These were my best friends. In my past life, when Hugh Pei—crazy with love—destroyed my family, they'd reached out. I'd still lost to him, but true friendship is tested in hard times. I'd never forget their kindness.
So I told them I was divorcing Hugh Pei.
Just not about the rebirth.
After I spoke, the three fell silent for a second, then clapped. "Yes! To celebrate Zoe breaking free from her love-struck daze—let's get drunk tonight!"
"Cheers!" I shouted, grinning. Even this "White Bone Demon" (as I jokingly called myself) raised her arms high.
I imagined myself divorcing Hugh Pei, running free into a new life, leaving my past tragedy far behind.
A little drunk, our courage grew.
Ella patted my shoulder. "Zoe, look around! Find a hot guy, go for it! Hugh Pei's always in scandals—we can't lose!"
"Good point." I scanned the room, drunk eyes settling on a tall, thin figure. Young, from his clothes—maybe a college student?
If Hugh Pei could chase a female college student, I could find a male one.
I stumbled over, wine glass in hand, tapping his shoulder. "Hey, handsome… wanna drink? My treat…"
He turned. Gorgeous, almost pretty.
He looked surprised, then shook his head apologetically. "Sorry, sister, I have a girlfriend."
"Oh… right. Sorry. I'll find someone without one…" I bowed deeply, alcohol slurring my words. I turned, searching again.
Two steps later, I tripped over someone's feet. The wine glass shattered.
Dizzy, I collapsed, suddenly wanting to sleep right there.
"Sister, let me help you up!" It was the college student, offering a hand.
I sat on the floor, face flushed, staring up at him.
Was I hallucinating? His face blurred into Hugh Pei's, cold and sharp.
I tried to stand, but my cheek hit a shard of glass. Blood poured out. Stunned for a second, my vision went black, and I fainted.
"In my dream, Hugh Pei's cruel face loomed. "Zoe Xu, do you think your family can stop me?"
I sat in a messy living room, sobbing like a madwoman.
When my parents heard he wanted a divorce, they'd teamed up with the Pei elders to pressure him.
Hugh Pei had ignored them, stubborn as ever, and paid a fortune to crush the Xu family.
The Pei elders had opposed him at first, scolding him, but later had to help. Rumor was, they'd even accepted Lila Wei.
With Hugh Pei's relentless protection, she'd slowly won over his parents.
Most importantly, she'd been pregnant then.
"Hugh Pei, I loved you for ten years. Don't you care at all?" I covered my face, tears seeping through my fingers.
"No, Zoe Xu. I offered you a peaceful end, but you threw it away." He spoke coldly. Then his phone rang—his special ringtone. Lila Wei's clear, sweet voice: "Mr. Pei, answer the phone… Mr. Pei, answer…"
I listened to that sugary tone, watched him rush off. My head spun, chest aching.
I jolted awake, gasping for air, to find myself in my bedroom. Sunlight streamed in, birds sang, flowers smelled sweet.
Why had the college student brought me home?
I glanced at my bandaged hand, rubbed my throbbing temple, and looked for him—only to hear Hugh Pei's voice outside.
"You guys go on. Not in the mood today." He leaned on the second-floor railing, a cigarette in hand, voice lazy, silhouette sharp as a pine.
I gripped the doorframe, watching him approach. "Where did you hide him?"
"Who?" Hugh Pei frowned.
"The college student."
Rare to find a man I didn't mind, besides Hugh Pei. I was almost sorry to lose him.
After all, in a month, Hugh Pei would go crazy for another woman. I might as well find some emotional comfort now, to ease the pain.
At my words, Hugh Pei's handsome face flushed with anger. He glanced at my dress, then grabbed my wrist, dragging me to the bedroom closet. "Dammit, change! Who said you could wear something this slutty?"
Slutty?
I looked down at my chest—barely there, propped up by the fabric.
Not exactly "slutty." And for a man who didn't love me—why care if I dressed provocatively?
"Hugh Pei, is it true you checked into a hotel with that innocent-looking actress a few days ago?" I stayed put, asking calmly.
"None of your business." Same old answer.
"Then stay out of mine. If you won't divorce me, we'll live our own lives." I said evenly.
After years without love, I needed some spark.
So this is what it's like to be carefree. No more joy or sorrow over Hugh Pei. My soul was finally returning to my body.
Men are born hypocrites. They can fool around, but their wives must follow "traditional codes of obedience" (old rules demanding deference).
Hugh Pei was no different. He didn't love me, but I was still his wife on paper.
"Planning to cheat?" He sneered, yanking open my deep V cruelly. "What man would want a body like this?"
I looked down. Pasties covered everything—no skin shown.
The smallest size, of course.
I pushed his hand away, smoothing my dress. "I'll eat more, drink more papaya milk. I'll get bigger… and give you plenty of reasons to be embarrassed." (A playful jab at "wearing green hats," meaning making him a laughingstock for her infidelity.)
"Zoe Xu, are you fucking crazy?!" Hugh Pei snapped. "Have you lost your mind these past two days?"
The old Zoe Xu—calm, generous, sensible—would never spout this nonsense.
If my dad heard, he might have a heart attack.
But sometimes you have to act crazy to escape a man who's about to go crazy.
Without Lila Wei, he'd never divorce me. A business marriage isn't a game you play by your own rules. He's rational, always weighing pros and cons.
And I refuse to watch him fall in love with someone else again.
"Then divorce me," I said once more.