Chapter 18

"Bai Bai Ziling, I do not dislike you."

"But you hate women!"

"But..."

"It's just male chauvinism acting up!" She tried once more to push his hand away, only to have her hand caught by him instead. Then, with a turn, he pinned her against the wall behind her. "Jiang Jie..."

"If we have relations, how much more money do I have to pay you?" he asked in a transactional tone.

"I am not a prostitute!" she glared at him fiercely.

"Then is it... free?"

"We will not have relations!" she declared solemnly.

"Won't we?"

Even though Jiang Jie was less than two centimeters away from her, Bai Bai Ziling refused to back down. "I do not sleep with men I do not love or who do not love me, even if you are richer than a nation, even if you offer an astronomical price, but the answer is no!"

"Bai Bai Ziling, are you still a virgin?" Jiang Jie suddenly asked.

"None of your business!"

"I will not treat you poorly." His body pressed against hers. "I don't care what you and my cousin are up to, but I want your first time to be with me. I won't let you lose out. For you, I even abandoned an important meeting. I think... I care about you a little."

Bai Bai Ziling's face flushed red. She tried to slap him with the hand he wasn't holding, but unfortunately... that hand was caught by him too.

"Must you humiliate me like this?" Her eyes reddened.

"I said I... care about you a little!"

"I don't want your damn care."

"You..." Jiang Jie looked at her.

"I am counting the days one by one, hoping to get rid of you sooner!" Originally, in his gentle embrace last night, she thought there was something between them, but now... she had given up hope.

"I don't believe your intelligence is that low. I am a big fish..."

"You are a rotten fish!" she shouted.

Jiang Jie got angry, forcing her down against his chest, preparing to kiss her regardless of her resistance, but she struggled desperately, even kicking his shins hard, forcing him to let her go.

"You..." He grimaced in pain, sweat forming on his forehead.

"You should be grateful I didn't use my knee to hit your important parts; that would have hurt you a thousand times more!" She pushed him away.

"Bai Bai Ziling, remember this." He wore an expression as if a gentleman's revenge is never too late.

"Don't provoke me, and I won't bother you. Let's just pray we live out the rest of our days in peace!" She lifted her head, walked into her room, and locked the door.

Jiang Jie arrived at a small, somewhat shabby orphanage in the suburbs. He had always known about this place and had driven past it several times, but he had never seen Yu Zi Si Qi. This time, he got out of the car. He suddenly really wanted to talk to her and see how she was doing.

Yu Zi Si Qi was cooking in the cramped kitchen, her head and body covered in sweat. Wearing a short-sleeved top and capri pants with messy hair, if one hadn't known her before, one would absolutely never think the Princess had turned into a neighborhood housewife.

She had gained some weight, giving off a feeling of ordinariness but contentment.

Jiang Jie just watched her, unable to say a word.

Yu Zi Si Qi was nearly overwhelmed because the children's lunchtime was approaching soon. These little angels were all as hungry as little devils; if the food wasn't served, they would throw tantrums and make a fuss.

Of course, there were other hands in the orphanage, but there were never enough. Yu Zi Si Qi was the one holding everything together. Cen Shi handled external affairs, while she managed internal matters. Earning money was left to him, while decisions on big and small matters within the orphanage were hers to make.

They cooperated seamlessly... because of love, she was content with this life and enjoyed it.

So when she suddenly saw Jiang Jie, Yu Zi Si Qi was not panicked or at a loss; instead, she showed a warm smile.

"Jiang Jie!" she said happily.

"Zi Si Qi." He nodded toward her.

"Why are you here?"

"To see you."

"I am busy. Can you wait for me a moment? We must have a good talk." She spoke in a tone that allowed no refusal.

As a result, Jiang Jie waited for two hours. He even ate lunch with the children. Only after Yu Zi Si Qi finished tidying everything up did they get the chance to talk alone.

"It tastes good, right?" she asked confidently and cheerfully.

"I didn't know you could cook." Jiang Jie answered honestly.

"Humans are the smartest animals; we can learn anything, as long as we have the will." Yu Zi Si Qi said with a full smile.

"Where is Cen Shi?" he asked about her husband.

"He went to the gallery."

"Are his paintings selling well?"

"They are passable!" Yu Zi Si Qi was not worried at all. "We try to cut expenses as much as possible. Sometimes some kind-hearted people nearby donate rice and vegetables, and clothes for the children, so... we can manage. Otherwise, I still have some stocks and jewelry."

"Is Uncle Yu still ignoring you?" Jiang Jie asked with concern. When Yu Zi Si Qi's father learned she insisted on marrying an orphan who made a living by painting and even wanted to run an orphanage, he threatened to cut ties with his daughter. "What about Aunt Yu?"

"My mother is fine; she comes to see me occasionally and shoves money at me. My father..." Yu Zi Si Qi shrugged with a smile. "I think he will never forgive me for leaving you to marry Cen Shi."

"I haven't forgiven you either." Jiang Jie said with a half-smile.

"Jiang Jie, in the eyes of others, we might seem like a match made in heaven, but we both know clearly that we only look suitable. Actually..." Yu Zi Si Qi looked straight into his eyes. "There is no love between us."

"You women..."

"I am very happy now!" she let out a satisfied sigh. "This is the life I want."

"No fancy clothes..." he asked.

"As long as clothes can be worn, that is enough." She was open and frank.

"No gourmet food..."

"I can make gourmet food myself."

"No banquets, shopping sprees, socializing..."

"Those are all illusions."

"Facials, massages, SPA..."

"That is something only wealthy, idle women do; I haven't lived that kind of life for a long time, and I should be content." She did not regret her choice in the least.

"Cen Shi... still loves you?" Jiang Jie asked with a hint of provocation; he intended to ask precisely that.

"Aside from these orphanage children, I am his everything." Yu Si patted his chest. "Do not try to drive a wedge between us; we know very well that we are each other's one and only partner for this life, and our final one."

"So you have never regretted it?" Jiang Jie asked incredulously.

"Not for a single second."

"Yu Si, do you women really think that with love alone you can disregard and consider nothing else? Even if the other party were a scavenger, you wouldn't mind?" Jiang Jie truly did not understand women.

"Let alone a scavenger; even if he were a beggar, as long as there is love between both parties, I believe all worldly matters become far less important." After Yu Si finished speaking, she looked at him suspiciously. "Why are you suddenly saying these things to me, Jiang Jie? Have you received good news?"

Unwilling to mention that he had already "married," Jiang Jie shook his head.

"Still holding a grudge against me?" she teased him.

"It is not a grudge; I just do not understand."

"Actually, women are very simple creatures, not complicated at all; just love them, and everything will be OK!" She taught him her ultimate trick.

"So you think I do not love you?"

"You have never loved me at all."

"I was not bad to you..."

"Yes! A crowd was waiting to see us, the prince and Princess, live happily ever after..." Yu Si shook her head. "That was all surface, all an illusion; we could never have lived happily together."

Jiang Jie remained silent.

"Only after you learn how to love a woman will you realize where your problem lies," she said with earnest sincerity.

【Chapter Seven】

Bai Bai Ziling lacked her usual sweetness and confidence; facing her three best friends, she made no attempt to hide it. Although she had wholeheartedly aimed to become a true Lady of the CEO, it seemed... she was not fated to be a Lady of the CEO.

Xia Zhen looked at Chang Chang Weiwei and Sima Sima Xingchen, then fixed her gaze on Bai Bai Ziling. "Is there anything we can do to help?"