[Location: Chen Family Villa | Time: 7:45 PM | Weather: Light Rain]
The hallway outside Chen Yao's room echoed with silence. Dressed in a pale silk robe, she stood by the window, fingers gripping the curtain as she watched the rain drizzle over the garden pond.
The envelope still lay unopened on her desk.
"He sent divorce papers again."
She muttered it aloud, almost testing the weight of those words against her chest. Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, breaking the stillness. A name flashed on the screen.
Xu Yichen
Her breath hitched. For a moment, she froze. Then answered, voice stiff.
"What do you want now?"
His voice was calm, measured—too calm.
"The papers. You've received them."
"Is that it?" she snapped. "You come back after five years and don't even bother to face me?"
"There's no need. This was never meant to last."
The words hit her like a slap, even though her heart had already prepared for it.
"Coward," she said quietly. "You disappear without a word, and now you want to end it with paperwork?"
There was a pause.
"I didn't leave. I was pushed."
"Don't twist things, Yichen."
"I don't have time for theatrics, Chen Yao. Sign the papers. Let's not drag this out."
"You never did like messy endings, did you?"
"No."
The call ended.
She stared at the screen as it went black. Her shoulders slumped.
"So this is it."
[Location: Qin Lingxi's Apartment — Unknown Location | Time: 8:00 PM]
The small apartment was filled with soft jazz, the light dim and warm. Qin Lingxi placed a medical textbook on the counter, pouring herself a glass of water.
Her long dark hair was tied up in a messy bun. She looked tired—but composed.
Her phone buzzed.
[Text Message — From an Unknown Number]
He's returned.
She paused. A long silence followed before she typed a reply.
I know.
Her phone buzzed again.
Have you reached out?
No. He wouldn't want me to.
He's reclaiming everything. Including old wounds.
Lingxi's fingers lingered on the keyboard before locking the screen and placing the phone face down.
She walked to the balcony, gazing out into the night.
"So... you're finally back."
Her voice trembled. But her eyes remained calm.
[Location: Xu Corporation HQ | Time: 8:30 PM]
Xu Yichen stood alone in the executive office. The skyline stretched wide behind him. His reflection on the glass pane was as unreadable as the man himself.
The door opened. Assistant Yuan stepped in.
"Everything's been processed. Du Haoran submitted his resignation. Quietly."
Xu Yichen gave a slight nod.
"Schedule a press conference for next week. And send out notices to reinstate key personnel."
Yuan hesitated.
"There's… also a request. Miss Chen Yao has returned the papers unsigned. She wrote a note."
Yichen didn't react.
"She wants to speak with you. In person."
He said nothing for a long moment. Then turned back toward the glass.
"Arrange a meeting. But only once. No delays."
"Yes, sir."
After Yuan left, Yichen walked to the bar, poured himself a glass of whiskey, and sat on the edge of the desk.
He reached into his inner coat pocket again.
The photograph was still there.
Lingxi's image, faded but present.
He didn't look at Chen Yao's letter.
"This city remembers me wrong."
"It's time they see the truth."
[Location: City A Café | Time: 10:00 AM — The Next Morning]
Chen Yao arrived early.
The small private café in the heart of downtown was elegant and discreet. She sat by the window, dressed in a pristine ivory blouse and black skirt, every strand of her hair in place.
She waited ten minutes. Then fifteen.
When Xu Yichen walked in, silence followed. He looked effortlessly commanding—sleek suit, calm steps, sharp eyes.
He didn't greet her. He simply sat down across from her.
"Still punctual," she muttered.
"Still dramatic," he countered.
A beat passed.
"Why now?" she asked. "Why after all these years?"
"Because I don't want ties to the past," he replied. "I came to sever them cleanly."
Her lips trembled slightly, but she smiled.
"How ironic. You used to be the one who clung."
"People change."
"Or become colder," she said bitterly.
"Perhaps both."
He placed a pen on the table. The divorce papers beside it.
"You asked for this meeting. Say what you came to say."
She stared at him, eyes filled with pain masked as poise.
"I just wanted to see if you really meant it."
"I do."
A long silence followed. She picked up the pen, hesitated…
Then signed.
Her hand lingered over his name before pulling away.
"Goodbye, Xu Yichen."
He didn't respond.
He stood, collected the papers, and left.
Just like last time.
But this time, she was the one watching him walk away.
And she didn't call him back.
[End of Chapter 2]