Chapter 172: The Happiness She Chose

Boom…

Fierce winds carrying heavy rain attacked Magic City, home to thirty million people.

As thunder echoed, thick, long lightning bolts raced between dark clouds, fighting to tear the sky open. Discontented clouds scattered and gathered, struggling against the electric serpents.

Their battle lasted until midnight before ending, turning into a light rain that fell to the earth.

Outside was icy cold, but inside the luxury suite at Grand Hyatt Jin Mao Tower, it felt like spring. The rain stopped and clouds broke.

The bedside lamp still glowed, its soft orange light spreading over the large bed.

Ji Yu lay tucked in Gao Jing’s arms, cheeks flushed and hair messy, savoring the moments after. Dimples formed as she flashed a sweet smile.

Gao Jing kissed her forehead gently. “Didn’t you say you were having a dorm chat tonight?” he asked, curious.

Earlier that evening, after returning to the hotel, Gao Jing showered, spent some time online, and planned to rest. Suddenly, Ji Yu called: she was downstairs in the lobby, asking him to bring her up.

Surprised but noticing she’d been drinking, he didn’t ask questions. Back in the room, they got busy heating up. Though exhausted and sweaty, Ji Yu was now wide awake.

She chuckled sadly. “We booked the room, but their families called and… they went home.”

During college, Ji Yu had been close to her three roommates. This reunion brought two of them, promising a nostalgic late-night talk. Both friends were married mothers—one child three or four years old, the other barely a year old, both needing mom close. So the dorm chat fell through.

What could Ji Yu do? She returned to Gao Jing for comfort.

Gao Jing chuckled softly after her tale.

“Pretty normal, right?”

Ji Yu sighed. “Yeah.”

“And you? Want marriage and kids like them?”

“Nope.” She glanced at him. “Mom nags daily, but that’s not the life I want.”

She hadn’t met these friends in years but followed their social feeds. Seeing them now, though, she noticed layers of concealer couldn’t hide their tired faces, wrinkles already showing by their eyes. Their talks centered only on kids, dreams and passions gone. All under thirty!

Ji Yu knew they had their own happiness. But not the kind she sought—not now, anyway. “Women can thrive without depending on men!” she said firmly. She refused to waste life’s brightest years on endless chores, trading youth for white hair and deep wrinkles.

“Around forty-five, maybe—science makes having kids easy later. For now? Living fully.”

Here, she held Gao Jing tight. “And if you meet someone special… I’ll walk away. No worries.”

Gao Jing shook his head. Unlike fake “marriage skeptics” who just haven’t met “the one,” Ji Yu genuinely resisted that path. As for him? He felt the same.

Back when the Bronze Anchor first opened the gateway to the Great World, he braved danger seeking fortune. Now blessed with power and wealth, his hunger for discovery burned brighter! He dreamed of scaling higher peaks, seeing grander worlds, becoming mightier. A perilous journey awaited—one he welcomed.

Tying others down? Never. Unexpected bonds? No thanks. His wishes matched Ji Yu’s exactly. “I won’t leave unless you do,” he promised.

His words ignited fiery passion—lightning struck twice. Another ten thousand written words helplessly vanished…

Dawn revealed sunshine and blue skies. Ji Yu still slept.

Her stamina needs work, Gao Jing mused, pondering teaching her moves from the Records of the Great Wilderness Combat: Dragon-Tiger Blend, Inner Heart Protection, Jade Body Refining, Soul Shelter Point…

Not until almost noon did Ji Yu stir. They ate brunch-lunch downstairs. Over meals, Gao Jing recounted yesterday’s “adventure”: the counterfeiting saga. Sinister, he thought, urging Ji Yu’s caution—she managed their companies.

But Ji Yu’s focus shifted to Zhong Yunxiu.

Likely the Zhong family daughter, she speculated—the Zhongs owning Zhongshi Group, a top-five Great Xia property giant plus film and entertainment chains. Miss Zhong? True elite, rich, and gorgeous. Curiously, Ji Yu grilled Gao Jing on details about this fairytale girl.

What details? Gao Jing almost laughed.

Zhong Yunxiu was stunning, sure—but nineteen, while he felt ancient at twenty-seven! Worlds apart. Naturally, he offered genuine Hundred-Fruit Wine to quiet her questions.

Half a glass later, Ji Yu visibly brightened. “Shopping!” she declared, tugging his arm.

December 31, 2019. Stores citywide launched dizzying holiday sales. Luxury giants like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Hermès, Armani, Fendi lowered flags slightly—massive discounts!

Ji Yu ignored clothes for herself, stocking Gao Jing instead: jackets, slacks, belts, shoes. Her shopping itch sated.

That night? The couple dined atop The Bund’s finest restaurant, gazing east at fireworks sparkling over Huangpu River. Then, a luxury yacht ushered their New Year’s Eve

On January 2, Gao Jing and Ji Yu returned to Provincial Capital.

On the seventh, Gao Jing flew solo to Hong Kong Island.

At the Great World Trading Company’s harbor warehouse awaited 5,000 tons of premium salt, 3,000 tons of pure-grain Baijiu, plus heaps of candies and spices—cumin, pepper, chilies… All shipped cheaply from neighboring Guangdong Province.

Gao Jing swept everything into his Storage Space.

Then onward—to the Great World!