Chapter 10: Chapter Eight

At a charity fundraising dinner, Jiang Jie encountered Lei Hanyu and his wife; when he noticed Xia Zhen’s gaze toward him was anything but friendly, he wasn’t surprised.

After finally waiting until Xia Zhen was alone, Jiang Jie immediately approached her to chat, even if she gave him the cold shoulder or humiliated him—he didn’t care, because compared to the pain inside him that he couldn’t control, a little humiliation meant nothing.

When Xia Zhen saw Jiang Jie walking toward her, she didn’t turn away or smile; she simply stared at him with eyes full of condemnation.

“Where’s your precious son?” Jiang Jie asked, as if making small talk.

“At home with the nanny.”

“He should… be crawling by now?”

“He’s crawling.” Xia Zhen almost let herself talk about her son’s every little thing, but then remembered—he was just making conversation, and what he truly wanted to ask had nothing to do with her darling. “You’re just making small talk, aren’t you?”

“How is Bai Ziling?” Jiang Jie no longer wanted to beat around the bush—he simply wanted to know how she was.

Xia Zhen said nothing, just looked at him.

Jiang Jie looked at her, but his mind was on Bai Ziling—that night… He knew only he had truly experienced pleasure and fulfillment; Bai Ziling, being a virgin, had cried from pain, and with her hatred for him, he was certain that night had been anything but pleasant for her. At dawn, when he woke, she was gone.

In her room, everything that belonged to her was gone—nothing left behind, as if she had never lived there at all. She hadn’t even said goodbye. All that remained in his ears after he woke was her words: “I will hate you until I die!”

Jiang Jie had thought of calling her, but usually, before he finished dialing, he’d pull his hand back. She wouldn’t answer his calls. Even for divorce matters, lawyers could handle it—did he have any excuse to reach out again?

“Jiang Jie…” Xia Zhen finally spoke. “Don’t you think that’s a stupid, ridiculous question?”

“Is she well?” he insisted.

“Could she possibly be well?”

“What’s she been busy with lately?” he asked, forcing himself.

“Busy being heartbroken.”

“Xia Zhen…” He tensed up, his face twisted with suffering. “I’m being serious—”

“Am I not serious?” Xia Zhen mocked him. “Bai Ziling can’t eat, can’t sleep, has lost so much weight, refuses to talk about anything except saying the deal ended early. Jiang Jie, how did you hurt her? How could you do this?”

Jiang Jie admitted it—he didn’t refute a single word.

"Bai Ziling is a good girl. You have no right, no justification, to torment her like this," Xia Zhen scolded angrily.

“Didn’t you try to comfort her?” Jiang Jie asked, concerned.

“How? Teach me how!”

“I never meant to hurt her.”

“I’d say that too.”

“I hope you can…”

“Jiang Jie, you caused this mess—clean it up yourself. It wasn’t us who hurt Bai Ziling, wasn’t us who treated her badly—it was you!” Xia Zhen accused him mercilessly. “You’re the source of this.”

“I paid. And many things… Bai Ziling agreed to willingly…”

“Jiang Jie, if thinking that way makes your conscience feel better, then think it!” Xia Zhen grew even harsher. “Do you think money is only yours? Three million isn’t U.S. dollars—it’s just New Taiwan Dollars. I, or Weiwei, or Xingchen—we all have three million.”

Jiang Jie decided to stay silent.

“And Bai Ziling isn’t a gold digger!” Xia Zhen added.

“I never said she was!”

“But you treated her like one!”

“Xia Zhen, I didn’t mistreat her. From day one until the day she left, I never treated her badly. Ask her yourself—I’m not some demon or madman,” Jiang Jie said coldly. He wouldn’t accept baseless accusations.

“Oh yes, you’re a rich gentleman!” Xia Zhen sneered. “Bai Ziling was right to leave you. If she’d stayed any longer, she might not even know how she died.”

Jiang Jie gave a bitter smile, then turned and walked away. Since he couldn’t get any answers, he’d spare himself. He hadn’t expected Lei Hanyu’s wife to be so sharp-tongued.

Only after Jiang Jie had distanced himself from his wife did Lei Hanyu approach him—cautiously, afraid Xia Zhen might notice and spark a family war.

“You’ve seen my wife’s power now, haven’t you?” Lei Hanyu clapped Jiang Jie on the shoulder, as if offering encouragement.

“I can’t blame her,” Jiang Jie said with grace.

“She’s avenging Bai Ziling.”

“I understand.”

“Those four… are closer than sisters,” Lei Hanyu said, having learned this long ago. “If you offend one, you offend them all. So if you want to live in peace, never provoke any one of them.”

“There doesn’t seem to be that chance anymore,” Jiang Jie said flatly.

“Are you and Bai Ziling done?”

“Done.”

“Are you sure it’s truly over?” Lei Hanyu urged him to think again. “I once thought I was done with Xia Zhen too. But after losing her, I realized she had already seeped into my blood, my marrow—I couldn’t live without her. No matter how hard I fought, I only hurt myself. In the end, I raised the white flag. I lost.”

Jiang Jie listened, said nothing.

“If you don’t love her, then fine. But if you do…” Lei Hanyu spoke like a man who’d been there. “Admit defeat now.”

Jiang Jie sighed. “I don’t know.”

“You don’t know if you love her?!”

“I don’t know if she’ll ever forgive me,” Jiang Jie said, uttering a cryptic line.

“Jiang Jie, then…”

“I still don’t understand women.”

“No man ever truly understands women. Do you know what Lan Baiwei, Sima Xingchen’s husband, said?” Lei Hanyu mimicked Lan’s tone. “Just love her. Don’t bother understanding her.”

Jiang Jie smiled.

“That’s golden advice,” Lei Hanyu concluded. “Many things aren’t hard. Women want only one thing—and it’s never changed since ancient times.”

“Love?” Jiang Jie asked.

“Love!” Lei Hanyu winked. “You’ve finally gotten it!”

Bai Ziling planned to use the three million Jiang Jie gave her to open a refined, distinctive coffee shop. Life had to go on. Though her heart was shattered, she still had family and friends—she couldn’t collapse. She wouldn’t let a heartless man destroy her for life. She would live well—just to prove it to him.

To prepare for the coffee shop, Bai Ziling ran around all day. It was good this way—being busy kept her from thinking of Jiang Jie, from remembering the humiliation and pain he caused. With a little more time, she believed she would heal.

But when she stepped outside and saw Jiang Jie standing just a few paces from her door, all her defenses and mental fortifications shattered. Her heart was slashed again—fresh, bloody, so painful she winced and clenched her teeth.

Jiang Jie stared at Bai Ziling. Xia Zhen hadn’t lied—she’d lost so much weight. Now she seemed to have no flesh left; her eyes were sunken. She looked exhausted, utterly drained.

“Bai Ziling,” he softly called her name.

“You came for me to sign the divorce papers?” Bai Ziling thought of nothing else. “Bring them. I’ll sign.”

“I didn’t bring any divorce papers.”

“Then why are you here?”

“I just came to…”

“See me?” Bai Ziling stared at him coldly. “You’ve seen me now. I’m fine. So…”

“You’re not fine,” he interrupted.

“I look bad, but I’ve never felt better. You know what? Your three million had some use—I’m opening a coffee shop. So…” She sneered at him. “I should thank you!”

“You’re opening a coffee shop?” Jiang Jie hadn’t expected this plan.

“You forbid it?” she mocked.

“Do you have experience?”

“I can learn!”

“Learning costs money.” Jiang Jie doubted whether her coffee shop would succeed—or last. Many women dreamed of opening coffee shops, but amateurs often ended up crying over their losses.

“Is that any of your business?” she asked blankly. “Even if this shop fails, it has nothing to do with you. That three million was earned by my own effort.”

“Must it be like this?” he said, holding back.

“Like what?!” she snapped back.

“We’re still… married.”

“Jiang Jie, I’ve been in a bad mood lately, so I won’t smile. We were never truly married. Don’t insult such a sacred word. You wanted money. I wanted money. At best—we’re a pair of mutually convenient ‘dog lovers’!” Bai Ziling spoke without restraint, determined to shock him.

“Bai Ziling…” Jiang Jie was stunned, unsure whether to laugh or scold her. He hadn’t expected her to be this explosive. “You call us… ‘dog lovers’?!”

“Do you have a better word?”

“We’re not.”

“We are!” Bai Ziling insisted. “I believe we are!”

“Do you really hate me that much?”

“I’m allowed to.” She threw his own words back at him. “Jiang Jie, no matter how powerful you are, you can’t stop me from hating you.”

“That night…”

“I don’t want to hear it.”

“I hope I didn’t go too…”

“Sorry, I have no experience—I can’t judge your performance that night. Maybe you’re a bedroom expert, a top-tier lover. But sorry—I felt no ecstasy. I was just glad it was over!” Bai Ziling declared fiercely.

“I was only worried about you!” he roared.

“Worried I’d get pregnant?” she whispered, voice broken. “My period comes in a week. Jiang Jie, don’t worry—no one will show up with a baby to demand you take responsibility!”

“I wasn’t worried about that—”

“Then don’t worry about anything.” Bai Ziling lifted her head, her cold, fierce mask back in place. “Jiang Jie, if you have something to say, send your lawyer. We don’t need to meet again.”

“Do you think you get to decide that?” Jiang Jie snapped.

“I don’t want to see you again.”

“What if I insist on making you see me?”

“Jiang Jie, you’re not that idle. Besides, you’ve already seen me. Don’t worry—I won’t kill myself. You can’t make me ‘wish I were dead.’ I’ll live well,” she assured him. “You owe me nothing.”

“Bai Ziling, I may have acted heartless, but I can change my attitude—if you…” He had listened to Lei Hanyu’s words.

“Sorry, I don’t understand what you’re saying.” She didn’t want to understand at all.

“I meant, perhaps we could...”

“I’m busy!”

“Bai Ziling, can you try one more time?” Jiang Jie stated his demand directly. “The time hasn’t run out yet—”

“You think I still owe you nearly a month, and you want it back?” She misunderstood him. “Are you really that unwilling to lose even a little? Should I pay you cash for all these days?”

“You’ve completely misunderstood me!” Jiang Jie wanted to drag her home, tie her up on the bed, and force her to listen to him in silence. He never imagined a woman could make him this angry, this out of control—even when Yu Siqi married Shen Shi, he had never been this furious.

“Absolutely not!” She refused immediately.

“Absolutely not?!”

“I’ll never try anything with you again!” Bai Ziling was determined. “I’m a smart, mature woman—I won’t let myself do anything foolish again. That night... I gave you everything I owed you. You have no right to ask for anything more!”

“Are you really this heartless?!”

“I learned it from you,” she said hoarsely. “The night I left with my things, I told myself I’d never turn back—I’d hate you for the rest of my life.”

Jiang Jie was stunned by her hatred.

“Go. I have my own life to live.”

Jiang Jie turned and left. Some things couldn’t be rushed. Forcing the issue now was meaningless. He could give himself and Bai Ziling more time. Perhaps... then things would be different.

I hope they will be different!

Di Zhiwei found Bai Ziling at a coffee shop under renovation. Watching her intensely discuss renovation details with the designer, he simply watched her patiently and intently.

When Bai Ziling accidentally caught sight of Di Zhiwei, she was surprised. After saying a few more words to the designer, she walked over to him.

“How did you know I was here?”

“If you really want to find someone, you won’t fail.” He gave her a charming smile. “You’re opening a coffee shop?”

“I can’t stay unemployed forever.”

“It’s not bad for a woman to run a coffee shop.”

“At least it’s not hard labor, and the people who come to coffee shops are mostly simple—perfect for me.” Bai Ziling explained her motivation. “Lately, I even spent money learning how to brew ‘real’ coffee—it’s an art. Now I finally understand why others open coffee shops.”

“But you don’t have to suffer so much!” Di Zhiwei looked at her with concern. “Women should be cherished, loved, and cared for by men. Why risk your life like this?”

“Di Zhiwei, women have long been independent.”

Di Zhiwei suddenly changed the subject. “Have you really left my cousin?”

“Why bring up that dead topic?!”

“Are you truly finished with him?”

“Yes!” she snapped.

“Completely clean?”

“Di Zhiwei, what do you want?!” Bai Ziling realized her patience was wearing thin—especially when Jiang Jie was involved. She couldn’t control her emotions; she felt like a volcano about to erupt. “He’s your cousin—your family’s concern. But don’t bother me!”

“Have you filed for divorce?” Di Zhiwei asked carefully—he needed to get everything clear.

“Not yet!” she shouted again.

“Why not?”

“Ask your cousin.”

“He went to England for a meeting yesterday. He won’t be back for a week.” Di Zhiwei indirectly revealed his cousin’s whereabouts.

“Then wait a week and ask him. I’ll sign the papers without hesitation.” Bai Ziling’s heart had turned cold—she had no expectations left for Jiang Jie. “Di Zhiwei, if you want me to treat you politely, don’t mention him again.”

“Bai Ziling, I just need to understand the situation—I don’t want to pursue a married woman,” Di Zhiwei said, with his own reasons.

“Don’t pursue me!” she ordered.

“You can’t stop me.”

She said it calmly but firmly: “There won’t be any chance.”

“You’ve said that before—but I don’t believe it.”

“Di Zhiwei...” Bai Ziling hadn’t wanted to say it, but if she didn’t, he’d never give up. So she revealed what she never wanted to speak of: “I slept with Jiang Jie.”

“You two...” He couldn’t pretend he wasn’t surprised.

“Now you can give up!”

“You’re... kidding me, right?”

“Why would I lie about something like that?” Bai Ziling’s expression was cold. “It’s not something honorable or worth boasting about. I don’t want to talk about it anymore—it’s over. The only thing left between us is a divorce agreement.”

“Did my cousin force you?!”

“I wasn’t raped,” Bai Ziling said. “If that’s what you mean, Jiang Jie isn’t that kind of man—but...”

“But what?”

“But he’s worse than that kind of man!” Bai Ziling’s eyes held the emptiness of utter despair. “I won’t forgive him. And you—save your energy. There’s no chance.”

Di Zhiwei was speechless. He needed to think. He needed to think carefully.

On the day Jiang Jie returned from England, it was the opening day of Bai Ziling’s coffee shop, “Chen Meng.” Standing outside, Jiang Jie watched the bustling scene inside. For some reason, a popular idol group had come to cut the ribbon—it looked impressively official.

Bai Ziling wore the same silver Versace strapless dress. She clearly favored it. Her radiant, elegant aura stirred his heart. This woman was his—at least, she had been. Now, she was still his “official” wife.

Should he go in?

He saw Xia Zhen, Lei Hanyu, and presumably Sima Xingchen and her husband. Aside from Chang Weiwei, still in confinement, everyone who cared for her seemed to be here. Should he walk in and invite humiliation?

Bai Ziling didn’t deliberately search for Jiang Jie—but his commanding presence and striking expression, even across the street, made him impossible to ignore. Afraid he might burst in, she grabbed her dress hem and quickly stepped out of her shop, then crossed the street...

“What do you want now?” she said, frantic.

“Congratulations.”

“Thank you. Now disappear.”

“I just got back from England and didn’t bring anything to celebrate your opening—but...” he said sincerely.

“You’re giving me a gift?” Bai Ziling cut in urgently. “Your disappearance is the best gift.”

“Who invited that idol group?” Jiang Jie chatted with her.

“Han Ze.”

“Looks like you’ve got good connections.”

“Have you finished?” Bai Ziling feared Xia Zhen and Sima Xingchen might spot Jiang Jie. She grabbed his arm and dragged him to a less noticeable spot.

“Bai Ziling, I’m not your lover. Do you really need to hide me like this?” Jiang Jie said, displeased.

“I don’t want them to see you.” She let go of him.

“Am I so shameful?”

“No—you’re very presentable. But I don’t want them to think we’re still connected. Did you bring the divorce agreement?”

“I didn’t bring a divorce agreement.” He told her bluntly.

“You didn’t?!”

“I don’t want a divorce.”

“You don’t want a divorce?!” Bai Ziling nearly fainted. “What do you want to do to me before you’re satisfied? Jiang Jie, I want freedom! I believe you need it even more than I do!”

“I miss you.” Jiang Jie’s sudden confession.

Bai Ziling nearly suffocated. What did he say?! He said he missed her?! Was she hallucinating—or had he truly spoken those words?

“Bai Ziling, perhaps I truly hurt you deeply—but I never meant to.” He apologized to her.

“Not meant to?” She wouldn’t forgive him. “What did you say then? ‘Just give yourself to me, and tomorrow morning you can leave with a check.’ What were you feeling then? And think—what was I feeling? Jiang Jie, you treated me like a prostitute!”

“I never treated you like a prostitute!” he retorted.

“Then what?”

“I hadn’t figured things out yet.”

Bai Ziling felt no clarity. Other women might have rushed to embrace him after such a confession, burying old grudges—but not her. She wasn’t so easily fooled.

“Jiang Jie, do you know me?” Bai Ziling asked coldly.

“I...”

“Do you know what’s going on in my mind?”

“I don’t know.” He spoke plainly.

“You don’t know. You don’t understand me. Then why are you here? Looking for trouble? Are you really this dense?” She scolded him without mercy.

Jiang Jie was speechless.

“Don’t provoke me again—or...” It wasn’t moral to drag Di Zhiwei in, but to make Jiang Jie give up, she had to be ruthless: “Then I’ll really get together with Di Zhiwei—and then I’ll have to call you ‘cousin.’”

“You wouldn’t dare!” Jiang Jie suddenly roared like an angry lion.

“I wouldn’t dare?” Bai Ziling turned arrogant. “Marrying Di Zhiwei isn’t so bad—I could help him get the inheritance your grandfather left him. I could even... get pregnant!”

Jiang Jie raised his hand. He never thought he’d strike a woman—least of all, the first woman he’d ever hit: Bai Ziling.

“You...” Bai Ziling’s face twisted in deep pain. She didn’t cover her cheek, but she could feel it burning—his slap had been hard.

“Bai Ziling...” Jiang Jie was filled with regret. If he could turn back time to just before he raised his hand, he’d rather cut off his own hand than give her that slap.

“I hate you...” she whispered.

“You won’t be with Zhiwei.”

“You can’t stop me!”

“You’re still my wife.”

“Then publish it! Tell the whole world I’m your wife—I don’t care!” She shouted, defiant and childish. “I’m not just going to be with Di Zhiwei—I’ll go through man after man. I’ll make myself a whore! What are you going to do? Kill me?!”

Jiang Jie just glared at her fiercely.

“If you don’t want to wear green, get your lawyer to send me the divorce agreement right away!” She issued her final ultimatum.

Jiang Jie remained silent. He truly didn’t know what to say now.