A few days after New Year's, I was discharged from the hospital.
It was incredibly boring in the hospital, and since my recovery was going well, I checked out early.
After Leo Li drove me back to Mapleview Manor, the housekeeper made me a sumptuous lunch. I ate until I burped, feeling refreshed and full of energy.
Suddenly, Julian Qi called. "Sis Zoe, how are you? Are you okay? I went to the hospital, but they said you were already discharged!"
"Julian, how did you know I was in the hospital?" I was a bit surprised, as I hadn't posted anything on my social media.
Julian Qi was silent for a few seconds before he told me, "Lila Wei told me this morning."
Why would Lila Wei tell Julian Qi I was hurt? I recalled her previous comment about Julian Qi being different with me, and I started to understand her intentions. Was she trying to push Julian Qi and me into a relationship?
Just then, Hugh Pei's call came in. After a few perfunctory words with Julian Qi, I answered his call.
He was questioning me. "Why didn't you tell me you were being discharged?"
"You went to the hospital?" I asked.
"What do you think?" Hugh Pei sounded furious. "You wasted my time!"
It dawned on me. Lila Wei knew Hugh Pei was going to the hospital this morning, so she told Julian Qi I was there, hoping they would run into each other. She just hadn't expected me to be discharged early.
I never thought Lila Wei could be like that, starting to play these little games.
Hugh Pei had already hung up, and I didn't call him back.
In winter, the days are short and the nights are long. It wasn't even five-thirty in the afternoon, but the sky was already dark. I had slept the whole afternoon and just gotten up. I wrapped myself in a coat and walked out to the snowman.
The snowman was a bit misshapen. It had been snowing on and off for the past few days, and it had become bloated, losing its figure.
"Ma'am, it's too cold outside. You should go in where it's warm," the housekeeper reminded me thoughtfully.
"It's okay, I'm dressed warmly," I said with a smile. "Go ahead and make dinner. I'm not hungry, so just make something simple."
"Yes, ma'am."
After the housekeeper went inside, I took two steps back and looked at the castle-like villa. I used to think of it as my and Hugh Pei's love nest, but now I realized it was more like a giant cage where I had willingly trapped myself for five years.
For these five years, I had done nothing but think about Hugh Pei and wait for Hugh Pei.
Ginny Deng at least had her hobby of chasing handsome guys, Ella Li had been working hard to become a singer, and Tilly Ouyang was focused on her career. Only I, after giving up on Hugh Pei, became spiritually empty, bored to tears.
Perhaps, after the divorce, I should plan what to do with my life. Should I continue my so-called music dream, or go back to my family's company to gain experience?
In any case, I would not go back to the Pei Corporation to be a private secretary.
I was so lost in thought that I didn't even notice when Hugh Pei came up behind me.
"Sigh." I let out a deep sigh and turned to go back inside. When I caught a glimpse of Hugh Pei's figure, I gasped and clutched my chest. "You scared me to death! Hugh Pei, are you a ghost?!"
"What guilty thing have you done to be so jumpy?" Hugh Pei had his hands in his windbreaker pockets. He was wearing a black and white knitted scarf that looked handmade rather than store-bought.
It suited him.
I didn't answer him, instead pointing to the scarf. "It's beautiful. Did Lila Wei knit it?"
I had seen this scarf in my previous life, but it had appeared much later. Evan Yu told me that Lila Wei had knitted it for Hugh Pei herself.
Hugh Pei treasured this scarf as if it were the most expensive luxury item in the world.
He raised an eyebrow, seemingly acknowledging it, and waited for me to continue.
"It looks so warm. Can I borrow it?" Without a second thought, I reached up to take his scarf. I expected him to refuse, but he actually bent down slightly to accommodate me.
As he bent down, the distance between us closed. I slowed my movements, gazing at his face. It was hard to believe I had loved this face for ten years, and now I was really letting go.
Hugh Pei's gaze on me also changed, as if he were studying me. He asked, "Are you going to wear it or not?"
Only then did I speed up, pulling the scarf off and wrapping it messily around my own neck. Maybe it was the magic of love, but the scarf was indeed very warm.
"Lila Wei will be angry if she finds out," I said, rubbing my chin against the scarf. "She's just started to warm up to you. Don't ruin it."
"She's not that petty," Hugh Pei replied lightly, as if the Lila Wei in his mind was the most trusting and understanding woman.
I sighed softly. I really wanted to play the recording for Hugh Pei right now and tell him that Julian Qi had also visited me at the hospital this morning, thanks to Lila Wei.
But with the divorce so close, there was no need to do so. It would only delay things, and the recording wouldn't have the maximum impact.
The scarf around my neck seemed to be slowly growing thorns, pricking me uncomfortably. I took it off and handed it back to Hugh Pei. "Thanks, I've worn it enough."
With that, I turned and went back inside. Hugh Pei followed, holding the scarf.
Unlike the freezing cold outside, the house was very warm. You could even walk barefoot on the floor without feeling cold. I took off my coat and tossed it aside, and Hugh Pei did the same.
"Did you bring the divorce papers?" I sat on the sofa, holding a cup of hot tea, my eyes calmly on Hugh Pei opposite me.
"No," Hugh Pei's answer was unexpected.
"Why aren't they ready yet?" I was a bit frustrated. "I'm not taking a single penny, no need to divide the assets. Shouldn't it be simple?"
Hugh Pei frowned. "Are you in such a hurry to get divorced?"
Those words were so familiar!
In my past life, I had asked Hugh Pei the same question, and his answer was that he wanted to give Lila Wei a proper identity, not that of a shameful mistress.
I felt a daze, as if scenes from both lives were overlapping, even our roles had been swapped.
"What's the point of not divorcing?" I came back to my senses, the ripples in my heart calming down. "We've been a nominal couple for five years. Isn't that enough? Now you have someone you truly like, and I'm willing to let go of the past. Isn't that good?"
"Hugh Pei, what's wrong with you? What are you hesitating for? Are you really reluctant to let go of the benefits my family brings?"
My questioning made Hugh Pei's expression change drastically. I saw his hands slowly clench into fists, the veins on the back of them bulging from the force.
A certain suspicion in my heart grew stronger, compelling me to continue, "Could it be… you've fallen for me?"
"Zoe Xu!" Hugh Pei's voice was full of impatience. "Can't you get rid of that presumptuous habit of yours?"
I was speechless. The rising tide in my heart was instantly crushed on the shore. It seemed I had really been overthinking it. Something that hadn't been accomplished in ten years, how could it be done in just a few months of being reborn?