The White Moonlight I Chased, the Divorce I Never Expected (GL) - Chapter 26

At the dinner table, the atmosphere among the three was relatively harmonious as the meal came to an end. Chi Zhong suddenly recalled something and, with a serious look in his eyes, asked about Chi Yi’s academic matters.

“I heard from your Uncle Yuan that you turned down the job he recommended to you? Isn’t Mr. Wen your childhood idol? I looked into it—this really seems like a great opportunity for collaboration.”

As he recalled an amusing memory, his expression softened noticeably. “Back when you were just a first-year in high school, Mr. Wen returned to China. You insisted I take you to his lecture, but because you had your class placement exam, I refused. You were so upset you couldn’t sleep all night. The next day after the exam, I remember you sitting in my car, secretly wiping away your tears…”

Chi Yi’s ears flushed red. She gave a couple of coughs and instinctively glanced at Wen Ranqing, only to find the woman already looking at her with a smile in her eyes. Wen passed her two tissues.

Chi Yi took them and awkwardly wiped the corners of her mouth, a bit embarrassed. “Dad…”

Her first reaction, however, was still one of anxiety. Yuan Gaojian, after all, was the president of Beihang University and an old friend of Chi Zhong. If the two had reconnected, then it was very likely that Chi Zhong had used the phone she had purchased and stored the number in.

In this age of the internet, news about her and Wen Ranqing could easily pop up via recommendations even without deliberate searching. Although it had been over a month since the incident, it wasn’t impossible that Chi Zhong might have seen something by chance.

Clutching the tissue now crumpled in her hand, Chi Yi composed herself. Considering that Uncle Yuan might have inadvertently revealed her current relationship with Wen Ranqing, she chose to ask first, “Did Uncle Yuan mention anything else to you?”

Telling her father herself and having him find out from someone else were two completely different things. Even if she had a vague desire to delay the conversation, she would never want him to learn about it in such a way.

After a brief pause, Chi Zhong’s expression softened. From the perspective of a father, he said, “I’m not blaming you, Chi Yi.”

Wen Ranqing, observing the subtle tension that Chi Yi couldn’t entirely hide, quietly got up and served her half a bowl of rice, then sat beside her. Beneath the table, out of view, her hand rested lightly on the edge of Chi Yi’s chair, and she leaned in slightly.

She had already become an accomplice the moment she agreed to be with Chi Yi. Chi Zhong’s concern, Chi Yi’s hesitation—Wen Ranqing understood it all. This might not have been the best approach, but she wanted to let Chi Yi take the lead—to decide when and how much to reveal. Whatever the outcome, she was ready to face it.

The familiar scent of perfume lingered nearby, and Chi Yi, slightly comforted, still couldn’t help clenching her fists on her knees.

“The choices you make are your own,” Chi Zhong continued, “What matters most is that you take responsibility for them.”

Even Chi Zhong could sense something seemed off with his daughter. But he soon brushed the thought aside and shifted to a more relaxed tone. “Uncle Yuan also said he understands your decision. Young people always have their own ideas.”

“I won’t interfere with your choices. At most, I feel a bit sorry that you won’t get to work with Mr. Wen—but it’s not a big deal. Do what you truly want to do. There’s still a long road ahead.”

Chi Yi’s throat tightened and her eyes flickered—she felt flustered.

She should have told Chi Zhong the truth the moment they reunited. One hesitation had led to another. Now she realized that avoidance wouldn’t solve anything, and dragging it out would only make things worse for everyone involved.

After dinner, while placing the dishes into the dishwasher, Chi Zhong looked at the two young women with some contentment, a hint of regret flickering in his heart over the years he had missed. He suddenly thought of their wedding and suggested watching the VCR recording from the ceremony.

Chi Yi’s eyes darkened. Memories flooded her mind in an instant.

That USB drive had remained untouched for the past four years.

Every time she thought back to what the media had dubbed “the wedding of the century,” pain and bitterness would loom over her like a pair of bl00d-red eyes in the dark, suffocating her.

Because she would never forget—that lavish Western-style wedding had been the beginning of her awakening from a dream.

Countless honored guests, a grand venue filled with floating balloons and scattered petals… A woman in a bridal veil and gown, walking step by step down the aisle to the tune of the wedding march, under the admiration and envy of the crowd—walking straight toward Chi Yi.

Tears that had brimmed in Chi Yi’s eyes instantly cooled the moment she caught the look in Wen Ranqing’s gaze.

Chi Yi could never forget how calm and composed that gaze had been—so detached, as if all the excitement around them had nothing to do with her. It was merely a necessary formality. And Wen Ranqing had been the only one truly outside of it all.

Chi Yi’s heart turned cold, inch by inch. That was the moment she awoke from her dream. In front of her played scene after scene of Wen Ranqing signing the marriage contract—cold and businesslike.

Just a month before the wedding, Chi Yi had overheard a conversation between Wen Ranqing and her secretary when she was discharged from the hospital.

The board of directors believed that an Omega lacked sufficient leadership. Cheng Yuan had matter-of-factly suggested a “marriage alliance with a prominent family”—a common occurrence in Beihang’s business circles.

Wen Ranqing had remained silent then, but Chi Yi’s heart had already become a stormy sea.

When she was younger, Chi Yi had confessed her feelings more than once. The first time, she had said, “Sister, can I marry you?” As she grew older and became more aware of the distance between them, she gradually suppressed her feelings, trying to become a proper admirer in secret—building herself up slowly, hoping to catch up.

When she couldn’t hold it in any longer, she had asked, “Sister, are you single?”

Both times, Wen Ranqing had merely stated facts. But even that had given Chi Yi the courage to hold on. She thought, at least let me catch up to you—then I’ll confess openly and proudly.

But in that moment, Chi Yi had felt a kind of panic she had never known before. She had hoped to become good enough to stand shoulder to shoulder with Wen Ranqing. Yet the truth was—Wen Ranqing didn’t need to wait for her.

Bursting through the hospital room door, her urgency had tainted everything—turning it into something unfixable.

Chi Yi had asked, “If you need an Alpha, why can’t it be me?”

The priest had been reciting solemn vows. Chi Yi heard none of it. On that cloudless summer day, her hands and feet were cold as ice. She only remembered muttering a mechanical “I do,” while Wen Ranqing…

A fleeting shimmer had passed through Wen Ranqing’s peach blossom eyes. On her face, the expression had seemed both ordinary and extraordinary. Ordinary, because it mirrored the expressions of most newlyweds. Extraordinary, because Wen Ranqing’s eyes always seemed to hold complicated emotions.

They spoke of passion, yet were carefully restrained. They suggested love, but that love felt too heavy—too overwhelming.

Chi Yi remembered what she had thought back then: Wen Ranqing’s eyes could lie.

It was from that moment on that she began suppressing all the fiery love from her youth. She learned to mimic Wen Ranqing’s cool restraint and took on the role of the well-mannered wife in the eyes of the world.

Seeing Chi Zhong now, Chi Yi felt even more guilty. She said nothing and quietly walked over to sit beside Wen Ranqing, maintaining a bit of distance between them.

Noticing the direct gaze from the side, Wen Ranqing felt her ears grow hot. She bit her lip but ultimately chose not to speak with Chi Yi in front of Chi Zhong.

Chi Zhong somewhat understood Chi Yi’s actions. He raised his cup and took a sip of tea, recalling the past.

“I know it hasn’t been easy for the two of you to get where you are today.”

In his memory, Chi Yi had adored Wen Ranqing since she was young. Back in school, she and Song Yan were in different divisions but were both notoriously mischievous. The year Wen Ranqing was admitted to Beihang University with the top score was the very year Chi Yi seemed to change.

She began dedicating more time to her studies. On weekends, when she had a chance to visit Wen Ranqing, she didn’t dare disturb her too much—quietly sitting by her side with uncharacteristic patience.

Even after the wedding, every time Wen Ranqing visited him, her affection was almost impossible to hide. It was then that Chi Zhong became certain—the two of them were truly in love.

Chi Zhong had observed the way Chi Yi and Wen Ranqing interacted throughout the day. Their dynamic seemed somewhat off. He worried that there were unresolved issues between the two, and as their only parent, he felt it was his responsibility to step in and care for them.

He glanced at the noticeable distance between them and spoke first to his daughter:
“Sometimes, arguments are inevitable. No matter what, you two have to treat each other well. A lifetime can be both long and short—and especially since Ranqing is a bit older than you, Chi Yi, have you forgotten what you once told me?”

“You said…”

Outside the window, the wind had picked up. The night had grown deep. The more Chi Yi listened, the more her heart clenched with pain. Disappointment mounted, layer by layer. Her throat felt dry as she called out, “Dad…”

Sitting across from Chi Zhong, Wen Ranqing also knew there was no use hiding anymore. Although the divorce certificate hadn’t been filed yet, the signed agreement made it a fact—one they would have to tell Uncle Chi sooner or later.

Even so, a part of her selfishly hoped Chi Zhong wouldn’t have to know. She feared that just as he had reunited with his daughter, conflict would immediately drive a wedge between them. Foolishly, even immorally, she wished… they could have dated in secret, then gotten married quietly. That way, Chi Yi wouldn’t have to bear the pressure of confession. Chi Zhong wouldn’t have been so deeply disappointed. And she—she could have fulfilled that tiny selfish wish of hers.

Wen Ranqing studied Chi Yi carefully. Her features were as delicate and flawless as ever. Her eyes remained that same deep, clear black. Compared to the 18-year-old who had, at their wedding, let slip a glimmer of infatuation, Chi Yi was now more mature—but still just as heart-stirring.

Her gaze suddenly caught a faint red smudge on Chi Yi’s white collar—it was a bit of lipstick, rubbed there unintentionally. Wen Ranqing’s ears burned instantly, but she quickly calmed herself.

Just then, noticing the serious look on his daughter’s face, Chi Zhong assumed he had gone too far and softened his tone.
“Go ahead, say it.”

Chi Yi hesitated for a few seconds. In that short pause, Wen Ranqing gently patted the back of her hand, her voice low and concerned, “Xiao Yi, let me…”

“It’s okay.” Chi Yi lightly pressed down on Wen Ranqing’s wrist, brushing away her comfort. She gave her a faint smile.

“Dad.” No more preambles. Chi Yi spoke plainly and directly:
“I didn’t tell you earlier because I wasn’t thinking things through. I’m sorry.”

She paused for a moment before continuing.

“We… are divorced.”

In that instant, her heart raced. The atmosphere froze completely.

Chi Zhong’s first reaction was disbelief. He thought he had misheard. The teacup in his hand tilted, spilling a little tea. Wen Ranqing quickly stood to grab some tissues, but Chi Zhong stopped her.

This wasn’t something to joke about—especially not now. He looked at Chi Yi’s guilt-ridden, complicated expression. Reason kept his temper in check.

Chi Yi’s facial muscles tightened, but she said nothing more. She lowered her head, guilt weighing heavily on her chest. Whether it was because of Chi Zhong or something else, the tightness inside made it hard to breathe. Her fingers subconsciously dug into her palms.

A heavy silence settled among the three.

Chi Zhong finally turned to Wen Ranqing. His heart ached with a dull, physical pain. His voice, though low, was still laced with disbelief:
“Is this true, Ranqing?”

He didn’t care how cold or aloof Wen Ranqing might be in front of others. To him, she had always been the bright, accomplished daughter of a good friend—particularly after hearing about the marriage, he had only grown more satisfied with her. She had always seemed so well-behaved, so thoughtful, so ideal.

But Wen Ranqing merely lowered her head slightly and replied, without the slightest warmth in her voice:

“Uncle Chi, I’m sorry.”