Chapter 8: Will You Love Me?

Congli’s words ended the absurd confrontation. He looked away, ignoring Ji Huaizhi as though even speaking to him had been an act of condescension.

Ji was a minor diversion in Jingwan’s life; Congli was the one with whom she would spend it. However loudly Ji protested, he remained a third party who could never stand openly at her side.

The window rose without warning, nearly trapping Ji’s hand. He swore after the departing Maybach, then angrily called Jingwan again.

Still no answer.

“What’s with the act?” Frustrated, he called Luo Leyin.

Leyin was Jingwan’s college classmate and closest friend. Her intentions, however, were far from innocent. Under the pretense of helping Jingwan pursue Ji, she had flirted with him repeatedly, and the two had even slept together in secret. Jingwan knew nothing of it and trusted her completely.

When Leyin learned that Jingwan had married Congli after becoming pregnant, she had been furious. She repeatedly invented reasons to visit the Huo house, hoping to get close to him, but he scarcely gave her a glance.

Now Ji needed her to smooth things over and find out what Jingwan was doing.

Leyin was more than willing. She had long resented Jingwan’s place as the young mistress of the Huo family, and every piece of jewelry Jingwan showed off online filled her with envy.

Her secret affair with Ji was over. What she wanted now was for him and Jingwan to get together, so she could expose the scandal and brand Jingwan an adulteress forever.

* * *

At ten, Congli arrived home on time. His shoes made no sound on the carpeted stairs.

He loosened his tie and exhaled, jealousy surging through his chest. Had Jingwan given Ji the mark on his neck?

He would be lying if he said he didn’t care. Jealousy was driving him mad. The marks Jingwan had left beneath his own expensive shirt had yet to fade, but he still wanted more. Was he unable to satisfy her? Why did she need Ji?

When he entered the bedroom, Jingwan’s familiar scent enveloped him. His agitation vanished, leaving only a powerful urge to possess her.

He discarded his coat and tie, knelt on the bed, and gathered her sleeping form into his arms. Burying his nose in her hair, he breathed in, moisture gathering at the corners of his eyes. “Wanwan, will you love me?”

Half asleep, Jingwan felt the mattress dip and strong arms close around her waist. She knew Congli had returned and could smell the faint alcohol on him.

“…Huo Congli?” Her sleepy voice was as soft as her body.

“Mm.” He held her tighter.

“Go shower.” She frowned slightly. “Have you been drinking?”

“A little. I’ll wash now.”

Something about his mood felt different from when he’d left. “What’s wrong?”

He caught her shoulder strap between his teeth. “There was a small accident on the way home.”

She woke a little more and turned to look at him. His eyes were lowered, long lashes casting faint shadows beneath them.

“…My face is fine.”

Congli knew his face and figure were what attracted Jingwan, and took particular care of them. She wanted to say she wasn’t so shallow, but that would have been a lie. His looks were what had drawn her into kissing him in the first place.

“Was it the other person’s fault?”

“Yes, but he didn’t seem inclined to pay and tried to provoke me.”

She was surprised. “Who would be that bold? Didn’t he recognize you?”

She sounded protective, though she didn’t know the other party was Ji Huaizhi.

“I’ve already sent my assistant and some people to follow up.” He kissed her forehead.

“Oh, good.” Jingwan yawned and urged him to shower.

Before letting her go, he asked, “Are you going out tomorrow?”

She frowned impatiently. “Why do you ask me that every day? Are you planning to bring a woman home?”

He pressed his lips together. “…No.” How could she think that of him?

* * *

The next morning, Jingwan didn’t wake fully until ten. Congli had brought her millet porridge at eight and fed her a couple of bites before leaving for work. She’d held back her morning temper and hadn’t snapped at him.

She ought to treat him better. After all, she had wronged him terribly in her previous life.

Washed and dressed, she went downstairs and stretched in the fragrant garden. Being alive felt wonderful. As it turned out, she could live without Ji Huaizhi.

In her previous life, she had lived in luxury but spent her days in tears over Ji, taking her anger out on Congli by biting and hitting him. Later, she’d grown even more reckless. Persuaded to steal confidential Huo Group documents, she’d threatened to kill herself unless Congli divorced her so she could run away with Ji. She’d even taken Yujing with her.

The foolish little boy had happily followed her by the hand, smiling. Remembering that last smile made her heart ache.

She’d brought disaster on herself. Thinking of her stupidity made her want to die on the spot.

Fortunately, she had another chance. She would make it up to Congli and their son, then make Ji suffer for what he’d done to her.

“Mommy!”

Little Yu ran up behind her and hugged her leg. “Good morning, Mommy!”

“Morning. Why didn’t you go to the office with Huo Congli today?” She pinched his soft cheek. It felt like a marshmallow. How amazing that she had given birth to something so adorable.

“I wanted to stay home with Mommy.” All he knew was that she had been gentle these past two days and let him come close. Before, she had barely paid him attention and always called a strange man when she came home.

“What do you want to do today, Mommy? I’ll do it with you.”

Congli had arranged three days of sick leave, so he didn’t have to attend class.

Jingwan thought for a moment. “Exercise. I lay around so much yesterday that my bones feel soft.”

The house had its own gym and swimming pool. She changed into workout clothes and found Little Yu waiting in the gym.

“Mommy, you forgot to take off your ring. You shouldn’t wear one when you exercise; you could hurt yourself.” Like a tiny adult, he removed her wedding ring. “Daddy gave you this ring. I’ll put it away for you.”

“All right. Put it in the bedside cabinet.” She gathered her hair into a low bun and began warming up.

Little Yu opened the cabinet as instructed. Inside lay a document. When he read the words, his eyes instantly filled with tears.

It was a divorce agreement, already signed by Su Jingwan…