"I'm about to start a brand new chapter of my life. A life without you. A better life," Hailey Tang said with quiet defiance, her eyes shining with stubborn pride. "So don't worry. I'll cherish my life very much—especially now that you're no longer in it."
With that, she lifted her chin, turned on her heel, and strode gracefully toward her car. Today, she had chosen her most low-key vehicle—a modest white BMW, the least flashy among the luxury cars she owned. No more Ferraris or Maseratis for now. She was embracing simplicity. She didn't need extravagance to prove anything to anyone—not anymore.
A'Yu stood still, watching her drive away with a complicated look in his eyes. Something inside his chest tightened, but he didn't allow himself to dwell on it.
"Let's go," he ordered his driver with a clipped tone before stepping into his own sleek black Bentley.
They had both left the house early that morning. Traffic was light, so it didn't take long before their two cars—like twin shadows of a past they couldn't quite escape—arrived at the towering headquarters of the Dongfang Corporation, one behind the other.
As soon as she stepped out of her car, Hailey turned to him with a calm expression, as if last night's emotional rollercoaster had never happened. "What should I do today?" she asked coolly.
Ethan Yu glanced at her briefly, his tone as formal and impersonal as the steel-clad walls of their corporate empire. "Come with me to the 90th floor. Ji Chuan will assign your duties."
"Understood," she said, her voice devoid of warmth—but also free of bitterness.
The elevator doors opened with a soft chime, and they stepped inside together. She reached out and pressed the button for the 90th floor without hesitation.
Ethan Yu broke the silence.
"For the time being, you are an employee of Dongfang Corporation," he said slowly, as if reciting company policy. "So while you're here, you'll call me 'President Dongfang.' You'll receive full salary, benefits, and a formal employment contract. Do your job well, and everything else will follow."
Hailey turned to him with an exaggeratedly respectful nod. "Yes… President Dongfang~~~"
The teasing lilt in her voice was unmistakable. She didn't even try to hide it.
Ethan Yu gave her a look—dark and unreadable—but said nothing more.
⸻
The company had already established a small design team for the orphanage renovation project. With Hailey joining, the total number of designers was just four. The project itself wasn't huge, and Dongfang Corporation had other priorities—this was more symbolic than strategic. Still, it was enough to keep her busy.
What Hailey didn't expect was who the team leader would be.
It was Lin Xin'er.
Ji Chuan, Ethan's assistant, led her into the team's office with practiced politeness and introduced the members one by one.
"Miss Hai," he said with a subtle pause—having nearly called her "Madam" out of habit—"This is the design team for the orphanage renovation. Your team leader will be Miss Lin Xin'er. The President has instructed you to observe and learn under her guidance."
Hailey's expression froze.
Lin Xin'er? Seriously?
She felt her stomach twist with discomfort. This wasn't just unexpected—it was borderline insulting. Ethan Yu knew she disliked Lin Xin'er. And now he'd gone and made her the one person she had to follow?
Was this some kind of punishment?
Some kind of… revenge?
Lin Xin'er greeted her with a sweet but distant smile. "Miss Hai, I've received the President's orders. Starting today, I'll be overseeing your work and helping you familiarize yourself with the design process. He's also made it clear that during working hours, you're considered a regular employee. So if you don't mind, we'll be referring to you by your name rather than any… personal titles."
Hailey's lips curled faintly. "That's fine by me," she replied coolly.
Lin Xin'er nodded and instantly shifted into professional mode. "Alright then, Hailey Tang. Since you're unfamiliar with architectural design, I suggest you spend today reviewing the project files. Once you've familiarized yourself with the plans, we'll go over the next steps."
A male designer nearby—Zhou Hua—handed her a thick folder with a friendly smile. "Here you go, Hailey. It's a lot of information, but don't worry—if you have any questions, feel free to ask me."
Another designer, Jin Peng, also smiled warmly. "Your desk is right over there. If there's anything you need, let us know. We're happy to help."
Hailey was momentarily stunned. These two didn't seem like sycophants, but they also weren't treating her like an ordinary employee. Of course, she was still technically the President's wife—even if their marriage was teetering on the edge of a cliff.
The two men were clearly playing it safe: helpful, respectful, and just enthusiastic enough to make a good impression. You never knew when the balance of power might shift again in this building.
Lin Xin'er, however, maintained a cold distance. She neither tried to win favor nor pretended to be friendly. She was here to do her job—and she wasn't about to fake anything for Hailey Tang.
Hailey nodded politely to the two men. "Thank you. I'll start reading now."
She walked over to her desk and sat down, flipping open the folder. Her eyes scanned the blueprints, budget allocations, zoning plans, and notes on child welfare center guidelines.
She didn't look at Lin Xin'er again.
Lin Xin'er resumed directing the other two designers, her expression unchanged.
Hailey never imagined she'd be in this position—working with Lin Xin'er of all people. If it had been the "old" her—the one from her past life—she would've blown up, stormed out, and probably declared war on everyone in the office.
But not this time.
This time, she was here to prove herself. This was a test. A challenge.
And more importantly, a way out.
She had to complete this project—not just to get the divorce agreement A'Yu had locked away, but to finally reclaim her identity and independence.
Back at his office, Ethan Yu sat in front of his towering glass windows, watching the city skyline disappear into morning haze. He lit a cigarette, but didn't smoke it—just watched the tip burn slowly, like something he couldn't quite let go of.
He could almost hear his grandfather's voice again, stern and aching with sorrow.
"She gave up everything for you in the best years of her life. If you can't love her, at least don't ruin her. Let her go now, while she still has the strength to learn how to fly."
A'Yu closed his eyes briefly.
He had told himself this arrangement was for her own good.
So why did his chest feel like someone had poured molten iron into it?
Out there, she was trying to become someone new—someone stronger, smarter, freer. And in here… he couldn't shake the feeling he was losing something irreplaceable.
But he said nothing.
Because it wasn't his place anymore.
She would fly.
He would watch.
Even if it broke him.
To be continued…