“Why are you so fixated on these six months? If you let go during this period, you wouldn’t have to pay her a penny, and you’d even get compensation. Why aren’t you willing to give up? Could it be that you—” Before Xie Jiayi could finish, Zhou Yuqian hastily interrupted, “Because she gave me marital life!” Ignoring Xie Jiayi’s envious look, he continued, “I just need these six months!” It seemed as if he was stating his position to Jiayi, showing that he wasn’t greedy, or perhaps he was convincing himself. She was with him for money; love never existed between them. If a few years ago it was to escape the pain of Li Yueqin, now, the peaceful life she provided was the reason he still wanted her, nothing more—apparently, that was the case.
“I can’t stand it!” Xie Jiayi bit his lower lip and said, “Actually, I don’t hate you. If there’s any hate, it’s only because you took Lai Hui when you could have had anyone else. I was wrong a few years ago, but now, I can’t bear to watch her still with you!” “I won’t argue about who was right or wrong a few years ago, but there’s no room for negotiation on these six months!” Zhou Yuqian put down his teacup, showing signs of impatience. “Moreover, even if I let her go, would there be a chance for you two?” Zhou Yuqian paused after saying this, remembering Lai Hui once told him on an island that even the deepest love, once parted, could only be watched as it fades in memory, with nothing more to be done. Was it because of her words that he was so sure Lai Hui wouldn’t return to Xie Jiayi even after their contract ended? What if she had just said it casually?
Zhou Yuqian suddenly felt irritated. For the first time, he wanted to ask Lai Hui for clarification but then thought it was foolish. Did it really matter whether she reunited with Xie Jiayi? Thinking of the moments spent with Lai Hui, he felt a twinge of sadness knowing it would all end in six months. Across from him, Xie Jiayi had a determined look, and Lai Hui might be moved by his resolve. If she decided to leave within these six months, what should he do? Follow Xie Jiayi’s suggestion and let her go after the contract ends? He was a man of status, not one to cling to a contract to keep someone.
As he was restless, his phone on the table rang. It was Ouyang calling. After finishing the call, he had a legitimate excuse to end the conversation with Xie Jiayi. On the drive back to Nanling, his mind wandered several times. The agreement with Xie Jiayi was something he had anticipated. Someone of his status wouldn’t engage in such transactions, but he had overlooked the possibility that Lai Hui might not want to stay with him anymore. Today’s Xie Jiayi was different from the past; even if Lai Hui left him, Xie Jiayi could support both her and their child. There was no reason for her to continue staying with him.
Zhou Yuqian dialed Ouyang back, gritted his teeth, and said, “Give that old man the money, but make sure he leaves an IOU!” As the saying goes among businessmen, a product without competition has no value. Since Lai Hui’s value has increased, he would raise the price and ensure she remains his. Despite these thoughts, his mind was in turmoil. He called Lai Hui, and hearing her lazy voice oddly brought him peace. Although he knew she might be lying, he still put on a cold facade, “Is Xu Nuo asleep? … Then come downstairs … No, tonight you have to sleep in the bedroom!” After hanging up, a smile unknowingly crept onto his lips. Xie Jiayi, remember, I am still the one by her side!
That night, Xie Jiayi didn’t return to the apartment. He turned off his phone and sat alone on a chilly mountaintop. As autumn turned into winter in City A, a faint blue mist floated in the air, drifting over the mountain and sea. He left his car at a temple halfway up the mountain and walked up the path, where many tropical plants and short cedars had sprouted. The autumn moonlight cast a cold silver glow on the trees. At the top, there was a flat stone with rough surfaces marked with various inscriptions, which Xie Jiayi knew without looking were love declarations from high school students—vows of eternal love. He and Lai Hui had done the same, carving their names on bamboo, tree trunks, and ancient ruins, believing those places could witness their love. They would promise to return in old age to relive their youthful romance. Back then, they lacked civic awareness; love was the greatest, and historical relics were just places to store their love. Only later did they realize that life’s promises are not absolute. Trees and ruins endure through time, preserving the love entrusted to them, but few look back at their youthful love. Trees and ruins might live for thousands of years, but love, with its constant ailments, barely survives, and a storm can end it abruptly.
Xie Jiayi touched the carvings of others’ love, feeling an inexplicable uncertainty about his and Lai Hui’s future. The wind grew wilder, and he buttoned up his suit for warmth, yet he wished for a heavy rain, the bone-chilling cold preferable to the simultaneous burning and freezing of his emotions. As dawn approached, he drove back to the apartment, deciding it was time to talk things out with Xiao Yu. Knowing so much now, he could no longer live with her in the same calm manner. After changing into indoor shoes, Xia Yu found breakfast laid out in the dining room. Unexpectedly, Xu Ya was there too. On the table were soy milk, fried dough sticks, and steamed dumplings. Seeing Xie Jiayi return, Xu Ya stood up and said, “If you hadn’t come back earlier, I wouldn’t have bought any for you!”
“Where did you go last night?” Xia Yu dipped her fried dough stick into the soy milk, took a bite, and asked casually.
“I had a meeting with a business partner. It got too late, so I stayed out overnight,” Xie Jiayi replied to Xia Yu, then turned to Xu Ya, “I’ve already eaten, you two go ahead.”
“Oh, then go take a shower. I have something to tell you later,” Xia Yu said without looking up.
Xie Jiayi responded and went to the bedroom to find some clothes. After his shower, Xia Yu was waiting for him in the study. Noticing her good spirits, he asked, “Did you sleep last night?”
“Yeah, I was tired at 10 PM and woke up at 5 AM,” Xia Yu replied, leaning back in her chair, her face turned upwards as if looking at the ceiling.
Xie Jiayi nodded, “What did you want to tell me?”
Xia Yu still had her face turned upwards, her legs crossed on the desk in a high and mighty manner, her lips tightly pressed together, remaining silent. Xie Jiayi waited quietly. After a while, Xia Yu’s feet hit the floor with a thud, her clear eyes now misted over with tears.
“Jiayi, we’ve been dating for eight months, right?” Xie Jiayi bit his lip, wondering if she had found out something. Then he thought, if she did, it might be for the best; he couldn’t keep it hidden forever.
“Yes.”
“During these eight months, you haven’t given me any gifts, you’ve never noticed when I was upset, and you’ve never told me you love me!” She walked to the window, drew the curtains, and the warm autumn sun spilled into the room. “Maybe you love me in your heart, but I’ve realized we’re not right for each other. I need someone who shows their love through actions!”
Xie Jiayi just stared at her, speechless, not feeling relieved but rather a sense of relief mixed with deep sorrow. He had spent the entire night thinking about what to say, but nothing seemed fitting. Seeing his silence, Xia Yu thought she might have hurt him and tried to console him, “Jiayi, breaking up with you isn’t because you’re not good, it’s just that we’re not compatible. Staying together against our nature won’t bring happiness.”
“No, it’s not your fault! I’m not good enough!” Xie Jiayi looked into her misty eyes, his heart aching slightly. “I’ve never been good enough for you, you know?”
