Shi Che returned to his room, walked into the bathroom, stood under the showerhead, turned on the switch, and icy cold water poured down on him. With both hands braced against the wall and his dark eyes tightly shut, cold water dripped from his hair down his body, each drop hitting the floor. A tear slowly welled up from the corner of his eye but was quickly washed away by the cold water, indistinguishable from the water itself.
After his shower, Shi Che stood in front of the bathroom mirror. He carefully shaved his beard, combed his hair, and groomed himself thoroughly. Then he walked out, put on a suit, fastened his cuffs, and even tied his tie several times until he was sure he looked impeccable. Only then did he glance at his watch. It was nine in the morning, the time he and Ling Chuxia had agreed upon for their last meeting.
Sure enough, just as he thought this, the room’s doorbell rang.
Shi Che’s lips curled slightly, but his eyes were filled with bitterness. In an instant, he composed himself, picked up the contract from the table, and walked toward the door.
Opening the door, Ling Chuxia stood there quietly, polite and distant as she had been these past few days, "President Shi, good morning." Official source is novel~fire~net
Shi Che nodded slightly, stepped out of the room, and spoke in a low voice, "Join me for breakfast."
Ling Chuxia didn’t respond immediately.
Their ten-day agreement had ended, and her purpose today was merely to take the signed cooperation agreement and from thereon, to part ways without any further intersection.
Yet, listening to Shi Che’s voice, so deep and carrying a tinge of inexplicable sadness, Ling Chuxia didn’t want to agree, but somehow, she found herself gently nodding her head.
The two took the elevator to the hotel restaurant where a waiter respectfully led them to a table. Shi Che handed the menu to Ling Chuxia, who shook her head and said lightly, "You decide."
Shi Che didn’t insist. He ordered several dishes from the menu with the waiter, who took notes, confirmed everything once again, then said he’d be back shortly and left.
Ling Chuxia listened to his orders; all were to her taste, but her heart felt no stirrings, only a profound sarcasm. This time, where was her sister hiding?
Even on this last day, was he squeezing every last bit of value from her as a substitute?
She laughed coldly, her hands on her thighs, gradually gripping tighter and tighter. After all this time, through all they had been through— from losing a child, their divorce, her forced departure— she had never truly blamed or hated Shi Che. But now, she truly began to hate him.
Hate him for why, at this moment, he still wouldn’t let her go, still used her as a substitute, as his consolation.
Even though they were divorced, she still lived under his and her sister’s shadow.
No, she wouldn’t give him such a chance again, never!
Ling Chuxia’s grip tightened further, then slowly relaxed. She looked up at Shi Che and said, "President Shi, excuse me, I need to go to the restroom."
Shi Che’s dark eyes looked towards her, and he hummed a sound of acknowledgement.
Ling Chuxia stood up, carrying her bag, and walked toward the restroom. As soon as she entered, she took out her smartphone from her bag and made a call.
Not long after, Ling Chuxia returned from the restroom to find the table already full of dishes, each looking exquisitely appetizing.