Chapter 110: Acting

Qiao Jiu’s expression tightened. Could it be that the people he sent out hadn't found out about these things?

After a brief hesitation, she said, "I have met Lu Fengzhou's aunt."

Liu Changyong immediately asked, "What does his aunt do?"

"She seems to be a teacher," Qiao Jiu replied.

Liu Changyong paused, his brow furrowing instinctively, though he smoothed it out almost immediately. "A teacher, huh."

Qiao Jiu nodded. "His aunt is a very polite person. Although I haven't met his parents, I imagine they must be decent people as well."

Liu Changyong nodded gently, saying nothing more.

As he continued to ask questions about Lu Fengzhou, Qiao Jiu found herself unable to answer. To be honest, during their two years of marriage, she had understood very little about him. Back then, she had been so deeply in love, her heart and eyes entirely consumed by him, that she had never spared a thought for anything else.

They sipped two carafes of shochu, chatting about many things. Liu Changyong likely realized he wouldn't get much more out of her, so he eventually shifted the conversation to her current work. The dinner didn't last too late; Liu Changyong had a flight the next morning, so they settled the bill and left.

The temperature had dropped, but the alcohol left their bodies feeling warm and comfortable. As they walked out of the narrow alley, Liu Changyong offered to take Qiao Jiu home, but she quickly declined. "No need, Uncle Liu. You head back. I'm a bit full, so I'd like to walk for a bit on my own."

Whether it was the alcohol or something else, Liu Changyong appeared a bit tipsy, leaning against the car door. "Xiao Jiu, I'll be off then. I’m feeling a bit dizzy."

Having spent so many years in the business world, his tolerance should have been higher than that. He got into the car, and the driver pulled away immediately.

Qiao Jiu shoved her hands into her pockets and walked along the road for a while before stopping under a street lamp. She took out her phone and dialed a number.

It was picked up quickly. It was Lu Fengzhou.

"What is it?" he asked.

Qiao Jiu’s voice was slurred. "Where are you?"

Lu Fengzhou immediately sensed something was wrong. "Have you been drinking? Did you have a business dinner tonight?"

Qiao Jiu chuckled. "I drank, yes, I drank." She let out a timely hiccup. "I told you to join me for dinner, but you were always busy with 'business.' Lu Fengzhou," she huffed, "you just don't love me."

There was silence on the other end.

Qiao Jiu crouched down, muttering to herself, "My dad always tells me to be understanding of you. You men are just selfish. Why don't you ever try to understand me? I wait for you at home for dinner every single day, and I never once waited you back."

She let out a sigh. "I'm not waiting for you anymore. I'm out having a good time too. Look, as long as you have money, you can have a whole room full of people to eat with."

After a long pause, Lu Fengzhou spoke. "You’re confused, Qiao Jiu. We are already divorced."

Qiao Jiu acted as if she hadn't heard him. "Tell me, why did I ever fall for you? I should have found someone who treats me well, someone who would eat with me, someone who would accompany me in whatever I do and never make me wait."

Lu Fengzhou seemed to sigh. "Where are you? Is there anyone with you?"

Qiao Jiu fell silent. Lu Fengzhou asked again. Her voice grew even more slurred, as if she were drifting off to sleep. "No one. There’s never been anyone with me. When you aren't here, there is no one else."

...

By the time Lu Fengzhou arrived, Qiao Jiu was already asleep on the ground, leaning against the street lamp. He got out of the car and walked over, but stopped when he reached her side, simply looking down at her.

It wasn't the first time Qiao Jiu had said those things over the phone; she would often mutter them when she felt deeply wronged. He never cared. Even a fleeting, impatient look from him would cause her to swallow her complaints and smile at him again.

Lu Fengzhou pressed his lips together, and after a long moment, he crouched down. Qiao Jiu was leaning against the lamp, her head bowed, her hair slightly disheveled.

He reached out to brush her hair back. Her cheeks were flushed, and he could smell the alcohol as he leaned in closer. He didn't know who she had been drinking with, but it likely wasn't a business dinner; otherwise, she wouldn't have been left here alone.

He glanced around, then scooped Qiao Jiu up and carried her to the car. As he laid her flat in the backseat, she stirred slightly, squinting at him before shifting her body to find a more comfortable position.

She didn't seem fully conscious. "Can you come home earlier tomorrow? I fell asleep waiting for you to have dinner."

Lu Fengzhou was silent for a few seconds, then murmured an agreement. He went around to the driver's seat and started the car. After they had driven for a while, Qiao Jiu turned over, facing the back of the seat, and a slight smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth.

The car returned to Lu Fengzhou’s place. He carried her into the bedroom and helped her take off her shoes and change. Midway, Qiao Jiu felt thirsty and muttered for water.

Lu Fengzhou hurried out to get it. Taking the opportunity, Qiao Jiu looked down at the pajamas she was wearing. They were new; he must have kept them specifically for her. She glanced toward the nightstand, where Lu Fengzhou’s phone was resting.

She hadn't known the password to his phone even when they were married, let alone now. After a moment of hesitation, she closed her eyes again.

A few seconds later, Lu Fengzhou returned with a glass of water. He helped her sit up and held the glass to her lips. "Open up."

Qiao Jiu had never been a heavy drinker; she was usually quite measured. No matter how wild she got, she always knew when to stop. Since she didn't really know how a "drunk" was supposed to act and feared she wouldn't be convincing, she simply imitated Guan Wei and acted docile.

After drinking the water, she lay back down. Lu Fengzhou put the glass aside, changed into his own pajamas, and went into the bathroom. Before long, he came out with a damp towel to wipe her face and hands.

Qiao Jiu remained expressionless, but her heart was filled with melancholy. When they were married, she had given him so much, yet he had never taken care of her like this. Now, with their relationship in such an ambiguous state, although her attitude toward him had softened, the old devotion was gone.

Yet, he had become kinder to her, showing a bit of warmth and concern. It was truly laughable. A "simp" really never ends well.

Lu Fengzhou finished freshening up, returned to bed, took Qiao Jiu into his arms, and turned off the light. Under the cover of darkness, Qiao Jiu opened her eyes.

Lu Fengzhou's change in attitude was significant, though not entirely inexplicable. She had hinted several times that her relationship with Liang Xiu-cheng was special. Men were driven by possessiveness; it was normal for him to lower his guard when threatened. Plus, with no one left to fawn over him, he likely felt a void, and upon comparison, realized she was the best value. Without the constraints of marriage, he had no responsibilities to bear, so such a shift was perfectly logical.

Lu Fengzhou waited a while, then rubbed his chin against her forehead. Qiao Jiu closed her eyes, waited a moment, and then draped an arm over his waist.

She would have to consider what attitude to take toward him in the morning. At this moment, she actually felt a bit of admiration for Song Wan. Acting, it turned out, was truly a skill.