Chapter 32: Do You Love Your Husband?

Zhang Xiluo took Lin Yiming to the Star of Dragon City, the tallest building in the city, whose top floor housed a famous revolving restaurant.

“Sis, I never thought I’d come here,” Lin Yiming said, his face alight with excitement and astonishment as he walked to the window.

“You can see the whole of Dragon City from here. It’s clearer during the day,” Zhang Xiluo said, standing beside him. “There’s more to life than love. There are so many things worth pursuing.”

This was a truth she had only understood after living two lifetimes. She no longer made Li Mingye her entire world; she had cast aside her infatuation and chosen to chase a new life.

Lin Yiming looked at Zhang Xiluo, finally voicing the question he had always wanted to ask. “Sis, do you love your husband?”

Zhang Xiluo smiled faintly, not denying it. “I once loved him deeply, so much that I lost myself.”

At that moment, Li Mingye was standing at the entrance of the restaurant, watching their backs, his eyes burning with anger. Upon hearing her words, his expression grew even darker, as if a storm had settled on his face.

He turned and left. Zhao Chengyi hurried after him. “Mingye, aren’t you going in?”

“Let’s go somewhere else. This place is filthy,” Li Mingye snapped as he strode away. Zhao Chengyi scratched his head, bewildered by his meaning.

“All right, let’s eat,” Zhang Xiluo suggested, returning to her seat and recommending a few signature dishes. “I didn’t bring you here to show off; I wanted you to think things through.”

“Only by becoming strong yourself can you stop others from hurting you.”

“Thank you, Sis.”

Lin Yiming was grateful to Zhang Xiluo. He would take good care of the café and adjust himself as soon as possible.

After their meal, Zhang Xiluo sent Lin Yiming back to the café and asked Xiao Zhao to drive her home to Qingyuan.

“Mom, you’re looking well. Does your wound still hurt?” Every time Zhang Xiluo returned, she would immediately throw herself into her mother’s arms.

“You child, back again!” Mother Zhang scolded gently, holding her tightly. “You really have changed.”

Zhang Xiluo laughed in her mother’s embrace. “I just came back to mooch a dinner. I’ll leave after I eat.”

“My mother-in-law was supposed to visit but canceled at the last minute. I’m bored by myself.”

Mother Zhang gave her a doting glance and said nothing more.

After dinner, Zhang Xiluo carried several bags back to the villa. Xiao Zhao kept glancing at her in the rearview mirror.

Catching his gaze, Zhang Xiluo suddenly remembered something. According to the timeline, Xiao Zhao was supposed to go home for a blind date this weekend, but his sister-in-law would go into labor early, with a complicated delivery and severe bleeding. By the time they reached the hospital, it would be too late.

“Are you about to ask me for leave?” Zhang Xiluo asked proactively. Xiao Zhao nodded, a little embarrassed.

“My mom arranged a match for me… She wants me to go back and discuss it. They’re not in good health and worry they won’t live to see a grandchild.” Xiao Zhao was a filial son, and in her previous life, he was the only one who stayed by her side until the end.

She had driven in a mad chase, and he had followed, suffering serious injuries as well.

This time, she would not let tragedy repeat itself.

“Go ahead. No need to rush back. Tonight, take the Lincoln from the garage. Pay for fuel yourself.”

“No, no, I can just take the bus. I’ll be back by Monday, won’t miss work.”

“Listen to me. There are some things in the back seat; take them with you.” When she bought things for Lin Yiming, she got some for him as well.

Gratitude filled Xiao Zhao’s face as he thanked her repeatedly.

Back at the villa, Zhang Xiluo sent Xiao Zhao to fetch the car from the garage and carried her newly bought things inside.

The living room was shrouded in smoke. As soon as she opened the door, she was choked into a fit of coughing. “Li Mingye, are you trying to smoke yourself to death with secondhand smoke?”

She set her things down and opened the windows and turned on the air purifier.

Li Mingye sat on the sofa, a cigarette between his fingers, the ashtray on the table overflowing with cigarette butts.

He was motionless, like a statue, eyes narrowed and gaze hostile, fixed intently on Zhang Xiluo.

Seeing his expression, Zhang Xiluo’s heart skipped a beat. Could something have happened to Zhou Yao?

No, if something had happened to Zhou Yao, he wouldn’t be here smoking. Either way, it had nothing to do with her, and she couldn’t be bothered to care.

She picked up her things, intent on going upstairs, not wanting any more contact with him.

“So you still remember to come home.” Li Mingye’s voice was cold. “Don’t forget your identity—we’re not divorced yet.”

Zhang Xiluo frowned, glancing back at him. He had been so strange lately, as if he were a different person.

If he really worried she’d betray him, why not just get a divorce?

“I remember,” she replied, unwilling to argue needlessly. “No need for reminders. In your world, only the magistrate may set fires, while the common folk can’t even light a lamp.”

“Zhang Xiluo, is this what you call remembering?” Li Mingye rose and strode over, phone in hand, showing her a screenshot.

In the image, she and Lin Yiming were in the revolving restaurant. She gazed out the window in profile, while Lin Yiming leaned beside her, flashing a peace sign, his face finally brightened by a smile.

The caption read: “Consoled by my sister, I’ve found a direction in life.”

“That’s a great photo,” Zhang Xiluo remarked, lips curving as she saw her own profile. It had the feel of a movie still.

Li Mingye’s expression darkened further. “You look so happy!”

Zhang Xiluo accidentally tapped the photo, returning to the chat with Zhou Yao.

Zhou Yao had sent him the screenshot, along with a message expressing bewilderment at Zhang Xiluo’s intentions.

From her words, it was clear she hadn’t broken up with Lin Yiming.

So which of them was lying…?

“I just thought it was a nice picture,” Zhang Xiluo said, tearing her gaze away to meet Li Mingye’s icy, somber eyes. “You poached Lin Yiming from me, so I gave him some advice.”

“You’re getting sharper with your words. How did I never notice before?” Li Mingye lifted a hand to touch her lips, but Zhang Xiluo quickly stepped back.

“I’m not surprised you never noticed. Instead of obsessing over pointless things, why not seriously consider divorce?”

“Divorce again—you can’t wait, can you?” Every time she brought it up, it inexplicably irritated Li Mingye, especially seeing her so earnest.

Seeing his expression sour further, Zhang Xiluo took a deep breath. “You and Zhou Yao are doing well. Divorce is only a matter of time.”

“Don’t worry. Until then, I won’t do anything out of line.” She didn’t want to argue anymore.

Li Mingye’s voice was low and conflicted. “You’ve changed.”

Zhang Xiluo paused, feeling her heart slowly being hollowed out. “I just don’t love you anymore.”

Li Mingye took an almost imperceptible step back, watching her ascend the stairs, a dull heaviness settling in his chest.

He kicked the bottom step in frustration, then turned and left.

“Luoluo, Xinyi’s gotten her leave approved—let’s go on a trip! It’s been ages since we’ve gone out together; you can’t say no!” The next morning, Jiang Xueting called Zhang Xiluo.

“All right, let’s go together!” Zhang Xiluo agreed readily. So much had happened lately; a trip would do her good.

More importantly, it would give her fewer chances to run into Li Mingye.