Chapter 3

Actually, at first, Zhong Yichen would still repent and admit his mistakes.

The gift he had someone send to Jiamin was truly expensive, and unintentionally took the spot I had originally reserved.

The circle of the wealthy is too small; even the slightest clue can unravel a huge case.

Zhong Yichen rushed home by car, handing over all his phone, bank card, and every kind of account password.

“She helped me with a small favor, the gift was picked by Jin, I’ll have to teach him a lesson later.”

He only explained a little, and I believed him; there was no reason not to.

But that day, somehow, news of my big argument with Zhong Yichen got out.

Jiamin, on a rainy day, knelt at the villa gate: “Mrs. Zhong, there’s really nothing between Mr. Zhong and me, you must believe us.”

The more you try to cover up, the more suspicious it looks.

Anger burns away clarity, so I couldn’t see, on that day, the flash of pain in Zhong Yichen’s eyes as he looked down from the floor-to-ceiling window.

A man feeling sorry for a woman-between two people, it’s the start of romance; between three, it’s the start of danger.

None of this really matters; the hardest days have long since passed.

If I remember correctly, today is November 27th, and there are only a few days left until the three-year deadline between me and The Old Man.

I looked at Zhong Yichen, just about to speak.

He suddenly received a call, and the voice on the other end faintly leaked out.

I could tell it was Jiamin’s voice: “The wiring at home is broken, it’s pitch black, I’m a little scared.”

“Wait for me, I’ll come over.” Zhong Yichen stood up, glanced at me, and I swallowed the words on my lips, saying nothing more. He left without looking back.

After Zhong Yichen left, I drove to the Zhong Family’s old house.

The Zhong Family’s old house is a cluster of century-old Western-style houses, the interior a mix of Chinese and Western, half old, half new.

Entering the door, Zhong Yichen’s mother was sitting on the sofa, a maid massaging her shoulders.

Hearing the sound, she turned to glance at me, then closed her eyes again.

I didn’t bother to provoke her, and went straight upstairs to the study.

“Grandpa-” I hesitated, “The three years are up, I want to leave the Zhong Family.”

Back then, I knew that on the surface, Zhong Yichen sent Jiamin away, but in reality, he sent her abroad to study.

When he found out I was hospitalized, his flights were still shuttling between Hong Kong and Australia, and that’s when I gave up completely.

At that time, I went to The Old Man, just as the Zhong Family was in turmoil inside and out.

He asked me to stay for another three years. If, in those three years, Zhong Yichen didn’t change his ways, then he would let me leave the Zhong Family.

The lounge chair rocked, The Old Man opened his eyes and looked at me, asking, “I thought after giving you three years, you’d be used to it. Why do you still want to leave?”

Seeing I didn’t speak, he sighed.

“When you wanted to marry into the Zhong Family, you should have expected all this. Look at Wanhua, her temper was even fiercer than yours when she was young, but in the end, she still firmly held onto the title of Madam Zhong. So many illegitimate children couldn’t stir up any waves, and the Zhong Yichen who came from her womb is still the Zhong Family’s only heir.”

Wanhua is Zhong Yichen’s mother, a woman who now eats vegetarian and chants scriptures, but was once extraordinarily bold in her youth.

“Do you know what she relied on?”

“What?”

“She relied on my approval. As long as I approve, no one can take your place as Mrs. Zhong. With me backing you, those women can’t threaten you.”

“Besides, I’m not talking to you about feelings, I’m talking about business. You’ve done well these years, both in the company and the Zhong Family, you’ve held everything up. For us to train another would be time-consuming and laborious. You leaving the Zhong Family-whether it’s worth it, you know best.”

If we don’t talk about feelings, only business, this is undoubtedly the best deal.

I poured him tea and said softly, “You know, if it weren’t for feelings, I wouldn’t be sitting here now.”

I’ve also thought, if I held tightly to the title of Mrs. Zhong, no matter what, outsiders could never get through the Zhong Family’s door.

But I didn’t marry Zhong Yichen to become Mrs. Zhong; I became Mrs. Zhong because I married Zhong Yichen.

Back then, I pushed him away, saying his marriage wasn’t free, yet he still had the nerve to date me.

Zhong Yichen frowned: “How am I not free? If I want to marry you, I have plenty of ways. You never look at me, always thinking of marrying someone else. Do you take me for a loser?”

I didn’t believe him. What good ideas could possibly get past so many obstacles?

Later, he didn’t bring it up again, just gradually took over Bangsheng, slowly entering the core of the Zhong Family.

After graduation, I also successfully entered Bangsheng Group, starting as an intern.

Back then, I trained during the day at work, and at night Zhong Yichen tutored me privately, so I grew quickly.

When marriage was brought up again, he was already sitting in the Zhong Family, and no one dared to object.

He just respected The Old Man, and the next day came up with a plan to make The Old Man face reality.

“Brat, did you really think I was old and muddle-headed back then?”

“Don’t know which entertainment company you found a pretty-faced young guy from, holding hands and wanting to register for marriage. You thought I was scared? I just turned a blind eye, let you have your way, and you’re still not satisfied.”

“It’s only been a few years, and now you want a divorce.”

“Let me be clear, after you leave the Zhong Family, I won’t let you come back. Think it over before you decide.”

I lowered my head, passing through this short seven-year marriage as if in a daze.

“I’ve already waited three years to leave the Zhong Family.”

He waved his hand: “Finish what you have on hand, someone will contact you when the time comes.”

When I came downstairs, Zhong Yichen’s mother was still sitting on the sofa.

I walked to the door, then turned back: “From now on, I won’t be able to offer you my congratulations. I hope you stay healthy and well.”

After saying that, I turned and walked out.

The living room of the Zhong Family’s old house was dimly lit. Hu Wanhua was shrouded in darkness, looking up ahead.

It seemed all the light in the room was taken away by the figure striding out.

She watched and watched, as if she saw the young Hu Wanhua walking out.

Li-Jie¹ bent down and whispered in her ear: “It’s late, time to sleep.”

The living room dimmed again. Hu Wanhua withdrew her gaze: “Let’s go.”

Footnote:

1. -Jie(-姐):In Chinese culture, using “xx姐” (pronounced as “xx jie”) to address someone is quite common, especially in Mainland China and other Chinese-speaking communities. The term “jie” means “older sister” and, when used in this context, typically carries a sense of affection and friendliness. It indicates respect and amiability towards the person, similar to calling someone “sis” or “big sister” in English.