Chapter 42

The ring was part of a matching pair with Zhou Yanjing’s. He walked over to the table and picked it up. 

Lin Yuxi’s fingers were small, and her wedding ring was custom-made. She was still wearing it when she left the house yesterday. 

No matter how much they argued or went through cold spells over the past few years, she had never taken the ring off. 

So, had she really left? 

Zhou Yanjing searched the entire villa. Lin Yuxi hadn’t taken much with her. Every season, major brands would send her the latest collections, but she hadn’t taken a single expensive bag, piece of jewelry, or accessory. 

After pacing around the house a few more times, he returned to the dining room. 

The dishes on the table seemed a bit simple compared to Aunt Chen’s cooking. It was clearly not her level of craftsmanship. Had Lin Yuxi made them? 

Even though the food had gone cold and the colors had dulled, it still looked pretty decent. It seemed like her cooking had improved a lot over the years. 

Lin Yuxi had truly left. 

And she hadn’t left him a single word. 

Yu Jiaxiao had also spent the entire night trying to call Lin Yuxi. 

In the afternoon, Lin Yuxi had told her that she planned to talk to Zhou Yanjing in the evening. At one point, Yu Jiaxiao had asked how the conversation was going, and Lin Yuxi had said that Zhou Yanjing hadn’t come home yet. 

But after 10 p.m., when she tried to check in again, she couldn’t get in touch with Lin Yuxi. 

Thinking that Lin might be feeling down because she was finally going to divorce Zhou Yanjing and needed some time alone, Yu Jiaxiao held off for the night, planning to contact her the next day. But when she called, the phone was turned off! 

Yu Jiaxiao had just sat down at her desk with a coffee and opened a document titled “XXX Project Plan.”  

Hearing the automated message that the phone was off, she jumped to her feet. 

The screech of her chair scraping the floor was sharp and piercing, startling everyone in the office. Yu Jiaxiao didn’t even bother picking up her spilled coffee as she rushed out the door. 

“What the hell? Did you find a cockroach in your coffee? You scared me half to death!” 

“Why’s she running? Is there an earthquake?” 

“I didn’t feel anything, did you?” 

Ignoring her coworkers’ shouts, Yu Jiaxiao sprinted towards the elevator, crashing into someone who was just stepping out. 

Her boss, Chu Weidong, was slammed back against the elevator wall. He gritted his teeth and snapped, “Yu Jiaxiao, are you in such a hurry to reincarnate?” 

Frantically jabbing the button to close the doors, Yu Jiaxiao stammered, “I can’t reach my friend! I called her last night, and she didn’t answer. 

 I thought she just wanted some space, but now her phone is off! She never turns off her phone. What if the hospital needs her for an emergency? It’s definitely that bastard of a husband making her sad again. I swear I’ll never forgive him in this lifetime!” 

Chu Weidong’s head was spinning from her rant. “Calm down. Where is she now?” 

“I don’t know where she is,” Yu Jiaxiao said, her voice cracking as she started to cry. “She had depression a few years ago. It took her so long to recover, and now I’m scared she’s having a relapse.” 

Chu Weidong pressed the button for the basement floor, maintaining his composure. “Don’t panic. You know where she lives, right? I’ll drive you there. On the way, try to contact her husband. He might know something.” 

Driving his G-Wagon, Chu Weidong took Yu Jiaxiao to Songyun Bay. In the car, she called Zhou Yanjing, and the moment he picked up, she let loose. 

“Zhou Yanjing, you scumbag! You’re going to burn in hell when you die!” 

Hearing the name, Chu Weidong raised an eyebrow. “Your friend’s husband is Zhou Yanjing?” 

But Yu Jiaxiao didn’t even hear him. 

Zhou Yanjing, surprisingly calm despite the early-morning tirade, sounded lazy and tired. “Why are you in such a rush? When I die, you can let me know where I’m going.” 

“Just you wait! I don’t have time to deal with you right now. Where is Lin Yuxi?” 

The sound of a lighter flicking could be heard, and Zhou Yanjing lit a cigarette. “She’s gone.” 

“Where did she go?” 

The ashtray on the dining table was already filled with cigarette butts. Zhou Yanjing leaned back in his chair, his shirt wrinkled. 

Rubbing his temples, he took a slow drag on his cigarette. “How would I know where she went? Aren’t you two as thick as thieves? You’re asking me?” 

“The last time I talked to her, she was still waiting for you. Now you’re telling me you don’t know?” Yu Jiaxiao was so furious she could barely contain herself. 

“She’s been missing all night, her phone is off, and here you are, acting like nothing’s wrong! Zhou Yanjing, are you even human?!” 

Zhou Yanjing’s hand, holding the cigarette, trembled slightly. 

“Her phone’s off?” 

Yu Jiaxiao felt a cold chill. Clearly, he didn’t know anything. Without another word, she hung up abruptly. 

She turned to Chu Weidong, who was driving. “She’s not home.” 

“Think harder,” he said. “Is there anywhere else she might go? If we can’t find her, we’ll call the police.” 

Suddenly, a light bulb went off in Yu Jiaxiao’s head, and she slapped his leg excitedly. “I know, I know! Let’s go to Qi Yue Mansion!” 

The G-Wagon made a sharp U-turn and sped toward Qi Yue Mansion. The moment they arrived, Yu Jiaxiao rushed into the elevator, with Chu Weidong barely keeping up. 

The loud banging on the door woke Lin Yuxi, who grabbed a jacket and came out of the bedroom. The knocking was relentless, with someone shouting her name over and over. 

“Lin Yuxi? Lin Yuxi?” 

When she opened the door, she was greeted by a breathless Zhou Yanjing, his face dripping with sweat. 

“Why are you here?” she asked, looking at him in confusion. 

Zhou Yanjing, leaning against the wall to catch his breath, finally relaxed when he saw her standing there unharmed. Her pale face and groggy demeanor made it clear she’d just been woken up from sleep. 

His clothes were wrinkled, his tie was missing, stubble was visible on his chin, and his hair was a mess. He looked as if he had just finished running a marathon sweaty, disheveled, and exhausted. 

When had the second young master ever looked so beaten down? 

In contrast, Lin Yuxi appeared soft, clean, and slightly dazed, as if he had just disturbed a peaceful nap. 

Zhou Yanjing’s tone was harsh. “Why didn’t you answer the phone?”