Yunlei lives in a residential complex called Qingzhu Garden, a very quiet and clean neighborhood. The trees and bamboo are lush, the green bamboo swaying, and when the wind blows, it rustles softly, creating a charming atmosphere. Yunlei rented a two-bedroom apartment, with one room as a bedroom and the other as a storage room. Knowing Chu’e was coming, she moved all the clothing to her fashion store, clearing out a bedroom for herself and giving the room to Chu’e. Although the house is only about 80% new, it’s decorated very warmly. Such a house would cost only 1,500 yuan per month in Zhuhai, but in land-scarce Beijing, it would cost at least 4,000-5,000 yuan. Moreover, the neighborhood environment there is nowhere near as good; no wonder Yunlei is willing to stay in Zhuhai.
“Are you planning to settle in Zhuhai?” Chu’e asked.
Yunlei smiled, “If I can find my ideal partner here, I’ll settle down. If I haven’t found someone by 30, I’ll have to pack up and go back home.”
“It’s a beautiful city, indeed suitable for settling down,” Chu’e said seriously. “If I can’t make it in Beijing one day, I’ll definitely move here to live.”
“Haha,” Yunlei laughed, “Great, we’ll be neighbors then!”
Chu’e also laughed.
The seaside path was brightly lit, with street vendors selling snacks and small trinkets everywhere, creating a lively atmosphere. Couples were hugging and whispering by the railing or sitting on the grass, sharing tender moments.
Chu Ye found a quiet spot, sitting on a rock, dipping her feet into the seawater and swaying them back and forth in the sea breeze. All her worries vanished, and she felt incredibly relaxed.
After a while, just as she was feeling a slight chill, a jacket was gently draped over her shoulders. Startled, she heard a gentle voice: “The temperature difference between day and night is too large. You should bring an extra jacket when coming to the seaside!”
Turning back, she met a pair of deep, distant eyes. His breath brushed against her ear, tickling and faint. Chu Ye was momentarily distracted and softly said, “Thank you!”
Gu Yunzhi sat down on the rock next to her. He had draped his jacket over her. Seeing his gaze fall on her bare feet, she shyly drew them back.
Gu Yunzhi smiled and asked, “Miss Shen, have you been to Zhuhai before?”
Chu Ye shook her head, “First time.”
“Compared to Beijing’s hustle and bustle, Zhuhai is indeed a very quiet city,” Gu Yunzhi said, revealing a hint of melancholy. “I’ve been to many places for work, but only Zhuhai gives me a sense of home.”
I think that when I’m old, or someday tired of the business world’s scheming, I’ll definitely settle here, buy a house by the sea, and fall asleep to the sound of waves every night…”
Chu Ye glanced sideways, playfully smiling, “I didn’t expect Mr. Gu to have such a sentimental disposition!”
Gu Yunzhi was somewhat speechless. He chuckled and changed the subject: “Are you hungry?”
Chu Ye realized she was indeed hungry, only then remembering she hadn’t eaten dinner yet. “I am!” she replied, wondering how he could see through her so easily!
“Let’s go, the wind has died down. I’ll treat you to dinner,” Gu Yunzhi stood up.
Chu Ye blushed, “Oh, that’s not good. I already mooched a meal from you at noon. How could I let you treat me again!” She put on her sandals and stood up. “How about this – I’ll treat you! We can make do with these street food stalls. Is that okay?”
Gu Yunzhi laughed, “Okay!”
They walked to an iron griddle stall. “What do you want? I’ll get it for you,” Chu Ye tilted her head and looked at Gu Yunzhi, skillfully picking up a small bamboo basket.
Gu Yunzhi felt a bit overwhelmed, simply saying, “Whatever. I’ll eat what you eat.”
Coming to the seaside meant eating seafood.
Chu Ye quickly filled a basket and handed it to the vendor, then got two bottles of beer, passing one to Gu Yunzhi: “Cheers!”
Gu Yunzhi couldn’t help but think of Yun Hua. She never ate at street stalls, saying it was dirty and unhygienic. She maintained a dignified and aloof demeanor, keeping her meticulous lady image wherever she went, often dining in elegant Western restaurants or high-end Chinese restaurants. This was to show taste and highlight their status.
Gu Yunzhi smiled bitterly. Calming himself, he asked Yun Lei, “Have things been handled?”
“Can I not handle it?” Yun Lei ate a piece of stinky tofu, looking thoroughly satisfied. “That fat woman was no match for me. I gave her a verbal thrashing that left her meekly leaving with her boy toy. Originally flaunting her money to keep a young lover and parading him around, trying desperately to prove she’s still young with dresses meant for young girls. With her 160-pound frame, how could she possibly fit? Now she’s embarrassed in front of her boy toy and I made her pay dearly, with countless dirty looks.
A barrage of sharp comments left Chu Ye and Gu Yunzhi speechless. Yun Lei was clearly furious, spewing such caustic remarks. Before they could respond, Yun Lei continued indignantly, “That boy toy is actually quite handsome. I wondered where Zhuhai’s good men had gone – turns out they’re all kept by rich women…”
Gu Yunzhi and Chu Ye were completely at a loss for words.
When Luo Xuan said he wanted to marry Lin Lan, Mrs. Zhong agreed without hesitation.
After the wedding date was set, Lin Lan immediately resigned from her job. Every day, she accompanied her future mother-in-law in playing mahjong, shopping, getting beauty treatments, and swimming, making Mrs. Zhong extremely happy. For their wedding, Mrs. Zhong generously gifted them an eight-million-worth luxury house, a BMW worth over one million, and paid for their Maldives honeymoon.
The 29th floor of Huaguang Building was entirely owned by the Zhong family. Everyone she encountered would nod and greet her, and their flattering and humble expressions made Lin Lan feel like a serf who had risen to power. This feeling made her comfortable and elated.
Standing in front of Luo Xuan’s general manager’s office, she took a deep breath and knocked on the door. As expected, Luo Xuan’s slightly lazy voice came from inside: “Come in!”
Lin Lan pushed open the door: “Luo Xuan!”
“After a few days apart, Luo Xuan looked much more haggard, his eyes filled with red veins, apparently from lack of sleep. Seeing her, his expression changed.
Lin Lan entered the office and closed the door. She looked at Luo Xuan and sincerely said, “Luo Xuan, can we talk?”
Luo Xuan coldly looked at her, wondering what she was up to.
Seeing his guarded expression, Lin Lan felt a mix of sourness and bitterness: “First, I want to apologize. I shouldn’t have deceived you or slandered Chu Chu. But you believed it, didn’t you? This shows you didn’t truly love her. If you truly loved her, would you care about her past? If it was true love, how could you give up so easily? In the end, you love yourself more because you think it’s shameful for someone of your status to date a ‘girl’ and you’re afraid of being ridiculed. You know your family would never accept a girlfriend with a ‘stained’ reputation, so you readily gave up Chu Chu…”
These piercing words stunned Luo Xuan, his face alternating between pale and flushed.
Lin Lan observed his changing expressions, knowing her words had struck a chord, and continued: “Luo Xuan, no one knows you better than I do! From childhood, you’ve been proud with strong self-esteem, never having been deceived before, so you hate me and resent me! But Luo Xuan, why did I do this? Why go to such lengths? Isn’t it because I love you!”
