Chapter 24: The Best Birthday Gift [4]

"Dad, where is Xiaorou?" Ever since entering the hotel, Jing Nuo had not seen Wen Xiaorou. Although he had no desire to see her, her failure to appear—and the resulting lack of face—was infuriating. She had truly grown bold. On any other day, he would have preferred to avoid her entirely, but with all their friends and family present, her absence made him incredibly indignant.

"She is your wife. How would I know?" Mr. Jing shot a glare at his son before walking away to greet the guests.

Jing Nuo gritted his teeth, his palms clenching into fists. His eyes scanned the luxurious banquet hall, but the woman was nowhere to be found. It seemed she no longer cared about her place in the Jing family. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, already plotting how he would settle this score once he found her.

By the time the birthday banquet ended, Wen Xiaorou still had not appeared. Feng Jing, meanwhile, had accompanied Mrs. Jing back to the manor; throughout the evening, she had completely usurped Wen Xiaorou’s role.

As soon as Jing Nuo stepped into the Jing residence, he stormed toward the bedroom, intent on hunting Wen Xiaorou down and holding her accountable. Her behavior today had pushed him to the brink of madness. Not only had she failed to prepare a gift, but she had dared to be absent. The storm of rage he had suppressed all night was finally ready to break.

"Auntie, I’ll go up and check on them. I’m worried Jing Nuo might be too impulsive," Feng Jing said, watching Jing Nuo’s dark expression before hurrying after him. Mrs. Jing nodded, signaling her approval.

"Wen Xiaorou, have you forgotten what day it is?" Jing Nuo pushed open the bedroom door to find Wen Xiaorou sitting calmly on the sofa. A suitcase sat beside her, though he failed to notice it.

"Happy birthday, Jing Nuo!" Seeing his furious face, she smiled gently and offered her wishes.

"Wen Xiaorou, did you intentionally try to embarrass me today?" Jing Nuo looked at her smile and felt a desire to crush her. How could she still be smiling? Feng Jing followed him into the room, standing silently in the background.

"Heh. If I didn't show up, didn't you have more face?" Wen Xiaorou glanced at Feng Jing standing behind him, her smile tinged with helplessness.

"Wen Xiaorou, if you don't give me a proper explanation for today, get out of the Jing house immediately!" Jing Nuo strode over, grabbed her wrist, and hauled her to her feet.

"Feng Jing is here; this is inappropriate," Wen Xiaorou murmured, casting another glance at Feng Jing before gently prying his fingers from her wrist.

"Wen Xiaorou..." Jing Nuo had never seen her like this and felt momentarily disoriented. She kept smiling at him—no backtalk, no apologies, just that smile. His grip loosened involuntarily, allowing her to pull away.

"Happy birthday," she said once she was free. She turned, picked up a delicate box from the sofa, placed it before him, and opened it, repeating the birthday wish.

Jing Nuo stared at the box, his mood sinking. What was the meaning of this? Was this not the wedding ring he had given her? Why was she returning it to him?

"Jing Nuo, let’s get a divorce." Wen Xiaorou was calmer than she had ever been. She had imagined this scene thousands of times over the past week—a week that had felt longer than a lifetime. Every day, she had wondered how he would react upon receiving the ring. Would he be happy? He should be, she told herself.