Pei Zhan took a card from his wallet: “This is your school card. It has enough for your expenses this semester. If it’s not enough, call me.”
Song Qingran: “I don’t want your money. I’ll earn it myself.”
Pei Zhan: “Haven’t you owed me enough already? What’s one more debt? I’ve already arranged for someone to take care of your mother’s hospitalization and medical needs.”
Song Qingran bit her lip. She knew his temperament—if she didn’t take his card, he definitely wouldn’t let her get out of the car.
She had no choice but to accept it reluctantly.
Clutching her bag, Song Qingran ran all the way into the campus. Only after a while did she dare to stop.
Yet, in just those few short minutes…
Pei Zhan’s Bluetooth car phone rang. He pressed the screen to answer.
Zuo Xiangnan: “President Pei, the bodyguards have found that person, and the contents of the camera have been destroyed. What should we do with this person next?”
Pei Zhan: “Break his hands.”
Immediately, a series of agonized screams came through the phone.
But the person, enduring the pain and still defiant, said, “Even if you destroy my camera, it’s useless. The photos have already been sent.”
Zuo Xiangnan: “President Pei… this…”
Pei Zhan pressed his sharp lips together, his eyes showing no emotion at all, completely calm. To him, it seemed like nothing significant. He merely said lightly, “Hand him over to the police.”
“Yes, President Pei.”
“What about the young lady? If she sees the photos, this matter might not stay hidden. I’m afraid if Chairman Jiang finds out, Miss Song might be in danger.”
Pei Zhan: “I’ll handle it.”
In the main hall of the Jiang Family Villa, Jiang Hua, who was drinking bird’s nest porridge, received the photos in her email. The clear images showed:
At 6:00 AM, Pei Zhan’s car drove into Fan Hua Si Jin.
At 6:45 AM, Pei Zhan emerged from the villa, followed by a tall young woman carrying a backpack and sporting a pure ponytail.
Around 8:17 AM, in the car… Pei Zhan handed a card to the girl beside him, who looked about nineteen or twenty years old…
The servant, noticing the person sitting at the dining table with reddened eyes, immediately asked with concern, “Young lady, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” Jiang Hua suddenly lost her appetite.
The servant looked at the half-full bowl of bird’s nest porridge and felt it was a pity.
This was specially bought by the master for the young lady to nourish her health, specifically prepared for her return. Who would have thought she’d only take a few bites before stopping?
Sitting in front of the dressing table, Jiang Hua stared despondently at her reflection in the mirror. Having not rested well all night, her complexion was pale and haggard. She pushed up her sleeve, looking at the burned skin, and gradually gathered her resolve.
Her gaze fell upon the pile of unsightly photos in front of her.
Jiang Hua changed into a long dress, removed the engagement ring from her ring finger, and placed it on top of the photos.
Adorning the gemstone ring worth over 80 million from a French auction, Jiang Hua applied makeup and bright red lipstick. With every smile and gesture, even among a crowd of celebrities, she stood out as the most dazzling presence.
It was the first time she had ever dressed up like this…
She just didn’t want to lose again!
After going downstairs, Jiang Hua sat in the back seat of the private car.
The driver: “Young lady, where would you like to go?”
“Take me to the city center.”
The driver: “The usual shopping mall?”
Jiang Hua’s usual favorite pastimes were shopping, buying things, and spending money like water—dropping a few million in a day was nothing to her.
Today, however, she was clearly in a bad mood. She closed her eyes and said, “Whatever.”
Her destination wasn’t the shopping mall, but…
After arriving downtown, she dismissed the driver and headed straight to the law firm.
Entering the office, she was momentarily stunned by the sight of an exquisitely dressed woman with extraordinary elegance—she had never seen anyone so beautiful. “Miss, how may I help you?”
Jiang Hua handed her business card to the receptionist. “I want this person. Have him come see me now.”
“I’m sorry, Lawyer Song isn’t available. He’s been on leave for quite some time.”
Jiang Hua said, “I’m here to pick up the divorce papers.”
Though inwardly shocked, the receptionist maintained a calm expression. “We’ve had quite a few clients recently coming to draft divorce agreements. May I ask your name, madam? I’ll help you locate the documents.”
Jiang Hua parted her red lips. “Jiang Hua.”
“O-okay!”
The receptionist hadn’t expected the woman before her to be Jiang Hua, the heiress of Jiang’s Jewelry Group. It was really her… She was only in her twenties, and the public knew nothing about her marriage. Now… to think she was quietly getting divorced.
My god, this news was absolutely explosive.
Jiang Hua had come personally to retrieve the divorce papers solely to prevent news of her divorce from Pei Zhan from reaching her father’s ears.
His… heart wasn’t strong.
He had retired early precisely to recuperate at home.
The doctor said her father could no longer withstand any shocks.
Her father had always hoped she would live happily with Pei Zhan. It wasn’t that Jiang Hua hadn’t considered it—it was Pei Zhan who… had long betrayed her.
The moment Jiang Hua received the divorce papers, countless thoughts raced through her mind.
Yet… she still didn’t know how to explain it to her father.
Stuffing the documents into her bag, Jiang Hua walked down the street, countless eyes falling upon her, though she remained unmoved.
After walking for a while, she suddenly felt tired and found a café to sit in.
Settling by the window, an idea suddenly surfaced in her mind…
She wanted…
She wanted to see Song Qingran before finalizing the divorce with Pei Zhan—to see what kind of person she was, how she could make Pei Zhan protect her for over a decade, devotedly loving only her all along.
Even at the cost of abandoning everything…
Just as Jiang Hua was lost in thought, a girl dressed simply, carrying a single-strap backpack and sporting a ponytail, walked in holding a stack of papers. She approached the counter and asked, “Excuse me, are you still hiring part-time staff here?”
“Sorry, we’re not hiring part-timers at the moment.”
“I see. Sorry to bother you.”
“Are you a student from the nearby Imperial Capital University?”
“Yes, this is my resume. If your shop needs anyone, you can contact me at the number listed.”
“You’re actually a student from Imperial Capital University? I’ll give this to the manager—maybe… he’ll consider you.”
“Thank you so much. My name is Song Qingran.”
Jiang Hua sat quietly in her seat, listening to the girl’s gentle, melodious voice drift into her ears, calmly observing her every move.
The girl wore a radiant smile on her face, her appearance pure and harmless—the kind of “first love” visage that all men adore and could never forget. At first glance, one would inevitably be drawn to her.
Song Qingran clearly hadn’t noticed the presence of someone watching her.
Until… a man clad in pointed leather shoes and a tight short-sleeved shirt, with a plump, greasy appearance and a thick gold chain around his neck, sat down opposite Jiang Hua.
“Hey beautiful, all alone? Want to hang out with your big brother? I’ll give you 100,000 a month—guarantee you’ll live in luxury.”