Chapter 24 I am not your wife
Chapter 24 I am not your wife
"Mr. Fu, you've mistaken me for someone else. I am not your wife."
She looked up and met the man's eyes. The air froze for a moment. His eyes were dark, and his voice was a little hoarse: "Okay, I understand."
But in his heart, he simply refused to believe that there could be someone exactly like her in the world. How could there be anyone else like his A-Yun, the woman who was unique in his heart? This thought filled him with panic, as if an invisible hand was trying to take away the most precious thing in his heart.
He frowned deeply, his eyes revealing profound doubt and unease. He kept telling himself that this must be a misunderstanding, or some kind of illusion. His A-Yun was so special; her smile, her eyes, everything about her was deeply imprinted in his heart, and no one could replace her.
He knew she was angry, perhaps because he had done something wrong, or because he hadn't explained things clearly enough. But he firmly believed that given some time, he would find a way to bring her back to him. He would prove with his actions that she was incredibly important to him, and he would make her feel his love again.
At this moment, it was Old Master Xie who broke the atmosphere.
“Mr. Fu, you’ve come to Lancheng at this time, probably for the cooperation between the Fu family and us. However, I no longer manage the company’s affairs; Lianzhou and Zhiyi are in charge now.”
Mr. Xie is getting old and his health is failing; now the company needs to be handed over to his successor.
"If you need anything, just ask Lianzhou. He's mainly in charge of all company affairs. Zhiyi just came back to my side..." the old man said earnestly to Fu Shiyue.
Fu Shiyue and Grandpa Xie chatted the whole time, seemingly having endless topics to discuss. From business to the past, every topic was explored in depth. Xie Zhiyi sat to the side, listening quietly, trying to join their conversation, but she found herself unable to get a word in edgewise.
Fu Shiyue and Grandpa Xie discussed the ever-changing landscape of the business world, exchanging their experiences and insights. They discussed various strategies, decisions, and risks. Although Xie Zhiyi had some understanding of the business field, she felt that her knowledge was far from sufficient to participate in such a profound discussion.
When the conversation turned to the past, Fu Shiyue and Grandpa Xie shared some precious memories. They recounted stories of the past, the ups and downs and changes of those years. Xie Zhiyi listened intently, as if she could feel the atmosphere of that era, but she understood that these experiences belonged to them, and she was merely an observer.
Despite Xie Zhiyi's efforts to find a suitable moment to join the conversation, she constantly felt an invisible barrier. She realized that this barrier did not stem from differences in language or knowledge, but rather from the different life experiences and backgrounds she shared with Fu Shiyue and Grandpa Xie.
In this scene, Xie Zhiyi sits silently, a sense of helplessness welling up inside her.
After Grandpa Xie went to bed, out of courtesy, Xie Zhiyi escorted Fu Shiyue away. When they reached the bottom of the stairs...
Fu Shiyue's lips curled up slightly, and he said in a deep voice, "Miss Xie, I wonder if you would be free tonight and have dinner with me? Your grandfather must be resting now, and you've been busy all day, so you must need some rest too, don't you think?"
His eyes were like deep lake water, gazing quietly at Xie Zhiyi, and the expression in his eyes was exactly the same as Xie Shiyun's.
She did not reject him.
He led her to the restaurant, elegantly pulled out a seat for her, and carefully helped her sit down. Once she was settled, he slowly sat opposite her, gazing at her with tender and focused eyes.
That look made Xie Zhiyi feel quite uncomfortable.
Suddenly, he frowned slightly, but quickly regained his composure and said softly, "I have a special family member..." She listened quietly, anticipating his next words.
He took a deep breath and continued, “This family member is not related by blood. She is like a bright light that illuminates the dark moments in my life, and like a warm spring breeze that blows away the gloom in my heart. We are not related by blood. She is the person I love, and I love her.”
Xie Zhiyi was stunned; she hadn't expected Fu Shiyue to be like this...
A fleeting memory suddenly flooded her mind.
"Shi Yue, why did you bring me out to eat today? Is it because Aunt Fang's cooking doesn't suit your taste?" Xie Shiyun blinked her clear, watery eyes, gazing at him innocently, seemingly puzzled and confused by his actions. Her pink lips pouted slightly, as if expressing her dissatisfaction and bewilderment to Shi Yue. However, her adorable expression made Shi Yue unable to help but laugh out loud.
"Silly girl, I've been so busy with work lately that I haven't had much time to take you out. I even gave Aunt Fang a day off today. Do you really want to disturb her rest time?" He looked at her and explained patiently.
She gently shook her head, indicating that she wouldn't take up any of her time. Now that they were out, they should enjoy their time alone together.
Today, he had booked the entire restaurant, not for any other reason than her! The space was filled with a mysterious and romantic atmosphere, as if time itself had stood still. Every detail had been meticulously arranged: a magnificent crystal chandelier shone brilliantly; soft, comfortable sofas surrounded an exquisite dining table; and the window offered a panoramic view of the bustling city. There was no noise or commotion from other customers to disturb their world—only tranquility and warmth. Everything was arranged so perfectly, so perfectly, as if to declare to the world that this date would be extraordinary and unforgettable!
But now, all of that is a distant past for her. She is no longer Xie Shiyun; she can't remember the days gone by...
The torrent of time has long since transformed her into something else entirely.
The laughter and tears, the love and hate of the past, are like the twinkling stars in the night sky—still clearly visible, yet forever out of reach. And she, standing here now, has become stronger and more mature after weathering the storms of life.
“Miss Xie, I told your grandfather that I want to marry you.” He suddenly spoke.
The moment those words were spoken, the entire world seemed to freeze. Time seemed to stand still, and everything around her became eerily quiet. Those words struck her like a thunderbolt, leaving her completely stunned.
Her beautiful eyes were filled with astonishment and disbelief, and she couldn't utter a word. Clearly, she hadn't expected me to say such a thing, and this sudden suggestion seemed to have completely shocked her.
At this moment, she seemed to be frozen in place, unable to move, just sitting there quietly, her eyes revealing complex emotions.
In that instant, time seemed to stand still. She could clearly feel his burning gaze fixed on her. "Are you crazy?" she asked, looking at him.
Yes, he went mad, ever since she jumped into the sea in front of him, and for all these years he has missed her every moment. "I'm not mad." Fu Shiyue's eyes were firm and persistent. He gently held Xie Zhiyi's hand. "I know this is sudden, but my feelings for you are real. I don't want to miss you again."
Xie Zhiyi's heart raced. She tried to break free from Fu Shiyue's grasp, but his strength was too great for her to escape. "This is impossible, we've only just met," she said, her voice trembling slightly.
Fu Shiyue moved closer to her and whispered, "Time is not an issue. I believe there is a special connection between us. Give me a chance to prove my sincerity."
Xie Zhiyi's breathing quickened. She felt Fu Shiyue's presence, and something deep within her seemed to be touched. She looked into his eyes and saw sincerity and passion.
"You... I need time to think." She finally regained a sliver of her rationality.
Fu Shiyue smiled and nodded. "I will wait for you, no matter how long it takes." He released her hand, got up, and returned to his seat. "I hope you will grant my request," he continued, "If you marry me, I will help DW overcome its difficulties."
The implication was that he was threatening her.
"I need to think about it."
After saying this, she slightly turned her head to avoid his direct gaze. However, he didn't let her off easily, still staring intently at her, his eyes flashing with determination. He replied in a low voice, "Then, what if Miss Xie goes back on her word and doesn't give me an answer? I really dislike being lied to." As soon as he finished speaking, the air around them seemed to become heavy.
Faced with his blunt questioning, she couldn't help but feel uneasy. Although she tried her best to remain calm, fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. At this moment, she was silently pondering how to deal with this tricky situation.
She was worried that he might withdraw his investment later. After all, this man was decisive and ruthless in the business world, and he always kept his word.
"I won't go back on my word. I promised to give you an answer, and I won't lie to you."
Even if it meant risking her future marriage again, she was determined without hesitation to protect her grandfather's life's work. This was not only a responsibility and obligation, but also a deep expression of respect and gratitude for him. No matter how difficult the road ahead, she would steadfastly defend this precious treasure, for it represented the family's heritage, honor, and endless emotional attachment.
She was completely at ease and said frankly, "But a man as outstanding as Mr. Fu must have so many suitors that they could stretch from Nancheng to Lancheng! I'm really curious, what kind of person was Mr. Fu in the past?" With that, she bravely met his deep and ardent gaze.
Upon hearing this, he paused slightly, but quickly regained his composure. A subtle smile played on his lips, seemingly a mixture of surprise and admiration at her direct question. He gazed silently at the woman before him who dared to challenge his authority and probe his past secrets, a complex light flickering in his eyes. After a moment of silence, he slowly began to speak…
“Since Miss Xie is so insistent on knowing about my past, then I will no longer hide anything from you. After all, we will be life partners, and the most important thing between husband and wife is sincerity and frankness. Don’t you agree?” After saying this, he paused slightly, then slowly began to speak: “I once had a marriage. At that time, I deeply loved my wife, but fate cruelly tore us apart. In the end, she left me…” His voice was slightly low, as if recalling that past made him feel somewhat pained.
He regretted it...
Afterward, he skillfully drove the car slowly towards her apartment building. Upon arrival, he gently applied the brakes, and the car came to a smooth stop. He quickly unbuckled his seatbelt, then walked to the passenger side and gentlemanly opened the car door for her.
She stepped gracefully out of the car, and the moment her feet touched the ground, she heard his deep, gentle voice: "I'll be here tomorrow morning waiting for your reply. I hope you won't disappoint me." He then leaned forward slightly, his lips almost touching her ear, and whispered softly.
She felt a tingling sensation and her heart began to beat faster involuntarily.
After a brief silence, she turned and walked toward home.
He stood there, quietly watching her departing figure until she disappeared into the stairwell before getting back into his car and leaving.
Then, Fu Shiyue gazed quietly at her receding figure, silently saying in his heart, "Xie Shiyun, no matter where you go, I, Fu Shiyue, will definitely find you. Because our fate was already destined."
Often, life's events are like the twinkling stars in the vast night sky, filled with endless mystery and the unknown, elusive and inexplicable. Yet, fate is like a boundless net, silently trapping everyone within its grasp. Some strive desperately to escape this net, to fly far away and pursue a life of freedom; while others run headlong forward, trying to capture those seemingly unattainable dreams.
Thus began a game of escape and pursuit. One side desperately tried to flee, as if a demon were chasing them; the other side relentlessly pursued, as if an endless treasure awaited them ahead.
In this thrilling competition, everyone is running hard, but no one knows where the finish line is.
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