Volume One, Chapter 9: What Is Truly Troubling You?

Before dawn had broken, Sang Wan was already awake.

Her first instinct upon opening her eyes was to wonder what breakfast she should make today.

She had no idea what was left in the fridge.

Then, in the next instant, Sang Wan suddenly realized—

This wasn’t the Lu family villa.

She no longer had to rise early to make breakfast for Lu Jinnian and little Lu Mumu.

Six years as a full-time homemaker had carved the habit of waking early deep into her mind.

Even two months in the hospital hadn’t erased it.

She stared blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought for a while.

Then Sang Wan closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep.

When she woke again, it was already past eight o’clock, and the bed beside her was empty.

She hadn’t noticed when Xu Yiyi had left, nor when she’d returned.

On the dining table sat black rice porridge and steamed soup dumplings, brought back from the cafeteria—her favorites.

When she checked her phone, there was a message from Xu Yiyi:

[Woman, breakfast is on the table, the e-bike key’s in Kawaii’s mouth, and the coffee beans are in the drawer.]

[At 11:30, sweet and sour pork and I will be waiting for you at the main canteen! Don’t be late!]

Warmth and a touch of sadness welled up in Sang Wan’s heart.

With time to spare, she washed up, ate her breakfast, and strolled leisurely out the door.

The morning campus was tranquil and lovely. Birds chattered cheerfully from the branches, flitting back and forth.

Students in no rush to reach class recited vocabulary words in the pavilion.

Under the rising sun, even the air seemed relaxed and content.

Just like Sang Wan’s mood at that moment.

At the same time, Lu Jinnian’s mood was utterly wretched.

He’d drunk too much the night before, and vaguely remembered the driver dropping him at the door.

After that, his memory was a blank.

Now, awake, his head ached, his back throbbed, his whole body hurt—and a large bruise marred his knee.

He didn’t need to guess: he must have either tripped coming in or tumbled down the stairs.

In the past, whenever he returned late, as soon as the car engine died, the villa’s front door would swing open.

Sang Wan would fuss and scold him gently as she helped him inside.

There would be hangover soup waiting at his lips.

A bathtub filled with warm water.

From the moment he stepped out of the car and saw Sang Wan, he could shut his eyes and rest easy.

After a nap, the room would be fragrant and fresh.

He’d be dressed in clean pajamas, smelling as pleasant as the room itself.

Now, the entire bedroom reeked of stale alcohol.

Worst of all, the smell was coming from his own body.

He turned his head and sniffed—it was enough to make him gag.

“Sang Wan?”

Sitting up, Lu Jinnian called out loudly.

No answer.

As his mind cleared, Lu Jinnian abruptly remembered.

Sang Wan had asked for a divorce.

She hadn’t come home for two nights.

A storm cloud passed across his face, his expression darkening to steel.

He hauled himself out of bed unsteadily.

First, he opened the window.

Then, he showered.

He dug a crisply pressed suit from the chaotic closet, dressed himself, and went downstairs, exuding an air of impending thunder.

The coffee was sour, the ice insufficient—one sip made him frown.

The bread was cold, its texture like sawdust—impossible to swallow.

After just two bites, Lu Jinnian shoved the plate away.

The Mercedes roared out of the driveway.

When he strode into the CEO’s office, his face was so gloomy it looked as though it might pour rain.

“President Lu…” Lin Chaochao greeted him with a radiant smile. “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Lu Jinnian said nothing.

But Lin Chaochao seemed to have already guessed—she pulled him into the office chair, placed her hands on his head, and began to massage him.

The gentlest pleasures are the hardest to resist.

Her touch was firm yet supple, her scent faint but inviting.

His irritation began to ebb, and Lu Jinnian let out a satisfied sigh. “Chaochao, I’m glad you’re here.”

“There’s more than just me. I’ve brought you some good news, too…”

Lin Chaochao’s voice was bright with excitement. “This morning, Director Qin from City Construction called—he invited our Lu Corporation to attend the bidding conference for Plot 3 in the East District.”

“What did you say?” Lu Jinnian’s eyes opened wide. “Really?”

An official invitation from the municipal authorities wasn’t something just any company could get.

You needed the qualifications.

You needed the resources.

And even with both, you had to be visible enough for the authorities to notice.

Until last year, Lu Corporation had never enjoyed such treatment.

The arrival of the invitation—did it mean Lu Corporation had finally been recognized?

“It’s absolutely true.” Lin Chaochao beamed with pride. “As soon as I answered the call, I rushed straight to Director Qin’s office and picked up the invitation.”

Lu Jinnian felt a spark light up before his eyes.

Like a magician, Lin Chaochao produced a red invitation.

It bore the seal of the Municipal City Construction Office.

The contents were unmistakable: the upcoming bidding conference for Plot 3 next month.

Just thinking that Lu Corporation had surpassed last year’s progress—

Even though they hadn’t yet attended the conference, even though they hadn’t won the land—

Lu Jinnian was already in high spirits. “If we secure that plot, next year Lu Corporation will take another great leap forward… I’ve had my eye on it for a long time. If we build a science and technology museum there, it will be the biggest and most advanced in the capital.”

“A technology museum? That sounds incredible!”

“Of course. As of now, there are twelve science museums in the capital, but the newest one was built three years ago. In three years, think of how much the world’s technology has changed, how many new fields have emerged… If we win that land, I’ll make it the most impressive science museum in the country.”

Lin Chaochao looked at him with open admiration.

The office fell quiet.

Lu Jinnian glanced up to see Lin Chaochao tidying the desk efficiently, showing no sign of continuing the conversation.

The flame of excitement that had just ignited was doused with a bucket of ice water.

Lu Jinnian fell silent.

If Sang Wan were here, she would be even more excited than he was—

Chattering endlessly,

Envisioning how many separate wings the museum would have, how many entrances—east, west, south, and north.

Perhaps two of the entrances would have futuristic themes, with technology corridors stretching dozens of meters; visitors walking through would see their own shapes transformed in a sci-fi style on the glass walls, floor, and ceiling.

Full of childlike wonder.

Overflowing with immersive experiences.

Even if it was only idle talk.

Even if it would never come to pass.

The thrill and delight when ideas collided was more precious than anything else.

But now, there was nothing.

He couldn’t stop a frown from creasing his brow; the irritation in Lu Jinnian’s heart surged back.

Even he couldn’t say what exactly was bothering him.

One day.

Two days.

Three days.

…

He’d thought at most, after three or five days, Sang Wan would call with some feeble excuse.

But this time, a week passed, and there was no word from her.

After briefing Lu Jinnian on the day’s schedule, special assistant Yang Yan paused at the door at Lu Jinnian’s call. “Did you notify the housekeeper?”

At the mention of Sang Wan, Yang Yan’s expression grew grave. “The housekeeper reports that Madam left that day and hasn’t returned since.”

She hadn’t returned to the villa.

Nor gone to the apartment.

In a city as vast as the capital, there was only one place Sang Wan could go.

“I understand. Go on,” Lu Jinnian said.

Yang Yan slipped out, closing the door behind him.

Lu Jinnian sat in silence for a long while before finally pulling out his phone to make a call.

By evening, the air in Xu Yiyi’s dormitory was thick with enticing aromas.

The hotpot was bubbling, sending waves of fragrance down the hallway.

On the table, marbled beef, duck blood, green kelp, and red chilies—meats and vegetables in every color—made the mouth water.

“Ah, so this is what it’s like to have your own fairy godmother… Come on, cheers!”

Xu Yiyi raised her glass in a jubilant toast.

The two clinked glasses.

Just as Sang Wan lifted her cola, someone knocked at the door.

Outside, Auntie Wang from campus maintenance poked her head in, giving Sang Wan a glance before turning a gentle smile to Xu Yiyi. “Teacher Xu, your friend isn’t staying overnight, is she?”

Xu Yiyi froze.

Sang Wan slowly rose to her feet.