The night was deep at Lanxi Garden.
Lin Jianxi’s hair was damp, her cheeks flushed with lingering warmth. Her clear, bright eyes were misty as she steadied her breathing and said, “Let’s get a divorce.”
Jiang Xu slowly moved away from her, his low, magnetic voice tinged with hoarseness. “Alright.”
Lin Jianxi’s eyes were slightly red at the corners, and her nose tingled with suppressed emotion. Dragging her sore, weak body out of bed, she picked up her clothes and wrapped them around herself, then walked stiffly into the bathroom.
If she didn’t leave now, she was afraid she wouldn’t be able to control her emotions—afraid she wouldn’t be able to stop herself from crying in front of him.
They had been married for two years, yet no matter how hard she tried, she could never warm his heart. So why bother trying anymore?
Lin Jianxi stood under the shower, tilting her head back as cold water washed over her. She clenched her teeth, crying silently as tears mingled with the icy water.
By the time she came out, Jiang Xu was already gone.
Lin Jianxi curled her red lips into a self-mocking smile. So he didn’t want to spend even a second with her!
The air still carried the lingering scent of their intimacy. Lin Jianxi opened the window to let in fresh air, swiftly changed the bedsheets, then climbed into bed and curled up into a small ball to sleep.
Tossing and turning, Lin Jianxi couldn’t fall asleep, her mind filled with Jiang Xu’s single word: “Alright.”
No one knew how much courage it had taken her to bring up divorce. He had been her entire youth!
Heartless, rotten Jiang Xu!
Lin Jianxi’s eyes reddened at the corners as tears uncontrollably streamed down her cheeks, soaking into the pillow. Her shoulders trembled lightly, accompanied by faint sobs.
The next day, the first rays of morning sunlight seeped through the gaps in the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room.
Lin Jianxi opened her eyes and suddenly met a pair of deep, dark peach-blossom eyes. Glancing at the scratches on the man’s neck, a blush spread across her cheeks.
The man’s pupils were dark and profound, and in the morning sunlight filtering in, a hint of tenderness lingered in his gaze.
Lin Jianxi swallowed, her throat dry, and subtly released her arms from around his waist, slowly shifting her body to the side.
Help! How embarrassing!
She had always been a restless sleeper, and she didn’t even remember when she had fallen asleep last night, nor when he had returned. Had she really held him like that all night?
Jiang Xu’s eyes were deep and dark, his features sharp and defined, with stray strands of hair falling across his brow.
Lin Jianxi turned her back to Jiang Xu, utterly unable to understand his thoughts. If they were getting a divorce, why was he still lying in the same bed with her? Couldn’t he have slept in the guest room?
About ten minutes later.
Jiang Xu emerged from the walk-in closet, his long legs carrying him across the room. He wore a white shirt, his features refined and handsome, with a pair of gold-rimmed glasses perched on his tall nose bridge.
Hearing his footsteps, Lin Jianxi propped herself up, her long hair disheveled around her shoulders, a faint blush on her cheeks as she looked at Jiang Xu with drowsy eyes.
“When are we going to file for divorce?”
Jiang Xu paused briefly, fastening his shirt cuffs with deliberate calm. “Next week. I have something to do today.”
Lin Jianxi frowned. “Can’t we do it tomorrow?”
“Tomorrow is Saturday. The Civil Affairs Bureau isn’t open.” Jiang Xu glanced at her indifferently before leaving the room.
Lin Jianxi: “…”
Hypocritical scoundrel, putting on an act.
In truth, Jiang Xu wasn’t nearsighted. He sometimes wore gold-rimmed glasses to appear more mature and composed.
Two days passed in the blink of an eye. It was Monday.
Liren Alley, “Jiu Xi” Qipao Shop.
The year Lin Jianxi graduated, she opened a cheongsam shop in Liren Alley, a hutong in Huaijing’s Mudan Ancient Town. She was both a cheongsam designer and the shop owner.
Lin Jianxi glanced at the calendar on the table. Today was May 15th, a Monday—the civil affairs bureau was open.
The civil affairs bureau was indeed open today, but Jiang Xu was once again unavailable. He was so busy that he was hardly ever around.
It made Lin Jianxi wonder if he was doing it on purpose, not wanting to divorce her! In reality, Jiang Xu truly was swamped—a drama he was directing was starting production today.
After a while, Lin Jianxi’s gaze fell on the calendar again. Tomorrow was May 16th, her grandfather’s birthday.
Another day without a divorce.
Was this fate? A bitter smile tugged at the corner of Lin Jianxi’s lips. It felt as though she had stolen a few extra days as his wife.
The Lin family was well-known in Huaijing as a scholarly household. Grandpa Lin was seventy-five this year, and his birthday celebration was simply a family dinner.
On Grandpa Lin’s birthday, Lin Jianxi walked into the Lin family’s old residence, her arm linked with Jiang Xu’s.
Everyone gathered in the living room to celebrate the old man’s birthday.
Lin Jianxi suddenly leaned closer to Jiang Xu and whispered softly, “Ah Xu, I’m going to the restroom.”
Jiang Xu stiffened slightly, his senses filled with a familiar, pleasant fragrance. She was so close that her warm breath seemed to brush faintly against his ear.
After a brief pause, Jiang Xu tried his best to ignore the warmth she brought, his thin lips parting slightly. “Alright.”
A faint curve lifted the corners of Lin Jianxi’s rosy lips as she stood up and headed toward the restroom. She hoped their interactions wouldn’t give away any clues to her family.
She and Jiang Xu had to keep their divorce a secret from both families, at least for now. The longer they could hide it, the better.
A few minutes later, in the restroom.
“Sister.”
A clear, melodious voice suddenly rang in Lin Jianxi’s ears. She turned toward the sound.
The newcomer was Lin Yujing, her cousin.
Lin Yujing stood beside Lin Jianxi, her eyes fixed on Lin Jianxi’s reflection in the mirror. She was caught off guard by Lin Jianxi’s delicate, lovable face.
Lin Jianxi wore a simple, elegant light-colored cheongsam, her skin as smooth as jade, her beauty captivating. The small white flowers adorning the cheongsam accentuated her gentle, scholarly demeanor.
In contrast, Lin Yujing wore a light white form-fitting, waist-cinching long dress that hugged her perfect figure, her legs long and straight.
By comparison, Lin Jianxi had the upper hand. The older generation preferred Lin Jianxi’s style of dressing, which was no wonder she managed to win Grandpa Lin’s favor.
Suppressing her inner jealousy, Lin Yujing’s tone carried a hint of provocation. “By the way, sister, did you know I’m the female lead in brother-in-law’s new drama?”
Lin Jianxi’s delicate brows furrowed slightly, but she didn’t respond.
Lin Yujing took out a lipstick from her bag and began applying it in front of the mirror. “It seems you didn’t know.”
Through the mirror, Lin Yujing glanced at Lin Jianxi, a faint curve lifting her red lips. “Sister, let me tell you, brother-in-law even taught me how to film kiss scenes!”
“Oh, really?” A flicker of surprise crossed Lin Jianxi’s eyes as her gaze settled on Lin Yujing’s face. “How was his teaching? Did you benefit greatly from it?”
Lin Yujing choked back her words. In truth, she kept getting distracted during the kiss scenes, leading to frequent retakes. That was why Jiang Xu had taught her how to film them—but she hadn’t benefited much from it.
Lin Jianxi met Lin Yujing’s eyes, her voice gentle and melodious. “I think your brother-in-law’s kissing skills aren’t all that great. Last time, he even bit my lip until it bled.”
Hearing this, Lin Yujing’s face turned ashen.
Seeing Lin Yujing’s expression, Lin Jianxi’s lips curved into a faint, almost imperceptible smile.
She felt a surge of satisfaction.
Lin Jianxi raised her eyes to glance at Lin Yujing. “I should go now, or your brother-in-law will be waiting too long.”
Lin Yujing took a deep breath and watched Lin Jianxi’s retreating figure from the corner of her eye. The silhouette of her back, accentuated by the cheongsam, made her appear even more graceful and alluring.
Lin Jianxi returned to the living room, where only Jiang Xu remained. She paused in her steps.