Two years ago, Ji Qingshi and Ji Qingyuan didn't have time to spend Christmas with her. This Christmas stocking was her idea this year, and she forgot about it the next day.
When Xi Jia hugged Ji Qing, she said, "Thank you, Second Brother."
She jogged to see her gifts, but there were too many, and she didn't have time to open them. All her thoughts were on the divorce papers.
Overnight, the trending topics related to Ji Qingshi, Ye Qiu, and Chu Shan disappeared without a trace. Xi Jia didn't see them either.
After a quick meal, Xi Jia grabbed a packaged apple and hurriedly drove away from home, heading straight for Cheng Weiming's law firm.
It's been cloudy these past two days, and it's only just getting light at seven o'clock.
Xi Jia arrived at the law firm building at 7:30, patiently waiting for Cheng Weiming to arrive. During this time, she sent a message to Mo Yushen: "Mr. Mo, do you have time today? We need to sign the divorce papers."
Mo Yushen: [I'm free this morning, where are you?]
Xi Jia sent him the location, and Mo Yushen stared at the address for a long time. Sure enough, it was Cheng Weimo's law firm.
The last time he went on a blind date and signed a divorce agreement, it was also at Cheng Weiming's law firm, but he was the one who found Cheng Weiming.
This time, it was her.
Everything else seems unchanged. Even the message she just sent him was almost identical to the previous one.
Mo Yushen replied to Xi Jia: "I'll arrive at eight o'clock."
Because it was the weekend, Cheng Weimo arrived at the law firm an hour later than usual.
When Mo Yushen arrived downstairs at the law firm, Cheng Weimo had not yet arrived.
Xi Jia saw Mo Yushen, took the apple, and got out of the car.
"Good morning," Xi Jia greeted.
Mo Yushen nodded, glancing at the box in her hand. It was small and exquisite, and it seemed to contain peace apples. He had assumed it was a gift for him.
Five minutes passed, but she still showed no intention of giving it to him.
It should be given to Cheng Weimo.
Mo Yushen looked away from the apple.
The two walked side by side toward the building.
Xi Jia held the box, her hands almost frozen and red. She intended to give it to Mo Yushen, but didn't want to be too proactive, so she could only resort to the usual approach.
"It's really cold today. Mr. Mo, could you help me with this? I need to put on my gloves."
Mo Yushen didn't want to accept it at all. He hesitated for a few seconds before slowly reaching out his hand.
Xi Jia opened her bag and rummaged through it several times. "I forgot to put the gloves in my bag."
As she spoke, she rubbed her hands together to warm them.
Did you eat a "peace apple" at midnight?
Mo Yushen: "No."
Xi Jia: "I heard that eating a 'peace apple' at Christmas brings peace and health. Here, take this one. I have some more in my car. I'll bring one up for Attorney Cheng later."
Chapter Eighty
Mo Yushen accepted the apple, even though it wasn't originally intended for him.
He returned to the parking lot and put the apple in his car.
There was a faint scent of roses in the car. When he came in the morning, he made a special detour to the florist where he used to buy flowers and told the owner that he wanted to buy a single rose.
The shop owner still remembered him; once, he had bought all the roses from the shop.
The shop owner said he gave him this rose. He didn't know what this number of roses meant to him, but it must be very special.
When he bought all the roses, he took just one first.
Mo Yushen looked at the roses, but decided to sign the agreement first before giving them to her.
In front of the building, the wind was strong, and Xi Jia was still waiting for him there.
Mo Yushen quickened his pace, but unexpectedly someone was a few steps ahead of him.
Cheng Weiming drove his car directly next to Xi Jia. He stepped on the brake and rolled down the window. He wasn't wearing a coat, and the cold wind whistled through him, making him shiver.
Xi Jia smiled slightly, "Attorney Cheng, it's been a long time."
Cheng Weiming: "Long time no see." Indeed, it had been a long time. The last time they met, she was also at his law firm. At that time, she could no longer hear and asked him to draft a divorce agreement, insisting on divorcing Mo Yushen.
It took me ages to sign my name.
She even fussed over a date, wanting to postpone it.
When she was hospitalized, he wanted to visit her, but in the end, he gave up the idea.
Cheng Weimo asked, "You came to find me?"
Xi Jia nodded, "Yes, I was worried you wouldn't come today."
Cheng Weimo: "I stayed out a bit late with my friends last night."
He told her to wait while he parked the car. He didn't say anything else.
Cheng Weimo didn't know which day Xi Jia's memory ended on.
However, since Ji Qingshi had greeted him, Xi Jia remembered him.
No matter whether Xi Jia invites him or contacts him, he shouldn't speak first; he should just go along with what she says.
Cheng Weiming only saw Mo Yushen when he was backing up the car. He was standing in the windy spot not far away and didn't come over.
The car drove by, its windows open, and the heater inside was blown out.
Cheng Weimo: "You guys?" He guessed, but wasn't sure.
Mo Yushen: "Come and sign the divorce agreement." He lowered his voice, "Xi Jia's current memories are from when I went on a blind date with her."
Cheng Weiming understood everything. He was a witness to Xi Jia's blind date and marriage with Mo Yushen, and he knew all the details.
He was also in charge of handling it.
He nodded. "Wait for me inside the building."
Cheng Weimo went to park the car and waited a few seconds before getting out.
An unspeakable estrangement had developed between him and Mo Yushen.
The biggest barrier wasn't that he had once liked Xi Jia, but that Mo Yushen felt like an outsider who had 'interfered' in his relationship with Xi Jia.
When Mo Yushen called him before, he told him that Xi Jia had someone in her heart. Now Mo Yushen is definitely convinced that the person in Xi Jia's heart is him.
No amount of explanation will help.
Saying too much would make it seem like I'm trying to cover something up.
Cheng Weiming walked towards them. At the entrance of the building, Xi Jia and Mo Yushen were not very close, similar to when they came to sign the papers for their first blind date.
The only difference is his state of mind.
At that time, he hadn't quite adjusted yet. The girl he liked was going to marry his best friend.
Today, he has accepted it.
"You arrived early?" Cheng Weimo chatted casually with them.
Xi Jia: "Not long ago." She asked, "Do you know President Mo?"
Cheng Weiming downplayed the issue, saying, "I'm your club's legal counsel, what do you say?"
Xi Jia smiled, her head feeling frozen by the cold wind. She had completely overlooked this crucial connection. Both she and Cheng Weiming were working for Mo Yushen.
She told Cheng Weiming that she and Mo Yushen were going on a blind date to appease her family, and that they would sign the divorce agreement before getting their marriage certificate.
Inside the elevator, Xi Jia stared intently at the elevator wall, seemingly focused straight ahead, but her eyes were also subtly glancing at Mo Yushen. They had signed the agreement today, and she would get their marriage certificate on Monday.
Otherwise, I won't feel at ease.
"Attorney Cheng, did you go skiing this year?" The elevator was too silent. Xi Jia tried to start a conversation to ease the tension.
Cheng Weiming: "..." This is the topic that Mo Yushen is most averse to. The photo of Xi Jia in his wallet was taken while he was skiing.
But if he doesn't talk to Xi Jia, Mo Yushen will feel guilty.
Cheng Weiming: "I've been busy this year, with many cases. I didn't go."
Xi Jia: "I originally planned to go on vacation with Ye Qiu and invite you along. But Ye Qiu is busier than me; he didn't even have time to have dinner with my second brother on Christmas."
Cheng Weiming didn't know how to respond. It seemed Xi Jia was unaware of last night's trending topics.
Xi Jia turned her head to the side, "Where did you go for Christmas last night?"
Cheng Weimo casually made up a lie: "The club."
Actually, he didn't go anywhere; he stayed at home. Jiang Qin went to keep him company.
After getting off the elevator, Mo Yushen walked at the very back, unable to join in Xi Jia and Cheng Weiming's conversation. He was, after all, an outsider.
Upon arriving at Cheng Weiming's office, Xi Jia leaned casually against his desk. She picked up a notebook from the table, glanced at it without turning the pages, and only looked at the cover.
Soon, he put it down again.
Mo Yushen glanced at Xi Jia out of the corner of his eye. She seemed very familiar with the place, as if it wasn't her first time here. Her interaction with Cheng Weimo also seemed natural.
If Xi Jia hadn't forgotten Cheng Weimo at a crucial moment two years ago, and they had continued their relationship, would they already be married and have children?
He couldn't help but think that.
I've been thinking the same thing for the past few days.
Cheng Weimo made coffee for Mo Yushen and Xi Jia, saying, "Tell me your specific requirements."
Xi Jia: "There are no requirements. We are financially independent and there are no issues with the division of property. As for children, there are definitely no issues with custody."
Cheng Weimo asked, "When?" The first time was six months after they got their marriage certificate and then divorced.
Xi Jia pondered for a few seconds, during which she glanced at Mo Yushen. This man clearly had no intention of marrying her and settling down with her.
He hasn't said a word since he came downstairs. His face is expressionless, and he seems distracted.