Chapter 41: Are you trying to get into his bed?

Ms. Nian turned around, seeing her single son also troubled, looking unhappy.

"What are you shouting about? I find it embarrassing even if you don't." After saying that, she smiled at Jiang Lai, "I won't disturb your young people's talk; remember to come play at my place with Chongying when you're free—I'll prepare fun and food."

"Just call me aunt; calling me Ms. Nian feels too distant."

Being approved by her friend's parents made Jiang Lai feel somewhat honored: "Okay, Aunt."

"Good girl." Ms. Nian lightly patted Jiang Lai's hand, then turned to her daughter: "Chongying, let's go find your dad."

Ke Zhongying: "Ah?"

"Ah!" She reacted quickly, nodding repeatedly, "Okay, Mom."

"Bye, Sister Jiang Lai~"

"Brother! Take good care of my friend!"

The change in attitude before and after could be called a Sichuan opera face‑change.

Ke Zhongyu was used to it, but still felt a bit embarrassed because of Jiang Lai's presence, and gave his sister a fierce glare.

Jiang Lai hadn't expected that the ruthless Ke Group president would actually be "disliked" at home.

She blinked, dazed.

"President Ke."

"Hmm." Ke Zhongyu finally took a proper look at Jiang Lai—her brows like crescent moons, cheeks rosy, a light lipstick like soft red bean paste on her lips.

Especially her neck, white as jade, fragile as porcelain, with a pearl draped over it—he worried he might hurt her.

Ke Zhongyu stared, entranced.

Jiang Lai lowered her gaze to herself, seeing nothing wrong.

Ke Zhongyu snapped out of it and asked, "Who did you come with? Dressed like that."

Jiang Lai had already prepared her answer for Ke Zhongyu's question.

"With Shen Xun."

As soon as she spoke, a light laugh came from nearby.

She lifted her eyes.

Ke Zhongyu still wore a stern face: "If you're not getting a divorce, why are you still accompanying him?"

His tone was very calm.

"Divorce also has a one‑month cooling‑period." Jiang Lai said, not wanting to dwell on it, she made up an excuse: "I'll go over there to get something to eat."

"Wait." Ke Zhongyu reached out and grabbed her arm.

The man's warmth seeped through the lace glove, making Jiang Lai's skin gradually heat up.

She turned back: "President Ke, tonight I'm not your secretary."

"Is that Mrs. Shen?" Ke Zhongyu slightly lifted his chin, looking at the crowd‑surrounded Lin Shutong in the distance, "Then who is she?"

Jiang Lai's heart gave a jolt, and she forcefully pulled her hand free.

Ke Zhongyu watched her struggle, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes, then recalled that Jiang Lai's strength was indeed not small.

He withdrew his hand.

He asked, "How long have you and Shen Xun been married?"

This was Ke Zhongyu's second time asking her the same question; asking twice already seemed a bit suspicious.

Jiang Lai frowned slightly: "What's up?"

"You said it before, but I forgot." Ke Zhongyu fixed his gaze on her eyes, trying to detect any flicker or flaw.

Jiang Lai: "Four years and 115 days."

"Why does President Ke care so much about others' family affairs?" Shen Xun suddenly appeared, an arm around Jiang Lai's waist, smiling, "Didn't President Ke hear? Jiang Lai and I have been married four years and 115 days."

Jiang Lai stiffened all over, her cells rejecting Shen Xun's proximity.

"Four years and 115 days…" Ke Zhongyu's gaze swept over them, "President Shen has a good memory."

"Thanks for the praise, President Ke." Shen Xun switched to holding Jiang Lai's hand, "Excuse us."

He pulled Jiang Lai away in big strides, ignoring that she still wore high heels, walking unevenly; halfway, one heel came off.

"Shen Xun!" Jiang Lai wanted to pull free, but he gripped too tight, his nails digging into her flesh.

Shen Xun kept pulling her.

Jiang Lai didn't want to hurt her hand and foot, so she simply took off the other high heel.

Both high heels that fell to the ground were picked up by Ke Zhongyu bending over.

On the second heel's back he spotted a trace of blood, frowning slightly.

Ke Zhongyu held the shoes in one hand and took out his phone with the other to call.

"In the past couple days, has a woman named Jiang Lai called you asking about divorce? Jiang with the ginger radical, Lai from Penglai."

The man on the other end blinked: "Not these past two days, but a few days ago there was—he had drafted a divorce agreement."

Ke Zhongyu hung up.

He understood why Jiang Lai had said "four years and 115 days" three times in a row without change.

Because by the fourth year and 115th day, she had already signed the divorce agreement.

Jiang Lai was already going through the divorce process with Shen Xun.

Ke Zhongyu silently curled his lip.

……

Jiang Lai was taken by Shen Xun to a secluded corner.

He finally loosened his grip.

He also began to size up Jiang Lai—her attire exquisite, her features delicate, slender and tall, completely unlike the Jiang Lai he knew.

And these were all given by Ke Zhongyu.

Ke Zhongyu went to great lengths to dress up a secretary—what dirty thoughts could he have? As a man himself, he knows full well.

"Why are you dressed like that? Why did you come to the party with Ke Zhongyu?"

Jiang Lai knew he would lose his temper, though she didn't know what kind of anger it was; instead of seeking her beloved first love, she came here to scold her.

"Dressed like this is appropriate." She gave a brief explanation.

Shen Xun had actually seen her beautiful side before—on their wedding day, when Jiang Lai was all dressed up, she left him dazed several times.

He had always known she was a beauty in the making, but as time passed, all he saw each day was her soot-covered face in the kitchen, and he could no longer recall how beautiful she once was.

The last time Jiang Lai dressed up was to marry him.

This time she dressed up to accompany her superior to an event.

A sudden jealousy welled up; Shen Xun reached out to pull off her hair accessory and tug off her gloves, but it had no effect.

Jiang Lai, dressed up by someone else, looked so beautiful she no longer seemed like his.

He reached out again to wipe the lipstick from Jiang Lai's lips, saying, "Why wear lipstick like others? It looks awful. Men like Ke Zhongyu are just tasteless—rich people love playing those Cinderella makeover games!"

Jiang Lai's lips were sore from his rubbing; she reached out to push him away.

"Shen Xun, what are you doing?"

"It's you who should be asking what you're doing!" Shen Xun stepped closer again, firmly pulling Jiang Lai into his embrace, his palm pressing hard against her face as he tried to wipe off her makeup.

"You dressed up so beautifully for Ke Zhongyu—are you trying to climb into his bed?"

Jiang Lai didn't expect Shen Xun to compare her to herself; she raised her hand to slap him.

This time, Shen Xun grabbed her hand.

Jiang Lai exclaimed angrily, "Shen Xun, not everyone is like you—don't think I'm as disgusting as you."

Shen Xun's pupils contracted, and the force of his embrace loosened.

"What do you know?"

Jiang Lai immediately broke free.

She staggered two steps backward, unsteady on her feet, when suddenly a person appeared behind her and reached out to steady her.

"President Shen, do you need me to find someone to explain the law to you?"

"Domestic violence is illegal."

The man's words landed with a thud.