Ming Li nodded in response. She was a very well-behaved patient.
The doctor told her to return for another check-up next month.
After collecting her medicine from the window and tucking it into her bag, Ming Li received a message from Gu Qingshuang before she even made it out of the hospital doors.
Gu Qingshuang: [Let’s meet.]
Gu Qingshuang hadn’t slept at all the night before, and Ming Li hadn’t returned home.
In the morning, Gu Qingshuang had habitually sat down at the dining table. Gu Xueqiang had only looked up for a second before tsking, turning to tell the maid to bring over two peeled hard-boiled eggs.
Gu Qingshuang waved them away.
“Put them under your eyes for a bit,” Gu Xueqiang said. “You look like a giant panda.”
Gu Qingshuang remained silent.
They spent the morning in relative silence. Gu Qingshuang hadn’t accepted Gu Xueqiang’s attempt to “rob” her the day before, leaving the ownership of Xingwan in limbo.
Having just experienced that incident with the medical disturbance, the hospital had called and told her to take a day off to regain her composure. The patient’s family hadn’t given up; they were currently holding up signs and protesting outside the hospital.
Gu Qingshuang didn’t want to deal with it. The entire process had been transparent, and she, more than anyone, had wanted the surgery to succeed.
So, her day was free.
She stayed in the study until ten o’clock, staring blankly at the two copies of the Divorce Agreement. Ming Li’s words echoed in her mind—I loved you once, but now I can’t face you.
What solution could there possibly be?
Gu Qingshuang hadn’t expected her plan to renew their contract to fail, nor did she expect the original contract end date to be moved forward by two whole years.
Habit was a terrifying thing. In the morning, Gu Qingshuang habitually looked toward the vanity.
Her bedroom hadn’t originally had a vanity; it was added only after Ming Li arrived. Ming Li loved sitting there, whether she was putting on makeup or not.
After long deliberation, Gu Qingshuang decided to talk to Ming Li again. After a day and a night, they should have both calmed down.
In reality, Gu Qingshuang only looked calm. Her mind was a mess. It was even more chaotic than when Shen Lideng had suddenly decided to go abroad.
She remembered when Shen Lideng messaged her about the decision. Gu Qingshuang had stared at the text for a few seconds before calmly replying: [I wish you success.] Then, she had set her phone aside and systematically planned her next moves within the hour.
But now, she still couldn’t decide on the road ahead. She felt like a flower that had been sheltered for three years, no longer fit for the solitary path she had to walk.
Gu Qingshuang let out a soft breath, pocketed her phone, and left.
***
When Ming Li arrived at the tea garden Gu Qingshuang had specified, the other woman hadn’t arrived yet.
However, Gu Qingshuang had already made a reservation. As soon as Ming Li mentioned it, the waiter led her through a series of turns along an ancient, winding “nine-bend” corridor before finally arriving at a dark, secluded private room.
Once inside, Ming Li realized how unique the room’s location was. Outside the window was a dense bamboo forest; though it was late autumn, there was no sign of withering. It was still lush and green.
Not far off was a rockery with flowing water, and next to it stood a traditional stage. From this vantage point, she could perfectly watch the performances—a true pocket of tranquility amidst the bustle.
A pair of headphones sat on the rustic wooden table. Putting them on allowed one to hear the opera singing from the stage below. Ming Li didn’t understand opera, but listening to the rhythmic chirping and melodic chanting felt quite atmospheric.
Before she could finish listening to a full line of lyrics, the door opened again. Gu Qingshuang entered under the waiter’s guidance and took a seat across from her.
After not seeing her for a day, she looked exhausted.
Ming Li moved to pour her some tea, but the observant waiter took the teapot from her hand and poured clear tea for both women.
Gu Qingshuang ordered several plates of pastries and asked Ming Li if she needed anything else. Ming Li held her tea cup in both hands for warmth and shook her head. “No, thank you.”
Once the waiter left, they were alone. In one of Ming Li’s ears, the melodic chanting from downstairs continued.
Ming Li thought once more: It’s so good to be able to hear. This kind of life was wonderful.
The silence in the room grew increasingly awkward, though Ming Li didn’t seem to notice. She sat there in a daze, reflecting that she might not be able to visit places like this in the future. Even if she did, she’d probably have to tag along with Zhu Hanxing, so she needed to enjoy it while she could.
Gu Qingshuang stared at her profile. Seeing her gazing intently outside, she naturally assumed Ming Li didn’t want to acknowledge her.
But the matter had to be pushed forward. They had to talk.
After a moment, Gu Qingshuang called out softly, “Ming Li.”
Ming Li didn’t respond.
Gu Qingshuang frowned and called again, “Ming Li.”
Only then did Ming Li snap out of it. She looked at Gu Qingshuang with a delayed reaction, one eyebrow arching reflexively before she offered a smile. “Yes?”
“I want to talk to you,” Gu Qingshuang said, her tone businesslike.
Ming Li said, “I thought you were going to hand me a signed Divorce Agreement.”
Gu Qingshuang lowered her eyes. What she pulled out of her bag was an unsigned Divorce Agreement; one corner was crumpled, making it look like a neglected textbook belonging to a primary schooler.
Ming Li glanced at it and saw the missing signature. “Is this… so you can sign it in front of me?”
“No,” Gu Qingshuang said. “I believe there is still room for negotiation between us.”
Ming Li was slightly stunned. She had never imagined this matter would take such a turn.
