Zhuang Qiting took advantage of Li Yaru being away and quietly slipped back into the bedroom.
The bedding and pillowcases still carried his wife’s scent, and he hadn’t allowed the servants to change them.
He continued to sleep there, as if sharing the bed with her.
One day was already difficult enough to endure. Two days, three days, four days…
As the fragrance faded, the irritation grew, intensifying with each passing day.
On the night of the fifth day, Zhuang Qiting tossed and turned sleeplessly until the early hours of the morning.
He finally could no longer bear the silence. He turned over and sat up, glancing at the clock as the faint moonlight filtered in— it was already 3:30 a.m.
He sighed deeply.
This bedroom was the quietest place in the sprawling manor, surrounded on three sides by gardens. After nightfall, only the natural white noise of the outdoors remained.
Without his wife’s breathing beside him, the space felt especially empty, especially silent, especially lonely.
Without Li Yaru, he couldn’t sleep well, as if afflicted by some kind of illness. The symptoms had been worsening over these few days, and he was nearly at his breaking point.
Even though he was away on a business trip, and Li Yaru was out on vacation, he knew she was nearby.
The distance between them was only about ten minutes by car. He could visit her anytime, and she could return anytime.
Yet, somehow, it felt as if they existed in two overlapping but separate worlds.
They shared a home, yet she didn’t even send a message. She must really be out of her mind.
Did she miss him at all? Did she miss their three sons? Was there no trace of attachment to this family? Was the outside world that much more enticing?
Zhuang Qiting wiped his face, reached out to grab his robe, and put it on.
He went over to Li Yaru’s perfume cabinet, took out a bottle of her favorite recent scent, and sprayed three pumps into the air.
The rich fragrance filled the room again, soothing his restless heart.
At this hour, sleep was impossible. He might as well stay awake.
He opened a bottle of whiskey, placed it in an ice bucket to chill, and on a whim, began fiddling with Li Yaru’s beloved vinyl record player.
On the rattan shelf beside him were neatly arranged vinyl records, all rare and out-of-print treasures from the market.
Li Yaru was a vinyl enthusiast— she simply loved collecting them, like a philatelist with stamps.
Zhuang Qiting randomly selected a record and placed it on the player. The melody drifted out slowly, mingling with the scent in the air.
The bedroom lights were off. He sat in the darkness, his robe casually open, revealing his strong chest.
Lazily, he listened to the music, occasionally taking a sip of the cold, potent whiskey.
If only Li Yaru were here beside him— that would be the perfect atmosphere.
He recalled many past memories, many nights like this when he held Li Yaru on the terrace, drinking whiskey together.
He would spill a little on her smooth skin, savoring every inch that touched the ground. Over the years, all his tastes and quirks had stemmed from Li Yaru.
Without her, there were many things he wouldn’t have thought of, nor would have done.
For so many years, his life was clear: serve the family, eat, sleep, exercise, and Li Yaru.
Spend money on her, make love to her, accompany her, watch her, kiss her, hold her, think of her, and educate her.
Zhuang Qiting felt a fleeting emptiness but quickly dismissed these useless, self-pitying feelings.
His wife hadn’t truly run off. She was only staying out for a few days. Why should he act like a lost, broken man? That would be embarrassing.
Did he really think their divorce was final? This was just a game. If he won, Li Yaru would obediently return to his arms, never daring to separate again.
If he lost, he’d resort to whatever means necessary to bring her back.
The world was vast — where could she possibly run off to?
The most important thing was to follow up with the court to make sure the divorce decree was never, ever finalized.
Thinking this way eased Zhuang Qiting’s temper a little. He swallowed some ice-cold whiskey slowly, relaxing once more.
Only deep in his heart did unease remain, which he forcibly suppressed.
That unease must have come from not hearing anything about Li Yaru for five whole days.
The people he sent to keep an eye on her had reported back that since she entered that small Western-style mansion, she hadn’t come out.
For five entire days, she stayed inside. They even took photos and checked the situation but could only confirm that Lu Junqiu’s family was inside, no random outsiders.
What was she doing in there…
Not coming out for five days…
The record player continued tirelessly, and the next song was Song Zhen Tao’s “Let It All Go with the Wind,” its slightly melancholic melody sounding even lonelier in the night.
“At this moment, there is all kinds of heartache.”
“Only emptiness is teasing me.”
“All kinds of emptiness, cold, cold, cold.”
The hoarse male voice made his heart feel even more hollow and empty.
Zhuang Qiting slammed down his glass heavily and growled hoarsely, “What kind of nonsense song is this?”
He switched the record to Lam Tsz Cheung’s “Dare to Love, Dare to Do,” the song he cherished most.
The passionate and stirring melody filled the room, and he let out a breath, deciding to personally pick up his wife tomorrow.
Enough of this back-and-forth. He’d bring her back first, then deal with everything else.
–
At lunchtime the next day, Zhuang Qiting’s extended Phantom, bearing the license plate “1,” arrived in grand style, parking at the entrance of the Lu family mansion, followed by two black Mercedes-Benz vehicles.
He came for lunch to confront Li Yaru, not wanting her to use a nap as an excuse to avoid him.
Though uninvited, the entourage was still impressive. Over the years, Zhuang Qiting always traveled like this — flanked by bodyguards and motorcade.
At his status, low-key was just a joke. He cared little for reputation; besides, Li Yaru was always impeccably dressed.
If he tried to keep a low profile, he wondered how many sly foxes would rush to seduce her.
Zhuang Qiting didn’t get out of the car. He sat inside, perfectly still, dressed in a neatly pressed black satin suit, distinguished and elegant.
On his chest gleamed a blue sapphire brooch, taken from Li Yaru’s jewelry cabinet — one of the few pieces left behind.
He knew the worth of every piece of that jewelry.
Soon, the mansion’s tightly closed doors opened abruptly.
Lu Junqiu, upon hearing that Zhuang Qiting had arrived, was so startled she dropped her chopsticks. She hurriedly covered herself with a jacket, each step anxious and uneasy.
Seeing the three cars lined up in the courtyard, exuding overwhelming authority, she took a deep breath and forced a broad smile.
She quickly waved at the darkened car window, bowing politely.
The window slowly rolled down, revealing Zhuang Qiting’s handsome, stern profile. He turned his head to look at Lu Junqiu and spoke gently, “Junqiu, good afternoon.”
“…Brother-in-law, good afternoon. Long time no see. Why did you come all the way here at noon? If there’s anything, you can just have your secretary call us,” Lu Junqiu smiled stiffly and ingratiatingly, twisting her hands nervously. Her heart was pounding in her throat.
Had it really come to divorce? Was her sister truly setting her up?
“I hope I’m not disturbing your meal,” Zhuang Qiting smiled faintly. He hadn’t gotten out of the car and spoke just like that.
He was intentionally reminding this cousin to watch her words around Li Yaru, to avoid saying anything unfavorable to him and stirring up resentment. He wouldn’t tolerate her using tricks to win over Li Yaru.
“No, we haven’t eaten yet. Have you eaten… want to join us?” Lu Junqiu inwardly prayed to Buddha: please, please don’t agree, please don’t agree.
“Yaru is inside. She knows I’m here.”
Lu Junqiu forced a careless laugh, “Haha, sister… haha, she hasn’t gotten up yet.”
Zhuang Qiting said nothing, giving Lu Junqiu a long, sharp look.
“Junqiu, I don’t like being lied to.”
Lu Junqiu’s face turned deathly pale, overwhelmed by his terrifying aura, and she couldn’t get out a complete sentence.
“Sister… she…”
“Well, what about her?”
Lu Junqiu avoided his gaze.
“Speak,” Zhuang Qiting’s tone deepened.
Her legs trembling, she confessed everything. “Sister isn’t here. She’s gone out.”
“Where?” Zhuang Qiting frowned. The people he sent were adamant that Li Yaru hadn’t left the mansion.
Lu Junqiu dared not meet his eyes. She lowered her head slightly. “Sister went abroad on vacation… left the day before yesterday…”
Zhuang Qiting clenched the gold wedding ring on his ring finger tightly, almost laughing out loud.
Well, well, well— so the little one had really played a good game of misdirection. On the surface, staying out for a few days, but in reality sneaking off abroad for vacation, perfectly evading the people he sent.
“Where in vacation?” Zhuang Qiting stared sharply at Lu Junqiu. “Don’t lie.”
“…Lake Como in Italy. I think so; sister mentioned it.”
Zhuang Qiting pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and spoke coldly, “Bring all of Yaru’s things you have here. Xiao Shen, come along as well.”
Li Yaru hadn’t left behind many belongings; most had gone with her on vacation, except for a pink crocodile Hermès bag containing three items.