Chapter 7: The First Separation
Ten Years Later
"Bye-bye!" Gan Qi smiled as she watched Xing Hao finish his breakfast, sling on his backpack, and head out the door. She kissed his forehead gently as Neria took his hand, waiting patiently while Qing Xiang finished his shower. He emerged moments later, dressed sharply, the scent of cologne lingering in the air, a briefcase in hand. The three of them walked out together like a picture-perfect family.
Gan Qi stood at the door, dazed. The scene was so harmonious, so well-matched, it felt as though they were the real family.
Soon after their marriage, Gan Qi had become pregnant with their son, Xing Hao. In the early days of Qing Xiang's entrepreneurial journey, he had little time for her or their unborn child. When she was expecting, he sent her to Jilin to live with his mother. Fortunately, Gan Qi and her mother-in-law got along well. After giving birth, she quickly recovered and began helping out on the farm, planting vegetables and picking fruit. Xing Hao grew up strong and healthy in the countryside, learning to walk and talk under his grandmother's watchful eye.
When Qing Xiang's business finally stabilized and they moved into a bigger house in Shanghai, he brought them back—but by then, he wasn't alone. Neria had entered the picture.
Neria, a junior from Qing Xiang's university, was only three years older than Gan Qi. Though the two women had never met back then, Neria had long admired Qing Xiang, who had made headlines with his innovative tech ventures. They met at an international trade fair, where Neria—new to the industry—boldly shared her insights on the structural improvements of his guide robot and proposed ideas for advancing its AI systems. Qing Xiang was impressed, and without hesitation, brought her onboard.
Now, years later, Neria had risen from assistant to business partner. Together, they co-founded Nexian Intelligent Technologies, a billion-dollar tech giant. With her auburn curls, alluring confidence, and sharp intellect, she remained ever by Qing Xiang's side—unfazed by the countless suitors who vied for her attention.
Neria devoted herself to him. Knowing Gan Qi couldn't drive and the international school Qing Xiang picked for Xing Hao was far away, she moved nearby. For six years, rain or shine, she took responsibility for picking up and dropping off Xing Hao. Over time, a deep bond grew between them. Neria knew Qing Xiang's marriage was hollow. She wasn't just his business partner—she was waiting for the chance to become his partner in life.
At forty, Qing Xiang had only become more striking. His every gesture exuded the elegance of a man of wealth and power. He never wore a wedding ring, avoided social engagements, and made no effort to hide the fact that Neria came and went from his house freely, treating Xing Hao as her own. He ignored Neria's devotion and paid no mind to whether Gan Qi cared. Independent and aloof, he was known in the media as "The Mysterious, Most Eligible Billionaire."
A soft whir brought Gan Qi back from her thoughts. Little Xiang, their robot dog, was nudging her foot affectionately. It was the same mechanical pet Qing Xiang had tried to discard during their move, but she'd insisted on keeping it. She had also kept the matching robot cat, which she named Little Qi. They were the first things she'd ever seen in Qing Xiang's apartment.
With some help from Qing Xiang, she had programmed them to greet her, play with her, even act affectionately. During the long, lonely days, they became her only companions.
The smart home around her was high-tech and spotless. In the garden, a robotic gardener watered the flowers. At set times, a cleaning bot swept the floors. The bathtub filled itself with perfectly warmed water when Xing Hao was due home. The fridge detected low inventory and auto-ordered supplies. Meals were prepared by a robotic chef, based on her preset menus.
Everything ran smoothly—no housekeeper needed.
Yet, in all this automation, Gan Qi had no one to talk to. She had named the robot pets after herself and Qing Xiang because they were so much like them—living under the same roof, seeing each other day and night, yet fundamentally different by nature, with no common language to truly connect them. Moreover, these pets were the only witnesses to their past: the moment they fled together, the first time she touched a man, the first time she saw him smile... and the first time her heart skipped a beat.
But unlike Neria, she could offer Qing Xiang nothing. No education, no charm, no power. She was plain, unpainted, and probably someone he was ashamed to show off. Her only value seemed to lie in being Xing Hao's birth mother. Everything she had might shatter in an instant. She didn't know how many "Nerias" filled Qing Xiang's heart—but ten years on, she still felt like she didn't belong anywhere.
Her phone buzzed urgently, dragging her from her spiraling thoughts. She frowned. Who would call? She had no friends, no social life—it wasn't her son, and certainly not Qing Xiang. She picked up the phone. The screen read: Cousin—a strange label.
After her marriage, Gan Qi had kept her promise: she wired money to her aunt's household every month, never questioning the frequent demands for more. Qing Xiang never objected to her spending—he even gave her a limitless black card. She used almost all of it to support her aunt's family, never buying a single thing for herself.
Her uncle had passed away years ago. Her siblings lived abroad. She knew her aunt lived a lonely life, but apart from the money, Gan Qi had cut ties completely. She had never gone back, even once. She gave a fake address for her new home to keep her past buried—and to avoid embarrassing Qing Xiang by association.
"Hello?" she answered hesitantly.
Through broken sobs, her cousin delivered the news: her aunt had been murdered.
Apparently, her aunt often bragged about the money Gan Qi sent, flaunting jewelry and luxury clothes. A criminal had been watching her for some time. Seeing she lived alone—widowed, with children overseas—they followed her home and tried to rob her. She resisted, clutching her designer handbag, and was killed.
The police had contacted her cousin, and though her brother had been informed, they hoped Gan Qi could return first—as the only family member in the country—to handle the funeral arrangements.
Gan Qi's hand trembled. The very money she sent for peace of mind had led to her aunt's death. Her heart ached—not just from the tragedy, but from guilt. Her aunt's greed and vanity had brought disaster... and wasn't her own rise to wealth, through a hasty marriage, a form of sudden fortune too? Was it time for her to pay the price?
There was no point dwelling. She had to go.
She changed into a soft pink silk dress, pinned her hair into a loose bun, slipped on beige flats, and pulled out her suitcase. She didn't know how long she'd be gone—so she packed for three days, just in case.
She took the black card and finished preparing. Only then did it hit her: this was the first time she would leave Qing Xiang and their son behind in ten years. She knew they'd be fine without her. They likely wouldn't miss her at all. Still, she called Qing Xiang and explained the situation. He gave a cold, indifferent reply. Not even a "safe trip" or "take care."
Gan Qi smiled bitterly. Even if she never came back, he probably wouldn't notice.
Still, she tied on an apron and cooked one last meal for them—dishes they both loved. She left a note beside the plates:
"I'll be back soon. Wishing you both all the best."
In truth, it was a message for herself—a reason to come home.
When Qing Xiang returned that night, the house was dark. No one greeted him, no one took his coat or briefcase. It felt... unfamiliar.
He walked into the kitchen, turned on the light, and froze. Yu Xiang shredded pork, stir-fried eggplant, and potato beef stew—three signature dishes from their early days—were still warm on the table. Since installing the cooking robot, Gan Qi rarely cooked anymore.
He spotted the note next to the bowls. It was the first time he had seen her handwriting—elegant and graceful, just like her. The exclamation mark at the end seemed to cheer herself on, and to hint at the longing for this family. Qing Xiang folded the note three times, raised his hand to toss it... then, for reasons he couldn't explain, slipped it into his jacket pocket instead.
Moments later, Neria arrived with Xing Hao. She was surprised to find Gan Qi gone—and secretly pleased. She happily dished out the food, arranging plates for herself, Qing Xiang, and XingHao.
But QingXiang suddenly said he didn't want her to touch the food. He told her to go home and eat by herself.
At dinner, Xing Hao beamed as he praised the meal, and Qing Xiang found himself smiling faintly too. The taste brought back so many memories.
After explaining to Xing Hao where his mother had gone, the boy's eyes widened.
"Daddy, why didn't you go with her?"
Qing Xiang paused, chopsticks mid-air. "Me? Why should I go?"
Xing Hao sighed, shaking his head. "Of course you should! She's never traveled alone before. It's scary and sad. Her only relative just died, and it wasn't natural—it was murder! What if she sees the body and freaks out? Who's gonna comfort her?"
The child spoke with unexpected clarity. That exclamation mark, that "all the best"—clearly, she had been scared and helpless. Even a nine-year-old could see that. Qing Xiang, surrounded by strong, capable women like Neria, had long forgotten how fragile Gan Qi truly was.
He considered calling her, but the walls around his long-shuttered heart stopped his finger from making the call.