The White Moonlight I Chased, the Divorce I Never Expected (GL) - Chapter 23

“President Wen, based on the pheromone sample collected last time, some hormone levels have clearly rebounded,” An Li said as she handed over a report.

In the study, a tall woman stood gracefully, her thick, jet-black hair cascading over her shoulders. The coffee in the fine bone china cup she had just set down rippled slightly. A subtle, almost imperceptible smile flickered in her eyes.

“Understood,” she replied.

An Li was a leading researcher in the field of secondary gender medicine. Wen Ting had discovered her talent and brought her into the Wen Corporation. Although she had little contact with Wen Ranqing in the beginning, she had become her personal physician four years ago.

As usual, she came to report before Ranqing left for work. The briefing lasted about twenty minutes, and at the end, she lingered a moment longer.

An Li possessed top-tier pheromone detection skills and had achieved the industry’s first successful custom drug formulation. She was deeply immersed in her research and disliked the superficial social niceties. Despite Ranqing’s reluctance, she still reminded her repeatedly, “Based on your current condition, although there has been some overall improvement recently, it’s still unwise to engage too frequently with an uncertain partner.”

An uncertain partner…

An Li understood Ranqing’s physical condition better than Ranqing herself. It wasn’t just deep interactions with an Alpha that posed risks—even one incident where an Alpha accidentally released pheromones in a public setting and affected Ranqing had led An Li to extract samples and deliver a two-page analytical report on the potential disruption to her pheromone balance.

The person she referred to could only be Chi Yi.

Ranqing smoothed the fabric of her long skirt as she sat at the desk, fell silent for a moment, then looked at An Li.

“An Li,” she said, “I didn’t understand before…”

Her expression softened, rare for her, but her tone was solemn. “She means a lot to me. I’ve only been avoiding it myself, Dr. An.”

“If my attitude in the past caused you to form a poor opinion of Chi Yi, then that was my fault. I owe you an apology.”

“Xiao Yi… she’s not an uncertain partner.”

“She’s the one I’m certain I love.”

An Li’s stance had always depended on Ranqing’s physical condition. The more time she spent with Chi Yi, the more emotionally dependent she became.

In the past, when An Li accompanied Ranqing, she didn’t interact with Chi Yi often. Each encounter had been cold at best. Looking back, perhaps it was because her concern for Ranqing’s health made her subconsciously project blame onto Chi Yi.

Ranqing understood that the doctor’s perspective and intentions were different from her own. Whenever Chi Yi left, she’d simply give An Li a helpless look, never once scolding her.

But this was the first time An Li had heard such words.

The tone was gentle, and rather than demanding anything, Ranqing simply hoped An Li could understand her position—and make her own judgment.

An Li understood, and was moved by the respect Ranqing had shown her.

“You’re too kind, President Wen. I have my faults too. I’ll be more mindful going forward.”

Still, she furrowed her brows slightly. “But I do hope you’ll take care of your health. Ideally, during your weekly check-ups, don’t brush me off by saying you’re too busy with work.”

Ranqing chuckled softly and didn’t answer directly—but An Li knew, her silence meant agreement.

At 8:00 a.m., An Li left Wen Ranqing’s residence, located just opposite the Wen Corporation building. She watched silently as the black Bentley drove off—heading in a direction completely opposite from any known business districts in Beihang City.

The day after the graduation ceremony, Chi Yi helped Tan Jin pack up her dorm room.

Ever since that dinner, she had sensed something odd in the air between Song Yan and Tan Jin. It wasn’t surprising that Tan Jin, ever the stoic, said nothing about it. What was unexpected was Song Yan’s uncharacteristic silence on the matter.

But Chi Yi had something important to take care of today. It weighed heavily on her mind, so she’d woken up early.

The weather forecast had warned of strong winds today. Before heading out, Chi Yi made sure all the windows and doors in her home were properly shut. Her phone and car keys were on the entryway shelf, and Song Yan’s voice was coming through the Bluetooth headset.

“It’s the side gate near the second block, not the main entrance you usually use for visitation. Don’t go to the wrong one.”

“And hey, I’ve already talked to the guards. He’ll be right outside. Remember to help Uncle step over the fire basin. It’s to ward off bad luck and misfortune—don’t forget, it’s an important tradition…”

Today, Chi Yi’s father, Chi Zhong, was being released from prison.

Over four years ago, a major water infiltration accident occurred due to improper maintenance by equipment staff. Four people died on-site. As the direct person in charge, Chi Zhong was convicted of gross negligence in a major engineering safety incident and fined heavily.

Chi Zhong accepted full responsibility and refused legal defense from the Song family’s law firm. He also made Chi Yi promise to ensure that the children of the deceased workers would be supported through their education.

At that time, Chi Yi had just come of age. The Chi family’s savings were nearly depleted. By the time everything had been taken care of, all that remained under her name was a single property.

What she hadn’t expected was that once one family received help, others followed. One in particular became increasingly demanding and, worse, somehow learned of Wen Ting’s involvement in the same project and began causing trouble for her as well.

Though Song Yan rarely took things seriously, she had always admired Uncle Chi. Now, she couldn’t help but nag Chi Yi over the phone.

The heavy memories flickered through Chi Yi’s mind and quickly passed. She let out a long breath, closed the door behind her, and replied calmly, “Got it.”

Influenced by her father’s temperament, Chi Yi was not a pessimistic person. She always looked forward, and any emotional weight tied to the incident had long faded. So, her tone when speaking with Song Yan now was lighthearted.

Song Yan asked again, “You really don’t want me to go with you? Honestly, you’re a bit selfish, you know. You’re not the only one who misses your dad.”

“Just get some rest. I’ll go alone.”

Chi Yi made her way down to the underground parking garage. The car— a black Jeep Wrangler—was just picked up a few days ago. Because of his job, Chi Zhong had always preferred off-road vehicles. Chi Yi had grown up riding in them and still favored the model.

She was naturally tall and well-proportioned. Her swift movements getting in and out of the large vehicle complemented the rugged style perfectly—there was even a hint of wildness about her. It was the kind of effortless charm that drew eyes, even when she wasn’t trying.

“She might want to visit my mother,” Chi Yi added quietly.

Chi Yi’s parents had shared a deep and affectionate bond. Two years after their marriage, her mother died during childbirth. Although Chi Zhong had many admirers and lived a life of relative privilege, he never considered remarrying. He devoted himself entirely to raising Chi Yi.

Song Yan understood and didn’t press further. Before hanging up, she simply reminded Chi Yi to drive safely—Uncle Chi’s heart hadn’t been well lately, and she should be extra careful.

Chi Yi first stopped by the teahouse she used to frequent as a child and picked up some breakfast. Then she drove toward Beihang City’s Second Prison.

At 9:00 a.m., she picked up Chi Zhong.

Inmates were allowed one visit per month, and Chi Yi would see her father six or seven times a year.

In her memory, Chi Zhong had always had bright, open features, a calm and steady nature, and a spirited presence whenever he was doing something he loved. His passion for life—and for her—had never waned.

It had been more than three months since their last visit. Only when Chi Zhong stood before her again did Chi Yi truly notice the traces time had left on him.

The summer wind rustled with cicadas. Chi Yi hesitated for a beat before walking toward him with her usual measured steps.

Her father noticed her brief moment of hesitation. Knowing from Wen Ranqing what parts of her life he had missed, his face filled with both tenderness and guilt. For a moment, he couldn’t find the words.

“Dad…” Chi Yi’s voice was steadier than in the past, no longer as brash—clear, calm, and mature. She paused for a breath and then said, “I’m here to take you home.”

This child… she had grown so much.

Instinctively, Chi Zhong reached out, wanting to ruffle her hair and hug her like he used to. But remembering that she was no longer a little girl—and that father and daughter now had to keep some boundaries—he simply patted her shoulder, his eyes filled with warm affection.

He had never been good at expressing himself. “You look thinner again. Ranqing told me your stomach problems have worsened. Don’t just rely on medication—you need to eat properly and take care of your digestive health.”

Although she kept her expression composed, Chi Yi couldn’t help but feel a bit tense now that she was standing in front of her father.

No matter how much nagging came from Song Yan, or how quietly caring Tan Jin could be, none of it could replace the long-absent concern of her only living parent. Just a single word from him made her nose sting with emotion. And at the mention of Wen Ranqing, a brief flicker of confusion passed through her mind—she didn’t have time to think it through.

“I will, Dad,” she replied softly.

“Song Yan prepared these for you,” she added. “Uncle Song said he misses you too, and he’ll come visit you another day.”

Chi Zhong stepped over the ceremonial fire basin. Chi Yi moved to support him gently from behind, nodded politely to the prison staff, and helped him into the car.

“Yan Yan is so thoughtful. All these years I couldn’t be there for you, but knowing you had the Song family looking after you put my heart at ease,” Chi Zhong said, glancing at her grown-up profile with a softer tone.

“And there’s Ranqing,” he continued.

“The one I trust and admire most is your Uncle Wen’s daughter. She was always cold and reserved as a child—completely opposite from you.”

“But that’s a good thing. Honestly, I think only Ranqing can handle a little troublemaker like you.”

“Why isn’t she here today? Was she’s too busy with work?” He paused, looking puzzled. “She said… she’d be coming with you today.”

“Dad, I brought you breakfast,” Chi Yi said, feeling a wave of guilt rise from nowhere.

She hadn’t visited Chi Zhong as often this year. The divorce had been her decision. Now, hearing him bring up Ranqing, she suddenly didn’t know what to say.

She subtly tucked her ringless left hand behind her side and handed him the food container with the other.

Chi Zhong assumed she was just feeling shy. After all, when she first confessed her feelings for Ranqing to him years ago, she’d been bashful and timid—just a young girl with a crush.

To think that the bold and fearless Chi Yi—the one who could declare “my wife” in front of her classmates without a second thought—could now look so sheepish when speaking of Wen Ranqing, it only affirmed for Chi Zhong how deeply his daughter loved her.

Over the years, whenever Chi Yi came to visit, it was either her or Wen Ranqing, never both. Each would say the other was too busy. But when they spoke of one another, the smiles on their faces were too genuine to ignore. Naturally, Chi Zhong had assumed their marriage was strong and their life together happy.

The scenery outside was both familiar and strange. They were headed toward Yushan Cemetery.

Chi Zhong had often spoken of missing his wife. Now, seeing his daughter’s thoughtfulness, he felt a deep warmth settle in his heart.

Though they’d seen each other briefly a dozen times during the past few years, father and daughter had still grown somewhat distant. Chi Zhong worried that talking too much about family matters right after reuniting might upset her, so he changed the subject, discussing developments in the bridge and infrastructure industry instead. The conversation flowed naturally.

Two hours later, Chi Yi followed Chi Zhong up the mountain path to the second section of Yushan Cemetery. Her mother’s gravestone stood there—next to those of Wen Ting’s parents.

Both black tombstones were spotless. The sky had turned overcast, heavy with leaden clouds. From the second prison to Yushan, the day had grown darker.

After a long silence, Chi Zhong adjusted his mood and gazed deeply at his wife’s photo. Then he turned to Chi Yi and said, “Let Ranqing come home for dinner tonight.”