"I won't be going this year. Why don't you take Lila Wei instead," I said, my hands in my coat pockets, casually offering the opportunity to Lila Wei.
I was sure she needed this chance.
Hugh Pei's brows furrowed, forming a small peak. His expression was complicated, not one of straightforward displeasure, but a mixture of restrained annoyance.
"We are not getting a divorce. I will handle the matter with Lila Wei."
Honestly, hearing those words, I suspected I was hearing things.
It sounded like he was telling me he had chosen me and was preparing to give up Lila Wei.
Wasn't that ridiculous? Giving up his one true love just like that?
"Hugh Pei, don't joke around. Don't give me this kind of empty promise. No, it's not even a promise, is it?" I calmly refused.
With that, I turned to go inside, but Hugh Pei grabbed my arm.
"Let me try," he said, his voice almost pleading, a tone I had never heard from him before.
Even in my past life when he wanted a divorce, he had never lowered himself like this.
My heart pounded. Could it be that Hugh Pei had really fallen in love with me?
But it couldn't be deeper than his love for Lila Wei. If he had to give someone up, it should be me. I thought Hugh Pei was under pressure from his family and wasn't yet ready to defy the world for Lila Wei, so he was planning to continue using me to placate them.
This was the only reason I could think of that made sense and was very reliable.
"No need to try. You should go. My dad isn't back yet. If he comes back and sees you, it will be awkward for you," my reason prevailed.
Speak of the devil. My dad had just stepped out to deal with something. My mom was busy with New Year's Eve dinner at home, so she didn't know Hugh Pei had arrived.
Seeing Hugh Pei, my dad's expression immediately soured, as if he had seen something unlucky enter his house. He asked sternly, "What are you doing here?"
"Dad," Hugh Pei still greeted him politely.
"Don't call me that. I can't bear it. You should have a new father-in-law soon. Go call him that," my dad's reply gave Hugh Pei no face at all.
Fearing it would get too ugly, I quickly went over and linked my arm with my dad's. "Dad, Mom needs a hand. You go help. I'll handle this."
My dad had promised me he wouldn't interfere too much in my affairs with Hugh Pei, so he reluctantly went inside.
"You see? My family has a very bad impression of you now. Hugh Pei, even if we don't get a divorce for now, it won't end well. I've already convinced my parents not to interfere in our affairs. You should go back and make things clear with your family too," I said calmly to Hugh Pei.
Hugh Pei looked at me intently. "I don't plan on getting a divorce. What is there to make clear?"
"How much longer are you going to waste my time?" I blurted out. "How can you be so vicious? Even if I agreed to your grandfather's proposal to marry you, which led to your parents pressuring you, you also agreed to it. You also saw the benefits in it. Why do you blame me for everything in the end?"
A ripple went through Hugh Pei's eyes, and his tone changed. "Zoe Xu, do you really not know what you made me lose?"
I was confused. "Freedom?"
"Heh," Hugh Pei sneered. "Freedom my ass."
That was true. He was still as carefree as ever after getting married, not holding back at all because of his marital status.
For him, freedom was a matter of want, not a serious issue.
Then I really didn't know what else it could be.
Just then, my phone rang. It was my mother-in-law. Although Hugh Pei and I were on bad terms, my mother-in-law had always been on my side. It wouldn't be right to reject her call.
I stepped aside to answer the phone. My mother-in-law's voice came through, "Zoe, are you coming back with Hugh Pei for New Year's Eve dinner?"
"Mom, um… I probably won't be able to make it this year," I hesitated, but still refused.
My mother-in-law sighed. "Come back. I have something to tell you. Maybe you'll understand why Hugh Pei has been so stubborn with you all these years."
I looked back at Hugh Pei. He was also looking at me.
I had loved him for ten years. I knew his life, his personality, and his preferences inside and out. How could there be something I didn't know?
This really piqued my curiosity.
"Okay," I agreed. Before the final end, it would be good to know why Hugh Pei had treated me so coldly all these years.
After hanging up, I said to Hugh Pei, "Let's go, to your parents' place."
He was silent, just turned and went to the car.
I followed closely behind. I was about to get into the passenger seat, but I changed my mind and went to the back.
The passenger seat should be Lila Wei's exclusive seat now. I had no intention of fighting her for it. Even if she wasn't there, I was willing to give it up.
This gesture made Hugh Pei's face darken even more.
But he didn't say anything, just started the car and drove towards C-City.
On the way, I sent a message to my parents explaining the situation. Fortunately, they understood and just hoped I would get back soon.
It was cold and snowy, and there was occasional traffic, so the car was slower than usual. The usually four-hour drive took six hours today.
It was already past lunchtime, so we could only wait for New Year's Eve dinner in the evening.
"Dad, Mom," I greeted my in-laws as warmly as ever.
Honestly, after the incident with Lila Wei, I liked my in-laws even more and felt closer to them.
Thinking about having to give up such good in-laws after the divorce, I felt a little reluctant.
"Zoe, you're back," my mother-in-law said, taking my hand. Then she glared at Hugh Pei, her eyes full of blame.
Hugh Pei ignored her, just took off his coat and sat down on the sofa.
My father-in-law snorted and turned his face away from his son, instead calling out to me, "Zoe, come sit here."
My mother-in-law and I went to sit down. My mother-in-law asked, "How long was the drive? Did you eat on the way? I asked the kitchen to leave some food for you. Have a little something to tide you over until New Year's Eve dinner."
"Okay," I nodded.
When the food was served, Hugh Pei and I ate a little. My in-laws watched from the side. The atmosphere between the four of us was a little strange.
"Eat more, you're so thin, it makes one's heart ache," my mother-in-law said, putting food on my plate.
"Mm-hmm," my heart warmed, and I smiled at her.
Hugh Pei ate with his head down, without a sound or any eye contact.
After dinner, he went upstairs alone. My father-in-law said he had some work to do in his study, leaving my mother-in-law and me in the living room.
She said, "Zoe, wait a moment."
A few minutes later, she came down from upstairs with a kraft paper envelope. In front of my puzzled eyes, she opened the envelope and took out a few photos, handing them to me. "Take a look at these."
I took the photos and examined them. My expression changed, my heart filled with shock.
There were seven photos in total. Each one made me feel an unprecedented sense of astonishment and disbelief. By the time I had seen them all, I was completely stunned.