Volume One, Chapter Two: Zhou Jinghuai, Let's Get a Divorce!

Ye Wu gripped the bedsheets tightly, her fingertips leaving messy, wrinkled trails in the fabric.

Even at a moment like this, she found the mental space to wonder: Had the woman outside not satisfied Zhou Jinghuai? He hadn't gotten straight to the point today; he had actually bothered to spend time kissing her.

Ye Wu remained unmoved. Aside from disgust, she felt nothing else.

She simply lay on the bed like a dead fish, letting Zhou Jinghuai do as he pleased. In any case, no matter how much he exerted himself, he wouldn't be able to produce a child.

At first, Zhou Jinghuai had been stirred by Ye Wu’s half-exposed state, but now that she lay there like a log... any man would find it dull. It was a complete mood killer.

Sweat beads glistened on Zhou Jinghuai’s dark, shiny hair. His face was flushed, and his voice was low and hoarse. "Why are you being difficult?"

He and Ye Wu didn't share a physical life often, but it happened a few times every month—all for the sake of sowing a seed in her womb.

Ye Wu lay back against the snow-white pillow, looking up at him, at the man she had chased for four years. She was tired, weary, and wanted to live for herself for once.

But Zhou Jinghuai was oblivious. He continued to press her, asking why she wouldn't share a life with him, why she wouldn't cooperate to bear a legitimate heir and continue to help him consolidate his power.

Ye Wu reached out and gently stroked her husband’s cheek. She spoke in a low voice: "Zhou Jinghuai, let’s get a divorce."

Zhou Jinghuai’s expression darkened, but he suppressed his temper and said, "Is this because of Bai Qianqian? I already told you she’s just the daughter of an elder. If you don't like her living there, I’ve already moved her elsewhere."

Ye Wu sneered. The daughter of an elder needed to be kept in a separate villa? Needed to be held intimately while walking? She didn't say these things; saying them would be too demeaning.

She pulled open the small bedside drawer, shoved the divorce agreement inside into Zhou Jinghuai’s hand, and said casually, "Apart from the savings and real estate, I want half of the shares in Rong'en."

Zhou Jinghuai frowned.

A few seconds later, he climbed off Ye Wu, stood up to dress, fastened his belt, and zipped his trousers. He sneered at her, "Half of Rong'en? Your appetite is a bit too large, Mrs. Zhou."

His tone carried the sarcasm he usually reserved for business negotiations.

Ye Wu felt a chill seep into her heart. Zhou Jinghuai would never know that because she had taken that kick for him, she had almost lost the chance to ever be a mother, but she wouldn't utter such melodramatic words. Love and hate—she had no regrets. She could give, and she could let go.

Ye Wu leaned against the headboard, her face gentle and fair. She considered things from Zhou Jinghuai’s perspective: "Once we are divorced, you can give your sweetheart a legitimate name. And I, Ye Wu, will take my shares and leave. It will be a happy ending for both of us."

She looked entirely serious.

Zhou Jinghuai finally realized she wasn't just throwing a tantrum; this had been premeditated for a long time.

He looked at Ye Wu, his dark eyes so deep they seemed capable of consuming her body and soul. After a long silence, Zhou Jinghuai said coldly, "Dismiss this thought immediately! Ye Wu, we cannot divorce. We are a community of interests; you should know that clearly."

Yes, she knew it perfectly well. But now, she no longer wanted to play along.

When Ye Wu remained silent, Zhou Jinghuai grew irritated. He walked to the walk-in closet, grabbed a bathrobe, and prepared to sleep in the guest room. He figured Ye Wu needed to calm down. After tonight, she would return to liking the feeling of being Mrs. Zhou and the thrill of being second only to one at the Rong'en Group.

***

Zhou Jinghuai sneered: Ye Wu was always like this.

Behind him, however, came Ye Wu’s voice, almost a whisper, sounding exactly like the naive Ye Wu from four years ago: "Zhou Jinghuai, let’s part on good terms. I really don't want to be with you anymore."

Zhou Jinghuai’s body stiffened.

After a long while, he slowly walked back to the bedside to gaze at his wife, his voice very, very soft: "When you married me, you knew there would be no love in the Zhou family. I won't have it, and it’s best you don't try to have it either... that won't make your life any easier."

He waved his hand.

The stack of divorce agreements drifted to the floor like snowflakes.

***

On Ye Wu’s birthday, the couple parted on bad terms and slept in separate rooms.

At eight in the morning, Zhou Jinghuai, dressed in a classic black-and-white suit, strolled downstairs. The well-tailored fabric clung to his slender frame, a pleasing sight. He had been in a decent mood, but upon seeing the empty dining room, his spirits plummeted.

Ye Wu was not there.

Ye Wu knew his preferences better than the household staff; whenever he stayed at the villa, she would always be up early to prepare breakfast.

Zhou Jinghuai picked up the cold coffee and took a sip, asking the maid nearby as if casually, "Where is your mistress?"

They had argued loudly the night before, and all the staff knew. The maid answered cautiously, "The mistress left for the company early this morning."

The coffee cup in Zhou Jinghuai’s hand landed heavily. He had lost his appetite for breakfast.

Half an hour later, he drove to the Rong'en Group, where Secretary Lin was already waiting in the parking lot. As soon as the black Bentley stopped, Secretary Lin opened the door and began reporting the day's meeting agenda. Zhou Jinghuai walked along, buttoning his jacket, his every movement exuding masculine charm, drawing the furtive glances of many female employees.

The two stepped into the private elevator.

Secretary Lin abruptly stopped mid-sentence and said in a low voice, "Regarding the Meiya Project, President Ye has suddenly inserted her own people."

Zhou Jinghuai looked up at the red numbers. After a long moment, he gave a mocking laugh: "She’s grown some ambition."

***

During the meeting, Zhou Jinghuai and Ye Wu clashed.

The two were husband and wife, and Ye Wu’s business tactics had been taught to her by Zhou Jinghuai himself. Watching them square off was truly a sight; the middle and senior management of Rong'en Group were treated to quite an eye-opener.

By the time the meeting ended, it was dusk.

Ye Wu returned to her office, threw herself into the leather sofa, and rubbed her temples. Her head was aching, and she felt quite unwell, so she let her long hair fall loose.

Annie brought her a glass of water and, as she set it on the coffee table, whispered, "Young Master Jing’s private lawyer called. I think he wants to discuss the divorce. He wants to meet you at the cafe on the first floor. Will you see him?"

Ye Wu raised an eyebrow: "Gu Jiuci?"

Gu Jiuci was the nation's premier lawyer. His law firm, Moci, was the best in the industry. Of course, he also held an important role as Zhou Jinghuai’s "shadow"—things that were inconvenient for Zhou Jinghuai to handle himself were taken care of by Gu Jiuci.

They had a deep friendship and entrenched shared interests. It was no exaggeration to say that Zhou Jinghuai could divorce Ye Wu, but he would never have a falling out with Gu Jiuci.

This time, Zhou Jinghuai had sent Gu Jiuci, likely wanting to keep their divorce out of the public eye.

Ye Wu thought for a moment and agreed.

Ten minutes later, she took the private elevator to the first-floor cafe.

Gu Jiuci was sitting at a window seat. An English three-piece suit enveloped his imposing frame; his features were sharp and chiseled, his expression habitually carrying a hint of severity.

Hearing Ye Wu’s footsteps, Gu Jiuci looked over. A flash of surprise flickered in his usually inscrutable dark eyes.

Gu Jiuci had never seen Ye Wu like this. In his memory, Ye Wu was always in expensive suits, standing flawlessly by Zhou Jinghuai’s side, accompanying him through business battles. But everyone in their circle knew that Zhou Jinghuai did not love Ye Wu, and that his heart belonged to someone else.

Today, Ye Wu was very different. She wore a comfortable, thin knit sweater that clung slightly to her, and her straight, dark hair had a hint of a natural curl, cascading loosely over her shoulders, looking incredibly soft.

Just as Gu Jiuci was slightly mesmerized, Ye Wu sat down across from him, her expression indifferent: "Did Zhou Jinghuai send you to talk?"

Gu Jiuci regained his usual calm and restraint. He took a document from his briefcase and gently pushed it toward Ye Wu: "According to this prenuptial agreement, if Mrs. Zhou insists on a divorce, I’m afraid you won't get a very favorable outcome."

Ye Wu took the document and flipped through it. When she reached the final page, she paused slightly—four years ago, Zhou Jinghuai had left himself an out.

Ye Wu watched it quietly for a long time before she said softly: "Even if the outcome isn't favorable, I’m still divorcing! Gu Jiuci, don’t call me Mrs. Zhou anymore... call me Ye Wu."

Having handled many high-profile divorce cases, Gu Jiuci had long since become cold-hearted. He picked up his coffee and took a sip: "Why the sudden desire for a divorce? Aren't you deeply in love with Zhou Jinghuai? Affairs between men and women are actually quite common in this circle."

Ye Wu turned her face away and gave a bitter smile. The whole world knew she loved Zhou Jinghuai; only Zhou Jinghuai himself didn't know—or perhaps he knew, but simply didn't care.

At this moment, Ye Wu possessed a fragile beauty that, in Gu Jiuci’s estimation, made men want to possess her even more than they did Bai Qianqian.

He was in the middle of these thoughts when the cafe door was pushed open and a tall figure strode toward them...

It was none other than Zhou Jinghuai.

As soon as Zhou Jinghuai entered, he saw Gu Jiuci staring at his wife, lost in thought. Suddenly, Zhou Jinghuai felt an inexplicable discomfort.