Quan Jiu watched the tall buildings and skyscrapers recede outside the car window, feeling as though she herself was traveling back in time.
Shortly after they got married, Chu Rong had told her that due to the complex interests in the business world, they had to keep their marriage a secret.
At that time, she was just a sophomore medical student, penniless, relying on part-time jobs on weekends and during holidays to earn enough for tuition, living expenses, and rent at her uncle's house.
If it weren't for her striking beauty, she wouldn't have even dared to pursue that man who shone like the sun.
Therefore, marrying the man she loved, even if it meant a lifetime of secrecy, she accepted it with joy.
So, she contentedly received their marriage certificate at the Civil Affairs Bureau and prepared a lavish home-cooked meal for her in-laws and husband. Her marriage was thus sealed.
There was no wedding, no wedding dress, no banquet for friends and family. The only tangible proof was the couple's photo on the marriage certificate. Besides her husband, his parents, and the household staff, no one else knew of her existence.
For two years, she willingly played the role of a phantom bride, diligently taking care of her in-laws and husband. If there was any transgression, it was only that one time.
It was during the first year of their marriage, on Chu Rong's birthday. He had to work late and stay overnight at the company.
Quan Jiu clearly remembered preparing from morning until six in the evening, single-handedly completing thirty-one dishes of various kinds, symbolizing her husband's thirty-first birthday.
Then, she scoured three shopping malls and countless small shops and supermarkets to find suitable takeout containers.
The weather that day was terrible, with strong winds, heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. Fortunately, she managed to catch a taxi. After three hours stuck in traffic, she successfully reached the Chu Corporation building.
She had no umbrella and was drenched the moment she stepped out of the car. Her only thought was to deliver the food to her husband before it got completely cold.
Soaked and looking like a destitute beggar, she was stopped outside the imposing building. Helpless, she lied, claiming to be a delivery person.
But when she finally met her husband, all she received was, "What are you doing here? Go back. Don't come to the company again."
At that moment, her heart felt as if it had been drenched by a downpour, chilling her to the bone.
"I just wanted to bring you something to eat. Today is your..." she said timidly, with a hint of grievance and choked sobs.
Her husband, however, delivered an even more heartless blow, completely crushing her.
He said he had already eaten.
At nine in the evening, the rain showed no signs of stopping. She couldn't get a taxi, so she had to take the bus. She rode the bus for two hours, transferred three times, and walked for another hour before finally arriving home.
Upon arriving home, she saw her husband sitting in the living room with Jiang Mengran.
What Chu Rong said or did after that, Quan Jiu had tried countless times to recall, but she had no memory of it, as if that segment of her memory had vanished into thin air.
It was as if her mind had deliberately erased the embarrassment and shame that had made her feel utterly humiliated.
...
A few cool drops of moisture on her cheek brought Quan Jiu back to her senses. She noticed that it had started to drizzle outside without her realizing it.
The car window was slowly rolled up.
Quan Jiu withdrew her gaze, her expressionless face fixed on the traffic ahead.
"What do you want to eat for lunch? I'll have Aunt Chen prepare it and send it over."
Quan Jiu remained silent.
If her heart had stirred with a flicker of emotion at the art museum, then at this moment, her heart was as cold and devoid of warmth as she had been that rainy night.
Chu Rong gripped the steering wheel with one hand and dialed the number of the housekeeper at the old residence, Aunt Chen.
"Hello, Aunt Chen, please prepare some dishes that the young madam likes and send them to Shujing."
Aunt Chen on the other end was taken aback. Before she could ask further, the call was hung up.
Old Li, seeing her unusual expression, pressed, "What did the young master say? Is he coming back? Or is something wrong?"
Aunt Chen paused for a moment, then suddenly her face lit up with joy. "Something's wrong... No, no, something good has happened. No, I must call the master and madam quickly." As she spoke, she dialed Yuan Zijun's number.
Yuan Zijun and Chu Zhenhua had just landed in Country D. Before they had even exited the airport, the phone rang.
"Aunt Chen, what is it?" Yuan Zijun signaled her husband to call for a car.
Aunt Chen, trembling with excitement, said somewhat incoherently, "Madam, young madam, the young master told me to send food to Shujing."
Yuan Zijun blinked her eyes, then suddenly gasped and stomped her feet repeatedly, "Ahhh... Did Rong'er ask you to prepare some dishes for the young madam and send them to Shujing?"
Aunt Chen nodded and affirmed, "Yes, yes, the young master specifically instructed me to prepare some of the young madam's favorite dishes and send them to Shujing..."
Before she could finish, the call was disconnected with a busy tone.
Aunt Chen also quickly hung up and busied herself preparing the meal.
Meanwhile, Chu Zhenhua, who had just found a car, was embraced by his wife, who showered him with kisses. Then he heard her exclaim excitedly, "Quickly buy plane tickets, we're going back. Our daughter is back."
Chu Zhenhua held his wife, "Don't get so excited, calm down and tell me what happened."
"Our daughter is back. If that boy still doesn't come to his senses, we'll find our daughter another good family to marry into, and that'll infuriate him." Yuan Zijun urged him anxiously.
Chu Zhenhua's eyes widened, "What? Jiu'er is back? Is it true?"
"It's true, it's true. How could Aunt Chen joke about something like this?"
Chu Zhenhua was initially filled with joy, but then his brow furrowed. "Why is this girl back? Just to upset herself? With that brat surnamed Chu's character, he should disappear for decades to get his attitude straightened out."
Yuan Zijun poked her husband's cheek, "You're so silly. If our daughter is back, and that boy still doesn't realize his mistake, then we'll find our daughter another good family to marry into, and that'll infuriate him."
Chu Zhenhua's face brightened again. "My wife is so smart." He quickly took out his phone to book plane tickets.
...
Shujing Villa District. After five years, returning to the place she once lived, everything was just as she remembered it, with the same familiar scents, and even the same degree of newness.
This gave Quan Jiu a moment of disorientation, as if she had never left.
Along with the strong sense of familiarity came the unbearable memories. Quan Jiu even felt a dull ache in her arm and a wave of dizziness.
She instinctively hugged her arms, her feet faltering.
A warm touch on her arm, and a voice she remembered as being incredibly gentle, reached her ears, "Are you tired? Go and get some rest."
Quan Jiu pushed Chu Rong's hand away, turned around, and her wistful expression transformed into one of cold indifference and sharpness.
"Mr. Chu, what do you mean by this? Bringing an old acquaintance to revisit old places, aren't you afraid the new person will be hurt behind your back?"
Chu Rong's brow furrowed. "I don't like that expression of yours."
Quan Jiu let out a mocking laugh and gracefully sat down, crossing her legs like jade藕, exuding an aura of regal sharpness amidst her elegance and nobility. "Mr. Chu, you don't need to inform me of your preferences, nor do I care."