After all, the servants, when no one was watching, could find a place to rest when tired. But Jiang Xiao couldn't. Besides Cheng's mother, her several sisters-in-law were also watching.
They weren't her biological sisters-in-law, but daughters of uncles and aunts. But because Cheng Yuan didn't care about her, they also looked down on her. Whenever there was a gathering, they did their best to order her around.
Jiang Xiao had heard them sneer at her with contempt more than once.
"It serves Jiang Xiao right. Doesn't she like throwing herself at him? Fine, let her cry herself to death."
Jiang Xiao had injured her shoulder when she was young. It usually didn't hurt if she didn't do heavy work. But today, she had done too much, and her shoulder was sore and swollen. She had just sat down for a moment when Cheng's mother walked over and said sternly, "The fruit hasn't been served yet. Who allowed you to rest?"
Jiang Xiao stood up respectfully. "Mom, I'll go prepare the fruit now."
A servant nearby pursed her lips, wanting to help, but a glare from Cheng's mother silenced her.
"Jiang Xiao, don't think you can slack off just because A Yuan isn't here. The Cheng family doesn't keep freeloaders."
The word "keep" was laughable.
Because in the three years of their marriage, Jiang Xiao had never used a single cent from the Cheng family. Cheng Yuan gave her a monthly allowance, but she had never touched that card.
She had her own money; she didn't need his.
When she bought clothes or jewelry, fixed brands and stores would deliver them. Father Jiang's assistant would make the payment directly. If that wasn't possible, Jiang Xiao would have Xiao Yu transfer the money. In short, she had never used a single cent of Cheng Yuan's.
Shen Yue was very unhappy about this and asked her, "Then what exactly are you getting out of marrying Cheng Yuan?"
At the time, just married, Jiang Xiao was full of hope for life, her eyes sparkling. "Love. I only want him to love me."
Unfortunately, she hadn't gotten her wish.
Three years, and she still couldn't warm a cold heart.
Someone bumped into Jiang Xiao, and the fruit plate in her hand fell to the floor, scattering the expensive imported fruit.
Cheng's mother walked over with a smile. "Sorry, sorry."
The guests smiled faintly. "It's fine. It was an accident."
Cheng's mother had a smile on her face when she looked at those people, but when she looked at Jiang Xiao, her face was full of resentment. "What have you done?"
"Mom, someone bumped into me," Jiang Xiao explained.
"Bumped into you? Why didn't they bump into someone else? Enough, you made a mistake, so don't make excuses," Cheng's mother scolded. "Can't even do such a small thing right. I really don't know why A Yuan married you."
"What a nuisance."
Jiang Xiao picked up the fruit that had fallen and went back to the kitchen. Soon, she came out with another plate.
Everyone sat around the coffee table, eating and drinking, while she stood by like a servant, serving them. An outsider would really think she was the Cheng family's maid.
Later came dinner time. Everyone ate while Jiang Xiao could only watch.
At nine, the banquet ended. Jiang Xiao dragged her exhausted body into the car. She opened her phone—not a single WeChat message.
She arrived home at nine-thirty. After taking a shower, her phone rang. It was Jiang Yu. "Madam, President Cheng has a social engagement. He'll be staying at the hotel tonight."
The Cheng Group operated several hotels, and the most luxurious presidential suite was always available for Cheng Yuan, his private retreat.
He could go anytime.
Jiang Xiao bit her lip and said gently, "Drinking is bad for your health. Special Assistant Jiang, please make sure President Cheng has some hangover medicine ready."
Jiang Yu said, "Don't worry, it's prepared."
Jiang Xiao said, "Let me know when it's over."
Jiang Yu said, "Okay."
Jiang Xiao waited until midnight, but Jiang Yu never called. It could only mean that Cheng Yuan's social engagement hadn't ended by midnight.
Before going to sleep, she couldn't help wondering what kind of social engagement would last this long.
She wanted to ask Cheng Yuan herself, but she was afraid of annoying him. In the end, she didn't dare ask anything. With something on her mind, she slept poorly, plagued by nightmares.
When she woke up the next day, she was still dazed.
Jiang Xiao picked up her phone to make a call, but it rang first. It was Shen Yue, her tone aggressive from the start.
"Xiao Xiao, I'm so furious!"
Jiang Xiao asked, "Who made you angry?"
"Who else? Your husband," Shen Yue said. "Cheng Yuan."
"Cheng Yuan?" Jiang Xiao asked, bewildered. "What did he do to you?"
"He didn't do anything to me. He did something to you," Shen Yue said. "He's trending again. Go check."
Jiang Xiao left the call screen and opened Weibo. The headline was: "President of Cheng Group Spends the Night with Famous Model."
It wasn't the same woman as last time. This one was new, even more seductive, with a figure that was an eyeful.
Shen Yue said, "What's wrong with him? Trending every few days. Does he ever think about your feelings?"
Jiang Xiao was used to it. She instinctively defended him. "It must be taken out of context. It's not true."
"How is it not true?" Shen Yue said. "I had someone check this morning. It is true. That jerk Cheng Yuan is too arrogant. I don't care. This time, no matter what, you have to leave him!"
Shen Yue was furious.