In this day and age, people often seem to have far more energy at night than during the day.
At ten in the evening, the city was ablaze with neon lights and bustling traffic. Outside the entrance of a KTV, the scene was lively and noisy.
"Brother Zhao, didn't you already ask your sister-in-law for leave? Our Game of Thrones project is finally finished today. We agreed to celebrate properly together—why are you leaving so early?" a man said to a young man standing by the door of a taxi.
"No, no. You guys go ahead and enjoy yourselves," the young man replied with a smile as he waved his hands. "Such a happy moment—of course I have to go back and share it with your sister-in-law!"
This young man was called Zhao Fei. He was twenty-six years old, and through sheer talent and hard work, he had become the head of a development department at the largest game company in the country.
Recently, he and his team had developed a brand-new game. They had poured their hearts and souls into it, working tirelessly for over a year. Today was finally the last round of testing, and the game was scheduled to launch the day after tomorrow.
This year, he had also finally achieved a happy ending with his long-time girlfriend and gotten married. Because winning his wife's heart had been anything but easy, he doted on her to an extreme—he was the textbook definition of a wife-protecting maniac.
"That's true. Brother Zhao, you're newly married, and sister-in-law is so beautiful with such a great figure. It's only natural you'd miss her. Go back early and enjoy a wonderful night together!" the man who came to see Zhao Fei off said with a grin.
"Enough. Do you feel uncomfortable if you don't say something dirty?" Zhao Fei laughed as he got into the taxi. "You guys go back and have fun. Tonight's on me—tomorrow I'll reimburse you. And don't be late for the game launch event the day after tomorrow!"
"Got it! Brother Zhao, don't worry. We won't be late. Just go home and enjoy your weekend in peace!" the man replied with a smile.
After saying goodbye, Zhao Fei closed the car door and said to the taxi driver, "Garden Community on Yugang Avenue."
"Alright, sir," the driver responded as he started the car and stepped on the accelerator.
"Sir, did you buy a place in that neighborhood?" the driver asked.
"No, I'm renting for now," Zhao Fei replied. "But I should be buying one soon, I guess."
As he spoke, he turned his head to look at the neon-lit streets outside the window, feeling a wave of emotion in his heart.
After going through so much with his wife, they had finally made it. But he still clearly remembered the promise he had made to his mother-in-law and his wife—to buy her a home in this city.
Now that his career was flourishing, that goal was becoming more and more achievable. He was full of confidence in the game they had spent over a year developing. Once it became a hit, the wealth it brought him—despite today's terrifying housing prices—should at least be enough for a down payment, right?
As Zhao Fei thought about this, the corners of his mouth lifted into a happy, satisfied smile.
"Sir, Garden Community is here. That'll be twenty-three yuan," the driver said not long after, stopping the car and turning around.
"Here, I've got exact change." Zhao Fei took twenty-three yuan from his wallet and handed it over.
"Thank you. Take care," the driver said with a smile.
Zhao Fei got out of the car and walked toward his home with an excited heart.
"I told that girl I wouldn't be back until midnight. Now that I'm home early… will it be a surprise for her?" Zhao Fei chuckled to himself as he walked, speaking happily under his breath.
As he spoke, he pulled a diamond ring out of his pocket.
He had especially wanted to share with his wife the joy of finally completing the project they had worked so hard on for a year. After all, whenever he stayed up late designing the game, his wife had always been there by his side.
She had chatted with him about details, offered ideas, and helped him brainstorm. He had bought this diamond ring early on—though the stone was very small, it was purchased with money he had saved bit by bit. He ate frugally, took the subway to work, ran whenever he could instead of taking a car, slowly scraping together enough to buy it.
Zhao Fei opened the ring box gently and took a look at the sparkling diamond under the moonlight. He smiled foolishly and thought to himself, That girl loves beautiful things so much—she'll be over the moon when she sees this, won't she?
As these thoughts passed through his mind, Zhao Fei arrived at his front door. He quietly took out his key and carefully opened the door, wanting to give his wife a surprise.
After entering, he saw that the living room lights were off, shrouded in darkness. He assumed his wife might already be asleep and didn't think much of it. He quietly turned on his phone's flashlight and walked over to the shoe cabinet to change his shoes.
Suddenly, he noticed an extra pair of high-end men's leather shoes on the cabinet.
Looking closer, he realized they were definitely not his. Had a guest come over? But if there was a guest, why would they be in the bedroom? Could it be a gift his wife bought for him?
With a mix of doubt and a trace of excitement, Zhao Fei tiptoed toward the bedroom door.
As soon as he reached it, he heard a woman's喘息—panting sounds.
That voice was all too familiar. It was the voice of the woman who slept beside him every night—his wife.
Zhao Fei grabbed his hair with both hands, desperately trying not to think the worst, struggling to suppress his thoughts. But when he heard a man's喘息 coming from inside as well, he could no longer hold back.
"Dong Yixuan! Get out here! What the hell are you doing in there?!" Zhao Fei shouted as he slammed his hand against the door, fury surging through him.
Chaos erupted inside the room. Not long after, Zhao Fei's wife walked out of the bedroom, her hair disheveled, clothes in disarray, panic written all over her face.
"Husband… why are you back? Didn't you say you wouldn't—" she said nervously.
"Tell me! Who is in there?!" Zhao Fei demanded, his face twisted with rage.
His wife lowered her head silently, saying nothing.
Seeing her refusal to speak, Zhao Fei shoved her aside and rushed into the room.
Inside, a man was casually adjusting his wristwatch, looking at Zhao Fei with open disdain.
"Come on, Dong Yixuan," Zhao Fei said, barely containing his anger as he turned back to his wife. "I'll give you a chance to explain. Who is he? What were you two just doing?"
Seeing that everything had been exposed, Zhao Fei's wife no longer cared. She took a deep breath, tidied her hair, and said calmly, "Since you've already seen it, there's nothing to explain. Let's get a divorce."
"What?"
Zhao Fei felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck him on a clear day.