Сhарtеr 7: Gеt Lоst!
He Yаng fеlt аs if shе wеre lost in a fоg, unsurе which waу to go.
Jiаng Siуе huggеd hеr frоm behind, hоlding hеr tightlу. Нe lovеd holding her like this, then nuzzling his nоsе behind hеr еаr аnd kissing hеr faсе.
Тhe man’s wаrm hаnd touсhed her abdоmen. “Dоes your stоmaсh hurt?”
Hе Yаng closеd her eyеs аnd рrеtended tо bе аslеep.
Jiаng Siyе kissed her еar. “Cоme with me tо a business gathеring tоmоrrow. Тhеy’re all bringing thеir wives, sо I wаnt to bring mine.”
“I’m nоt going,” Hе Yang sаid wеаkly. “I dоn’t understand thе rules of уоur high sоciety. I don’t want to embarrаss уou.”
These wеrе the words Mаdаm Jiang had scolded her with.
Jiang Siye chuckled softly. “Your man is the rule. Why care about what outsiders say?”
He Yang: “I’m not going.”
Jiang Siye: “Then I’ll have to come back and cook for you.”
He Yang: “I can cook for myself.”
Jiang Siye: “You’ll just slack off and not eat.”
He Yang: “I don’t need you to!”
Jiang Siye shamelessly pestered her. “Just make an appearance and then come back.”
Once he had spoken, even if He Yang tried her hardest, the final outcome would always be to his liking.
Struggling was pointless.
He Yang didn’t like these business gatherings.
Nor did she know how to chat or socialize with the other wives.
She always sat beside Jiang Siye, acting as a suitable decoration.
But sometimes, when the men were discussing business, it was inappropriate for her to stick too closely by his side.
The wives present were very perceptive and warmly, affectionately pulled her into the lounge to chat.
Jiang Siye glanced over, a faint smile on his lips. “Don’t bully us, now. Don’t make me go home and get punished by kneeling.”
Everyone laughed.
His words were tactful, but anyone with a slight understanding of etiquette could hear the warning in them.
A warning that they should only say what was appropriate and avoid what wasn’t.
Thus, aside from offering He Yang fruits and yogurt, the wives kept the conversation focused on others.
One of the wives accidentally wet her sleeve while pouring water.
When she rolled up her sleeve, she inadvertently revealed bruises on her arm.
The other wives exclaimed, “Madam Wei, what happened to you?”
The named Madam Wei blushed deeply, nervously pulling her sleeve back down. “It’s nothing, nothing.”
Perhaps not wanting to arouse suspicion, Madam Wei excused herself to change clothes in the next room, temporarily leaving the lounge.
As soon as she left, the wives quickly resumed their conversation.
“I heard Mr. Wei often hits her.”
“Drop the ‘I heard.’ I saw it once myself. It gave me nightmares for days.”
“Why? Surely he doesn’t just enjoy hitting people?”
“Hey, don’t you know Madam Wei’s background? She’s a girl from a small county town. Mr. Wei took a liking to her. At first, it was fine, but over time, he got tired of her face. Unlike us, who come from families equal to our husbands’, she doesn’t have that leverage. If he wants to hit her, he doesn’t have to think twice.”
“Then why doesn’t she leave? It must be so painful.”
“She can’t leave. The decision isn’t up to her. If Mr. Wei won’t let go, she’ll get beaten if she dares to bring it up. And—”
At this point, the wife who knew the details lowered her voice. “Her family is in Mr. Wei’s hands.”
He Yang was stunned.
“Those of us who are married know that feelings can’t be relied on. In the end, it all comes down to interests. Even if they fool around outside, they still want stability at home.”
“That’s right, for the sake of appearances.”
“So, they live their lives, and we live ours. Changing to someone else might be even worse.”
“What do you think, Madam Jiang?”
Suddenly called upon, He Yang snapped back to attention. “What about Madam Wei, then?”
“What can she do?” the wife sighed. “Unless Mr. Wei lets go, Madam Wei can only endure.”
Could she only endure?”You haven’t had much contact with Madam Jiang. In this circle, which man hasn’t had a few lives on his hands? Women are trophies to them, resources.”
“That’s enough, don’t talk nonsense.”
As if remembering something, the ladies fell silent in unison.
Probably recalling Jiang Siye’s warning.
The ladies laughed awkwardly: “Of course, Jiang Siye is definitely different.”
He Yang didn’t respond.
Jiang Siye was only worse, more ruthless.
Feeling irritated, He Yang said she needed some fresh air.
She knew that once she left, the ladies’ topic would shift from Madam Wei to her.
The club lobby was resplendent, with a central chandelier adorned with tens of thousands of crystal beads, shimmering with light.
He Yang ran into Chi Dandan.
Accompanying her was a friend He Yang had met a few times when she went out with Jiang Siye.
“Fourth Sister-in-law,” Chi Dandan smiled.
He Yang nodded in acknowledgment.
Chi Dandan’s slender wrist was covered with a medicated patch, emitting a strong medicinal smell.
The same scent He Yang had smelled on Jiang Siye yesterday.
Noticing her gaze, Chi Dandan said breezily, “I accidentally sprained my wrist yesterday.”
“You scared us all,” her friend chimed in. “We rushed her to the hospital overnight, and a bunch of friends stayed with her until we were sure she was okay.”
Chi Dandan: “You guys just made a big deal out of nothing.”
So that was it.
No wonder Jiang Siye had rushed out in the middle of the night.
He Yang nodded: “Take good care of yourself.”
“Wait, Fourth Sister-in-law,” Chi Dandan called out to her. “Tomorrow’s my birthday, come hang out with us.”
He Yang: “Happy birthday, but I won’t be able to make it. I have plans with my cousin.”
“Alright,” Chi Dandan shrugged. “I wanted to bring Da Ke along, but I don’t know if Fourth Brother will allow it.”
He Yang didn’t respond to this, nodding before walking away.
It was the height of summer, and the air outside was actually more stifling and suffocating than inside the club.
But He Yang just wanted to feel the breeze outside.
The heat made her sweat easily, and sweating often triggered her hives. Coupled with her weakened immunity over the past few months, the not-yet-healed rashes on her body began to itch subtly.
He Yang stood motionless.
Almost as if punishing herself.
Until a chest pressed against her back.
He Yang turned around in alarm.
Jiang Siye wrapped his arms around her waist, tilting his head to rest his chin on her shoulder, then planted a kiss on her cheek.
“Why did you come out? Don’t like being with them?”
The itching from the rashes drove her to the brink. He Yang pushed him away violently: “Get away from me!”
“…”
She retreated two steps back, her expression and demeanor betraying unconcealed disgust and impatience, using curse words Jiang Siye had never heard in his life.
Who dared to curse at him.
Jiang Siye took a step forward, gripping her wrist, his voice dark and menacing: “He Yang, do you think I’m giving you too much face?”
He gripped her tightly. He Yang gritted her teeth, refusing to make a sound, struggling to pull her hand free.
Then she turned and walked toward the neon lights.
Jiang Siye’s chest heaved. He stood still for a few seconds before suddenly kicking over a trash can to his left, then strode after her.
He Yang shook him off again.
Jiang Siye stepped sideways to block her path, laughing in anger: “If you want me to get away, you might as well slap me directly.”
He Yang tried her best to hold back: “Can we get a divorce? I’m begging you, I’m begging you!”
“…” The curve of Jiang Siye’s mouth flattened. “Stop fucking dreaming.”
He Yang’s tears fell instantly.
A hopeless life, a trapped dead end.
Should she be grateful?
Grateful that Jiang Siye didn’t hit her like Mr. Wei hit Madam Wei?
The night breeze swept past.
Jiang Siye’s voice was low and hoarse: “He Yang, do you only want the child and not me?”Wasn’t he sad about the child?
The life that was once fine changed because of the child; the marriage that was once good ended because of the child.
Even he didn’t want it anymore.