The next morning.

 Gu Qingqing was rudely awakened by a phone call. With her eyes still closed, she fumbled her way to the shelf beside her bed, managing to find her phone.

 “Hello?”

 “Qingqing, do you know what time it is?! Why aren’t you in the office?”

 Zhang Yuyi was on the line. She instantly gulped and opened her eyes wide. It was 9.15 a.m! Her heart skipped a few beats as she recalled she was to clock in before 9 a.m. For the past two months, she had never been late.

 “Ah! I…”

 She was still dazed and confused, having just woken up with her voice cracked and breaking up. Last night, Leng Sifeng found out that she had not showered. In a shove of aggression, he threw her into the bathtub and bathed her, his violent dunks causing Gu Qingqing to swallow mouthfuls of water accidentally. Once she was deemed ‘clean,’ Leng Sifeng dragged her out of the bathroom, flung her on the bed, and started to work on her again.

 The splitting migraine from the ordeal clouded her thoughts with waves of pain. She felt nauseous and frankly, ill to the point of death.

“Just come over as fast as possible! Director Lin was asking for you!”

 Suddenly, she remembered that she was supposed to tender in her to resignation.

 “Oh right, Yuyi, can you help me out with something?”

 “Help? Erm, do you have something that you’d like Director Lin to know?”

 “I’m resigning as of today. Can you help inform my team leader?”

 “What did you just say?!”

 “I want to quit! I’m coming in this afternoon to pack up my stuff. Please let my team leader know!”

 “Yuyi, are you listening to me?!”

 The long pause from the other side of the phone gave Gu Qingqing goosebumps. Suddenly, she heard a different voice.

 “Ms. Gu, may I know why the reason for your resignation?” asked Lin Zhouyi.

 “It’s personal. I’m really sorry about this. I’m alright with not getting this month’s wages. Thank you so much for your genuine concern.”

 Another long uncomfortable pause ensued.

 “Fine. It’s a shame that I can’t work with you. May I know if you have any plans for the future?” asked Lin Zhouyi softly, sounding somewhat gentle.

 “No plans so far. Thank you.”

 After that, Gu Qingiqng hung up the call, she sat up on the bed, gathering herself and her thoughts. She could not feel any warmth beside her. It seemed that Leng Sicheng had been gone for some time now. As expected, he would leave her right away the moment he was finished with her. Even though they were married, Gu Qingqing felt violated and dejected. No different from a fling, she was a one night-stander whose primary purpose was to satisfy his carnal needs.

 After brushing her teeth and washing her face, she went downstairs, greeting the maid who was sweeping the floor.

 “Madam, sir has gone out to work. He looked kind of angry.”

 The word ‘kind of’ was an understatement. She knew that he must be furious when he left the house before dawn. Gu Qingqing simply looked at the maid and nodded her head.

 “Actually…”

 The maid attempted to say something, but Gu Qingqing had already walked out the door.

 “Actually, sir told me not to wake you up.”

 ….

 At the company.

 “Qingqing, are you really resigning?” asked a frowning Zhang Yuyi when she saw her.

 Again, Gu Qingqing nodded her head silently.

 “What’s your plan after this?”

 “Look for another job. I’m not leaving the country. We can still keep in touch,” Gu Qingqing replied with a smile when she saw Zhang Yuyi’s nervous, quivering eyes.

 Her office was sparse, only having the basic essentials. She quietly packed her stuff and swiftly left the company. As she passed the pavilion, the LED plastered on the wall was showing entertainment news. Chen Wenjie and Leng Sicheng were all over the screen. Something had happened this morning.