Volume 1, Chapter 7: He Found a Matchmaker So Soon

They entered together with the father and daughter, accompanied by a woman Lin Zhiwan had never seen before. The woman walked beside Fu Yanzhou, but only her blurred back was visible, her face indistinct, though her elegant demeanor was unmistakable.

The two exchanged a few words, and Fu Yanzhou turned to look at the woman with a tenderness in his eyes that Lin Zhiwan had never experienced from him. Jin Xing was still cradled in Fu Yanzhou’s arms. When they approached, Lin Zhiwan instinctively lowered her head, not wanting to be seen.

Fortunately, they did not linger in the hall. The restaurant manager soon led them to a private room in the back. Lin Zhiwan couldn’t help but watch their departing figures. Fu Yanzhou held the child in one arm and affectionately wrapped the other around the woman’s waist. Anyone watching would think they were a happy family of three.

Lin Zhiwan had been married to Fu Yanzhou for five years but had never shared such a warm moment with him. Even Fu Jin Xing was very affectionate toward that woman. Was she the matchmaker Fu Yanzhou’s family had found for him? Lin Zhiwan had just told her mother-in-law about wanting a divorce today, and now Fu Yanzhou was already set up on a blind date?

But then again, Lin Zhiwan recalled that she had married Fu Yanzhou not long after his previous divorce. It seemed Fu Yanzhou was quite pleased with this new match. Their divorce must be finalized within these few days. The sooner it was over, the better. Once done, she could focus wholeheartedly on preparing for her doctoral exams.

The dinner, which had seemed pleasant earlier, now tasted like sawdust to Lin Zhiwan. She gathered her things and left the restaurant.

Upon returning to her residence, somewhat soaked from the rain, Lin Zhiwan drank ginger tea and took a bath before going to bed early. She woke the next morning, inevitably catching a cold. Since her last miscarriage, her health had noticeably deteriorated.

Despite taking medicine, her headache worsened, but today she had an important interview at an auction house and could not afford any mistakes. Although she had achieved some success at the recent auction, she knew that to thrive in this industry long-term, she needed to collaborate with an auction house.

Today, she was to meet Tao Ying, a partner at Fugarde Auctions. They arranged to meet at a gallery managed by Tao Ying. Lin Zhiwan arrived early and waited briefly before Tao Ying appeared.

“Tao Boss!” Lin Zhiwan greeted first.

Tao Ying, once a broker in the auction world with extensive experience, was respected enough that many addressed her as “Boss Tao.” Lin Zhiwan had worked with her during graduate school but had lost contact after marriage.

Clad in a sharp white suit and red-soled heels, the woman approached Lin Zhiwan. “What’s this? Now that you’re a wealthy wife, you don’t call me ‘Sister Tao’ anymore, but ‘Boss Tao’?”

Initially, Lin Zhiwan worried Tao Ying might dismiss her, but to her surprise, Tao Ying was as warm as before. Lin Zhiwan took a few steps forward and called out, “Sister Tao.”

“That’s more like it!” Tao Ying said, pulling her inside the gallery. “You said on the phone you wanted to join my auction house, so I flew back immediately to see you. Lin Zhiwan, don’t lie to me—or else I’ll have to keep you here under my watch.”

Hearing this, Lin Zhiwan finally relaxed. “Sister Tao, thank you for still giving me the chance.”

Tao Ying waved her hand dismissively. “I’m a businesswoman. I sign with whoever can make me money. I watched your recent auction—you’re as capable as ever.”

Lin Zhiwan smiled quietly.

“But isn’t your husband against you working?” Tao Ying asked. She only knew Lin Zhiwan had quit work after marriage but did not know who her husband was.

After all, when Lin Zhiwan married Fu Yanzhou, no one except the Fu and Lin families knew she was the president of the Fu Group’s wife. No one else was aware.

Lin Zhiwan replied softly, “I’m getting a divorce.”

Her voice was low, with no trace of emotion.

Tao Ying glanced at her, sensing the woman was very different from the Lin Zhiwan she once knew. Back then, Lin Zhiwan had become famous at a young age and was a legend in the auction world. Now, her appearance was unchanged, even more mature and graceful, but the youthful pride and recklessness had vanished. Her eyes carried an indescribable weariness.

As women, Tao Ying didn’t pry further but patted Lin Zhiwan gently to comfort her. Lin Zhiwan shook her head, signaling she was fine.

At that moment, the gallery manager approached Tao Ying quietly, whispering something. Tao Ying nodded and told Lin Zhiwan, “A client came downstairs to pick up a painting. Feel free to look around here; we’ll have lunch together.”

“Okay, you go ahead,” Lin Zhiwan said.

The gallery was quiet on a weekday, but Lin Zhiwan’s head grew heavier and her vision blurred. She must have a fever. She found a seat and closed her eyes to rest.

Footsteps echoed nearby—rhythmic clicks of high heels on the floor.

Fu Yanzhou.

Lin Zhiwan slowly opened her eyes and, through a small window in the wall, indeed saw him.

It was strange. Though they were married, it was rare to see him even once every ten or fifteen days. Yet now, she had seen him two days in a row. Moreover, why was Fu Yanzhou at the gallery? He had never shown interest in such things.

When they first married, Lin Zhiwan had tried to invite him to visit the gallery, but he always refused.

Why was he here today?

Fu Yanzhou noticed Lin Zhiwan as well. Frowning, he strode toward her.

He never came home but spent his days following him around. Seeing her looking so unwell, was she deliberately making herself look weak to get his attention? Could this woman not focus her thoughts on something proper?

“Who told you to be here?” Fu Yanzhou’s face was cold as he appeared before Lin Zhiwan.

Lin Zhiwan’s vision darkened from the fever. She tried to stand and argue, but her legs buckled, and she collapsed against him.

Fortunately, Fu Yanzhou caught her.

She wanted to push herself up, but the more she tried, the weaker her body felt, as if it had no bones. Through his coat, Fu Yanzhou could not feel her burning fever. To him, it seemed she was shamelessly making a scene, pulling him around in public.

A cold shadow crossed Fu Yanzhou’s brows as he pushed her away.

“Yesterday you told mom you wanted a divorce. So what’s this today? Lin Zhiwan, if you’re done causing trouble, go home. I have no time for your nonsense!”

His rough shove sent her back crashing into a protruding decoration on the wall. She groaned softly, her face contorted in pain.

Realizing he had been too harsh, Fu Yanzhou asked coldly, “Are you okay?”

There was no warmth in his voice—only disdain, as if he feared she might cling to him.

Seeing Lin Zhiwan’s pale face wasn’t a pretense, Fu Yanzhou stepped forward and steadied her by the arm.

“Not feeling well?”

Lin Zhiwan nodded weakly. She felt light-headed and barely able to stand. Without his support, she might have collapsed.

“Yanzhou, I got the painting. Let’s go!” A woman’s voice suddenly sounded. At that moment, the hand on Lin Zhiwan’s arm loosened.

Losing her support, Lin Zhiwan sank heavily into a nearby chair.

She lifted her eyelids and saw Fu Yanzhou’s arm now wrapped around another woman’s waist.

That silhouette—it was the same woman from last night.