Chapter 15: Chapter Thirteen

Bai Ziling sprang to her feet—she’d meant “ceasefire for one night,” but even that fleeting peace had shattered; the more she understood him, the more she was disappointed; for him to love her was harder than climbing to heaven.

“Bai Ziling, I know many ‘Jin Guixu’—once you’re free from me, I can…”

“Jiang Jie, shattered limbs and a thousand arrows through your heart aren’t enough—I want you…” Her sweet smile lingered. “To drift forever in the ocean of love’s suffering, never reaching shore in this life or the next.”

At a gratitude banquet hosted by a supplier, Jiang Jie and Di Zhiwei crossed paths—Jiang Jie was stunned.

“How is it you? Where’s Uncle?”

“Because he’s close with the supplier and can’t leave, he sent his lazy, spoiled son as his representative!” Di Zhiwei said with careless charm. “Where’s your wife?”

“Bai Ziling?”

“Cousin, do you have another wife?” Di Zhiwei teased.

“I don’t—but the way you asked sounded so natural, like she really was my wife, that I didn’t catch on right away.” Jiang Jie eyed him challengingly.

“Where is she?” Di Zhiwei still seemed concerned.

“At home.”

“Why didn’t you bring her?” he asked again.

Jiang Jie replied coldly, “Why should I bring her?”

His reaction made Di Zhiwei smile inwardly—he dared not laugh openly, fearing his cousin would fly into a rage. Clearly, the Jin Tongyunu pair weren’t getting along. After speaking with Bai Ziling last time, he’d thought there might be progress between them—but…

“Cousin, I had coffee with ‘Cousin-in-law.’” Di Zhiwei spoke as if it were an afterthought.

“You met?!” Jiang Jie was astonished.

“Didn’t Cousin-in-law tell you?”

“No.” His gaze was unreadable.

“You two… aren’t getting along?” Di Zhiwei grinned. “Cousin, I always thought you could charm any woman effortlessly, and Bai Ziling’s just a girl in her early twenties.”

“Di Zhiwei, what are you up to?” Jiang Jie glared at him.

“Cousin, this marriage is fake, so… can I court Bai Ziling?” Di Zhiwei, used to doing as he pleased, spoke bluntly.

“You want to court her?!” Jiang Jie couldn’t believe it.

“Can I?”

“You…” Jiang Jie was speechless. His closest cousin wanted to court his “wife”—if anyone found out, it would be a joke. “Di Zhiwei, are you mocking me or joking? Explain clearly.”

“I’m serious.” Di Zhiwei was unusually grave.

“Does Bai Ziling know?”

“I’ve only had coffee with her once—don’t make it sound like we’re already lovers. I like her. And since you married her only for Grandfather’s inheritance, I think I should court her…” He looked as if it were perfectly reasonable.

“A month will pass quickly!” Jiang Jie warned. “Have some dignity. Don’t let people say my wife ran off with my cousin right after our wedding.”

“Cousin, that sounds awful.”

“Can’t you chase some other woman?” Jiang Jie muttered bitterly. What the hell was this?

“How long until Grandfather’s inheritance hits your account?” Di Zhiwei only cared about this one thing.

“I’ve given the pregnancy proof to Uncle. If things move fast… probably one or two weeks.”

“Will you separate sooner then?” he asked eagerly.

“Di Zhiwei, do you expect me to divorce her the instant I get the money? Do you think Uncle won’t suspect?” Jiang Jie exploded. He’d always treated Di Zhiwei like a younger brother, but now he wanted to beat him senseless—Bai Ziling was still his nominal wife!

“Once the money’s in your account, what can Uncle do even if he suspects? You can announce Bai Ziling had a sudden miscarriage, you two had a huge fight, and decided to divorce.”

“Di Zhiwei…”

“I’ve already thought it all out for you.”

“Thank you.” He gritted his teeth.

“If you have no interest in Bai Ziling, don’t stop someone who does.” Di Zhiwei either meant to provoke Jiang Jie—or his desire to court her was that strong. “You can’t bind her forever.”

Jiang Jie now wanted to cut down his cousin—and what the hell was Bai Ziling doing? What had she done to Zhiwei? How had she bewitched him? He needed to know immediately.

Bai Ziling was curled on the sofa watching a DVD—Western version of “The Ring.” The plot was gripping and chilling: the ghost crawled out of the well, then slithered from the TV screen onto the floor—truly terrifying. No wonder some viewers avoided TVs for weeks after watching; the ghost was terrifying enough.

Just as the scene reached its peak, the front door burst open. Too absorbed in the screen, Bai Ziling didn’t hear it. When the door slammed shut, she screamed, leapt onto the sofa, and stared wildly around.

Jiang Jie didn’t understand her reaction, so he glanced at the TV, then slowly approached her.

Bai Ziling was genuinely frightened. If they got along, she’d have kissed him to calm down—but since they were strangers, she could only glare.

“Did you do something wrong?” Jiang Jie tossed his keys carelessly, making noise.

“Who did something wrong?” Bai Ziling jumped off the sofa, fear giving way to anger. What had she done to him?

“Turn off the TV.” He ordered abruptly.

“It’s the final scene.”

“Turn it off!” he repeated.

Bai Ziling stared at him. She’d never seen him this angry—as if she’d committed a grave sin. Though reluctant, she turned off the TV. The ending could wait.

“Sit down.” He commanded again.

“Why? Are you going to lecture me?”

“Bai Ziling, my mood right now…” He gave her a warning look.

“What did I do?” She sat down. “Am I a criminal? Did I kill someone or rob a bank?”

“Di Zhiwei.” Jiang Jie spat the name coldly.

Bai Ziling thought. “Your cousin?”

“You really met him, had coffee!” So Zhiwei hadn’t been joking—they truly had something.

“I happened to run into him that day—he called out to me, so…”

“Bai Ziling, listen carefully—you’re still my Jiang Jie’s ‘wife,’ and you haven’t collected your last one million yet. If you behave improperly, I’ll withhold that one million!” Jiang Jie threatened furiously.

“I behaved improperly?!”

“Ask yourself.”

“Jiang Jie, I just had coffee with Di Zhiwei—not checked into a hotel. You have no right to insult me!” Bai Ziling rose in anger. “Can’t I socialize with your relatives? Di Zhiwei knows our situation—you told him everything.”

“I didn’t tell you to have coffee with him.” Jiang Jie snapped.

“Will having coffee with him kill you?”

“Bai Ziling, he said he wants to court you!” He stared at her coldly. “You’ve only had coffee once—and already you’re so skilled, so magnetic? I underestimated you.”

“He said he wants to court me?!” Bai Ziling was startled.

“He told me himself.”

“He’s joking.” She hurried to explain. “We just talked nicely—but court me? Impossible!”

“What did you talk about so nicely?” Jiang Jie sounded like he was picking bones out of an egg—his jealousy and rage were thick.

“Just small talk.” She didn’t want to elaborate.

“Just small talk, huh?” He sneered.