It wasn't until he held Chang Xuyu tightly that Yi Zhuo felt the world wasn't collapsing.
Earlier that morning, when he called his assistant, the assistant frantically explained everything, thinking his boss wanted to handle the online backlash against the boss's wife. Instead, he was here to show off his love and even wanted to buy clothes!?
His world was falling apart, yet the person involved was the last to know... The post had been made last night, and the two of them had spent the whole night without even checking their phones. It was infuriating.
But since it was the boss on the other end, he couldn't complain openly. He had to swallow his frustration and patiently submit a response plan.
The plan was to make their marriage public.
But Yi Zhuo hesitated, saying no, she would mind.
Assistant: ?
The situation was urgent. Did Yi Zhuo understand that reputation was crucial in this circle?
If they didn't come out now and kept doing nothing, it would be even more troublesome when it was eventually uncovered. They might even be slapped with a cliché label like "Marital discord; famous sculptor Yi Zhuo cold and heartless," no less dramatic than an old web novel, causing trouble for the whole team.
The boss might not care, but he didn't want to lose his job.
Before he could use his silver tongue to persuade Yi Zhuo, Yi Zhuo was called out by his wife's phone call. He left in a hurry, like a gust of wind, disappearing in an instant.
...
Chang Xuyu's tears fell on his jacket. She wiped them away, hugged him for a while, then pulled back.
"Are you cold?"
He asked.
Chang Xuyu shook her head.
"How did you know I was here?"
Yi Zhuo hesitated, said nothing, then slowly replied, "I guessed."
Chang Xuyu didn't believe him.
But she didn't want to argue with him anymore.
"Next week is Jingzhe. Let's get divorced," she took a deep breath and smiled. "Yi Zhuo, you don't have to keep so many secrets from me anymore."
The man looked at her, his eyes dark.
"Alright," he agreed. "First, come home with me."
Yi Zhuo reached out to take her hand, but Chang Xuyu dodged.
Tears still clung to her eyelashes, the area around them red. She pursed her lips and shook her head with a light smile. "I need to be alone for a few days. I'm sorry."
The man frowned, his hand hanging in midair, looking superfluous.
She paused, then continued, "These are all my problems. I know that in this circle, especially for you, reputation is most important. I won't become your stain. If I really affect you during this time, I'm truly sorry. Forgive me, Yi Zhuo."
In her heart, Yi Zhuo was indeed a very good man. He had treated her well, but this wasn't the love she longed for, and he wouldn't be her final destination.
This time, she wanted to fight for herself.
"I'm going to take the postgraduate entrance exam."
She had thought it through. When she first applied for the job, the head of the institution said that since she only had a bachelor's degree, she could only start as a teaching assistant. Although neither had teaching experience, having a graduate degree would avoid some unnecessary obstacles, especially in her field.
No one wanted to be constantly manipulated by their boss. She wasn't looking for trouble—the exam would benefit her greatly. She had saved some money over the years. Once she passed, she would plan a new career.
So right now, she really wasn't in the mood for romance, especially marriage.
"Back then, I married you under my mother's pressure. I'm really sorry. Thank you for taking care of me during this time," she thought for a moment and explained slowly. "I am indeed selfish and not brave enough. Although I don't know what you like about me, I'm still grateful for your feelings. You're a good person; you'll meet someone better than me."
He also needed to have his own true love. They weren't suited for each other.
She should have realized that long ago.
Yi Zhuo squinted, his gaze never leaving her, not even for a moment.
It felt like a fishbone stuck in his throat. This was the first time he had felt this way.
As if something important was slipping away, impossible to hold.
He knew that the wind had to stop here.
The man suddenly laughed, his voice like a jar of wine aged for many years, slowly recounting the dust of the past.
"Actually, the blind date thing back then was arranged by me with President Chang, your aunt," he paused. "After my career took off and I was sure I could give you what you wanted, I brought it up. Now it seems I was too naive."
Perhaps there shouldn't have been any other feelings between them.
Yi Zhuo took two steps back, lowered his eyes, and said nothing.
He didn't understand whether Chang Xuyu had a heart, whether she had ever had even a trace of feeling for him.
Now, he understood. The answer was no.
At least, that's how it seemed now.
The vast gray sky was still bright. He stood before her, dressed in black, aloof. His voice carried a hint of hoarseness and loss, yet it was open.
He hid the vulnerability that had inadvertently shown in his eyes, somewhat deflated. In the end, without a word, he turned and left.
He had long passed the age for entangling endlessly in feelings with someone, so this time he chose to let go.