The way he interrogated her was heartbreaking. Enduring the ache in her heart, Jiang Xiao said, "Did that woman tell you I cursed at her? If she said it, you believe it? Don't forget, I'm your wife."
"So what if you're my wife?" Cheng Yuan snapped. "It's not like this is the first time you've done something like this. Jiang Xiao, I'm warning you – don't do it again, or else –"
"Or else what?"
"Or else I'll make you regret it."
Jiang Xiao was heartbroken to the extreme, throwing caution to the wind. Her lips trembling, she asked, "How will you make me regret it? Lock me up so I can't see anyone? Or tell my parents to discipline me? Or tell your mother to enforce the family rules on me?"
"Cheng Yuan, I'm asking you – have you ever seen me as your wife? Even for a moment? Have you?"
"..."
Cheng Yuan didn't answer. Jiang Xiao suddenly laughed. "I knew it. You've never seen me as your wife."
"Jiang Xiao, don't change the subject. That's not what we're talking about." Cheng Yuan grabbed her chin and forced her to look up. "Be obedient, got it?"
Jiang Xiao stared at him, tears welling in her eyes. She sniffled. "Since you don't trust me and have never seen me as your wife, there's really no point in continuing this marriage."
She closed her eyes and opened them again. "Cheng Yuan, let's get a divorce."
---
Shen Yue hadn't been able to reach Jiang Xiao for several days. Worried, she went to the Jiang family home but was told that Father Jiang and Mother Jiang had gone abroad on vacation.
She then went to the Cheng family home and met Elder Master Cheng. The old man said calmly, "Don't worry. Xiao Yatou is probably busy with something. I'll have someone look for her. Once she's found, I'll contact you."
Shen Yue said gratefully, "Grandpa, thank you."
Elder Master Cheng said, "Xiao Yatou is a member of the Cheng family. It's my duty."
The old man was resourceful. An hour later, Jiang Xiao was found at a villa in the suburbs. At that time, she had just gotten out of bed and was washing up in the bathroom. Seeing the marks on her collarbone, she frowned.
For the past three days, Cheng Yuan had been tormenting her like a madman. No matter how much she begged, he wouldn't let her go. He kept saying, "Jiang Xiao, I will not agree to a divorce."
"I will never let you leave me."
"Give up hope."
Jiang Xiao really couldn't understand him. He clearly didn't love her, didn't care about her, yet he refused to let her go. She demanded, "What do you want me to do to make this stop?"
Cheng Yuan said, "Even if we hate the sight of each other, I'll keep you by my side for life."
"Just because I was the one who pursued you first?"
"Yes." Cheng Yuan tightened his grip on her waist. "You started this. Don't think I'll ever let go."
Last night, after they finished arguing, Cheng Yuan pressed her and tangled with her for a long time. He didn't let her go until the early hours.
Dragging her exhausted body, Jiang Xiao went to open the door. The first person she saw was the butler.
She paused and heard the butler say, "Madam, the Elder Master has asked me to take you to the old mansion."
Jiang Xiao went to the old mansion. Half an hour later, Cheng Yuan also arrived. Their eyes met briefly before looking away.
Elder Master Cheng called Cheng Yuan into the study. Soon after, the butler walked in carrying a ruler.
Zhang Rong saw this and went to stop him. "Dad, A Yuan is an adult now. You can't just punish him with the family rules at the drop of a hat. If anyone is to blame, Jiang Xiao is also at fault. She must have provoked A Yuan. Dad, you can't just listen to Jiang Xiao."
Jiang Xiao hadn't said a word from start to finish.
Elder Master Cheng said, "I know what I'm doing. Get out."
Zhang Rong was ushered out. A moment later, the sound of strikes came.
Cheng Yuan was punished with the family rules.
This wasn't Jiang Xiao's intention. She just wanted to separate from him.
Jiang Xiao tried to intercede, but the butler stopped her. "Madam, don't interfere in this matter. The Elder Master knows what he's doing."
Jiang Xiao went to the kitchen to pour some hot water, but Zhang Rong blocked her at the doorway. She pinched Jiang Xiao's arm hard. "You're the one who told on him, aren't you? Jiang Xiao, you're truly venomous."
Jiang Xiao endured the pain and explained, "It wasn't me. I didn't say anything."
"Didn't say anything? Do you think I'll believe that?" Zhang Rong said. "If it wasn't you, why would the Elder Master punish A Yuan with the family rules?"
Jiang Xiao said, "Why can't you believe me for once?"
"Believe you? Dream on." Zhang Rong hated her. "If it weren't for you back then, Xiao Hui would have married into the Cheng family. It's all because of you."
"Mom, I know you don't like me." Jiang Xiao said. "In that case, let's make a deal."
"What deal?" Zhang Rong eyed her warily. "Don't try any tricks."
"I want a divorce," Jiang Xiao said. "You convince A Yuan."
"Really?" Zhang Rong asked uncertainly. "Are you really willing to leave A Yuan?"
If someone doesn't love you, there's no point in clinging to them. Jiang Xiao had already seen that clearly. "Yes. I want a divorce."
Zhang Rong pursed her lips. "Fine. I'll convince A Yuan."
She thought Cheng Yuan would agree quickly, but that wasn't the case.
As soon as she brought it up, Cheng Yuan cut her off. "There's only one Mrs. Cheng, and that's Jiang Xiao. Mom, don't say such things in the future."
Zhang Rong didn't ask about how badly he was hurt or even help him up. She demanded, "Why can Mrs. Cheng only be Jiang Xiao? Have you forgotten that she used a scheme to get into your bed? Why won't you divorce her?"
"This is my business. I'll handle it myself." Cheng Yuan's tone brooked no argument. "I don't want to hear that kind of talk again. I'm sure Grandpa doesn't want to hear it either. Don't bring it up again."
"A Yuan, listen—"
Cheng Yuan didn't listen. He called out, "Jiang Xiao."
Jiang Xiao came out of the kitchen. "What?"
Cheng Yuan walked over, took off the apron she was wearing, and turned to look at Zhang Rong. "Do we have no servants in this house that she has to do these things?"
Jiang Xiao had been doing these chores ever since she married into the Cheng family. It took him three years to finally notice, when he was blind.
"She is the young madam of the Cheng family, the wife of the President of the Cheng Group. Don't let her do these things from now on." Cheng Yuan said this for Zhang Rong to hear, and also for the Elder Master. "Let this be the last time."
He threw the apron on the ground, put his arm around Jiang Xiao's waist, and led her away.
Jiang Xiao was stunned. She couldn't understand why Cheng Yuan had changed so much after just a beating.
What exactly had Grandpa said to him?
Soon, she learned the whole story.
The Elder Master had threatened him: if he didn't treat her well, the position of President of the Cheng Group would no longer be his.
That night, Cheng Yuan rarely went out. He didn't even answer calls from strangers. Instead, he held Jiang Xiao and lingered with her affection.
Jiang Xiao was breathless from his kisses, panting softly, her cheeks flushed. She gasped intermittently, "You... you don't have to do this... to force yourself. I... I know you don't like me. Doing this with me is just a physical need. I understand all that. You hate me, you don't want to touch me – you can just tell me directly. As for Grandpa... I'll cover for you. What I said last time about divorce was serious..."
Cheng Yuan bit down hard on her shoulder. Jiang Xiao gasped sharply and bit her lip. "I've already had the lawyer draw up the divorce agreement. Sign it later, and we'll—"
"Sign it?" Cheng Yuan lifted his head, his red-rimmed eyes holding a dangerous air. "Divorce? Over my dead body!"
Author's note:
----------------------
Daughter: Then die.
Ahhh, asking for nutrient solution.