Chapter 19: Are You Any Better?

For no clear reason, Jingwan felt angry. She took her legs off Congli’s lap and looked away. “When did she start paying attention to you?”

Congli was striking: sunlight fell across half his face, highlighting sharp features, a high nose, and sensual lips. He seemed born to serve her, whether with his hands, his mouth, or anything else. The thought of someone else coveting him stirred her possessiveness, especially when that person was someone she’d considered a close friend.

“I’m yours, Wanwan. We even have a child.” His eyes pleaded with her. She had only recently begun paying him more attention, and he feared a misunderstanding above all else.

The formidable businessman now looked like a husband afraid of being abandoned. Emboldened, Jingwan crooked a finger, and he obediently leaned close.

Her fragrant fingertips slid from his throat to his chest. “…Huo Congli at thirty seems even more attractive.”

His fitness routine never wavered; his face and body only improved. Since Little Yu’s birth, he had acquired an even stronger air of a devoted husband.

“If you weren’t so handsome…” she murmured.

He took her hand and smiled gently. “If I hadn’t been handsome, would you still have spent that night with me?”

“Of course not. I’m not interested in just anyone.” She felt no guilt about her frankness.

Others might call her shallow and lustful, but Congli found her earnestness adorable. He wanted to kiss her, sleep with her, be trampled under her feet, and be ravaged by her without restraint. The marks she’d left the previous night seemed to burn beneath his suit, making his breath grow heavy.

* * *

After lunch, Congli returned to the office. In the elevator, Assistant Li waited for instructions.

“Find a way to let Wanwan know Leyin and Ji Huaizhi slept together.” Congli looked down at his phone, asking about Little Yu’s day at school and whether he still felt unwell. “Have someone send her the photos and videos. Censor the filthy parts.”

“Yes, Mr. Huo.” Li would have done that without being told. The images were hard on the eyes; if Madam saw them uncensored, the boss might dock his pay.

Congli had investigated Ji and Leyin long ago and discovered their secret affair. When Li presented the photos and videos, Congli had glanced at them briefly and looked away as though disgusted.

The elevator opened. “Have someone protect Wanwan discreetly. Don’t let those people dirty her hands.”

“Should I clear your three o’clock schedule so you can accompany her yourself?” Li knew better than anyone how attached his boss was to his wife.

He expected an eager yes. Instead, Congli refused. “She might be unhappy.”

Jingwan had said she would handle it herself. He wouldn’t interfere. “If she finds it difficult, I’ll deal with it then.” He would respect his wife, not force her under his protection.

* * *

At three, Jingwan arrived at the café as arranged. She hadn’t expected Ji Huaizhi to be there, sprawled beside Leyin. Everything valuable he wore had been given to him by Jingwan.

Her arrival drew many eyes. Even in a plain white shirt and high-waisted jeans, she was striking. Her fair skin held a healthy flush, and her long hair was gathered loosely in a low bun, the stray strands framing her face.

Ji stared. He’d never thought her so attractive before; her whole manner seemed different, as though she carried her own light. Leyin bit her lip and pinched his leg beneath the table.

He came to himself. “Well, someone might think you were a rich family’s young lady.” His voice soured.

Jingwan sat opposite them without looking at him. Ignoring him completely, she asked Leyin, “Weren’t we supposed to meet alone?”

Leyin caught her hand. “Oh, Wanwan, don’t be angry. Huaizhi knows he was wrong. He came to find you himself today. Why won’t you forgive him?”

Ji lifted his chin and snorted. “I’ve been more than gracious by coming here, Su Jingwan. There’s a limit to your tantrums. Give me five million and replace my car with the newest sports model. Then I’ll forget you blocked me, and we can go back to how things were.”

“Yes, Wanwan. He paid so much after accidentally hitting Mr. Huo’s car. Things have been hard for him. If you knew what he’d been through, you’d feel sorry for him,” Leyin chimed in.

Their performance made Jingwan laugh.

The sound grated on Ji. “What’s funny? Didn’t you hear her say I’m short of money?” His voice was so loud that people turned to look.

“What are you staring at?” he snapped. Several patrons drifted away, unwilling to provoke him.

Ji slapped the table. “Su Jingwan, give me the money.”

She studied his face as though seeing him properly for the first time. He was reasonably good-looking and had charmed plenty of girls at school.

Her lips curved. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, then let the smile fade. “Am I your mother or your father? Why should I give you money? Even my son never asks me for spending money.”

Ji’s face flushed, then went pale at the insult. “You!”

Leyin hadn’t expected that. Afraid Jingwan would break with Ji for good, she intervened; she was still counting on Jingwan becoming involved with Ji while married. “How can you say that? You married into the Huo family thanks to Huaizhi. Have you forgotten?”

Jingwan leaned back, looking between them. “Luo Leyin, just because I called out Ji Huaizhi, did you think you were off the hook? Are you any better?”

Leyin’s face stiffened. Her fingers tightened on the coffee cup. “Wanwan, what are you saying?”