Chapter 11: Slap in the Face

Yu Zhi paused as she added a note.

Jiang Qianchen, that scumbag man, chose the perfect timing to send this message. She hadn’t seen him all day, but he appeared just when she was having a great conversation with Xiao He, disrupting her mood.

Yu Zhi closed her phone, pretending not to have seen the WeChat message.

She tidied her hair and looked up at He Mengxin, her eyes bright and clear.

“Where were we in our conversation just now?”

“We were talking about the novel ‘Unborn’,” He Mengxin took a glass of wine from the waiter and gently sniffed it. “I also really like the ideas expressed in it.”

“Oppression and resistance, the awakening of female self-consciousness, these are all worthy topics of discussion. Especially the lead actress, Miss Ruan Ning…”

He Mengxin confidently expressed his viewpoint, speaking eloquently, which made Yu Zhi feel delighted in her heart.

Xiao He’s taste and preferences were very similar to her own, even their evaluations of these topics were in sync. It was like a harmonious melody, like Bo Ya and Zong Ziqi. ^[1]The story of Boya and Ziqi, known as “Boya Zi Qi,” tells the tale of the idiomatic expression between Boya and Ziqi. The protagonists, Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi, were also an exemplary pair of … Continue reading

He Mengxin has the classic phoenix eyes. On regular days when he doesn’t smile, his expression is cool. But today, during their conversation, perhaps when they talked about his favorite things, there was always a smile on his face. Yu Zhi felt the charm of his wink up close.

The more they talked, the more Yu Zhi felt that they were long-lost soulmates. She was about to address each other as friends when her phone suddenly made a notification sound.

Jiang: [Where are you?]

Yu Zhi glanced down and locked her phone screen, then placed it aside, ignoring it. She smiled slightly at He Mengxin, planning how to subtly change the topic. However, her phone persisted:

Jiang: [Send me the address.]

Since she added him on WeChat earlier, Yu Zhi’s phone had been placed on the small table between them. In such a confined space, even a quick glance would reveal the other person’s privacy.

Naturally, her little idol saw the message sent by the man.

Jiang Qianchen, don’t make me curse you at the happiest moment of my life!

Yu Zhi was furious in her mind, but she remained calm and casually switched her phone to silent mode.

He Mengxin briefly glanced at the busy phone but didn’t have the intention to pry into it. He continued their conversation. However, when the vibration sound rang again, He Mengxin couldn’t help but speak up:

“Your friend,” he emphasized the word “friend” lightly, “seems to have an urgent matter to discuss with you.”

He Mengxin lowered his gaze.

With the conversation reaching this point, Yu Zhi could only apologize and leave first. She unlocked her phone in a corner of the venue.

She wanted to see what urgent matter Jiang Qianchen had that he kept sending her WeChat messages one after another.

Opening WeChat, she saw his message:

Jiang: [Don’t stay out too late.]

?

Yu Zhi slowly typed a question mark in her mind.

Jiang Qianchen sent her a WeChat message just to say this?

Wasn’t he someone who never sent useless messages on social media?

Moreover… Yu Zhi glanced at the current time, it was almost 9 PM, the start of the nightlife.

The atmosphere in the banquet hall was lively, people were engaged in enthusiastic conversations, and a few boys were even forming pairs and battling in dance battles.

The air was filled with the vibrant energy of youth.

And she, a girl in the prime of her youth, was forced to live the life of an elderly person.

“I have to go back.”

Yu Zhi forced a strong smile on her face as she bid farewell to her friend, Lin Ruixuan. “Jiang Gege wants me to rest early.”

Lin Ruixuan had been busy for several days and finally had a night without staying up all night. She had already grabbed a glass of wine and was enjoying herself, not caring about the time. When she took out her phone and glanced at the time, she thought she had developed presbyopia.

“Oh my god, sis, it’s only nine o’clock!” Lin Ruixuan said incredulously. “Your husband, President Jiang, is a bit too strict!”

Both Yu Zhi and Lin Ruixuan attended Ningcheng No.1 High School together. They were classmates since the first year of high school and coincidentally entered the same university after the college entrance examination. Although Lin Ruixuan knew from the beginning that Yu Zhi came from a wealthy family and had strict upbringing, making her a goddess-like figure wherever she went, she was still a young and lively girl. However, since getting married, Yu Zhi’s outings had significantly decreased. Every time she went out, she had bodyguards and drivers following her, providing multiple layers of protection.

But seeing the young men around secretly glancing at Yu Zhi, Lin Ruixuan suddenly understood President Jiang’s actions.

It was indeed worrisome to let such a heavenly beauty go out alone.

“Sister, are you really leaving now? It’s such a pity.”

“Sister, will you come to the finals to watch our performance? I’m Bao Zeyang, number thirteen. Please make sure to pick me!”

“…”

Several boys surrounded Yu Zhi, but Lin Ruixuan pushed them aside and escorted Yu Zhi back to her hotel room.

“Speaking of which, did any of those boys just now catch your interest?”

Lin Ruixuan listed their characteristics: “There were some who were gentle and spoiled, some who were tough and protective. I think they were all pretty good and worth considering for further contact.”

Yu Zhi thought back to the young men she had just seen and admitted that some of them were decent-looking and tall, meeting her preferences.

Yu Zhi: You’re such a good sister, already actively looking for a new potential partner for me.

Unfortunately, for now, she could only hang on Jiang Qianchen, the ancient tree. Yu Zhi shook her head and politely declined:

“Thank you, but I still think no one is better than Jiang Gege.”

“Although he’s not gentle or considerate,” Yu Zhi almost slipped and revealed the truth, “he is still the person I like the most.”

The person in front of her tilted her head slightly, her soft black hair cascading down like a waterfall, resting on her shoulders. Her eyes were filled with a gaze that showed his concern for the man.

Completely immersed in love.

Lin Ruixuan said, “You shouldn’t always listen to President Jiang. Girls should live for themselves too.”

She was afraid that Yu Zhi would be completely consumed by President Jiang and eventually lose her autonomy.

“I know,” Yu Zhi understood that Lin Ruixuan was worried about her, but due to her deep affection for Jiang Qianchen, she could only blush and lower her head.

“Jiang Gege is a good person and wouldn’t do anything disgraceful.”

—But as soon as she raised her head, she saw Chen Baiwei coming out of Jiang Qianchen’s room.

The three of them stood at the end of the hotel’s long corridor, their figures frozen in place.

The hotel where Yu Zhi was staying belonged to the Longting Group, a branch in Huacheng. Jiang Qianchen had invested in its parent company.

As a result, he would enjoy VIP treatment at any Longting Hotel nationwide, staying in the presidential suite on the top floor, far superior to the standard rooms seen on the show.

Jiang Qianchen sent the room number. Yu Zhi had intended to come over first to check on her room and then have someone pack and send her belongings over. But she ended up discovering this situation.

Yu Zhi carefully examined the other person from head to toe and vaguely noticed the ambiguous traces on the female celebrity with the surname Chen.

Damn it, Jiang Qianchen really had no shame. He had a secret rendezvous with someone before calling his wife up. When Yu Zhi first met Chen Baiwei in the elevator, she didn’t believe a word of what she boasted about. With Jiang Qianchen’s cleanliness, how could he possibly let a stranger into his car?

However, the evidence was right in front of her now, and Yu Zhi had to admit that there was an unconventional relationship between them.

“Zhizhi…” Seeing the familiar face in front of her, Lin Ruixuan swallowed hard. “President Jiang is staying in room 2706, right?” Why would Chen Baiwei, this woman who flattered and belittled others, come out of her best friend’s husband’s room?

Yu Zhi’s whole body trembled, as if she was about to faint from sadness, but she still forced herself to say, “I-I’m fine.”

“This is definitely… all a misunderstanding. He would never do something like having a mistress!”

Yu Zhi’s voice trembled as she spoke, as if she was trying to boost her own confidence and courage.

—Then without hesitation, she picked up her phone and started taking frantic photos.

From gripping the doorknob outside the room to the discreet movements of covering her neck, Yu Zhi captured every move of Chen Baiwei, providing strong evidence for a future divorce.

Although in their circle, it had almost become commonplace for both husband and wife to have their own extramarital affairs, Yu Zhi couldn’t bear the thought of sharing a common cucumber with someone else, especially when it was being flaunted right in front of her. In her heart, she thought, if the scoundrel liked to fool around outside, she might as well let him taste the iron fist of asset division.

…

Chen Baiwei’s palms were sweating.

She had been given a room key in the middle of the banquet.

It was from her long-time sugar daddy, who had introduced her to the resources that had made her a hit in the early days.

Chen Baiwei hurriedly left the table, walking with urgency. There weren’t many rooms on the top floor, and those who stayed on this level were either rich or noble, rarely visited by others. So she hadn’t bothered to put on any pretense. But now she had been caught by someone by chance.

She had only intended to leave like this, but she hadn’t expected the person opposite to suddenly start taking photos, the flashing lights almost blinding her.

No, this couldn’t be happening!

Chen Baiwei was well aware that she had cultivated an image of innocence and purity in the entertainment industry. If these speculative photos were posted online, all her painstaking efforts would be ruined!

Chen Baiwei rushed over and exclaimed, “What are you doing?!”

As she walked in, she realized there was also a familiar acquaintance from work next to her. Chen Baiwei gritted her teeth and didn’t care about anything else. “Delete the photos you just took!”

“I advise you not to release them, otherwise you won’t be able to bear the consequences.”

Hearing this threatening remark, Yu Zhi suppressed a cold smile. A hint of vulnerability appeared on her face as she widened her eyes in disbelief and said, “Is that how he instructed you to treat me?”

What does that mean? Chen Baiwei instinctively withdrew her hand, affected by the pitiful expression on the other person’s face.

With teary eyes, a delicate yet strong appearance, she resembled a lotus flower that had weathered storms, evoking endless compassion from anyone who saw her. If there were members of the opposite sex present, they would undoubtedly want to offer their hearts to her.

That natural aura was like reaching the maximum level of the White Lotus skill, making Chen Baiwei feel ashamed of her own shortcomings.

Her usual tactic of using tears had unexpectedly been preempted by someone else!

This made Chen Baiwei, who usually appeared as an innocent flower in front of others, feel a great sense of crisis. The other person was better at pretending to be weak, and… Chen Baiwei had to admit that the other person’s appearance was much more attractive than hers. How could her own face, with its surgically altered onion-like nose, compare to the superior profile of the person in front of her?

However, Chen Baiwei did understand one thing: the person in front of her had come to confront her.

After considering the cause and effect for a moment, Chen Baiwei disdainfully glanced at Yu Zhi’s bag and the traces of a diamond ring on her left hand.

Ha, what are you pretending to be?

When they met in the elevator earlier, Chen Baiwei thought the other person was some influential socialite or wealthy lady, but it turns out she’s just another one of Mr. Zhu’s countless mistresses.

After all, Mr. Zhu, with his bloated figure, already has a 45-year-old legal wife in room 2706.

This white lotus must have heard some rumors and thought she was the one and only true love, right?

Chen Baiwei wondered as she saw the tears welling up in the other person’s eyes.

Mr. Zhu may have a greasy appearance, but if she had a choice at that time and he didn’t have leverage over her, she would never have submitted to him. Men like President Jiang, with strong tactics and unique charm, are the ones Chen Baiwei is currently striving to conquer. And photos that tarnish her reputation are absolutely not something she can let others keep!

Chen Baiwei planned to snatch the phone first. However, the woman who was just sobbing seemed to have anticipated this and took a step back, then calmly paused for a few seconds before regaining her elegant demeanor. With a determined attitude, she said:

“I’ll give you a hundred bucks, just stay away from him.”

Chen Baiwei: …?!!

A hundred bucks? Did she mishear the unit of currency?

However, the other person didn’t seem to be joking. She actually opened her handbag and prepared to take out money. Inside that precious wallet adorned with broken diamonds, there was only a single black card quietly tucked away, along with a few brand new one hundred yuan bills.

Yu Zhi pulled out one of the bills, held it between her index and middle fingers, and looked at her with a raised chin. The watery eyes revealed the owner’s suppressed unease.

Yu Zhi herself was not calm either, because she didn’t even want to give a hundred bucksJ

To strike at the mistress and still have to give her money, where in the world does such a good thing exist? Yu Zhi always scoffed at the tradition of wealthy families writing checks. Why should someone who did something wrong still receive money? Isn’t this a disguised reward for those seeking shortcuts?

However, the original “Yu Zhi” in the novel didn’t think like this. When the supporting female character realized that her marriage with the male lead was about to end, she became increasingly sensitive and hysterical. She even drove away all the women who approached Jiang Qianchen and resorted to various unethical means, paying a considerable amount of money.

But all of this didn’t win back Jiang Qianchen. Instead, it pushed him further away. This almost crazy love didn’t earn her his sympathy, but rather made him feel disgusted.

Would Jiang Qianchen hate her because of this? That would be too pleasing!

Yu Zhi couldn’t be bothered with whether this cannon fodder had any entanglement with the male lead. Right now, she just wanted to sign the divorce agreement, take the substantial assets, and leave. The rest of the drama could be continued by the female lead Lu Zhenzhen and others.

Anyway, it has nothing to do with me.

Following the script of the original host, Yu Zhi put on a deeply hurt expression, trying hard to restrain herself. Her hand, which didn’t hold any money, was tightly grasped by Lin Ruixuan beside her, yet she couldn’t stop trembling. However, the female star seemed to have been struck by something, standing there in a daze, unwilling to continue the scene.

Hello? Shouldn’t that Chen Baiwei feel humiliated and then start cursing and insulting like a shrew? Yu Zhi had already arranged the script for herself. Faced with an uncultured cannon fodder, she couldn’t care less about the good upbringing she had received since childhood and engage in a verbal battle with the other party, which would damage the honor of the wealthy family.

The little mistress would then run to Jiang Qianchen and cry her heart out. After the male lead investigated, he would discover that this seemingly gentle and virtuous wife was actually a cunning and ruthless poisoner.

Yu Zhi took the initiative to cue the process: “You don’t even want this hundred bucks, isn’t that a bit too much?”

“If you want a lion’s share, it depends on whether you have the weight to take it!”

Yu Zhi sternly raised the hundred-dollar bill in her hand, displaying a strong momentum. “Or is it that you have other bargaining chips?”

This implication was quite obvious. Yu Zhi was waiting for Chen Baiwei to make some unreasonable demands, creating a dispute to kick off this confrontation. However, seeing the other party remain motionless, she couldn’t help but give a slight hint.

“Could it be…” Yu Zhi took a sharp breath, unable to believe it as she covered her face, “You’re pregnant with his child?!”

After saying this, the atmosphere in the corridor instantly turned colder.

She saw Chen Baiwei subconsciously nod, then quickly realized and immediately denied, “I’m not!”

“What! You’re already three months pregnant?!”

Yu Zhi’s face was filled with astonishment, tears of pain streaming down her eyes. Just as she rushed forward, intending to slap the other person, she heard her best friend, Lin Ruixuan, stuttering from behind:

“Jiang… President Jiang is here.”

Yu Zhi’s hand trembled and landed on Chen Baiwei’s nose.