Jiang Xiao slapped Cheng Yuan's hand away, got off his lap, and tidied her skirt. "I made plans to go shopping with Shen Yue. Drop me off at the mall."
"No," Cheng Yuan said. "Come back to the old mansion with me."
"You just promised that if I signed the agreement, I could leave," Jiang Xiao reminded him. "Are you going back on your word?"
"I said you could leave, and I'm letting you leave now," Cheng Yuan said, kissing her lips. "But I never promised where you could go after that. So, Jiang Xiao, you can't go anywhere. You can only stay with me."
"Cheng Yuan, you're despicable!" Jiang Xiao realized she had been tricked and raised her hand to hit him, but Cheng Yuan caught it.
He turned his head and kissed her fingers and palm. "Despicable? Is that your new evaluation of me, Mrs. Cheng? Since that's the case, it would be a shame not to do something truly despicable."
With a swift motion, he tore open the collar she had just adjusted and bit down on her collarbone.
Jiang Xiao feared pain and gasped, "Cheng Yuan, you bastard!"
Cheng Yuan smiled. "Fine, let's go to hell together."
*
In the end, Jiang Xiao managed to escape with the help of Elder Master Cheng. Strictly speaking, Elder Master Cheng had the butler detain Cheng Yuan while others escorted Jiang Xiao out.
Jiang Xiao immediately contacted Shen Yue and went to their usual private club. It was a membership-based establishment with strict confidentiality, so she didn't worry about being found.
Shen Yue slammed down her glass. "Has Cheng Yuan lost his mind? How can he treat you like this? No, this time I won't let him off."
She took Jiang Xiao's hand. "A Xiao, don't be afraid. I'm here. I'll protect you."
Seeing Shen Yue so angry, Jiang Xiao turned around to comfort her. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."
"How can you be fine?" Shen Yue pointed at the marks on Jiang Xiao's collarbone. "Is Cheng Yuan a dog? Why did he bite you like that? And didn't he used to hate touching you? On your wedding anniversary last year, you bought a high-end nightgown to please him, and he mocked you for it. What's he doing now? Coming back for more?"
Jiang Xiao didn't know what Cheng Yuan was up to either, but one thing was clear: she had to get a divorce, and the sooner, the better.
"Elder Master Cheng said I don't need to worry about the divorce. He'll make Cheng Yuan agree."
"But what if... he still doesn't agree?"
"Then I'll sue," Jiang Xiao said firmly. "If he doesn't care about the Cheng family's reputation, I'll have to resort to legal action."
Suing wasn't the best method, but it was a viable option in a pinch.
"Where will you stay in the meantime?" Shen Yue suggested, "How about my family's hotel?"
"Would that be too much trouble?"
"No trouble at all," Shen Yue took Jiang Xiao's hand. "Have you forgotten? If you hadn't saved me back then, I would have died in that fire."
Someone had set the fire, and Shen Yue was trapped inside. If Jiang Xiao hadn't appeared in time to rescue her, she wouldn't be here now. So she would do anything for Jiang Xiao.
"I guess Cheng Yuan won't let the Shen family off easily."
"It's okay. My older brother is back from abroad. He can handle it."
"Your brother?" Jiang Xiao was surprised. "The one your family adopted?"
"Mm," Shen Yue took a sip of her drink. "It's him."
"And you two..." Jiang Xiao recalled something.
"We're long in the past," Shen Yue's eyes flickered. "He's just my brother now."
Jiang Xiao patted her hand. "As long as you've thought it through."
She didn't press further; after all, she had her own problems to deal with.
...
Jiang Xiao stayed at the hotel for three days. Worried about being followed, Shen Yue didn't meet her during those days but kept in touch by phone, updating Jiang Xiao on Cheng Yuan's activities.
Cheng Yuan had started his debauchery again. He attended several parties, flirting with scantily clad women. Someone even caught photos of them entering a hotel room together, though no one saw them leave, so it was unclear if anything happened.
Shen Yue cursed the dog of a man while saying, "A Xiao, you're right to divorce him."
Jiang Xiao hadn't been idle either. She secretly met with Jiang Group's lawyer to discuss the divorce. Their wedding had been a big affair, involving a lot of betrothal gifts, making the division of assets complicated. She wouldn't take anything that wasn't hers, but she wouldn't give up what was rightfully hers either. Working like a dog for three years in the Cheng family was what she deserved.
Shen Yue stared at her freshly done nails and suddenly thought of something. "What if he's doing all this to lure you out?"
Jiang Xiao paused, took a sip of tea, and said, "He's an arrogant man; he probably wouldn't stoop to such tactics."
"But what if?" Shen Yue snorted. "Be careful."
"Mm, I will." Jiang Xiao organized the documents and handed them to the man in front of her. "Lawyer Wang, thank you for your hard work."
The man bowed. "It's my duty."
"By the way, I've arranged a meeting with President Cheng."
"When?"
"Tomorrow."
"Let me know the outcome."
"Okay."
Thinking that there would be results tomorrow, Shen Yue got excited. "Babe, congratulations on your upcoming single status."
Jiang Xiao smiled. "Thank you."
Things didn't go as smoothly as expected. Cheng Yuan didn't show up; only his lawyer came. The lawyer threw down his business card. "President Cheng does not agree to the divorce. If you insist, Mrs. Cheng, we'll have to meet in court. Here's my card. Feel free to contact me."
Everyone in Jingbei knew that the Cheng Group's legal team was the best, composed of high-paid foreign lawyers. Against them, you'd lose nine out of ten times, and the tenth time would be a withdrawal.
Jiang Xiao was in a bad mood after receiving the news.
Her phone rang. The caller ID was an unknown number. After hesitating, she pressed the answer button.
"Hello."
"It's me. Open the door."
Jiang Xiao held the phone and looked toward the door.
...Cheng Yuan.
Author's note:
----------------------
Dear readers, please kindly re-read. I've added over a thousand words.