At that moment, Bai Yun realized in despair that Qin Yize had gotten married, and his wife was Gu Qiaoqiao.
The one who was utterly worthless, an extremely foolish country girl.
She loosened her grip, her eyes brimming with tears, her lips devoid of any color.
Gu Qiaoqiao had intended to visit Grandma Qin's room, but upon seeing Bai Yun's expression, she smiled, turned around, and followed Qin Yize to their room.
Bai Yun was infuriated, and she liked that very much.
Bai Yun, without uttering a single word, turned and ran towards the courtyard's main gate.
Although Qin Xiaoyu was young, she suddenly understood why Bai Yun was upset.
She wanted to glare at Gu Qiaoqiao, but discovered she had already vanished.
Gu Qiaoqiao entered the room devoted to them as newlyweds.
Qin Yize was sitting leisurely in the small living room, methodically brewing tea.
His head bowed, the gentle fragrance of the tea filled the slightly cold room.
The aroma of the tea wafted across, lightly concealing the mist, revealing Qin Yize sitting there. His white shirt was covered with a black wool vest, black trousers encasing his straight, slender legs, his features as if painted, resembling an "immortal" amidst orchids and jade.
At that moment, a surreal feeling washed over her.
His dark gaze fixed on Gu Qiaoqiao, who was staring at him. Although he looked displeased, he slowly began to speak, "Come here and sit…"
Gu Qiaoqiao didn't move and quietly took a breath before softly asking, "Did you need something from me?"
"I am taking you to the Northern Border research base, we leave after the fourteenth day of the first lunar month," Qin Yize's tone was indifferent, void of emotion.
Gu Qiaoqiao was taken aback, a research base?
Such distant words.
Her eyes held a trace of coolness, and after thinking, she nonetheless sat down beside him.
Two lifetimes combined, it seemed this was the first time they had a face-to-face conversation like this. On the first day of her previous life, her behavior had caused turmoil, and Qin Yize had accompanied the old master to the old house, leaving Gu Qiaoqiao alone to endure the Qin family's cold violence.
Now that she had come to terms with it, she bore no resentment, it was her own fault after all.
It turned out, according to the course of history, this day was meant to inform her that she could accompany Qin Yize to the Northern Border research base, not like in her previous life when she was unprepared and left the Qin Family like a bereaved dog.
"Qin Yize, I have something I want to discuss with you," Gu Qiaoqiao decided to cut to the chase and bring up the matter of divorce with Qin Yize.
Qin Yize placed a cup of tea in front of Gu Qiaoqiao, his gaze, although cold, relaxed significantly. Although he didn't want to listen, he nodded anyway, "Go ahead."
"Let's get a divorce," Gu Qiaoqiao took a sip of tea and finally said outright.
After saying it, she felt a wave of relief. Facing Qin Yize's gaze, as deep as the ocean, she continued, "Although today is the first day of the new year, I think, to you, this news should be good news."
Qin Yize put down his teacup, slowly leaned back against the sofa, his long legs crossed, his right hand resting on the wooden arm of the sofa, lightly tapping it.
His scrutinizing gaze fell on Gu Qiaoqiao, as if weighing the truth of her words.
His brows furrowed again, showing some displeasure.
He spoke slightly mockingly, "When you married me, didn't you say you wanted to spend your life with me, that no one else would do?"
"Everyone has their youthful follies; I was wrong."
"Youthful follies?" Qin Yize laughed quietly, but the laughter didn't reach his eyes.
The atmosphere was slightly tense, Gu Qiaoqiao, steeling herself, said, "I'm really sorry, I overestimated myself, so today I officially propose to you. I've already inquired, if we both agree, the procedures can be completed very swiftly."
"Oh?" Qin Yize's dark eyes grew even colder.
"About going to the research base, you and your supervisor should cancel it and give the spot to someone else. After the tenth, I'll go straight back to my home."
"Why wait until after the tenth?" Qin Yize suddenly asked.
Gu Qiaoqiao was taken aback.
Qin Yize seemed casual as he spoke, but his eyes became sharp, "Was it the collision yesterday that changed your mind? But since you had already thought about divorce, shouldn't you leave now? Why wait until after the tenth, and have you spoken to both sets of parents yet?"
"This..." Gu Qiaoqiao was choked up, feeling somewhat embarrassed as she lowered her head, "I haven't told them yet."
Could she say she still had something important to do after the fifth?
Currently, she was almost penniless and didn't even have enough money to buy a train ticket; she certainly couldn't just walk back, or ask Qin Yize for it.
And today, her talk of divorce with Qin Yize was not a spur of the moment decision. Divorce was set in stone, and if she allowed Grandma Qin to prepare so many supplies for her like last time, she would feel uneasy about it.
Moreover, she felt that proposing divorce would be good news for Mr. Qin and Mother Qin of the Qin family.
After all, without the bonds of obligation, there would be no constraints.
A moment later, Qin Yize spoke indifferently, "Do you really want to get a divorce?"
"Yes, I really do."
"The marriage you secured using your grandfather's illness, are you willing to let it go?" Qin Yize asked mockingly.
Gu Qiaoqiao looked up at Qin Yize steadily, "It proves that I was wrong."
"So, you want to start when you begin, and end when you wish to end?" His handsome eyebrows slightly raised, seeming somewhat displeased.
"Otherwise, Qin Yize, do you really want to continue living with me?"
Qin Yize was taken aback.
Gu Qiaoqiao then said, "Bai Yun's intentions are written all over her face, and many other women are waiting for you as well; I'm very clear on that, so an early divorce is only beneficial to you, with no drawbacks."
"..."
Qin Yize fell silent.
Suddenly, he stood up, his gaze fixed on Gu Qiaoqiao, a commanding aura swiftly spreading out, word by word, "Gu Qiaoqiao, whether it's Bai Yun or any other woman, before or after our marriage, there has been nothing between us, please remember that!"
Gu Qiaoqiao froze, also standing up, looking at the angered Qin Yize. Was it because she mentioned Bai Yun?
Was it because he felt Bai Yun was being insulted?
Gu Qiaoqiao bit her lip, "I know of your character, I didn't mean anything else."
"I thought you had come to your senses these past few days, but it seems you are still stubborn..." Qin Yize, with his hands in his pockets, walked step by step toward Gu Qiaoqiao.
Gu Qiaoqiao hurriedly backed away.
But there was a wall behind her, she had nowhere to go, her hands pressed against the wall, her face slightly flushed, she quickly explained, "I also know divorce isn't a trivial matter, isn't this why I'm discussing it with you?"
"Is that so?" Qin Yize closed in on Gu Qiaoqiao, slightly leaning in, his thin lips parting lightly, "Why do I feel like you're just informing me?"
At that moment, the two were very close.
Their unfamiliar breaths silently mingling.
Even their heartbeats could be clearly heard.