Jiang Yu: "Bridal shop."
"What is she doing at a bridal shop?"
"Trying on wedding dresses."
"Is she getting married?" Cheng Yuan asked, trembling.
"Probably," Jiang Yu said, though he didn't know the details. "Madam went with President Zhao."
Zhao Kai again.
Cheng Yuan ripped out the IV needle from his hand, threw off the covers, and got out of bed. "Prepare the car. I'm going to see her."
"But you still have a fever. The doctor said you need to stay in the hospital for observation for two days—"
"Prepare the car!" Cheng Yuan roared. "I'm going to see her!"
Jiang Yu nodded and left the room.
He called Zhou Jin, hoping he could talk some sense into Cheng Yuan. Zhou Jin said, "Wait for me," and hung up.
No amount of advice could persuade Cheng Yuan in his current frenzy. Zhou Jin reasoned with him for a long time, but Cheng Yuan didn't listen to a single word. He said, "Are you that free?"
"..." Zhou Jin was speechless. "Yes, I'm free. I'm crazy."
"Then go get treated!" Cheng Yuan signaled the driver to go, and Zhou Jin got in as well. "You can't go," Zhou Jin said again.
"Why the hell not?" Cheng Yuan said impatiently. "I'm going to see her."
"She doesn't want to see you." Zhou Jin grabbed Cheng Yuan by the collar. "Wake up. You and Jiang Xiao have been divorced for five years. For five years you ignored her and bullied her. Now you want her to love you? That's wishful thinking."
"A Yuan, no one waits for you for five years or more."
"Jiang Xiao has already let you go."
Every word stabbed into Cheng Yuan's heart. He understood what Zhou Jin was saying, but he really couldn't lose her.
"But I love her!" Cheng Yuan grabbed Zhou Jin's collar. "Love her dearly."
"She's trying on wedding dresses with another man. What use is your love?" Zhou Jin wanted to punch some sense into Cheng Yuan.
"So what if she's trying on wedding dresses?" Cheng Yuan looked out the window. "If I don't agree, she can't marry. Unless she wants to watch me die."
*
At the bridal shop
Jiang Xiao asked, "How does it look?"
Zhao Kai rested his chin on his hand. "Very beautiful."
"Is the hem too long?" Jiang Xiao turned around.
Zhao Kai nodded. "A little."
"What about the waist?"
"A bit loose too."
"Loose is right," Jiang Xiao said. "After all, this dress was designed for Shen Yue's figure."
Jiang Xiao wasn't the one trying on wedding dresses today—it was Shen Yue. Jiang Xiao had been dragged along. Shen Yue had pleaded, "Only you can help me."
Jiang Xiao sighed. "Fine, I'll help."
And so she and Zhao Kai ended up at the bridal shop. She still hadn't figured out what Shen Yue was up to.
"Is Shen Yue really getting married?" Zhao Kai asked. "I haven't heard anything about her having a boyfriend."
Jiang Xiao smiled. "She's probably just doing it to deal with family pressure to get married. She doesn't have a boyfriend right now."
"You're really good to Shen Yue."
"Yue Yue is also very good to me."
Jiang Xiao went to the changing room to take off the dress, and Zhao Kai chatted with her through the curtain.
"Xiao Xiao, a few days ago I asked you to think about it, and you said you'd give me an answer. Have you decided now?"
"Oh, I'm not trying to pressure you. I'm just... getting a bit anxious."
"I know you've been hurt before, but rest assured, if you agree, I promise I'll treat you well."
"We've known each other for years, and you know my character. I really like you."
There was silence in the fitting room. Zhao Kai asked again, "If you haven't decided yet, take your time. It's okay. I can wait."
"Thump!" A sound came from inside the fitting room.
Jiang Xiao was pressed against the wall, her mouth covered, her waist trapped. They were very close.
She looked up and saw it was Cheng Yuan. Frowning, she said, "What are you doing?"
Cheng Yuan leaned in. "Xiao Xiao, I missed you."
Jiang Xiao struggled. "Let me go."
Instead of letting go, Cheng Yuan held her even tighter. His lips brushed against her ear as he whispered, "Be good. Tell him you don't want to."