43. On the Eve of the Storm

Cheng Boyan, wearing a dark gray cashmere coat, walked forward.

Almost simultaneously, the other car door opened, and Xu Junxian quickly walked around to his side. She was wearing a white mink coat, which was particularly eye-catching in the midday sun.

Xu Junxian reached out to take his arm, but he turned aside and strode forward.

Xu Junxian continued to follow. At this moment, Cheng Boyan's phone rang. His attention was drawn to President Song, who was talking to him about business on the other end of the phone. Xu Junxian tilted her head slightly to look at his profile as he answered the phone.

The winter wind ruffled her hair, and she stubbornly reached out again, gently taking his arm in hers.

This time, Mr. Cheng, engrossed in the phone call, didn't bother to push her away.

Wen Xueyan stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, her heart sinking. Cheng Boyan didn't see her.

As she watched Xu Junxian nestled beside President Cheng, and as they walked side by side toward the mall, her fingers unconsciously tightened.

Although she knew that the divorce proceedings were underway and that Xu Junxian had cheated on her first, the scene before her eyes still felt like a tiny thorn piercing the softest part of her heart.

Behind them were people who appeared to be drivers, as well as two elderly women, one of whom Wen Xueyan recognized as Cheng Boyan's mother.

As Wen Xueyan watched Cheng Boyan and Xu Junxian disappear into the depths of the mall's side entrance, she felt her hidden emotions once again being pushed back into the shadows by reality.

She wondered if there were countless kinds of regrets in this world. Was imperfection the norm? Yet, she couldn't openly share her heartache on social media; she could only watch silently.

*

The elevator ascended smoothly. After hanging up the phone, Cheng Boyan immediately withdrew his arm, his movements swift and decisive.

Xu Junxian's voice was exceptionally clear in the enclosed space, "Honey, at least in front of Mom, we should maintain a facade of peace. Today is your mother's birthday party."

Cheng Boyan's gaze lingered on the constantly changing numbers: "It was you who insisted on coming. Besides, they're in another elevator. Who are you trying to impress now?"

"I'm your legal wife. Is there anything wrong with me attending my mother-in-law's birthday party?" Xu Junxian gracefully adjusted her diamond earrings. "You're so eager to push my arm away. Is your little lover, hiding in the shadows, here today too?"

Cheng Boyan's gaze suddenly turned cold.

Just then, the elevator stopped midway, and a stranger got on. They remained silent.

Then we reached the top floor, and there was a soft "ding".

The two elderly people emerged from another elevator and walked ahead. Cheng Boyan deliberately slowed his pace. He turned to Xu Junxian, his voice low: "Keep your distance. The divorce decree will be issued in a few days."

A flicker of pain crossed Xu Junxian's eyes: "At least today you're still my husband, and I have the right to celebrate my mother-in-law's birthday. Before I fell into a coma, it was like this every year." She paused, "This time, my mother specially came back from abroad to celebrate your mother's birthday, so please don't give her a cold look, okay?"

Xu Junxian's voice was filled with reluctance, stubbornness, and a hint of pleading. Cheng Boyan already knew about her daughter Cheng Ximeng's background, so she deliberately didn't let her daughter return to China with her this time.

Cheng Boyan's expression was cold and stern. His gaze passed over her and looked towards the end of the corridor: "Our divorce is a done deal; it's just a matter of time."

Xu Junxian wanted to say something, but Cheng Boyan had already strode forward. She looked at his back, at the embrace that once belonged to her, now as cold and hard as the winter wind.

Inside the private room, warm yellow crystal chandeliers shone over the exquisite tableware. Two elegantly dressed women sat facing each other, maintaining a perfect distance.

The waiter came over and hung the two elderly people's coats on the hanger.

"Happy birthday, Haiping." Madam Xu gently pushed a dark green velvet gift box in front of her. "I heard you've recently taken a liking to collecting jade."

Qian Haiping nodded slightly, her fingertips lightly tracing the surface of the box: "Thank you, you've gone to so much trouble." Today she was wearing a deep purple cheongsam, with a simple pearl brooch at the collar, which complemented Madam Xu's long Xiangyun gauze dress perfectly.

"Mom, happy birthday." After the two elderly people exchanged polite greetings, Xu Junxian presented them with the gift she had prepared. "This is a diamond brooch I specially picked out for you at an auction. I hope you like it."

Qian Haiping took it and nodded slightly, "Okay, thank you."

As the dishes were served one by one, the only sound was the soft clinking of cutlery.

Midway through, Xu Dechuan came over for a while, his kind eyes carrying a scrutinizing quality. Cheng Boyan recalled when he and Xu Junxian had just married, his father had passed away, and at the funeral, Xu Dechuan had given everyone the same look, scrutinizing them.

That year, Cheng Boyan had just taken over the company and encountered some difficulties. Xu Dechuan did indeed step in to help as his father-in-law.

Today's meal was arranged only after Xu Junxian repeatedly asked her parents for help. She had been unable to see Cheng Boyan for a long time, and had tried to visit her mother-in-law several times, but her mother-in-law always made excuses, saying she was traveling.

Xu Dechuan was very busy. After saying hello, he left ten minutes later.

Midway through, Mrs. Xu went to the restroom.

"I heard," Qian Haiping put down her spoon, "that you've decided to get a divorce."

Xu Junxian immediately said, "Mom, that's all a misunderstanding..."

"It was my suggestion," Cheng Boyan interrupted her. "Xu Junxian has her own life, and I respect her choice."

Qian Haiping gave her son a deep look, then turned to her daughter-in-law: "You young people should decide your own affairs."

Xu Junxian gripped her napkin tightly. She knew that her mother-in-law had tacitly approved of the divorce.

At this moment, her mother-in-law's attitude made Xu Junxian feel that her last line of defense had collapsed.

*

The winter sun slanted across the marble floor of the hotel lobby, reflecting a cold luster. A group of people stepped out of the elevator, with Qian Haiping and Madam Xu leading the way. The two elegant ladies maintained their graceful conversation, as if the undercurrents at the dinner table had never existed.

"Bo Yan." Xu Junxian walked beside Cheng Bo Yan, her voice deliberately soft, "My driver is taking my mom to the airport, could you give me a ride?"

Cheng Boyan frowned slightly, about to refuse, when he saw Madam Xu turn around.

He didn't want to argue with his mother-in-law anymore.

"Get in the car." His voice was devoid of emotion.

The Bentley's rear seats were spacious enough to maintain the most comfortable distance between people. Cheng Boyan leaned back in the leather seat, closing his eyes to rest.

The city outside the car window was exceptionally clear on a winter afternoon, with bare tree branches swaying in the cold wind.

Xu Junxian discreetly observed him. Even with his eyes closed, this man's jawline was so taut, as if he were always on guard.

She remembered many years ago, when he sat beside her in the same way, gently holding her hand in his palm. Unfortunately, at that time, she loved Gu Mengzhou.

Memory is always so cunning; it only makes us realize the preciousness of what we once had after we've lost it.

She carefully shifted her body, wanting to lean on his shoulder like she had done years ago. Just as her hair was about to touch the fabric of his suit, Cheng Boyan quickly turned to the side.

He exuded an aura that kept strangers at bay, like a frozen lake in winter, seemingly calm but chilling to the bone.

Xu Junxian slowly sat up straight: "My older brother said that your current girlfriend works at a chemical company under your group, is that right?"

Previously, Xu Junxian had only guessed, but in the past few days she was almost certain.

Cheng Boyan suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze as cold as a winter's deep pool. He did not answer.

Xu Junxian felt a tightness in her chest under his gaze, but she still mustered her courage to continue, "Our marriage isn't just about the two of us, it's about our two families too. The two of us are the most suitable for each other. You have no idea how much I regret it, how much I love you now." Her voice trembled slightly. "I don't want a divorce. On one hand, our two companies have a lot of cooperation, and my father and older brother don't agree to a divorce. On the other hand, I really love you. Actually, are you feeling tired of us because we've been married for so long?"

She carefully observed his expression, then softly said, "My mother says that children are the bond between us. I was wrong before. This time, let's have a child that belongs to both of us, okay? My body has fully recovered now..."

Xu Junxian tentatively placed her hand on his tie, wanting to stroke his cheek.

"Absurd." Cheng Boyan finally spoke, quickly pushing her hand away. "Our divorce decree will be issued soon."

Worried about a divorce decree, Xu Junxian continued, "You've been avoiding me these past few days, never coming home at night. So come back to Yujing Garden with me later, pack your clothes and take them to your Jinglan Peninsula. I won't bother you anymore. Let's part amicably. Go back today one last time to collect your personal belongings."

She was determined that as long as Cheng Boyan returned to Yujing Garden today, she would not let him leave the house again tonight.

Xu Junxian also bought French-style sexy lace lingerie and specially prepared his favorite red wine.

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