Her eyes were fixed solely on work and operations.
She possessed exceptional ability and a sharp mind, more than enough to grow the enterprise on her own merits.
Only by standing tall enough could she avoid being controlled by others, unbound by the idle gossip of the world.
—
When Qin Dian got married, she didn’t send Bai You an invitation.
But when Bai You got married, she sent one to her.
It was a vivid red card edged in exquisite gold, but Qin Dian didn’t attend.
She couldn’t bear to watch the person she loved most don a wedding dress for someone else.
Later, Qin Dian sometimes imagined what Bai You looked like in a wedding gown.
The snowy white fabric would make her skin glow even brighter, her dark hair veiled in a hazy layer. Perhaps it was like when she wore a white dress—beautiful, pure, a gentle goddess dwelling amid the clouds.
But in this lifetime, she would never see it.
She would never see Bai You wear a wedding dress for her.
—
Two more years passed, and Qin Dian had a child. After ten months of pregnancy, she brought the baby into the world just as winter approached.
When she awoke after giving birth, night had fallen. Qin Dian turned her head weakly and gazed at the infant sleeping soundly in the crib, her lips curving into a faint smile.
She never expected someone to come visit her.
Since leaving campus, Qin Dian hadn’t seen Bai You again. She’d only heard from classmates that Bai You had gone off to Sumen with Zhou Zhifan to build their lives.
But on this day, they met once more.
Bai You wore a white trench coat, a hat, and a scarf around her neck. The high heels on her feet lent her an air of maturity.
It had been years since they’d last met, and now she was a married woman.
She had grown more composed, more reserved.
Bai You walked over and gently brushed Qin Dian’s cheek.
“You must have gone through so much.”
In that single glance, something identical seemed to melt away in their eyes.
It was the relief of years finally easing.
A single greeting thawed the ice that had formed over three years.
Qin Dian’s voice was soft. “Thank you for coming to see me.”
Bai You’s eyes crinkled in a smile as she turned to the infant beside her. “What’s the baby’s name?”
“Huanhuan,” Qin Dian replied.
“That’s a lovely name.” Bai You cast a tender gaze her way. “I hope this child lives up to it—a lifetime of pure joy.”
Qin Dian looked at the sleeping little one, a faint smile on her lips. “I hope so.”
The child, full and content, breathed softly in her slumber.
They chatted back and forth for a while, talking about their hopes for the daughter’s future as she grew up and came of age.
When the conversation paused, Qin Dian’s eyes darkened slightly. She composed herself and asked, “How are things with him… now?”
“Pretty good,” Bai You answered.
“We’re building a tourism business in Sumen. Fortunately, it’s going well—the foot traffic keeps growing, we’ve secured a few partnerships, and the company will go public soon.”
Bai You let out a slow breath. “He’s good to me too. After marriage, he hasn’t interfered in any of my activities. We respect each other.”
“I see. That’s good, then.” Qin Dian nodded, her heart easing.
“Xiao Dian, about what happened back then.” Bai You sat beside her and finally voiced the apology she’d held back three years ago. “I’m sorry.”
Qin Dian paused, then smiled in understanding.
“I knew you were just trying to keep me from feeling pressured. Those words weren’t your true feelings—you only said them to end things, so I’d have no regrets. I always knew.”
She placed all the blame on herself, sparing Qin Dian any guilt and ensuring she moved on.
Bai You’s heart was too soft. Even when she tried to speak harshly, her words lacked bite, and her eyes would already be reddening.
So Qin Dian had seen through the lie from the start.
“Is that so?” Bai You brushed away a tear at the corner of her eye. “Then let’s let it all go. From now on, we’ll both live well.”
“Mm,” Qin Dian agreed.
“Live well.”
“…”
—
After that, Bai You frequently traveled between Sumen and Jinning.
She often visited Qin Dian, keeping her company during postpartum recovery and watching her child grow step by step—from sleeping in her arms with eyes closed, to opening those eyes, to crawling, then walking.
When she stopped by, they’d sit together in the courtyard, sip tea, and discuss industry matters. Whenever Huanzhou faced funding issues, Qin Dian stepped in to resolve them all.
Their relationship became like that of longtime friends.
No one mentioned that past anymore.
“Amazing, Baby’s walking now.”
“Huanhuan’s such a good girl.”
Around the time Lu Huan turned a little over one, Bai You stopped coming to Jinning as often. She was pregnant herself.
Her constitution had always been frail, prone to illness, and pregnancy made her body uncomfortable and less mobile.
Meanwhile, Qin Dian’s ventures expanded rapidly. Everyone at the company addressed her as President Qin. She often wore sharp black business suits, her style growing ever more decisive and swift.
They had promised each other to live their best lives, so during Bai You’s difficult pregnancy, she didn’t disturb her, enduring it quietly on her own.
In her eighth month, Bai You wanted to review some company plans, but Zhou Zhifan kept making excuses to stop her.
“Have you forgotten the promise you made before we married?” Bai You said calmly. “No restricting my freedom, including work.”
“You’re pregnant right now—don’t overexert yourself.” Zhou Zhifan swept the files off her desk.
Bai You glanced at him. “Then why wasn’t I consulted about that recent asset transfer?”
He fell silent, and she pressed on. “Why divert it to R District?”
His temper flared at the two questions in a row. “Don’t I even have the right to make decisions like that?”
Bai You replied, “You promised the company was a joint venture. All future funding and decisions would be mutual.”
The calmer her voice, the angrier he became.
He couldn’t hold back anymore. He slammed the files to the floor and shouted.
“Promised, promised, promised! All you talk about is promises! People change, things change—why wouldn’t I?
“The company has your hard work, but doesn’t it have mine? Don’t think too highly of yourself! Without me schmoozing for those deals, do you think Huanzhou could’ve launched with just your startup funds?
“I’m your husband—why do I have to report everything to you?”
After yelling, Zhou Zhifan was still worked up, his face flushed red.
Bai You’s lips trembled. Without a word, she stood to leave.
But Zhou Zhifan didn’t lower his voice; he only poured more fuel on the fire. “You still thinking of going back to Jinning? Fine, go!
“Don’t forget last year when you were running back and forth to Jinning every day, or this year while you’re pregnant—it was me taking care of the company!
“If you’re so capable, stay in Jinning and don’t come back!”
A stifled fury lodged in her chest. Bai You’s breathing grew erratic, and with the man behind her still venting endlessly, she was overcome with rage and collapsed.
“…”
When she awoke, it was in the hospital.
Her pregnancy was unstable, and her body had weakened along with it.
Bai You opened her eyes to see Zhou Zhifan’s remorseful face. “Youyou, you’re awake? Where do you feel unwell? I’ll get the doctor.”
“…” Bai You turned her head away, unwilling to look at him.
“Still mad at me? I’m sorry—I lost control of my temper. I shouldn’t have yelled.” Seeing this, Zhou Zhifan took her hand and pressed it to his face.
“Here, hit me if you want. Just let off some steam.”
“Don’t be angry anymore, okay?”
Bai You slowly withdrew her hand, not wanting even to touch him.
She turned her head aside and said softly, “Last year when I traveled to Jinning, it was only on weekends. I never missed a workday, and even then, I’d go in the day and return at night to handle the company.”
“As for this year while pregnant, you’re the one who kept me from company matters.”
She was merely repeating the accusations he’d hurled in his outburst.
“Yes, yes, you’re right about everything…” Zhou Zhifan agreed to it all. “It was all my fault. I’m sorry.”
His apology rang hollow, devoid of sincerity. Bai You felt only exhaustion.
Those words were what he truly believed deep down—hard to change.
“Go back,” Bai You said wearily, closing her eyes.
Before he could respond, a knock came from outside.
“Bai You!”
Qin Dian pushed the door open. She was still in her work suit, rushing in with the wind.
“Xiao Dian, you…” Bai You’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of her face. “How did you know to come?”
Qin Dian’s company was in a crunch period lately; they hadn’t been in touch for a long time.
“You’re so busy these days. You came all the way to Sumen—what about Jinning?”
“Old Lu’s watching the company. It’s fine.”
Qin Dian’s attention stayed fixed on her, on her belly and the hospital gown she’d changed into. “How did this happen?”
From the moment Qin Dian arrived, her gaze held only Bai You, as if the other person in the room didn’t exist.
Zhou Zhifan awkwardly stepped aside.
Bai You shook her head and forced a smile to ease her worry. “It’s nothing. My body’s just a bit off, and with the pregnancy, I’m weakened. Some rest and I’ll be fine.”
“Is that really all?” Qin Dian eyed her intently.
Bai You reassured her. “Don’t worry. I can take care of myself.”
After asking several times and confirming no wounds or major issues, Qin Dian exhaled in relief. At last, she turned her attention to the other person in the room.
Her expression turned icy in an instant.
“You, with the surname Zhou—get out.”
She strode toward the door in her high heels.
A wave of intimidating pressure bore down on him. Zhou Zhifan instinctively glanced at Bai You, but she wasn’t looking his way at that moment, so he had no choice but to follow her out.
He shut the door behind them and trailed in her wake.
They hadn’t taken two steps before the woman ahead of him spun around, seized his collar, and slammed him hard against the wall. “What kind of husband are you? How could you let her end up hospitalized like this?”
“I, I…” Zhou Zhifan stammered, stunned.
“Don’t you forget—these past two years, it’s been my support keeping you afloat. With your dirty little tricks, do you really think you could’ve climbed to your current position?”
“Without me and Bai You, you’re nothing.”
“Listen up, Zhou,” Qin Dian said, staring fiercely into his eyes. “If you dare let her down, I’ll snap both your legs.”
“I’ll make you crawl on the ground like a mangy dog for the rest of your life.”
