Volume One, Chapter Ten: Not Only Divorce but Also Half the Property

Returning to the dormitory, Lou Nanzhi charged her long-dead phone before going to freshen up. Just as she filled the basin to brush her teeth, Sister Wu hurriedly grabbed Lou Nanzhi’s phone and rushed to the communal washroom.

“Girl, your phone’s been ringing nonstop. Could there be an emergency at home?”

Lou Nanzhi set down her toothbrush and took the call.

Sister Wu returned to the dormitory.

Lou Nanzhi knew without a doubt it was Wei Guoxiong. After being dragged out of the hotel and humiliated, and with her not returning home this late, it was no wonder he was furious.

Yet, Lou Nanzhi felt oddly pleased. The thought of the usually composed Mr. Wei losing his temper made her want to laugh.

“Hello,” she answered, calm and unhurried.

On the other end came Wei Guoxiong’s furious barks.

“Lou Nanzhi, you finally pick up! Are you so scared of home you won’t return? I warn you, be in front of me within half an hour and explain every single thing that happened at the hotel. If your actions affect my business, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Wei Guoxiong’s words sank like a stone in her heart.

Her wife had been taken away, and as her husband, he showed no concern—only fear of damage to his reputation and career.

Perhaps in Wei Guoxiong’s mind, he wished she’d just disappear on the spot.

“Finished?” she asked.

Wei Guoxiong fell silent.

Yet Lou Nanzhi could already picture his dark, grim expression.

“Wei Guoxiong, I have nothing to explain to you. I work at the Moonlight Tower; it’s not the filthy fantasy you imagine. When I say I want a divorce, I’m serious. And it’s not just a divorce—I want half the family assets.”

“Lou Nanzhi, you must be dreaming!”

Upon hearing the word divorce, Wei Guoxiong hadn’t reacted so strongly. But at the mention of property division, he angrily smashed a cup over the phone.

Heh.

Lou Nanzhi chuckled softly.

“Mr. Wei, if an agreement isn’t possible, then legal proceedings it is. That might impact you personally and your company. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Her triumphant tone made Wei Guoxiong wish he could yank her through the phone.

“Lou Nanzhi, you’re really something—away from home two days and your wings have grown…”

Beep! Beep! Beep!

Before Wei Guoxiong could continue his tirade, Lou Nanzhi decisively hung up.

She had no time to waste on unnecessary people.

The irony was that in thirty years, he’d always been the one to hang up first.

Wei Guoxiong angrily slammed the dining table and called back, only to hear a pleasant female voice say, “The number you have dialed is powered off. Please try again later.”

***

The next morning, Lou Nanzhi rose early, relishing the luxury of not having to prepare breakfast.

Having been promoted to lobby manager, she donned a tailored professional suit—the first time in her fifty years she’d dressed so formally.

She had always envied nine-to-five white-collar workers and never thought she’d realize that dream at this age.

Reflecting on recent events felt like living through a movie; it still seemed unreal.

Looking in the mirror at her vibrant self, she finally understood the saying: a woman must always have her own career.

“Nanzhi! In that outfit, no one would guess you’re over thirty,” Sister Wu said, examining her like a new bride.

“That waistline is perfect. What do young people say now?”

“Ah, right! Fierce! You’re a true queen!”

Lou Nanzhi was surprised to find Sister Wu quite trendy.

“Sister Wu, your mindset is more like eighteen,” Lou Nanzhi teased.

Embarrassed, Sister Wu covered her mouth and giggled.

Locking the dorm door, Lou Nanzhi linked arms with Sister Wu and headed to the cafeteria.

The Moonlight Tower’s cafeteria served the same nutritious meals as the guest rooms, complete with fish, shrimp, meat, and eggs.

It was a tradition established by the Fu family’s patriarch early on—everyone must be treated equally.

Lou Nanzhi thought that in such a caring family environment, no employee could help but work diligently.

To earn genuine kindness, one must also offer genuine kindness; love is reciprocal.

Meanwhile, Wei Guoxiong, also a businessman, seemed to have no such notion.

Then again, with how cold and commanding he was even to his wife—treating her like a servant—how could he be different with outsiders?

“Are you here for lunch too?”

Lou Nanzhi turned, holding her tray, to see Old Fu, the janitor.

“Yes! Have you eaten? Why don’t we eat together?”

Old Fu had arrived an hour early, waiting for Lou Nanzhi.

Last night, listening to his son’s piano recordings, he’d slept soundly for the first time in thirty years.

Invited by Lou Nanzhi, Fu Kun smiled brightly, “I’d be honored, as long as Manager Lou doesn’t mind rough folk like us.”

“Not at all! Old Fu, don’t say that again. We’re colleagues. No one is superior or inferior. The hotel’s success depends on everyone’s efforts.”

Fu Kun felt a warm glow hearing that.

The three found a quiet spot. Sister Wu ate quickly and left hastily because there was a guest checking out upstairs.

Only Fu Kun and Lou Nanzhi remained.

Seeing Lou Nanzhi’s small portion, Fu Kun hesitated but asked, “Why so little? Not to your taste?”

His question caught Lou Nanzhi off guard.

In thirty years at the Wei household, she was rarely cared for. When the children were home, she was always the last to sit down after everyone else left.

They say breakfast is the most important meal, but Lou Nanzhi often ate leftover cold food.

No one ever cared if she ate well.

“Oh no, I just eat less in the mornings,” she replied.

“That’s not good. In hotel work, if you don’t eat enough in the morning, lunch might be missed when things get busy. If you keep this up, you’ll get stomach problems. I’ll get you some hot porridge,” Old Fu said.

“No, Old Fu, it’s not necessary...”

Before she finished, he had already gone.

That bowl of millet porridge with yam was indeed her favorite, though she had no idea how Old Fu knew—perhaps just a coincidence.

Suddenly, Lou Nanzhi felt that family members bound by obligation were less caring than a stranger.

She gazed out the window at the bustling pedestrians.

Suddenly, a black car stopped at the entrance.

Lou Nanzhi’s heart tightened.

Could Wei Guoxiong be here?