Chapter 5 — He Only Woke Up After the Divorce

This time, our discussion revolved around the selection of materials and the direction of the interior design. He possessed a refined taste and an excellent aesthetic sense, and more importantly, he respected my professional judgment. Throughout the entire meeting, he did not interrupt me even once. He was nothing like that other man. Whenever I would present a proposal in the past, that person always felt the need to interject:

Does this color make you feel uncomfortable?

The subject of his sentence was never himself; it was always about me. On the surface, it appeared to be a gesture of respect, but in reality, it was a subtle form of control. Halfway through our conversation, Shen Ci suddenly set his coffee cup down.

Miss Ky, there is something I would like to clarify beforehand.

I looked up. His expression had become noticeably more serious.

I have noticed that there is a car that has been following you recently. If you are facing any difficulties, I am here to help. However, if this is a personal matter, I will not pry.

I was stunned. His powers of observation were truly remarkable. But what impressed me more was his attitude. He did not interrogate me or indulge in idle curiosity; he simply offered his support without conditions.

If you need any assistance, I am always here.

No pressure, no crossing of boundaries.

Thank you, I replied with a smile. It is just an old acquaintance who does not know how to let go. I am already handling it.

Very well.

He smiled back, and he did not push the subject further. We continued to finalize the plans. Outside the window, the black Maybach remained parked across the street for a full hour. I saw it, but I chose to ignore it. As the meeting concluded, Shen Ci walked me to the cafe entrance.

On Saturday, the villa will begin the initial cleaning before construction starts. Would you like to come and inspect the progress?

That would be fine.

I will see you on Saturday, then.

He turned to leave but stopped after a few steps and looked back at me.

Miss Ky?

Yes?

Regarding the latte today, would you like to try it with oat milk next time? I have a feeling you might prefer it that way.

The sensation was… gentle. It was not intense, not ostentatious, and certainly not scorching. It was like a spring breeze at the perfect temperature. I pursed my lips.

That sounds good. Let us try it next time.

He smiled and walked away. I stood by the side of the road clutching my laptop bag, feeling incredibly relaxed. Then—a hand reached out from behind me and snatched the remaining half of my latte right out of my grasp. I stared in disbelief.

What on earth?

I turned around. Bui Dien was standing behind me. I had no idea when he had stepped out of his car. His face was devoid of expression as he held up the cup to inspect it.

Did he buy this for you?

Bui Dien, are you ill? What kind of person steals someone else’s coffee in broad daylight?

He paid me no mind, his gaze dropping to the words written on the side of the cup. The cafe staff usually hand-wrote the customer’s name on the cup, and when he ordered for me, Shen Ci must have mentioned my name. The cup bore the single character for Tang. Bui Dien’s thumb brushed over the ink before he tossed the cup into a nearby trash bin.

Bui Dien!

He turned to look at me. His face remained impassive, yet something roiling in the depths of his eyes seemed ready to overflow.

Ky Tang, he said, his voice dropping to a low, hollow tone. I do not remember you. But my body remembers. Whenever I see you smiling at another man, right here…

He raised his hand and pressed it against his chest.

It aches. I cannot explain it. But it truly hurts.

I took a step back—not out of fear, but because his words were identical to those he had used to woo me three years ago. Back then, he had said: Ky Tang, I cannot explain why, but when I see you talking to others, it hurts right here. Can you stop talking to other people? Only talk to me.

At the time, I had mistaken that for deep, devoted love. Now, I understood it for what it truly was: the first bars of a cage.

Bui Dien, I retreated another two steps, widening the distance between us. Whether or not your body remembers me is no longer my concern. We are divorced. You should go see a doctor about your chest pain.