Volume One, Chapter Two: Leaving Home with Honor Intact

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Lu Jinye pushed aside all his plans and work, staring blankly in his office for an entire day. As the eldest son of the national master sculptor Lu Baisheng, the heir-apparent disciple, a university professor, and the head of several companies, his schedule had originally been very full since returning to the country. Yet yesterday, he had met Jiang Li. He knew he had spent four years trying to move on, but he simply could not let go. Unwilling to accept defeat, the dark thoughts and deep-seated flaws within him began to grow wildly in that moment. After a moment of hesitation, he made up his mind and picked up the phone to make a call.

Meanwhile, Jiang Li stayed the night at her father's place, wanting to give Shen Yechu some time to pack his things. Timing it so that he would have left for work, she took a taxi back to her apartment. But as soon as she opened the door, she heard a woman’s coquettish voice inside: “I don’t like this one, don’t bring it.” Jiang Li froze at the entrance, doubting her own hearing. Moments later, a surge of overwhelming anger erupted from within her. Without even taking off her shoes, she ran up the stairs with quick footsteps.

Sure enough, Shen Yechu was in the walk-in closet packing clothes, with a strange woman standing beside him. Hearing the noise, Shen Yechu turned around, frowning. “You go downstairs and wait, I’m not done packing yet.” Jiang Li clearly saw the woman shrug and smile at her, as if daring her. She grabbed a nearby hanger and hurled it fiercely. “Shen Yechu, you bastard! We’re not even divorced yet, and you’re already bringing women home!”

Shen Yechu’s eyes darkened severely. He pulled the woman behind him protectively, his tone harsh. “Don’t lose your mind.” “Lose my mind? What do you mean by bringing her here to provoke me?” “You talk about pursuing love, Shen Yechu! You’ve already cheated!” The woman cautiously poked her head from behind him. “Miss Jiang, you must be misunderstanding. Brother Yechu hasn’t cheated; he and I…” “Hasn’t cheated?” Jiang Li shouted angrily, tears streaming uncontrollably. “You don’t mean to say he’s just your brother, do you? Ridiculous!” “No,” the woman shook her head. “He and I were together long before you got married.”

The revelation hit Jiang Li like a thunderbolt, extinguishing the fire in her heart like a bucket of cold water. “Brother Yechu and I were too young back then, so due to external pressures, we were forced apart.” After a long pause, Jiang Li found her voice. “You mean… you’re Bai Nannan, the one who broke up over the bride price?” Bai Nannan nodded and retreated behind Shen Yechu.

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Shen Yechu glanced at her. “Jiang Li, we’ve agreed to divorce. It’s only been about a month. Go downstairs and wait; I’ll leave once I’m done packing.” Jiang Li seemed deflated, speaking softly, “No need. I don’t want the house.” She picked up her bag and slowly descended the stairs. The home they once shared, she no longer wanted; nor did she want a love that was never wholehearted. Indeed, Shen Yechu hadn’t cheated because the one unloved all along was her—Jiang Li.

* * *

“What? You’re divorced?!” The woman on the other end of the phone sounded sweet yet sharp. Sitting in a café, Jiang Li calmly replied as if it were all a dream, “Yes. Can I stay at your place for a while?” After a few seconds of silence, the woman exclaimed, “Damn that Shen Yechu! How dare he divorce you! I’m coming over to smash his face right now!”

The woman arrived quickly, sitting opposite Jiang Li within ten minutes. After hearing everything, Jiang Li smiled and said, “Xie Ya, I might need to stay at your place for a week. I’ll move out as soon as I find a place.” Xie Ya waved her hand grandly. “Stay as long as you want.” Jiang Li smiled faintly. “That won’t do. Your boss Chen will be furious.” Xie Ya thought for a moment and asked, “So you’re giving up the house, leaving empty-handed, and letting those two scoundrels have everything?” “What else can I do?” Jiang Li lowered her gaze. “I even suspect that when I’m not home, Shen Yechu might have brought Bai Nannan back. Just thinking about it makes me unable to stay there.” Xie Ya nodded in agreement. “Yeah, you’re a national Go player; you don’t need his crumbs of compensation.”

“What national Go player? I…” Jiang Li’s eyes showed a trace of melancholy. “I’ve let my teachers down. Since marriage, I haven’t competed anymore.” Jiang Li truly felt regretful. Before marriage, she had been one of the top three most renowned female Go players in the country, with notable influence in Japan and South Korea as well. One reason was the scarcity of high-ranking female players; another was Jiang Li’s sweet appearance and lively, passionate personality, which contrasted sharply with her serious demeanor at the Go board. Everyone loved her “double life.” Her marriage had even been highly publicized at the time, so her withdrawal from the Go scene was met with much disappointment. Yet, the three years of marriage ended in regret.

“By the way,” Xie Ya pulled out her phone and quickly navigated to a chat group, handing it to Jiang Li. It was a WeChat group titled [Design Class 1 — Designing Lives Beyond Design]. “What’s this messy group?” Jiang Li asked, but Xie Ya didn’t reply. Soon, Jiang Li understood why. It was their university class group, still bustling with lively discussion.

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“Is it true? Why haven’t I heard?”
“Could it be false? Wu Di already called me.”
“So… our campus heartthrob, department star, class favorite, Master Lu really returned to the country?”
“And even invited us to a reunion?”
“Yeah, it’s been almost four years; everyone’s gathering.”
“But what about Jiang, the player? Won’t it be awkward?”
“Huh? You guys don’t know? Jiang Li’s divorced.”
“No way! Xu Ning, stop spreading rumors!”
“My friend’s at the civil affairs bureau—they’ve submitted the divorce papers, just a month or so ago.”
“Honestly, I don’t think Jiang Li will come. Her ex-husband is so well-off; she got divorced and left with nothing—must be Jiang Li’s fault.”
“True. Shen’s reputation in the industry is impeccable. Maybe Jiang Li was caught cheating.”

“That’s enough. There’s nothing interesting after this,” Xie Ya put her phone away. Jiang Li looked at her. “So why did you show me this?” “Master Lu Jinye has returned! Didn’t you see what they said?” “I saw. I even ran into him last night.” Xie Ya thought she misheard. After confirming Jiang Li wasn’t lying, she slammed the table. “What?! Such a big deal, and you didn’t tell me? Are you still my best friend?”

Jiang Li quickly stood up, apologizing to nearby patrons, then pulled Xie Ya outside. “What’s your name? Didn’t I just tell you?” “What did he say when you met him?” With no choice, Jiang Li recounted everything. After listening, Xie Ya tossed her hair. “Got it. You have to go to the reunion next week.” “Ah? I don’t want to.” Jiang Li felt ashamed to face Lu Jinye, having been so resolute before but now living in such a mess. “You must go. Jiang Li, find your teachers. Rebuild your career and live the rest of your life openly and confidently.” Career? Playing Go...? It’s been three years. Could she even play anymore?