Chapter 80: Taking Some Time Apart

(Thanks to reader [Celestial Bookworm] for becoming a Hall Master, and thank you for the additional Chapter!)

Hearing her response, Li Yan knew he hadn’t said the right thing, but at this moment, he had little experience and didn’t know the best way to handle it. Thinking about it, the more he said, the more mistakes he might make, so he chose to remain silent as silence is golden!

Seeing him not speaking, just looking at her, the anger stirred in Zhang Yurong did not easily dissipate. Instead, she felt his silence was a form of passive resistance.

She really wanted to start a tirade, but her upbringing, family education, and school education prevented her from doing so. Yet the anger and resentment had indeed accumulated in her heart to an unprecedented intensity, making her feel like she had to vent it or she would explode.

She tried hard to calm herself a bit, and asked in a nonchalant tone, "Have you been with her since last night?"

Hearing this question, Li Yan, who wanted to remain silent, had to face and answer it. He could hear the hidden meaning behind the words—did he spend the night with Yue Yao and did they sleep together. It’s just Zhang Yurong’s nature and demeanor prevented her from asking so bluntly.

Li Yan’s eyes involuntarily avoided her gaze, looking at the table, focusing on the broken pen in her hand. He was also struggling inside, wondering whether to tell the truth...

Admitting it would certainly affect her relationship with Yue Yao, making her despise Yue Yao; if he didn’t admit, she could still guess, which would seem hypocritical, and she might suspect that he knew about their agreement and despise Yue Yao for telling him.

He recalled her last words before returning home, "...Our issue last night made it to the news. You didn’t come home and your phone was off, so Zhang Yurong must know you are with me... If she asks you, just say it was me... that tempted you. I’ll find a chance to call her and apologize." As a man, should he dare to be responsible, or wait for Yue Yao to admit?

In this hesitant silence, the atmosphere felt very oppressive. From all objective signs, Zhang Yurong could already confirm they were together, yet she held onto a fragment of hope, wishing he could deny it, even if just saying they chatted, drank together, or watched the moon—anything to slightly lessen her despair.

However, Li Yan avoided her gaze and didn’t immediately respond. He wasn’t ignoring the implicit meaning; he was debating within himself whether to admit it or not!

Thinking up to this point, Zhang Yurong was already immensely disappointed, having essentially received her answer!

"Yes, from last night until noon today, I have been with her. Last night, we... did something to let you down." Li Yan finally admitted it, and after saying it, the pressure in his heart seemed to lessen slightly; maybe that is the effect of confessing!

After speaking, he found the courage to look at Zhang Yurong.

What he saw was still that beauty akin to an Ice Celestial Maiden, but without the presence of the dignified and commanding aura of a CEO she usually exuded, the aura that both intimidated and attracted others had almost faded away, replaced by a weariness of body and mind, and an indescribable desolation!

Seeing Zhang Yurong in this state made Li Yan’s heart ache. He stood up and moved in front of her, softly saying, "Yurong, I..."

But as he approached, Zhang Yurong swiftly lifted her head and interrupted him, "Don’t say anything! You’ve let me down, and Yue Yao has made me feel ridiculous!"

Li Yan wanted to explain that it was his responsibility, that he had forced the issue, and Yue Yao was not involved, so as not to strain their relationship to the point where there was no room for meeting in the future.

But Zhang Yurong waved him off, stopping him from speaking. With her other hand, she released the broken pen and dropped it onto the table, taking a deep breath before slowly saying, "I think... we should take some time apart to calm down!"

Looking at the pen on the table, although it wasn’t completely snapped in two, it already had a major rupture and couldn’t be used anymore. It was like their relationship at that moment. Concurrently, as Zhang Yurong let go of the pen and said they should take some time apart, it tightened something inexplicably in his heart!

Was she... preparing to sever their relationship? Zhang Tianyi was recovering well without any major issues, so even if they were to divorce now, it would only be a psychological blow without physically debilitating consequences...

As Li Yan’s mood grew heavier, he heard Zhang Yurong pause for a moment and then continue weakly, "...Tomorrow, I’ll move back to my parents’ home for a while... I’ll say it’s because of work and I need my dad’s guidance... This is between us, don’t take it out on Yue Yao..."

Hearing her arrangement, although it wasn’t an official breakup, it indeed sounded like a prelude. In truth, there wasn’t even a formal beginning to their relationship, or a time when they officially started dating, since they got married almost immediately. To divorce, it had to be a well-considered decision, not something a verbal breakup could solve.

Li Yan stood not far from her after listening, lowering his head to look at her. But Zhang Yurong didn’t look up at him again, her gaze vacant as she stared at the screen saver on the monitor.

...

The two of them sat in silence for about a minute, which felt like an eternity to both of them. Every second was incredibly long, each breath laborious.

"Yurong, are you really decided?"

Zhang Yurong coldly replied, "It’s better for both of us, avoiding confrontations that would only worsen things if we met!"

Li Yan gazed deeply at her, taking a sharp inhale, then slowly exhaling. He softly said, "If that’s the case, I’ll move out first. This house is your dowry, and now it’s my fault, I shouldn’t make you go back to your parents’ place and have them worry. Haha, it’s easier for me, I can pack light." 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Zhang Yurong was slightly surprised after hearing him, looking up at him briefly. She had indeed thought about divorce, but also wanted to offer them both some time to reflect, just like married women returning to their parents’ home when encountering difficulties. She just wanted to live there for a while, considering they weren’t far apart, providing necessary space for reflection.

But she hadn’t meant to drive Li Yan away. Hearing his words now made her lips part slightly, wanting to say something but finding it difficult to choose the right words. Telling him not to leave might be misunderstood as sarcasm; insisting on staying could be seen as being petty.

The situation was already awkward, although Li Yan managed a smile, it was forced, just a sound without real humor. The longer they stayed, the more uncomfortable it would be. Thus, after finishing, he clapped his hands, "I’ll go pack now, though I’ll actually leave tomorrow! Haha, so you don’t think I’m running off to be with Yue Yao."

He initially wanted to pack and leave immediately. But today was Yue Yao’s birthday, and although he had explained to Yue Yao why he returned, Zhang Yurong didn’t know nor had any interest in detailed explanations. If he packed up and left now, to her it would seem like he was running off with Yue Yao to live together!

While he could admit to what happened last night, for things that hadn’t happened, he didn’t want to cause more misunderstandings.

After saying that, he left the office, walking to his bedroom, and looked back at the other bedroom door beside it. Having lived together for ten months without crossing certain boundaries into each other’s spaces, and now he was moving out, it felt like a failure.

I was a hero on the battlefield, but not yet a saint in love; failure is inevitable sometimes! Li Yan thought to himself, entering his room with a self-deprecating smile.

These two bedrooms were designed, decorated, and arranged similarly, but with distinct personal touches. Zhang Yurong, due to her status and being a woman, had many clothes despite mostly wearing professional attire. His side was much simpler; packing up would be easier.

Though he said he would leave tomorrow, he felt a bit at a loss if he just sat there. He suspected he might end up in a daze, not thinking or doing anything significant. Rather than that, he might as well pack his things now.

From his perspective, this was essentially the prelude to a divorce. The house was Zhang Yurong’s dowry; although he never used her money, she handled all household expenses like utilities. They rushed into a secret marriage at that time due to Zhang Tianyi fearing he wouldn’t make it and wanting to see them married, which, in hindsight, seemed like a cheerful token for him. Naturally, no prenuptial agreements were signed.

But Li Yan wouldn’t take advantage. If they divorced, he wouldn’t ask for any compensation or try to claim half the assets. Therefore, he packed decisively, not taking anything that wasn’t his, fitting everything he needed into a simple travel bag. The card Zhang Yurong gave him a while ago was also left on the table, along with the keys to the Lexus she bought him.

After completing everything, aside from a bag on the floor, the room didn’t change much. But sitting back down in front of the bed, Li Yan felt the room seemed eerily empty! Perhaps, it was because his heart felt vacant.

There was one more night; they still had dinner together later. Li Yan stood up, stretching his body, telling himself to keep a bit of vigor, not to appear as a dejected spouse, but to enjoy the last dinner properly.