Reunion After Six Years

Chapter 1

The reunion was a disaster. He was there, successful, with a stunning girlfriend on his arm.

“If you hadn’t broken up with him,” she said, her voice dripping with what I assumed was subtle condescension, “you’d be Mrs. Fu right now.”

He sat across from me, his arm around his girlfriend, his expression cold and distant. “It’s all in the past.”

The other classmates, bless their gossiping hearts, started to egg things on.

Under his gaze, I discreetly covered the scar on my wrist, offering a strained smile. “Yeah, we… we’re long over.”

1

“I remember it was you who ended things, right, Tang Jia?”

Once his girlfriend excused herself to the restroom, the whispers started.

Tang Jia. That’s me.

Fu Zhen sat opposite, a faint smile playing on his lips, but his eyes were icy.

This was our first encounter in six years since the breakup. It felt completely unexpected.

I only came because the class president said Fu Zhen wasn’t attending. I hadn’t expected to see him.

Now, Fu Zhen was a high-powered executive, a prominent young entrepreneur, a Harvard graduate. He looked the part – impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, his features sharp and handsome. Even his watch cost more than my car. Everyone fawned over him.

Meanwhile, I was… a far cry from what I once was.

“She initiated the breakup,” Fu Zhen said calmly, answering everyone’s unspoken questions.

Everyone had their own theories. I was gold-digging, couldn’t handle the struggle, made a bad bet, and lost everything.

“Hey, Tang Jia, I heard the guy you were with later… went to jail, right?”

“And you took on his debt? Are you here to ask for money?”

Amidst the jeers, Fu Zhen’s calm, deep eyes remained fixed on me, unyielding.

I laughed awkwardly, offering no response.

The door opened, and Fu Zhen’s girlfriend returned, sensing the shift in the atmosphere. “What happened while I was gone?” she asked, her tone curious.

Fu Zhen, unlike his earlier aloofness, gently took her hand. “Nothing, just catching up.”

She sat down gracefully, her gaze lingering on me, a dimple appearing in her smile. “Fu Zhen told me about you. If you hadn’t let him go, you’d be Mrs. Fu right now.”

Several classmates exchanged knowing glances, their faces betraying a mixture of schadenfreude and unspoken envy.

Back then, the Tang family was prominent, and I was treated like royalty. That envy didn’t fade over the years; instead, it fueled their current attempts to belittle me.

Fu Zhen broke the tense silence, his voice cool but commanding. “It’s all in the past.”

The room fell silent, everyone understanding that the big boss didn’t want to discuss this further. They quickly changed the subject.

His girlfriend raised her glass to me. “Thanks for letting him go. You absolutely have to come to our wedding.”

I silently covered the scar on my wrist and mumbled, “Congratulations.”

2

“Why didn’t you explain things to him?”

My best friend, Xiaoqiu, was on the phone, defending me.

The reunion ended early. I stood in the freezing wind, wrapped in my coat, exhaling a plume of warm air. “He has a girlfriend.”

There was a pause on the other end.

“He has a girlfriend?” Xiaoqiu was incredulous.

“Yeah.”

Classmates left in pairs and small groups. The streetlights cast their glow on the snow, like shattered glass.

“It’s a shame you finally saw him again, after all this time…”

“Xiaoqiu, no one waits in the same place forever.”

Some things, left unsaid, only create more bitterness.

The cold wind stung my eyes, making them water. I blinked back the tears. “I gave up.”

Even after all these years, clawing my way out of the mire, trying to meet him again in a respectable way, it was too late.

“Okay, call me when you get back.”

The pre-spring temperatures had dropped below freezing. Taxis were scarce. I waited, my hands growing numb. My phone screen read: – Requesting ride.

The click-clack of heels approached, followed by a woman’s soft voice. “A-zhen, the snow is beautiful.”

“It’s cold outside. Get in the car, I’ll be there soon,” Fu Zhen’s voice, unmistakable, answered.

“Okay, hurry.”

As the woman passed me, she gave me a meaningful look before opening the car door. Her gesture revealed a bracelet on her wrist—a dazzling piece, instantly recognizable. It was the Fu family heirloom, the same one I’d worn, returning it to Fu Zhen after our breakup.

So she wasn’t just his girlfriend. She was his fiancée.

Everyone else had left. Only he and I remained, the streetlights casting our shadows together.

My thoughts drifted back to that night, the night we broke up. Fu Zhen had been in a car accident on his way to see me. His brother called, his voice harsh. “Fu Zhen’s in the hospital.”

“Is he in danger?”

“You wouldn’t have come if he wasn’t?”

“Please take care of him.”

“Tang Jia, he got a scholarship to study abroad. He’ll make something of himself. Why… why couldn’t you wait? Are you that desperate for money? What he did for you… you can’t repay him in a thousand lifetimes! Have you forgotten everything?”

His brother was practically in tears, calling me ungrateful. Then, someone snatched the phone away and hung up.

In a way, I’d abandoned him. It’s natural that he’d hate me.

“How much do you owe?” Fu Zhen pulled me back to the present, his voice cold.

“It’s none of your business.”

I inhaled the cold air, the alcohol burning my throat, causing me to cough. The cold air cut through my lungs, sharp and painful. I bent over, leaning against a lamppost, the earlier alcohol now churning in my stomach, bringing tears to my eyes. Fu Zhen stood beside me, watching impassively.

A taxi pulled up. The driver leaned out. “Going to Wanhe Mansion?”

“Yes.”

I pushed myself up, gasping for breath, reaching for the car door, only to be grabbed by the arm, yanked back. I stumbled into Fu Zhen’s arms. “Where are you going?” he asked.

Wanhe Mansion was an exclusive residential area, not easily accessible.

I tried to push him away, but he held my wrist tightly. His warm skin against mine sent a jolt through me. I struggled, but to no avail. I looked up at Fu Zhen’s dark, unreadable face. “Mr. Fu, what do you want?”

He pressed his lips together, his dark eyes deep and unreadable. The wind howled, whipping my hair. I curled my lip and stated what I knew was already on his mind. “You think my money is dirty, just like everyone else?”

“Fifty thousand a month. Is that enough?”

Fu Zhen’s cold voice cut me off.

“What do you mean?”

A hint of mockery finally flickered in Fu Zhen’s eyes. “Desperate for money? Fifty thousand, a hundred thousand…isn’t enough?”

I raised my hand and slapped him hard. A resounding slap echoed through the night. A clear red mark appeared on Fu Zhen’s cheek. A woman’s gasp sounded from the distance. She rushed out of the car.

“Mind your own business, and don’t overreach yourself.”

With that, I got into the taxi and left.

3

“You hit him?” Xiaoqiu poured me a cup of hot water.

“Yeah, he tried to buy me.” I huddled on the couch, battling waves of stomach pain, slowly sipping the water. After a few sips, I ran to the bathroom to throw up.

Xiaoqiu patted my back. “You shouldn’t have drunk so much with your stomach problems.”

I caught my breath, wiping my lips. My throat burned.

“All those years you liked him… was it worth it?”

I looked up, staring at my tear-streaked reflection in the mirror. My hair was wet and plastered to my forehead, my face pale.

Xiaoqiu’s grumbling drifted from afar, indistinct. “If you hadn’t broken up with him so callously, things would be different…”

My thoughts returned to Fu Zhen’s fiancée. Unlike me, she radiated a bright, joyful aura. I vaguely remembered a time when I was the same. But I’d fallen so hard, and by the time I got back up, everything had changed.

After Xiaoqiu finished her shift at Wanhe Mansion, we walked back to my apartment hand in hand. Then, I received a call from Fu Zhen’s brother.

“Tang Jia, if you’re having trouble, I can get you a job.”

I didn’t speak, waiting for him to continue.

“They’re getting married next month. Zhang Xiaohua is a good person, from a good family. You…”

“I won’t bother him again, don’t worry.”

He was silent for a moment, then tried to explain, “We just want Fu Zhen to be happy.”

“Okay.”

All our friends from back then sided with Fu Zhen.

After hanging up, Xiaoqiu’s eyes welled up. “They don’t understand.”

“It’s okay.”

I was staying in this city for a while longer, so I found a job nearby. During the interview, the HR manager asked suspiciously, “You have depression?”

“It was a while ago. I’m fine now. I have a doctor’s note.”

Several companies had rejected me during background checks because of this. This company was smaller. That night, I received my job offer.

I thought the reunion was the end of my story with Fu Zhen.

Three days later, Fu Zhen was appointed as the new CEO of my company, becoming my boss. And my desk was moved right outside his office door.

“I refuse.”

“Fine,” Fu Zhen said without looking up, his tone cold. “Submit your resignation to HR.”

I laughed angrily. “You’re firing me because I won’t change my seat?”

He paused, finally deigning to look at me. “I’m giving you a choice. Don’t think I have other motives.”

I was taken aback, thinking of Xiaoqiu’s struggles to pay rent. I managed a weak smile. “Mr. Fu, you’re too noble. I’m not afraid.”

Fu Zhen nodded slightly. “Thank you. Close the door when you leave. And keep your chair turned away from my desk. I don’t want to see your face.”

“…”

We had little interaction after that.

A week later, the company had a team-building event. As the newest employee, I was pressured to drink.

“Xiao Tang, you’ll get docked pay if you don’t drink.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll take you home if you get drunk. We’re all women. What’s to fear?”

The manager laughed, encouraging me to drink. With everyone egging me on, I downed my last drink and collapsed on the table, unconscious.

I woke up in a large bed. Bright sunlight streamed through the window. I sat up, the covers slipping to reveal a soft bathrobe. I froze. I got up and walked out.

In the bright living room, Fu Zhen was reading the morning paper, also in a hotel bathrobe. Seeing me, he lifted an eyebrow. “Awake? Breakfast is on the table. Go back to sleep after you eat.”

A chill went down my spine. My face went white. “We…”

Fu Zhen tossed the paper onto the coffee table, slightly opening his robe, revealing a telltale love bite. “Unfortunately, you were the one who initiated things last night.”

I felt like I’d been struck by lightning. My memory of last night was blank.

“Impossible.”

Fu Zhen placed a contract in front of me. My fingerprint was on it. It stated that I would be his mistress, receiving $10,000 a month.

“This… this can’t be my fingerprint…”

“Oh really?” Fu Zhen chuckled. “Are you sure?”

Under his serious, calm gaze, I opened my mouth but couldn’t speak.

He ignored my discomfort and pulled out a recorder.

“I accidentally recorded your… confession last night. Miss Tang, would you like to hear your deplorable thoughts?”

I trembled, as if plunging into an ice-cold lake. Even to myself, those thoughts felt shameful. To have them spoken, used as evidence against me felt criminal.

Fu Zhen’s eyebrows were lowered, his expression unreadable.

“Luring a married man… tsk. Tang Jia, shall we share this recording with everyone?”

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. “Are you getting revenge on me?”

“Yes,” he replied nonchalantly. “You didn’t want me to be happy, so why should I let you be happy?”

“You have two choices.”

“Either fulfill the contract or I’ll release the recording.”

The clock ticked, each beat deafening. My lips were parched. I stared blankly ahead.

“I won’t be your mistress.”

Fu Zhen stared at me intently, then smiled. “Tang Jia, who do you think you are?”

“Do you even have a choice?”

4

In the bathroom, I found my scattered clothes. Fu Zhen’s clothes, however, were neatly hung on the rack—a stark contrast. The scene stung my eyes. I sighed, changed, and left the hotel.

Xiaoqiu called, her voice strained, “Tang Jia, they want fifty thousand dollars.”

The sky was gray, the sun hidden. She hadn’t saved much for my medical treatment, nor did I have much in savings.

“They said if we don’t pay, they’ll expose you, and your mother’s belongings and ashes will never be returned.”

“I’ll try to get an advance on my salary and borrow some money. I should have it by next month.”

“Okay.”

After much hesitation, I dialed a number. It took a while to connect.

“Miss Tang, is there something I can help you with?”

I blew out a breath. “Dr. Jiang, I’m so sorry to bother you, but I…”

Dr. Jiang seemed busy. After several transfers, he finally found a quiet spot and patiently asked, “Are you in trouble?”

I took a deep breath. “Could you lend me forty thousand dollars?”

This was my first time borrowing money. I felt like I was burning up. A commotion erupted on the other side of the line. “Dr. Jiang, emergency surgery.”

“Understood.”

I hadn’t expected much, bracing myself for the call to end. At the last moment, Dr. Jiang said briefly, “Send me your account number. I’ll transfer it today.”

Then, he hung up.

The sky remained gray. But the cold silence suddenly felt warm.

Later that evening, the manager tapped my desk. “Dinner with a client tonight, you’re coming.”

A few hours earlier, I had received a month’s advance on my salary. Together with the borrowed money and my savings, I barely had enough for fifty thousand.

Entering the private room, I saw Fu Zhen. He was effortlessly charming the guests.

The manager gently pushed me forward. All eyes turned to me.

“Mr. Fu, is this someone from your company?”

Fu Zhen glanced at me casually. “Yes, a new employee.”

“Wow, what a new employee needs the CEO’s personal attention? She’s quite pretty.”

During the meal, I was seated next to Fu Zhen. The manager whispered, “Be smart tonight, take some drinks for him.”

People asked subtly, “Mr. Fu, is your new employee a strong drinker or a light one?”

Before Fu Zhen could answer, the manager responded quickly, “A strong one, a strong one.” Then, he pushed a glass toward me. “Let’s have a toast.”

Fu Zhen smiled faintly, tapping the table.

I raised my glass and drained it in one go. The alcohol burned, but I didn’t flinch.

Everyone cheered, preparing for another round, when Fu Zhen changed the subject. “Where were we? Let’s continue.”

The atmosphere was lively, many toasting Fu Zhen. He excused himself, saying he had a bad stomach, and didn’t drink. They all ended up making me drink instead.

Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore and went to the restroom. I turned on the faucet and vomited, my hair falling into the sink, getting wet.

After texting Xiaoqiu, I collapsed on the counter, gasping for breath.

Footsteps approached slowly. The door opened. I thought it was another woman. But Fu Zhen’s voice followed, calm and smooth. “Giving up already?”

I summoned my strength, staggered to my feet and tried to walk away, only to be grabbed by the arm and pulled back. His hand rested on the back of my neck, hot against my skin.

“Let me go.”

Stomach acid burned my throat. Each word was painful.

Fu Zhen easily dragged me to the mirror, making me face my reflection. He lifted my chin, sneering.

“Take a good look at yourself. Don’t you want to go out looking like this, and get taken advantage of?”

My eyes were wet, my cheeks flushed, my hair disheveled. Fu Zhen looked at my body through the mirror, his gaze unabashed.

I closed my eyes, trembling slightly. “Who could be more predatory than you?”

Fu Zhen laughed softly, kissing my ear. “Come home with me tonight, shall we?”

“Get lost—”

He silenced me cruelly, stealing the air from my lungs.

My blood, fueled by alcohol, surged wildly through my body. The lights blurred. The water droplets felt distant.

Every touch felt like acid. Agonizing.

I was drenched in sweat, weakly hitting him. I felt like I was back in that dark period. I stared hopelessly at this vibrant world, feeling utterly out of place.

“Fu Zhen, please let me go?”

I fell, crashing to the bottom of the well.

It must have been painful. But I couldn’t feel it anymore.

“Tang Jia!”

Fu Zhen called out my name. His eyes were different this time – no more hatred. He was panicked.