Pei Zhan’s gaze toward her gradually cooled.
He collected both marriage certificates, gripped Jiang Hua’s wrist, and led her out of the Civil Affairs Bureau. The moment Pei Zhan touched her skin, she felt its scalding heat.
“You still have three months to consider.”
Jiang Hua looked at him calmly. “How much longer are you going to hold me?”
Pei Zhan released her.
She took the marriage certificates from his hands. “During this period, I’ll find a place to live. If my father asks about it, please don’t let the truth slip.”
“Since we’re not divorced yet, let’s continue this act.”
“After the divorce, I’ll find time to explain things to Dad myself.”
Jiang Hua’s voice carried a polite detachment, completely devoid of her former demeanor. After speaking these words, she didn’t want to look at him anymore. Jiang Hua turned around and walked away in the opposite direction.
Just three months – it would actually pass quite quickly.
Jiang Hua hadn’t walked more than a few steps when she suddenly felt dizzy, her vision unexpectedly turning completely dark before she… fainted…
“Hua Hua.”
In the hospital.
When she woke again, she vaguely heard someone speaking near her.
The doctor said, “We’ve reviewed your wife’s medical records. Her body is very weak now and requires long-term recuperation. You’re aware as her husband that she… may not be able to conceive again?”
“Miss Jiang has had too many abortions. Her uterine wall is too thin – even if she conceives, it would be difficult to carry the baby to term.”
“Moreover, she has heart disease. My recommendation is not to have children, as it would significantly impact your wife’s health.”
The doctor’s words were absolutely certain.
Hearing this, Jiang Hua felt her entire heart sink to the bottom of a cold ocean.
Noticing she had awakened, the doctor offered a few more instructions before leaving.
Jiang Hua sat up groggily from the bed. When Pei Zhan reached out to support her, she avoided his touch. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I won’t die anytime soon.”
Pei Zhan said, “If domestic treatment isn’t effective, we can change hospitals.”
It should have been a considerate, caring statement.
In her previous life, Jiang Hua would have been deeply moved. But now, looking at Pei Zhan’s expression, she saw not the slightest trace of concern in his eyes – not even a hint!
His demeanor gave her the feeling that… even if Jiang Hua were to die in this hospital right now, Pei Zhan’s expression would remain cold and composed.
If not for Song Qingran’s existence, Jiang Hua might have thought Pei Zhan was naturally indifferent. But… he wasn’t. She had seen him worry and fret over Song Qingran, seen him moved by just one of her smiles.
Jiang Hua closed her eyes and leaned back against the headboard in distress. “You can go. I’ll take responsibility for my own health.”
Now that things had reached the point of divorce, Jiang Hua had never expected to hear any explanation from Pei Zhan about him and Song Qingran.
She knew Pei Zhan too well – when it came to her, he couldn’t even be bothered to pretend…
In her previous life
Jiang Hua had desperately, hysterically, humbly begged him: “Pei Zhan, could you please just lie to me! Even if you told me you have no relationship with Song Qingran, I would believe you.”
“As long as you don’t see her, let’s start over, pretend none of this ever happened…”
How Pei Zhan had treated her then… Jiang Hua would never forget.
He said, “Jiang Hua, don’t be like this. It’s unbecoming.”
He resolutely turned and left, abandoning her alone at home to guard the icy, empty rooms…
He stayed away for years, never wavering even when she threatened suicide.
Even if she died, he would never look back.
This was how Pei Zhan treated those he didn’t love—heartlessly cold…
Pei Zhan remained unmoved, merely making a call to his assistant.
When Zuo Xiangnan arrived, Pei Zhan instructed him to watch Jiang Hua before leaving.
Jiang Hua watched Zuo Xiangnan at the doorway say something to Pei Zhan, who then left with a dark expression.
Zuo Xiangnan was also afraid of Jiang Hua, fearful of this woman’s potential madness.
People like Jiang Hua never considered others.
The reason President Pei had concealed Jiang Hua’s actions all these years was his fear… The Jiang Family held immense power and status; they could make someone disappear without a trace.
After their last parting at the hotel, Zuo Xiangnan had specifically assigned several bodyguards to secretly protect Song Qingran.
Though Jiang Hua appeared calm on the surface, who knew what murderous intentions lurked beneath.
“Young Miss… I’ll be right outside. Call me if you need anything.”
Jiang Hua spoke weakly, “I want congee from Xiang Wei Ju. Go buy it for me now.”
Zuo Xiangnan: “Yes, Young Miss.”
Going to Xiang Wei Ju would take half an hour, with another half hour for queuing.
No other wealthy young lady tormented people quite like she did.
But who could have predicted that during the over hour Zuo Xiangnan was gone, he would return to find… an empty hospital bed, the IV needle dragging on the floor still dripping nutrient solution…
Zuo Xiangnan’s first thought was… Jiang Hua had run away.
Zuo Xiangnan questioned a passing nurse.
The nurse knew nothing of Jiang Hua’s whereabouts.
Zuo Xiangnan called Jiang Hua’s phone. One call connected, rang once, then immediately switched off, eventually prompting a message that she was out of service range.
Sensing something wrong, Zuo Xiangnan immediately dialed another number.
“President Pei, it’s bad. Miss Jiang has left the hospital. My number has been blocked, and now… I can’t reach her…”
Throughout Jiang’s Jewelry Group, everyone was trembling with apprehension. The usually rational and unemotional leader was today, for unknown reasons, creating an atmosphere more oppressive than ever during meetings.
Design proposals from various departments were all rejected.
Those above were scolded, while those below suffered the consequences.
The company these past two days was simply unbearable.
Pei Zhan, having received the call, stepped out of the meeting room. Just as he was about to speak, his phone notified him of a reservation for a presidential suite at a five-star hotel, with a deduction of nearly 200,000 yuan.
However, the amount was refunded to the account, followed by… a notification that the bank card had been unbound.
This card was Pei Zhan’s salary card, containing almost all his savings. Aside from Jiang Hua, Pei Zhan rarely used the money in it.
At the five-star hotel, Jiang Hua had booked a suite for several weeks. Finding a permanent residence would have to wait. She had accidentally used Pei Zhan’s card when paying at the front desk. Not wanting to use a single cent of his money after the divorce, she refunded the payment.
Jiang Hua didn’t know exactly how much was in the account, but throughout their years of marriage, she knew how hard he worked, yet his annual salary never matched the value of even one set of her former jewelry.
After marriage, Jiang Hua broke her old habit of spending lavishly, carefully budgeting every day to build a good life with him.
Yet he could buy Song Qingran a seaside villa in Fan Hua Si Jin without even blinking.
Complete with servants and bodyguards at her disposal…
Back when I was still kept in the dark,
Pei Zhan… were you laughing at me too, for knowing nothing at all?