Chapter 13

“You’re not.” He spoke coldly.

“The medical form says I am, and the doctor issued a certificate, didn’t he?” Bai Ziling leaned close to his ear.

“What’s wrong with you?” He didn’t understand.

“I’m trying to act!” She suddenly hooked her arm around his, collapsing against him like her bones had melted. “Won’t you pick me up?”

“Bai Ziling… I don’t appreciate your ‘humor’.” Jiang Jie glared at her.

“You spent three million—I have to show off my acting skills!” She feigned innocence. “I suddenly crave sour plums. Can you buy me some? And now I really want roasted chicken—”

“Are you done yet?” His gaze turned icy.

“Isn’t this what pregnancy is like?”

“You don’t seem pregnant—you seem mentally unstable.” He pushed her away. “Bai Ziling, I need you to act, but not to the point of losing yourself. Do you understand?”

Bai Ziling pouted, sulking.

“Just keep quiet. I’ll handle everything outside.” Jiang Jie spoke with the pride of a man who could manage all things.

“When will I ‘miscarry’?” She suddenly asked.

“I’ll tell you.”

“You’ve planned everything?”

“Everything is under my control.”

“Guaranteed no mistakes?”

“Bai Ziling, I need this five hundred million. This contract in the U.S. is crucial. If it succeeds, I won’t just make a profit—I’ll gain international reputation. Otherwise, I wouldn’t go through all this trouble. I have money. What I want is prestige. Do you understand?” Jiang Jie lectured her.

Bai Ziling nodded, like a schoolgirl who’d done something wrong.

Seeing her demeanor, Jiang Jie softened slightly. Had he been too harsh? Without her help, he could never have secured his grandfather’s inheritance. He reached into the back pocket of his suit pants, pulled out his wallet, and withdrew a thick stack of bills without counting—all two-thousand-dollar notes, a substantial sum.

“This is…” Bai Ziling stared at the money in his hand. “Why are you giving me this? Is it my second month’s allowance?”

“No. It’s just for you.”

“I can spend it however I want?”

“The money is already yours.”

Bai Ziling should have jumped up, dancing with joy—turning moody had its perks. But… why did her heart sink? She felt this money was a bribe, a way to dismiss her.

“I have to return to the company. Take a taxi home.”

“It’s already eight at night—still going back to the company?” Bai Ziling wondered if successful men were always this busy, this obsessed with every second. He wouldn’t even drive her home.

“I have things to do.”

“Are you busy—or just don’t want to come home and be with me?”

“Bai Ziling, your tone… is starting to sound like you’re my real wife.” Jiang Jie mocked her.

“And you… can’t even pretend to care!” she shot back.

【Chapter Five】

After the gynecology clinic incident, Jiang Jie and Bai Ziling lived a life of polite distance. If they deliberately avoided each other, they could go two or three days without meeting.

One day, Jiang Jie returned home unexpectedly early. Coincidentally, Bai Ziling was halfway through her bath when her phone rang. Thinking he wouldn’t be back so soon, she dashed out wrapped only in a large towel to answer it—but Jiang Jie had already reached it first. Seeing her in this state, he calmly picked up the call.

Since Jiang Jie had answered, Bai Ziling immediately turned away. She hadn’t meant to tempt him—she never expected him home so early. It was purely accidental.

“It’s for you.” His voice was slightly hoarse.

“Tell her to call back later.” She didn’t turn around.

“You’re already here.” He clearly wanted her to take the call right then.

Bai Ziling turned. Since he insisted, she might as well be bold. After all, the towel covered more than a three-piece bikini—only her shoulders, arms, and long legs were exposed; everything else was covered.

“Hello!” She answered quickly.

Jiang Jie knew he should leave—there was nothing worth listening to—but he couldn’t move. Her long hair was pinned at the nape of her neck; everywhere else was wet, radiating a seductive fragrance and an indescribable sensuality. Imagining her in the shower… even a priest or monk might be stirred now.

“Weiwei, I’m in the shower. I’ll call you back later…”

Jiang Jie didn’t want to stand beside her like a man bewitched—but he’d always thought of her as harmless. Now, he was deeply shaken.

“I haven’t ordered it yet!” Bai Ziling said anxiously.

Jiang Jie noticed a mole on Bai Ziling’s shoulder—it made her seem more feminine. Why had he never noticed it before?

“Weiwei, Xingchen is still considering.”

Jiang Jie took a deep breath, inhaling her body scent.

“I’ll definitely get it done!”

Unable to control his restless thoughts, Jiang Jie deliberately looked toward the balcony—he had to distract himself.

“Bye, I’ll call you again.” Bai Ziling hung up, then exhaled heavily. Then she realized Jiang Jie was still standing behind her.

“You’re done.”

“What?” She was startled.

“Nothing!” Jiang Jie didn’t think Bai Ziling was a seductive beauty—but this unintentional sensuality made his heart tingle.

“I… haven’t finished bathing.”

“Then… keep going!” he replied.

“You… rarely come home this early.”

“Is that a problem?”

“Of course not.” She sniffed. “This is your house. You can come home whenever you want.”

“True.”

“Have you eaten?” She didn’t know why she didn’t hurry back to the bathroom—she shouldn’t be standing here in just a towel chatting with him. “There’s leftover pasta in the fridge from my dinner.”

“I’m not hungry.” His “hunger” now was something she couldn’t possibly understand.

“Then…”

“Is there coffee?” He could’ve walked into the kitchen himself—just glance at the coffee pot to know if there was any. But he stayed, chatting with her, savoring the moment like ice cream.

“Yes. I brewed a pot this afternoon.”

“The person who just called…” Jiang Jie had never been so indecisive—but he didn’t want her to go back to her unfinished bath.

“It’s Chang Weiwei. The four of us saw the latest bag from CD. I was supposed to order it, but Sima Xingchen is still deciding. She already has so many bags she couldn’t carry them even with ten hands, so…” Bai Ziling was still dripping.

“All women have shopping addictions.” He smiled faintly.

“The government is stimulating consumption.” She retorted sharply.

“Poor men.”

“Men aren’t pitiful!” Bai Ziling immediately argued, regardless of timing. “We women bear children, raise them, manage households, and handle endless trivial tasks. If we’re working women too, we’re burning the candle at both ends. Spending a little money on something nice to reward ourselves—is that a sin?”

“I remember your friends all married well. They don’t seem to suffer this much, do they?” He mocked.

“They still suffer.” She insisted.

“You haven’t borne children or raised a family. Why are you shopping like them?” He teased her.

“If I don’t buy now, and my future husband turns out to be a civil servant…” She chuckled bitterly. “I won’t be able to afford anything!”

Hearing her say “my future husband,” Jiang Jie felt a strange pang. The thought of her sharing a bed with another man, bearing his children, stirred his emotions.

“By the way!” She suddenly remembered. “Why am I telling you all this? We’re in a cold war—I shouldn’t be talking to you!”