Chapter 8: Left Alone in an Empty House — The Abandoned Husband’s Resentment
After getting their marriage certificate, Chi Yang immediately went off to focus on her career.
She stepped out of the National Museum after signing her contract.
Beneath the shade of the trees stood a graceful figure in a white high-collared qipao. A pale jade pendant adorned with pearl tassels rested at her chest, swaying gently with each step as she crossed the threshold.
“Teacher Chi.”
The director of the Dunhuang Pavilion personally saw her out.
“On behalf of everyone involved in the Dunhuang Exhibition, let me once again welcome you to the team.”
For once, Chi Yang set aside her usual arrogance and politely shook his hand.
A faint smile curved her lips.
“It’s my honor as well. To return home and immediately have the opportunity to participate in the National Museum’s relief recreation project of the Dunhuang murals—I’m truly grateful.”
Today, she had come to sign her employment contract.
Chi Yang was a relief mural artist who had just completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the National Academy of Fine Arts in Florence.
Coming back to China this time hadn’t been for the marriage certificate.
The real reason was that the National Museum had opened a new pavilion and planned to recreate the Dunhuang murals in relief form. When the invitation landed in her hands, she had finally been persuaded to leave Italy and return home.
After finalizing the details of her start date for the following Monday, the pavilion director bid her farewell.
Chi Yang stood there elegantly, watching him leave.
“Goodbye, Teacher. See you Monday.”
She looked every bit the refined and cultured artist.
Then the director’s figure disappeared from sight.
The instant he was gone, the elegant qipao beauty’s expression collapsed completely.
With a face full of despair, she dashed toward the nearest patch of shade.
Thump, thump, thump.
Hiding from the blazing sun beneath a tree, she immediately called Jiang Li.
“Lili, sweetheart~”
Her voice turned syrupy sweet in an instant.
“Where are you right now? Your darling, adorable Yangyang is about to melt into a puddle. Please come rescue your princess immediately~~”
She had left home early that morning.
Back then, the weather had been pleasantly cool.
Who could have predicted noon would be this unbearably hot?
To complete today’s qipao beauty look, she’d deliberately chosen not to carry an umbrella. After all, the only umbrella that matched a qipao was a traditional oil-paper umbrella—and those were practically useless against the sun.
Jiang Li was completely defenseless against Chi Yang’s coquettish voice.
With a sigh, she said, “Send me your location, Your Highness.”
Chi Yang immediately dropped a pin.
Her skin was far too delicate to endure the scorching heat, so she retreated into the nearest café to wait.
Jiang Li arrived soon after and picked her up.
“Where to?”
“The mall.”
Chi Yang sprawled bonelessly across the passenger seat.
Not a trace remained of the graceful beauty she’d been moments earlier.
“Only shopping can heal this poor heart that’s been roasted by the sun.”
Jiang Li couldn’t help laughing.
“Fine.”
Turning the steering wheel, she made a corner.
“But next time, why don’t you call Xie Youci to pick you up? His company isn’t far from your workplace.”
“No thanks.”
Chi Yang curled her lip in disgust.
“Today’s supposed to be a happy shopping day. Don’t jinx it. Let’s not talk about dogs.”
Jiang Li shook her head helplessly.
Just look at them.
The two fought so viciously that the rumors claiming the Chi and Xie families were joining through marriage sounded absolutely ridiculous.
Yet there really was truth to the old saying—
Enemies were destined to cross paths.
Or, put another way—
Just after Chi Yang paid for the third handbag she’d bought that day, she looked up and spotted Xie Youci.
Dressed to the nines.
Annoyingly handsome.
And standing right in front of her.
Xie Youci was nearly six foot three.
Compared to his usual lazy, carefree demeanor, today’s work attire made him seem noticeably more restrained and refined.
He wore a perfectly tailored black suit.
Beneath the sharp-cut jacket were broad shoulders and a narrow waist that practically radiated masculine charm. A crisp white dress shirt paired with a black vest, while understated silver collar pins and carefully selected cufflinks added subtle elegance.
The arrogance in his expression remained unchanged.
Yet somehow, the outfit brought out the innate nobility of a true heir from a powerful family.
Chi Yang’s smile froze.
At that exact moment, Xie Youci casually turned his head.
His gaze paused.
Their eyes met.
One eyebrow lifted slightly.
Then he slowly turned to face her fully.
A smile tugged at his lips.
Pleasant on the surface.
Dangerous underneath.
Grinding his teeth, he spoke in a voice dripping with grievance.
“Long time no see—”
“Chi.”
“Er.”
“Er.”
Chi Yang internally cursed her luck.
What should have been a perfect shopping trip had already been ruined. She’d even deliberately avoided staying at their marital home these past few days.
And yet she still ran into him.
At that moment, Xue Rang noticed her too.
“Huh? Little Yangyang! Sweet Pear! What a coincidence—you guys are here too!”
“Yeah.”
Chi Yang folded her arms.
Her gaze swept arrogantly across Xie Youci.
“Narrow roads. Unfortunate encounters.”
Xie Youci chuckled coldly.
“Looks like Miss Chi’s been living quite comfortably lately.”
“Isn’t that exactly what Mr. Xie wanted? Freedom?”
“Then I suppose I should thank Miss Chi for being so thoughtful.”
“Hmph. You’re welcome.”
“…”
When enemies met, the atmosphere instantly became strange.
The moment they started talking, sparks seemed to fly through the air between them.
Off to the side, Xue Rang and Jiang Li huddled together.
“What are they arguing about?” Xue Rang whispered. “Why can’t I understand any of this?”
“No idea.”
Jiang Li shook her head.
“But… doesn’t Brother Ci seem kind of…”
She hesitated.
“Like a lonely husband who’s been left alone in an empty house for way too long?”
“What?!”
Xue Rang nearly jumped.
“You’re seriously using that description on Brother Ci? Although…”
He glanced over.
“…now that you mention it, he really does look like one.”
The two quickly waved away the thought.
“Nah, impossible.”
“Definitely overthinking it.”
“Those two? No way.”
Meanwhile, Chi Yang and Xie Youci simultaneously turned their heads away from each other.
Neither wanted to look at the other anymore.
Xue Rang grinned foolishly.
“By the way, have you guys eaten? Why don’t we have lunch together? My treat!”
Chi Yang: “…”
Jiang Li: “…”
Jiang Li turned toward him with a polite smile.
Thank you so much, but maybe let these two stay far away from each other instead.
Unfortunately, once the words were out, they couldn’t be taken back.
Xie Youci leisurely replied,
“Sure.”
Fifteen minutes later.
Chi Yang found herself once again sitting across the table from her plastic husband, Xie Youci, after several days apart.
The atmosphere remained tense enough to cut with a knife.
Xue Rang enthusiastically waved the menu around.
“Order, order! This restaurant is amazing. You can’t go wrong with anything here!”
Neither Chi Yang nor Xie Youci moved.
Leaning lazily against her chair, Chi Yang propped an elbow on the table and lightly tapped her cheek with her fingertips as she looked at him.
Across from her, Xie Youci lounged back with one leg crossed over the other.
The resentment in those dark eyes had yet to fade.
Xue Rang: “…”
He looked at Chi Yang.
Then at Xie Youci.
Finally, he grabbed the menu.
“Forget it. I’ll order.”
Jiang Li quietly sipped her water.
She didn’t dare say a word.
The more she looked at Xie Youci, the more he resembled a sulky puppy whose owner hadn’t come home in ages.
A haunted-house-level thought.
A ridiculous thought.
These two didn’t even have a real home together!
Suddenly she stood.
“Uh, I’m going to the restroom.”
The heat must be frying her brain.
Otherwise, why would she be imagining things like this?
She needed to splash some cold water on her face.
Xue Rang looked up.
“Oh, perfect. I need to go choose some seafood from the front hall too.”
Then he paused.
Turning around, he pointed at the two of them warningly.
“While Jiang Li and I are gone, you two are not allowed to secretly start fighting again!”
Xie Youci replied lazily,
“Depends on my mood.”
Chi Yang shrugged.
“I’ll try.”
Jiang Li and Xue Rang got up to leave.
With a dazzling smile, Chi Yang watched them walk out.
The moment the door clicked shut—
Her smile vanished.
Instantly.
She lifted her foot and kicked Xie Youci sharply in the shin with her high heel.
“Xie Youci!”
Even when angry, she looked vivid and breathtaking.
“Why did you agree to eat together? What if we slip up and get exposed?”
