Chapter 7: Her Lawful Husband

“Really? That’s unusual,” Xiao Jin said, surprised.

The three had known one another since childhood and spoke freely.

Bai Ze rubbed his chin and snapped his fingers. “Brother Cong, could she have fallen out with Ji Huaizhi over what happened yesterday? That would explain why she didn’t see him today. You should seize the opportunity!”

“A-Ze’s right.” Xiao Jin sipped his drink. “If that pretty boy talks her around, she might stop coming home again. Then you’d be an abandoned husband.”

Congli clicked his tongue and looked at him. “Abandoned? Wanwan has never mentioned divorce.”

“Um…” Bai Ze said. “Wasn’t that the only condition you gave her when you registered your marriage? You even took the marriage certificates.”

Even if Jingwan wanted a divorce, she couldn’t get one so easily.

“She loves money,” Xiao Jin added. “And you happen to have plenty.”

In other words, she stayed for the inexhaustible supply of cash.

“That means we’re well matched,” Congli said.

He lifted his chin, composed and confident. “Ji Huaizhi can’t give Wanwan a life of luxury. I can.

“My family background, looks, education, and ability all surpass his.

“Last and most important, I am Su Jingwan’s lawful husband, and we have a clever, adorable child together. Sooner or later, she’ll see all that. She’s only having a little fun right now.”

Congli could tolerate anything Jingwan did. That didn’t mean he would tolerate Ji Huaizhi.

His friends exchanged a look. He was hopelessly in love.

* * *

After their brief reunion, Bai Ze and Xiao Jin headed to another gathering. Both eligible bachelors had nightlife of their own to enjoy. Congli, however, was eager to get home. He checked his watch. “I have to be back before ten. I promised her.”

Bai Ze reached out to stop him. “Come on, I just got back! You haven’t even spent two hours with me.”

“Another time,” Congli said with a faint smile.

Xiao Jin put an arm around Bai Ze’s shoulders. “Brother Cong has a family. A good man puts them first.”

“You’ll understand when you’re married.” Congli picked up his coat and left the room.

His black Maybach moved smoothly through the city, lights streaming past. In the back seat, Congli closed his eyes and rested his head on one hand.

At an intersection, a flashy red sports car shot out. Its driver swerved sharply to avoid them but still scraped the enormously expensive Maybach.

The driver remained calm. “Sir, the other party is entirely at fault. I’ll handle it. Please wait.”

“Mm.”

The red car had hit a streetlight, crumpling its front end. Its owner climbed out swearing and kicked a tire several times. “Damn it! What rotten luck!”

Congli’s driver frowned when he recognized him. “Sir, it’s Ji Huaizhi.”

At the name, Congli opened his eyes and looked through the window.

Ji stood beside the wreck, trying to make a call. When it wouldn’t connect, he cursed into the phone, his face dark with anger.

He had been calling Jingwan even while driving. Finding himself still blocked after all this time, he had slammed the steering wheel in fury and caused the accident.

“Sir, you’re entirely responsible for this collision.”

Ji looked up irritably at the driver from the luxury car. The man’s voice was cold, his eyes openly contemptuous.

Ji sneered at the scraped Maybach. Then he saw the license plate, its string of eights making his eyes widen. It was a Huo family car.

Which meant Huo Congli was inside.

Ji laughed mockingly. Supported by Jingwan, he felt bold enough to challenge her husband. He shoved past the driver and knocked on the rear window, defiance in his eyes.

“Mr. Huo, won’t you get out and have a word?”

Jingwan hadn’t spoken to him since last night, but he assumed she was merely sulking and would soon come running back. He didn’t care that the car was wrecked; he’d wanted her to buy him a new one anyway. And it would be paid for with Congli’s money. The thought pleased him.

The window lowered slowly, revealing Congli’s handsome profile. He sat at ease, his suit immaculate, carrying the poise and composure of a man long accustomed to power. It was an air Ji could never hope to match.

Ji gritted his teeth. “Mr. Huo, do you really need me to pay for the damage? If you make me, Wanwan might give you trouble.”

Congli didn’t even lift his eyes at first. Legs crossed, fingers against his forehead, he seemed almost indifferent. Ji’s blustering was like a pebble dropped into the deep sea, unable to raise a ripple.

At last he glanced over, neither angry nor harsh, merely looking down as though at an insect. “You refuse to pay? My legal department will contact you.”

His even tone made Ji’s provocation seem cheap and ridiculous.

The driver returned to his seat. Seeing they meant to leave, Ji planted a hand on the window and grinned arrogantly. “You’re very calm, Mr. Huo, but the money in my pocket came from Su Jingwan. If I run short, she’ll feel sorry for me. Aren’t you afraid she’ll divorce you when she hears about this?”

Congli’s lips curved without a smile, revealing only detached mockery. His voice was low and slow, utterly assured.

“What makes you think Wanwan would divorce me?”

The shifting light concealed his eyes as he regarded Ji. “She took pity on you for a moment, and you think her charity gives you leverage?”

There was no shouting. Two sentences were enough to tear apart Ji’s imagined superiority.

Congli turned slightly and noticed a kiss mark on Ji’s neck. His expression darkened, unreadable.

“My wife knows the difference between a diversion and the person she comes home to. She’s young; it’s natural for her to amuse herself. I can tolerate that from her. It doesn’t mean I’ll tolerate you.”

Ji scoffed. “Fine words. Do you know how happy Wanwan is whenever she’s with me? There’s no room for you in her heart!”

“Yet I remain Su Jingwan’s lawful husband.” Congli’s calm presence left Ji struggling to breathe.