
With that, he ended the call.
Xia Zhu stood in stunned disbelief. She hadn’t anticipated her grandmother’s passing so soon.
The kind old lady had always been so considerate towards her, even making a scarf for her last winter despite her illness… Such kindness she would never forget.
At this moment, she recalled Chu Yuxuan's persistent urging for her to visit the hospital a few days ago… It turned out that grandmother had…
A profound regret overwhelmed her, and she couldn't help but blame herself.
In reality, Xia Zhu was not a heartless person. Over the past two years, in addition to their grandmother, Chu Yuxuan’s attentive care had left her feeling indebted.
However, debt is just that—debt. It cannot be equated to love.
Now, she had resolutely decided to be with Gao Ning, and the divorce was unavoidable.
If necessary, she would just give Chu Yuxuan some extra money as her form of compensation.
Reflecting on her first encounter with Chu Yuxuan, it was back in junior high. At that time, his attire, demeanor, and mannerisms exuded the charm of a wealthy scion.
He was not yet wearing glasses, and though he was still maturing, he was tall for his class, with long legs, elegantly slender fingers, and a porcelain-like neck. Wherever he went, he would elicit excitement among the budding girls, who would cover their mouths in anticipation and whisper bashful remarks once he was out of earshot.
Yet, within a semester, he seemed to have lost his affluent aura, appearing quite ordinary.
By the second semester of his sophomore year, Chu Yuxuan had seemingly vanished from the world for seven or eight years, only to reappear two years ago, inexplicably as a ride-share driver in her life.
Xia Zhu never inquired about his past. Occasionally, when in a good mood, she would reminisce, but Chu Yuxuan remained tight-lipped as if he had engaged in some disreputable activities during his disappearance.
To Xia Zhu, Chu Yuxuan was merely a handsome but otherwise unremarkable person, and such individuals were typically lacking in wealth.
……
The next day, Chu Yuxuan returned to the city early in the morning.
The house was quiet; the master bedroom door was open, indicating that Xia Zhu was not there.
Chu Yuxuan, uninterested in her whereabouts, retrieved the divorce agreement he had prepared the previous day, signed it with flair, and left it on the coffee table.
He then pulled out his suitcase and swiftly packed up his grandmother’s belongings. Just as he was about to leave, he heard the “beep” of a password being entered at the door.
“Click…”
The door opened, and Xia Zhu, Gao Ning, and Xia’s mother entered, chatting and laughing.
The harmonious atmosphere truly resembled that of a family.
Seeing Chu Yuxuan standing in the living room, Xia Zhu’s smile vanished, replaced by a look of deep guilt.
Gao Ning, meanwhile, provocatively curled his lips, drawing Xia Zhu closer into his embrace, his eyes twinkling as he looked at Chu Yuxuan.
Xia’s mother reacted most intensely, pointing at Chu Yuxuan’s nose and shouting, “You worthless scoundrel! Have you finally decided to come back? Did you think that by avoiding calls, the divorce wouldn’t happen? Oh, by the way, Ning’er, do you know how to change the password on the lock? Do it quickly, lest some penniless wretch comes sneaking in to steal something in the dead of night!”
“Mom, please, enough!” Xia Zhu interrupted her mother, then turned to Chu Yuxuan with a troubled expression, unsure of what to say.
Chu Yuxuan was well-acquainted with his mother-in-law’s acerbic nature and had no desire to engage with her. He turned to Xia Zhu and said coldly, “The divorce agreement is on the coffee table. It’s Saturday today, and the Civil Affairs Bureau is closed. Pick a time, and call me when you’re ready; I’m available anytime for the divorce.”
He paused, then added, “Soon, don’t make me wait too long.”
“Divorce agreement?” Xia’s mother’s eyes widened. She hurried to the coffee table, grabbed the document with irritation, and scolded, “You d*mn pauper, surely you’ve demanded an exorbitant sum? Let me tell you, you’re not walking away empty-handed!”
Xia’s mother was incredulous, glaring at Chu Yuxuan with suspicion. “What scheme are you hatching now?”
Xia Zhu’s face turned pale. Although Chu Yuxuan’s decision aligned with her wishes, she felt inexplicably disheartened.
She had expected Chu Yuxuan to at least show some reluctance. Even if he had reacted with frustration, throwing things around in anger, it would have seemed normal.
But now… Chu Yuxuan was calm and indifferent, as though he were a different person, making her feel even more guilty.
“Yuxuan, I know you love me, but I really can’t miss out on Ning’er… I’m truly sorry for everything, for you and your grandmother. It’s unjust for you to leave with nothing. Perhaps… this house…”
“I find it dirty!” Chu Yuxuan interrupted coldly, grabbing his luggage and heading for the door.
Gao Ning seemed particularly irked by the word “dirty.” He pushed Chu Yuxuan with a scowl and said, “Clean up your language! Chu Yuxuan, do you think you’re worthy? Do you believe a toad can eat swan meat? Hmph…”
As he spoke, Gao Ning pulled out a stack of checks and handed them to Chu Yuxuan. “Fill in any amount you like! From now on, stay away from Xia Zhu!”
Xia Zhu’s lips parted, intending to stop Gao Ning’s insult.
However, before she could speak, Chu Yuxuan took the check, glanced at Gao Ning, and smirked. “Then I won’t hold back.”
“Truly… a spineless wastrel…” Xia Zhu thought to herself, only to see Chu Yuxuan endlessly scribbling zeros on the check.
“Ten billion?” Gao Ning raised an eyebrow, taunting, “Have you lost your mind?”
“Heh…” Chu Yuxuan sneered, crumpling the check and tossing it on the floor as he walked out, mumbling, “What a farce…”
In the basement, Chu Yuxuan paused at a trash can, took off his black-framed glasses—seemingly heavy but non-prescription—and tossed them into the bin.
Just as he got into his car, a new message from “Second Brother” arrived on WeChat: “Did he push you with his left hand? I’ll deal with him tonight!”
Chu Yuxuan felt a sharp throb in his temples, rubbed them, and then made a voice call.
The call was answered promptly.
“Second Brother, are you bored lately? Stalking me? Peeping? With such good vision, you can see that clearly from the opposite building?”
There was a pause, then a low, hushed voice replied, “Binoculars.”
Chu Yuxuan rolled his eyes. “Mind your own business and don’t interfere. Don’t forget, some of my family members might still be watching.”
“Hmm… So, are you returning to the Chu family?”
Chu Yuxuan exhaled sharply, looked at himself in the rearview mirror, and affirmed, “Yes.”
- Writer
