Afterward.
Jiang Qinian turned to head to the bathroom, but Wen Nian grabbed his wrist and asked in a coquettish tone, “Qinian, is there really nothing between you and that ugly agent?”
Jiang Qinian paused slightly, a flicker of complex emotion passing through his eyes.
Then he looked at Wen Nian gently. “Mm, I’ve kept her around all this time simply because she’s convenient. Don’t overthink it. The one I love is you.”
Those words were spoken to Wen Nian, but they sounded more like he was trying to convince himself.
Convenient?
The one he loves?
His denial cut straight through her heart. Jiang Zhi’s face turned pale, and she let out a self-deprecating laugh.
Back in university, she had pursued him for two years, and he remained unmoved.
Finally, on the night of graduation, he agreed to be with her—on the condition that she give up the lead role she’d been selected for that year and become his agent instead.
Back then, her eyes were full of him, and she agreed without a second thought.
For the sake of his career, she willingly became his secret girlfriend for three years.
She worked tirelessly to pick suitable endorsements and gigs for him, handling everything related to him personally.
So this was what it all came down to—she was just convenient.
Everything suddenly made sense.
Over the past three years, Jiang Qinian had always treated her with polite reserve. Occasionally, she’d catch a glimpse of disgust and hatred in his eyes, though it vanished as quickly as it appeared.
She’d thought it was her imagination. Now she realized—that was his true feelings all along.
No wonder he only held her affectionately when he was drunk, like a normal couple would.
Even when he was so overwhelmed he could barely contain himself, he never touched her, choosing instead to take cold showers alone.
All his restraint and forbearance, under her own self-delusion, had morphed into what she believed was deep love.
Deceiving yourself only ever hurts yourself. It was time to wake up.
The internet was flooded with behind-the-scenes clips of Jiang Qinian and Wen Nian from their new drama. Their CP fans were going crazy, editing together every trace of “evidence” of their love from every shot.
That had been a wake-up call for Jiang Zhi.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have used a business trip as an excuse to surprise him.
In truth, she was gambling that night.
And clearly, she had lost.
She finally realized that not liking someone could happen in an instant—triggered by a single moment, a single word, a single thought.
A rotten cucumber—whoever wants it can have it. She didn’t care.
Stuck in this situation, Jiang Zhi was debating whether to confront them directly or hide until the two of them left.
The next second, fate made the choice for her.
Her phone rang, the sound echoing in the cramped closet. The conversation between the man and woman in the room abruptly stopped, making the ringtone seem deafeningly loud.
Jiang Zhi pressed the answer button, and Xiao Ran’s voice came through immediately.
“Sister Jiang Zhi, it’s bad! Paparazzi have photos of Actor Jiang and Miss Wen Nian kissing in the car and entering the residential complex together. They’re demanding ten million yuan in hush money!”
Xiao Ran had been by Jiang Zhi and Jiang Qinian’s side for two years.
To her, Jiang Qinian was an upright, self-disciplined gentleman—a refined and courteous man.
She knew Jiang Zhi was with Jiang Qinian tonight, and she never believed a man with such upbringing would cheat.
She’d assumed the photos were just paparazzi grasping at straws, snapping shots from whatever angle they could to make money.
However, Jiang Zhi’s words shattered the filter she’d had on Jiang Qinian for years.
Jiang Zhi’s voice was calm. “Let them publish it. I’m sure Actor Jiang would be more than happy to go public with his relationship with Miss Wen Nian.”
The moment she finished speaking, the closet door swung open.
Jiang Qinian’s handsome face—a mix of shock, panic, and disbelief—came into Jiang Zhi’s view.
A moment later, he regained his composure and furrowed his brow. “You were hiding in here spying on me?”
The man’s audacity in accusing her first only made Jiang Zhi’s heart grow colder.
Unhurriedly, she hung up the phone and stepped out of the closet.
She glanced down at the black slip dress she was wearing, then looked at Jiang Qinian. Her red lips curved into a smile, her voice as gentle as ever but tinged with a hint of innocence. “I just wanted to surprise you for your birthday.”
She paused, then swept her gaze toward Wen Nian, who lay on the bed with bare shoulders and kiss marks all over her skin. With a sneer, she added, “Though it seems you didn’t need it.”
Before the man betrayed her, this black slip dress had been a lover’s weapon of seduction.
But at this moment, she only felt the short dress was shameful and ugly.
The fabric clinging to her skin burned her with every touch.
Hearing this, Jiang Qinian finally took notice of Jiang Zhi’s attire. The lustrous black silk hugged her figure, accentuating her stunning proportions.
Her curves were deep and alluring, her waist impossibly slender, and her long, shapely legs exposed, impossible to ignore.
Realizing what her outfit meant, an indescribable emotion spread through Jiang Qinian’s chest, and his Adam’s apple bobbed slightly.
He instinctively glanced at Wen Nian on the bed, then back at Jiang Zhi, his gaze darting between them. His expression showed hesitation, as if weighing which one to choose.
Jiang Zhi caught every subtle movement and felt nothing but disgust.
Still shopping around?
Before Jiang Qinian could speak, she said first, “Jiang Qinian, let’s break up.”
With that, she strode past him, brushing shoulders as she went, and walked quickly out the door without looking back.
This apartment was where Jiang Zhi and Jiang Qinian had lived together for three years.
No, to be precise, it was cohabitation.
Jiang Qinian never let her enter his room, and only when he was drunk did she get to set foot inside.
They were more like roommates than lovers.
Jiang Zhi didn’t want to stay here for even a moment.
Her short skirt was provocative enough to tempt sin, so she draped a long coat over herself, wrapped up tightly, grabbed her handbag, and headed out.
Jiang Qinian was stunned in place by the word “breakup” in Jiang Zhi’s words.
In his memory, Jiang Zhi had always been obedient to him, never leaving him with such resolve and coldness as she did now.
His heart suddenly felt hollowed out, as if falling into an endless void.
Before he could figure out what this emotion was, his body reacted first, and he inexplicably turned around and chased after her!
Seeing this, Wen Nian urgently called out, “Brother Qinian, where are you going?!”
Just as Jiang Zhi was about to pull the door open, her wrist was caught by a force.
Jiang Qinian was no longer his usual gentle and courteous self. He gripped her tightly, his voice deep, “I didn’t agree!”
Her wrist felt like it was wrapped around by a venomous snake, and Jiang Zhi felt nothing but disgust.
She looked straight at Jiang Qinian, her gaze cold and clear, “I’m informing you.”
The implication was clear—whether he agreed or not, the breakup was final.
A thin layer of anger tinged Jiang Qinian’s eyes. “Jiang Zhi, what right do you have to say it’s over? As long as I don’t agree, you can’t leave!”
Jiang Zhi let out a cold laugh.
It was utterly unreasonable—he was the one who had cheated, yet he turned the blame around and said she had no right.
What kind of logic was that?
Jiang Zhi’s beautiful fox-like eyes narrowed, and she sneered, “What makes you think I’d want a man who’s been tainted?”
Tainted?
He was more than enough for a worthless thing like her!
Jiang Qinian wanted to retort, but before the words could leave his mouth, he was silenced by what Jiang Zhi said next.