C7 Regret the past

"Um."

Jisoo nodded. "I'll remember."

Seeing his disgusted expression, she added, "I'll open the windows for ventilation in a while. There won't be any lingering smell, and I'll clean the kitchen."

"You?" Reginald scoffed, curling his lip. "You can't even cook noodles properly, and you'll clean? Forget it, wait for the cleaning service tomorrow."

Leaving these words behind, he turned and went upstairs.

Finally, he's gone...

Jisoo sighed in relief and sat back down.

The noodles, already cold and unappetizing, now looked even worse.

Jisoo blinked, picked up her chopsticks expressionlessly, and soon finished eating.

After finishing her meal, she opened the windows for ventilation, cleaned up the kitchen, and then lay down on the sofa in the living room.

There was no need to bother with the guest rooms; she didn't want him to complain about any unpleasant smells left behind. She would endure for these two days until she found a proper place.

...

Early the next morning, Jisoo woke up before Reginald came downstairs and left the house.

She needed to quickly find a job and a place to stay.

Last night, Jisoo had already mapped out her route. After leaving the house, she headed straight for the bus stop and then transferred to the subway.

Her destination was "Misérable," an entertainment venue in Paris.

Jisoo's expertise was in modern dance, and she was here to audition as a dancer.

People in Jiangcheng knew that "Misérable" had a bit of a sensual reputation, a place where the wealthy spent lavishly for pleasure.

But Jisoo wasn't afraid. She was here to earn money, to support herself, and...

Moreover, she was selling her skills, not engaging in theft or robbery. It wasn't disgraceful.

Arriving at Misérable, following the directions Alice had given her, she looked for a manager named Lily.

Since it was daytime and Misérable wasn't open, she quickly found the manager Lily.

"Hello, Manager Lily," Jisoo stood gracefully, composed and elegant.

"Hello," Lily, the manager, smiled and nodded. "You're the one Alice recommended, what's your name...?"

"Jisoo."

"Right, I remember now."

Manager Lily carefully examined her, initially a beneficiary because of connections, and now she appeared outstanding in appearance and had a good figure. The lines around her mouth deepened slightly.

"Jisoo, you're hired."

"?" Jisoo was delighted. Although Alice had recommended her, she hadn't expected it to go so smoothly.

"Thank you, Manager Lily."

"No need to be polite."

Lily smiled and waved her hand. "With Alice's recommendation, how could I not give face? Moreover, I'm confident you'll become famous at Misérable!"

He continued, "So, later, go get measured. We'll make costumes for you, prepare your outfits. How about this Friday? It's a busy day, and we'll schedule your first appearance!"

"No problem."

Jisoo nodded, busy assuring that she wouldn't have any issues.

"Alright, it's settled then."

"Okay, thank you, Manager Lily."

"..."

After leaving Misérable's main gate, Jisoo picked up her phone and called Alice.

After two rings, she hung up.

Soon after, her phone rang, and it was Alice calling her back.

"Why do you...?" Jisoo smiled as she answered. "Why do you keep doing this?"

She was referring to Alice hanging up and then calling back.

"What do you mean?" Alice laughed on the other end. "International calls are expensive. You don't have money, so I'm saving you some, isn't that good?"

"Um." Jisoo pressed her lips, grateful. "I understand. Alice, thank you. And thank you for helping me with the job."

"Is it settled?"

Alice was momentarily surprised but very happy. "I told you, you'd be fine. You can relax; I've got your back here."

International calls were expensive, so they spoke briefly about important matters and then hung up.

Next, Jisoo had to focus on finding a place to live.

She visited several places, but none seemed quite satisfactory. Either they were too expensive or too cheap, with questionable safety.

Just as she was about to check another place, her phone rang.

It was Eleanor.

Jisoo quickly answered the call, "Grandma?"

"Jisoo, where are you?"

Glancing at the bustling crowd and vehicles around her, Jisoo replied, "Nothing much, just out for a stroll. The changes in Jiangcheng are quite significant."

"Yeah."

On the other end, Eleanor chuckled, "No rush, since you're back, take your time to explore. You'll get familiar with it soon."

The conversation then shifted to the reason for the call.

"You've been away from Paris for four years, and Grandma is planning a welcome banquet for you."

"Oh?"

Surprised, Jisoo felt it was unnecessary and hesitated to accept.

She refused, "Grandma, there's no need for that. I don't need any welcome banquet."

"Huh? Why not?"

Disagreeing, Eleanor said, "You're Reginald's wife. Since you're back, everyone should get to know you. Besides, if it takes too long, people might think Reginald is still single."

At these words, Jisoo couldn't help but suppress a bitter smile—Reginald was indeed single.

"Grandma, it's really not necessary," Jisoo continued to try to refuse.

"But I want it."

Eleanor sighed, "Your grandmother, before she passed away, couldn't let go of you. She entrusted you to me, asking me to take good care of you. Jisoo, be honest, are you mad at your grandmother for not caring about you these past few years?"

"Grandma, no."

Jisoo hurriedly denied it.

It seemed there was no way to refuse.

"Well then, let's do it according to Grandma's wishes."

Being a puppet in this orchestrated act, Jisoo reluctantly agreed to attend the banquet and show her face, considering it as repaying Eleanor for the five years of nurturing.

"That's a good girl," Eleanor said happily. "Grandma will make sure everything is well-prepared, and you'll look splendid."

"Thank you, Grandma."

After hanging up the phone, Jisoo sighed, losing the mood to look for an apartment. Since it was getting late, she decided to return to Golden Coast.

After getting off the bus, she bought a few loaves of bread at the supermarket in the community.

Reginald didn't allow her to use the stove, so she could only eat bread. Unfortunately, there was no vegetable market nearby, so she couldn't buy steamed buns.

Back in Golden Coast, she ate the bread with plain water, stored the leftovers in the refrigerator, enough for a few meals.

Then, she changed into her practice clothes and started dancing.

As the saying goes, a minute on stage requires ten years of practice off stage. As a dancer, Jisoo didn't dare to neglect her practice for a single day.

Reginald did not return that night.

Jisoo naturally didn't mind. Even during the two months of their marriage, he didn't come home every night.

At that time, she used to pester him, asking, "Where did you go last night?"

In response, Reginald would give her a cold glare and an impatient tone, "Do you have the right to ask? Just because you're my wife, doesn't mean you can interfere in my affairs! You've become my wife as you wished. I'll provide you with food and drink. Just live your life well!"

Now thinking about it, Jisoo felt that she was truly pathetic.

A dreamless night.

The next day, Jisoo continued to go out to look for an apartment.

She looked at many listings on rental websites, visited each place. After spending the whole day, she finally found one that suited her.

Just as she was about to contact the agent, her phone rang.

It was Reginald.

Jisoo's expression remained calm as she answered, "Hello."

"Where are you?"

On the other end, he sounded impatient from the beginning.

"Why aren't you in Golden Coast?"

Huh? Jisoo was surprised. Why would he say that? Was he in Golden Coast right now?

Without answering his question, Jisoo countered, "Do you need something?"

"You're asking me?"

Reginald sneered, "Grandma told you about the welcome banquet she prepared for you, didn't she? Why are you asking me now?"

Oh!

Jisoo remembered, "Is it tonight?"

"Yes! Now, immediately, come back right away!"