Deep Affection Temptation

Chapter 4: Mrs. Zhou

Once in the car, Zhou Yanqing crossed his legs, reclining on the sleek black leather seat. The spacious interior of the extended vehicle allowed for a comfortable distance, maintaining a polite separation.

The atmosphere was tense.

Lin Yuxi wondered if they had discussed the matter of divorce in the study. After a moment of silence, she turned her head and asked, "Did your mother mention anything to you?"

Zhou Yanqing glanced at her sideways, his expression indifferent. "Mention what?"

It seemed she hadn’t brought it up.

Lin Yuxi twisted the fingers of her right hand with her left, pausing before speaking again. "There’s only a month left until..."

She had barely begun when Zhou Yanqing’s phone rang. His gaze slowly shifted from Lin Yuxi as he answered the call.

Whoever was on the other end, his responses were terse. His eyes wandered to the window, the lines of his profile exuding a cold detachment.

After ending the call, Zhou Yanqing instructed the driver to pull over.

When the car came to a stop, Lin Yuxi heard his detached voice, "Get out. I have some business to attend to. Another car will come to pick you up later."

Instinctively, Lin Yuxi asked, "Where are you going this late?"

At her question, Zhou Yanqing lifted his gaze, his eyes briefly scanning her face with an inscrutable look, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "You're overstepping, Mrs. Zhou."

The cold words were like a dousing of icy water, leaving Lin Yuxi feeling a chilling numbness.

Her fingers clenched briefly before she opened the door and stepped out of the car in silence.

The Bentley drove away, leaving her standing alone on a desolate road. The only light came from widely spaced street lamps, casting a dim yellow glow in the surrounding darkness.

They were far from the city center, isolated with no signs of habitation. The wind was strong, rustling through the treetops.

Lin Yuxi realized she had forgotten her scarf. The cold wind penetrated her collar and seeped through her sweater. She hailed a ride using a mobile app and soon left the desolate spot.

When Lin Yuxi arrived home, Aunt Chen was already back and promptly handed her a pair of slippers, glancing behind her. "Madam, didn't the Second Young Master come back with you?"

"No." Lin Yuxi changed her shoes and was about to go upstairs when she remembered something and took Aunt Chen to the room where the cat was kept, instructing her on its care.

The room was filled with cat supplies—an automatic feeder, a litter box, and a tree-like structure.

Aunt Chen looked around in amazement and remarked, "With so many cats, won't the Second Young Master be displeased?"

"Just keep the door closed and don’t let the cats out," Lin Yuxi said. "If he’s displeased, so be it. In the adult world, you can't expect to be happy all the time."

Aunt Chen, previously quite chatty, now fell silent, perhaps holding a grudge from their last encounter.

Zhou Yanqing did not return that night.

Nor did he come back in the following days.

If it weren’t for the media coverage, Lin Yuxi might have worried he had disappeared or met some untimely fate.

In just a few days, Zhou Yanqing’s return had already caused a stir in the financial world. Everyone speculated about the Wall Street prodigy’s intentions.

**“Boya Returns in Splendor, Domestic Investment Market in Turmoil”**

**“Insider News: Zhou Qizhen to Step Down as President of Hengtai Bank, Second Young Master Returns Quietly—Is He Eyeing the Family Business?”**

Even Lin Yuxi's colleagues gossiped during lunch.

"Who knew the Zhou family’s second son was so handsome and talented? Oh my, I'm in love!"

Su Cheng chimed in, "Like you have a chance. He’s already married."

"Really? Married so young?"

"Of course! I’ve seen him. He’s even more handsome in person. Their wedding was grand. You didn’t know?"

Su Cheng’s tone suggested familiarity with Zhou Yanqing. Lin Yuxi glanced at her. Although they joined the hospital in the same year and worked in the same department, Su Cheng had never been friendly.

Moreover, Lin Yuxi married Zhou Yanqing before she graduated from her master's program and joined the hospital. With no family of her own, her only guest at the wedding was Yu Jiaxiao.

"Surely you've seen that iconic photo?" Su Cheng continued. "The one of them exchanging rings, with the bride in a veiled silhouette. The atmosphere was perfect. Absolutely stunning!"

"Let me show you."

She pulled up an old news article, and the group gathered around, chatting excitedly:

"Even though we can't see her face, you can tell she's a beauty!"

"I wonder who she is."

"Hey, Dr. Lin, doesn’t this side profile look a bit like you?"

Lin Yuxi remained impassive. "You must be mistaken."

"Oh, please," Su Cheng scoffed, rolling her eyes. "As if she could be that lucky and marry into a wealthy family."

Lin Yuxi showed no emotion. "How do you know I'm not that lucky?"

Su Cheng opened her mouth to retort, but a nurse cut her off, slapping the table decisively. "With Dr. Lin's looks and skills, marrying into a wealthy family is so easy!"

Su Cheng sneered. "It's been two years. Have you ever seen her husband? If she really married into a wealthy family, she’d flaunt him."

"Yeah, Dr. Lin, when will you introduce us to your husband?"

Lin Yuxi put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth. "Posthumous marriage. I’m afraid he might scare you."

"..."

She left with her tray, leaving behind a roomful of stunned faces.

In the evening, after Lin Yuxi returned home, Aunt Chen had prepared a lavish dinner, with an array of dishes, many of which Lin Yuxi disliked.

She asked Aunt Chen to reduce the quantity. Aunt Chen argued, "If you don't eat, the Second Young Master will."

"He can't possibly eat twelve dishes by himself."

Lin Yuxi was usually very accommodating. She always reciprocated kindness generously and avoided conflict whenever possible. But once she closed off her heart to someone, it was difficult to reopen.

"I don’t need you to be frugal, but don't waste food."

Aunt Chen muttered under her breath, "It’s all the Second Young Master’s money anyway. Making food for him isn't a waste."

Lin Yuxi calmly continued eating. "My hearing is fine. If you want to complain, do it elsewhere."

Aunt Chen fell silent.

As dinner came to an end and Zhou Yanqing still hadn’t returned, Aunt Chen glanced at the door several times before asking, "Aren't you going to call the Second Young Master? It’s been days. Isn't he coming home tonight?"

Lin Yuxi replied, "If you miss him so much, why don’t you call him yourself?"

Aunt Chen looked embarrassed. "I didn’t mean it that way..."

Suddenly, the sound of a car was heard in the courtyard. Aunt Chen's face lit up. "Is the Second Young Master back?"

She hurried to open the door, and Lin Yuxi turned her gaze towards the entrance.

Aunt Chen opened the door to find Driver Liu holding a box. From a distance, he called out, "Madam, the Second Young Master asked me to return the items you left in the car."

"Leave it there."

Driver Liu placed the box at the door without entering. Just as he was about to leave, Lin Yuxi asked, "Where has he been staying these past few days?"