Chapter Forty-Six: A Direct Encounter

Shen Xiuzhen and Yin Zhengkui’s days were clearly far from wonderful, but not unbearable either. Compared to their past, it was a steep decline, yet neither of them ever mentioned Yaliying again—no one dared. It was as if, by silent agreement, that chapter of their lives had been left behind. Still, an invisible weight pressed upon both their hearts, robbing them of the lightness they once shared.

Though few people in the countryside recognized them, Shen Xiuzhen could not grow accustomed to this life—no entertainment, no invitations from friends, no cocktail parties. Everything seemed to have reverted to something primitive, driving her nearly to madness with suffocation.

Meanwhile, Ruiying’s days gradually settled into a steady rhythm. After weathering life's upheavals, she had again become a nine-to-five office worker, finding delight in her solitary life. Each evening, she would call her parents, slowly unraveling the knots in her heart. Sometimes, she asked her mother how to cook a particular dish, and also took the opportunity to inquire about their well-being.

Shen Xiuzhen and Yin Zhengkui, of course, never told Ruiying about their true situation, only saying that country life was healthy and the air was wonderful. Ruiying could more or less guess the truth, but there was little she could do. She could only steal away time with Liu Minghe to visit her parents in secret.

Liu Minghe was now steadily dating Ruiying. He noticed all the changes in her—how she strove to improve herself, correcting her flaws, becoming more independent and hardworking. He was pleased. He thought that, before long, he could take Ruiying to America to meet his parents.

Since taking over the family business, Liu Minghe’s parents had retired abroad to enjoy a peaceful life. Now, he too longed for stability.

As Liu Minghe was mulling over these thoughts, Ruiying was bustling in the kitchen, apron on.

“Minghe,” Ruiying called, poking her head out, “come help me, will you?”

So Liu Minghe went to the kitchen, washed his hands, and joined Ruiying in chopping vegetables.

Though they didn’t live together, Liu Minghe spent most of his time there. Gradually, more and more of his belongings found their place in the small apartment: toothbrush, towel, pajamas, slippers. Sometimes, looking around the rented room, he felt a quiet warmth.

While slicing tomatoes, Liu Minghe said, “Ruiying, why don’t you move in with me?”

He had brought this up only once before, when Ruiying was looking for a new place, and hadn’t mentioned it since. But now, seeing how solitary her life in Seoul was, and how steady their relationship had become, it seemed the right time. Besides, it would save him from constantly commuting back and forth, and Ruiying from spending half her salary on rent—it simply made sense.

Ruiying paused, hands in the sink, her brow furrowing. Her hesitation made Liu Minghe’s heart sink. Did she not want to live with him at all?

“It’s fine, really,” he said quickly. “I just think it’s inconvenient for you to live alone.”

They both recalled, unbidden, the time Ruiying nearly fell while changing a lightbulb by herself.

Living alone wasn’t all it was cracked up to be—no one to look after you when you’re sick, no one to talk to at night, no one to share your joys and sorrows. Friends existed, but everyone had their own lives, and as people grew older, solitude stretched longer.

Ruiying understood all this, but she couldn’t cross the barrier in her heart.

“I’ll think about it,” she replied.

Liu Minghe’s expression changed slightly; he looked a little disappointed. Still, as always, he helped her finish cooking, and they ate together in the living room, watching TV. Their conversation was light and ordinary, nothing out of the usual. Liu Minghe remained gentle and considerate, the picture of the ideal husband in his casual home clothes.

But then, Zhu Wang had once been the same.

That night, after seeing Liu Minghe off, Ruiying lay wearily on the sofa, the harsh glare of the fluorescent light stinging her eyes. She closed them, recalling his words.

It wasn’t that she didn’t want to be with him—her heart raced at his presence, and she blushed like a schoolgirl. He was handsome, wealthy, gentle, skilled in housework—a perfect ten in every respect.

But Ruiying was afraid. Not out of fussiness, but from deeply rooted fear—if her five-year relationship with Li Zhuwang could vanish overnight, what made her think she could hold onto someone even more remarkable like Liu Minghe?

She knew her own fragility, knew she couldn’t endure such heartbreak again. And so, when he suggested living together, she hesitated.

She was very much afraid.

The next day was a rare weekend. Liu Minghe was going on a business trip to Busan for several days. He called Ruiying in advance, urging her to take care of herself and to call Jin Yuan or Li Yingzai if anything happened.

Ruiying promised readily and reminded him to be careful on the road. After their affectionate goodbye, she intended to nap a bit more, but then a call came from Rachel Liu. She said Yaliying’s mother’s condition had been assessed, and she would be going to America for surgery in a few days.

Ruiying only learned about this later. The surgery costs were covered by Liu Minghe—it moved and embarrassed her deeply.

Rachel Liu happened to suggest meeting up, and Ruiying thought she might as well share her thoughts.

It was early February, and the spring chill lingered. Ruiying wore a khaki trench coat and jeans, looking mature yet lively.

They met at John’s Place in Cheongdam-dong, a stylish café boasting authentic German black coffee and freshly squeezed juices. Ruiying loved the little cakes there, rumored to be from a Paris-trained pastry chef.

After the holidays, Rachel Liu had been staying at the RS flagship store. Esther Lee had just married Yoon Jaeho and was in her honeymoon phase, though both were too busy to travel, so Rachel was left to help her mother with what she could.

Though young and inexperienced, she did her best, hoping to shoulder some of her mother’s burdens and become a strong woman in her own right, at least someone who could stand beside Jin Yuan.

When Ruiying arrived, she found Rachel lost in thought. Surprisingly, Han Ji-eun wasn’t there.

Recently, Han Ji-eun’s fame had soared; her drama “The Heirs” was a huge success, its ratings climbing steadily, threatening to overshadow Yaliying’s family drama.

But Yaliying had stopped writing, choosing instead to accompany Han Jinghui through her preoperative care. Han Jinghui knew the surgery was funded by Yin Zhengkui’s people, but Yaliying told her to accept it with peace of mind. She’d noticed her daughter had become much more cheerful lately, with laughter in her voice, which reassured her.

The story of Yaliying’s relationship with Li Zhuwang had reached Han Jinghui through Shen Xiuzhen. Shen had hoped Han would persuade Yaliying to give up her revenge—at least to spare Ruiying—but Yaliying was steadfast. Now, Yaliying said Shen Xiuzhen and Yin Zhengkui had received their due, and she’d broken up with Li Zhuwang. From now on, she wanted to live well with her mother.

Han Jinghui reflected on her own past attitudes, realizing her pessimism had dragged her daughter into the abyss of revenge. If not for her relentless negativity, perhaps Yaliying wouldn’t have changed, wouldn’t have abandoned her own life in grief.

She resolved that, whatever the outcome of the surgery, she would step outside, join senior and blind community activities, and put Yaliying’s mind at ease.

“You’re early,” Ruiying said as she entered, seeing Rachel flipping through a book.

Rachel set down her book with a bright smile. “The flagship store’s nearby. I’m in charge there these days.”

Rachel seemed especially spirited, perhaps because good fortune puts a shine on people. Ruiying, in truth, envied Rachel a little. As an heiress, she enjoyed privileges and social standing ordinary people could never dream of. Ruiying used to think her own life was good, but compared to them, it seemed paltry—though it wasn’t jealousy, just simple reflection.

Rachel explained the surgery in detail, “Minghe didn’t tell you at first—he didn’t want you to worry. You’d just moved out then, and he thought it better to wait for the results.”

Ruiying nodded, visibly moved.

Rachel teased, “You look so much better lately—credit to Minghe, no doubt. Your cheeks are so rosy… Are you two living together now?”

Girls enjoyed such harmless jokes, but Ruiying still blushed. Truth be told, seeing the ring on Rachel’s finger made her a bit envious. Jin Yuan’s bold declaration of love and Rachel’s unaffected acceptance—neither cared about watching eyes. By wearing Jin Yuan’s ring, Rachel publicly acknowledged their relationship. Ruiying couldn’t do that—Rachel was only eighteen, Jin Yuan already thirty-two. The age difference was manageable, but Rachel was still a high school student, and Jin Yuan was already the president of an empire. Their difference in experience and circumstance was profound. Society was complicated—even a year’s difference could matter, let alone more. Their relationship seemed both difficult and, because of that status, incredibly simple.

Ruiying voiced her concerns to Rachel. “I’m worried,” she confessed, feeling guilty for doubting Minghe’s sincerity. “I don’t know if Minghe and I can really make it.”

She gazed out the window at the bustling street. Girls clung to their boyfriends’ arms, their faces glowing with happiness. Once, she’d been like that too, wholeheartedly believing in forever.

Rachel was briefly surprised, but then understood. She’d heard from Minghe about Ruiying’s emotional struggles after breaking up with Li Zhuwang and learning the truth about her parents—insomnia, distraction, anxiety, even mild paranoia. Minghe had considered seeking professional help, but Ruiying seemed to recover on her own.

So this was the root of it all.

Rachel smiled gently. “If you two can’t make it, then what about Jin Yuan and me, or Han Ji-eun and Li Yingzai? Aren’t we all fine?”

Indeed, both couples faced more obstacles than they did.

“I know it’s my problem,” Ruiying admitted, “but lately I just…” She couldn’t even find words for her state, only that she felt she’d let Minghe down. She tried so hard to change, but couldn’t stop these thoughts. Nothing gave her a sense of security—not even marriage.

Rachel looked into her eyes, serious. “You can’t think like this.” She sensed Ruiying was heading toward a dead end. “Minghe loves you. We all know that. Love has no guarantees—no one can promise to love someone forever. That’s something everyone must face. But still, so many couples grow old together.”

Though young, Rachel had thought about such matters herself. Each night, she pondered the issues between her and Jin Yuan, even consulting her mother and discussing with Li Baona. The only conclusion was: take life one step at a time.

Some people part ways no matter how deeply they love, while others, seemingly on the brink, last a lifetime. It’s not just about love, but about learning to live together.

“So, worrying now is useless. Only by living together can you decide what’s right.” Rachel concluded, “What you lack now is inner strength.”

Very few people in this world are truly fragile; everyone grows and grows stronger. Like Rachel, like Han Ji-eun, like tens of thousands of heartbroken girls everywhere.

Ruiying decided to give it a try with Liu Minghe.

She sent him a text, saying she’d bring some things over and hoped he wouldn’t mind.

Liu Minghe received the message in the middle of a meeting. He couldn’t help but smile, his mood instantly lighter. During a break, he texted Jin Yuan: “Your little sister is something else.”

Jin Yuan saw the message and felt a small, inexplicable pride—well, of course, that’s my girlfriend!

Soon after, Rachel called Minghe, briefly explaining Ruiying’s thoughts. Minghe instantly decided that once back from Busan, he’d visit Ruiying’s parents to propose. Clearly, his efforts so far hadn’t been enough to make Ruiying trust him.

What a headache.

After her heart-to-heart with Rachel, Ruiying decided to shop for clothes. Life was different now—her budget was tight, so she planned to buy something cheap. Then she remembered Rachel had a VIP gold card for the department store—might as well take advantage of it.

Of course, she’d avoid RS International, since Rachel often comped their purchases there, which made Ruiying feel awkward. Linking arms with Rachel, she felt much lighter at heart.

As the two walked and chatted, they bumped into Ma Ling and her daughter head-on.

Author’s note: I feel like I’ve done a good job shaping Ruiying as a character (hey, hey, hey!). Please don’t call me too self-absorbed. Lately, I’ve been rushing to finish my thesis, so updates aren’t on a fixed schedule—usually by around 3 pm. Please keep that in mind, so you’re not waiting in vain!