Chapter 43 Rejection

"Isn't it ridiculous?" The man finished speaking without pausing, then lowered his eyes, smiled faintly, and looked up to say, "I should also apologize to you. You were affected by it back then, weren't you?"

Xia Li did not respond, but simply looked at the person in front of her with remarkable composure, as if she were detached from the matter.

Her heart, however, remained restless, filled with mixed emotions, and pounded wildly.

There's no need to apologize; it's all in the past.

After a long while, she responded under the man's gaze.

Life is never a multiple-choice question that requires looking back; it is a continuous process of moving forward.

Everyone needs

Look forward, not live in the past, and there's no need to let the weight of the past hold you back.

"Ha, you're such a kind-hearted person..." the man said after hearing this.

"You're quite kind-hearted too," Xia Li said sarcastically, thinking that he was still the same person—timid, cowardly, and cunning.

The man paused, then smiled wryly, "Everyone has their own reasons for not being able to help them... If things could really go as planned, who wouldn't want that? But if that were possible, someone would be a god, and there wouldn't be so many conflicts in the world..."

Xia Li glanced at him indifferently, said nothing, picked up her cup, finished the last sip of milk, returned to her seat, rinsed her mouth briefly, and rested.

When I woke up again, it was the flight attendant calling out: "Ms. Xia, the plane has arrived at its destination. It is currently Beijing time... The ground temperature is 23 degrees Celsius..."

Xia Li opened her eyes groggily, and it took her a while to catch her breath. She hadn't even fully realized what was happening when she got up and left the cabin. She glanced back at the man's seat, which was empty. He must have already left.

As for where they went, that remains unknown.

Xia Li returned to the neighboring city, but instead of going to Yundingyuan, she went to her residence near her former studio.

One afternoon, while she was organizing old photos in her study, she suddenly received an email from an unfamiliar firm.

Xia Li's heart sank suddenly, and the photos in her hand scattered all over the floor. When she opened the file, her feelings were even more indescribable.

"...According to the terms of the discretionary trust established by the settlor, Ms. Xia Qingqing, the effective date and payment triggering condition of this trust is that Ms. Xia Li files for divorce from Mr. Ji Ling, regardless of whether the divorce is ultimately finalized...After this condition is met, the funds will be transferred in installments to the beneficiary's designated account according to the agreed terms..."

Yes, as the man said, everyone has their own reasons and circumstances. Not all deception and concealment are malicious schemes. Warm dishonesty can also be a sign of deep emotion. Silence in a relationship is never an excuse for estrangement. Nothing lasts forever. The reason we can stay fresh and normal is because of the existence of distance.

Another ten days or so passed, and August was drawing to a close. Xia Li converted the assets left by Xia Qingqing into cash. A few days later, she contacted several charitable organizations and donated all the money in the name of "Xia Qingqing".

When the last donation agreement was signed, it concerned "women." She didn't know Xia Qingqing's thoughts, after all, Xia Qingqing had always kept her distance when interacting with her, but she privately thought that Xia Qingqing might yearn for independence and freedom.

Living a life of ease and comfort, free from worries and the entanglements of love, is difficult to achieve. Xia Li tries her best to do so, attempting to place herself above emotions and to use what she has left behind to help more people.

After completing all of this, she felt more exhausted than ever before, yet also exceptionally refreshed.

Finally, I had time to calm down and think things through. It had been almost a month since I left Ancheng. Strangely, I hadn't heard anything from Ji Ling. I hadn't even received any news of his return to China, let alone any mention of a formal divorce.

Xia Li didn't have much energy to pay attention, because something even more perplexing happened. It was hard to describe, but she felt as if there were extra eyes around her. When she wanted to cash out her assets, a suitable contact person immediately appeared. When she wanted to donate money, a reliable person in charge appeared before her. When she was sorting through old things at home and throwing away some things she once valued, the items were taken away but never returned to their designated places...

She noticed that there seemed to be an unfamiliar car downstairs. This car was there every day, but no one had ever gotten off it, and the spot where it was parked offered a clear view of her front door.

Xia Li considered calling the police, but then thought that what if it was a new neighbor? After all, she had rarely lived here since marrying Ji Ling. So she came up with a better idea. Early the next morning, she took some time to buy a train ticket and prepared to go somewhere else to relax for a while.

She had no plans; she just wanted to temporarily leave the neighboring city, which held too many emotions, and wander through unfamiliar streets and alleys.

In order not to delay the divorce process, she specifically chose an ancient city near the neighboring city, which was only a fifty-minute drive away. If Ji Ling sent a formal divorce notice, she could make sure that she could arrive within two hours and be fully prepared.

The streets of the ancient city are narrow and small, and a river runs through the entire city.

Tired from walking, Xia Li randomly entered a teahouse by the roadside. The teahouse was converted from an old house, and a group of people were gathered in the courtyard, with many photographers carrying cameras taking pictures.

When it came to an industry she was familiar with, she leaned against the railing, took a sip of tea, and listened to the conversations of people downstairs.

"This camera angle is no good. It's backlit, and look at my face. It's all blurry. They even included that ugly well in the background. Am I the main character or is the well the main character?"

"I'm already being nice by taking your picture for free, why are you asking for so much?"

"Please, little brat, go search my name on Baidu. I'm a model of this caliber, and I'm offering you free practice sessions. How dare you talk back to me? Try using a telephoto lens and framing the shot from the side."

"Are you the photographer or am I the photographer?"

Although the photographer was unhappy, he did as the model asked.

Xia Li felt that the two people's voices and way of speaking were somewhat familiar, and subconsciously looked down.

They happened to make eye contact with Wang Shu, who was changing lenses.

"Sister Xia Li!" Wang Shu exclaimed excitedly, almost jumping up.

"Are you seeing things? You're missing Xia Li so much you're crazy. She went on her honeymoon with Ji Ling last month, didn't you know that?" Jiang Xue pouted, picked up the camera, and still looked in the direction Wang Shu was looking.

"Xia Li?!" she exclaimed uncertainly. After carefully examining him for a long time, she confirmed that it really was Xia Li. Then she quickly pulled Wang Shu upstairs and headed in Xia Li's direction.

The photographers around them had completely blocked the road. Seeing Jiang Xue leave, they followed her. Jiang Xue turned around and warned, "This is my private schedule and my private time. I've already given you the limit in allowing me to take pictures. Don't follow me anymore."

After Jiang Xue went upstairs to meet Xia Li, she sat down opposite him. "When did you get back? Why didn't you tell me?"

Xia Li answered honestly, "Not long ago."

Wang Shu hadn't seen Xia Li for quite some time, so she clung to Xia Li's side. Suddenly, she realized something was wrong, grabbed Xia Li's arm, and looked up to ask, "Where's brother-in-law? I haven't seen him."

Jiang Xue also realized what was happening and looked around. "Oh right, where's Ji Ling? Isn't he with you?"

Xia Li lowered her eyes and pursed her lips. After a moment, she picked up the tea and moistened her throat. "He and I are getting a divorce."

"Divorce?!" Jiang Xue and Wang Shu exclaimed in unison, attracting the attention of most of the literati and scholars in the building.

They apologized one by one, and then Jiang Xue said, "I didn't expect this. Didn't you two go on your honeymoon together a few days ago? Why are you suddenly getting a divorce? Is it because you're not sexually compatible?"

Wang Shu retorted before Xia Li: "Do you think everyone is like you, with only sex on their mind? Although my brother-in-law seems sexually indifferent, you can't judge a book by its cover, haven't you heard that?"

Xia Li coughed awkwardly twice, and the two didn't continue the topic.

Jiang Xue raised her teacup with a hearty laugh, downed it in one gulp, and said cheerfully, "What a coincidence, I'm divorced too! I'm in the cooling-off period right now, waiting for the process to be completed."

Xia Li was puzzled. Jiang Xue had been married for less than three months and was already divorced. But then she thought about it and realized that she and Ji Ling had only been together for a few months as well. They were pretty much the same, so she didn't press the matter.

Jiang Xue noticed her concerns and took the initiative to explain: "I know what you're thinking. The reason I got a divorce is very simple. That man was good-looking, came from a good family, and was very good at dating. He was easy to get carried away with, but who knew he was impotent? Before marriage, he relied on medication to maintain his sex life, but after marriage, he didn't pretend at all. He went soft in three seconds. It was terrifying!"

Xia Li couldn't help but cough again. Sometimes she had to admire Jiang Xue; she was truly exceptionally carefree and lived without a worry in the world.

Jiang Xue leaned closer and joked, "Why don't we become a couple?"

Xia Li forced a smile and refused, saying, "That wouldn't be a good idea."

“What’s wrong with that? You’re so beautiful, and I’m not ugly either. We can support each other at work, and neither of us will be shortchanged,” Jiang Xue pointed at Wang Shu, “We don’t even have to raise kids, they’re ready-made, and so clingy! The three of us living together would be perfect.”

"That's a good heart."

Wang Shu was annoyed when she was mistaken for a child, and she huffed, "Do you think everyone is like you, judging people only by their looks? I don't agree with that. If Sister Xia Li wants to live her life, she'll live with me. You go and get in line."

Xia Li knew that the two of them were just joking around to lighten the mood, so she smiled silently and poured herself another cup of tea.

Jiang Xue suddenly moved her seat mysteriously to sit on her other side. "I know someone who has a crush on you. He's good-looking and has a good personality. How about I ask him out? You two can give it a try?"

Wang Shu asked in confusion, "Who is it? I don't know anyone like that."

Jiang Xue: "You know this person, but I won't tell you who it is."

Before Xia Li could react, Jiang Xue made the decision for her: "Xia Li, it's settled then. I'll send you the location at eight o'clock tonight. Why don't you give it a try with him? I guarantee you won't lose out."

At Jiang Xue's request, Xia Li went to the appointment. She currently has no plans to start a new relationship, nor in the future, so she thought she would decisively refuse after meeting him.

When she arrived at the restaurant, she felt that something was wrong. She looked back at the entrance and saw only one car parked in the distance.

Xia Li didn't think much of it. Perhaps she had been too busy lately and hadn't rested well. She wanted to quickly reject the person and make a quick decision. But she never expected that the "suitable person" Jiang Xue mentioned would actually be Sheng Mingyang!

"I heard from Jiang Xue that you got divorced?" Sheng Mingyang didn't keep them in suspense and went straight to the point.

"Mm," Xia Li responded.

“You should know how I feel about you.” Sheng Mingyang took a bottle of cocktail and poured it for Xia Li. “I heard that you and Ji Ling had a marriage of convenience. Now that you’re divorced, why not consider me? I think I’m no worse than him, in any way.”

Sheng Mingyang spoke very frankly. Over the years, he had always maintained a refined and courteous demeanor, which startled Xia Li.

She still refused, and refused very decisively.

Liking someone isn't something that happens in an instant. Whether it's Sheng Mingyang's feelings for her or her feelings for Sheng Mingyang, her heart has already been occupied by someone else, and she may never easily fall in love with anyone again.

Finally, when Xia Li returned to the hotel, it was Sheng Mingyang who drove her. Sheng Mingyang said that this was basic courtesy for a man. Although they couldn't be together forever, they were still friends and work partners, so there was no need to be so distant.

Love is ultimately only a small part of life.

Her marriage to Ji Ling was a marriage of convenience, so she didn't need to linger. She needed to look forward. She knew that the longer she enjoyed a relationship, the harder it would be to let go.

As Xia Li got out of the car, she saw the black car that had been at the restaurant entrance earlier following her. Her sense of unease grew stronger. She secretly switched her phone to the dial pad, ready to call the police at any moment, but unexpectedly, she bumped into a broad chest.

The familiar scent of grapefruit on the man lowered her guard slightly, but the subsequent intimacy sent shivers down her spine.