Chapter 4

After I was discharged, I applied to start the closed‑door training program early and turned in my phone.

Once I finished packing, there was only one thing left on the table. It was a paper bag with James's name written on it.

On Saturday afternoon, I went to the office to finish my resignation paperwork. By evening, I returned to the apartment for the final inspection. The elevator doors opened, and James came rushing out. He looked around the empty apartment, his expression darkening.

"What's this about you quitting?"

I looked at him. "It means exactly what it says."

He stepped closer.

"The livestream wedding was just for the show. Once today is over, all of this ends."

I stared at him. "You've been saying that for five years."

He fell silent.

Right then, his phone rang. Zara's name lit up the screen. She was calling to hurry him along.

After it rang three times, he finally answered. Her voice came through, frantic. "James, where are you?

"The livestream is about to start. If you don't come, it's all over."

I stood there, watching him hold the phone in silence for several seconds.

Then he said, "I'm on my way."

He hung up and looked at me. "Don't leave yet. Wait until I get back. We'll talk then."

I did not answer.

His eyes drifted toward the paper bag in the room, as if he wanted to take it with him, or maybe leave it behind. In the end, he turned and stepped back into the elevator.

Just before the doors closed, he called out, "Yvonne, today really matters.

"Wait for me. Just this once."

At eight that night, I got into a car headed for the airport.

Before turning in my phone, I checked the trending searches one last time.

Zara was standing onstage in a wedding dress, smiling as she announced that the so‑called Hundredth Challenge was not actually a wedding. It was simply the grand finale of the five‑year couple challenge they had been doing all this time.

The livestream chat instantly flooded with congratulations.

However, not long after, the host pulled out a document.

"During a recent advertising compliance review, our sponsor requested that both of you sign a statement confirming the authenticity of your relationship."

The host looked between them.

"So, I need to confirm something. Are you two actually a couple in real life?"

The camera cut to James.

Zara grabbed his hand, her eyes red. "We've made it all the way to the final step. Don't let five years of effort go to waste."

The audience waited. The camera zoomed in, and the host held out a pen.

The answer had actually been there for a long time.

A few seconds later, James took the pen and signed his name.

The livestream erupted in cheers.

I locked my phone and handed it to the training coordinator. I never looked back.

Meanwhile, during a break in the livestream, the company head hurried over to James.

"Why haven't you approved Yvonne's resignation yet?

"She finished all her paperwork today. The new project team is leaving tonight."

James's face changed instantly. "What did you say?"

"You didn't know she quit?" The head frowned. "She's starting the closed‑door training early. Her flight is tonight. She should be boarding soon."

The moment he finished speaking, James turned and ran.

He was halfway to the airport when he suddenly remembered the paper bag was still in his car.

He tore it open and looked inside.

After reading what was in it, he called me over and over like a man losing his mind.