After this incident, Chi Wei and Yan Jingheng fell into a brief cold war.
Yan Jingheng was determined to repair their relationship.
Since returning from the amusement park, he had noticeably shown more care toward Zhi Lang.
After sulking for two days, Zhi Lang forgave Yan Jingheng once he promised not to force him to play with Qiao Shiyue anymore.
Recently, Qiao Mingfei and her son had also been quiet, causing no further disturbances. However, some grievances, once buried in the heart, are not so easily erased.
Whenever Chi Wei saw Qiao Mingfei, she still felt uncomfortable inside.
Coincidentally, her company had been busy lately, so Chi Wei simply spent most of her time there.
She needed to calm down and sort out her current relationships.
The design company Chi Wei worked for was founded by Yan Jingheng with his investment the year they got married, a testament to their love.
Even the company’s name contained both of their names.
"Heart Pool Imbalance"
As Yan Jingheng once said, the day he fell in love with her at first sight, his entire heart lost its balance.
Yan Jingheng’s love for her had always been ostentatious, as if he wanted the entire circle to know.
This company carried the weight of her and Yan Jingheng’s relationship, and Chi Wei valued it deeply. In just four years, she had built their brand into one of the top in the circle.
In the past, every time she walked into this company, her heart would fill with sweetness.
But lately, whenever she came here, all that remained was a heavy feeling.
She thought perhaps Yan Jingheng’s heart no longer lost its balance for her, and this brand, into which she had poured all her heart and soul, would soon become a joke.
A slightly abrupt knock on the door interrupted Chi Wei’s thoughts.
A young assistant walked in, holding an evening gown: "Sister Wei Wei, this was just delivered by President Yan. He asked you to try it on to see if it fits. He’ll pick you up tonight to attend the banquet."
Reminded by this, Chi Wei remembered that today was the day the Xiao family was hosting a bid cocktail party. For such occasions, she needed to attend with Yan Jingheng.
Yan Jingheng valued appearances greatly. As his wife, Chi Wei usually had to select her outfit and accessories a day in advance for such cocktail parties.
But this time, seeing the gown Yan Jingheng had sent over, Chi Wei felt no motivation. Only an hour before Yan Jingheng’s arrival did she finally get ready simply.
After nearly a week apart, the couple sat in the same car again. Yan Jingheng leaned over and thoughtfully fastened Chi Wei’s seatbelt: "Wei Wei, don’t be angry anymore. I know I didn’t handle things well last time. I’ll be more careful in the future.
Zhi Lang is still young. If we keep arguing like this, it won’t be good for the child. What do you think?"
He brought up Zhi Lang deliberately to give Chi Wei a way out, hoping to end this inexplicable cold war.
Chi Wei asked, "How long do you plan to let Sister Fei stay at home?"
Hearing this, Yan Jingheng was momentarily taken aback. He habitually adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses before replying, "Right now, Yueyue hasn’t fully come to terms with losing her father. I really can’t be too harsh.
Just a few more days. Once kindergarten starts, we’ll find a boarding kindergarten for Yueyue, and everything will be fine."
Chi Wei’s hand lightly tapped on her skirt as she gazed ahead. On the car’s dashboard stood a photo frame containing their wedding photo.
In the photo, she nestled beside Yan Jingheng, her eyes sparkling with a bright smile.
They had truly loved each other once. For the sake of their love, Chi Wei thought, she was willing to give him another chance.
It was summer vacation now, and in another half month, kindergarten would start.
By then, she would know whether Yan Jingheng’s words were true or false.
If Yan Jingheng lied to her, she would divorce him.
The car soon arrived at the Xiao family’s hotel. Yan Jingheng went to park the car, while Chi Wei stood at the hotel entrance waiting.
Just then, a convertible sports car sped over and screeched to a halt right in front of her, kicking up a cloud of dust that made Chi Wei cough twice.
A frivolous greeting soon rang in her ears: “Well, if it isn’t the Model Couple from our circle? Mrs. Yan, why are you standing outside today? Does your husband really let you catch the wind like this?”
The speaker was none other than the host of today’s banquet, Xiao Yuanrui.
Chi Wei didn’t know when she had offended this man, but every time they met, he never failed to make a few sarcastic remarks.
Especially the phrase “Model Couple,” which he loved to throw around the most.
Chi Wei refused to back down: “Then you’ll have to ask Young Master Xiao. The Xiao family’s banquet is so grand, yet there isn’t a single bellboy for parking at the entrance. Isn’t that a bit too stingy?”
Xiao Yuanrui was momentarily speechless, his expression turning slightly unpleasant. Just as he was about to retort, a magnetic voice came from beside him: “Childish. Boring.”
The car door opened, and a tall man stepped out. He wore a well-tailored black suit loosely over his frame, his hair slicked with pomade but not in a meticulously serious manner. Instead, a few stray strands fell, casting faint shadows across his forehead.
A blue diamond earring, illuminated by the setting sun, reflected an unusual gleam.
After getting out of the car, he gave the wheel a light but firm kick, muttering, “Don’t use this car to pick people up next time. It’s uncomfortable to sit in.”
“Sure thing, Shi Ye. Whatever you say goes,” replied Xiao Yuanrui, who had been so arrogant toward Chi Wei moments ago but now wore a fawning smile in the man’s presence.
The man scoffed lightly and added, “It’s not up to standard anyway. Even Young Master Xiao has to park his own car.”
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Xiao Yuanrui’s face. His gaze drifted subtly toward Chi Wei before he mumbled a few vague responses and went to park the car.
The man didn’t linger. As he passed by Chi Wei, she caught a glimpse of his profile—exquisite bone structure and sharp, defined features.
She couldn’t recall ever meeting someone like him, yet there was something inexplicably familiar about his presence.
Even his voice seemed to echo from somewhere in her memory.
A faint cedar scent lingered in the air, so subtle it was almost imperceptible, just as Yan Jingheng appeared.
He wrapped an arm around Chi Wei’s shoulders and asked with concern, “I just saw Xiao Yuanrui. Did he give you a hard time?”
Yan Jingheng knew that Xiao Yuanrui and Chi Wei didn’t get along, and that he often mocked her whenever they met. To this day, he still hadn’t found out why.
“No,” Chi Wei shook her head, but the inexplicable sense of familiarity lingered.
She had a good memory. The man was striking—if she had seen him before, she should have remembered.
Yet, no matter how hard she searched her memories, she couldn’t find even a trace of him.
Noticing Chi Wei seemed a bit distracted, Yan Jingheng asked again, "Is the air conditioning too cold? Should I get you a blanket?"
"No need." Chi Wei declined Yan Jingheng's kindness. By now, people had already begun approaching to strike up conversations, so she immediately put on her usual smile, politely greeting and smiling at everyone who came near Yan Jingheng.
Glancing up slightly, Chi Wei's gaze met a pair of peach blossom eyes from the floor above—the same man she had seen earlier.
He was gently swirling his wine glass, seemingly aware of Chi Wei's gaze, and gave her a slight, knowing eyebrow raise.
As if in greeting.
The gesture felt inexplicably familiar.