An hour later, she and Chi Nanxue were sitting side-by-side on the sofa, and both let out a sigh in unison. Wen Ying glanced over. “What’s on your mind?” “It’s just… hearing the name Lin Qingyan again after all these years,” Chi Nanxue mused, “suddenly makes me nostalgic for my youth.” Wen Ying said nothing. “And you?” Chi Nanxue pressed, looking at her. Wen Ying’s gaze fell, her lashes casting shadows on her cheeks. Chi Nanxue nudged her with an elbow. “Don’t tell me you’re not thinking about it. Everyone in school knew you had a crush on Lin Qingyan, and he treated you differently, too. If he hadn’t gone abroad right after graduation, you two would’ve been together ages ago.” Wen Ying hugged her knees and yawned. “You said it yourself—if. If he hadn’t gone abroad, if my family hadn’t gone bankrupt, if I hadn’t become Huo Xingzhou’s mistress…” “Stop, stop, stop,” Chi Nanxue cut in. “What you had with Huo Xingzhou was completely consensual. We young people call that dating. Don’t talk like you’re some relic from a feudal drama. Besides, the news about his engagement just broke today. You didn't know before.” Chi Nanxue had been her friend since high school, the only one who knew about her and Huo Xingzhou. Wen Ying stared blankly ahead, a genuine weariness settling over her. “But he paid me every month.” “You think dating doesn’t cost money? It’s not like you were running a charity, sleeping with him for free.” “…Thank you. I feel so much better.” “Hey,” Chi Nanxue said, patting her shoulder. “That’s more like it. You two have already broken up anyway. And with Lin Qingyan back, you can just seamlessly move on… no, I mean, you can embrace happiness again.” Wen Ying rose to her feet with a faint smile. “It’s getting late. Time to wash up and go to bed.” Chi Nanxue watched her go, the words she wanted to say catching in her throat. She knew Wen Ying was deeply affected by her three years with Huo Xingzhou. But beyond this flimsy comfort, there was nothing more she could do. The bright, dazzling young lady who once never had to lift a finger had long ago bowed to reality. Wen Ying had endured a great deal over the years to pay off the debts left behind when the Wen family business collapsed. But she had to be close to paying it all off by now. *** Lying in bed, Wen Ying’s body was exhausted, but her mind refused to sleep. Usually on this day of the week, Huo Xingzhou would have worn her out so completely that she’d collapse into bed the moment she got home and not wake until noon. The names Huo Xingzhou and Lin Qingyan battled in her mind like two warring figures, making her head throb. Wen Ying finally sat up. Given Huo Xingzhou’s infuriatingly ambiguous attitude when he left, she decided to make it official, in writing, one more time. She picked up the phone from her nightstand, typed out a message, and after a long moment of hesitation, hit send. It was laughable, really. They’d never signed a contract when they got together, yet their breakup was being handled with such formality. But it was, for her, a way to finally close this three-year chapter of her life. With that done, she set down her phone and slipped back under the covers. *** It was already morning when Huo Xingzhou saw Wen Ying’s text. He accepted a cup of coffee from the maid, his gaze sweeping coolly over the phone’s screen. [Mr. Huo, thank you for your care over these past few years. Words cannot express my gratitude. I can only wish you success in all your endeavors and good health. I also wish you and your new wife a lifetime of happiness, a harmonious union, and may you be blessed with children soon.] A humorless smile touched Huo Xingzhou’s lips. He placed the phone face down on the dining table. Across from him, Mrs. Huo spoke. “Now that your engagement to Zhiyi is set, you should spend more time with her. Get to know each other, and arrange the wedding as soon as possible.” Huo Xingzhou’s voice was flat. “The engagement is already set. Is there really a need to get to know each other?” Mrs. Huo paused, knowing he was displeased with the arrangement. “Your father is about to return with that woman and her son,” she said. “If you don’t secure your position, you’ll give them an opening. The Liang family may not be on par with the Huos, but they can still be a powerful support for you. If your father tries to bring that illegitimate son into the company, he’ll have to think twice…” Huo Xingzhou didn’t argue. “As long as you’re happy,” he said simply. Mrs. Huo pressed her lips together. “Xingzhou, tell me honestly. The reason you don’t want to marry Zhiyi… is it because of that woman you keep on the side?” She knew he went to the same place every weekend for the past three years. She knew he had a woman, which was normal for a man his age, and she had never interfered. But things were different now. If that woman threatened the alliance between the Huo and Liang families, she would not let it slide. “You’re overthinking it,” Huo Xingzhou said, rising from his chair. “She’s just a woman. She won’t influence my decisions. As I said, as long as you’re happy. Whether it’s Liang Zhiyi or some Zhao Zhiyi, it makes no difference to me.” With that, he turned and strode away. Mrs. Huo’s hands tightened on the tablecloth, her elegant face trembling with resolve. She would never, ever leave the slightest opportunity for that woman and her bastard son. *** On Monday morning, Wen Ying was woken by her alarm. She pulled a business suit from her closet, put it on, and applied light makeup to cover the dark circles under her eyes before leaving her room. Chi Nanxue’s voice called out from the kitchen. “I made breakfast! Eat something before you go.” Wen Ying bent down to put on her shoes. “No time, I’m running late.” “Then take it with you to eat on the…” By the time Chi Nanxue rushed out, Wen Ying was already gone. She sighed, bit into the sandwich herself, and turned back to clean up. Wen Ying worked at a translation firm. Last week, the company had taken on a Spanish translation project, and the client had specifically requested her. Her manager had stressed that this was a major client and that she absolutely could not mess it up. When Wen Ying arrived at the designated meeting place, it was only 8:45, a full fifteen minutes early. She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Standing on the sidewalk, she looked down at the faint bruises blooming on her wrist, a reminder of Huo Xingzhou’s roughness the night before. Turning, she walked into a nearby pharmacy. It wasn’t just her wrist that ached. Just as Wen Ying stepped out of the pharmacy with her purchase, a white Porsche pulled up in front of her. A beautiful woman stepped out of the car and smiled gently. “You must be Ms. Wen.” Wen Ying stared at her, her pupils contracting. For a moment, her mind went blank. The woman had already extended her hand. “Hello, my name is Liang Zhiyi.” Of course Wen Ying recognized her. Just hours ago, the news had been saturated with photos of her and Huo Xingzhou. Wen Ying snapped back to the present and slowly took the offered hand. “Hello, Ms. Liang.” Liang Zhiyi smiled. “You’re even more beautiful in person than in your résumé photo, Ms. Wen. I knew I made the right choice.” Wen Ying managed a tight smile, unsure how to respond. If she had known that this major client was Huo Xingzhou’s fiancée, no amount of money could have convinced her to take this job.