Chapter 102

A week passed in the blink of an eye.

During that week, Wen Feixi seemed no different from usual. She remained as affectionate as ever with Lu Chenyu, video calling her every day, as though nothing had happened at the convention center that day.

Images of Wen Feixi and Xue Yi would occasionally flash through Lu Chenyu’s mind, along with the heartbroken look in that woman’s eyes as she gazed at Wen Feixi outside the convention center.

Yet Wen Feixi’s attitude toward Xue Yi was one of clear rejection, and Lu Chenyu vaguely sensed that their past wasn’t so simple.

What exactly had happened back then?

Lu Chenyu absentmindedly placed the soy sauce from the shelf into a plastic bag. The thick soup base that Ms. Song often used for cooking was out of stock, so she had to head to the big mall ten minutes away to buy some.

Lu Chenyu walked to the mall and finally found the seasoning she needed.

At checkout, she paid with the cash she had on her, only to be told by the cashier that the store didn’t accept paper money.

Lu Chenyu froze.

The mall was brand new, opened just last year, with all the latest facilities. She hadn’t realized they didn’t take cash. And she hadn’t brought her smartwatch.

As Lu Chenyu hesitated, a ding sounded—someone had paid for her.

Lu Chenyu’s sense of smell was keen; she could remember most scents in the world, especially distinctive ones.

The aroma of cedarwood wafted toward her, faint tendrils like a gentle mist. It was familiar.

She froze and turned around.

It was Xue Yi.

Xue Yi wore a thin, dark gray overcoat, her hair loosely pinned up. After scanning the QR code, her phone displayed twenty-five yuan. Lu Chenyu hurriedly said, “Thank you, Sister.”

Xue Yi curved her lips into a smile. “No need to thank me.”

Perhaps it was an illusion, but Lu Chenyu thought the woman looked less vibrant than usual. Instead, she seemed burdened with worries, a little worn out.

“How did you end up here?”

Xue Yi smiled and reached out to ruffle Lu Chenyu’s hair. “Didn’t I tell you? My home is right around here.”

Lu Chenyu blinked, then nodded.

She handed the twenty-five-yuan bill to Xue Yi, who accepted it with a helpless expression. Just as Lu Chenyu turned to leave, Xue Yi called out to her.

“Lulu, do you have time?”

–

This was Lu Chenyu’s first time visiting Xue Yi’s home.

It was in an upscale neighborhood near the mall. The complex was quiet and new. After shifting the focus of her career to River City, Xue Yi had bought a place here.

The apartment felt cavernous, decorated in a minimalist cold-gray style. The furniture was brand new, and the space seemed almost too large. It was clear only Xue Yi lived there.

The moment Lu Chenyu stepped inside, she spotted a thick stack of documents spread out on the table.

Lu Chenyu froze on the spot.

Right in front of her, a blue folder bore bold letters: “Civil Lawsuit — Child Custody Case.” The upper right corner had a red official seal and case number. The summons, complaint, and response were bound in chronological order, with page edges folded into small tabs labeled with different years and hearing dates.

There were multiple hospital records and vaccination certificates under hospital letterheads, copies of the daughter’s birth certificate and household registration, plus a stack of printed phone chat logs, WeChat screenshots, and email exchanges. Key information was highlighted in fluorescent marker, with handwritten timelines taped alongside.

Lu Chenyu glanced at the items on the table before quickly looking away.

Her instincts told her she shouldn’t pry.

Xue Yi seemed indifferent. She casually gathered up the pile and sat down.

“Over these years, I’ve tried every method I could think of, but I still can’t get Sui Sui back by my side.” Xue Yi gave a self-mocking smile. “What would you like to eat?”

She ordered takeout on her phone, and fresh hot food arrived soon after. Busy with work, Xue Yi hadn’t eaten yet.

She ordered a whole case of beer and a box of roast chicken.

Xue Yi poured some alcohol and looked at Lu Chenyu, her gaze distant. “Would you keep Auntie company for a drink?”

This was the first time she had used that term with Lu Chenyu.

Lu Chenyu frowned slightly.

Yesterday, Wen Feixi and Xue Yi had run into each other unexpectedly, and Lu Chenyu had sensed Wen Feixi’s strong rejection of her. She hadn’t felt right pressing the issue.

Truth be told, Lu Chenyu knew little about Wen Feixi’s past.

She couldn’t very well ask directly, leaving her to speculate wildly.

Lu Chenyu sat down across from Xue Yi.

After a few drinks, Xue Yi’s cheeks flushed pink. At that moment, Lu Chenyu realized how much the woman’s face resembled Wen Feixi’s.

Especially her eyes.

How had she never noticed it before, after all this time?

Xue Yi swirled the pale red liquid in her glass, tilting her head to stare out at River City’s glittering nightscape through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows. She crossed her legs, her high heel dangling loosely from her foot, swaying back and forth.

River City and Sea City were quite different, after all.

Since moving to River City, Xue Yi had never quite adjusted.

The nights here were so quiet—quiet enough to be unsettling.

But whenever she sat like this, gazing at the view, she knew her daughter might be doing the same not far away…

It brought her an inexplicable sense of calm.

A flicker of sorrow passed through Xue Yi’s eyes, and she unconsciously gripped the rim of her glass tighter.

The living room fell silent. Lu Chenyu sipped her orange juice, lowering her gaze.

What kind of life had Wen Feixi endured all these years?

Lu Chenyu knew, and she couldn’t help feeling indignant on her behalf. “Why haven’t you come to see her once in all these years?”

Xue Yi sighed, her eyes reddening, her arm trembling faintly.

Lu Chenyu was stunned.

In her eyes, Xue Yi had always been the picture of a strong woman.

She had never imagined Xue Yi showing such vulnerability in front of her.

After a few more drinks, Xue Yi could no longer hold back the sudden surge of pain in her heart. Slowly, she opened up to Lu Chenyu.

Back then, Xue Yi had just graduated from university.

A top-tier school, chemistry major. Right out of school, she joined a perfume company as a researcher.

In her very first year, she developed a blockbuster product.

That perfume was called Express.

Lu Chenyu had heard of it. Even now, it was a legend in the industry, displayed in the windows of a major luxury brand.

Thanks to that fragrance, the struggling company had skyrocketed to industry giant status.

Lu Chenyu listened in stunned silence as Xue Yi recounted her story.

Then Xue Yi continued: it was around that time she met Wen Yanxiu.

Wen Yanxiu had been at his lowest point. Brimming with talent, once full of youthful vigor, but that incident had left him ridiculed by the media, utterly defeated.

For someone used to everything going his way, it was devastating.

He had pinned such high hopes on his firstborn, only to face crushing disappointment—enough to drive him to suicidal thoughts more than once.

Wen Yanxiu had crossed paths with Xue Yi through a business collaboration.

Like everyone else, Xue Yi fell for the man’s deceptively charismatic facade.

Xue Yi herself was bright and outgoing, practically a ray of sunshine, illuminating Wen Yanxiu’s world.

Because of work, they occasionally dined together. Xue Yi offered him comfort and advice.

In his darkest hour, she gave him warmth. Energized, Wen Yanxiu fell for her and began pursuing her.

At the time, Xue Yi’s family was pressuring her to marry, and she found the man decent enough, so they wed and had Wen Feixi.

But back then, she wasn’t called Wen Feixi. Her name was Xue Niansui—Sui Sui—because Wen Yanxiu adored Xue Yi so much that, before they even married, he insisted any child they had should take her surname.

Everyone thought Xue Yi was the happiest woman alive: successful career, devoted husband.

But not long after the wedding, Xue Yi began noticing something off about the man.

His need for control was extreme.

At first, he objected to her attending ordinary business dinners or meeting friends. Xue Yi respected his wishes and cut back, but he only escalated. After she gave birth to Wen Feixi, he didn’t even want her leaving the house.

Their newborn daughter was clever and adorable, and Wen Yanxiu’s love for her reached its peak. He micromanaged every detail of her life.

Xue Yi was “recovering at home” at the time and spent the most time with Sui Sui. She couldn’t stand Wen Yanxiu’s controlling nature and argued with him about it twice.

He toned it down a bit.

But soon, he turned his attention elsewhere. He told Xue Yi their daughter was so lovely and urged her not to return to work—just focus on recuperating and having another child.

Ideally a boy, to have one of each, forming the character for “good.” Wen Yanxiu sketched out grand visions more than once.

The blow he’d taken back then had scarred him deeply; he was desperate to erase that humiliation with a picture-perfect family and rub it in everyone’s faces.

But Xue Yi refused. A daughter was enough for her, especially with all her career ambitions on the table.

She went for an interview and landed an offer from an international perfume brand.

They argued constantly in the meantime. Wen Yanxiu couldn’t understand why, with the lavish life he’d provided, she still insisted on working. He grew suspicious, wondering if she had someone else—that must be why she was so eager to leave home.

Xue Yi was already inwardly fed up. She had married him mostly due to family pressure, with little real love involved, but for her daughter’s sake, she endured.

Then, while Xue Yi was out, Wen Yanxiu called the company and told them she was backing out.

With feigned regret, he informed HR: “She’s pregnant and needs to rest at home. Sorry about that.”

Xue Yi, who had secured the offer, grew puzzled by the radio silence and inquired. HR explained regretfully that the offer had been rescinded; the spot went to a more suitable candidate.

Xue Yi was livid. That evening, after bathing her daughter and tucking her in, she went downstairs to talk with Wen Yanxiu—only to find him snooping through emails on her computer.

They had a massive fight.

In a fit of rage, Xue Yi demanded a separation and custody of their daughter for the first time.

Wen Yanxiu flew into a rage and had the housekeeper and security throw her out.

Lu Chenyu’s frown deepened, anger slowly kindling in her chest.

Xue Yi paused, then said, “At first, he probably didn’t really want to kick me out. He just wanted to scare me.”

Sui Sui had been only seven then. Xue Yi had been confined at home for seven full years since her birth—all her connections severed, finances controlled by Wen Yanxiu.

He figured she’d have nowhere to go and would come crawling back apologetic.

But he miscalculated. Xue Yi had no intention of returning. She used her meager savings to sue for custody. However, Wen Yanxiu hired top lawyers and submitted comprehensive proof of his finances, living situation, and parenting. The court ruled he was better equipped to raise her.

Those days were brutal for her—penniless and destitute. Eventually, she moved to Sea City, started a company with old college friends, and things improved. But she never stopped fighting for custody.

All the while, contact with her daughter was all but cut off.

She hadn’t even known when her daughter, at nine, changed her name.

“But one day… one day…”

Finally, when Wen Feixi was fourteen, Xue Yi got a chance to see her daughter.

Wen Feixi was fourteen then. Xue Yi ran to her, trembling with joy and sorrow, tears streaming down her face, desperate for a hug.

But she was met with Wen Feixi’s icy expression.

Wen Feixi looked at her, utterly cold.

“You’re not my mom.”

Xue Yi covered her face, unable to stop sobbing. “Later, I talked to her father again. He said she didn’t want to come with me.”

Drunk and overwhelmed, Xue Yi’s mind filled with the memory of her daughter’s rejecting eyes and Wen Yanxiu’s smug look.

“She doesn’t really hate you. She must have some misunderstanding about you.” Lu Chenyu’s own eyes reddened slightly. She gritted her teeth and said softly, “I’ll help you.”

Wen Feixi had grown up under Wen Yanxiu’s roof. She had been so young; of course the man could spin the story however he liked. All Wen Feixi had ever heard was his side.

Ideas instilled from childhood like that often took deep root.

Xue Yi was thoroughly drunk by now.

She slumped over the table, mumbling, “Sui Sui, Mommy misses you so much. I’m sorry…”

With the assistant’s help, Lu Chenyu supported Xue Yi back to her room.

She tucked her in under the covers.

In the dim light, Lu Chenyu gazed at that strikingly beautiful face—so like Wen Feixi’s—and felt a pang of sorrow.

The assistant thanked her. “Thanks, young lady.”

Lu Chenyu replied, “It’s nothing. Xue Sister is always good to me.”

Back home, Lu Chenyu lay in bed, tossing and turning, her mind still on the matter.

Unable to sleep, she opened her watch and tapped on Wen Feixi’s profile.

She hesitated, typing and deleting in the chat box, unsure what to say or how to bring it up without upsetting Wen Feixi.

Suddenly, the watch screen went dark and began to vibrate.

A call from Wen Feixi.