"Now we just have to wait," Jiang Xiao said. "As long as he doesn't find the divorce agreement, we can get divorced once the cooling-off period is over."
"Where is it?"
"With the lawyer."
"I'll go see the lawyer later and make sure he keeps it safe."
"Mm, thank you, A Yue."
Jiang Xiao didn't tell Shen Yue that she had other options, but those also required waiting.
*
Three days later, she got her chance.
Zhang Rong called and asked to meet at an abandoned apartment—one she had bought years ago for her affairs. No one knew about it.
Jiang Xiao didn't like prying into other people's privacy, especially an elder's. She got straight to the point. "You asked to see me because you have a way to deal with Cheng Yuan. You can tell me directly."
Zhang Rong sized her up. "You're not surprised?"
Jiang Xiao: "No."
"Aren't you angry that I had you kidnapped last time?"
"I was angry. But you didn't hurt me, so I can choose not to be."
"I didn't expect you to be so understanding."
"Not as understanding as you," Jiang Xiao said. "No need to beat around the bush. Tell me what to do."
"I know you didn't want to leave last time because you were worried about your parents. I can promise to inject capital into Jiang Group and help them through this crisis."
"What's the catch?" Jiang Xiao asked.
"Leave tonight," Zhang Rong said. "Take a private jet."
"I tried to leave before and failed. Are you sure it'll work this time?" Jiang Xiao said flatly. "Won't I be stopped again?"
"Not this time." Zhang Rong took off her sunglasses. "I'll have someone hold A Yuan off. You just go with my people."
"Where to?"
"Milan."
Zhang Rong gestured for someone behind her to bring out a passport and other documents. "The condition is that you can never come back."
Jiang Xiao looked up. "I can't promise that."
Her parents were here. She couldn't stay away forever.
"Then don't come back for five years," Zhang Rong said. "After that, you can decide for yourself."
Jiang Xiao hadn't left last time because she was worried about her parents and the company. Now that Zhang Rong was offering to invest, the crisis would surely be resolved. With no more ties, there was even less reason to stay.
"The divorce certificate..."
"I'll handle it."
Jiang Xiao: "Okay, I agree."
Perhaps because she agreed too quickly, Zhang Rong hesitated. "Are you really willing to leave A Yuan?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" Jiang Xiao said. "I am."
"Didn't you love him very much?"
"I loved him once."
"If you say that, A Yuan will be very sad."
"He won't be," Jiang Xiao said, knowing Cheng Yuan well. "At least, he won't be sad over me."
Maybe for another woman, but not for her.
"I really don't know if A Yuan is lucky or unlucky to have met you," Zhang Rong said mockingly.
"At least meeting him was unlucky for me," Jiang Xiao said, standing up. "Remember your promise. Inject capital into Jiang Group and help them through the crisis. Also, if Cheng Yuan targets Jiang Group, you have to step in and protect it."
Zhang Rong: "Deal."
...
The plane was scheduled for 7 PM. With three hours to go, Jiang Xiao went back to her parents' house. She saw her father and mother. When they mentioned the company's recent investment that would get them through the crisis, she smiled along with them.
They had dinner together at home. Jiang Xiao cooked noodles herself. Her father prepared some dishes, and her mother helped. The three of them chatted happily.
After dinner, they strolled in the courtyard. Jiang Xiao kept reminding them to eat on time, take their medicine on time, and see a doctor if they felt unwell.
Her mother laughed. "Okay, okay. We know. So naggy."
Before leaving, Jiang Xiao quietly slipped a card into her mother's pocket. There was 20 million yuan in it, left for them.
In the car, Jiang Xiao could no longer hold back. She covered her mouth and sobbed, the sound blending with the ringtone of her phone.
After a long while, she stopped crying, took out her phone from her bag, and stared at the caller ID. After hesitating for a long time, she answered.
"Where are you?" It was Cheng Yuan's voice.
Jiang Xiao: "Outside."
"Where outside? Send me your location," he commanded.
"Cheng Yuan." Jiang Xiao sniffled. "We've known each other for ten years. They say a decade marks a cycle. This time, I'm really letting go."
Cheng Yuan sensed something and his voice turned heavy. "Jiang Xiao, what do you mean?"
Jiang Xiao: "It means... goodbye."
Author's note:
----------------------
Dog man: Alright, I'm dead.
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