Chapter 23: The Source

Sun Tao spoke in a low, measured tone, audible only to the two of them. Yet, with every word that fell, it felt as though a mountain were pressing down upon Liu Zhuyin, leaving her breathless. As a mature woman, she was well aware of the filth and greed that permeated this society. Anyone else in his position would have long since abandoned a heartless wife like her to marry into wealth. From her, he had received none of the affection expected between spouses; in his professional life, he had endured immense humiliation for the sake of the Liu Corporation. Why bother? And yet, he had borne it all for her sake.

Liu Zhuyin found it hard to imagine how, after weathering storms for the Liu Corporation out in the world, he would return home to attend to her every need. And she? Her heart had been entirely consumed by Ning Yuanzhou, leaving not a shred of time for him. Though she could not truly experience his pain, she felt the weight of his despair in her heart.

"I owe him too much," she murmured to herself. Sun Tao quickly countered, "Miss, husband and wife are one; how can there be talk of owing? If you are only accepting Mr. Gu because of a sense of debt, I believe... that would be an insult to him."

Everyone at the Liu Corporation knew of the history between the young mistress and Mr. Gu. Behind their backs, the staff would whisper that she had treated him terribly, and they felt pity for him. As Liu Zhuyin’s assistant, Sun Tao felt a responsibility to help her sort out her feelings. It should be about affection, not debt.

Liu Zhuyin nodded silently. "I understand..." She watched as I chatted and laughed with Luo Mingzhu about project details, her eyes filled with apology, but also a flicker of something else—jealousy, envy, and a hint of resentment. My figure, which she had long ignored, seemed to sharpen in her mind. The business meeting proceeded in an orderly fashion, but Liu Zhuyin didn't take in a single word, her gaze fixed entirely on me.

Hours later, the meeting concluded. Seeing that Luo Mingzhu and I were about to leave, she took a deep breath, summoned her courage, and stepped in front of me.

"Tonight... are you coming home tonight?" Her tone was pleading, her eyes filled with hope. I was stunned by her demeanor. What had come over this woman? To think she would look at me with such an expression.

Before I could recover, Luo Mingzhu spoke for me. "Go home? What home? Is that place even a home? Why don't you go back to hovering around your 'white moonlight' and stop bothering Brother Chen!"

Liu Zhuyin didn't get angry; she didn't even acknowledge Luo Mingzhu, looking only at me, waiting for an answer. I shook my head.

"Don't make me repeat myself," I said. "You aren't tired, but I am."

Liu Zhuyin’s expression grew tense. "Gu Yichen, why? I know you are angry and dissatisfied, but you have to give me a chance to make it up to you. If you won't even give me that, I truly don't know what to do."

I frowned. I despised the word "compensate." I despised even more that she still insisted on calling me by my full name. It was not a term of endearment between a husband and wife. "First, figure out why you insist on calling me Gu Yichen, and then we can talk about the rest."

I turned and walked away, leaving her standing there in a daze.

"Calling that man 'Ah Zhou' every other breath, yet referring to your own husband by his full name," Luo Mingzhu fumed, having wanted to say this for a long time. "You wouldn't even call a friend by their full name like that! You don't even understand such a shallow principle—it’s because you have no heart! Don't go putting on a display of heartbreaking devotion; it’s laughable!"

Liu Zhuyin suddenly realized the truth. She opened her mouth, wanting to say the word "husband," but for some reason, the word wouldn't come. Even calling me "Yichen" felt difficult. Could it be that she had truly always treated me as an outsider? For the first time in five years, she was lost in confusion. Deep down, she had always considered me her husband—otherwise, this five-year marriage would never have existed. But why couldn't she use the term that every other wife could say so easily?

She returned home alone, reflecting on the marriage throughout the journey. What was I to her? She believed in this marriage, so why did she act this way? After a long while, she finally understood: it was still because of Ning Yuanzhou. She held onto the feelings she had for him from childhood, and even though she had long since let go, her subconscious still drifted toward him. If she wanted to save this marriage, she had to lay everything out in the open.

Stumbling through her feelings like walking through a thick fog was not going to work. She took out her phone, called Ning Yuanzhou, and booked a private room. Then, she called me.

"Um... do you have time tonight? There is something I want to tell you. I’ve arranged to meet A—I’ve arranged to meet Ning Yuanzhou. Can we sit down and talk? About our marriage, let’s get it all out in the open."

I was bewildered. Discuss our marriage, and include Ning Yuanzhou? What was this woman doing?

"What... are you trying to do?"

"I just want to clear things up. There are many misunderstandings between us. Some things are better said face-to-face."

If this had been before, I would have been moved that she was willing to face our marriage squarely. But now... there was no turning back; it was meaningless.

"Liu Zhuyin, I said, we—"

"No!" She cut me off urgently. "I still want to explain. You know I’m not someone who clings stubbornly. If, after we speak clearly, you still want a divorce, I will respect your choice. But you must give me this chance. Even if... even if you are reluctant, for the sake of our five years together, can you make this one last concession?"

Her tone was pleading; it was the first time in five years she had lowered herself to beg me. I wanted to refuse. We were divorced; there was nothing left to say. But I agreed. I would talk to her, and perhaps it would serve as an imperfect period at the end of our relationship.

After hanging up, Liu Zhuyin sent me the location and drove to the hospital to pick up Ning Yuanzhou.

"Ah Yin, why are you in such a rush to see me?" Ning Yuanzhou asked, his face full of confusion, though he felt a sense of triumph seeing her anxiety.

"I’ve arranged to meet my hus—my husband. I want us to talk face-to-face." Liu Zhuyin uttered those two words, a faint blush appearing on her face, feeling a touch of shyness.

But those words hit him like a heavy hammer. His hand, hidden in his sleeve, gripped tightly, and his face contorted in a grimace. Fortunately, Liu Zhuyin was driving and didn't notice.

"Ah Yin, what... what do you want to say?" Ning Yuanzhou asked, his voice trembling, cautious and panicked.