Chapter 14: Urging Her to Divorce

Jingwan touched her face with the back of her hand, missing the implication. “No, I’ve slept well. My skin feels smoother.”

Leyin’s smile stiffened. She drew Jingwan onto the sofa. “Wanwan, you have no idea how miserable Ji Huaizhi has been. The night before last, he accidentally scraped Congli’s car on his way to see you. Huo Group’s legal department came straight after him for compensation. To raise the money, he even bought the car you gave him!”

She watched Jingwan closely. In the past, Jingwan would have been frantic, perhaps calling Congli to blame him for demanding payment and starting a fight.

Instead, Jingwan calmly sipped her coffee. “Yinyin, this is good. Try it.”

Leyin had no interest in coffee. She seized Jingwan’s arm. “Are you playing hard to get? How could you give up Ji? You’ve chased him since college.”

“Why would I play hard to get with him? Who does he think he is?” Jingwan’s voice cooled. “I’m done dealing with Ji Huaizhi. From now on, we have nothing to do with each other. Don’t bring him up again. I don’t want to hear it.”

Leyin was speechless. How could Jingwan stop chasing him? Did she intend to remain Mrs. Huo and enjoy a lifetime of luxury? Why should she be so fortunate?

Jealousy simmered, but Leyin kept her affectionate smile. “I know you’re just angry. Ji knows he was wrong; that’s why he asked me to talk to you. He loves you, even if he won’t admit it.”

Jingwan gave no indication she was listening.

Leyin shook her arm. “Your marriage to Mr. Huo was a mistake from the start. You said yourself you don’t love him, that you only want his money. Even if you divorced now, you could take half his assets…”

She had already planned it. The sooner Jingwan divorced, the sooner Leyin could take her place, just as she’d once slept with Ji behind her friend’s back.

Jingwan was about to reply when Little Yu ran into her arms. “Mommy!”

He wore a navy school uniform embroidered with gold at the collar and cuffs. His brown hair curled naturally like hers, and his bright eyes and plump baby cheeks made him look like a soft rice dumpling.

“Good boy.” Jingwan cupped and squeezed his cheeks.

Envy and malice flickered in Leyin’s eyes. If only he were her son. With a deliberate smile, she reached for his head. “Little Yu, remember who I am?”

A child’s heart was innocent enough to see the malice behind an adult’s murky eyes. Little Yu quietly avoided her touch. For Jingwan’s sake, he greeted her. “Auntie Leyin.”

He had overheard from the stairs. This bad auntie was urging Mommy to divorce Daddy.

“You should call me Godmother. You can even call me Mommy.”

“I only have one mommy.” He leaned against Jingwan.

Leyin’s smile faltered. “I’m your mommy’s best friend. She said I could be your godmother~”

Little Yu looked up at Jingwan for guidance. Sunlight edged her hair in gold; she was gentle and beautiful. She stroked his head. “Call her that if you want. If you don’t, that’s fine too. Whatever makes you happy.”

“Then I only want one mommy. I don’t want to call anyone else that.” He hugged her tightly. “My mommy is Su Jingwan.”

Thoroughly embarrassed, Leyin hid behind a sip of coffee and resented the little boy for embarrassing her. While no one was looking, she slipped something into his milk.

Unaware, Jingwan handed him the glass. He drank obediently and reminded her he would bring her a present after school.

“All right. Go with the driver.”

“Bye, Mommy!” He waved and, once in the car, blew her two kisses. “Remember to miss me at home!”

She smiled helplessly. His clinginess was just like Congli’s.

Standing beside them, Leyin was an outsider to the warm exchange. “You used to feel nothing for him. Why are you so close now? Don’t forget you’ll divorce Mr. Huo sooner or later. Don’t get too attached.”

Jingwan watched the car disappear, then turned. “I gave birth to him but never fulfilled my duty as his mother. I want to make up for it.”

“I’d advise you not to get too attached to that child.” Leyin checked the time. It was ten, and she was growing impatient. “Does Mr. Huo come home for lunch?”

“Sometimes.” He always messaged first to ask her permission. During her pregnancy, when her moods had been unstable, an unexpected visit could make her cry at the sight of the man responsible for her condition.

“Ask if he’s coming today. We haven’t gathered in ages. I’d love lunch with my best friend and her husband. You don’t mind, do you?” Leyin clung to her arm.

Jingwan was used to it. “Don’t Congli and I eat with you whenever you visit?”

Afraid her intentions were too obvious, Leyin laughed. “Meals are livelier with more people~”

* * *

Near eleven, they heard movement outside. Leyin sprang off the sofa, excitement flashing in her eyes. “Is Mr. Huo home?”

Jingwan looked up from arranging flowers and checked the time. “So early?” Previously, he had never arrived before eleven thirty.

Leyin smoothed her hair. “He knows I’m here, so of course he’d come early.” Fearing she’d said too much, she added, “He wouldn’t keep a guest waiting.”

Uncle Tang entered first, his brows drawn together. “Madam, the elder Mrs. Huo is here.”

Jingwan put down her rose. Why had Lu Daiqing come at this hour?