I thought what my uncle said made a lot of sense. Although my parents were open-minded and didn't force me to inherit the company, I couldn't be so selfish.
And Hugh Pei and I weren't likely to get divorced anytime soon. Instead of wasting time struggling with pointless emotions, it was better to start changing myself and choose a different life.
"Uncle, I understand," I replied seriously.
"Your brother Min is managing the branch company and needs a helper. Why don't you come abroad with me to train for a while? In the country, you'll still be entangled with Hugh Pei. If you go abroad, you can focus on work," my uncle suggested, pleased with my response.
My family's business and my uncle's were similar, just one domestic and one international. It would be a great opportunity for me to gain experience at my uncle's company.
Most importantly, I could get away from Hugh Pei and the others for a while and avoid any further entanglement.
My parents looked at me. I could see the anticipation in their eyes, but they didn't want to pressure me.
My mom's heart wasn't very strong now, and my dad was about to retire. If I didn't take on my responsibilities, I would be too unfilial.
"Okay, Uncle, Auntie. I'll go to X-Country with you after the New Year," I agreed firmly, without much thought.
This answer made everyone happy, and the meal was a joyous and harmonious one.
After dinner, my uncle and his family left. They had their own property in A-City, which was regularly cleaned by a dedicated person, so they didn't need to stay at my place.
As soon as they left, my parents surrounded me. "Zoe, are you sure you want to go work at your uncle's?"
"Yes, Mom, Dad. I've thought about it. Music is very important to me, it's my greatest hobby. But I've neglected it for so many years, there's no need to start over. I can still play the cello in my spare time while I learn the business, right?" I said, linking my arms with my parents', my tone light.
My dad let out a heavy sigh of relief and squeezed my hand silently. My mom also smiled with satisfaction. "Good. Your father and I have discussed it. We won't interfere too much in your affairs with Hugh Pei. We will respect all your decisions."
"Thank you, Mom and Dad!" My eyes welled up. I didn't want to cry, so I just leaned on my mom's shoulder and closed my eyes for a moment.
It was less than a week until the New Year. I didn't plan to go back to my apartment. I would stay at home until after the Spring Festival and then go abroad with my uncle and his family.
I had just had a few days of peace and quiet when Eva Liu's call shattered my tranquility.
"Miss Xu, about my daughter and Mr. Pei, would you be willing to meet and talk?" Eva Liu's voice was filled with anxiety.
It was her daughter who was in the wrong, so she couldn't be too assertive.
I was silent for a moment, then asked, "What do you want to talk about? Lila Wei admitted to me that she likes Hugh Pei, and Hugh Pei likes her too. Shouldn't we just let them figure out a way to get both families' approval and be together?"
"I disagree!!" Eva Liu became agitated. "Unless I die!!"
She had witnessed me and Hugh Pei together, and had even gotten Chinese medicine for us to help with pregnancy. Now Lila Wei was being cursed by countless people online. As a mother, she definitely couldn't accept it.
Her attitude was much more intense than in my previous life.
My long and patient groundwork had finally paid off.
"Auntie Liu, you can't force matters of the heart. They are in love. What can we do?" I replied faintly.
Eva Liu calmed herself down a bit, her voice a little calmer. "No, Miss Xu. I locked her up at home as soon as she was discharged from the hospital. I won't let her out until she has completely broken up with Mr. Pei. I also need to trouble you to talk to Mr. Pei. He is a married man with a wonderful wife like you. There's no need for him to be so fixated on my daughter."
So Lila Wei was now locked up by Eva Liu?
She had gone to all the trouble of faking a suicide attempt, making Hugh Pei worry sick and showing my mother-in-law her importance in his heart, only to be locked up by her own mother as soon as she was discharged.
If I were Lila Wei, I would want to vomit blood too.
Eva Liu's words were sincere, and I knew she wasn't a bad person, so I reluctantly agreed. "Okay, I'll try to persuade Hugh Pei, but I don't know if he'll listen."
"Okay, thank you, Miss Xu." Eva Liu hung up.
I thought for a moment, then called Hugh Pei and relayed Eva Liu's words to him.
Then I asked, "What do you think? Are you going to persist or give up?"
"Mind your own business," Hugh Pei said, sensing the sarcasm in my tone, his voice cold.
"Hey, you're the one who doesn't want to divorce me, and you're still so impatient?" I snorted. "Hugh Pei, you should hurry up and comfort your little lover. She's locked up, and you're still dragging your feet on the divorce. She must be furious."
"Zoe Xu, your wit has certainly improved. You know exactly what to say to annoy me, don't you?" Hugh Pei retorted.
Only now did I feel the thrill of rebirth. My early preparations were all starting to pay off, so my mind was clear, and my eloquence naturally improved.
"No, I just wanted to remind you. After all, Lila Wei is young and not very mature. I'm afraid she'll do something drastic again," I said slowly. "Forget it, do whatever you want. I'm going to get my beauty sleep."
With that, I hung up and went to lie on the sofa like a corpse.
Just as I was about to fall asleep, my phone rang again. It was an unknown number.
I answered the call and said lazily, "Who is it?"
"Sis Zoe, it's me." Lila Wei's usually clear and sweet voice was now a little nervous and flustered. "Can we meet? I'm waiting for you at 'Encounter' coffee shop."
"Aren't you locked up at home?" I asked curiously.
"Come over and we'll talk," Lila Wei's voice was very low.
"Alright."
I hung up, got in the car, and drove to 'Encounter' coffee shop.
Lila Wei was already waiting inside. A few young men and women behind the counter were occasionally glancing at her. They must have seen the news.
To dare to meet me here, her psychological fortitude was stronger than I had imagined.
Seeing me arrive, Lila Wei ordered me a black coffee. Her pale and weak face had a faint smile. "Sis Zoe, I remember you always order black coffee with no sugar every time you come here. Do you want something else?"
"No, that's fine. Thank you." I sat down across from her and got straight to the point. "What did you want to see me about?"
Lila Wei bit her lip, her hands cupping the coffee cup, her fingertips tracing the side of it. She seemed to have trouble speaking. After a long while, she asked softly, "Did your divorce lawsuit… succeed?"
I was slightly surprised. She came to ask about this?
Lila Wei's eyes were a little teary, but she still looked at me calmly. "Maybe if you two get a divorce, my parents won't be so strongly opposed."