My Canary Husband Lied About Our Divorce

Zhou Huainan's canary was throwing another tantrum.

He handed me the divorce papers: "Sign it. Just for show, to humor the young girl."

I clutched my skirt tightly, nodding silently before signing my name.

As I left, I heard his friends joking: "Sister-in-law is so obedient. If you told her to go get the marriage certificate, she wouldn't even protest, would she?"

Zhou Huainan cheerfully lit a cigarette: "Wanna bet?"

They bet that in a month's time at the Civil Affairs Bureau, I would be crying my eyes out but still obediently follow orders—trading our marriage certificate for a divorce certificate.

I held my phone, staying silent.

Just replied to the message that had just come in: "Won't you marry me, then?"

"Sure."

"?

The response came almost instantly.

I hung up my phone.

The laughter and conversation inside continued.

"Alright then! If Sister-in-law is really that obedient, I'll cover everyone's drinks next month!"

"Three months," Zhou Huainan said.

"Deal, deal, deal!"

Amidst the laughter, I hurriedly rushed out.

It wasn't until I was out of the office building that the sharp sunlight stung my eyes.

Only then did tears start streaming down.

Zhou Huainan had taken a fancy to a college girl who hadn't graduated yet.

He bought her a house in Haicheng, filled with luxury goods. But the young girl wouldn't let him kiss or embrace her.

Living in a 360-square-meter luxury apartment, wearing designer clothes worth millions, she held her neck high and said, "I won't be someone's mistress!"

Zhou Huainan found it utterly amusing.

This was already the third time he was putting on an act for her.

The first time, he showed off our love. I didn't know Song Zhi existed then, so I happily took many photos with him. When I saw him post a full nine-grid display on WeChat Moments, I was surprised and delighted. But no matter how many times I refreshed, I could never find that post. Only later did I learn he had set it to "Visible only to Song Zhi."

The second time, he argued with me. He left me stranded on the street, took a photo of me crying alone, and sent it to Song Zhi. "See? There's nothing I can do. She can't leave me."

The third time, he wanted to divorce me.

My phone buzzed. I took it out.

"Really?"

"You mean it?"

"Qiao Wangshu."

I wiped away my tears and smiled. "Really."

That afternoon, Zhou Huainan indeed took me to the Civil Affairs Bureau. He was in a great mood along the way, constantly asking about our third anniversary plans—where we wanted to go.

Zhou Huainan and I had grown up together, and this was our third year of marriage.

"How about Prague?"

"You've been begging to go to Prague Square to feed pigeons since you were seven."

He got out of the car, opened my door, and unbuckled my seatbelt.

"Tsk, why were you crying?"

He frowned, thumb brushing my eye corner: "I told you it was just an act. I'm just curious when this little bird will finally bow her head."

As he spoke, something fell from his pocket—a box of condoms.

Zhou Huainan coughed lightly, rubbing his nose without explanation.

He led me into the Civil Affairs Bureau.

Everything went smoothly. I had aphasia—often unable to speak when facing strangers—but I could nod or shake my head.

"Are you divorcing voluntarily?"

"Yes," I nodded.

"Do you confirm the relationship has broken down?"

"Yes," I nodded.

"Month-long cooling period. Come back after a month."

Zhou Huainan took the receipt.

Before even leaving the Civil Affairs Bureau, he took a photo and started texting. My phone buzzed too. Just like before, it was from Song Zhi. The photo Zhou Huainan sent her came with one line: "Satisfied now? Wash yourself clean for me tonight!"

I clicked her profile picture and blocked her.

Just as I finished, a flight ticket confirmation message came in. Simultaneously, WeChat: "Ticket purchased. One month later." "See you in Paris."

That night, I dreamed of Zhou Huainan again.

Young Zhou Huainan had such a sweet mouth.

"Qiaoqiao mei, your eyes are so beautiful. Can I often look at them while talking to you?"

"Qiaoqiao mei, you play the piano so beautifully. Can I come listen to your performances every day?"

"Qiaoqiao mei, I like you the most! When I grow up, I'll marry you!"

I liked Zhou Huainan too. We had to sit together at school, play together after school. Even when my parents had their car accident, I was in his family's car, playing rock-paper-scissors with him.

But the two cars were too close. I watched with my own eyes as the large truck crashed through.

Boom—

My father, my mother, my older brother, even the puppy I had raised since childhood, all struggling in the flames.

For a long time, my voice wouldn't come out. I needed Zhou Huainan with me to fall asleep.

In those days, Zhou Huainan was very patient. He practiced speaking with me, told me stories night after night. If anyone dared mock me as "mute," he'd punch them out.

Marrying him seemed the most natural thing in the world.

The day after I received my university diploma, he was by my bedside early in the morning: "Qiaoqiao, let's go get another certificate."

That same day, we became husband and wife.

In my dream, fiery red roses filled our new home. He knelt on the bed, kissing me gently. He said, Qiaoqiao, we'll be this happy our whole lives.

But when I opened my eyes, the whole world was black.

I took out my phone. Song Zhi had sent another message.

A photo.

On a messy bed, a streak of scarlet.

Suddenly felt nauseous. I rushed into the bathroom and retched, but could only bring up tears of physiology. Finally, I sat hugging my knees on the cold floor.

I must have accidentally touched something, because in the silent night, a low male voice suddenly spoke: "Qiao Wangshu?"

My heart skipped a beat. I picked up the phone. "Fu... Shixiu?"

Fu Shixiu was my fellow patient support group member.

After three years of hospital intervention, my aphasia had improved significantly. I only lost my voice when feeling down or nervous. During the two years I was married to Zhou Huainan, I had almost completely recovered. I was happy and had free time.

I had joined a patient support group. The person assigned to me was Fu Shixiu. For a full two years, I actually thought he was a girl. Pink rabbit profile picture, WeChat name "Angel." At first, "she" almost completely ignored me. But fellow patients understand each other. People troubled by aphasia often have severe psychological trauma. They might not be able to speak, but they need companionship.

I tirelessly shared my daily life with "her," from texts to voice messages, from photos to videos. Eventually, it was as if we had been friends for many years. So when I first spoke with him and discovered "she" was male, I was so shocked I almost had an episode right there.

"I'm... sorry."

I held my phone, "Disturbing... your rest..."

"No," Fu Shixiu said. "It's nine PM here."

He spoke so fluently. This was only the second time I had spoken with him. After discovering he was male, I deliberately kept my distance. That day was purely coincidental. I hadn't contacted him for almost a month. Just as Zhou Huainan handed me the divorce papers, he asked what I was doing. My mind went blank at the words "divorce papers." I only replied: "Divorcing."

After signing, I hid outside Zhou Huainan's office, trembling. "Fu Shixiu, it seems... I'm about to lose my home."

No father, no mother, no brother, no my cute puppy. Not even Zhou Huainan anymore. What to do?

I didn't expect him to suddenly say: "Then won't you marry me?"

The laughter in the room grew louder.

"Don't joke around. Without Brother Nan, Qiao Wangshu can't even speak—how could she really get a divorce certificate?"

"Yeah, really make her get divorced, afraid she'd cry the Civil Affairs Bureau down!"

"Is that so?"

Zhou Huainan scoffed, throwing the lighter on the coffee table: "Even if she cries like a dog, she'll only be my Zhou Huainan's dog."

"If I want her to go east, she'll crawl east!"

I stared blankly at the man through the door crack, now a stranger.

"Sure."

Fu Shixiu made me a list. Must-do items within a month. Getting visas, finding lawyers—those went without saying. But it actually included a dense list of must-eat restaurants.

"Chinese food abroad isn't good."

"Really."

I happily accepted. Following his list, I ate at each restaurant one by one. Life alone didn't seem so hard. Eating, shopping, packing every day.

The day I moved out of our marital home, Zhou Huainan suddenly messaged me: "Not even calling me? Don't miss me?"

He had taken Song Zhi traveling, saying he wanted to broaden the young girl's horizons.

"Not obedient."

He sent another, followed by a photo.

"This place is nice. For our third anniversary, shall I bring you too?"

I really wanted to block him like I did Song Zhi, but thinking I still needed to get the divorce certificate, I let it be.

Over the next half month, I handled the small pieces of jewelry and bags in my possession, went to the hospital for a check-up, confirmed I wasn't pregnant, and finally organized all the assets Zhou Huainan had entrusted to me over the years.

The night before going to the Civil Affairs Bureau, Zhou Huainan returned. He called me.

"Qiaoqiao, you moved out?"

Accustomed to my silence on the phone, he laughed to himself. "Qiaoqiao, you're too cute. I told you it was just an act."

"Right," he was in a great mood, "Let's just see the act through. Tomorrow, you come with me to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get the divorce certificate?"

I held my phone.

"Qiaoqiao, don't worry, it's just..."

"Okay," I said.

"Ooooh~~"

Cheers erupted on the other end. I hung up and sent the time to him via WeChat.

The next day, I got up early. Zhou Huainan arrived late. Probably at Song Zhi's insistence, he had a bite mark on his lips—neither deep nor shallow. He pretended not to notice. I pretended not to see.

The proceedings were even smoother than last time. Taking no more than five minutes.

"Qiaoqiao, I'll give you a surprise tomorrow."

Zhou Huainan lightly kicked my calf. I put away the divorce certificate: "Zhou Huainan, are you free tonight?"

I looked at him: "I have something I want to talk to you about."

Zhou Huainan froze. Since marrying, I had always called him "Husband."

The next moment, he curved those peach-blossom eyes, tapping the red booklet in his hand: "Sure."

Whatever Zhou Huainan had become this past year, I didn't want to deny the Zhou Huainan of the past. I was grateful for his many years of companionship, thankful for his care for me.

So actually, I hadn't planned to leave without saying goodbye.

But that night, it rained. Thunder and lightning. I feared such nights. That car accident had happened during such a downpour. I endured the trembling in my body, waiting for Zhou Huainan. I was even worried that when he appeared, years of habit might break through the psychological defenses I had built over this month, making me throw myself into his arms crying.

But he didn't come. He called me instead. When the call connected, it was noisy on his end.

"What redemption! Bullshit!"

"I was so sick of her those years! If my mother hadn't forced me, I couldn't be bothered with her!"

"Marriage? Guess why we married so early?"

"Wasn't it because she wouldn't let me touch her!"

"I was just curious—she gets speech impairment when emotional, right? What about in bed? Can she make sounds then? Hahaha."

Rumble rumble—

It felt as if something, on this thunderous night, was torn apart again.

I wanted to hide. I didn't want anyone to see me in such a state. But where to hide? Everywhere was rain, everywhere was lightning. Everywhere was mockery.

Just then, Fu Shixiu's call came. "Qiao Wangshu?"

His voice was always so calm, making those noisy sounds seem to fade away instantly.

"You're crying?"

I wanted to say no, but I couldn't speak. Tears seemed to respond to his words, breaching their banks and gushing out.

"Wait."

He remained calm, "I'm coming to get you."

The Zhou family's second son was single again. A group of young masters organized a "singles party," getting drunk and dreaming at KTV. They passed out in rows. Sometime later, someone groggily pulled out their phone.

"Fuck! Big news!"

With that shout, several woke up.

"That Fu family's respected leader actually appeared in Haicheng!"

"And he rushed back overnight on a private jet!"

One mumbled, waving his hand: "Impossible. Didn't he say he's recuperating abroad? Haven't seen him in ten years."

"Really! It's trending online!"

Phones were passed around. The cooling venue heated up again.

"It's really him! And he's holding a girl! Said he rushed back overnight to take the girl abroad!"

"Whoa, PR didn't even have time—how urgent was this?"

"Let me see, let me see!"

"Tsk, this girl... why does she look somewhat familiar..."

"Brother Nan, Brother Nan!"

Someone pushed Zhou Huainan, "Look at the one in Fu Shixiu's arms—doesn't she look like... Sister-in-law?"

Zhou Huainan had actually been awake for a while, but he didn't like watching Fu family drama.

"How could that be your sister-in-law?"

He unhappily took the phone, "Your sister-in-law doesn't even dare leave Haicheng, let alone go abroad..."

But just one glance at the photo, and he froze. Torrential rain at the airport. Under a black umbrella, the man stood tall, face cold, protecting the girl in his arms completely from view. But he was too familiar with Qiao Wangshu. Her figure, her hair color...

Impossible. Zhou Huainan threw down his phone. How could Qiaoqiao know someone like Fu Shixiu? Tonight she had even invited him to her apartment. Probably because she hadn't seen him for a month, she missed him desperately.

Zhou Huainan took a cigarette from his case, lit it, took out his own phone, scrolled to Qiao Wangshu's number, and was about to dial when he glanced at the time—3 AM. Forget it, at this hour, she was sleeping.

But then again, no matter the time, Qiaoqiao would always answer his calls. Zhou Huainan lit up his phone again and dialed.

"Sorry, the number you dialed is not in service."

After that car accident, I never left Haicheng. All forms of transportation frightened me. Going to a completely strange place made me even more uneasy. I sat beside Fu Shixiu, nervously wringing my hands. He was so tall—even in the back seat of the car, he was still a head taller than me. He looked very serious. When the driver spoke to him, he dismissed him with just a word or two.

He seemed to be some kind of celebrity. Just now at Haicheng Airport, reporters had surrounded us, shouting "Mr. Fu" one after another. Had I... been impulsive? "Fu Shixiu" was a name I only learned after our first call. Paris was a place I had never dared to dream of. The person beside me suddenly moved. He took something from his pocket and handed it to me.

"Want one?"

A piece of candy. The paper bag had a pink rabbit printed on it. Memory immediately took me back two years ago, when I tirelessly tried to talk to "her."

"Little sister, do you like candy?"

"I recently ate a kind of candy that's so delicious!"

"Soft and chewy, with the fresh fragrance of peaches!"

"If you want some, give me an address, I'll mail you a jar?"

"She" replied with an English address. It was the first time "she" had acknowledged me. The unfamiliarity suddenly dispersed. I had searched for a long time for those rabbit candies, looking based on her WeChat profile picture, just wanting to cheer up this reclusive "little sister."

"Shall I unwrap it for you?"

He didn't seem so hard to approach after all. His voice was gentle, his eyes shining with soft light. Before I could nod, he had skillfully unwrapped the candy paper. I took the candy and put it in my mouth. The familiar taste spread from my tongue. Every pore in my body relaxed.

I actually managed to settle down in a completely unfamiliar place. Fu Shixiu arranged for me to stay in his apartment, but he seemed very busy and rarely came home. The first week after adjusting to the time difference, he talked to me once.

"Wangshu, what kind of work do you want to do?"

That question left me stunned. Zhou Huainan never allowed me to work. "You get so nervous you can't speak clearly—what kind of work can you do?" "Be good, just stay home growing flowers and tending plants. It's not like we'll miss your small contribution."

But Fu Shixiu, holding his coffee, said: "Your language studies haven't started yet, but there are many Chinese people in Paris."

I wrung my hands: "I... can I?"

Fu Shixiu raised an eyebrow: "How will you know if you don't try?"

And so I actually found a job—teaching Chinese to a Chinese-French child. It was nothing more than an ordinary "tutoring" job, but I felt a long-lost joy. So happy I wanted to share with my few friends that I wasn't so useless after all.

Just as I logged into WeChat, messages came pouring in like snowflakes.

"Qiaoqiao, where did you go? Young Master Zhou is going crazy looking for you!"

Zhou Huainan was looking for me? The night I left with Fu Shixiu, I wasn't in good shape, so he handled the follow-up for me. All the asset documents that should have been returned to Zhou Huainan were sent to the Zhou family's old mansion. The assets that needed handling were entrusted to the lawyer I had found earlier. The divorce follow-up was naturally left to the lawyer. As for other things like phone cards, Fu Shixiu canceled them directly. If Zhou Huainan had business, he should talk to the lawyer, not me.

I was deleting those messages one by one when a voice call came in. My hand moved too fast and I accidentally answered.

"Qiao Wangshu! What the hell are you playing at?!"

Zhou Huainan's voice blared out: "Was your phone stolen?"

"Don't you know to buy a new one after it's stolen?"

"Bought a new one and don't know to call me?"

"Didn't you have my number memorized backwards?!"

I held my phone quietly.

"And where did you go?"

"Why did you send those things to the old mansion?"

"Weren't we going to celebrate our third anniversary?"

"Zhou Huainan." I actually said his name very easily: "We're already divorced."

Before he could say another word, I hung up. "Qiaoqiao, how many times have I told you it's just an act, didn't you understand?"

"What's your new number? Send it to me."

"Add me back on WeChat too. Don't you want to contact me anymore?"

Messages popped up one after another. I clicked his profile picture and blocked him. Then I found Zhou Huainan's friends in my contacts and blocked them all.

A new environment really does make it easier to let go. On the way home, I bought a small cake. After all, Fu Shixiu and I had chatted for over two years. After passing the initial awkward phase, I was still familiar with him. For instance, knowing his preferences. Recently he seemed less busy, coming home more often than before.

Carrying the cake, I thought he should be home today. But I didn't expect him to return so early. I had just taken out my keys when the door opened. Fu Shixiu wore a dazzlingly white shirt, holding a furry little animal.

"Puppy!"

I was so delighted I forgot what I was carrying, reaching out to take the puppy. "Is it yours? I've never heard you mention it." "Or is it a friend's?" "He's so cute!"

"He's for you." Fu Shixiu closed the door.

I paused. Mine? Subconsciously, I asked: "I... can I?"

Zhou Huainan never allowed me to keep pets. He said the house would be full of fur and have a strange smell. But Fu Shixiu said: "Why not?"

My heart felt as if a small firecracker had gone off. I was going to have my own puppy again! "Brought... brought you a small cake."

I handed the cake to Fu Shixiu and went to play with the puppy on the sofa. My first puppy was a birthday gift from my parents. My brother had helped them choose it. In those days, it seemed I never knew what worry was. So I always felt that seeing a puppy made all worries disappear.

Looking up, it seemed I wasn't the only one in a good mood. Fu Shixiu sat beside me, the corners of his mouth slightly turned up. Eating the small cake quietly, one bite at a time.

"Little sister, cream got on your clothes."

I stood up, about to grab a tissue, when I suddenly realized... I was too relaxed and called the wrong name.

"Little sister?"

Fu Shixiu's voice drew near. His breath drew near. Too close—the puppy "woofed" and ran away. I glanced up to see an outstandingly handsome face and the elastic texture of his hand under mine. For a moment, all I could hear was my heartbeat.

Wanting to retreat slightly, Fu Shixiu held the back of my head and kissed me without refusal.

"Qiaoqiao, did you forget something?"

My heart was about to explode. My face was so hot my head felt dizzy. But he kissed me again. This time lightly, very gently. His voice was low and hoarse: "When shall we register? Today or tomorrow?"

I don't know what happened. Dazed from the kisses, I thought it was already evening today, so tomorrow then. The next day, Fu Shixiu really took me to the city hall. Apparently, the old gentleman who was the mayor of Paris babbled on, and I nodded along. With a wave of his hand, he issued us our marriage certificate.

A bit nervous, but more so, a small flutter of joy. Fellow patients understand each other. I always felt Fu Shixiu wouldn't be a wrong choice.

The only unhappy thing was that Zhou Huainan somehow found out my Paris phone number and called me from a French number. "So you really went to Paris!"

The moment the call connected, he recognized my voice: "Qiaoqiao, learned to throw tantrums now, have you?"

"It's been a month, still not done throwing your fit?"

I took a deep breath before suppressing the rising emotions: "Zhou Huainan, stop disturbing my life."

"Your life? What life could you possibly have?!"

"Don't think I don't know you went to Paris to find that 'Angel', right?"

"A little sister who eats candy every day—you go burden her and have the nerve?"

I never hid what I did or who I made friends with from Zhou Huainan. "These... have nothing to do with you."

"I'm fucking your husband! If not me, who?!"

"I advise you to get back here right now! Or else..."

I hung up directly. He sent another text message: "Not replying, huh? Fine! You've got guts!"

"You got guts to rely on a little sister for life!"

I never thought Zhou Huainan could be such a vile person. But on second thought... could someone who cheats during marriage and brazenly asks for a "fake" divorce be a good person? I had been blinded by childhood affection, lost my mind.

That evening, many friends sent me messages. Most were screenshots of Zhou Huainan's WeChat Moments, plus a line: "What's going on between you and Young Master Zhou?"

Zhou Huainan had posted an intimate photo with Song Zhi, publicly acknowledging their relationship. I couldn't be bothered to explain so much. I directly posted a photo of the divorce certificate on my Moments.

My university roommate group exploded. "Fuck, Qiaoqiao, you finally came to your senses!"

"I always thought something was off with that Zhou guy. Never took you to meet his friends, never saw him post you on his Moments!"

"Exactly, always bringing up Qiaoqiao's 'aphasia' all the time."

"Qiaoqiao spoke fine with us, but the moment he mentioned it, Qiaoqiao would really get nervous and couldn't speak."

So everything had signs all along. A few days later, the group exploded again. "Is he sick or something?"

Zhou Huainan sent the same content to each of them. A photo of a diamond ring, a screenshot of his chat with Song Zhi: "Three days later, I'll give you a surprise." "Are you free?" Then a message to be relayed to me: "Tell Qiao Wangshu, three days later is my mother's birthday banquet." "If she doesn't come back, I'll have my mother change her daughter-in-law!"

I think he's sick too. "Ignore him."

But indeed, I needed to go back. That evening, Fu Shixiu came home with two suitcases. "We're going back to China."

I stared blankly, not understanding. "The marriage certificate needs to be notarized in China." He was organizing documents, "And I'm taking you back to meet relatives and friends."

"I..." I subconsciously wanted to ask. I... can I?

Just as my roommate said, Zhou Huainan never took me to public events. He was afraid I couldn't speak, afraid I'd stutter. Embarrassing.

"Qiaoqiao." Fu Shixiu suddenly stopped what he was doing, turned around, cupped my face with one hand, and looked into my eyes with his black pupils unmoving: "Qiao Wangshu, there is nothing you cannot do."

A warm, tingling feeling spread from my heart throughout my body. So this is what a positive relationship feels like.

Fu Shixiu said he needed to go to Haicheng first to handle some matters. Perfect, I wanted to meet with my lawyer too. So we made Haicheng our first stop back in China.

Unlike the pouring rain when we left, it was sunny when we got off the plane. Fu Shixiu kept a low profile, wearing sunglasses all the way, holding my hand as we walked through the VIP channel. After all these days, I of course knew who he was. The battle for Fu family control twelve years ago had "serialized" in headlines for months. No one expected the final victor to be a young man who hadn't even graduated from university. Even less expected was that after taking over the Fu family, Fu Shixiu would use thunderous methods and surprising moves, doubling the already massive Fu family empire in just two years.

I had heard his rumors too, but I was young then, plus he had faded from the domestic scene for many years, so I didn't remember his name. Fortunately, we didn't run into reporters this time. Fu Shixiu and I arrived at the hotel smoothly. He went to the company, I slept in at the hotel, and went to the law firm after waking up.

"Miss Qiao, your assets are being processed gradually as you requested. Here are a few documents that need your signature, please take a look. This is the original contract for the already sold property, you can take it with you. The handling of your personal assets has gone very smoothly, it's just..."

The lawyer looked a bit troubled: "Miss Qiao, you still have several properties that are marital assets with Mr. Zhou. According to the divorce agreement, they should be split half and half. But Mr. Zhou... refuses to cooperate."

He said you two... the lawyer coughed lightly, "aren't divorced."

I frowned.

"So you see..."

I nodded: "Sorry, I'll communicate."

I took out my phone. After letting my roommates block Zhou Huainan, he created various alternate accounts, adding me in different ways every day. I accepted one of them.

"Are you free tonight? Meet up."

Zhou Huainan didn't reply quickly. He was "typing" for a long time. "Yo~~~ finally willing to come back to China?"

"What a pity."

"This young master is going shopping with Zhizhi tonight, no time."

I looked at the message on my phone. Almost laughed in anger. His refusal to cooperate wasn't without solution—just apply to the court for enforcement. But this return trip wasn't planned for long, I wanted to keep things simple.

Probably seeing I didn't reply, he sent another message: "It's not impossible if you want reconciliation."

"Tomorrow is my mother's birthday banquet. Come apologize."

Attached a hotel location. Really sick. I blocked him again. Just then, Fu Shixiu's message came: "I had someone send you several evening dresses, pick one out." "I'll take you to meet some friends tomorrow."

Meeting Fu Shixiu's friends. My heart beat faster. I immediately threw aside the unpleasantness Zhou Huainan brought. Hailed a cab back to the hotel.

Fu Shixiu didn't just send "several" evening dresses. Full racks of them, plus matching shoes, jewelry, and makeup artists. Filled an entire room. Seeing how serious he was, I didn't dare to be negligent. I tried on one after another, picking for almost an entire night.

In the end, I chose an outfit that looked well-behaved and low-key. Fortunately, Fu Shixiu hadn't returned. He hadn't been back to China in ten years, and his personal visit to the Haicheng branch showed how busy he must be. The next day, I slept until afternoon. Woke up, got dressed and put on makeup, just as Fu Shixiu's message arrived. "I've sent the driver to pick you up."

When I got in the car, an unknown number called. Intuition told me it was Zhou Huainan again, so I hung up directly. He called again, I hung up again. Finally blocked him. But I didn't expect that when the driver stopped, I actually saw Zhou Huainan.

He stood at the hotel entrance, making call after call. Finally, he smashed his phone angrily. I looked up at the hotel name—it was actually the one Zhou Huainan had sent me yesterday. Fu Shixiu's call came at the right moment. "Here?" "Come down and I'll get you?"

His voice always calmed people. I glanced at the dark-faced Zhou Huainan: "No need, I'll come up myself."

Probably hearing the voice, Zhou Huainan looked over too. For a moment, it was hard to describe the expression on his face—like surprise, like wild joy, mixed with suppressed anger. He kicked away his smashed phone, eyes red: "Qiao..." But only one word came out. He pressed his lips together and looked away: "Let's go." With some pride: "I knew you'd come."

He turned first. This hotel was probably booked out. I suddenly realized what "friends" Fu Shixiu meant.

Seeing I wasn't following, Zhou Huainan deliberately slowed his pace. "Alright, I'll apologize first, okay?" He lowered his voice: "You just don't like Song Zhi, right?" "I won't associate with her anymore, okay?" "You're too petty, the young girl never did anything to you."

I took a deep breath, suppressing my emotions. Going up to the second floor, I saw several familiar faces. "Whoa, sister-in-law finally came back?" "It has to be Young Master Zhou—a good obedient girl learning to be a runaway canary, isn't that ridiculous?" "Brother Nan, with so many people today, you brought her too, aren't you afraid..." "Exactly, there are important people here today!"

Zhou Huainan glared at them: "Get lost." He walked closer to me: "Considerate enough to dress up before coming." "Just follow behind me later. No matter what happens, don't talk, just smile, understand?" "Here." He reached out, "Hold my hand."

I paused speechlessly. "Zhou Huainan." I said coldly, "I'm not here for you."

Zhou Huainan chuckled: "Come on, at this point, still pretending?" "If not for me, then for whom?"

The inner hall doors opened. I saw Fu Shixiu at a glance. Not his event, but he sat in the main seat. To his left and right were Zhou Huainan's mother and Zhou Huainan's older brother who managed the company. Others stood or sat, some drinking quietly, some whispering, but they somehow formed a semicircle with Fu Shixiu at the center.

"See? That one in the middle, my mother worked hard to invite." "His wife is coming too." "Be good. If you embarrass the Zhou family, my mother and older brother won't let you off!"

As Zhou Huainan spoke, he reached for my hand. I violently shook it off. "Qiao Wangshu!"

The voice wasn't small. Many people looked over. Fu Shixiu looked over too, his eyes slightly darkened. "Huainan, what's the ruckus?" Zhou's mother called Zhou Huainan, but her dissatisfied look was directed at me. Zhou Huainan's brother frowned at me, then smiled at Fu Shixiu: "Mrs. Fu should be here? Should I go down to receive her?"

People whispered. Zhou Huainan scolded in a low voice: "Told you not to cause trouble, are you satisfied now?" "This is your first time meeting so many Zhou family relatives, and you give them this impression?"

Yes. Married three years, this was my first time meeting the entire Zhou family.

"Wangshu." Fu Shixiu suddenly called me. "Come over."

He left an empty seat between him and Zhou's mother. Zhou Huainan froze. Zhou's mother and Zhou Huainan's brother froze too. I stepped forward.

"Allow me to introduce."

Fu Shixiu's voice wasn't loud, but enough for everyone present to hear. "Qiao Wangshu." He kissed the back of my hand, then looked back at everyone, "My wife."

The banquet hall was deathly silent. Everyone seemed to have forgotten even to breathe. Only Fu Shixiu, worthy of someone who had seen big scenes. "Wangshu, is there anything you want to say?"

All eyes were on me. Cold sweat broke out on my back. Clenching my palms, my heart beat again and again. Fu Shixiu squeezed my hand, looked into my eyes, and nodded gently at me. "There is nothing you cannot do."

I took a deep breath. "Auntie." I said to Zhou's mother, "I..." I clenched my fists: "Zhou Huainan and I have been divorced for a long time." "I don't know why he didn't tell you."

Then to Zhou Huainan: "Zhou Huainan, I never believed... marriage and divorce could be 'an act'." "There is no possibility between us anymore."

Finally to everyone: "I am already Fu Shixiu's legal wife." "From now on, I have no relationship with the Zhou family."

Zhou Huainan looked at mine and Fu Shixiu's clasped hands, backing away two steps in disbelief. Fu Shixiu also stood up. He picked up a towel from the table and slowly wiped the hand Zhou Huainan had just grabbed.

"My wife prefers quiet."

"I'm protective."

"After today, I don't want to see anyone harassing my wife in any form."

"Mrs. Zhou, have I made myself clear?"

Zhou's mother nodded blankly, again and again. "Apologies for the disturbance."

Fu Shixiu put down the towel and took my hand to leave. It wasn't until we reached the elevator that my heartbeat seemed to recover. My legs felt weak, and seeing I was about to fall, Fu Shixiu put his arm around my waist, pressing me against the inner wall.

"You went to such great lengths..." I panted softly, "just to stop Zhou Huainan from coming after me?"

Fu Shixiu cupped my face: "You look very beautiful today."

I didn't know if he meant I was dressed beautifully or spoke beautifully. He leaned down to kiss me. "Qiaoqiao, Qiaoqiao!" Zhou Huainan shouted outside the elevator.

Unfortunately, we had been talking and forgot to press a floor. The elevator actually opened for him. Fu Shixiu pressed me into his arms, turning back coldly: "Something?"

The elevator wall reflected my kiss-reddened face and Zhou Huainan's almost desperate expression outside. I quickly pressed B1. Before the elevator doors closed, Fu Shixiu maliciously, lifted my chin and kissed me more forcefully in front of Zhou Huainan.

Apparently, Zhou Huainan was confined by the Zhou family. They took his phone, computer, cut off all communication devices. They made him swear he wouldn't trouble me anymore before letting him out.

I went back to Beijing with Fu Shixiu. Originally planning to notarize the marriage certificate, Fu Shixiu found it troublesome and simply went to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get a new one. I also met his friends and family. Just as the rumors said. He was the eldest grandson, but his mother died early, and his father died of sudden cardiac arrest when he was eighteen. His several uncles now had no chance of winning and treated me politely. His friends were also refined and courteous, except for one—probably his best friend—who mocked him to his face about "losing his virginity at an advanced age."

No. He was in his thirties and still a virgin? But then, it had been half a month since we got our certificate, and he really hadn't touched me. Was it that he couldn't... or was he worried I'd discover he couldn't?

So that night when sleeping, the atmosphere was rather strange. For a moment I wanted to touch him, for a moment I thought it better to avoid him. What if it wasn't that he couldn't, but that he wouldn't... Cough. Probably not. I could feel it when he kissed me.

CEO Fu was busy all day and not easily approached. Perhaps it was normal? Even if it wasn't normal, we already had the certificate, I wouldn't despise him.

"What are you thinking about?"

Fu Shixiu suddenly turned over, pulling me into his arms. I shook my head repeatedly. He lowered his head and captured my lips. He had been kissing me more frequently recently, and for longer too.

"I just wanted to give you more time to accept me."

The temperature under the covers rose. In the darkness, Fu Shixiu's breathing was slightly ragged, his voice hoarse. "I..." My heart went "thump thump thump," cutting off my voice.

But I thought of the puppy sleeping peacefully at the foot of the bed. When we returned to China, Fu Shixiu hadn't forgotten to bring it along. Thought of the lavender-colored bedding in the room. Thought of the full courtyard of tulips outside. All those years, every word I had said to him, he remembered.

"I like you, Fu Shixiu."

I said softly. I lifted my head to press my lips against his. Fu Shixiu's whole body stiffened, immediately taking control.

Naturally, what followed was... Spring days grow long, a sleepless night.

But some things don't always go smoothly. That birthday banquet had too many participants, and some rumors still spread. Under every interview video of Fu Shixiu, there were some ambiguous comments.

"Tsk tsk, overbearing CEO, looking human but devoid of conscience, even to his wife..."

"Upstairs, he's married? What happened to his wife?"

"Stay low to stay safe. Keywords: Stolen bride."

Fu Shixiu didn't mind. The more such comments were suppressed, the more fiercely they spread. But I felt as if I had a fishbone stuck in my throat. This day Fu Shixiu was working overtime again. Three more days and we'd return to France. While packing luggage, I suddenly heard noise outside the courtyard.

"Yes, my wife and I were childhood sweethearts, over twenty years of feelings, how could they just disappear?"

"Look at this photo."

"Yes, the one Fu Shixiu was photographed with at the airport and deleted clean the next day."

"Look at my wife—does she look conscious to you?"

"Fu Shixiu dressed as a little girl three years ago to deceive my wife! He clearly has special fetishes, he's a pervert!"

My ears buzzed. Blood rushed upward. Sure enough, it was Zhou Huainan. He brought a group of livestreamers to the door of my and Fu Shixiu's home.

"The Fu family is lawless. I ask everyone to be my witness! Today I must see my wife!"

I grabbed the printed materials I had prepared and rushed downstairs. Completely forgetting I had sent all the servants out shopping. I was alone at home. Completely forgetting how the many interviews after the car accident had caused secondary trauma. When I faced the cameras, I couldn't speak a word.

It turned out that when you want to protect something, one person's strength can be this great. I directly opened the main door.

"Qiaoqiao..." Zhou Huainan's face was full of surprise. Before he could say a third word, I stepped forward and slapped him.

"Zhou Huainan! Go piss and look at yourself! Who gave you the confidence I wouldn't leave you?!"

Another slap. "And who gave you the courage to slander others and spread rumors?!"

Another slap. Threw the printed chat records at him. "Take a good look! Stop defiling the words 'childhood sweethearts'!"

Finally threw the player into his arms. It was playing the recording of that phone call he gave me the night I left.

"What redemption! Bullshit!"

"I was so sick of her those years! If my mother hadn't forced me, I couldn't be bothered with her!"

"Marriage? Guess why..."

Zhou Huainan's face turned deathly pale. He hurriedly pressed pause.

But the trouble he stirred wasn't so easily paused. The livestream was cut off, all clips deleted clean. What spread instead were the various chat record screenshots Song Zhi had sent me that year—her conversations with Zhou Huainan. The internet was amazed at their peculiar behavior.

Soon, the long-hidden Song Zhi was completely exposed. Some even dug up that she lived in the luxury mansion Zhou Huainan gave her, wearing the luxury goods Zhou Huainan bought, pretending to be a rich girl, hooking up with other second-generation heirs.

Fu Shixiu had always been business-minded, never deliberately targeting the Zhou family. But with this disturbance, he cut off all cooperation between Fu and Zhou. Two days later, Zhou's mother called me.

"It was our poor supervision of Huainan, I'm sorry, Qiaoqiao, but can't you consider all these years..."

"Auntie."

I interrupted her: "You taking care of me for many years is true. But all these years, I also listened to you and gradually handed over all my parents' business to the Zhou family." "I have never owed you anything."

Fu Shixiu and I proceeded as planned, preparing to return to France. The day we left, it was drizzling. At security, there was suddenly a commotion. Zhou Huainan ran out from somewhere, covered in mud and rain, in a sorry state.

"Qiaoqiao, Qiaoqiao." He grabbed my luggage. The ground was too slippery, and he fell directly in front of me. "Qiaoqiao, don't go, okay?"

Fu Shixiu's face showed great disgust, but he only glanced at his watch, giving a signal to those around him. People who had taken out their phones to take photos and eat melon were immediately cleared away.

Zhou Huainan clung tightly to my luggage. "Qiaoqiao, listen to me." "There are too many misunderstandings between us!" "That phone call, Song Zhi made it to you, not me... I had no idea!" "I was drunk and boasting then! I was never sick of you!" "I married you because I really liked you..."

"Those things I said to Song Zhi were a moment of confusion, it was... yes, she was skilled! She seduced me!" "I wasn't really going to divorce you either." "Didn't I say I'd give you a surprise? I planned to propose to you again the next day."

"Qiaoqiao, everything was fate's mischief!" "That night, I planned to go to the apartment to see you too..." "It was that idiot Chen Jiang who insisted I drink with him!"

"Yes, it was everyone else's fault."

I looked down at his tears: "Someone else put the condoms in your pocket." "Someone else pushed you onto the bed." "Those words belittling and humiliating me were ghosts possessing you, coming out of your mouth."

I actually spoke such a long paragraph without pauses. "Zhou Huainan, you just thought I couldn't leave you." "So you looked down on, ignored, despised." "Mocking me, suppressing me has become the only way you find existence in your failed life, hasn't it?"

The Zhou family had two sons. The eldest took over the family business completely. The second was careless, playing his way through life. Not that he was unwilling, but that he couldn't. The only thing worth boasting about in his life was once accompanying a girl, making her wholeheartedly rely on and trust him.

"Let go."

"Let the childhood friendship not end too ugly."

Zhou Huainan's hand suddenly jerked. Released. "Qiaoqiao! Give me another chance! This time I'll definitely..."

As he spoke, he reached for my hand. I quickly dodged: "So dirty."

Zhou Huainan's words stopped abruptly. I pulled my luggage and turned to leave. Fu Shixiu was not far ahead. I took his arm. Suddenly, cries came from behind.

Much later, I never saw Zhou Huainan again. Only occasionally heard bits of news about him and Song Zhi from my roommates. Song Zhi's situation became a big deal. Several second-generation heirs, including Zhou Huainan, sued her together. She was expelled from school and didn't get her diploma. As for whether the lawsuit was finally judged, it's unknown.

Zhou Huainan was kicked out of the Zhou family. Probably to curry favor with Fu Shixiu, or because Zhou's mother's business wasn't going well and she took her anger out on him. They cut off all his cards, reclaimed all assets under his name, and sent him out to work himself. It's said the young master who once didn't blink at million-dollar designer clothes now haggles over buying a bottle of wine. Some also said they had seen him and Song Zhi fighting on the street. Two equally troubled people, even if they fought until heads bled, no one paid attention.

My "work" went very smoothly. Students went from one to two, two to four, soon recruiting a whole class of children. My language studies were also quite smooth. Though I often felt dizzy from its 15 tenses, at least I could communicate daily.

Our first Spring Festival in France, Fu Shixiu took me skiing. When speeding down the Alps, I screamed my heart out. At night, we lay in the valley hotel counting stars. Each star was someone who had loved us.

"Fu Shixiu, won't you tell me the 'Angel' story yet?"

That night, Fu Shixiu took me back to China. Back to Beijing. Back to that old mansion that hadn't been opened for many years. There was a room inside filled with drawings of pink rabbits.

Fu Shixiu had a younger sister. Ten years younger than him, she loved rabbits most. As she grew older, she loved pink rabbits most. She often said she came from Rabbit Planet to save the world. But she seemed not so lucky. Her mother passed away giving birth to her. At eight, her father passed away. She watched her brother maneuver and contend with the covetous uncles. Exhausted.

She was here to save the world, so she certainly couldn't be her brother's burden. So when the family servants abused her, she didn't make a sound. When mocked and bullied by classmates for aphasia, she only smiled at Fu Shixiu.

The one with aphasia was never Fu Shixiu. It was her. To hide her condition, she often wrote notes to Fu Shixiu.

"Brother, school is more fun. I won't come home this summer vacation. You must take good care of yourself!"

"Brother, I made another friend today. Another happy day!"

"Brother, I learned to make small cakes. Put them in the fridge. Remember to eat!"

But the last note she left Fu Shixiu was: "Brother, Earth is too bitter. I'm going back to Rabbit Planet! Don't worry, I'll often come back to see you (#^.^#)"

Fu Shixiu was too busy. School, company, everywhere was a battlefield. But when the war ended, what awaited him was only a cold corpse at the bottom of the lake.

Actually, she had thought of saving herself. She joined many support groups. Depression support groups, aphasia support groups. Many people added her too. But someone who could barely take care of themselves, how could they help others? Most would disappear after two or three days of chatting.

Until many years later, I clicked on her pink rabbit profile picture and sent a friend request. "Little sister, add me." "Little sister, are you busy?" "Little sister, it's another sunny day! Am I lucky enough to have you accept my request?"

Fu Shixiu said I was too noisy. He guarded his sister's WeChat year after year, imagining if one day she would really return. But his sister didn't wait. Instead came a chatty "big sister." He accepted the friend request, watched her day after day, tirelessly sharing her life, and thought—if she had appeared ten years ago, would sister have had a different outcome?

Later, he even thought—was she, perhaps, the gift his sister sent him? He was too lonely. Far from homeland, day after day atoning for his sister. The voice in the phone was the only color in his life. Too bad, she was someone else's wife.

"You are now my wife."

Fu Shixiu looked at the brightest star beside the moon, "Do you think—is it true, that she sent you as a gift?"

"Has she forgiven me?"

"She never blamed you."

I kissed away the tears from the corners of his eyes: "She is an angel who saved the world."

"She saved you, and she saved me too."

Fu Shixiu held me tightly. "Qiaoqiao, I love you." Very, very much love you.

Life's greatest regret is loving someone who proves unworthy. Life's greatest blessing is that I love you, and you happen to fall into my palm.