Volume 1, Chapter 37: The Return of Zhou Jinghuai!

Grandmother has yet to regain consciousness and remains in the ICU.

Standing outside, separated by a pane of transparent glass, Ye Wu stared blankly. Every passing minute felt like a slow torture.

Mrs. Chen felt heartbroken for her and frequently brought over nourishing soups, hoping to help Ye Wu keep up her strength. But Ye Wu could barely eat anything; in just two days, she had visibly thinned, her chin becoming sharply defined. No amount of persuasion from Mrs. Chen worked, so she simply stayed by her side in silent companionship.

Gu Jiuci and his sister would also drop by occasionally to offer help. Watching Ye Wu’s憔悴, gaunt appearance as she refused to eat or drink, Gu Nian’an leaned against her brother’s shoulder, her voice trembling with stifled sobs. "Sister Ye Wu is so pitiful! Why did Zhou Jinghuai do that? How could he be so cruel to her?"

Gu Jiuci knew the reason, but he could not speak of it—because the truth was even more cruel.

In the afternoon, Elder Zhou sent Zhou Yanli and his wife over.

Zhou Yanli treated Ye Wu with gentle courtesy, but his wife was not so accommodating. She made pointed remarks, blaming Ye Wu for failing to keep her husband in check, which had led to her own son being scolded by the patriarch.

Mrs. Chen, who happened to be present, was incensed upon hearing these barbs. She confronted Mrs. Zhou, "You are a woman yourself! How can you utter such victim-blaming nonsense?"

Mrs. Zhou sneered, "Yinshuang, our two families have always been on good terms. Let’s not ruin that for the sake of an outsider."

Mrs. Chen’s smile was colder and more elegant than hers. "Who is the outsider? Is your son’s mistress on the outside the only one you consider family?"

Mrs. Zhou, feeling guilty, could not retort. Zhou Yanli had to step in to smooth things over. Furious, Mrs. Zhou glared at her husband and swept out of the room. Zhou Yanli then apologized to Mrs. Chen, his voice soft and conciliatory, "Jinghuai’s mother is in a bad mood; please don't take it to heart."

Mrs. Chen merely scoffed, ignoring him. Zhou Yanli looked at her beautiful face, his mind drifting to the past with a sigh, before he reminded himself he should go and offer some words of comfort to Ye Wu.

Just then, the rhythmic click of calfskin shoes echoed through the corridor.

Zhou Yanli straightened up: Jinghuai was back.

He looked toward the sound and saw Zhou Jinghuai walking down the hall, dusty and travel-worn, still clutching his luggage. It was clear he had rushed back from Geneva on short notice. Zhou Yanli’s lips parted, but he gestured toward his wife instead. "Go talk to your wife."

"Father," Zhou Jinghuai acknowledged, before walking toward Ye Wu.

He stopped behind her, watching her thin, fragile silhouette. When he spoke, his voice was raspy beyond recognition. "Ah Wu, I’m back."

Ye Wu’s body stiffened. She knew it was Zhou Jinghuai, but she had no desire to turn around.

She didn't know him anymore. The Zhou Jinghuai she once loved was not like this. On their wedding night, he had told her, "Ah Wu, we are family now. I will cherish you and our marriage; I will never let you be sad."

Yet, not only had he caused her grief, he had effectively cost her grandmother her life.

After a long silence, Ye Wu whispered, "Why come back? Shouldn't you be staying with your beloved?"

Zhou Jinghuai could not explain. He reached out to take Ye Wu’s hand, but she pulled away violently. She refused to let him touch her, her voice dripping with cold indifference. "Stop the hypocrisy, Zhou Jinghuai. You can’t commit adultery and still demand to be treated as a saint."

Zhou Jinghuai felt a sharp pang in his heart. "It’s not like that between us."

Ye Wu lowered her head and let out a cold, sharp laugh. "Mistress, affair, infidelity? Nobody cares what your relationship is!"

"Zhou Jinghuai, no one is stopping you from chasing your thrills, but don’t bring them in front of me to disgust me. And certainly don’t disgust my grandmother. You keep calling her 'Grandmother,' claiming she is your family, but look at what you’ve done in the end. Do you want me to list it for you? If you had any shred of shame left, you wouldn’t be here, because you don’t deserve to be."

...

Zhou Jinghuai tried to speak, but Gu Jiuci stepped forward, grabbing him by the collar and shoving him against the wall. "She begged you. A woman as proud as her cried and begged you in front of everyone. Do you have a heart of stone, Zhou Jinghuai? If you had even a flicker of human warmth, you wouldn't forget that Ye Wu is your wife—the wife who has walked through life by your side for four years."

"Is love really that important? Zhou Jinghuai, do you even know what love is?"

...

Zhou Jinghuai struck back with a punch. Gu Jiuci staggered, wiping the blood from his lip as he glared at him. This was the second time they had fought because of Ye Wu.

Zhou Jinghuai’s chest heaved as he pointed at Gu Jiuci, sneering, "Ye Wu is my wife. Gu Jiuci, what right do you have to interfere in our private affairs?"

Gu Jiuci smiled, a faint, bitter smile. "I love her. Is that reason enough?"

Beside them, Mrs. Chen stood frozen. Fearing the situation would escalate, she coaxed Gu Jiuci away, and soon the corridor returned to a deathly silence.

Zhou Jinghuai looked at his wife. In these few days, she had withered significantly. A thousand emotions surged within him, and he couldn't help but call out, "Ah Wu."

Ye Wu didn't need him; she whispered for him to get out.

She rested her head against the cold glass, eyes filled with tears as she watched her grandmother’s sleeping face. The air conditioning ruffled her grandmother’s silver hair, causing it to tremble. Ye Wu had never believed in gods or Buddhas, but now, she desperately hoped they existed.

Seeing her state, Zhou Jinghuai felt only agony. He stayed until evening, ensuring everything at the hospital was handled, before walking over to Ye Wu and saying gently, "I’m going home to change, then I’ll come back to keep watch. You should rest for a while; your body won't hold up if you keep pushing yourself like this."

Ye Wu refused to look at him. Deeply pained, but looking like a mess himself, Zhou Jinghuai had no choice but to leave to freshen up.

He returned to Dijing Garden as dusk fell. The servant was surprised to see him and took a moment before managing to say, "Sir, you’re back. Madam has suffered terribly."

Feeling a heavy weight in his chest, Zhou Jinghuai replied with a low, "I’ve been to the hospital." The servant dared not say more and hurried to the kitchen to boil some dumplings.

Zhou Jinghuai carried his luggage upstairs. As he reached the second floor, he saw Xiaobai lying at the bedroom door, its small paws stretched out, its dark, round eyes filled with grievance. Seeing Zhou Jinghuai, the dog let out a small whine. Zhou Jinghuai set his suitcase down and reached out to pat the dog’s head; Xiaobai’s ears drooped.

Entering the bedroom, the space felt empty without its mistress, yet there were signs of her presence. A crystal vase on the nightstand held a bouquet of white calla lilies, though they were already beginning to wilt. On the English-style sofa sat a shopping bag. Zhou Jinghuai pulled out two shirts from the brand Kitom—black and grey—his favorite colors.

Holding them, his face turned pale. He silently imagined the excitement Ye Wu must have felt when she bought them.

He didn't dare to think about what would happen if Grandmother didn't wake up. How would Ye Wu treat him then? Would she choose to never see him again?

...

From the bathroom came the sound of rushing water. Behind the frosted glass, the silhouette of a tall, muscular male figure was faintly visible.

Zhou Jinghuai turned off the shower, wiped his face hard, wrapped a white bath towel around his waist, and stepped out. While choosing clothes in the walk-in closet, he hesitated, then put on the new black shirt Ye Wu had bought for him.

Just as he was tightening his belt, the servant’s voice sounded from outside: "There’s a call from the main house. They’ve asked for you to come over."

Zhou Jinghuai paused, then replied, "I understand."