Late at night, one might disregard everything and succumb to dark desires, but when morning comes, the light of reason often clears the mind in an instant, plunging one back into prolonged deliberation and contemplation.
This was exactly how Qi Feifei felt at the moment.
Being with Xin Zhihuan was joyful, genuinely joyful. She hadn’t expected that she could develop such a sweet relationship with her soon-to-be-divorced husband, even sweeter than when they were newlyweds.
But because it was so sweet, it also filled her with fear.
Life always seemed to have more bitterness than sweetness, more pain than joy. Qi Feifei had long realized this, unable to resist doubting when heaven might unexpectedly retract the grace it had bestowed upon her, just as it did six years ago.
In these six years, she had grown a lot, but her strength was only surface-deep; inside, she might have become more fragile, more afraid of getting hurt, hence wrapping herself in layers of tightly woven cocoons.
Could she, in this state, face him openly, unconcerned about exposing her most vulnerable side?
She wasn’t sure…
“What are you thinking about?” A gentle voice brought Qi Feifei’s hazy thoughts back.
She startled slightly and smiled at the man beside her. “Nothing.”
“What would you like to drink today? Latte? Cappuccino?” Xin Zhihuan lifted two cups of coffee in his hands, offering her the first choice.
That morning, they decided not to dine at home, instead coming to the riverbank park, sitting by the riverbank, drinking coffee, eating doughnuts, and watching people come and go.
A very American-style breakfast, a very American-style life.
“When you’re in New York, do you always have breakfast like this?” she asked him, looking at the willows reflected in the water ahead.
“Is it that leisurely?” he chuckled. “I lead a rather hectic life in the States. Usually, by this time, I’d already be in a meeting at the office, or perhaps waiting to clear customs at the airport.”
She looked at him. “Qixuan told me you often fly back and forth between major cities in the United States and Europe, and you’re used to spending nights in the cabin.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Did you ask Qixuan about me?”
“Occasionally,” she avoided his piercing gaze delicately, taking a bite of the doughnut.
He followed suit, devouring the doughnut with natural and crude manners. “Did he tell you I’m a well-known management consultant in the industry? Many clients specifically request my advice.”
This guy, if he doesn’t seize the opportunity to promote how great he is, seems uncomfortable!
Qi Feifei couldn’t help but laugh softly, her lips curling slightly. “Yes, he did. He said you’re very capable.”
“I am very capable!” he said without modesty.
Yeah. She hummed silently. “He also said you’re very popular.”
“Popular with whom?” he didn’t understand.
Pretending to be naive?
She glanced at him coyly. “Of course, with women.”
“Oh.”
Oh what? She pursed her lips.
“What’s wrong? Are you jealous?” He smirked, his starry eyes shining brightly.
“Pfft, jealous of what?” She turned away, drinking her coffee. She didn’t notice the temperature and almost choked.
He watched her somewhat flustered reaction and chuckled even more. “Does it bother you that your separated husband has such a colorful social life in New York?”
“I… why would I be bothered? What does it matter to me whom you date?”
“Is it really irrelevant?” He teased her. “Don’t you want to know how many women I’ve slept with? I’ve been with women from various countries, blondes, brunettes, brunettes… oh, I especially like women with deep red hair and emerald green eyes for some reason. Women with that hair color and eye color tend to have amazing figures…”
He quickly patted her back and used a napkin to wipe the coffee from her lips. “Looks like you’re really jealous, darling.”
Whether through his actions or words, the teasing was obvious. She pushed away his hand. “Yeah, I know you’ve slept with many different beautiful women, OK? You don’t need to count them out for me.”
“Really don’t want to hear?” He blinked sadly, as if he had lost a good opportunity to boast about his achievements.
“Yes, I really don’t want to hear!” She emphasized almost indignantly.
He suddenly laughed, leaned in, pecked her lips, and then playfully tapped her nose with his finger.
“What’s that for?” Her cheeks flushed slightly.
“You look so cute when you’re jealous, Mrs. Xin.”
Another “darling,” another “Mrs. Xin,” did he think she felt like he was bothering her?
She pouted unhappily.
“What about you?” He suddenly asked.
“What about me?”
“In these six years, how many men have you been with?”
“Huh?”
“Don’t play dumb, give me an honest answer.” He seemed serious.
Was he really serious?
She glanced at him anxiously, seeing his solemn expression and furrowed brow, as if he was preparing to hear an answer he might not accept.
“Do… do you really want to know?” She asked cautiously.
“Yes, you can be honest, I won’t get angry.”
Why would he get angry? Who gave him the right to be angry? She narrowed her eyes like him. “Don’t forget we’re a separated couple. You can sleep with women, can’t I date men?”
“So I said, I won’t get angry.”
“If you won’t get angry, why ask?”
“Because…” He trailed off.
Because he’s still bothered, right?
She secretly smiled, seeing from his expression that he was actually very concerned.
“What are you laughing at?” He noticed the sly curve of her lips, feeling a bit embarrassed and somewhat annoyed. “Come on, how many men have you slept with in these years?”
“Not telling you.” She deliberately turned her face away.
“Qi Feifei.” His tone carried a hint of warning.
“Is this a courtroom? You’re not a judge, why interrogate me?” She teased.
Her teasing made him want to reach out and pinch her, even more so, to kiss her deeply!
Suppressing the conflicting desires in his chest, Xin Zhihuan tried to coax her. “Feifei, darling, please tell me.”
“What difference does it make if you know?” She countered.
He faltered. It wouldn’t make any difference, but damn it, he was curious!
Frustrated, Xin Zhihuan pursed his lips. Seeing Qi Feifei’s amusement at his childish expression, her bright eyes filled with laughter, he was about to speak when his phone suddenly rang with a cheerful message tone.
“Who’s messaging you?” Xin Zhihuan asked casually.
“Jiajun,” she replied just as naturally.
“Jiajun?” He raised his voice abruptly. “Why is he texting you?”
“He wants to meet up.”
“No, you can’t meet him!”
“What?” She blinked, looking at him.
Xin Zhihuan realized he was being too agitated and controlling. He took a deep breath, restraining his tumultuous emotions.
“I mean, what does he want to see you for? Does he want to propose to you again?” He softened his tone, putting on an innocent face. “Feifei, you wouldn’t agree to meet him, would you?”
“I’m meeting him.” She decisively extinguished his hopes.
He paled instantly.
Seeing his displeasure, she smiled faintly, soothingly patting his hand. “Regardless, I need to make things clear with him, right?”
Fang Jiajun arranged a romantic date for her.
He said it would surely be unforgettable, and indeed it left a deep impression on her.
He booked a restaurant on Yangming Mountain, with white Spanish-style canopies, creating a lazy European atmosphere. Under the open-air dining area, they overlooked the splendid night view of Taipei.
Uniquely, the restaurant placed candlesticks on the ground, creating a dreamlike scene. Walking among the flickering candlelight felt like stepping into a dream, a dream that every woman couldn’t help but fantasize about.
She and he sat opposite each other at the dining table, stepping on dreams, smelling the fragrance of flowers, with exquisite dishes before them, and champagne bubbling with pink bubbles.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“Mm, I like it.”
“Are you moved?”
“Mm.”
Indeed, she was deeply moved.
Qi Feifei looked around at everything, recalling every bit since she met Fang Jiajun.
They met at her restaurant. At that time, he was having some difficulties at work and had clashed with his father over an international cooperation case. He came to her restaurant to drink and get drunk, and after getting drunk, he was still defiant, offending other guests.
At that moment, she sternly lectured him and drove him out. He arrogantly claimed to be the prince of a certain enterprise group, and no one dared to disrespect him. She said that regardless of whether he was a prince or an emperor, in her restaurant, she was the queen!
From then on, he fell for her at first sight. The next day, he drove his limited edition sports car to her restaurant and pursued her without giving up.
In some ways, he was a bit like Zhihuan—arrogant, confident, and perhaps that was why, among many suitors, he was the only one who captured her heart.
“That night, I lost my composure,” Fang Jiajun apologized to her, pouring each of them a glass of pink champagne. “I was too hasty. I should have given you more time to consider. I’m sorry, it was my fault.”
She looked at him in astonishment.
She understood very well that for such a self-important man to apologize proactively was a difficult thing. She had seen how indifferent Fang Jiajun was to other women, so his treatment of her was quite exceptional.
How could she not be moved?
“Here, I toast to you, consider it my apology to you.”
She took the champagne glass and lightly clinked it with his. She took a sip, and the sweet bubbles swirled on her tongue, leaving a wonderful taste.
This champagne was really good.