Zhong Yi glanced down at her bare ring finger, then gave a soft “okay.”
If she kept going without wearing a ring, it’d be hard to explain things to her father.
As the pan-seared sea bass was served, she nudged the salad plate aside and focused on slicing the fish.
She didn’t let herself think too hard about whether she genuinely wanted a wedding ring or if it was just because of her father.
Because some things didn’t hold up to scrutiny.
“Do you want to go to the store or have them send a selection to the house?” Zhou Shiyi’s deep voice cut through her thoughts.
She realized she hadn’t gone shopping in ages, so she answered without hesitation, “Let’s go to the store.”
Zhou Shiyi pulled up the jewelry store manager’s WeChat. Their last message was from two years ago.
Without checking old conversations, he simply asked whether she was at the store—they’d come by in the afternoon to pick out wedding rings.
The manager had since been promoted to regional director and rarely worked on-site, but she replied efficiently:
[Yes, Mr. Zhou. You’re welcome anytime.]
It had been a while, and she couldn’t remember all the details, so she quickly reviewed past chats to confirm his preferences.
Zhou Shiyi had once customized a diamond ring through an introduction from his boss.
The manager now found herself wondering—was the person coming to choose rings today the same one who received that ring back then?
She was curious, yes. But she knew her place.
Once the appointment was confirmed, Zhou Shiyi put down his phone and said, “Two o’clock.”
Zhong Yi gave a light “mm” in response.
Most other tables were chatting, but theirs was quiet enough that the clinking of cutlery on plates could be clearly heard.
After finishing her first plate of fish, Zhong Yi swapped in the second. Just as she was about to start, she looked up and locked eyes with the man across from her.
Zhou Shiyi had already been glancing her way; their eyes met squarely. He gave her a look that seemed to say, Go ahead.
“My tastes and habits haven’t changed—still the same as before,” she said calmly, slicing a piece of fish.
“How about you?”
After a brief pause, she added, “Figured we should catch up a little—save us both the trouble of asking every time.”
Zhou Shiyi said, “Some things have changed.”
He didn’t elaborate.
A short silence fell over the table.
Zhong Yi focused on her fish—boneless, yet she ate with extra care, as if that could keep her thoughts at bay.
Zhou Shiyi sipped his wine. Just as he was about to set the glass down, he paused and tilted it toward her, gesturing that she pick up her own.
“In our marriage… if I fall short anywhere, I hope you’ll forgive me. And if there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to tell me. Congratulations on the wedding.”
His tone was overly formal and distant.
Zhong Yi raised her water glass, tapped it against his, took a symbolic sip, and said nothing.
Zhou Shiyi lifted his head slightly and finished his wine in one go, his Adam’s apple moving with the swallow. His gaze never left her cool, elegant features.
Zhong Yi absentmindedly chewed her next bite, but immediately felt off. She shouldn’t bring old feelings into this marriage. Her father had been right—starting over might not be so bad.
“Congratulations,” she added, then took another small sip of water.
Even though she’d braced herself for this, something still didn’t sit right in her chest.
She just couldn’t let go of the time they’d spent apart.
It’s hard to turn the page on the past. If it were easy, they wouldn’t have ended things the way they did.
Zhong Yi always ate slowly. Zhou Shiyi, just like before, rested his chin on his hand and waited, leaning back in the sofa.
After their toast, her mood had dimmed. She tried to hide it, but he knew her too well—nothing escaped him.
She hadn’t ordered any drinks. As her water ran low, a server approached to refill it.
Zhou Shiyi reached out.
“I got it.”
He took the matte glass pitcher from the server and poured her half a glass.
His arm passed in front of her—shirt sleeves rolled up, exposing a watch with a dark blue face.
Zhong Yi recognized it. He used to wear that all the time.
Finally, something familiar on him.
From the restaurant, they headed straight to the jewelry flagship store in the Maybach.
The once-manager, now regional director, was already waiting.
Zhou Shiyi asked her to assist Zhong Yi with choosing a ring while he settled into the VIP lounge.
The manager noticed that he didn’t seem particularly invested in the ring selection—very different from two years ago, when he personally oversaw every detail, never delegating anything to his assistant.
She couldn’t help but wonder who that earlier ring had been for.
Her instincts told her it wasn’t for this sharp-featured woman with short hair.
Zhong Yi noticed he wasn’t beside her. She turned, only to see him already seated on the sofa.
Their eyes met again. She looked at him a little longer than usual, expecting him to join her.
Zhou Shiyi took a sip of the tea that had just been served. He didn’t drink again for a long time.
Eventually, he put the cup down and finally walked over.
Zhong Yi was examining a ring when she sensed someone beside her. She didn’t even need to look—she could tell it was him by presence alone.
She chose a modest diamond ring, something simple enough for everyday wear.
The manager was surprised by her choice—this ring didn’t even cost a fraction of what Zhou Shiyi had spent two years ago.
It took less than ten minutes to decide, and she hadn’t once asked for Zhou Shiyi’s opinion.
As they left the store, his first words were:
“Then why have me come over?”
“Hmm?”
The comment came out of nowhere. Zhong Yi didn’t immediately grasp what he meant.
He clarified, “Didn’t you say you wanted my help picking the ring?”
Realizing what he meant, she replied, “I never asked you to.”
She had noticed him sitting back, clearly not planning to pick a ring for himself, which is why she’d looked at him with confusion.
He misunderstood. Zhou Shiyi didn’t argue.
In the past, whenever she wanted something from him, she’d give him that same silent, pointed look.
Back in the car, both of them checked their watches at the same time.
It was only 2:15. Their dinner appointment wasn’t until 6:00. That left nearly four hours to kill.
Right then, a call came in from Zhan Liang.
“Mr. Zhou, you have a video conference in half an hour.”
The boss hadn’t left instructions to cancel or delay, so even though he knew his CEO was on a date, he had no choice but to interrupt.
Zhou Shiyi:
“Got it.”
After hanging up, he turned to ask, “Want to come to my place?”
They didn’t have enough time to go to Kunchen Tower, so by “my place,” he meant his residence.
Zhong Yi replied casually, “Sure. I’m free this afternoon.”
From the driver’s seat, the chauffeur marveled at how different the two were now—mature, calm, no more impulsive fights.
The only issue? They talked too little.
Not a word was exchanged the whole ride, and even upon arriving home, they barely spoke.
Zhong Yi stepped out of the car, looked around the yard, then pointed at the patch of grass just starting to turn green.
“I’ll sit there for a bit, won’t disturb your meeting.”
Across the car roof, Zhou Shiyi looked at her directly, then silently shut the door with his left hand.
Zhong Yi said, “Just a glass of water is fine.”
Zhou Shiyi told the housekeeper to bring her some warm water, then went upstairs to his study.
The afternoon meeting was about the new car launch. They tentatively scheduled it for May 22nd—the third day after their wedding.
On that day, spokesperson Lu Cheng would attend the launch, and Zhou Shiyi, now the new CEO, would be there too.
“Mr. Zhou, how long do you plan to interact with the spokesperson at the event?”
“Keep it brief if it’s not necessary,” he said coolly.
“Understood.”
Just as the meeting wrapped up, Ji Fanxing’s call came in.
“Congrats on the wedding! Wishing you both a lifetime of happiness!” Her tone was half teasing.
“You sure kept it quiet—been waiting for your announcement all day. Planning to enjoy the moment all to yourself?”
After thanking her, Zhou Shiyi asked, “Who told you?”
“Your uncle, of course. Invited me to witness your ‘happiness.’”
Zhou Shiyi wasn’t sure why his father-in-law invited Ji Fanxing—they weren’t close.
“When’s your car launching?”
“May.”
“Which day?”
“Not finalized yet. Why?”
“I want to attend the launch dinner. If it’s convenient, introduce me to Lu Cheng. Don’t worry, I’m not chasing him. I just…”
“No.”
His rejection was firm and immediate.
Ji Fanxing was baffled. Was an introduction really that big of a deal?
Zhou Shiyi: [If you really want to meet him, talk to President Du on the day of the official announcement.]
She was annoyed at first, but the mention of the “announcement” made her perk up again—that would happen before the actual launch.
So she let his attitude slide and replied: [Thanks!]
Ji Fanxing: [Do me a favor—ask your wife, subtly, what kind of gift she’d like.]
Zhou Shiyi: [Silk scarf.]
While replying, he stepped out onto the terrace to check on Zhong Yi.
She was sitting on the grass below, typing away on her laptop.
Her canvas bag had everything—umbrella, water bottle, notebook, makeup pouch, coin purse. Fully stocked, as always.
A message from Ning Que came in: [Reconsider the Kunchen Auto project?]
Zhong Yi replied without hesitation: [No.]
[You’re married now. You’ll be living under the same roof. What’s there to avoid?]
[Boundaries are still important—especially since we still have unresolved issues.]
[I’m just worried that if you refuse, Zhou Shiyi might overthink it. You’ll drift again.]
[Thanks. But if he brings it up himself, I’ll consider it.]
Ning Que understood—she wanted Zhou Shiyi to come to her.
He didn’t press further: [Focus on the wedding then.]
Zhong Yi said goodbye, closed the chat, and opened the project brief.
Upstairs on the terrace, Zhou Shiyi noticed she hadn’t moved. He converted voice messages into text so he could skim them quietly.
Once everything was done, he saw she was still sitting there.
He grabbed a bottle of water from his study and walked back to the terrace. Just as he raised the bottle to his lips, Zhong Yi turned and looked up at him.
Over the years, she’d often sensed someone behind her—familiar, yet never there.
This time, finally, someone was.
Their eyes met and lingered.
“Done with work?” she asked after a pause.
He nodded.
“Want some coffee before we go?”
Maybe it was just a polite offer.
But Zhong Yi didn’t treat it as such. She hadn’t had his coffee in three years.
“Did you make it? If you did, I’ll try a cup.”
Only if it was his.
They held that gaze—longer than ever before.
But the distance between them remained. One upstairs, one below. Too far to see each other’s eyes clearly.
He said, “The housekeeper made it.”
Then turned away, disappearing from the terrace.
Zhong Yi quietly packed up her things.
Moments later, Zhou Shiyi emerged, draping a pinstripe jacket over his arm, phone in hand. He tilted his chin toward the carport.
“Let’s go.”
At 5:50, they left for the restaurant.
Plenty of time to make coffee—if he’d wanted to.
But he didn’t push it. And she didn’t ask.
Just like before, the ride was silent.
Two distant faces reflected in the tinted windows.
He hadn’t touched the coffee machine in three years—ever since their breakup on March 22nd, the day he made her one last red bean latte.
He never knew if she drank it.
There were coffee shops everywhere along the route.
Zhou Shiyi looked away from the window and turned to her.
She was unreadable.
It was their first day as husband and wife—why let things start off with regrets?
He told the driver to pull over.