Chapter 22
Xu Jinnan sat down slowly and picked up the papers.
Shen Shu was utterly disillusioned with her family, determined to escape their clutches. She no longer needed to sacrifice herself for them.
Especially after the incidents with Cai Ying and Chen Xiaxia.
It seemed there was no reason for her to continue this charade.
A divorce was fine. Shen Shu’s career was back on track. If she encountered any problems in the future, Xu Jinnan could help her as a friend…
But… had Shen Shu made this decision without any hesitation? Was she really that undesirable?
Lost in thought, she heard footsteps approaching from the balcony. She looked up as Shen Shu walked towards her.
“I drafted this when we got married,” Shen Shu said, seeing the papers in Xu Jinnan’s hands. She walked past the sofa towards the kitchen, her tone casual. “I found it while looking for something under the coffee table.”
While looking for something…
So, she wasn’t asking for a divorce?
Xu Jinnan glanced at the coffee table. Shen Shu had a study; why would she keep important documents here?
It didn’t matter.
The corners of her lips curved upwards, a sense of relief washing over her.
“So, what’s for dinner?” she asked.
Before they could decide, Shen Shu received a call from Cai Ying. Walking into the living room, phone in hand, she stopped in surprise – Xu Jinnan was washing vegetables in the sink.
She’d assumed Xu Jinnan’s earlier offer to cook was a joke.
“You’re actually cooking?”
“I’m quite good at it,” Xu Jinnan replied.
“…” Cai Ying’s voice exploded from the phone. “What are you two doing?!”
Shen Shu: “…”
She hung up and sent Cai Ying a photo of Xu Jinnan cooking.
Cai Ying: [!!!]
Cai Ying: [We need to find an exorcist.]
Shen Shu: [?]
Cai Ying: [To get rid of whatever’s possessing her! I think she’s been body-snatched!]
Shen Shu smiled. It was a joke, but not far from the truth.
She watched Xu Jinnan in the kitchen.
She was wearing an apron, her light brown hair tied back with a chopstick, her pale arms even more luminous under the kitchen lights, a faint bruise visible on her elbow.
Her arm hadn’t fully healed, had it? This person seemed prone to injuries.
Shen Shu thought, If she really is possessed, like Cai Ying said, I’d prefer the ghost.
After all, people were far more terrifying.
…
Half an hour later, two bowls of tomato and egg noodles sat on the table.
After a few silent bites, Xu Jinnan chuckled. “Is it that bad?”
“No,” Shen Shu replied honestly. “I was expecting a feast.”
“…”
“Your fridge is practically empty. I did my best.”
Shen Shu’s lips curved upwards. “I know.”
She looked down, a lie on her lips.
She’d taken out the divorce agreement that morning, but while talking to Xu Jinnan on the balcony, she’d changed her mind.
After what had happened with Cai Ying and Chen Xiaxia, divorcing now would only invite more trouble from people like Yin Xue. The former Xu Jinnan had been a demon, but now, she was a shield, protecting Shen Shu and her friends.
Besides… she liked this new Xu Jinnan.
She would revisit the divorce later.
“What did you want to tell me?” Xu Jinnan asked.
Shen Shu’s gaze lingered on the Winnie the Pooh ears on Xu Jinnan’s apron.
She’d bought the apron online but had never worn it, finding it too childish.
“I… went to an audition today,” she said.
“Really? That’s great!”
Xu Jinnan clearly knew about her past, but her lack of surprise was still unexpected.
“There are many ways to live. Do what makes you happy. Why exhaust yourself for others? While you still have me and the Xu family’s support, use it to your advantage. Do what you want. If you want to act, go for it. I’ll have your back.”
Even Cai Ying had tried to dissuade her from returning to acting.
It was unrealistic to re-enter the industry after so long.
Shen Shu hadn’t thought about it too deeply. The phone call had simply reminded her of her time in the drama club.
Back then, she still had dreams.
She had still felt joy.
So, she wanted to find a new way to live. Like Xu Jinnan had said, why not live for herself for once?
“Xu Jinnan.”
“Yes?”
“It’s delicious.”
Shen Shu’s lips curved into a genuine smile, and Xu Jinnan felt a strange flutter in her chest.
A week passed, and the box remained unopened.
Lu Yun called, saying she wanted to visit. Xu Jinnan consulted Shen Shu. “She might stay for a few hours.”
Shen Shu didn’t hesitate.
Twenty minutes later, she opened the door.
Shen Shu: “…”
Xu Jinnan stood there with a suitcase. “I was afraid she would notice something… Didn’t you say it was okay?”
What was with that look?
Shen Shu checked her phone and saw the full message – …or maybe overnight.
There had been a delay, and she hadn’t seen the second part before replying.
“Should I leave?” Xu Jinnan asked.
Shen Shu stepped aside. “…Come in.”
Xu Jinnan hung up her clothes. Then Lu Yun called again, saying she couldn’t make it after all.
Lu Yun had insisted on visiting, even demanding a specific time, and now she was canceling? Xu Jinnan called her, but the line was busy.
Just like last time… Lu Yun was acting very strangely.
Then she received a voice message from Lu Yun, her tone normal, saying something had come up.
Xu Jinnan didn’t press further.
But… something was definitely wrong with the Xu family.
…
Shen Shu walked in from the balcony, carrying laundry, and saw Xu Jinnan packing her suitcase. “Just leave your things here, in case she decides to visit again,” she said.
Xu Jinnan agreed. She wasn’t short of clothes.
As she hung her clothes back up, Shen Shu walked past her, and Xu Jinnan caught a glimpse of black lace in her hand.
Shen Shu cooked two simple dishes: stir-fried vegetables and green peppers with meat. After dinner, Xu Jinnan took the dishes to the sink.
For a fleeting moment, Shen Shu had a strange thought – this felt… domestic, almost fulfilling a fantasy she hadn’t realized she had.
An hour later, Shen Shu stood up. “I’m going to take a shower.”
Xu Jinnan, fiddling with the box, replied, “Okay, I’ll be leaving soon.”
“…” Shen Shu said, “I’m not asking you to leave.” She usually stayed up until eleven.
Xu Jinnan looked up, surprised, but Shen Shu had already closed the bathroom door.
The box, with its multiple locks, seemed to contain something important, so she hadn’t left it at the hotel. It wasn’t even nine o’clock yet. She looked down at the box again.
Faint sounds came from the bathroom – the rustling of fabric, the gentle splash of water…
Xu Jinnan couldn’t focus on the box.
Her mind wasn’t in the right place lately.
She put down the box and grabbed a drink from the fridge, realizing it was strawberry wine. It was sweet and low in alcohol.
Her throat was dry.
She finished the drink quickly. The original Xu Jinnan had a high tolerance for alcohol; this was like water to her. Xu Jinnan didn’t think much of it.
Shen Shu emerged from the bathroom, wrapped in a bathrobe, and stopped when she saw Xu Jinnan asleep on the sofa.
She lay curled on her side, one leg draped over the other, the long, flowing skirt revealing a sliver of smooth calf.
Perhaps sensing her gaze, Xu Jinnan opened her eyes slightly.
“You seem… tired,” Shen Shu said.
Xu Jinnan: “…?”
You try dealing with this.
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