Chapter 81.1

Chapter 81.1

“Jasmine.”

“…..”

“Jasmine?”

“Huh?”

At her friends’ curious looks, Jasmine flinched and lifted her head. Nikki, sitting next to her, muttered.

“I’ve been calling you for a while. What are you thinking about?”

“Uh, nothing. Just… nothing important.”

Jasmine awkwardly waved her hand and laughed. Lichang, who was sipping a cocktail, observed her carefully. With a crooked smile, she changed the subject.

“Anyway, it must be fall because I feel a chill in my bones. It’s the season that makes you think of old flames.”

“Old flames or potential new ones?”

Aisha mumbled through a mouthful of ice cream, then quickly looked away toward the blueberry pie when Lichang met her eyes. Jasmine smiled softly, but she didn’t look very lively.

“By the way, what’s up with Marian? How is she these days?”

“How do you think? She’s been chomping on cucumbers like a stressed-out rabbit.”

“She has the temperament of a predator but eats veggies when she’s mad.”

“She switched to carrots yesterday.”

“Is she actually becoming a rabbit?”

When Lichang muttered seriously, Nikki burst into laughter. Jasmine also smiled a little. Marian did look a bit like a rabbit.

“Has her husband done anything about her being gone for days?”

“He did come looking for her.”

“Wow, what did he say?”

“He demanded she come back immediately, insisting he didn’t do anything wrong.”

Jasmine answered indifferently, adding more syrup to her drink. Soyer certainly didn’t seem like a carefree playboy when she saw him yesterday; he looked more like a young man lost in an unexpected crisis. Acting like he’s going through puberty despite being a father, what’s that about?

“Maybe he didn’t do it, but it’s still suspicious. I don’t know.”

“You need to catch him in the act.”

Lichang suggested with a smirk. Jasmine sighed. But would that really be a good thing? She poked at her fruit with a fork, silent for a moment, before suddenly speaking up.

“Do you think it’s right to meet up again with someone who’s already out of your life?”

Everyone’s eyes lit up with interest. It was a topic worth pondering seriously. Lichang took a sip of her sangria and made a short sound.

“That’s a tough question.”

“Something’s tough for you?”

Jasmine asked in surprise. Lichang snorted.

“What do you take me for? Emotional issues are tough for anyone unless you’re a god.”

“Is that so…”

“But it’s also a simple problem. My conclusion is straightforward.”

She looked at the fast-flowing river with hazy eyes, her profile somehow sentimental. But her next words were firm.

“The past is the past. There’s no need to cling to something that’s already over.”

“That’s true.”

Jasmine chuckled softly. But there was another opinion.

“But there are couples who break up and get back together if they’re truly meant to be. They can form a stronger, better relationship based on their past. Sure, most people break up again for the same reasons, but not everyone. They grow and change together. Isn’t that what a destined partner is?”

Aisha, true to her artistic nature, championed romanticism. Nikki chimed in.

“Everyone says they’ll change, but how can you be sure the other person is really your destined partner?”

“How could you not know?”

Aisha wagged her finger.

“If they have a good face and body, don’t cheat, and are good in bed, they’re your destined partner.”

Everyone laughed at the cheeky joke and shook their heads. Lichang smirked lazily.

“Destiny sure is practical.”

“No, seriously. Most people regret getting back together. They cry, fight, and break up again for the same reasons. So why do they try again?”

“Is that a real question? It’s because they still have lingering feelings. Remember when you got back with that red-haired guy?”

“Hey! That was ages ago. We were students. We didn’t know any better.”

Nikki mumbled, turning red. Everyone pretended not to notice, knowing her embarrassing history.

“But it doesn’t seem like breaking up once means it’s over forever. A few couples do end up getting married. Like Marian. Oh… maybe she’s not the best example right now.”

“What about me?”

“Oh my god!”

Aisha nearly jumped out of her seat as the blue-haired beauty suddenly sat next to her. Jasmine greeted Marian, who was already looking at the menu.

“Finished already?”

“Yeah. They all say the same thing: get evidence.”

Marian rested her chin on her hand, lazily choosing from the menu before pressing the bell. As they waited for her to order, Lichang asked.

“So, are you in a potential separation phase?”

“Stuck, really.”

At her friends’ urging, Marian had consulted the best divorce lawyers in the capital. Their wisdom, drawn from various experiences, aimed to prepare her for any situation.

After listening to her case, they suggested infidelity was possible but recommended having a serious conversation with her husband first. Marian snorted.