"Hello?"
"Yan Shu?" a confident, smiling female voice asked. "I'm Viviane."
"Welcome. May I ask how many people are in your party, miss?" As soon as you enter the restaurant, a waiter comes forward to greet you.
“My friend is over there,” Yan Shu said to the waiter with a smile as she saw Viviane’s shadow sitting in the corner.
"You're here." Viviane, who was reading a book, said this without looking up. Yan Shu sat down and nodded. Looking around, there were very few people, and almost all of them were blond and blue-eyed. Taking the menu, she found that the dishes here were indeed quite expensive.
"What would you like to eat?" Viviane casually named a few dishes, seemingly a regular customer. She handed the menu back to the waiter and smiled at Yan Shu, saying, "The food here is quite authentic; I like it."
Yan Shu smiled as well. After ordering, Yan Shu looked at Viviane in front of her; she seemed even more beautiful than usual today.
What was she up to? No matter how friendly her tone was when she said she wanted to invite her to dinner on the phone, she wouldn't believe that Viviane had come out just to invite her to dinner.
"I love Roger." Just thinking of those words made Yan Shu's heart tighten. Looking at the composed and beautiful woman in front of her, she wondered if she could compare to her. She was just an ugly duckling that would never become a swan.
“Roger is a very outstanding person.” Sure enough, Viviane’s first words were about Mu Yang: “I have finally met the legendary Mu Yang’s wife.”
Legend has it? Is she really that mysterious? Yan Shu thought to herself, but remained silent.
“You are not good enough for him.” Viviane was still smiling, her gentle tone carrying the words that hurt Yan Shu the most.
"Not good enough?" Yan Shu smiled. The truth she'd known long ago now sounded particularly heartbreaking.
“Of course.” Viviane raised an eyebrow. “Could you offer Roger some professional assistance?”
No, she doesn't understand Mu Yang's professional knowledge at all.
"Excuse me for being blunt, but you're not pretty at all."
Yes, she knew.
"Can you make Mu Yang work ten years less?"
No, she couldn't.
Viviane flicked her hair: "Okay, Yan Shu. I don't think I'm any less capable than Roger, and my expertise in architecture, or rather my talent, is in no way inferior to those men. Most importantly, my family background will allow Roger to get what he wants the fastest."
Yan Shu raised her head and looked at the woman in front of her, Viviane, Mu Yang's American classmate: beautiful, confident, talented, and with the enormous wealth behind her, every man would want a wife like her.
And what about herself? A girl who graduated from a second-rate university with a degree in Chinese literature, the only experience she had gained in recent years was about the ins and outs of the entertainment industry. Not pretty, and timid. No good family background, no great wealth. Honestly, sitting in this restaurant, she felt completely out of place in this world.
"Roger said you waited for him for five years?" Viviane's voice was languid, with an indescribable quality. "That's what he told us when he was in America, about his little Chinese wife."
Yan Shu nodded. Although she didn't wait intentionally, she subconsciously rejected other possibilities.
Do you really think that nothing will change after five years?
No, she knew. She knew that many things had changed in the past five years. No matter how people are, they can't compete with the tricks of space and time.
“Okay, I think Roger’s feelings for you are more out of a sense of responsibility; he wants to take care of you. And it’s because of this care that you’ve become a burden to Roger.”
Yan Shu felt a sudden tightness in her heart. Viviane's calm and unhurried tone struck at the most vulnerable part of her heart. All her confidence and all her opinions were shattered in that instant.
Yan Shu raised her head and looked at Viviane, unable to say a word.
Viviane parted her lips slightly: "Leave him."
Disagreement
Chapter Nine
After reheating the dishes and placing them on the table, Yan Shu glanced at the clock on the wall. It was already past eight o'clock, and Mu Yang still hadn't returned.
Ever since her last conversation with Viviane, she had wanted to talk to Mu Yang. Yes, she didn't want to let these anxieties and uncertainties bother her any longer. However, Mu Yang had become very busy lately. He always came home very late, looking exhausted and weary, quickly eating dinner before collapsing into bed, or he would go out again after a phone call, having more social engagements, and often calling home to say he wouldn't be home for dinner. Sometimes, he would get up in the middle of the night, sit in the study until dawn, and then come back to lie down next to her again.
What can I do? Yan Shu asked herself this question. Every time she felt the bed become lighter on one side, she would open her eyes on the other, listening intently as Mu Yang got up, opened the door, and went out. She asked herself the same question. All she could do was finish her work, go home as soon as possible, cook him a hot meal, and then wait. Perhaps that was all she could do. She listlessly fiddled with her chopsticks, glanced at the clock on the wall, and wondered what had happened to Mu Yang.
Hearing the sound of a key turning in the lock, Yan Shu hurried towards the door. Mu Yang walked in, his tie loose and his hair disheveled. He sat down, looking somewhat exhausted.
"You're back. Have you eaten?"
Mu Yang smiled at her: "Not yet—it smells so good..." He forced himself to stay awake, "I'm starving."
Yan Shu smiled and went to the kitchen to serve two bowls of rice. She brought them out and said, "Then eat quickly. I'll make some soup too."
"No, that's fine. Xiao Shu, don't wait for me if it's too late in the future." Mu Yang finished speaking and buried his head in his food. Yan Shu didn't speak, but only glanced at him. She asked cautiously, "Mu Yang... is something wrong?"
"It's nothing," Mu Yang replied quickly, then looked up at her, "Really, it's nothing."
"Oh." Yan Shu nodded, knowing that Mu Yang didn't want to talk about it, so she didn't press him further and lowered her head to eat: Mu Yang should be able to handle it, right?
The silence between them was broken by the ringtone of "Long long ago." Yan Shu watched as Mu Yang put down his chopsticks and took his phone out of his coat pocket: "Hello?"
After hearing what was said on the other end of the phone, Mu Yang frowned, glanced at Yan Shu, and said, "Okay, I'll be right there." With that, he hung up the phone and put on his coat.
"Are you going out again?" Yan Shu followed him to the entrance. Mu Yang, who was putting on his shoes with his head down, paused for a moment and nodded. "Yes, that's right."
"Are you really okay? You can really tell me."
After putting on his shoes, Mu Yang stood up and smiled at Yan Shu: "It's nothing, I've just been a bit busy." He kissed Yan Shu, "Don't wait for me later, get some rest."
Yan Shu watched him close the door, then turned and ran to the window. A moment later, she saw Mu Yang's car emerge from the underground parking lot and speed away. She stared blankly for a while, then drew the curtains, feeling as if she were separated into two worlds: Mu Yang's and her own.
No! She'd go crazy if this continued! Something must be wrong with Mu Yang! But why didn't he tell her? Yan Shu threw down the bowl she was half-tidying, ran to the living room, her fingers flying across several numbers. She took a deep breath and waited for the other party's response.
"Hello?" Xiao Wei's voice was unhurried.
“Xiao Wei…” Yan Shu hesitated for a moment, then asked, “Do you know what happened to Muyang Company?”
Xiao Wei was stunned for a few seconds on the other end of the line, clearly taken aback by Yan Shu's directness. After a while, she slowly said, "It should be fine, right? Isn't it on track? Why are you asking this?"
Yan Shu couldn't control the unease in her heart; Xiao Wei's reaction only confirmed her suspicions: Mu Yang was indeed in trouble. Xiao Wei knew about this.
“Xiao Wei, I know you definitely know. Please tell me.” She paused. “Do you know that I’m like this now… I have…”
Xiao Wei remained silent, and Yan Shu held her breath. After a long while, she heard Xiao Wei sigh on the other end of the phone: "Okay, Xiao Wei, Mu Yang Company does have some issues. He consulted us about this a few days ago." Xiao Wei's voice sounded very calm, as if she were conducting a routine case analysis. "Due to certain reasons, there are some problems with the capital injection into Mu Yang's firm. In addition, possibly due to human intervention, Mu Yang's firm currently doesn't have a very good reputation in the industry."
Mu Yang's firm does indeed have problems.
Yan Shu leaned her head weakly on her knees, curled up on the sofa with her legs tucked in. Why didn't Mu Yang tell her these things? What was she to Mu Yang?
"Click..." The door lock was opened, and Yan Shu raised her head from her knees, turned around, and saw Mu Yang pushing the door open and walking in, his face full of exhaustion.
Why not tell her?
"Oh, you're up so early?" Mu Yang asked.
Is it early? Yan Shu looked up at the clock on the wall; it was already six o'clock. Mu Yang, who hadn't returned home all night?
Mu Yang walked up to Yan Shu and saw the deep dark circles under her eyes. He frowned disapprovingly and said, "Still haven't gone back to your room to sleep? Didn't I tell you not to wait for me?" She still doesn't know how to take care of herself.
Yan Shu did not answer, but just watched Mu Yang sit down, lean back on the sofa, and close his eyes.
Why didn't you tell me?
"What am I not going to tell you?" Mu Yang opened his eyes, forcing himself to stay alert.
"It's about your firm."
"It's nothing." Mu Yang frowned. "Really, it's nothing. Don't overthink it." As he spoke, he stood up. "Is there anything to eat? I'm starving."
"Why are you saying this to me? We're husband and wife. We can solve any problems together."
"Really, it's nothing." Mu Yang walked impatiently into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. "I'm really hungry, and I have to go to work later. Xiao Shu, get me a shirt."
"You still...you still won't tell me anything?" Yan Shu didn't understand why Mu Yang wouldn't tell her. Was it because she didn't understand anything?
"Why won't you tell me anything? Xiao Wei has told me everything."
"Xiao Wei?" Mu Yang turned around. He had a terrible headache; why was Xiao Wei getting involved again?
"Yes. I know your firm is in trouble. But you've refused to tell me." Yan Shu paused. "Why? Is it because I don't understand anything? Or have you never considered me your wife?"
He'd never considered her his wife? Mu Yang suddenly felt that everything he'd done was negated by those words. He loved her, cherished her, didn't want to bother her with trivial matters, only wanted to give her the best, simply because she was his wife, the one he loved. Now, her words had negated everything. He was instantly enraged: "Yes, my firm is indeed in trouble! What good would it do to tell you? Can you solve these professional problems? Can you handle those demanding clients? Or can you inject a large sum of money?" He practically shouted, "What good would it do to tell you? Don't I consider you my wife? It's precisely because I care so much that I don't want to bother you with these things!"
"Yes! I don't understand! I'm useless! I can't give you a large sum of money! But, but why did you choose me in the first place? Why not someone like Viviane!" Yan Shu shouted. Yes, she was useless; she couldn't help Mu Yang in any way. All along, Mu Yang had been taking care of her; she had always been the one benefiting, both in life and in their relationship. She was unworthy to stand by Mu Yang's side; only a woman like Viviane was the right choice for him.
"What did you say! Do you know what you're saying? Viviane? What are you thinking? Stop bothering me!" He took a deep breath and steadied his voice. "I have things to do. Take good care of yourself." After saying that, he went into the bathroom. After a while, Yan Shu watched Mu Yang go into the room to change his clothes. A moment later, Mu Yang, who was all dressed up, came out. He glanced at Yan Shu, said, "I'm leaving," and slammed the door shut as he left.
Yan Shu was left sitting on the sofa in the living room. The morning sunlight shone through the gaps in the curtains, casting a shadow on her.
Entering the building once more, Yan Shu leaned against the elevator wall, watching the numbers ascend, her unease rising with each step. That morning's argument was their first since their marriage, and she realized how far apart she and Mu Yang had become. She couldn't truly help Mu Yang, but they were husband and wife. She firmly believed that. Therefore, she hoped Mu Yang would tell her the truth, whether it was good or bad.
Stepping out of the elevator and into Mu Yang's office, everyone who was working hard looked up at her. Yan Shu forced a smile and walked straight toward Mu Yang's secretary.
"Is Mu Yang there?"
The secretary was taken aback for a moment, as she hadn't seen the boss's wife in a long time, but she quickly put on a professional smile and said, "Yes, she's here. I'll take you there now."
"No need. Thank you." Yan Shu shook her head and pushed open the door to Mu Yang's office.
“I told you, we designed it exactly according to your requirements. My colleagues and I have revised it many times.” Mu Yang calmly stated the facts. “If this continues, the one who will have to pay the penalty won’t be me, but you.” He didn’t know what the other person said, but Mu Yang took a deep breath. “Okay, goodbye.” After hanging up, he couldn’t help but curse, “Shit!”
"You swore," Yan Shu said calmly. The office was still orderly. But its owner was impatiently tugging at his tie. She had never seen Mu Yang like this before. Just how difficult was the situation?
"You're here." Mu Yang glanced at her and couldn't help but add, "What are you doing here?" Realizing his tone was too harsh, he could only helplessly lean back in his chair.
Yes, what was she doing here? She couldn't offer him any business assistance, nor could she give him a large sum of money. But she still asked, "Was that person annoying?"
“There are so many problems to solve, I don’t even know if he’s annoying or not.” Mu Yang sighed, “Recently, all the problems have piled up at once.”
Yan Shu looked at Mu Yang with a pained expression, her brows furrowed. She bit her lip and said, "I..."
"Knock, knock, knock," came a polite knock on the door, and then the person walked in: "Roger!"
Yan Shu turned her head, and sure enough, it was Viviane!
Viviane was clearly surprised to see her, but she quickly smiled and said, "Yan Shu is here too, that's rare." She walked past Yan Shu to Mu Yang's side, smiled, took a file folder from her bag, and handed it to Mu Yang.
Mu Yang opened the file bag; inside was a contract.
What is this? He looked at Viviane.
“This contract is from my uncle. He said he really admires your style, so he asked you to do this project,” Viviane said casually, but her eyes glanced at Yan Shu out of the corner of her eye. “Uncle also said it’s a pity Mu Yang isn’t family, otherwise…”
"You flatter me, Uncle," Mu Yang smiled. "Please rest assured, Uncle, I will do my best. Thank you, Viviane," he said sincerely.