Chapter 8: Chapter Six

Jiang Jie was awakened by a shrill scream; for a moment he didn’t know what had happened. Once he confirmed the sound came from Bai Ziling’s room, he rushed over.

Bai Ziling had dreamed… the same well, the same woman with long hair, the same figure crawling out of the television—only this time, it was she who died of fright. The scene was so vivid, so real, as if she were truly there. She didn’t just scream in the dream; even after waking, she kept screaming.

The door wasn’t locked, so Jiang Jie turned the knob immediately. He thought a thief had broken in, intent on robbery and assault—but when he saw only her in the room, he felt tricked. What was she screaming about?

Her chest heaved rapidly. Seeing Jiang Jie burst in, Bai Ziling’s face remained pale.

“Did you see a ghost?” He knew she needed gentle comfort, but after their recent argument, he couldn’t speak softly to her.

“You’re the one who saw a ghost!” she shot back, refusing to show weakness or seek his help—even if she had to spend the night buried under the covers, she wouldn’t appear cowardly in front of him.

“Then why are you screaming?”

“Because I feel like it.”

“It’s the middle of the night!”

“Then call the police!”

Jiang Jie wouldn’t call the police, but he glared at her fiercely. “If you’re scared easily, don’t watch those movies. What are you trying to do? Pretend to be terrified to lure me into your room?”

Bai Ziling leapt off the bed, ignoring the sheer silk nightgown clinging to her body, oblivious to the change in Jiang Jie’s expression. She lunged at him—but not to embrace him. She meant to hit him.

“I had a nightmare! I didn’t mean to draw you here! Do you think I’m acting?!” She struck him as she spoke, her fists landing hard on his chest.

“You know damn well!” he dodged as he replied.

“I saw that ghost woman…”

“You said you didn’t see a ghost!”

“In my dream!” she hit harder. “She crawled out of the well, hair hanging loose, her face full of hatred and fury.”

“Are you any less fierce?” he sneered.

“Jiang Jie…” she roared in rage.

“Don’t you know humans are more terrifying than ghosts?”

Exhausted and truly frightened, the wildcat who had moments ago been clawing and snarling now collapsed into sobs. She accidentally kicked the leg of a chair, pain making her collapse face-down on the bed, crying louder and louder, ignoring everything.

Jiang Jie had no choice. He couldn’t just walk away—that wasn’t what a man with conscience would do.

“Bai Ziling, do you want to wake up the whole building?” His words carried mockery, but his voice was low, soft.

“Stay away from me!”

“This is my house.”

“Then I’ll leave!” She wept uncontrollably. “First you call me a slut, then you mock me even when I’m having nightmares. What kind of demon are you?!”

“I’m not a demon. I…” To end the conflict, he conceded. “I’m sorry.”

“Insincere,” she spat, lifting her head.

“Bai Ziling, you’re ungrateful. You’re the one hitting me, the one taking advantage, and now you’re being unreasonable! I’ve never met a woman so irrational. I apologized!”

“You’re not sincere!”

“You…” Jiang Jie didn’t coddle women, didn’t tolerate their tantrums, and had no desire to care for a temperamental one. She wasn’t his real wife, and he didn’t love her. He turned and walked out of her room, closing the door behind him.

Bai Ziling knew he had left. Anger and fear filled her. Dawn was still hours away. At home, her sister would stay with her through fearful, sleepless nights—but here… she could rely on no one but herself. The more she thought of it, the harder she cried.

So she didn’t notice Jiang Jie had returned, didn’t realize he stood beside her bed, watching her sprawled on it…

After a while, she felt someone turn her over and sit on the bed. Strong arms lifted her, pulling her into a firm embrace…

Bai Ziling froze, too terrified to struggle. This was more terrifying than seeing a ghost.

Though Jiang Jie’s face was expressionless, his arms were warm, offering safety. Only now did she notice—he wasn’t wearing a shirt. His chest, bruised and swollen from her earlier punches, was visible.

“Jiang Jie…” She forgot to cry.

“It’s over,” he said flatly.

“You…”

“Sleep,” he ordered, not gently.

She wiped her tears. “I can manage on my own…”

“You sleep, and I’ll leave,” he promised.

“I… I’m not afraid anymore.” She forced herself to be brave, unwilling to be held like a seven-year-old child. A dream was just a dream. Ghosts didn’t exist. There was nothing to fear.

“Sleep,” he stroked her hair. “And don’t move.”

“You…” She felt his physical reaction.

But Jiang Jie said nothing, showed no intention to take advantage. He only wished the remaining days would pass quickly. Then it struck him: since marrying Bai Ziling, he hadn’t slept with another woman. It was unthinkable.

“Jiang Jie, I won’t… with you,” she pouted.

“It’s just a physical reaction, Bai Ziling. I won’t pin you down. You can sleep peacefully.” He glanced at her. “Any normal man would react this way holding a woman in a sheer nightgown.”

“No one asked you to hold me,” she said, yet dared not move, afraid things might spiral out of control.

“As your ‘husband,’ when you’re frightened…”

“You’re not my husband.”

“If you want me to become your real husband…” He looked at her with a rare, wicked glint. “I would…”

But Bai Ziling didn’t retort or fight back. Her head rested on his shoulder, eyes closed, breathing steady and even. With safety, she fell asleep.

Jiang Jie had never shared a bed with a woman and done nothing. Nothing happened. This…

He looked down at Bai Ziling’s face, still streaked with tears. She looked pure, fresh—as if an angel. No wonder his cousin had fallen. If things continued like this, he feared he’d fall too. Bai Ziling, Bai Ziling… could he really be unable to let her go?

It took Bai Ziling some effort to get Di Zhiwei’s number. When she contacted him, he was ecstatic. Before she could state her purpose, he invited her to dinner. Since she had something to say, she readily agreed.

“Bai Ziling, you can’t imagine how shocked and happy I was when I got your call!” Di Zhiwei winked at her.

“Di Zhiwei, why did you betray me?” Bai Ziling demanded.

“Betray you?” He looked confused.

“Why did you tell Jiang Jie you were going to pursue me?”

“I was going to pursue you!” Di Zhiwei didn’t deny it.

“This is incest. I’m your ‘sister-in-law.’”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” he laughed. “In less than forty days, you won’t be. And I’d bet a hundred million—you haven’t slept with my cousin. Your relationship is pure.”

“So what?”

“Then why can’t I pursue you?” Di Zhiwei said confidently.

“Di Zhiwei, you’re joking, right? You’re just trying to provoke your cousin, saying it for fun?” Bai Ziling asked cautiously.

“At first, yes. But I didn’t realize he cared about you—or that once I said it, it became real. I like you. That’s undeniable.” Di Zhiwei rarely spoke so sincerely to a woman.

“Please!” She looked pained.

“Bai Ziling, am I really that bad?”

“Di Zhiwei, you’re not bad—you’re just boring.” Bai Ziling scolded him. “Do you know Jiang Jie now sees us as lovers? Please stop making things harder for me. Just let me get the rest of my payment in peace.”

“Bai Ziling, I may not be as rich as my cousin, but my family background isn’t bad either. If you were with me…”

“With?!” Bai Ziling seized his wording. “I’m not a girl who sells herself for money. Jiang Jie’s three million? I accepted because I only had to endure three months—I didn’t have to give myself to him. Di Zhiwei, don’t mistake me for a gold-digger. I’m not!”

“I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sincere.” Di Zhiwei immediately emphasized. “If you mean marriage…”

“Don’t mention the word ‘marriage.’”

“I mean once you’re free, I’ll pursue you.” Di Zhiwei didn’t sound like he was teasing.

“You have no chance,” she admitted frankly.

“Don’t be so harsh.”

“You’re interesting, but…”

“Have you fallen for my cousin?”

“No!” she shouted. “What nonsense are you talking?”

“Then why won’t you give me a chance?”

“It’s impossible!”

“Nothing’s impossible in this world,” Di Zhiwei smiled arrogantly.

Bai Ziling knew it was impossible. She would never, in this lifetime, have anything to do with Jiang Jie’s cousin. She… she could never forget the safety and fulfillment she felt sleeping in Jiang Jie’s arms—even though the next morning, she woke alone in her bed, Jiang Jie already gone to work.

“Di Zhiwei, please don’t interfere. We can be friends—even brothers. But lovers or spouses…” Bai Ziling shook her head firmly. “Not in this life.”

“I don’t believe in fate.”

“Stop hurting me,” she muttered.

“You’ve said that twice already, Bai Ziling. I don’t want to hurt you. I want to give you…”

Bai Ziling cut him off. “If you’re determined to destroy even our friendship, then today is our last meeting.”

“You can’t do this!” He grew angry.

“I can.”

“Respect my rights. I have the right to pursue you.”

“I’m your ‘sister-in-law!’” She raised the taboo. “Do you want all your relatives and friends to laugh themselves sick? Sure, you can pursue me—if I agree to marry you, then you get your grandfather’s five hundred million, and we divorce?!”

“Bai Ziling, I’m not my cousin. I don’t lack bidding money, and I don’t care about my grandfather’s fortune.” Di Zhiwei spoke coldly. “I’m not using you. Understand that.”

Bai Ziling sighed, unable to reply.

“Fine. I’ll wait. I’ll pursue you after you divorce my cousin.” He promised her readily.

“Di Zhiwei…”

“My cousin can’t give you happiness. But I can.”

For the first time, Bai Ziling felt lost. She had no idea what to think.

Jiang Jie thought his warning had some effect—but then he saw Di Zhiwei and Bai Ziling walking out of the restaurant together. He had been heading to a meeting at the World Trade Center, but now he decided to follow them, to see what they’d do next.

In the end, Di Zhiwei merely dropped Bai Ziling off at his place—he didn’t even get out to open her door, probably because she objected; they had to keep a low profile.

He parked the car in the garage. He knew full well he wasn’t catching her red-handed, yet Jiang Jie was furious. Though this anger had no real basis, he didn’t care—he just wanted to vent it properly.

After entering the house, Bai Ziling changed into something comfortable, turned on the air conditioning, and pulled out a fashion magazine she’d bought earlier, beginning to flip through it.

The moment she heard the key turn in the lock, she leapt up. Today wasn’t the cleaning lady’s day, and it was broad daylight—who else had a key? Just as she grabbed one of Jiang Jie’s collected odd stones to defend herself, she saw Jiang Jie.

“It’s you?” She put the stone down, slightly annoyed at herself for overreacting.

“Who did you think it was?” Jiang Jie’s tone was calm, chilling. As soon as he stepped in, he began tearing off his tie, shrugging out of his suit jacket, and rolling up his shirt sleeves.

“You’ve never come home during the day!” She voiced what she’d been thinking.

“So I can’t come home during the day?”

“Of course you can—it’s your freedom.” Bai Ziling sensed something wrong and tried to retreat to her room; after all, if she locked the door, she’d be safe.

But Jiang Jie wouldn’t let her slip away. He stood right at her bedroom door, staring at her with the cold, judgmental gaze of someone condemning a monstrous criminal.

“You were just with Zhiwei?” He met her gaze, speaking coldly.

“How do you know?!” She was stunned.

“Dinner?” He asked, smiling without warmth.

“We… needed to clear some things up,” she said stiffly. “It wasn’t a date or anything secret.”

“Bai Ziling, did I say you were on a date or doing something secret?” Jiang Jie’s voice wasn’t harsh, yet it sent shivers down her spine.

“You didn’t say it, but…”

“He drove you home—why didn’t you invite him in?”

“You… saw everything!” Bai Ziling felt a strange, indescribable emotion.

“Precisely because I saw everything, I know you did nothing improper…” He looked at her, then suddenly reached out to toy with a strand of hair falling near her ear, his eyes holding an unpredictable danger.

“Isn’t that good?” She exhaled the breath she’d been holding.

“You think it’s good?” He let go of her hair, his fingers moving to her cheek. “Bai Ziling, I want you to ‘bear with it’—hold out until we’re divorced.”

“We didn’t do anything!” She brushed his hand away.

“I don’t like it.” His fingers returned to her cheek.

“You’re weird!” She scolded. “You hate me—so why do you care if I have dinner with your cousin or anyone else?”

“Bai Ziling, I don’t hate you.”

“But you hate women!”

“But…”

“It’s just your machismo!” She tried again to push his hand away—but he caught her wrist, spun her around, and pinned her against the wall behind her. “Jiang Jie…”

“If we were to sleep together, how much more would I have to pay you?” He asked in a transactional tone.

“I’m not a prostitute!” She glared at him fiercely.

“Then… free of charge?”

“We won’t sleep together!” She declared firmly.

“Won’t we?”

Even though Jiang Jie was less than two centimeters from her, Bai Ziling refused to back down. “I won’t sleep with a man I don’t love—or who doesn’t love me. Even if you’re worth a fortune, even if you offered a king’s ransom—the answer is no!”

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

“None of your business!”

“I won’t shortchange you.” His body pressed against hers. “I don’t care what you’re doing with my cousin—but I want your first time to be with me. I won’t let you lose out. For you, I even skipped an important meeting. I think… I care about you a little.”

Bai Ziling’s face flushed red. With her free hand, she tried to slap him—but he caught that hand too.

“Do you have to humiliate me like this?” Her eyes welled up.

“I said… I care about you a little!”

“I don’t want your damn caring.”

“You…” Jiang Jie stared at her.

“I’m counting the days, one by one, hoping to escape you as soon as possible!” She’d thought, in his gentle embrace last night, that something had changed between them—but now, she was done.

“I don’t believe you’re this stupid. I’m a big fish…”

“You’re a rotten fish!” She shouted.

Jiang Jie exploded. He shoved her hard against his chest, preparing to kiss her despite her resistance—but she fought desperately, even kicking his shin hard enough to force him to let go.

“You…” He winced, sweat breaking on his forehead.

“You should be grateful I didn’t use my knee on your vital parts—that would’ve hurt a thousand times more!” She shoved him away.

“Bai Ziling, remember this.” He wore the calm, patient look of a man biding his time for revenge.

“Don’t provoke me, and I won’t bother you. Let’s just pray we can live in peace until the end of this marriage!” She lifted her head and walked into her room, locking the door behind her.

Jiang Jie arrived at a small, modest orphanage on the outskirts. He’d always known about it, driven past it several times, but never seen Yu Siqui. This time, he got out of the car. Suddenly, he wanted to talk to her, to see how she was.

Yu Siqui was cooking in the cramped kitchen, drenched in sweat, wearing a short top and capri pants, her hair messy. Anyone who didn’t know her would never guess this ordinary housewife was once a princess.

She’d gained weight, radiating a simple, contented air.

Jiang Jie just stared at her, unable to speak.

Yu Siqui was overwhelmed—lunchtime for the children was coming soon. These little angels were all ravenous, like tiny devils; if food didn’t appear, they’d whine and scream.

Of course, there were other staff, but there were never enough. Yu Siqui held everything together alone. Cen Shi handled the outside world; she managed the interior. He earned the money; she made all the decisions for the orphanage.

They worked seamlessly… because they loved each other. She embraced this life, and found joy in it.

So when she suddenly saw Jiang Jie, she didn’t panic—she smiled warmly.

“Jiang Jie!” she said happily.

“Siqui.” He nodded to her.

“Why are you here?”

“To see you.”

“I’m busy—can you wait a bit? We have to talk properly.” Her tone left no room for refusal.

Jiang Jie waited two full hours. He even ate lunch with the children, and only after Yu Siqui finished cleaning up did they finally have a moment alone.

“Tasty?” she asked, confident and cheerful.

“I didn’t know you could cook,” Jiang Jie answered honestly.

“Humans are the smartest creatures—you can learn anything, if you’re willing,” Yu Siqui said with a bright smile.

“Where’s Cen Shi?” he asked about her husband.

“At the gallery.”

“Are his paintings selling well?”

“Fine enough,” Yu Siqui said, unconcerned. “We cut expenses as much as we can. Sometimes kind neighbors donate rice, vegetables, even clothes for the kids. So we manage. Besides, I still have some stocks and jewelry.”

“Still doesn’t speak to you?” Jiang Jie asked, concerned. When Yu Siqui’s father learned she insisted on marrying a penniless orphan who painted for a living and ran an orphanage, he threatened to disown her. “What about your mother?”

“My mother’s fine—she visits occasionally and slips me cash. My father…” Yu Siqui shrugged and smiled. “I think he’ll never forgive me for choosing Cen Shi over you.”

“I haven’t forgiven you either,” Jiang Jie said, half-smiling.

“Jiang Jie, to others we might’ve seemed made for each other, but we both know—we only looked right. In truth…” She met his eyes directly. “We never loved each other.”

“Women…”

“I’m happy now!” She sighed contentedly. “This is the life I wanted.”

“No fancy clothes…” he asked.

“As long as they’re wearable,” she replied frankly.

“No gourmet food…”

“I make my own.”

“No banquets, shopping sprees, social events…”

“All illusions.”

“Facials, massages, spa…”

“That’s for rich, idle women. I’ve lived that life long enough—I’m satisfied.” She felt no regret for her choice.

“Does Cen Shi still love you?” Jiang Jie asked, deliberately provocative.

“Besides the children, I’m his entire world.” She patted his chest. “Don’t try to drive us apart. We know—we’re each other’s only and final partner in this life.”

“So you’ve never regretted it?” Jiang Jie asked, skeptical.

“Not for a single second.”

“Yu Siqui, do women really think love alone is enough? Even if the man’s a beggar?” Jiang Jie truly didn’t understand women.

“Don’t call him a beggar. Even if he were one—if both of you love each other, worldly things don’t matter.” She studied him suspiciously. “Why are you suddenly asking me this, Jiang Jie? Do you have good news?”

Not wanting to mention his “marriage,” Jiang Jie shook his head.

“Still mad at me?” She teased.

“Not mad. Just confused.”

“Women are simple creatures—nothing complicated. Just love them, and everything’s fine!” She gave him her secret.

“So you think I don’t love you?”

“You never loved me at all.”

“I wasn’t unkind to you…”

“Yes—everyone expected us to live happily ever after, prince and princess…” Yu Siqui shook her head. “But that was all surface, all pretense. We could never have lived happily together.”

Jiang Jie said nothing.

"You must learn to love women before you understand where your problem lies," she said earnestly.