CHAPTER 15
I opened the small diary with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. The yellowed pages and simple design were a silent testimony to the time that had passed since Xu Ai began writing it. I ran my fingers over the cover before opening it, as if trying to prepare myself for what I was about to discover.
The first page was dated more than ten years ago. Xu Ai's teenage handwriting was precise, with careful strokes that reflected her youthful enthusiasm. My eyes scanned the first lines, and the air around me seemed to grow heavier.
Today I started this diary because something wonderful has happened and I don't want to ever forget it. I was afraid of studying in a new place, but not anymore. Those fears have turned into an attraction for a boy in my class. I still don't know his name, though he sits two tables away from me. He has dark hair and black eyes. The entire class looks at him with respect because he is the son of someone very important. I don't care who his father is because I know that many like mine do not love their children. What's important to me is him…
I felt a lump in my throat. The description fit me perfectly, and although reading the words "what's important to me is him" sent a pang of emotion through me, it also filled me with guilt I didn't know how to handle. I closed my eyes before turning to the next page, overwhelmed by the emotions of that teenager.
Today, at last, I heard his name: Chen Hao. I like how it sounds, strong and elegant, like him. During math class, the teacher called him to solve a problem on the board. He walked with such confidence… But the best part was when he turned to the class after finishing and smiled. I think nobody noticed, but his smile wasn't for everyone, it was just for me. At least, I want to believe it.
I looked away from the diary, closing my eyes again. I remembered that class. I had solved the problem as usual, but I never imagined that someone was watching me so intently. I opened my eyes and continued reading, unable to stop.
Today I saw him playing basketball in the courtyard. There were other girls watching him too, but I didn't approach him. I don't dare. I watch him from afar because I think if he ever looks at me, I will get so nervous that I'd make a fool of myself. But it's so different when he plays… He looks relaxed, as if he doesn't have to carry all those expectations everyone has of him.
I stayed still for a moment. I remembered playing basketball to escape from family pressures, but I never thought about how others perceived me. Knowing now that Xu Ai had been watching me in silence brought a mix of emotions: joy, melancholy, and a growing sense of loss.
I turned the page, feeling each word draw me deeper into the past.
Today I found out something else about him: he likes chocolate cookies. I know because a friend of his told him that for his birthday he's going to give him two boxes. I'm going to ask my grandmother how they're made and try to place one on his desk every day.
I set the diary on the table and rested my head in my hands. Now I remembered. There was always a cookie on my desk during those classes, but I never bothered to find out who left them. Knowing it was Xu Ai filled my chest with warmth, but it also sank me deeper into sadness. She had done so much for me, even from a distance, while I... while I had treated her with a cold that now seemed unforgivable.
I took a deep breath and opened the diary again. The next entry hit me hard.
Today I saw him talking to another girl. She was pretty and was flirting with him, but I don't know if he realized. I felt so small, so insignificant. I know I have no right to feel jealous, but I can't help it. I can't help wishing that someday he would look at me the same way.
I flipped through several pages, stopping at small moments of hope and days when it seemed her heart was breaking. Until I reached the last page before the wedding.
A week ago, I married Chen Hao. Today I went back to my grandmother's house to pick up some important things. When I think of him, my heart fills with excitement. Now I am his wife, and although our start has been quiet, I am sure that over time we can build something beautiful together.
I stared at those words for a long time. My heart clenched as I pictured her in that empty house, facing the pain of losing her grandmother while trying to hold onto a marriage I had doomed before even giving it a chance.
I rose from the chair, unable to remain seated. I began pacing the office, my steps echoing in silence. Each phrase from the diary repeated in my mind, as if Xu Ai's words were etched in my skin.
"Damn it…" I muttered, clenching my fists so tightly that I felt the nails digging into my palms.
I could not ignore what I had read. Xu Ai had entered my life full of love and hope, while I had done everything possible to keep her at a distance. And now, she was gone.
The pain mixed with regret and anger, but not towards her. It was towards me. I leaned against the desk, pressing my fingers against the wood as I tried to control the trembling in my hands.
"I can't lose her…" I said softly, almost like a plea.
For a moment, the office was completely silent, aside from the rhythmic sound of my breathing. The first lights of dawn began to filter through the windows, bathing the room in a clarity that contrasted with the darkness inside me.
I straightened up, letting determination take the place of fear. I didn't know how, but I had to find her. I had to understand why she had left, what exactly I had done wrong, and if there was still a chance to make amends.
I approached the window, watching as dawn slowly illuminated the horizon. I couldn't give up, not now. No matter how long it took, I couldn't let Xu Ai disappear from my life forever.
CHAPTER 16
I quickly put on my coat, determined to delay my arrival at the office. After an endless night of insomnia, I knew it would be futile to try to focus on work. Ai's absence haunted me with every step I took, and although I tried to tell myself I would resolve it later, the truth was I couldn't escape the constant ache pulsing in my chest.
As I headed towards the door, the doorbell interrupted my thoughts. I looked towards the entrance, puzzled. Who would come at this time? I walked with a firm step, although a mix of anxiety and curiosity began to stir within me. Upon opening it, I was greeted by a young courier holding a brown envelope.
"Good morning, is Mrs. Chen here?" he asked, his tone formal yet neutral.
My jaw tensed instantly. Why would someone be looking for Ai here? I took a deep breath, forcing myself to keep composure.
"I am her husband. You can leave it with me."
The young man nodded, handing me the envelope quickly before turning around and walking away without adding anything more. I closed the door behind me, left alone with the envelope in my hand. It felt heavier than its small size suggested, as if it carried something I was yet to find.
I walked to the living room and stopped by the coffee table. I saw the envelope for a few seconds, noting how plain it appeared: no sender, no marks, but heavy enough to arouse suspicion. I carefully opened it, and from inside fell a handful of photographs that slid across the table.
I frowned as I picked up the first image. What I saw made my body tense instantly. It was me, exiting a nightclub with an unknown woman clinging to my arm. My expression seemed relaxed, almost complicit, but I knew I had never been to that place. Yet, the image was clear, as if to scream at me that it was real.
I dropped the photo as if it were burning, but curiosity and the need to understand what I was seeing drove me to pick up another. In this one, I was sitting in an elegant restaurant, leaning towards another woman while laughing. The scene appeared intimate, full of complicity. My mind resisted accepting what I saw, but the photos were frighteningly precise.
That's when I noticed a folded sheet that had fallen next to the photos. I opened it with trembling hands, and what I read made my stomach clench:
Madam Chen:
Since you ignored my message on your phone, I am sending you the same images in physical form so that you can verify they are real. I am only doing you a favor to act before your husband's infidelities are published in various media.
The note was typed, cold and direct. My breathing became heavy. This was not just an attempt to destroy my marriage, it was a declaration of war. Ai had received these images. I knew it now for certain. The note confirmed that she had seen all this before leaving.
My gaze returned to the photos. I picked them up one by one, examining them carefully. Each one showed a different situation, but the message was clear: I had betrayed my wife with multiple women. When I reached the last photo, where I was supposedly entering a hotel with a female figure dressed in red, I felt the ground crumble beneath my feet.
I collapsed into the nearest armchair, unable to look away from the images. My mind was a whirlwind, desperately trying to find a logical explanation. I knew it all was false, that I had never done anything the images insinuated. But the level of detail and precision was chilling. It was as if someone had studied every aspect of my life to construct this lie.
And then, the truth struck me. These images were what drove her to leave.
Pain pierced me like a dagger. I had spent a year keeping my distance, convincing myself it was best for both of us. But now, faced with the size of what had happened, I couldn't ignore the reality: someone had manipulated my marriage, and I had been too blind to see it.
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. I stood up quickly, feeling my frustration grow with each step towards the entrance. I opened the door abruptly and found Jiang, my secretary, looking at me with a mix of professionalism and concern.
"Sir, is everything alright?" he asked, noticing the tension on my face.
I didn't respond immediately. I turned and walked back to the living room, gesturing for him to follow. I stopped by the coffee table, where the photographs were still scattered. I pointed to the images, my voice cold and laden with held rage.
"Within 48 hours, I want to know who sent this to my wife."
Jiang stepped forward and carefully picked up the envelope. As he examined its contents, I saw his face show a mix of surprise and confusion.
"Sir, this… this is clearly a setup," he said after a moment.
"I know," I replied sharply, my tone as sharp as a knife. "But that doesn't change the damage they've caused. My wife believed these lies, and now she's gone. I want to know who did this and why."
Jiang nodded, his posture firm and determined. He knew he couldn't afford to fail in this task.
"Understood, sir. I'll take care of it immediately."
I watched as he carefully put the photos and the note back into the envelope. Before he could leave, I stopped him with a gesture.
"And one more thing," I added, my gaze fixed on him. "What new information do you have about her whereabouts?"
Jiang hesitated for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully.
"The last lead takes us to the sewing workshop Mrs. Chen visited, but no one there knows anything since that day, and according to what they have said, it will be closed next week because the fashion show has ended."
I clenched my fists, feeling frustration and helplessness grow inside me with each word he spoke.
"Keep looking," I ordered in a tone that allowed no reply. "I don't care how long it takes but find her."
Jiang bowed his head in a sign of respect and left the room, leaving behind an oppressive silence. I stayed motionless for a few seconds, my gaze fixed on the closed door. Then, I turned my gaze back to the house. With its vastness and emptiness, it seemed more desolate than ever. Every corner was a reminder of my failure; of everything I had done wrong and what I had lost. I collapsed into the armchair, resting my elbows on my knees while burying my face in my hands.
"I allowed this to happen," I thought bitterly. "I closed my eyes to what she needed. I was the one who pushed her away with my pride, with my indifference."
The echo of my own thoughts was deafening. I had failed as a husband, not just in failing to protect Ai from external attacks but in failing to give her the place she always deserved in my life. I had been too proud, too cowardly.
CHAPTER 17
I sat in my office, leaning forward with my hands clasped and elbows on the desk. The clock read 7:30 AM, much earlier than my usual time. I had arrived early, fleeing the tomb-like emptiness of my home. Yet even the bustle of the waking city could not distract me.
Before me, a business agreement awaited. My eyes scanned it, but my mind was elsewhere. Thoughts of Ai were constant, hammering with relentless force. Her departure and the reasons that led her to leave were torment I couldn't avoid. A question kept pounding in my consciousness, over and over: Why did I allow everything to reach this point?
The sound of the door softly opening pulled me from my trance. Jiang entered with a folder in hand. His expression was neutral, but his eyes held caution. He knew that any news he brought could exacerbate the storm inside me.
"Mr. Chen, here is the preliminary report you requested," he said, placing the folder in front of me with precise movements.
I nodded without looking at him and took the papers in silence. I opened them with steady hands, though my insides trembled. The first images I saw were the same ones that had come into my hands the night before: grotesque montages showing supposed infidelity. The weight of anger sank into my chest again, and my jaw clenched until it hurt. Although I knew they were false, there was something even more disturbing on those pages.
"Sir, as the note says, the images were sent to Mrs. Chen's phone the night she disappeared," Jiang explained in a measured voice, aware of the impact his words would have.
I squeezed the papers in my hands, my knuckles turning white. I closed my eyes, and an image struck me with all its rawness: Ai alone, facing those photos. Photos I had not refuted because I was not there to protect her, not even emotionally.
I leaned back in the chair, slamming the document onto the table with a sharp movement. Fury burned inside me, but beneath it was something even more corrosive: guilt. I remembered the nights I came home late without even asking how she was. I remembered the days when I deliberately ignored her, thinking that distance would protect me from the love I had always felt for her. Now I understood it hadn't been a shield; it had been a barrier that pushed her further away from me.
Jiang interrupted my flow of thoughts, this time with information that froze me.
"We also found a record of an airline ticket," he said, handing me another sheet. "Departure this morning at ten. Mrs. Chen used her maiden name."
I took the paper and stared at the printed name: Xu Ai. Without the surname Chen. That absence pierced me like a dagger. It wasn't just an administrative act; it was a clear message. She wanted to leave behind everything I represented.
"And the destination?" I asked, my voice hoarse.
"Paris, sir. But we have not yet confirmed if she actually took the flight."
Paris. The word echoed in my mind. Not only was she physically distant, but it represented everything I couldn't give her: freedom, a new life, a completely different world.
I nodded at Jiang in a gesture I barely managed to articulate.
"Thank you, Jiang. That's all for now."
He nodded and left, the door closing softly behind him. For a moment, I just stared at the ticket in my hands. The letters seemed to dance on the sheet, mocking me with every passing second.
The heat of fury rekindled inside me, but this time it was not directed at Ai, nor at those responsible for the photos. It was toward me. "You pushed her to this," I thought, closing my eyes as I tried to control the pressure I felt in my chest. Every second without her was a reminder of my failure, of the walls I built to keep her away and that now isolated me in an abyss of loneliness.
Hours later, I drove back home. The journey was wrapped in oppressive silence. The radio remained off, and the constant vibrations of my phone were ignored. The lights of Shanghai flickered around me, creating a cruel contrast with the darkness inside. My mind could only think of one thing: Ai.
Upon arriving, I left the keys on the hall table and looked around. The mansion, which had always been a silent refuge, now seemed like a mausoleum, cold and desolate. I went straight upstairs to Xu Ai's bedroom, driven by a mix of fear and hope.
The door was slightly ajar. As I pushed it open, the first thing I saw was the nightstand. There, perfectly aligned, were the divorce papers and the wedding ring. My heart sank instantly, and my feet froze on the threshold.
I moved slowly forward, each step echoing in the emptiness of the room. I approached the nightstand, and my gaze fixed on the ring. I picked it up, turning it under the dim bedroom light. The image of our wedding day flooded my mind with painful clarity. I remembered the moment I slid this ring on her finger, feeling a mix of happiness and fear I had never wanted to admit.
"This can't be the end…" I whispered, my voice broken, barely an echo in the vast empty space.
I let out a long, trembling sigh before gathering the documents and the ring. I went down to the study and stored them in a drawer with deliberate movements. I had no intention of sending them to the registry or acknowledging what they stood for. To me, Ai was still my wife, regardless of what those papers said.
I slumped into the chair, staring blankly at the horizon visible from the window. The lights of Shanghai twinkled like distant stars, oblivious to my internal storm. For the first time in my life, I felt completely powerless, as if everything I had built was crumbling in an instant.
A soft sound snapped me out of my thoughts. My phone vibrated on the desk. I picked it up with automatic movements and read a message from my assistant:
Mr. Chen, we have confirmed that the flight was taken. Mrs. Chen landed in Paris a few hours ago. I read those words several times, as if I couldn't fully process them. Paris. She really had left. The confirmation left me paralyzed for a moment, but I eventually wrote a brief and forceful response: Track her location. Make sure our men watch and protect her. Also, I want a daily report on what she does and who she is with.
I left the phone on the desk and leaned back into the chair, staring at the ceiling. Emotions continued to consume me, but they also began to drive me. I had made mistakes, I knew. I had been cold, distant, and proud. I had built a barrier between us that now seemed insurmountable. But I was not going to let this be the end of our story.
I closed my eyes, and Ai's image appeared in my mind: her smile, her hopeful looks on the day we married, even her patience when I deliberately pulled away. Tears began to accumulate, burning my eyes. I tried to hold them back, but I couldn't. One by one, they began to fall, warm and heavy, each one a reminder of how much I had lost her.
I buried my face in my hands and let the tears consume me. For the first time, I allowed the full weight of my mistakes and my loneliness to reach me. Because I had discovered too late that Ai was not just my wife; she was my everything.
CHAPTER 18
Shanghái, 2023
The mornings in my office had followed an unchanging pattern for the past five years: I reviewed reports, made decisions, and delegated responsibilities, but always with constant emptiness in my chest. No matter how busy my schedule was, my mind found ways to drift back to her.
The sound of the door snapped me back to the present. Jiang entered with his usual efficiency, carrying a folder under his arm. He placed it on the desk with a measured gesture, but his cautious glance betrayed that he knew the importance of its contents.
"Mr. Chen, I have confirmed her attendance at tonight's event at the Lúxian Hotel," he said, always on point.
I nodded, but my eyes were already fixed on the folder. I opened it with a controlled gesture and found the pages of an international fashion magazine. There she was, at the center of the cover, dazzling as ever. Under the headline "Xu Ai: The Designer Conquering Europe," the article announced her return to Shanghai to present her new collection.
I ran my fingers over the image as if I could reach something of her. Xu Ai had changed. Her posture was confident, almost defiant, and her smile, though radiant, hid something I couldn't decipher. Strength? Distance? Perhaps both.
"Have there been any complications with the itinerary?" I asked, keeping my gaze on the magazine.
"No, sir. The preparations are complete, and several prominent figures are expected to attend," Jiang replied with the precision that characterized him.
My fingers drummed on the desk as I processed the information. For years, I had checked her well-being from the shadows. I have read reports about her rise in Europe, about how she turned her talent into an empire. Each of her achievements was a reminder of how much I had lost, but also of how strong she was.
"I want everything to be under control tonight," I added firmly, not taking my eyes off the folder.
Jiang nodded and left, leaving me with my thoughts. I closed my eyes for a moment and let the memories wash over me.
There were nights when I stayed awake, going over reports about her. Photographs of fashion shows, articles about her success, and small anecdotes about her everyday life in Europe. They tormented me, but they also brought me comfort. Knowing she was well was enough to keep me going, even though it hurt to see her move on without me.
I opened my eyes and stood up, walking towards the window. Shanghai spread out before me, vibrant as always, but for me, everything was tinged with constant grey. I remembered the last months before her departure: the nights I came home late, ignoring her attempts to connect; the words I never said; the looks I avoided.
I returned to the desk and opened a drawer. There it was the wedding ring I had never stopped keeping. I picked it up and saw it under the dim office light. The cold metal seemed to mock me, reminding me of broken promises.
I took a deep breath and returned it to the drawer. Tonight, will be different. Tonight, I wouldn't hide behind pride or fear. Xu Ai might have changed, but so had I.
I headed to my bedroom and pulled out a flawless black suit. As I adjusted the tie in front of the mirror, I met my own eyes. There was a glint in them that I hadn't seen in a long time: determination.
Tonight, I wouldn't be a passive observer. Tonight, I will seek her out. And this time, I wouldn't let her go.
*****
Night had fallen over Shanghai, and the Lúxian Hotel glowed like a beacon in the darkness. The lobby was crowded with elegant figures and lively conversations, but to me, all that was irrelevant. I had awaited this moment for five long years.
My steps were firm, yet I felt the weight of impatience with each one. For years, my only connection to Xu Ai had been through reports and images sent by those who watched her from the shadows. I knew of her achievements, the events she attended, the places she visited. I had seen hundreds of photos of her, short videos that captured her elegant stride or her smile at important meetings. Yet none of those images could prepare me for seeing her in person again.
I spotted her almost immediately.
She stood next to a group of people, her figure standing out even among the crowd. The red dress she wore was a display of confidence, each line of the design spoke of perfection and of the woman she had become. Her hair, pulled up into a high bun, exposed her neck, which I had dreamed of kissing but never dared.
I froze, unable to look away. It was as if time had stopped, as if the entire room had vanished, leaving only her. She had changed.
Xu Ai had always been beautiful, but this woman before me was different. She was no longer the woman who walked beside me with cautious steps, always insecure, always like a trigger ready to be pulled. The Xu Ai I knew seemed to fear every glance, as if the world could crush her at any moment. But this... this was a goddess.
I watched her laugh, and my chest tightened. That smile that I used to see only when we were away from home now shone before others. Every move she made radiated confidence, and every look she received was one of admiration. She was the center of attention, not because she tried to be, but because the entire world gravitated around her.
My throat tightened. How could I still love her so much after all this time? I had tried to distance myself, convincing myself that it was best for her, but it never worked. I had spent five years remembering her, wanting her, dreaming of this moment.
Our eyes met.
The impact was immediate. Her dark, deep eyes reflected something I couldn't identify, surprise, perhaps, or a flash of the memories we shared. For a moment, I believed that the entire world stopped, that there was something beyond the distance that separated us. But then, as if she realized, she deliberately looked away with deliberate coldness and returned to her conversation.
That gesture was a direct blow to the chest. I had imagined this reunion in so many ways, but never like this, with her indifference cutting through me like a knife.
She excused herself from the group and began walking towards the terrace. I didn't think twice. My steps followed her, although each step felt heavier than the last. The terrace was lit by soft lights, and the cool night air carried the scent of nearby flowers.
Ai stood with her back to me, looking out over the city spread below us. For a moment, I hesitated. What could I say? What right did I have to approach her after everything that had happened? But I couldn't stop myself. Not this time.
"Ai..." I said, my voice was barely a whisper, but laden with all the feelings I had held back for years.
She turned slowly. Her eyes met mine, and I saw something in them I couldn't interpret perhaps surprise, or an echo of what we once were. But it disappeared as quickly as it had appeared. Her expression hardened, and her lips curved into a cold smile.
"What are you doing here, Chen Hao?" she asked, her tone as sharp as a knife.
"I needed to see you to talk," I replied, taking a step towards her.
She let out a brief, sarcastic laugh before stepping back, increasing the distance between us.
"Talk? Us?" she spat sarcastically. "Remember, Mr. Chen, there is no relationship between us."
"Ai, you are my wife," I pleaded.
"Ex-wife," she corrected me.
The word ex-wife was like a dagger. I knew she believed the divorce was official but hearing her say it left me breathless. Xu Ai didn't wait for a response. She gave me one last look, cold as ice, and turned, walking back into the hotel.
I stood there, unable to move. The night seemed darker, colder, as her figure disappeared into the bustle of the event. Instinctively, I touched the ring I always wore on my finger. That ring I never took off, not even when she left, because giving it up would have been like giving up on her.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of emotions consuming me. Every word she said hurt, but it also awakened something in me: a determination I hadn't felt in years.
"This isn't over, Xu Ai. Not this time."
CHAPTER 19
The plane landed smoothly at Shanghai International Airport, but I felt neither excitement nor nostalgia. As the other passengers hurried to gather their belongings, I rose calmly, carrying only my hand luggage. I was in no hurry. Shanghai was not a place I returned to with a heart full of memories; it was simply the setting for my next project.
Exiting the terminal, I saw the driver waiting by the car. A black Rolls-Royce Phantom gleamed under the airport lights, a reflection of everything I had built over these years. The man bowed slightly and greeted me with a respectful tone: "Good afternoon, Miss Xu." I nodded with a slight smile and got into the vehicle. The interior exuded luxury: the impeccable leather, the fresh scent, the silence that muffled any noise from outside. As we drove through the city streets, my eyes scanned the lights of the skyscrapers and the lively avenues. But nothing stirred within me. I felt no sadness or melancholy. Memories of Shanghai were buried deep, in a corner I no longer intended to revisit.
This city was nothing more than a chessboard for my next move. I had spent years solidifying my career in Europe, but that was not enough. Shanghai was my origin, and now it was my turn to leave my mark here.
We arrived at the hotel my team had booked. The main suite on the top floor was everything I needed: wide windows with a stunning view of the city, modern and elegant furniture, and the silence I so valued. I left my suitcase by the bed and walked around the room, absorbing every detail calmly.
As I unpacked, my movements were automatic, almost mechanical. I was thinking of nothing else but the event that night. I had returned with a clear purpose: to set up workshops that reflected my international success. It was unfair that Paris, Milan, and Berlin recognized me while my own city remained oblivious to my work. Tonight, I would like to seek the right investors to bring my plans to reality.
After settling in, I headed to the bathroom for a quick shower. As the hot water cascaded over my skin, I felt every trace of fatigue vanish.
Exiting the shower, I wrapped my hair in a towel and approached the rack where my dress awaited. It was time to get ready, and this time, it was not just for an event. I was ready to face anything.
Looking in the mirror, I saw my reflection attentively. My hair was styled in an elegant bun, exposing my neck. The makeup highlighted my features precisely: defined eyes, crimson lips, and a flawless foundation that radiated confidence. Every detail was calculated, yet the effect was natural, as if this version of me had always existed.
Next to the mirror, the dress hung on a rack. I designed it myself, and it won an award in Berlin. It was silver-gray, adorned with pearls that formed delicate patterns on the fabric. The back was completely open, and a long train flowed like a river of silk.
I slipped into the dress carefully, adjusting it until it fit perfectly over my body. As I did so, I remembered the days when designing dresses was an escape, a silent refuge where I hid from the world. Now, each garment was my armor, an extension of who I am.
Once dressed, I added the final touches: minimalist jewelry, a few drops of my favorite perfume on my nape and wrists. I looked in the mirror again, but this time, I did not see the woman who left Shanghai heartbroken. The woman looking back at me was entirely different. Her eyes radiated power, and her posture reflected confidence.
I smiled. It was perfect.
I left the suite and walked to the lobby. I could feel the glances on me instantly. Some were admiring, others curious, but all seemed to wonder who I was. I heard murmurs around me, and I couldn't help but feel a spark of satisfaction.
When I reached the hotel entrance, my driver was already waiting.
"Good evening, Miss Xu," he said with a courteous gesture, opening the door of the Rolls-Royce.
"Good evening," I responded, stepping into the car with the same elegance I had cultivated over the years.
The interior was a refuge, a contrast to the city's bustle. As the car moved forward, I looked at the lights through the window. I took a deep breath, but not for the memories this city used to evoke in me. No. Tonight was not about the past or the scars I once carried.
Tonight was about the future. It was my chance to show the world—and Shanghai—who Xu Ai really was.
******
The bustle of the event filled the main hall of the Lúxian Hotel. I walked confidently among the attendees, my pearl-gray dress fitting perfectly with every movement. I felt the glances at me. I was used to that. My name had reached a level of recognition I had always dreamed of, and tonight, in my hometown, it was no different.
I paused next to one of the groups my team had previously identified as essential. I greeted a textile businessman and his wife, offering them a flawless smile as we exchanged the usual pleasantries.
"Mr. Wang, Mrs. Wang, it's a pleasure to have you here tonight." Mr. Wang bowed his head respectfully.
"The pleasure is ours, Miss Xu. Your work has been an inspiration to the entire industry."
"Thank you. Shanghai has always been my home, and contributing to its development is now my priority," I replied firmly.
The conversation flowed smoothly. I answered questions about my expansion plans and my vision for the new workshops. Everything was going according to plan. I had designed this gala as a statement of intent, and the response from the attendees confirmed that I was achieving my goal. However, while I was engaged with them, something began to unsettle me. A sense of alertness, as if someone was watching me too intently. I tried to ignore it at first, focusing on Mr. Wang's words, but the feeling became impossible to ignore.
Then I saw him.
Chen Hao.
My heart skipped a beat, though I strived to keep my composure. He was on the other side of the hall, standing with a group of suited men. His figure was still imposing, impossible to ignore. He was dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit, as always. However, it was his gaze that truly disarmed me. It was fixed on me, as if nothing else in the hall existed.
I quickly averted my gaze, trying to control the accelerated rhythm of my heart.
"Not now," I told myself, forcing a smile as I resumed the conversation with the Wangs.
"Your vision is admirable, Miss Xu. I'm sure you will succeed in all your projects," Mr. Wang said enthusiastically.
"I hope so. It's a collective effort, and I am grateful for the support of people like you," I responded, slightly bowing my head.
But even as I spoke, my mind was elsewhere. Chen Hao was there, watching me, and I couldn't ignore it.
I made my way around the hall for the next hour, greeting other businessmen and designers, exchanging promises of collaboration, and listening to praises about my work. However, no matter how many conversations I had, I always felt his presence. Every time I looked up, our eyes met, even if only for a second.
I remembered the times we had attended events like this together. I would walk by his side, with a shy smile, while he dominated the space with his presence. But now it was different. Tonight, all eyes were on me, and I wasn't going to let his presence change that.
Eventually, I needed a break. Excusing myself from my team, I headed towards the terrace. The cool air was an immediate relief. I walked to the railing and took a deep breath, letting the tension dissipate. But I knew I wasn't alone.
I heard his steps before he spoke.
"Ai…" he said, his deep voice resonating in the air like an echo.
My eyes met him, and for a moment, I saw something I didn't expect vulnerability. But I didn't let myself be fooled.
"What are you doing here, Chen Hao?" I asked, my tone as cold as steel.
He took a step towards me, closing the distance between us. His gaze was fixed on mine, as if trying to penetrate the barrier I had built around myself.
"I needed to see you to talk," he replied.
A brief laugh escaped my lips, laden with sarcasm. I took a step back, increasing the distance between us.
"Talk? Us?" I spat; my voice filled with bitterness. "Remember, Mr. Chen, there is no relationship between us."
I saw his eyes darken as he heard my words, but he showed no more emotion. His control had always been impeccable, one of the many things that once fascinated me... and now I despised.
"Ai, you are my wife," he said, his voice low but laden with an emotion I didn't want to interpret.
"Ex-wife," I corrected him without hesitation.
The word came out of my lips easily, like an arrow shot with precision. But what I didn't expect was the reaction on his face. It was a subtle change, almost imperceptible, but enough for me to know that I had hit the mark.
For a moment, silence settled between us. My hands were tense at my sides, but I kept my firm posture. I wasn't going to back down. Not this time.
Chen Hao said nothing more. His eyes searched for mine, but he found nothing. I gave him nothing. Finally, I turned on my heels, ready to end that conversation before it could crumble on me.
"Goodbye, Mr. Chen," I said coldly, not looking back.
When I re-entered the hall, the bustle of the event enveloped me like a shield. My steps were firm, my expression unflappable. But inside, my heartbeat wildly, as if insisting on reminding me of everything I had tried to forget over these years.
Chen Hao still had power over me, and that was what terrified me the most.