Hearing the door close, Zhang Rong roared, "Jiang Xiao, I won't let you off!"
The tightly closed private room door opened, and someone walked in.
It was Jiang Xiao.
She smiled warmly. "I forgot to mention something. Cheng Yuan is on his way. Guess how he'll feel when he finds out you met me?"
"You did this on purpose?" Zhang Rong gritted her teeth.
"Yes, I did it on purpose," Jiang Xiao said. "Didn't you used to do this all the time?"
She would deliberately summon her to the old mansion, deliberately embarrass her, make her lose face, and deliberately make Cheng Yuan misunderstand her, thinking she was a loose woman. All of it was Zhang Rong's doing.
"Jiang Xiao—" Zhang Rong tried to go after her, but found her wheelchair stuck and couldn't move her cane. "Get back here!"
*
"Xiao Xiao, haha, that's hilarious. Seriously, I'm dying of laughter." Shen Yue was laughing breathlessly on the other end of the phone. Jiang Xiao ate her dinner slowly, occasionally chiming in. "Is it that funny?"
"Of course it is!" Shen Yue said. "Cheng Yuan and Madam Cheng had a big fight and even made it to the trending list. How could it not be funny?"
"I heard Madam Cheng almost died of anger and threatened to cut off ties with Cheng Yuan." Shen Yue chattered on. "Guess what Cheng Yuan said?"
Jiang Xiao put a piece of bread in her mouth, chewed lightly, swallowed, and asked, "What did he say?"
"He said 'okay,'" Shen Yue said. "He actually agreed."
"Xiao Xiao, Cheng Yuan is willing to sever ties with his mom for you. Isn't that funny?"
"Yeah, it's pretty funny." After all, they had always played the roles of a loving mother and son. Now they couldn't keep up the act.
"Cheng Yuan really cares about you," Shen Yue suddenly said. "Aren't you moved at all?"
"Would you have any good feelings for someone who hurt you?" Jiang Xiao said. "Not a bit."
"What if he pursues you again?"
"I won't respond."
"So heartless?"
"Yep, that heartless."
Shen Yue admired her heartlessness. "How were the male models I introduced last time?"
"Great," Jiang Xiao said. "They were all good-looking."
"I heard there's a new batch. Want to go check them out?" Shen Yue was eager.
Jiang Xiao reminded her, "Don't forget, you just tried on a wedding dress yesterday. You're supposed to be getting married."
"It's all fake. You know that," Shen Yue giggled. "Are you going or not?"
Jiang Xiao couldn't refuse her. "Fine, I'll go."
"Woohoo! I'll pick you up," Shen Yue said. "I'll be there in half an hour."
Jiang Xiao said, "Okay, I'll change."
During her marriage to Cheng Yuan, her outfits mostly catered to his preferences. He liked plain colors, so most of her clothes were muted. Bright colors or black were almost nonexistent. Once, she wore a wine-red cheongsam to a banquet, and Cheng Yuan mocked her, saying she was too ugly and embarrassing. After that, she never wore wine red again.
Now she was free, and her choices were free too. Tonight, she wore a wine-red off-shoulder bodycon dress that highlighted her perfect curves. The open-back design revealed her fair, jade-like skin. She could be called a femme fatale.
The moment Shen Yue saw Jiang Xiao, she couldn't help but gasp. "Xiao Xiao, you're gorgeous!"
Jiang Xiao had on delicate makeup, and with the tight dress, she was like a flame, dazzling in the shifting light.
"Tsk tsk," Shen Yue said. "Those men will go crazy when they see you."
Jiang Xiao poked her forehead through the half-lowered window and said with a smile, "You're beautiful too."
With that, she walked around to the passenger seat.
"I can't compare to you," Shen Yue showered her with compliments. "Really, you're so beautiful."
"I have to take a picture."
Jiang Xiao generously posed for it, making a peace sign.
Shen Yue originally wanted to keep it for herself, but for some reason, she posted it on her Moments with the caption: "Male models, wait for us!"
Jiang Xiao didn't notice anything off. She fastened her seatbelt and reminded her, "I have work tomorrow. We can't be too late tonight."
Shen Yue started the car. "Don't worry, I'll get you back on time."
Of course, that was only if things went as planned.
Jiang Xiao would have to be able to come back.
...
Zhou Jin was scrolling through his Moments when he spotted Shen Yue's latest post. He coughed twice and handed his phone to Cheng Yuan.
"Since divorcing you, Jiang Xiao has really grown some balls."
Cheng Yuan took the phone, confused, then immediately stood up and strode out.
"Hey, my phone!" Zhou Jin chased after him.