34 Encounter at the Hidden Hut
On the access control system screen, Xu Junxian's face appeared exceptionally pale under the cold light.
“Messages? I’ve sent so many, have you replied? Boyan, please open the door. It’ll only take a few minutes.” Her voice trembled slightly from the cold.
The corridor window didn't seem to be closed properly, and another gust of wind whistled through, blowing her loose hair.
There was a moment of silence inside the door. Then, with a click, the door opened.
Warmth and light flowed out. Cheng Boyan stood at the intersection of light and shadow in the entryway. He didn't move aside, scrutinizing her with indifferent and distant eyes.
As soon as Xu Junxian entered the room, she rushed over as if she were a drowning person grabbing onto a piece of driftwood, trying to bury her cold cheeks in his warm neck, which now seemed to be her most cherished harbor.
"Honey, can you hug me?" she choked up.
Cheng Boyan reacted quickly; he swiftly raised his hand, firmly pried her arms apart, and pushed her away from him.
He didn't use much force, but it was enough to make Xu Junxian stagger backward.
"What's so important? Tell me now. Then I'll have the driver come and take you home." His voice was icy.
Xu Junxian's heart sank. He wouldn't even give her a moment alone. "I don't want to go back tonight. Boyan, why do we have to get a divorce? Is there really no way to salvage things between us?"
Cheng Boyan's eyes suddenly turned cold. "The trial is next month. Xu Junxian, do I need to explain your affair with Gu Mengzhou?"
Xu Junxian's face instantly turned even paler.
"I chose not to dwell on what happened between you and him before we got married, out of consideration for our families, believing you would settle down," Cheng Boyan said calmly. "But I never expected you two to still be together after the marriage. Xu Junxian, what do you take me for?"
"Bo Yan, let me explain!" Xu Junxian's tears fell. "Yes, I was wrong, but I did date him for many years. Later, because my family wanted me to marry you, I broke up with him! But that was a long time ago. Now I only love you. Please forgive me this time?"
However, Cheng Boyan's gaze did not soften. "A long time ago? Do I need to remind you, was the last time you booked a hotel room on our second wedding anniversary? Forgiveness? Impossible. There is no room for negotiation on this matter, and the lawyer will follow up on all procedures."
Xu Junxian slowly spoke: "I admit, this was an undeniable mistake on my part. The time before marriage is the past, but those times after marriage were fatally foolish. Boyan, I regret it."
Her tone was sincere and sorrowful.
Cheng Boyan looked away, seemingly unwilling to see the pain in her eyes. "Regret can't change the facts." His words were firm and unequivocal, leaving no room for negotiation.
A profound despair enveloped Xu Junxian, but she forced herself to hold back her tears. As she turned to leave, her gaze unconsciously swept across the entryway, and she suddenly stopped.
In the corner of the middle shelf of the shoe cabinet, there was a simple black hair tie. This shouldn't be in Cheng Boyan's living space where he lived alone.
Her heart clenched: "Bo Yan, whose hair tie is that? It's obviously a woman's."
Cheng Boyan glanced at it: "It was probably left behind by the nanny by accident."
"Is that so?" Xu Junxian asked softly. However, just then, a slight thud came from the direction of the second bedroom, as if something had fallen to the ground.
Xu Junxian's gaze immediately fell on the door. Her eyes were full of inquiry: "Is someone inside? Is this why you can't forgive me? You already have someone else?"
Cheng Boyan's face darkened: "This is none of your business. Our problems are none of anyone else's concern."
"If it's a woman inside, then it's related to me. Is it a woman inside? Right now, I'm Mrs. Cheng."
Cheng Boyan remained silent, his jawline taut.
Xu Junxian walked to the door of the second bedroom and said clearly and firmly, "I know you may not want to see me, but there are some things I need to figure out."
Looking at her stubborn attitude, Cheng Boyan said coldly, "There's a live-in nanny inside. Aunt Zhang, come out for a moment."
A few seconds later, the door to the second bedroom opened. A woman in her fifties with long hair, also wearing a similar hair tie, appeared in the doorway: "Sir, is there anything you need?"
Xu Junxian stared in disbelief at the woman who was clearly dressed as a nanny. Her earlier suspicions and guesses vanished instantly.
“I am Mrs. Cheng.” Xu Junxian looked at her.
Aunt Zhang replied, "Oh. My husband has been very busy lately, so he asked me to prepare breakfast and dinner. Also, my own house is currently being renovated, so my husband agreed to let me stay here tonight. I just accidentally knocked over a cup on the table."
Cheng Boyan nodded to Aunt Zhang: "It's alright, you go and rest."
Aunt Zhang responded and closed the door.
The living room fell silent again. Xu Junxian thought that the hair tie was probably really something the nanny had accidentally left behind.
"It seems I was overthinking it. I'm sorry."
Cheng Boyan did not respond, but simply picked up his phone again: "Driver Lao Chen is already downstairs."
This time, Xu Junxian did not insist.
She silently put on her shoes, opened the door, and the cold wind outside rushed in again.
Inside the door, Cheng Boyan stood still, his gaze sweeping over the black hair tie in the corner of the shoe cabinet. He remembered that it seemed to be the one Wen Xueyan used before, and that she might have accidentally left it behind.
Where someone has lived, traces are likely to be left behind.
Considering this, and given that the nanny's own home was being painted, Cheng Boyan agreed to let the nanny stay at his house. He also instructed Aunt Zhang in advance that if any women's items were found, she should claim that they belonged to Aunt Zhang.
He didn't want Wen Xueyan to get hurt in any way.
Cheng Boyan picked up his phone and made a video call request.
The screen lit up, and Wen Xueyan seemed to still be working. Her hair was neatly tied back, and the background was a corner of her room, where you could see books on the bookshelf and an open drawing behind her.
"Bo Yan?" She turned her head and saw him on the screen, her eyes immediately showing clear joy. "Are you done with your work?"
Cheng Boyan hadn't contacted her for several days, and she hadn't called either. There seemed to be an unspoken understanding between them.
Cheng Boyan remained silent, simply watching her serene and elegant demeanor. This scene strangely soothed the restlessness in his heart.
Cheng Boyan's voice softened unconsciously, "I just wanted to see you. Are you still looking at the blueprints?"
"Well, there's a project whose final drawings need to be completed and submitted the day after tomorrow. You don't look too good. Is it something to do at work, or something else?" She asked tactfully and considerately, never mentioning Xu Junxian's name directly, nor urging him to get a divorce, for fear of adding pressure to him.
Cheng Boyan felt a warmth in his heart. "I guess so. Seeing you makes me feel much better."
Wen Xueyan smiled and naturally changed the subject, trying to lighten his mood: "By the way, I have some good news to share with you today. My best friend Zhiyi and Dr. Qi got engaged today..."
Cheng Boyan remained silent for a moment, looking at Wen Xueyan's clear eyes on the screen, a strong impulse surged into his heart.
"Snowy Beauty".
"Um?"
“I want to see you now. These past few days I’ve been dealing with those old men on the board and the tedious work all day long. Now I want to take you to a secluded restaurant.” Cheng Boyan could no longer suppress his urge to see her.
Half an hour later, Cheng Boyan picked up Wen Xueyan. She was wearing a simple off-white cashmere knit dress with a dark coat over it, and her long hair was loosely draped over her shoulders, making her look exceptionally beautiful and charming.
After getting into the car, he stroked the back of Wen Xueyan's neck with his large hand, then lowered his head and kissed her soft lips.
The kiss carried the feeling of early winter, starting with the chill of morning frost and gradually transforming into the warmth of the afternoon sun.
Wen Xueyan closed her eyes and hugged his neck. She had actually missed him a lot these past few days.
The destination was a restaurant hidden deep within a garden, named "Hidden Abode".
The entrance is unremarkable; only by walking through a secluded stone path with swaying bamboo shadows can one glimpse the inner world.
The pavilions and towers are built along the water, and the lighting design is extremely ingenious. Amidst the interplay of light and shadow, people's figures are hazy and whispers are soft.
Cheng Boyan walked ahead, and they maintained a subtle distance, like strangers who had unintentionally traveled the same way, walking one after the other on the winding corridor leading to the main hall.
Beneath the wooden covered bridge flows a gentle stream, where several koi carp swim in the lamplight.
At the bend in the covered bridge, the light and shadows brightened slightly. Two people walked towards them, talking in hushed tones. The one in the lead looked up and his eyes met Cheng Boyan's.
It turned out to be Xu Junheng, Xu Junxian's older brother.
Cheng Boyan did not stop walking, his expression calm, but he was still startled and regretted bringing Wen Xueyan out.
He knew Xu Junxian wasn't too ruthless, but her older brother had no bottom line when it came to doing things.
"Bo Yan?" Xu Junheng was clearly surprised, but quickly put on his usual slightly aloof smile. "What a coincidence, I didn't expect to run into you here. What brings you here?" He extended his hand.
Cheng Boyan shook hands with him: "President Xu, it's been a long time. I have an appointment with a client to discuss some matters."
"Oh, where's your client?"
"My client is waiting for me in the private room. What brings you here?" Cheng Boyan quickly changed the subject.
"I'm discussing a project with the CEO of Global Group."
Xu Junheng subtly shifted his body slightly, seemingly standing casually, yet he conveniently blocked most of Wen Xueyan, who was a few steps behind him.
But when Xu Junheng walked past, he turned around and saw Wen Xueyan, though he didn't recognize her.
Welcome all readers, teachers, and darlings to leave comments and vote! Thank you for your support.
Not enough, I want to see more. Xueyan must be happy.
Wow, so early today!
Okay, thank you for your comments, reader.
Yes, it's a little early today. Thank you for your comments, readers! They always give me a lot of motivation.
What a coincidence, I ran into Brother Xu again.
Thank you to the reader for reading and commenting. This restaurant is not mainstream; he didn't expect to encounter it.
Will there be another update today?
Thank you for your comments, reader. The update is still in progress and is currently being revised; it is expected to be published within half an hour.
It's already released! Thank you to all the readers who urged for more updates.
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