Volume One, Chapter 86: The 49th Day After the Divorce—He... Regrets It!

Lu Jinnian’s business trip went remarkably smoothly. The anticipated difficulties never materialized. In fact, the other party’s straightforwardness was wholly unexpected. The partnership was secured with ease.

Yet, Lu Jinnian’s mood was not as good as he’d expected it would be.

Without Yang Yan at work, every instruction had to be repeated several times before the new assistant general manager could fully grasp his intent. In the past, a single glance would suffice—Yang Yan understood him perfectly.

His personal life was even more chaotic. His suitcase had been packed by Lin Chaochao, using a packing checklist he’d sent her. That very checklist, however, had originally been drafted by Sang Wan. How many shirts and pairs of socks to bring for a week-long trip, which tie matched which suit, which pair of cufflinks to wear—Sang Wan had detailed everything with precision.

Upon arrival at the hotel, Yang Yan would organize everything according to Sang Wan’s list, placing each item in its proper place. Open the wardrobe and everything was clear at a glance.

Now, everything was a mess.

Each morning, opening the wardrobe to see shirts and suits supposedly organized yet haphazardly arranged was enough to ignite a fire in his heart.

In just a few days, he’d been forced to become his own wardrobe stylist. Every day, in addition to managing business negotiations, he had to agonize over which outfit looked more formal, which seemed more approachable.

These were things he’d never had to worry about before.

What frustrated him even more was that every call from Lin Chaochao—apart from the initial “Honey, was everything smooth today?”—was followed by veiled probing. She’d ask if he had any evening dates, if he’d met any blond, blue-eyed companions abroad, or if he had time to pick out the handbag she’d been eyeing.

Sang Wan never did this.

All she cared about was whether his meetings were successful, whether he’d eaten on time, if his stomach was troubling him. Beyond that, she would simply hold their son’s small hand and say, “Daddy, I miss you!”

A childish voice. Gentle eyes. All her longing and concern for him.

She made him believe all his struggles and hard work were worth it.

But this time, Lu Jinnian wasn’t even sure what he was working so hard for.

The vice president could have secured this deal just as well. He could have managed everything remotely, with the same outcome. Yet, as if avoiding something, he came himself without a moment’s hesitation.

But it seemed impossible to escape what he wanted to run from. Instead, he felt more agitated than ever.

The flight lasted over ten hours, and Lu Jinnian drifted in and out of sleep. The plane touched down with a jolt, the bright sky of the capital city visible beyond the window.

His phone rang again and again.

Su Baohui’s voice was light and cheerful: “Jinnian, I’m playing cards. Send me some money.”

Lu Zhiyi’s delight was barely concealed: “Brother, you’re back early? Did you buy the bag I wanted?”

Lin Chaochao’s voice was full of affection: “Honey, what time will you be home?”

As the car left the airport, Lu Jinnian instructed the driver, “To the office.”

He didn’t finish work until after eight o’clock. As he left, he ran into Tang Jiayi in the elevator.

According to the secretary ranking report Yang Yan had submitted, Tang Jiayi was ranked first.

But Lin Chaochao objected fiercely, insisting Yang Yan had done it on purpose. She even pouted, asking if he didn’t like her anymore, if he planned to let Tang Jiayi replace her.

Helplessly, he’d chosen the second-ranked male assistant general manager instead. But reality proved that, even as men, the gap between the new assistant and Yang Yan was vast.

“President Lu…”

As the private elevator arrived, Tang Jiayi watched Lu Jinnian step inside, making no move to follow. “Happy birthday!”

Lu Jinnian paused, surprised. “Thank you.”

As the elevator descended steadily, Lu Jinnian took out his phone, his gaze pausing.

Today really was his birthday.

But he had forgotten.

Su Baohui, Lu Zhiyi, and even Lin Chaochao… all of them had forgotten.

It was as though today was just another ordinary day.

But it hadn’t always been like this.

At the stroke of midnight in previous years, the phone Sang Wan placed on his nightstand would light up. Whether she was wide awake or drowsy with sleep, Sang Wan would snuggle into his arms and kiss his lips. “Happy birthday, darling!”

He would kiss her back, and as their kisses deepened, the temperature in the bedroom would rise.

He would wake in the morning, body and mind completely content.

There would be longevity noodles made by Sang Wan herself, and little Lu Xiaomu’s childish voice wishing him a happy birthday.

All day long, the entire secretariat would celebrate as if it were a festival; everyone he met would send unique birthday wishes.

Dinner would be at Su Baohui’s house, but it was always Sang Wan who organized everything.

A lavish feast. Cake. The birthday song.

The people he loved most, and those who loved him most, all by his side.

After the meal, he’d join his friends, and amid their flattery and laughter, the joy of his birthday would reach its peak.

Not yet thirty, still so young. The Lu Corporation thriving, his career flourishing. A beautiful, virtuous wife and an adorable, well-behaved son; a harmonious family.

He was, as people said, the winner in life.

But in the blink of an eye, the winner had become utterly alone.

How many days had it been since his divorce from Sang Wan?

Forty days? Fifty?

He’d thought he’d lost count.

But now, thinking back, Lu Jinnian could recall the date he’d seen the divorce agreement with crystal clarity.

Counting from the day Sang Wan left the Lu family villa with her suitcase, it had been forty-nine days.

Gazing at the myriad lights outside the window, Lu Jinnian realized that perhaps, just maybe… he regretted it.

Creak!

The car stopped, jerking him from his thoughts.

Before him stood the Lu family villa, its lights faintly glowing.

He was home.

He exhaled softly, suppressing the strange emotion that had just surfaced.

Lu Jinnian got out of the car and entered the house.

The living room was silent.

The children’s room was tidy, but Lu Xiaomu wasn’t there.

The dining table was empty.

Only the light on the stairs was on, as if silently guiding him upstairs to the master bedroom.

Lu Jinnian pressed his aching stomach, loosened his tie, and went upstairs.

On the bed, clad in a complete set of white lace, Lin Chaochao lay on her side like a fairy.

They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Although she and Lu Jinnian weren’t newlyweds, that didn’t stop her from wanting to give him a passionate “wedding night” experience.

Footsteps drew near, stopping at the bedroom door.

As the door opened, Lin Chaochao turned as if startled awake, but she didn’t see the delight she’d expected in Lu Jinnian’s eyes.

“Honey…”

Their eyes met. There was no spark, no rising flame, only mounting awkwardness.

After a brief stalemate, Lin Chaochao stood and approached him. “You must be exhausted. Let me…”

She hadn’t finished saying “give you a massage” before Lu Jinnian seized her wrist and pulled her aside.

“Where’s Xiaomu?”

“It’s Friday. I thought your mother must be missing her grandson, so I sent him to her place. I had Sister Wang accompany him, too.”

“Have you eaten?”

“Yes…”

“I haven’t. And—do you remember what day it is today?”

A flash of confusion, then Lin Chaochao seemed to remember. Panic flickered in her eyes, but Lu Jinnian noticed, and his anger only grew.

Lin Chaochao rose on tiptoe to kiss him. “Of course I remember. That’s why I prepared a surprise for you!”

“Honey…”

She blew into his ear and reached to unbutton his suit jacket, but Lu Jinnian pushed her away hard.

The bedroom was unlit, but candles flickered on the bay window, the coffee table, and the nightstand, casting a hazy, dreamlike glow.

Dressed in white lace, Lin Chaochao fell to the carpet, her expression pitiful.

Lu Jinnian ignored her.

“Jinnian…”

As Lin Chaochao called out in agitation, Lu Jinnian turned and left.

The car drove out of the villa district. Staring into the dark night outside the window, Lu Jinnian instructed the driver, “To Wanxin Apartments…”