Chapter 28

This was the second time Zhu Qingfei had a meal with Chu Qi, but today they were seated far apart—he sat across from her.

Previously, Song Wei had asked her why, if she admired strong individuals, she liked Chu Qi but not Chen Jubai. Now, listening to Chu Qi’s calm and engaging voice as he spoke across the table, Zhu Qingfei found another reason for herself.

Chu Qi was very different from President Chen. President Chen was like an unattainable flower on a high peak—distant and difficult to approach. Chu Qi, however, was not. Wherever he was, the atmosphere never turned dull. He had a knack for engaging everyone around him, balancing emotional intelligence and intellect effortlessly.

Take now, for example. He was chatting freely with their colleagues without the slightest hint of arrogance, and Dong Ruicheng was already casually calling him “bro.”

Zhu Qingfei picked up her glass of cola and sipped it in small, careful gulps.

She didn’t dare look up, afraid that her gaze might give her away.

A secret crush—or rather, the admiration she’d harbored since university—wasn’t something she could dismiss so easily. She needed time to adjust.

Midway through the meal, Zhu Qingfei excused herself to use the restroom.

As luck would have it, when she returned, she encountered Chu Qi near the lounge area of the restaurant, standing by the sofa and making a phone call. She intended to pretend she hadn’t seen him, but her steps faltered involuntarily.

That’s when she heard his voice, laced with anger.

“Shi Jie, what do you mean by this? One in China and one abroad?”
“Do you think I know nothing, that you’re bold enough to post it on social media?”
“I don’t want to hear your explanations.”

His tone softened then, a mix of compromise and resignation. “This isn’t the first time. You know it as well as I do.”

There was a pause—perhaps the person on the other end was speaking. After a minute or two, he continued, “These past few years have been exhausting for both of us. If we keep going like this, it’s better to let go.”

“Shi Jie, let’s break up.”

Zhu Qingfei listened, stunned, frozen in place. She didn’t dare move, and when the man turned around, she quickly avoided his gaze.

Chu Qi noticed her too and was surprised, but he wasn’t in the mood to dwell on it. “Did you hear everything?”

Zhu Qingfei nodded blankly. “President Chu…”

He sat down, poured himself a glass of lemon water, and took a couple of sips to calm his emotions.

Zhu Qingfei hesitated for a moment before mustering the courage to sit beside him. She wanted to say something, but every time she opened her mouth, the words caught in her throat.

The girl across from him clenched her fists on her knees, her bright and confident face now taut with tension. Chu Qi didn’t want to frighten her, but he had to appear stern. “This stays between us. Got it?”

“Mm.” Zhu Qingfei nodded emphatically. After a pause, she carefully asked, “President Chu, are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Zhu Qingfei tried to offer some dry comfort. “I’ve been through a breakup too. It gets better in a few days.”

Chu Qi glanced at her. Zhu Qingfei lowered her eyes, feeling a bit unsure. “But I didn’t date long… just two months. That guy was a jerk.”

Back then, fresh out of university and new to the workplace, Zhu Qingfei had been coaxed by sweet words into a relationship she didn’t really want. It ended within two months when she discovered he was a player, and she decisively broke it off.

Chu Qi chuckled. “Bad luck.”

“Yeah, pretty bad.” Zhu Qingfei gathered a bit more courage. “What about you, President Chu? Was your luck any better?”

Chu Qi paused, then nodded and shook his head. “Doesn’t seem like it. As you just heard, I got cheated on.”

“I got cheated on too…”

Chu Qi burst into laughter and raised the disposable cup on the table. “Here, cheers to that.”

Zhu Qingfei quickly poured some lemon water and clinked her cup with his. As she lowered her head to drink, she stole glances at him through her lashes. Afraid of being caught, she limited each glance to two seconds.

They weren’t very familiar yet, and the others were still eating inside. Chu Qi didn’t stay long. “Let’s head back.”

After taking a few steps, he turned back and smiled. “Qingfei, remember, this whole being cheated-on thing stays between us.”

Qingfei…

Pink bubbles seemed to pop up in Zhu Qingfei’s heart. He remembered her name. She’d thought she was just “Song Wei’s friend” in his eyes, but he knew her name.

Suppressing her excitement, Zhu Qingfei nodded vigorously and raised her hand in a solemn vow. “Mm, I won’t tell anyone!”

After dinner, back in her room, Zhu Qingfei’s heart was still racing.

She sat on the bed, opened her phone, and found the group chat for their work trip. Chu Qi was in it too.

She clicked on his profile picture, but his personal info and posts were blank. The blue “Add to Contacts” button below was very conspicuous.

Zhu Qingfei put her phone down, only to pick it up again a few minutes later. Her finger hovered over the button for a moment before she closed her eyes and pressed it.

In for a penny, in for a pound—she sent the request.

His acceptance came quicker than expected, catching her off guard. Zhu Qingfei panicked and hastily sent him an article titled “10 Ways to Move On After a Breakup.”

After sending it, she smacked her forehead. Why would I send that?!

Retracting it would only make things more awkward, so she quickly added: President Chu, hang in there! Grinning emoji.]

Chu Qi: [Thanks.]

Great, even more awkward now. Zhu Qingfei buried her face in her blanket.

How will I face him tomorrow?!

Meanwhile, in the executive suite on the 16th floor, Chu Qi read the article aloud to himself: “Step 1: Allow yourself to grieve. Hmm, I’m grieving. Step 2: Delete all contact information…”

He paused briefly, exited the link, and went to Shi Jie’s WeChat contact, blocking and deleting her entirely.

Yes, a breakup is a breakup—clean and decisive.

Chen Jubai, watching him down glass after glass of wine, hesitated to interrupt but still advised, “Drink less. We still have work tomorrow.”

“I know I have work tomorrow. This is just red wine; I’ll sleep it off, and it’ll be fine,” Chu Qi said as he poured Chen Jubai a glass. “Come on, drink with me. It’s boring to drink alone.”

Chen Jubai didn’t want to dampen his mood, so he took a sip and then set the glass down, messaging Song Wei to explain the situation.

The wine gradually flushed Chu Qi’s face, and his speech became slow and halting. “I already knew we wouldn’t have a future. But I just couldn’t let it go. How can someone be so heartless? Back then, she left without hesitation and swore she’d return. And now? Living it up abroad.”

Pointing to himself, his flushed face full of grievance, he exclaimed, “What am I? Am I, Chu Qi, so bad? My height, my looks—what about me isn’t better than those pretty boys out there?”

He bit his teeth bitterly. “One day, she’ll regret this!”

Chen Jubai had known him for years and witnessed this relationship from the start. While he didn’t feel it was his place to meddle in others’ relationships, as an observer, he thought Shi Jie truly wasn’t a match for Chu Qi. Back then, Chu Qi had been swept off his feet by her relentless pursuit.

But once committed, Chu Qi was a one-woman man, putting her first in everything. Just a few months ago, he had been planning to propose as soon as she returned.

However, these past two or three years of long-distance had drained him. His face no longer bore any signs of “happiness” or “sweetness.”

Breaking up was for the best—ending things sooner rather than later.

Chen Jubai poured him another glass. “Take half a day off tomorrow.”

“No need. I wouldn’t skip work over something this minor.” Chu Qi finished the glass in one go.

After accompanying him for a while, they finished the bottle of wine.

Chu Qi reached for his phone again, but Chen Jubai stopped him. “How much longer are you planning to drink?”

Chu Qi glared at him, his words slurring. “Heartless and ungrateful, forgetting everything we’ve been through together. Who was there for you through thick and thin back then? Who stood by you?”

Chen Jubai was momentarily speechless. He let go and gestured for him to proceed. “Fine, go ahead.”

Another bottle was brought over. This time, Chen Jubai didn’t drink, only listening as Chu Qi rambled on for another half hour.

When the bottle was empty again, Chen Jubai sighed. “Chu Qi, my wife is still waiting for me downstairs.”

Chu Qi, now heavily intoxicated, slumped onto the table, muttering, “Prioritizing beauty over friendship…”

Chen Jubai helped him to the bed, taking off his shoes and jacket, covering him with the blanket, and placing a glass of water on the nightstand.

After ensuring everything was in order, the man on the bed was already sound asleep.

He quickly took a shower and headed downstairs.

It was past 11 p.m., and the hotel was quiet. Chen Jubai made his way to Room 915.

Just as he was about to knock, someone stepped out from the room across the hall. Chen Jubai turned, and their eyes met.

Dong Ruicheng froze, glancing between the room number and Chen Jubai. “President Chen, are you…?”

Chen Jubai’s quick thinking kept his expression calm. “Aren’t you staying in 915? I needed to discuss something with you.”

Dong Ruicheng immediately dismissed his doubts. “What’s the matter, Chen?”

“Chu Qi’s going through a breakup. I’m worried he might do something rash. But I have other things to handle tonight. Could you keep an eye on him? You can sleep in the other room.”

“Ah? Sure, I’ll change and head up immediately.” Dong Ruicheng stepped halfway into his room before turning back. “Where are you staying, then?”

“I’ll book another room.”

“Alright.”

Once the door closed, Chen Jubai didn’t dare knock. Instead, he called Song Wei. As he waited for her to pick up, he glanced around nervously, like a thief.

Fortunately, Song Wei hadn’t gone to bed yet and opened the door quickly.

He slipped inside, closed the door with his foot, cupped her face, and kissed her.

Leaning against the entryway, Song Wei was a little confused at first and let out a muffled protest. When her struggles proved futile, she gave in.

Her arms wrapped around his neck as she began to respond.

Like holding hands, the first kiss—from nothing to something—was a long process requiring careful preparation. But the second kiss, and every kiss after, came naturally, even gaining a practiced ease.

This time, however, Chen Jubai kissed her with a fiery intensity, making her tongue tingle with numbness.

Mid-kiss, he finally let go, a thread of saliva connecting their lips. Their breathing was heavy, overlapping in the quiet room.

It was then he noticed her nightgown—thin, soft silk draping over her form, its plunging neckline offering an unrestrained view of her fair chest.

For seven or eight seconds, Chen Jubai scooped her up by the waist and headed toward the bed.

When he pressed her down, Song Wei raised a hand to stop him. Her lips, flushed from the kiss, curved into a smile. “Not tonight. I have my period.”

The redness in his eyes gradually faded, and his breathing calmed. “It’s here? Does it hurt?”

“Not yet.”

“I’ll get some medicine.”

Song Wei tugged at him as he was about to get up. “I already ordered some. It should be here soon.”

As if on cue, the doorbell rang. Chen Jubai retrieved the delivery, returning to the bedside with a bottle of water.

“I’ll wait until it starts hurting to take it,” Song Wei said, accepting the bag. She pulled out a sanitary pad, pausing mid-motion to glance at him. Sure enough, he looked a little embarrassed, turning his gaze aside.

She chuckled quietly, tearing open the packaging and taking one to the bathroom.

When she came back out, he was fiddling with the electric kettle in the room. The hotel kettle wasn’t functional, essentially a decorative item. This one didn’t even turn on. “I’ll have them bring a new one.”

“No need. Even if they do, I wouldn’t trust it,” Song Wei said, retrieving a thermos from her luggage. “Just go down to the lobby and get some hot water.”

Chen Jubai complied, returning quickly.

After a few sips of warm water, Song Wei’s stomach felt a little better.

Tidying up, they lay down on the bed, keeping to their respective sides. Song Wei asked him, “Did Chu Qi really break up?”

No wonder Zhu Qingfei seemed so distracted tonight—she must have known already.

“He did. Got cheated on,” Chen Jubai replied.

“…” While it was inappropriate, Song Wei couldn’t help laughing. “Really?”

“His girlfriend went on a date with a foreigner. She thought Chu Qi wouldn’t be able to bypass the internet restrictions and posted their photos on social media. Chu Qi caught her red-handed.”

Song Wei: “That’s just despicable of her.”

“Yeah, breaking up is for the best.”

Song Wei felt relieved for Zhu Qingfei. Now that Chu Qi was single again, it would depend on how things played out between them.

She turned to glance at Chen Jubai, and their eyes met. His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly. “Sleep?”

“Mm.”

He extended a hand toward her, and Song Wei understood immediately. She rested her head on his arm and hugged her plush toy, Abebe.

Chen Jubai turned off the main light, his voice coming from above her head. “Want me to massage you?”

Song Wei was taken aback. Was this the same man who had been so flustered boiling hot water for her last time?

Sensing her confused gaze even in the dim light, Chen Jubai explained, “I read up on it afterward.”

Oh… Song Wei smiled. “Do you know how?”

“I think so. It doesn’t seem hard.”

“Alright then, go ahead.” Although she wasn’t in pain at the moment, why turn down free service?

His hand slipped under the blanket, finding her lower abdomen precisely—not just her stomach. She believed him; he really had done his research.

Through the thin fabric of her sleepwear, his hand moved in gentle, circular motions. The warmth of his palm spread to her abdomen.

The intimacy of the act made Song Wei blush. She quietly glanced up at him. The man was completely focused, unaware of her gaze.

It had only been a few nights, yet such moments now felt natural. Perhaps it was due to them sharing the same room and bed since their marriage. Hand in hand, their transition into a shared life felt both short and long.

Reflecting on their month of marriage, there had been no grand romantic gestures—just mundane routines and busy workdays. Yet, it had all led peacefully to this moment.

She was beginning to grasp the meaning of the word “spouse”—sharing life’s joys and frustrations, becoming each other’s sole companion through the long journey ahead.

And the closeness they now shared.

After a moment of thought, Song Wei said, “My mom mentioned she’d like us to move out. What do you think?”

“I’m fine with either. I’ve learned enough cooking from Dad, so when it’s just the two of us, I can handle it. If we move, we can find a place near work that’s not far from your family’s house, so we can visit anytime.”

“Let’s move after this business trip. There’s not much to pack, and we’ll still visit often.”

“Alright. I’ll have someone clean the place first. Basic furniture and appliances are already there. You can see what’s missing and add anything you need.”

“And for Little Snowflake, we’ll need to set up a spot for her.”

“Sure.”

Song Wei began to look forward to it.

What would it be like living alone together? Without parents around, they could hug and kiss freely outside the bedroom. On a quiet evening or late night, they could pick a movie and cuddle as a family of three without interruptions.

Would there be arguments too? Like many couples, would they quarrel over trivial matters of daily life? Would he reveal sides of himself she didn’t know?

Having no experience with such things made her curious. They’d never had a fight—what would he be like if he got angry?

Song Wei mused she might be a little twisted, wanting to see him mad or to argue with him.

After a while, Chen Jubai lowered his gaze. “Does it feel better now?”

She hadn’t been in pain to begin with, but Song Wei tilted her head up, kissed the corner of his lips, and said sweetly, “Mm, much better.”

His movements on her abdomen paused abruptly.

The next moment, his shadow loomed over her as he leaned in to kiss her.