Chapter 27: The Best Birthday Gift [7]

"Father, could you grant me some space to live on my own? If it doesn't work out, I will come back." Having left Jing Nuo, Wen Xiaorou knew she had to distance herself from him entirely. The idea of being divorced yet still living under the same roof felt bizarre, and she feared Jing Nuo would suspect her of lingering just to claim a share of his assets. Since they were parting ways, she wanted a clean break.

"Rou-rou, I'm sorry. It was my stubbornness that made your life so unhappy. Please rest assured, I will not treat you unfairly," Mr. Jing said, his voice heavy with guilt.

"Father, please, do not give me any money, and certainly nothing from the Shangjing Group. You have been more than kind to me over these years; without the Jing family, I don't know where I would have ended up." Wen Xiaorou was a woman who understood gratitude. The Jing family had supported her for a decade, and she already felt indebted; she could not bear to let that burden grow any heavier.

"Rou-rou, I will not force you. But if you find you cannot carry on out there, you must return to the Jing family. No matter what happens, I will always support you." Although she was no longer his daughter-in-law, Mr. Jing remained her strongest pillar of support.

"Yes, thank you, Father."

*Sigh.* Recalling these events, Wen Xiaorou couldn't help but let out a long breath. The night view outside the car window was breathtaking, but she had no heart to appreciate it. From now on, she was truly alone. Would she be lonelier than before? She asked herself. She pulled her phone from her bag; aside from a high school classmate she hadn't contacted in ages, every other number in her contacts belonged to the Jing family.

"Cheng Yiyi, do you remember me? It’s Wen Xiaorou. I’ve gotten a divorce and have nowhere to go. Could you take me in?" She dialed the number she hadn't touched in years. Fortunately, the call connected, though there was a long silence on the other end, prompting her to explain her situation.

"Who is this?" a groggy voice replied. It seemed she had disturbed someone's sleep.

"Wen Xiaorou, your 'most beautiful desk-mate'." This was the nickname Cheng Yiyi had given her back then.

"Wen Xiaorou? You're Wen Xiaorou? No way! Am I dreaming?" The groggy voice on the other end instantly became wide awake and alert.

"Yes, it's me," Wen Xiaorou said with a smile, confirming her identity.

"Wen Xiaorou, didn't you go abroad? What do you mean you're divorced and have no place to live?" Clearly, the girl on the other end was stunned, her mind reeling with questions.

"Take me in, and I'll tell you everything." Wen Xiaorou had initially considered a hotel, but realizing that almost all the hotels in X City were owned by the Shangjing Group, she abandoned that plan. Instead, she decided to bother her old classmate—the only person she truly considered a friend.

"Get over here right now! I'm sending you the address." Half an hour later, Wen Xiaorou appeared at Cheng Yiyi's doorstep, dragging her suitcase.

"Wen Xiaorou! Mmm, you're still just as beautiful! I'm so jealous. What kind of blind man would actually divorce you?" Cheng Yiyi threw open the door and began pinching Wen Xiaorou’s youthful, radiant cheeks.

"You're just as beautiful, too," Wen Xiaorou replied with a silly smile.

"Still as goofy as ever. Come on in!" Cheng Yiyi hurriedly helped her pull the suitcase inside.

"Did you move?" Wen Xiaorou asked while changing into slippers.

"Yes, my father bought this place for me. I just moved in, and I live here all by myself! Be careful, or I might just eat you up," the girl said, winking mischievously at her.

"It seems I can mooch off you for a long time then." Looking around the cozy two-bedroom apartment, Wen Xiaorou felt a sense of peace. It felt far warmer and more comforting than the Jing family's grand mansion. There was no sense of loneliness here, and even though years had passed, she felt no sense of estrangement from the girl standing before her.