Seven years of marriage had turned Fang Ruoye into a dutiful housewife, who woke up in the morning to make coffee and breakfast for her husband before he went off to work.
Today, for the first time after seven years, Fang Ruoye opened her eyes and did not feel the need to climb down the bed and go to the kitchen.
Unfortunately, she was a slave of habit, so she wasn't able to fall asleep again.
Fang Ruoye gingerly slipped out of the bed, careful not to wake her daughter up.
Luo Xianxian was curled up next to her like a little rabbit.
Fang Ruoye couldn't help but smile at her sight.
Luo Yanming was a scum, but their daughter took entirely after her. What a relief.
Fang Ruoye stepped out of the guest room and walked into the living room.
The penthouse had higher ceilings compared to normal apartments. The distance allowed for a fitting installation of a crystal chandelier, hanging elegantly down the ceiling at the living room.
It also came with different lightning options, the brightness adjustable through a remote control.
Fang Ruoye sat down on the couch and stared at the sparkling crystals above her head.
It felt so surreal.
She was no longer at home.
No, it was no longer her home.
Her marriage already ended, and she had already left that house.
Fang Ruoye looked down at the diamond ring gracing her right ring finger.
The stone was barely noticeable, and the make was rather sloppy.
Grandmother Jiang did not approve of such cheap items, but seven years go, this was all Luo Yanming could afford.
And seven years ago, it meant everything for Fang Ruoye.
Now, this ring was just an ugly piece of accessory.
Fang Ruoye slowly scraped the ring off her finger and placed it onto the low table in front of her.
Then she heard the sound of door lock turning and someone walked into the living room.
It was Jiang Wei's cleaning lady, Auntie Chang.
"Good morning, Miss Ruoye! Master Jiang has already left because he has an early morning flight to catch. If you check your phone, he must have left several messages for you."
"Ah... Good morning, Auntie Chang. I see."
Jiang Wei was a CEO of a huge corporation. His willingness to spare the time to collect Fang Ruoye and Luo Xianxian last night was already an imposition on his demanding schedule.
Fang Ruoye could not ask for more.
"Then, Miss Ruoye, what would you like for breakfast this morning? I have already boiled a pot of coffee for you. Do you like your coffee with sugar and cream? How many spoons each?"
Fang Ruoye's lips curved into a smile.
"Auntie Chang, I am used to making my own coffee and breakfast. Let me take care of that."
"That won't do!" Auntie Chang insisted. "Miss Ruoye, Master Jiang asked me to take care of you and Miss Xianxian. Just tell me what you want, and I will get it ready right away."
There was no persuading an elder lady as stubborn as Auntie Chang. In the end, Fang Ruoye chose to relent.
"In that case, I want some grilled sausages, a cheese omelette, and some mashed potatoes. My daughter will have the same. As for coffee... One spoonful of cream and sugar each will do.
Xianxian drinks a full glass of milk every morning."
Auntie Chang noted down everything mentally. Smiling brightly, she went straight to the kitchen to make breakfast for Fang Ruoye and Luo Xianxian.
Fang Ruoye went back to the bedroom to wake her darling daughter up.
"Xianxian, wake up," she cooed gently. "Good morning, sweetheart."
Luo Xianxian rubbed her eyes and whimpered.
"Mommy, just five more minutes..."
Fang Ruoye leaned closer to Luo Xianxian and tickled her at the waist.
The little girl began laughing so hard.
"Mommy, that's no fair~"
"Wake up now, Auntie Chang is making very delicious breakfast for us!"
"What are we having?" Luo Xianxian asked innocently. Only the promise of good food could tempt her out of bed. This was why Fang Ruoye always got creative with breakfast options.
"Grilled sausage with cheese omelette and mashed potatoes. How is that?"
"Yum!"
Luo Xianxian jumped down the bed and dashed toward the bathroom.
"Mommy, hurry!" She said. "I am hungry!"
Fang Ruoye then went into the bathroom to take a bath with her daughter.
Afterward, she took out a pair of plain white blouse and ripped jeans for herself and a cute dress with sunflower pattern for Luo Xianxian.
With so much time and so little things to do in the morning, Fang Ruoye took care to do her hair and apply make up after she got dressed.
Once she was done, Fang Ruoye appeared like a young woman no older than twenty years old.
Marriage could make a woman appear older than she actually was, but divorce could replenish a woman's youth like magic!
When Fang Ruoye and Luo Xianxian walked into the dining room, warm breakfast was already sitting on the dining table, waiting for her and Luo Xianxian.
Fang Ruoye made it a rule to not play with phones when they were having a meal.
And yet her phone, despite being muted, kept accepting messages and notifications after one another, forcing Fang Ruoye to abandon her breakfast and see what it was about.
Fang Ruoye naturally shared common friends and contacts with the people from Luo family, including her ex mother-in-law, Madam Luo.
She saw that Madam Luo posted a video online, and she spoke harshly about Fang Ruoye, describing her as a black-hearted woman who poisoned her husband.
Fang Ruoye snorted with laughter.
The comments under the video were even more amusing.
Seeing the smile on her mother's face, Luo Xianxian's curiosity was piqued.
"Mommy, what happened?" She asked.
"Oh, it's nothing. Grandma says hi."
Fang Ruoye then sat next to her daughter, who was still enjoying her breakfast.
"Baby, want to take a wefie?"
"Yes!"
"Say cheese~"
The camera captured a picture of a radiant woman with extraordinary beauty and a little girl as cute as a rabbit and as sweet as honeyed marshmallow bit. The lavish breakfast spread and the luxurious dining room were also showed in the background.
Fang Ruoye posted the picture online and wrote the caption, "First day after divorce, #blessed."