Luo Wei felt as if her organs were being torn apart. When had Chi Yu ever believed her?
Never!
Before Chi Yu could respond, Luo Wei continued, "You never liked me anyway. Breaking off the engagement is good. I need to pursue my own happiness." She had endured too much over the past decade. Even an iceberg should have melted by now, but Chi Yu remained unmoved, completely indifferent. Did he despise her that much? She was truly exhausted.
Chi Ye, standing nearby, tried to comfort her awkwardly. "Sister Weiwei, I will always support you, no matter what you decide to do."
Luo Wei nodded at Chi Ye, forcing a faint smile.
Chi Yu's eyes were deep and menacing, his gaze icy cold, and the air around him grew increasingly oppressive. He had deliberately proposed breaking off the engagement, intending to force Luo Wei to lower her head and admit her mistake. If she did, he would magnanimously take back his harsh words and allow the engagement to proceed. But she remained just as stubborn as ever.
"You're not qualified to be the Chi family's wife. A woman who doesn't respect herself is simply despicable," Chi Yu said, his tone as cold as ice, with a hint of self-mockery.
Luo Wei's back stiffened as she trembled. "I am not qualified, so I give up."
As soon as she finished speaking, Chi Yu's thin lips pressed together tightly, and anger surged within him. Chi Ye couldn't stand it any longer. "Brother, watch your mouth! I believe Sister Weiwei isn't like that. Even though you're my brother, I won't allow you to slander her."
Chi Yu shot Chi Ye a glance, signaling him to stay silent. "This is an adult matter; stay out of it," he said sternly.
At that moment, Luo Wei found it hard to breathe. Waves of pain gripped her heart, and she just wanted to escape from this suffocating place. A glimmer of triumph and malice flashed in Luo Qianqian's eyes. She thought to herself, if Brother Yu breaks off the engagement, won't my chance finally come? Only she was worthy of being Mrs. Chi. What was Luo Wei? Just a wild child without parents, unworthy of even stepping through the Chi family's door, let alone tying Brother Yu's shoes.
Moments later, Luo Wei turned and fled from the Chi family home, with Chi Ye's calls echoing behind her. Luo Wei didn't stop. This house had never belonged to her, and she had almost no personal belongings there. Now that the engagement was broken, she no longer needed to live humbly in front of Chi Yu and the Chi family. She didn't even need to pack her bags.
Luo Wei hailed a taxi by the roadside and left the Chi family behind.
At the "Dogs Ignore Cats" pet shop.
Su Yuxin arrived early in the morning to find Luo Wei mopping the floor.
"So early? Couldn't you sleep a little longer?" Su Yuxin asked with a smile.
Luo Wei raised an eyebrow and replied calmly, "You've worked hard these past few days, Sister Xin. Please forgive me." As she spoke, Luo Wei clasped her hands together in a gesture of apology, like someone pleading for forgiveness.
"As long as you know it. Business has been booming these past few days, and my old back is killing me..." Su Yuxin dramatically twisted her neck and pounded her arms.
Luo Wei understood immediately, grinning as she approached with mock servility. "Lady Xin, might this humble servant have the honor of giving you a massage?"
"Permission granted."
After a moment, Su Yuxin asked with concern, "What's been going on with you lately?"
Luo Wei's hands paused briefly, but she quickly composed herself. "Nothing much, just tired and wanting a couple of days off."
"Really?"
Su Yuxin turned around and gave her a skeptical look. Everyone knew that since Luo Wei had opened the shop, she'd only taken one day off—and that was only because Su Yuxin had insisted.
She had even earned the nickname "Little Money-Grubber."
Luo Wei nodded emphatically. "Yes."
To ease Su Yuxin's worries, Luo Wei pulled a big, cheerful smile onto her face.
"That's good, then. I can handle the shop on my own. But you, working every day—I'm afraid you'll wear yourself out." Su Yuxin sighed. Life had been hard on her too.
Su Yuxin was convinced that one day, that vicious mother and daughter would get their comeuppance.
"I'm really fine, but thank you." Luo Wei felt a sudden sting in her nose, and her eyes welled up with tears. If it weren't for Su Yuxin's encouragement and support, she might have given up on life long ago. To have a true friend in life—what more could one ask for?
By noon, the streets were bustling with people. The pet shop was busy with washing, walking, and feeding pets, cleaning litter boxes, and other chores. After washing five cats that morning, Luo Wei's back ached. She grabbed the cup from the table and gulped down a large mouthful of water.
"Weiwei, the takeout has arrived. Eat first," Su Yuxin called out as she scooped litter, sweat beading on her forehead in the humid weather.
Luo Wei grabbed the takeout, and her stomach growled right on cue.
She quickly wolfed down her lunch, then lounged back in her chair, taking a short break.
"Ring—"
Her phone rang, and Luo Wei slowly pulled it out.
"Weiwei, how's Yuanbao doing? Why haven't you replied to my WeChat? I miss my Yuanbao so much," Gu Chuyi's clear, sweet voice came through the moment Luo Wei answered the call. Yuanbao was a Yorkshire Terrier that Gu Chuyi had raised for two years. The little dog was gentle, adorable, and beautiful, loved by everyone who met him. Gu Chuyi had gone out of town for a fashion design competition and had left Yuanbao temporarily at the "Dogs Ignore Cats" pet shop.
"If you miss him, why don't you hurry back? Hang on." Luo Wei put down her phone and took a video of Yuanbao. After recording, she opened WeChat, found Gu Chuyi's chat, and realized that Gu had messaged her a few days ago. She hadn't replied, and that must have worried Gu, prompting this call using Yuanbao as an excuse. Luo Wei understood Gu Chuyi's real concern, and warmth spread through her heart. Despite her carefree and blunt demeanor, Gu Chuyi was kind-hearted and loyal.
Luo Wei sent the video, saying, "I've been taking good care of him. When will you be back?"
"The day after tomorrow. Don't miss me too much, okay? Oh, and please bring Yuanbao to the Emperor's Hotel when I get back," Gu Chuyi added.
"OK," Luo Wei agreed. Gu Chuyi spent tens of thousands at the pet shop every month and was a VIP customer at "Dogs Ignore Cats." Although Luo Wei and Su Yuxin had initially refused to take her money, they couldn't win against Gu Chuyi's persistence. When Luo Wei had first opened the shop, she hadn't had enough startup capital, and Gu Chuyi had generously helped her out. Luo Wei would never forget that sisterly bond.
"Be sure to be on time," Gu Chuyi reminded her, worried that Luo Wei might forget.
"Don't worry. I'll be there on time."
After hanging up, Luo Wei rested her cheek against Yuanbao's face, muttering, "Your lovely, beautiful owner will be back the day after tomorrow. You must be excited, right?" Yuanbao seemed to understand, letting out a couple of snorts, sticking out his long tongue, and blinking his big, round eyes with excitement.
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