Chapter 137: A Restless Heart Cannot Be Bound

For several blind dates in a row, Cai Yirou would retreat before even half an hour had passed. Xiaoxiao neither scolded nor urged her, letting Cai Yirou have her way. In truth, she was dying to know what kind of man had bewitched Cai Yirou to such an extent that she would resort to even the most desperate measures without a second thought, as if she would do anything just to win him back.

After several attempts, Cai Yirou’s patience began to wane. "I've already gone this far; why hasn't he shown up yet?"

Xiaoxiao, who had remained silent for days, finally spoke up: "It seems that doing this is useless."

"I suppose so." A hint of weariness appeared on Cai Yirou’s face. She stirred her coffee with a delicate spoon, creating a tiny whirlpool, yet she remained unwilling to give up. "But who's to say it isn't worth it? I once heard a saying: let those who understand, understand; let those who don't, not; let the world be the world, and I am content to be my own cocoon." She brushed back a lock of hair, looking slightly sorrowful. "My only fear is that he won't return, and I will end up a total spinster."

Xiaoxiao breathed a sigh of relief, finding the heart to joke, "Before you become a spinster, you'll surely become a VIP at our company first."

"Let’s go. I’ll buy you a drink, shall we?" On a sudden whim, Cai Yirou pulled Xiaoxiao out of the coffee shop. Xiaoxiao looked slightly hesitant. "Now? But it’s only the afternoon."

Cai Yirou tilted her head to look at the sky. "Who says you can't drink in broad daylight? Besides, the nights arrive late here."

Once in Cai Yirou’s car, Xiaoxiao was still wavering. If she accidentally got drunk, would she have to call Lin Shuo to pick her up? Would Lin Shuo be angry if he saw her like that? Yet, not returning to Jasmine Dynasty was not an option, leaving her feeling conflicted. Fortunately, Hua Mei called her just in time, providing the perfect excuse to get away. Cai Yirou, filled with regret, had no choice but to turn the car around and drop her off at Hua Mei’s.

The servant opened the door for Xiaoxiao. Hua Mei was standing by the window, looking much more haggard than before. Xiaoxiao coaxed and cajoled her back into the living room. She glanced down at the height; if Hua Mei were to lose her grip on life, there would be no saving her.

Knowing Hua Mei liked black tea, Xiaoxiao specifically asked the servant to find some and brewed it for her herself. Xiaoxiao remembered that the tea set was something Hua Mei had dragged her all over town to find before the wedding. Not only that, but the decorations in the new home had also been arranged by Hua Mei with great excitement. It was clearly meant to be a cozy nest for two, yet now, Hua Mei was left alone in it, a thought that made one sigh with pity. When Xiaoxiao handed her the tea, Hua Mei stared intently at the hand holding the cup. Following her gaze, the ring-shaped scar on her fingertip looked as jarring as ever.

"Look at you, you’ve lost so much weight. Shall I have someone make you something you’d like to eat?" Xiaoxiao placed the teacup back on the table, coaxing Hua Mei as if she were a child. Hua Mei only lifted her hands, examining them over and over with a pained expression. Xiaoxiao grew worried. "Hua Mei, don't scare me. Tell me what you want, or if you want to cry, just go ahead. You’ll feel much better once it’s out."

Hua Mei paid no heed. After a long while, she murmured to herself, "So I have lost weight. No wonder the ring wouldn't stay on." The wedding ring on her ring finger hung precariously. Vows meant to tether a restless heart had ultimately tethered only a void. A moment later, tears finally spilled from the corners of Hua Mei’s eyes. She said mournfully, "Ziyu said that the two of us together would only be lonelier."