Fu Qingzhi didn’t say a word.
She simply lay down on the bed.
Meanwhile, Shui Ruyue was sprawled across the mattress in a drunken haze. Her phone screen was still lit up, and the recalled message stood out glaringly on the display.
The moment she noticed Fu Qingzhi beside her, she scooted over without a care in the world.
“Hug me…”
She was so sleepy.
And Fu Qingzhi was so soft.
It would definitely be comfortable to sleep while hugging her.
Fu Qingzhi didn’t move.
Her gaze was as cold as a venomous snake’s, fixed firmly on Shui Ruyue.
Completely oblivious in her drunken state, Shui Ruyue suddenly threw herself into Fu Qingzhi’s arms.
Fu Qingzhi had intended to push her away.
But the softness of the body in her arms, along with the way Shui Ruyue instinctively clung to her, kept her from doing so.
So Shui Ruyue had wanted to leave her all along.
Whether she had worked so hard to secure business deals for the Shui family or for herself, the end result was the same.
She was preparing for a better life after leaving Fu Qingzhi.
How ironic.
Back when Shui Ruyue had climbed into her bed, Fu Qingzhi had only wanted to throw her out.
Now that Shui Ruyue truly intended to leave…
She found herself unexpectedly irritated.
Once again…
She wanted a drink.
Just as she tried to get up, a pair of arms wrapped tightly around her waist.
Drunk, Shui Ruyue had become even clingier than usual.
“Wifey… hug me…”
Her words were slurred.
Fu Qingzhi’s body stiffened for a brief moment.
The arm around Shui Ruyue tightened ever so slightly.
“In a month, I won’t be your wife anymore.”
“You’d better not get used to calling me that.”
Just as she was about to push Shui Ruyue away, the other woman stuck to her again like an octopus, pressing herself tightly against her until there wasn’t the slightest gap between them.
Fu Qingzhi’s ears gradually turned pink.
A strange, unfamiliar feeling left her unsettled.
She had been strictly disciplined since childhood.
As an adult, she prided herself on never letting her emotions control her.
Yet tonight…
She couldn’t fall asleep.
She endured the entire night without touching a drop of alcohol.
By morning, a sharp pain suddenly clenched her heart.
That familiar wave of anxiety returned.
No one had ever truly cared about her growing up.
Alcohol had always been her cure.
When things got particularly bad, it was the only thing that could stay with her through the night.
All the restraint she’d exercised the night before made this morning especially unbearable.
Feeling the person on top of her stir slightly, Fu Qingzhi finally pushed Shui Ruyue away and left the bedroom.
…
Over the next few days, Fu Qingzhi barely came home.
Shui Ruyue didn’t even receive a single message from her.
In the past, she would have thought that was perfectly normal.
After all, Fu Qingzhi had never acknowledged their marriage and had never liked the original Shui Ruyue, treating her as though she didn’t exist.
But recently…
Fu Qingzhi had shown concern for her.
She had even bought her a dress when she’d been in an awkward situation.
How could someone change so suddenly?
Shui Ruyue didn’t want to take any chances.
If Fu Qingzhi changed her mind, she’d be thrown out onto the streets.
That evening, she finally couldn’t resist calling her.
“Wifey, are you coming home tonight? I made Sweet and Sour Pork just for you.”
She smiled sweetly.
In the novel, the only dish Fu Qingzhi’s mother had ever personally cooked for her was Sweet and Sour Pork.
For reasons never explained, whenever Fu Qingzhi had the choice, she always ordered that dish.
It never failed.
It had even become an important turning point whenever her mother wanted to appeal to her emotionally.
Shui Ruyue couldn’t just sit back while Fu Qingzhi ignored her.
So today, she decided to use the same tactic.
But there was no response.
“Wifey, I specially learned how to make it for you.”
Silence.
Not a single word.
It felt like punching cotton.
Just how much did Fu Qingzhi dislike her?
She wouldn’t even come home for her favorite dish.
“If you don’t come back…”
“I’ll wear that lace dress every day when I go out to business dinners.”
The words were an obvious threat.
Shui Ruyue could only hope Fu Qingzhi would fall for it.
Otherwise…
She was completely out of ideas.
The call was disconnected.
“…Ah!”
Shui Ruyue stood frozen.
A sense of dread shot from the soles of her feet straight to her head.
She must really hate her now.
Wifey, I’m sorry.
I didn’t mean what I said just now. Please don’t ignore me.
Please come home. I really miss you. Please…
Not knowing whether Fu Qingzhi had even read the messages, Shui Ruyue could only continue admitting defeat.
Meanwhile, Fu Qingzhi was standing in a flower shop, ordering fresh flowers.
After a moment’s hesitation, she still bought an enormous bouquet of roses and instructed someone to deliver it to the villa.
She simply wasn’t good at apologizing.
Sending flowers was only meant to make Shui Ruyue stop throwing a tantrum.
Yes.
That was all.
After all, that heartless little woman had wanted to leave her from the very beginning.
Every gesture of affection before this had only been for the Shui family.
A sharp ache spread through Fu Qingzhi’s heart.
Who would ever fall for someone who wore a cold expression all day long?
Thinking that, she tossed her phone aside.
She had truly lost her mind.
“What a disaster…”
Back at the villa, Shui Ruyue received the bouquet of roses.
She was completely bewildered.
There was no way Fu Qingzhi had sent them.
She disliked her so much.
Maybe they were from Jin Meimei…
Or perhaps Lili.
She casually placed the flowers on a nearby table before heading into the kitchen.
She couldn’t accept gifts from other people.
Besides, whether Fu Qingzhi came home or not, the Sweet and Sour Pork still had to be made.
If necessary…
She would deliver it to Fu Qingzhi’s office herself.
Winning her wife’s favor was still the highest priority.
A short while later, the front door opened.
The moment Shui Ruyue looked up, she saw Fu Qingzhi had returned.
Fu Qingzhi’s cool gaze rested on the huge bouquet of roses for only two seconds.
A trace of disappointment flickered through her eyes before disappearing just as quickly.
“Wifey, you’re home!”
Shui Ruyue exclaimed happily.
“Wifey, you’ve worked hard today. The Sweet and Sour Pork is almost ready, and the Creamy Clam Soup will be done in just a minute.”
“They’re all your favorites.”
As she spoke, she carried the dishes to the dining table.
Fu Qingzhi said calmly,
“We have housekeepers. You don’t need to work so hard.”
“I’m busy. Sometimes I won’t be able to come home.”
“Don’t waste your effort.”
Her words carried an unmistakable sense of distance.
Even after being rejected, Shui Ruyue forced herself to keep smiling.
“How could it be a waste? I’ll cook for you every day.”
Fu Qingzhi only looked at her.
She made no move to pick up her chopsticks.
The two of them remained locked in silence for several seconds.
Shui Ruyue clearly had no intention of giving up.
She picked up a piece of Sweet and Sour Pork with her chopsticks and held it to Fu Qingzhi’s lips.
“My cooking is really good.”
There was a hint of grievance in her soft voice.
It was enough to soften anyone’s heart.
Fu Qingzhi finally opened her mouth and accepted the bite.
Shui Ruyue beamed with delight.
Just as she reached for another piece…
She felt the unmistakable sensation of a warm tongue lightly brushing across her fingertip.