Chapter 8: Chapter Six

Jiang Jie was jolted awake by a piercing, mournful scream; for a moment, he didn't know what had happened. Once he confirmed the sound was coming from Bai Bai Ziling's room, he immediately rushed over.

Bai Bai Ziling had a dream... the same well, the same long-haired female ghost, the same figure crawling out of the television set; only this time, the one scared to death was her. The scene was so vivid and clear, as if she were truly experiencing it; not only did she scream in her dream, but she continued screaming even after waking up in terror...

The bedroom door wasn't locked, so Jiang Jie quickly twisted the knob open. He thought a burglar had broken in, intending to rob and assault her, but when he discovered she was the only one in her room, he felt played for a fool. What exactly was she screaming about?

Her chest heaving violently, Bai Bai Ziling stared at Jiang Jie, who had suddenly burst in, her face still deathly pale.

"Did you see a ghost?" Although he knew she needed gentle comfort, having just quarreled with her, he simply couldn't bring himself to speak softly.

"You're the one who saw a ghost!" she retorted, absolutely unwilling to show weakness or beg him for help; even if she had to huddle under the covers all night, she would never act like a coward in front of him.

"Then what are you screaming for?"

"I feel like screaming."

"It's the middle of the night!"

"Then call the police!"

Jiang Jie certainly wouldn't call the police, but he shot her a fierce glare. "If you're timid, don't watch those kinds of movies. What are you trying to do? Pretend to be scared just to lure me into your room?"

Bai Bai Ziling jumped out of bed, disregarding the fact that her sheer silk nightgown left little to the imagination, and failing to notice the change in Jiang Jie's expression; she lunged at him, not to throw herself into his arms, but to attack him.

"I had a nightmare! I had no intention of luring you here. Do you think I'm acting?!" she shouted while striking him, her fists carrying considerable force as they pounded against his chest.

"You know it yourself!" he said while dodging her blows.

"I saw that female ghost..."

"You just said you didn't see any ghosts!"

"In the dream!" she exerted even more force. "The female ghost crawled out of the well, her hair hanging loose, her face filled with hatred and ferocity."

"Is she as fierce as you?" he mocked.

"Jiang Jie..." she roared in anger.

"Don't you know that humans are far more terrifying than ghosts?"

Exhausted from fighting and truly frightened, the little wildcat who had been baring her claws and fangs just moments before suddenly broke down crying; she accidentally kicked the leg of a chair, and in pain, she simply threw herself face-down on the bed, ignoring everything else as her sobs grew louder and louder.

Jiang Jie was at a loss; he couldn't just turn and walk away, as that wasn't something a man with a conscience could do.

"Bai Bai Ziling, do you intend to wake up the entire neighborhood?" His words carried a mocking tone, yet his voice was low and gentle.

"Stay away from me!"

"This is my house."

"Then I'll leave!" she cried as if her heart were breaking. "First you treat me like a promiscuous woman, and now even when I have a nightmare, you can't resist mocking me. What kind of demon are you?!"

"I'm not a demon; I..." Willing to compromise to calm the situation, he conceded. "I apologize!"

"Insincere," she raised her head and cursed.

"Bai Bai Ziling, you are utterly ungrateful! You're the one who hit me, you're the one who took advantage of the situation, yet you're still so unreasonable!" He had never encountered such an irrational woman. "I already apologized!"

"You're not sincere!"

"You..." Jiang Jie didn't know how to coax women, wouldn't tolerate their temper tantrums, and certainly didn't want to take care of a bad-tempered woman; she wasn't his real wife, and he didn't love her, so he turned and walked out of her room, closing the door behind him.

Bai Bai Ziling knew he had left, feeling both angry and afraid; it would still be two or three hours before dawn. At home, she had her older sister to keep her company through fearful, sleepless nights, but here... she could rely only on herself, so her crying became increasingly uncontrollable.

Therefore, she didn't know that Jiang Jie had turned back, nor did she know he was standing by her bedside, watching her lying face-down on the bed...

After quite a while, Bai Bai Ziling felt someone turn her body over and sit down on her bed; his strong arms lifted her up, pulling her entirely into his embrace...

Bai Bai Ziling was so startled she forgot to struggle; this was even more terrifying than encountering a ghost.

Although Jiang Jie's face remained expressionless, his embrace was warm and provided a sense of security; only now did she notice... he wasn't wearing a shirt, and his chest was red and swollen in various spots from her earlier punches.

"Jiang Jie..." She even forgot to cry.

"It's alright," he said lightly.

"You..."

"Go to sleep," he commanded her without gentleness.

She wiped the tears from her face. "I can manage on my own..."

"I'll leave as soon as you fall asleep," he promised her.

"I... I'm not afraid anymore." She forced herself to be brave, not wanting to be held in his arms like a seven- or eight-year-old child; a dream was just a dream, there were no ghosts in this world, and there was nothing to fear.

"Sleep!" He gently stroked her hair. "And don't move around recklessly."

"You..." She also felt his physiological reaction.

But Jiang Jie said nothing, nor did he have any intention of doing anything to her; he only hoped the remaining days would pass quickly. Suddenly, it occurred to him that since "marrying" Bai Bai Ziling, he hadn't slept with any other women, which was truly baffling.

"Jiang Jie, I won't... with you..." she pouted and said.

"This is just a physiological reaction, Bai Bai Ziling; I won't force you onto the bed, so you can sleep without worry." He glanced at her. "Any normal man holding a woman dressed in a sheer nightgown in his arms would react this way!"

"No one asked you to hold me," she said verbally, yet she truly dared not move recklessly, fearing the situation might spiral out of control.

"As your 'husband,' when you are afraid..."

"You are not my husband."

"If you wish for me to become your real husband..." He looked at her with a rare, wicked glint in his eyes. "I will..."

But Bai Bai Ziling didn't talk back or retaliate; her head rested on his shoulder, her eyes closed, her breathing smooth and regular. Feeling secure, she relaxed and fell asleep.

Jiang Jie had never shared a bed with a woman without anything happening, without anything occurring; this...

Looking down at Bai Bai Ziling's face, still bearing traces of tear stains, she appeared pure and fresh, remarkably like an angel; no wonder his cousin had "fallen." If this continued, he feared he too would lose his defenses. Bai Bai Ziling, oh Bai Bai Ziling, could it be that he wouldn't be able to let go of her?

It took some effort for Bai Bai Ziling to obtain Di Di Zhiwei's phone number; when she contacted him, he was overjoyed, and before she could even state her purpose, he invited her out for a meal. Since she had matters to discuss, Bai Bai Ziling readily agreed.

"Bai Bai Ziling, you absolutely cannot guess how surprised and happy I was when I received your call!" Di Di Zhiwei winked at her.

"Di Di Zhiwei, why did you harm me?" Bai Bai Ziling demanded.

"Harm you?" He was completely bewildered.

"Why did you tell Jiang Jie that you were going to pursue me?"

"I want to pursue you!" Di Di Zhiwei denied nothing.

"This is incest; I am your 'cousin-in-law'."

"Stop it." He laughed loudly. "In forty-some days, you won't be anymore, and I dare bet you one hundred million... you haven't slept with my cousin; your relationship is very pure."

"So what?"

"So why can't I pursue you?" Di Di Zhiwei said with righteous indignation.

"Di Di Zhiwei, actually you are joking; you just want to anger your cousin, right? You're just saying it for fun?" Bai Bai Ziling asked cautiously.

"Before, I indeed had that mindset, but I didn't know he would care about you, nor did I know that once these words were spoken, they would seemingly become fact; I like you very much, this is beyond doubt." Di Di Zhiwei, for the first time, was so sincere toward a woman.

"Please!" She wore an expression of pain.

"Bai Bai Ziling, am I that bad?"

"Di Di Zhiwei, you aren't bad, but you are very boring." Bai Bai Ziling scolded him, "Do you know Jiang Jie now sees the two of us as 'adulterous lovers'? Please, stop adding trouble for me; let me smoothly receive the remaining balance, okay?"

"Bai Bai Ziling, although I am not as wealthy as my cousin, my family background is not bad either; if you were with me..."

"With?!" Bai Bai Ziling caught his grammatical error. "I am not that kind of girl who will 'sell' herself just because a man has money; Jiang Jie's three million, because I only need to spend three months and do not have to give myself to him, is why I agreed. Di Di Zhiwei, do not treat me as a girl who is only interested in profit or blinded by money; I am not!"

"I didn't mean that; I am sincere." Di Di Zhiwei immediately emphasized. "If you are talking about marriage..."

"Do not mention the word 'marriage' again."

"I mean that once you regain your freedom, I can launch an offensive against you." Di Di Zhiwei did not seem to be teasing her.

"You will have no hope!" She stated frankly.

"Don't be so ruthless."

"You are interesting, but..."

"Have you fallen in love with my cousin?"

"I have not!" She denied loudly. "What nonsense are you talking?"

"Then why not give me a chance?"

"It's impossible!"

"There is nothing impossible in the world." Di Di Zhiwei smiled arrogantly.

Bai Bai Ziling knew it was impossible; in her entire life, there was no way she would have any entanglement with Jiang Jie's cousin; she... she would never forget the sense of safety and fulfillment of sleeping in Jiang Jie's arms that night, although when she woke up the next morning, she was alone in her bed, and Jiang Jie had already gone to work.

"Di Di Zhiwei, I beg you, do not interfere; we can be good friends, or even good buddies, that's fine, but lovers or husband and wife..." Bai Bai Ziling shook her head resolutely. "In the next life!"

"I am a person who does not believe in bad omens."

"Stop harming me." She mumbled.

"You have said such words twice already; Bai Bai Ziling, I do not want to harm you at all; I want to give you..."

Bai Bai Ziling would not let him finish his sentence. "If you intentionally make it so we cannot even be friends, then today is our last meeting."

"You cannot do this!" He was somewhat angry.

"I can."

"You must respect my rights; I have the right to pursue you."

"I am your 'cousin-in-law'!" She brought out this big title. "Do you want to make all your friends and relatives laugh their teeth off? Yes! You can pursue me; as long as I nod and agree to marry you, will you then be able to get your grandfather's five hundred million, and then we divorce?"

"Bai Bai Ziling, I am not my cousin; I do not lack a bid deposit, nor do I care about my grandfather's money." Di Di Zhiwei said coldly: "I am not trying to use you; understand that clearly."

Bai Bai Ziling sighed, unable to reply.

"Fine! I will wait; I will wait to pursue you after you divorce my cousin." He promised her very readily.

"Di Di Zhiwei..."

"My cousin cannot give you happiness, but I can."

At this moment, Bai Bai Ziling felt somewhat bewildered; she truly had no idea what to think.

Jiang Jie thought his warning should have some effect, but he saw the scene of Di Di Zhiwei and Bai Bai Ziling walking out of the restaurant together; originally intending to go to the World Trade Center to host a meeting, he decided to follow them to see what further actions they would take.

As a result, Di Di Zhiwei simply drove Bai Bai Ziling back to her residence; he did not even get out of the car to open the door for her; perhaps she opposed it; one must always keep a low profile.

Parking the car in the garage, knowing full well he was not catching them in the act, Jiang Jie was still furious; although this anger actually had no reason, he did not want to control himself; he just wanted to vent it properly.

After entering the door, Bai Bai Ziling first changed into a set of light clothes, then turned on the air conditioning, took out a fashion magazine she had bought earlier, and began to flip through it.

Hearing the sound of a key entering the lock, Bai Bai Ziling immediately jumped up; today was not the cleaning lady's day; in broad daylight, who would have a key? Just as Bai Bai Ziling picked up a strange stone collected by Jiang Jie to defend herself, she saw Jiang Jie.

"It's you?!" She blamed herself a bit for overreacting and put down the stone.

"Who did you think it was?" Jiang Jie's tone was so calm it was frightening; as soon as he entered, he started ripping off his tie, taking off his suit jacket, and rolling up his shirt sleeves.

"You have never come back during the day!" She voiced the thought in her heart.

"So I cannot come back during the day?"

"Of course you can; this is your freedom." Bai Bai Ziling sensed something ominous, so she wanted to retreat to her room; anyway, as long as the door was locked, she would fear nothing.

But Jiang Jie certainly would not let her slip back into her room; he stood at her bedroom door, then looked at her with an expression as if he were judging a vicious criminal.

"Were you just with Di Zhiwei?" He met her gaze and spoke coldly.

"How did you know?!" She was greatly surprised.

"Eating?" He asked with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"We... were just clearing up some matters." She said hoarsely: "It wasn't a date or anything unspeakable."

"Bai Bai Ziling, did I say you were on a date or doing anything unspeakable?" Jiang Jie's voice was not harsh, but it made one's heart feel creepy.

"You didn't say, but..."

"He even drove you back; why not invite him up for a seat?"

"You... saw everything!" Bai Bai Ziling had unspeakable feelings in her heart.

"Precisely because I saw everything, I know you did nothing improper..." He looked at her, suddenly reaching out to play with the strands of hair falling by her ear, his eyes carrying a danger that was impossible to predict.

"Isn't that good?" She exhaled the breath she had been holding in her chest.

"Do you think it's good?" Releasing her hair, his fingers moved to her cheek. "Bai Bai Ziling, I want you to 'endure it' until after we divorce."

"We didn't do anything!" She brushed his hand away.

"I don't like it." His fingers returned to her face.

"You're so strange!" She reproached him: "You simply hate me, so why do you care if I go to eat with your cousin or anyone else?"

"Bai Bai Ziling, I don't hate you."

"But you hate women!"

"But..."

"It's just male chauvinism at work!" She tried to brush his hand away again, but instead her hand was caught by him. Then, with a turn, she was pinned against the wall behind her by him. "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 will not sleep with a man I do not love or who does not love me. Even if you are richer than a nation, even if you offer an astronomical price, 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 your sake, I even abandoned an important meeting. I think... I care about you a little."

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

"Must you humiliate me like this?" Her eyes turned red.

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

"I don't want your damn care."

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

"I am counting down the days, hoping to get rid of you as soon as possible!" 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 so poor. I am a big fish..."

"You are a rotten fish!" she shouted.

Jiang Jie became furious, forcing her chest against his own, preparing to kiss her regardless of her resistance. But she struggled desperately, even kicking his shin hard, forcing him to let her go.

"You..." He winced 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 saying, "A gentleman's revenge is never too late."

"Don't provoke me, and I won't bother you. Let us pray we can live out the rest of our days in peace!" She raised 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 Si. This time, he got out of the car; suddenly, he really wanted to talk to her and see how she was doing.

Yu Si was cooking in the narrow 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 become 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 Si was completely overwhelmed because the children's lunchtime was approaching soon. These little angels were all so hungry they were like 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 Si was the one holding everything together. Cen Shi handled external affairs, while she managed internal matters. Earning money was his job, but the big and small decisions within the orphanage were hers to make.

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

So when she suddenly saw Jiang Jie, Yu Si was not panicked or confused; instead, she revealed a warm smile.

"Jiang Jie!" she said happily.

"Siyi." He nodded to her.

"Why are you here?"

"To see you."

"I am busy. Can you wait a moment? We must have a good chat." 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, and only after Yu Si had finished cleaning up everything did they get the chance to talk alone.

"It's delicious, 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 heart." Yu Si 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're passable!" Yu Si wasn't worried at all. "We try to cut expenses as much as possible. Sometimes some kind-hearted people nearby donate rice, vegetables, and clothes for the children, so... we can manage. Besides, I still have some stocks and jewelry."

"Is Uncle Yu still ignoring you?" Jiang Jie asked with concern. When Yu Si'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. As for my father..." Yu Si 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 other people's eyes, perhaps we are a match made in heaven, but we both know clearly that we only look suitable. Actually..." Yu Si looked directly 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's enough." She was frank.

"No gourmet food..."

"I can make delicious food myself."

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

"Those are all illusions."

"Facials, massages, SPA..."

"Those are things only women with money and leisure do. I have lived that life for a long time; I should be content." She had no regrets about her choice.

"Cen Shi... still loves you?" Jiang Jie asked with a hint of provocation; he deliberately meant to ask this.

"Except for 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 only and final partner in this life."

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

"Not even for a second."

"Yu Si, is it true that women, as long as they have love, can disregard and not consider anything else? Even if the other party is a scrap collector, you wouldn't mind?" Jiang Jie truly did not understand women.

"Do not say scrap collector; even if he were a beggar, as long as both sides have love, I think all worldly matters would not be so important." After Yu Si finished speaking, she looked at him suspiciously. "Why are you suddenly telling me these things, Jiang Jie? Do you have good news?"

Unwilling to mention the matter of his already being "married," Jiang Jie shook his head.

"Still hating me?" she teased him.

"Not hate, just don't understand."

"Actually, women are very simple creatures, not complicated at all; as long as you love them, everything is OK!" She taught him her ultimate move.

"So you think I do not love you?"

"You never loved me in the first place."

"I was not bad to you..."

"Yes! A crowd of people are waiting to see us, the Prince and the Princess, living happily ever after..." Yu Si shook her head. "That is all surface, all illusion; we can never live happily together."

Jiang Jie said nothing.

"You must learn to love women before you will know where your problem lies." She said this earnestly.