Extra 2.9

Jiang Xue submitted her resignation letter in the afternoon.

The leader returned it to her, indicating that it was not accepted: “Comrade Jiang Xue, you have worked in our military district for so many years, and everyone recognizes your work performance well. The art troupe really needs a professional like you. Just handle your family matters; there’s no need to resign just because of this. If you don’t want your father to come to the military district, I can instruct otherwise. There’s no need for you to resign over this.”

In the leader’s eyes, Jiang Xue was the perfect subordinate. Her professional abilities were unquestionable, and she completed her tasks smoothly. She never formed cliques and was indifferent to matters outside her job, ignoring external rumors. Although others might not know Jiang Xue well, the leader, who lived in the same dormitory building, knew her very well. Her private life was as straightforward as a simple two-point line—there were no complications.

Jiang Xue shook her head and said, “Thank you for your kindness, but I have thought it through. I have been with the art troupe for many years, and now I have the opportunity to change my lifestyle. I am willing to stay until I find a suitable candidate to hand over my responsibilities, but I hope to leave within a month.”

From the moment she submitted her resignation, Jiang Xue felt as though she had been reborn. Perhaps it was because she had resolved matters with Jiang Huai. It felt as though the string that had bound her for so many years was suddenly severed, allowing her to finally escape her stagnant, monotonous life.

How should she put it? She wasn’t sure whether to say it started when she got involved in Gu Zhanwang’s life or when Gu Zhanwang entered hers. In any case, since they began sharing a bed, her life had undergone a dramatic change. It was far more meaningful than before when she didn’t even know why she was living. Now, she could finally live for herself as she wished.

(T/N: Awwww, I’m so happy for her. I’m so sorry for hating you in the first chapters)

This feeling was incredibly relaxing. Jiang Xue walked towards the office with a light and brisk step, already starting the countdown of up to a month. Perhaps because her steps were so light, the gossiping people in the office hadn’t noticed she had reached the door.

Art Soldier A said, “She’s probably just putting on a show, right? Look at her father’s attitude. At home, who knows how much she was bullied? Maybe she’s just a pitiful girl who scrubs floors and serves her family. No wonder she doesn’t want to return to the courtyard house and prefers to live in the dormitory building.”

Art Soldier C laughed, covering her face, “She’s just pretending to be a young lady and putting on airs here. Is marrying up really a good thing? Who knows how humble her husband has to be.”

Chen Yi, eating the wedding cakes Gu Zhanwang had sent, felt uncomfortable. She had seen with her own eyes that the reality was not as they thought. Jiang Xue’s husband was powerful, very gentlemanly, and doted on her, treating her like a princess.

She couldn’t understand what kind of luck Jiang Xue had to meet such an outstanding man. How could a man with such good conditions choose to marry Jiang Xue, an older woman who might not even be able to have children, instead of those young women in their early twenties? It was not only frustrating but also incomprehensible.

She was about to make a sarcastic remark when she heard the slight “click” sound of a lighter. She suddenly had an idea and held back her words.

Sure enough, the next second, there was the sound of high heels hitting the floor.

Jiang Xue walked up behind Art Soldier C, turned her chair around so that she was facing her, and blew a puff of smoke at her face. She pinched her chin and said, “Would you like to come to my house for a few days and see how I serve Mr. Gu? Hmm?”
Art Soldier C was so terrified that she didn’t dare to breathe. Meanwhile, Art Soldier A and Chen Yi exchanged glances, too frightened to utter a word.

Jiang Xue, holding a cigarette between her lips, relaxed her grip and half-closed her eyes. She took out a handkerchief and meticulously wiped the hand that had pinched Art Soldier C’s chin. After tossing the handkerchief into the trash can, she removed the cigarette from her mouth, flicked the ashes with a deliberate motion, and said, “Do you think you deserve this? Are you envious of me?”

Sneering, Jiang Xue continued, “You’re nothing more than a bunch of clowns who can only gossip behind people’s backs. You lack the dignity to even carry my shoes. Instead of wasting time gossiping, why don’t you think about how to improve your professional skills? It’s really embarrassing for you all to lose your jobs with the new leadership coming in.”

The few people exchanged puzzled glances. New leader? What did that mean?

Jiang Xue exhaled a puff of smoke and squinted slightly, “It’s exactly as you think. I’ve resigned and will be going home to be a young lady.”

Jiang Xue glanced at her hand, her eyes lingering on the diamond ring on her left ring finger—an unexpected gift from Gu Zhanwang. The old man had forcefully placed it on her finger the previous night. Her expression softened slightly as she considered that engaging with these people was unnecessary.

“You can do whatever you want,” she said. “In truth, a few words from you won’t cost me a thing. But you’ve turned yourselves into gossiping women, much like those who gather at the entrance of the vegetable market with nothing better to do.”

Jiang Xue shook her head with pity. “Don’t you ever look in the mirror? Your jealous faces are simply pathetic.”

After finishing her words, Jiang Xue took another drag of her cigarette, exhaled, and swayed her slim waist as she walked back to her office gracefully.

The few people who dared not to breathe breathed a sigh of relief at this time, and Art Soldier C almost shed tears.

Indeed, Jiang Xue had once been the eldest daughter of the Jiang family, and now she was Gu’s Madam. What could they, these clowns, do except gossip behind her back? She remained unaffected, while their envious faces were truly ugly.

The few of them, each lost in their own thoughts, fell silent, and the office was unusually quiet.

Now that Jiang Xue was free, even the previously annoying documents seemed endearing, and her work efficiency was remarkably high.

The lunch was brought by Xiao Du, who also brought fruits. He said that Gu Zhanwang had an appointment in the evening and would be back late, so she didn’t have to wait for him.

Without Gu Zhanwang around, Jiang Xue tossed and turned in bed until midnight, unable to fall asleep.

Habit was indeed frightening. In just a few days, she had already gotten used to sleeping with Gu Zhanwang.

It was not until half past twelve that Gu Zhanwang returned, reeking of alcohol. To avoid waking Jiang Xue, he crept into the room, quietly retrieved his pajamas, and went to the bathroom to take a quick shower. Afterward, he carefully slipped into bed, gently wrapped his arms around Jiang Xue from behind, kissed her ear, and then closed his eyes with satisfaction, ready to fall asleep.

Jiang Xue was wide awake and could no longer pretend any longer. She turned around, embraced Gu Zhanwang’s head, kissed his lips, and then bit him hard as a reprimand for his late return and the sleepless night it caused her.

Surprised by this unexpected turn of events, Gu Zhanwang squinted his eyes and asked in a hoarse voice, “Did I wake you up?”

Gu Zhanwang was used to sleeping naked. Jiang Xue rubbed his nose and stroked his back. He had just brushed his teeth, so his breath was fresh, with a hint of alcohol and smoke mingled with his unique scent. In the quiet, deep night, it was particularly alluring.

Jiang Xue loved this smell very much. She hugged him and kissed and rubbed against him, saying, “I can’t sleep.”

Gu Zhanwang pulled her onto himself, pinched her chin, “Miss me? Hmm?”

Jiang Xue remained silent, wriggling free of his hand and using her actions to show whether she missed him.

Gu Zhanwang, full of joy, took the initiative and pressed her down, “Since you can’t sleep, let’s get some exercise…”