Chapter 1.1: Heading to the Countryside with a Heavy Heart

　　“Lin Feng! Lin Feng, my head hurts…”

　　In the dimly lit room, Su Ling kicked off the blanket and groggily rolled over. His fingers incessantly fumbled around in search of the familiar warmth beside his, but all they found was emptiness. As he opened his eyes drowsily, he could discern the empty spot next to him by the glow of the small lamp on the bedside table.

　　Once again, it slipped his mind that it had been almost half a month since Lin Feng last set foot in their home.

　　With a disappointed sigh, he withdrew his hand and placed it on his forehead.

　　Agh, it’s burning hot!

　　At this juncture, it finally dawned on him that he was running a fever.

　　Su Ling’s mouth was parched, his swollen throat was throbbing in pain, and his frail body struggled under the weight of fatigue while a fog clouded his vision. Fever burned within, ears ringing, breaths heavy and labored, punctuated by a few stubborn coughs. Discomfort clung to every inch of his being with an intensity that refused to be ignored.

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* * *

　　A certain private hospital in City Y, Country L

　　In the quiet corridor, a man in a suit propped against the wall while casting a nervous glance at the operating room door. Just then, the shrill ring of a phone shattered the silence, jolting him as he struggled to keep hold of the blood-stained device.

　　The man in a suit’s eyes flickered down, and he caught sight of the animated caller ID flashing on the screen. Without a second thought, he decisively tapped a button and rejected the incoming call.

　　The man in a trench coat standing beside furrowed his brow and inquired, “Why did you reject the call?”

　　With a solemn expression, the man in a suit emphasized, “Given CEO Lin’s current situation, it is imperative that we keep this confidential.”

　　Fatigue etched deep lines on the trench-coated man’s face as he wearily pinched the bridge of his nose. “Let’s switch off the phone for now. We can discuss it with CEO Lin when he wakes up.”

　　The man in a suit let out a sound of acknowledgment and pressed the power button.

　　“Hi! The mobile phone you are trying to reach has been switched off. Please try again later.”

　　As the automated voice incessantly reverberated in the silent room, Su Ling’s gaze remained fixed on the phone, lost in a trance. Unable to contain the torrent of emotions, tears streamed down his face and splattered onto the screen.

* * *

　　Driving through the bustling city streets, Lin Zhou could not help but steal glances at Su Ling, who sat beside him in the passenger seat.

　　Draped in a beige trench coat with a high collar, Su Ling wore his hair in a small ponytail. His well-defined, pale fingers cradled his sculpted chin, as his half-lidded eyes were framed by long, thick eyelashes that fluttered delicately, resembling the graceful sway of two fans. Lost in thought, he stared blankly out the window, his emotionless face leaving one to wonder about the thoughts racing through his mind.

　　“Stop looking around and keep your eyes on the road.” Su Ling chided, shifting his gaze toward Lin Zhou with eyes as clear as colored glaze. His mellifluous voice was pure and resonant, reminiscent of a gentle spring rain that cascaded gracefully.

　　As the car came to a halt at a red light, Lin Zhou shifted the car into neutral and firmly pressed both hands onto the steering wheel. Only then did he turn his head to fix Su Ling with a look.

　　“Have you really made up your mind?” he pressed, his voice tinged with a hint of disbelief.

　　Su Ling pursed his lips as an unprecedented determination showed clearly on his beautiful face. “Yes.”

　　Lin Zhou’s eyes zeroed in on the worry etched between Su Ling’s brows and sighed, “But… the underdeveloped countryside is a world apart from the bustling city. Are you sure you can adapt without any preparations?”

　　Su Ling proclaimed, “I’ll have to, no matter what!”

　　Lin Zhou tapped his finger on the steering wheel and questioned, “Since both you and Lin Feng are legally wedded husbands, even in the case of a divorce, the division of assets requires careful consideration. If you only take ten million² CNY 10 million is approximately US $1.4 million. 
China’s currency comes by two names: Chinese Yuan (CNY) and Renminbi (RMB). You can read more about it here: https://www.investopedia.com/articles/forex/061115/yuan-vs-rmb-understanding-difference.asp , how does it differ from being left with nothing?”

　　Lin Cooperation stood as one of the foremost companies in Country Z, with Lin Feng’s net worth reaching the staggering figure of hundreds of billions. For Su Ling to settle for a mere ten million felt like a substantial loss — a drop in the vast ocean of Lin Feng’s wealth.

　　Tracing his fingers over the diamond watch encircling his left wrist, Su Ling murmured, “This fortune is the result of Lin Feng’s hard work and accomplishments. So, ten million is more than plenty for me, especially after three years of being a stay-at-home spouse.”

　　Lin Zhou objected with a disapproving tone, “You can’t put it that way. Whatever he earns after marriage will become matrimonial assets. That’s why you should be aiming for tens, if not hundreds of billions! Otherwise, how else will you ensure your future? I mean, let’s be real! Now that you’ve… severed ties with the Su family, your savings will dwindle by the day. So, how long do you honestly think you can survive on just ten million?”

　　Fueled by an unyielding resolve to be with Lin Feng, Su Ling threw caution to the wind. The Su family had sternly warned that if Su Ling dared to marry a man, he would be forever banned from setting foot in their residence. Undeterred, Su Ling decisively renounced his position as the heir to the Su family. With luggage in hand, he hopped into Lin Feng’s car and sped away from the Su family’s home.

　　To the surprise of many, despite being a figure of power within the Lin Corporation, Lin Feng made an unexpected decision to forgo holding a wedding banquet and issuing a press release. Instead, he meticulously selected a special day to take Su Ling to the Civil Affairs Bureau, where they obtained their marriage certificate and officially sealed their union.

　　After tying the knot, Su Ling became a stay-at-home spouse, leading a life of opulence and comfort. In his spare moments, he would pick up a brush and immerse himself in the art of painting and calligraphy. As a prodigious talent from the Fine Arts Academy, Su Ling showcased remarkable prowess in both Chinese painting and calligraphy, leaving onlookers astounded by his works. One piece, featuring orchids, fetched a staggering price of millions at an auction. However, his artistic process heavily relied on inspiration, and if dissatisfied with his creation, he preferred to tear it apart rather than settle for mediocrity or sell it at a lower price.

　　Lin Zhou was not only Su Ling’s classmate but also his only best friend. When the phone call came in at the break of dawn, Lin Zhou wasted no time and raced to Su Ling’s location. Upon arrival, his eyes widened in disbelief at the sight of the divorce papers laid out on the table.

　　What twists of fate have brought this once-inseparable couple, who is a match made in heaven, to the brink of divorce?

　　“For the average folk, ten million would be enough to last a lifetime,” Su Ling gestured toward the green light up ahead and reminded, “Quit daydreaming and focus on driving.”

　　The relentless honking from the car behind them compelled Lin Zhou to swiftly shift gears and hit the accelerator. With ease, the vehicle crossed the intersection and entered Airport Boulevard.

　　“Can you even pass for the average Joe?” Lin Zhou’s voice faded into the silence as his eyes flickered to the designer trench coat Su Ling was wearing.

　　After all, Lin Feng spared no effort in lavishing Su Ling with material comforts, from exquisite dining to stylish clothing and meticulously designed living spaces. With the supplementary bank card at his disposal, Su Ling had absolute freedom to spend as he pleased. Even after cutting all ties with the Su family, life with Lin Feng remained devoid of hardships as they enjoyed a lavish and comfortable lifestyle.

　　Not only was he beautiful, noble, and elegant, but he was also extraordinarily talented — a true epitome of a noble gentleman. Yet, beneath that impeccable exterior, there lingered a delicate vulnerability. As Su Ling prepared to embark on a solo journey to the countryside, a wave of apprehension swept over Lin Zhou as he foresaw the arduous challenges ahead for his dear friend.