While Wen Tingxue was stunned, he rummaged through the cabinet for the box containing their marriage certificate.
He took out his copy, preparing to leave.
Wen Tingxue stood by the door. As he passed, she grabbed his clothes.
She looked up, her swollen eyes from crying not beautiful at this moment.
But they were enough to make one's heart ache.
In the past, seeing her like this would always prompt him to coax her with endearments.
Now, he lowered his eyes, his expression as cold as ice, even carrying a hint of playful mockery.
A mix of grievance and sadness, Wen Tingxue's eyes suddenly reddened.
Her dark eyes became even more watery.
"Why?"
She asked, her grip tightening on his clothes.
Yu Wenli remained unmoved and said, "I'm tired. It's been six or seven years since sophomore year of high school. Being with one person every day, no matter how beautiful, can be enough."
"I don't believe you," Wen Tingxue said, looking at him with certainty. "You're lying."
Yu Wenli didn't argue. He raised his hand and pulled away her grip.
As if it were dirty, he patted the spot she had touched and said lightly, "You think too highly of yourself."
He walked past her without looking back.
The strong smell of alcohol mixed with perfume wafted into her nostrils.
Wen Tingxue realized belatedly that he had gone to a bar.
There must have been many women around him; the perfumes were all mixed together.
Another night of not returning home.
Wen Tingxue called him, but he didn't answer.
He finally returned the next morning, reeking of alcohol and perfume.
Wen Tingxue was waiting for him in the living room, wanting to say a few words. He went directly into the bedroom.
He didn't engage in conversation at all.
Wen Tingxue wanted to follow him. As she stood up, a searing pain shot through her lower abdomen.
Hospital.
Qiao Xixi supported her as she walked out of the consultation room, cursing, "Is Yu Wenli sick? He got you like this, and where is he?"
"I don't know, maybe he's picking up girls." After the medication, walking was less painful.
But she was still uncomfortable. Wen Tingxue spoke without thinking, saying whatever came to mind.
Only after speaking did she feel something was wrong.
She didn't want to involve too many people in their affairs.
But now, Qiao Xixi directly called Mu Chen.
She first greeted him warmly, then began to press him about Yu Wenli's whereabouts.
He had bullied his lover in a way that was almost humiliating.
He knew he had psychological problems recently.
But he thought he could control it.
During his hospitalization, he had several times wanted to lash out at her, but he held back.
He thought it was fine; as long as he overcame it and figured things out.
Everything would go back to how it was.
But reality had slapped him hard.
The day he returned home, his emotions had fluctuated multiple times. Although he didn't erupt in the end, he did so that night because of the prolonged suppression.
The next day, he went to see a psychologist.
He confirmed he had bipolar disorder, and it was difficult to cure.
Even if he could recover, the doctor said that any external stimulus, no matter how subtle, could trigger a relapse, and it might even be worse than before.
He didn't know how severe it would get.
He only knew that, currently, he could barely control himself.
Whether it was harming himself or others, he was somewhat out of control.
That night, while smoking on the balcony, he had wanted to jump off.
A voice kept urging him toward liberation.
Then, she appeared.
His thoughts were quickly diverted.
But the price was that she got hurt.
One instance of harm was enough.
He had to push her away, immediately.
If possible, he even wanted to push everyone away.
Now, he had lost his inspiration, had psychological issues, and his career was in ruins. He had never imagined he would become like this one day...
Loathsome.
Even more contemptible to himself.
He had picked up a knife more than once, wanting to slash his wrist, as if that would release the pain.
He didn't know when he would break down, either slitting his artery or jumping from a tall building.
He truly didn't know.
***
Apartment.
Wen Tingxue, half-asleep, heard the doorbell.
She thought Yu Wenli had returned.
Without even opening her eyes, she fumbled her way to the door.
By the time she opened it, she was fully awake.
"...Senior Song?"
"What? Disappointed to see me?"
Song You teased her with a smile.
Wen Tingxue quickly moved aside, "Not at all, it's just that Yu Wenli..."
"I've already investigated his situation, but for the specific details, you might need to use your connections."
As Song You took off his shoes, he handed her the documents he was holding.
The day Yu Wenli proposed divorce, Wen Tingxue had already commissioned Song You to investigate his recent whereabouts.
She didn't believe he would suddenly change his personality so drastically.
There had to be a reason.
Opening the documents, she indeed found that after that night, he had gone to a psychology clinic before going to a bar to drown his sorrows.
"This psychology clinic is a well-known establishment in the industry, and they protect client privacy very well. To know the specifics, you'll probably have to contact the psychologist at the time," Song You said.
Wen Tingxue nodded, "Okay. Senior, you're probably here for more than just this, right?"
"You can't hide anything from me," Song You said, pulling a card from his pocket and placing it on the table. "This is your deserved share of dividends and salary."
Wen Tingxue was startled, "Are you terminating our partnership?"
"How could that be? The company went bankrupt. Your share is all here," Song You explained with a smile.
Wen Tingxue looked at the card and then at him in disbelief. "Really?"
It wasn't that she didn't believe him, but his tone was so casual.
Song You said, "Really. Song Chenglü set up the trap. Honestly, I expected this outcome from the day the company was founded, so it's not really a surprise."
Wen Tingxue: "..."
Between the online incidents and the car accident, she hadn't paid attention to the company for half a month.
Unexpectedly, her livelihood was gone in the blink of an eye.
"What are your plans then?" Wen Tingxue asked.
Song You said, "I've earned enough over the years. I'll just enjoy life for the rest of my time. Whether I find another job depends on fate."
He had always been rather easygoing.
As they were chatting, Yu Wenli returned, opening the door. Seeing them, he raised an eyebrow slightly, acknowledging their presence.
Song You glanced at Wen Tingxue and stood up to leave.
Wen Tingxue walked him to the door. When she turned back, she bumped into Yu Wenli.
He stood at the entryway with his arms crossed, a hint of drunkenness on his face and mockery in his eyes.
"Found a new place so quickly? Then, shall we go for the divorce on Monday?"
"..."
Wen Tingxue felt a moment of annoyance and patiently explained, "You've known for a long time that there's nothing between me and Senior Song, right? He came to give me this card because the company..."
"Oh, you're already exchanging cards. You can't wait, can you? But what can be done? Tomorrow is the weekend," he said sarcastically.
Wen Tingxue ignored him and went inside.
***
After washing some fruit, she discovered he wasn't in the living room or the bedroom.
Wen Tingxue went directly to the recording studio.
As expected, he was fiddling with his guitar.
Light streamed down from above, and he seemed like his old self again.
Wen Tingxue stared at him in a daze for a while until he let out a cold scoff, bringing her back to reality.
"Have some fruit, it'll help with the alcohol."
She placed the fruit platter beside him and then sat down.
At home, she usually dressed casually.
Just now, thinking he was back, she had thrown on a long coat to open the door.
Sitting now, her bare white legs were somewhat striking.
The marks on them were even more suggestive.
Yu Wenli, who was already struggling to play anything, lost all interest.
He threw the guitar aside and provocatively asked, "What? Trying to seduce me?"
His eyes were tinged with red from drinking, making him look alluring and sexy.
Wen Tingxue, annoyed, leaned closer, her fingers playfully hooking his chin.
Her breath like orchid dew, she whispered, "Yes. Do you want to try?"
This sort of thing had always been initiated by him.
She had mostly played a passive role.
She didn't know how to perform a seductive foreplay at all.
She was just acting on instinct.
The moment she leaned in, Yu Wenli's breathing became ragged.
Almost without thinking, he swept everything off the table and placed her on it.
His fingers began to unbutton her jacket.
When her collar was open, revealing the marks from her collarbone to her chest, he suddenly sobered up.
'You took her to the hospital...'
Mu Chen's words echoed in his ears.
That's right.
That night, he hadn't held back, indulging his every whim without regard for whether she could handle it.
She must have been injured.
Yu Wenli lowered his gaze, concealing the emotion in his eyes. He stood up with no trace of feeling and said:
"Tsk, what a pity. Your body holds no temptation for me now."
Wen Tingxue trembled all over.
When she looked up, he happened to turn back, smiling carelessly and saying, "Sorry, I can't get aroused when I see you."
He straightened his clothes, looking impeccably dressed, and walked out.
Wen Tingxue pulled her jacket closed. After lying on the table for a few minutes, she took out her phone and dialed a number.
***
By the time she received the confirmed information, Yu Wenli had not been home for three days.
Wen Tingxue called Mu Chen and learned he was at a bar.
She took a taxi there.
When she arrived, he was surrounded by women, seemingly enjoying himself.
Seeing her, he acted as if she were invisible.
Wen Tingxue patiently asked the people around him to leave and paid the bill.
Yu Wenli continued to drink, watching her with cold eyes.
After everyone had left, she sat down beside him.
Before she could speak, he raised his hand and provocatively unbuttoned her collar.
His icy fingertips pressed hard on the still red and swollen marks on her chest, and he said with a sneer, "What? Was I not rough enough with you? Do you still want to stay by my side like a cheap slut?"
He raised his eyebrows with a smile, his gaze on her face both unfamiliar and blatant.
It was as if she were some sort of cheap plaything.
Wen Tingxue looked calmly into his eyes, her expression serene, and said, "When we first started dating, I was very insecure.
"I felt that we would break up sooner or later. Whenever I had that thought, I told myself that if that day ever came.
"Then we would start over. From meeting, to getting to know each other, and then to falling in love. We would do it all again, until I was sure that you truly no longer loved me."
Yu Wenli averted his gaze before she could finish.
After she spoke, he asked, "So, you want to start over with me?"