Before dawn, Sang Wan was already awake. Her first instinct upon opening her eyes was to wonder what breakfast she should prepare today. She almost turned to think about what was in the fridge—then suddenly realized: This wasn’t the Lu family villa. She no longer had to rise early to make breakfast for Lu Jinnian and Lu Xiaomu.
Six years of being a full-time homemaker had carved the habit deep into her bones. Even two months in the hospital hadn’t erased it.
She stared blankly at the ceiling for a while, then closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.
When she woke again, it was already past eight. The space beside her was empty. She had no idea when Xu Yiyi had left, or whether she had returned.
On the dining table sat purple rice porridge and soup dumplings from the cafeteria—her favorites.
Opening her phone, she found Xu Yiyi’s WeChat messages:
>[Woman, breakfast is on the table. The e-bike key is in Kawaii’s mouth, coffee beans are in the drawer.]
[11:30, I’ll be at the big cafeteria with Sweet-and-Sour Pork. Don’t be late!]
Warmth and a pang of sourness rose in Sang Wan’s chest. With time suddenly hers to spend, she washed up, ate slowly, and strolled out the door.
The campus in the morning was serene and lovely. Birds chirped and flitted among the branches. Students unhurriedly recited vocabulary in the pavilion. Under the rising sun, even the air seemed leisurely.
It matched Sang Wan’s mood perfectly.
At that same moment, Lu Jinnian’s mood was utterly foul.
The night before, he had drunk too much. He vaguely remembered the driver dropping him off at the door.
After that, Lu Jinnian had no memory at all. When he finally woke, his head throbbed, his back ached, and his whole body hurt. A large bruise darkened his knee. He didn’t need to think twice—either he had stumbled after entering the house, or rolled down the stairs on his way up.
In the past, whenever he came home late, the moment the car engine cut off, the villa door would open. Sang Wan would fuss over him, scolding and worrying, while helping him inside. There would be sobering soup waiting at his lips—a bathtub filled with warm water. From the instant he saw Sang Wan after getting out of the car, he could safely close his eyes.
By the time he woke again, the room would be fragrant—his body dressed in clean pajamas, carrying the same gentle scent as the room. But now, the entire bedroom reeked of alcohol.
What Lu Jinnian found unbearable was that the stench came from himself. He turned his head to sniff and nearly gagged.
“Sang Wan?” He sat up and called out.
No answer.
As his mind cleared, the truth struck him: Sang Wan had filed for divorce.
She hadn’t come home for two nights.
Dark clouds gathered—his face turned grim.
He staggered to his feet. Opened the window and took a shower.
From the chaotic closet he pulled out a freshly pressed suit, dressed, and went downstairs, his whole presence radiating a storm about to break.
The coffee was sour, the ice too few—one sip made him frown. The bread was cold; chewing it felt like splinters of wood, impossible to swallow. Two bites in, he pushed the plate away.
The Mercedes roared off. By the time he stepped into the CEO’s office, his expression was so dark it seemed ready to drip.
“President Lu…” Lin Zhaozhao greeted him with a bright smile. “What’s wrong? Not feeling well?”
Lu Jinnian said nothing.
But Lin Zhaozhao seemed to know already. She pulled him into the chair, placed her hands on his head, and began to massage.
The gentlest of traps—soft yet firm kneading, a faint fragrance lingering.
His foul mood eased a little. Lu Jinnian exhaled with satisfaction. “Zhaozhao, it’s good I have you.”
“Not just me,” she replied sweetly. “I’ve brought you even better news…”
Lin Zhaozhao’s voice rang out excitedly: “This morning I got a call from Director Qin of Urban Construction. He said the bidding conference for Plot No. 3 in the eastern district is inviting our Lu Corporation to participate.”
“What did you say?”
Lu Jinnian opened his eyes wide. “Really?”
An invitation from the municipal office isn’t something just any company can get. First, you need the qualifications. Second, you need the financial strength. And even with both, the officials have to recognize you.
Until last year, Lu Corporation never had this privilege. Now that they’ve received the invitation, doesn’t it mean Lu Corporation finally has the credentials to enter the arena?
“Of course it’s real.” Lin Zhaozhao looked smug. “I took the call and rushed straight to Director Qin’s office to collect the invitation.”
Lu Jinnian’s eyes lit up.
Like a magician, Lin Zhaozhao produced a red invitation letter. It was issued by the Municipal Urban Construction Office, stamped with a crimson seal. The contents were genuine: next month’s bidding conference for Plot No. 3.
Thinking about how Lu Corporation has grown stronger this year compared to last, Lu Jinnian already felt elated—even before the bidding, even before securing the land.
“If we can win that plot, next year Lu Corporation will take another big step forward… I’ve had my eye on that land for a long time. If we build a science and technology museum there, it will be the largest and most advanced in the capital.”
“A science museum? That sounds amazing!”
“Of course. As of now, the capital has twelve science museums. But the newest one was built three years ago. In three years, do you know how much technology has changed, how many new fields have emerged? If we can secure that land, I’ll make sure it becomes the most outstanding science museum in all of China.”
Lin Zhaozhao gazed at him with admiration.
The office fell silent.
Lu Jinnian lifted his gaze to see Lin Zhaozhao briskly tidying the desk, showing no intention of continuing the conversation. The flame of excitement that had shot skyward was doused as though by a bucket of cold water.
Lu Jinnian sank into silence. If Sang Wan were here, she would have been even more thrilled than he was—chattering endlessly, imagining how the science museum might be divided into several wings, with entrances to the east, west, south, and north.
Perhaps two of those entrances would be themed around the future, leading into a technology corridor dozens of meters long, where visitors could see their own futuristic, transformed reflections projected from glass panels on all sides—above, below, left, and right.
Playful. Immersive.
Even if it was only idle talk.
Even if none of it ever came to pass.
The spark of joy in that moment of shared imagination was worth more than anything else. But now—there was nothing.
His brow furrowed, irritation rising once again. Even he couldn’t quite explain what exactly he was vexed about.
One day.
Two days.
Three days…
He thought she would last no more than three or five days before finding some flimsy excuse to call him. But this time, a full week passed without a word.
After reporting the day’s schedule, Assistant Yang Yan was about to leave when Lu Jinnian stopped him. “Did you notify the housekeeper?”
At the mention of Sang Wan, Yang Yan’s expression tightened. “The housekeeper said Madam left that very day and hasn’t returned since.”
She hadn’t gone back to the villa. She hadn’t gone to the apartment. In a city as vast as the capital, there was only one place Sang Wan could have gone.
“I understand. Go on with your work.”
Yang Yan slipped out the door.
Lu Jinnian sat in silence for a long time before finally pulling out his phone to make a call.
By evening, the dormitory of Xu Yiyi was filled with fragrance.
The hotpot bubbled, its savory aroma drifting down the corridor.
On the table were red beef slices, black tripe, green kelp, and fiery chilies—an array of colorful meats and vegetables that made mouths water.
“Ah, so this is what it feels like to have a fairy‑like helper… come on, cheers!”
Xu Yiyi raised her glass with a cheer. The two clinked glasses. But before the cola even touched their lips, a knock sounded at the dormitory door.
Outside, Auntie Wang from the school’s logistics department poked her head in, glanced at Sang Wan, then turned to Xu Yiyi with a gentle smile. “Teacher Xu, your friend isn’t staying overnight, is she?”
Xu Yiyi froze.
Sang Wan slowly rose to her feet.