The White Moonlight I Chased, the Divorce I Never Expected - Chapter 32

Time passed quickly. The day before the birthday banquet, Song Yan asked Chi Yi again if she wanted to go together. Her enthusiasm wasn’t just for fun—it was also out of concern for Chi Yi’s future.

Tan Youlin had a wide network and strong connections. Using the banquet as an opportunity to meet people was a simple and effective move, especially for someone like Chi Yi, who wasn’t fond of socializing. At the very least, it was a good chance to lay some groundwork for her future.

Chi Yi told her there was no need to pick her up. She’d get off work on time, change into her dress, and drive there herself.

That Tuesday, just before she was about to leave, the housekeeper called out to her.

“Miss Chi, I found this piece of jewelry on the kitchen floor a few days ago. Neither you nor Mr. Chi were home that day. I left it here in the cabinet for safekeeping—please take a look.”

Only two people lived in the Chi household. The housekeeper came three times a week, and the last time had been three days ago. Chi Yi took the item in her hand—it was one of Wen Ranqing’s earrings from that day.

“I see. Thank you.”

The banquet began at 7 p.m. At 5:30, Chi Yi was still in her office. Song Yan had already messaged her twice—once saying she was in the elevator, and then that she’d arrived at the parking garage.

Just then, Gao Tianzong knocked on her door. He said there was an urgent issue in the lab. Some parameter changes and updated materials from their last round of tests had caused a slight shift in the bridge’s natural frequency. Under certain real-world traffic conditions, the bridge might resonate with the passing vehicles—posing a risk of collapse.

Chi Yi paused, messaged Song Yan that she’d be late, and then headed straight for the lab.

At the Les Luna Hotel’s banquet hall, Wen Ranqing wasn’t in the center of attention, but plenty of people surrounded her—acquaintances and collaborators chatting away. She glanced up, spotted someone, politely excused herself, and left the group.

“Mr. Wen Xu.”

Wen Xu was dressed in a light gray suit, tailored but understated. As one of the first Chinese bridge designers to study abroad, he had spent the past few years traveling the world, involved in numerous major infrastructure projects. Many of his students had returned to China under his recommendation and were now respected professionals in the field. Within the industry, Wen Xu held a reputation as a rare, principled figure.

This return to China was mainly for family, and he typically avoided these kinds of events. But every time he returned, invitations poured in like waves. This time, he made a rare appearance not just because of his relationship with the host—but also because he was hoping to meet someone.

He remembered the name: Chi Yi. The president of Beihang University had mentioned her before, and Wen Xu had been impressed by her work. Many followed the traditional path, but someone with original ideas in bridge design was a rare find.

Over a month ago, he’d asked Yuan Gaojian to propose a collaboration, only to be directly declined. Now that he was back, he wanted to meet this proud and talented young designer in person.

A woman approached. She looked familiar—elegant, refined—but Wen Xu couldn’t recall her name. He simply smiled and nodded.
“Hello.”

“Mr. Wen, may I borrow a moment of your time?”

Back inside the banquet hall, Chi Yi had just arrived. Tan Youlin was stepping down from the stage and heading toward Song Yan. He was eight years older than her, had once received a favor from Song Yan’s father, and had collaborated with her on several occasions.

Chi Yi was pulled into a few short, polite conversations—mostly formalities. Her mind, however, was elsewhere. As people chatted beside her, her eyes kept drifting across the room.

Tan Youlin, with his mixed heritage and striking looks, was well-known in business circles. He smiled and left with practiced grace, blending back into the crowd.

Chi Yi thought she recognized a familiar figure in the distance but hadn’t moved toward them before someone called her name.

Because she had been speaking with Tan Youlin, Wen Xu had already noticed her and, after confirming her identity with a student beside him, approached.

He smiled and greeted her.
“Chi Yi, hello.”

“Hello, Mr. Wen.” Chi Yi snapped out of her daze and quickly gathered herself. She immediately recognized the man she had always looked up to as a role model.

There had been a persistent problem in her recent project—one that hadn’t been addressed in any domestic research or forums. Only one foreign journal article from last year, authored by Wen Xu, had touched on a similar issue. She had hoped she might get the chance to meet him in person at this event. Being approached first came as a surprise, and she responded openly and politely.

Then, somewhat surprised, she asked, “You know who I am?”

Though young, Chi Yi spoke with confidence and poise. There was a quiet pride in her manner—a mark of someone with both talent and backbone. Though Wen Xu had once been turned down by her, he respected her even more for it. And now that they’d finally met, he found himself admiring her at first sight.

He smiled.
“Gao Jian mentioned you.”

Song Yan, having achieved her goal, took a few graceful steps to the side. In an unobtrusive corner of the room, Chi Yi and Wen Xu began a deep and engaging conversation. As Song Yan swirled her wine glass, she caught eyes with someone across the room—someone who looked vaguely familiar.

“Family matters?”
“Have they been resolved?”

Chi Yi hadn’t even started on the topic she wanted to discuss when Wen Xu beat her to the punch—asking directly why she wasn’t part of any design teams.

Thinking of the look of disdain her father had given her lately, Chi Yi couldn’t help but smile bitterly. He’d been saying he was “enjoying life” lately—skydiving, rock climbing, surfing… Nearly fifty years old, and his social media feed was livelier than hers. She had clearly overthought things.

Chi Yi shook her head, smiling. “It’s been taken care of.”

Upon hearing that, Wen Xu asked the student beside him for a business card. He was also reminded about a scheduled international video conference later that night. He handed the card to Chi Yi, his tone warm and sincere.

“The project is still in early planning. If you change your mind anytime this month, feel free to contact me. I’ll have someone arrange the schedule for you.”

Chi Yi thanked him and took the card with both hands, watching as he walked away.

Song Yan kept her close for the rest of the evening, chatting until most of the guests had already left. Chi Yi had thought she wouldn’t see Wen Ranqing tonight—only to catch sight of her at the hotel exit, clutching her abdomen with a pained expression, being supported by An Li.

Wen Ranqing’s stomach was in sharp pain, her head dizzy, her vision blurred. Even walking was a challenge. In the middle of the haze, she heard a heavy sigh next to her. Taking the opportunity, she murmured,
“You really need to stop drinking. Or better yet, don’t touch alcohol at all. If you do this again, I’m not coming to get you—not even if Yao Ke calls, not even if I call myself. You’re on your own.”

“I’ve memorized your speech, Dr. An. Let me say it this time—you don’t have to keep scolding me.”

Her delicate face was half-hidden beneath tousled hair. She kept her gaze on the ground, her voice soft, her ears tinged red.

An Li could barely hold her up but was used to dealing with his boss like this. He sighed.
“As long as you understand. Hold on a bit longer. Yao Ke went to get the car.”

“Are we going back to the office tonight?”

Wen Ranqing was silent for a few seconds. “…Yes.”

Their conversation drifted clearly into Chi Yi’s ears. She hesitated, then walked over.

“Dr. An, let her ride with me. I’m heading back to the office too, and I have something in the car I need to give Director Wen.”

Wen Ranqing had always been careful not to appear in front of Chi Yi after drinking—just a sip at most, never like this. Out of habit, An Li stepped in front of her protectively, clearly unsure.

Chi Yi didn’t quite understand his hesitation. Wen Ranqing looked like she was deeply intoxicated, but she didn’t know what to say. The three of them stood awkwardly still.

Then Wen Ranqing seemed to catch the words. After a brief pause, her joy was completely unfiltered.
“Okay~”

An Li looked worried but, seeing that Wen Ranqing still had a bit of clarity left, didn’t argue further.

Since some guests were still lingering, Chi Yi got into the car first and drove a short distance forward. An Li helped Wen Ranqing into the front passenger seat, then took the back.

Wen Ranqing sat quietly, her face flushed from the alcohol. She turned toward Chi Yi, watching her without a word. The off-shoulder gown revealed her pale skin, rising and falling softly with her breath. She didn’t speak—just sat there, unusually docile.

Chi Yi had never seen Wen Ranqing drunk before. At most, she would take a sip in front of her—never this much.

There was something unfamiliar about this version of her. Chi Yi took a moment to center herself before buckling her seatbelt.

Wen Ranqing saw her doing so, pursed her lips, and turned to try fastening her own. But her arms felt weak, her movements sluggish, and the tight dress restricted her reach. Several times, the seatbelt recoiled just as she was about to click it in place.

Feeling Chi Yi watching her, Wen Ranqing’s ears began to burn with embarrassment.

She rested for a second, then tried again. This time she finally pulled the belt across her body, but couldn’t align it with the buckle. She bit her lip, shame rising in her chest, and watched the belt slip out of her grip again.

“Xiao Yi…” Wen Ranqing finally looked up, her voice soft and a little teary. Her eyes, slightly red at the corners, gazed up at Chi Yi with helpless vulnerability—ready to cry.

That look hit Chi Yi straight in the chest. There was no need for any other kind of plea.

The faint marks from earlier were gone, but the low-cut neckline of the strapless dress revealed another kind of danger—unexpected and unguarded. Chi Yi looked away, exhaled sharply, and leaned over to help her fasten the belt.

The space between them closed. The scent of her perfume, mixed with traces of alcohol, wrapped around Chi Yi like a trap. Warm breath brushed against her neck. Chi Yi instinctively held her breath, her heartbeat speeding up.

Wen Ranqing was still in a daze from the alcohol. It wasn’t until Chi Yi leaned closer that things started to feel real. She gently rubbed the tip of her nose against Chi Yi’s shoulder, savoring the quiet intimacy of being close to her.

But it only lasted a moment. The warmth of Chi Yi’s breath disappeared as soon as the seatbelt clicked into place. Wen Ranqing gripped the strap, lips pressed together—her cheeks growing even hotter.

The haze in her mind, combined with the calm she felt in Chi Yi’s presence, lulled her quickly into sleep without another word.

The car glided smoothly down the road. In the rearview mirror, An Li caught sight of Chi Yi a few times—seeming like she wanted to ask something but always hesitating.

Finally, he spoke.
“Miss Chi, if there’s anything you want to know… you can ask me. I’ll tell you.”

Chi Yi’s hands tightened slightly on the steering wheel. She realized something tonight—that the version of Wen Ranqing she thought she knew might be incomplete. In some ways, An Li might know her better than she did.

“…Has she always been like this?” Chi Yi asked. “Does she drink this much every time?”

Logically, someone in Wen Ranqing’s position shouldn’t need to drink to please others or force a smile to maintain relationships. Chi Yi frowned and glanced over at her. As she paused at a red light, she pulled off her blazer and gently draped it over Wen Ranqing’s body.

Wen Ranqing looked completely exhausted. She didn’t stir at all. Her slightly parted lips revealed the soft tip of her tongue. Chi Yi looked away, then, inexplicably, licked her own lower lip.

An Li had caught the whole exchange in the mirror. Given that Wen Ranqing had already made her stance clear, he spoke plainly.

“Director Wen didn’t drink that much tonight,” he said. “But she gets drunk much more easily now. With her current condition… she really shouldn’t be drinking at all. Not even a drop.”

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