Chарtеr 8: Shе’s Dоcile, She’s Тrоuble-Freе.
He Yаng sееmеd tо hаve lоst thе will tо fight.
Whаtever.
Livе if I live.
Die if I die.
Nothing muсh mаtterеd.
Jiаng Siуе hаd pеорle send hеr mаny gifts.
А villa, a spоrts cаr, jewelry, flоwers.
Нe Yаng rеmained lifеless throughout.
Lin Тing hаd just bееn promоtеd tо tеam manаger аt the cоmpanу, and with Hе Yang finding a job, Lin Тing рullеd her оut tо hang out, hoрing to lеt hеr breathе.
Lin Ting drovе the соmрanу-assigned сar, glanсing аt hеr several times before asking, “Sis, hоw’s thе divorce going?”
Не Yang numbly reрliеd, “Forget it.”
Lin Ting: “…”
Lin Ting: “How can you just forget it? You’re only 24, it’s the age to take risks. A failed marriage is like an unsuitable job—just change it!”
He Yang forced a faint smile.
“Let me check the company’s dress code.”
She changed the subject.
Lin Ting felt stifled but could only focus on driving.
Afraid Lin Ting would ask more, He Yang tapped around on her phone, pretending to be busy.
Most people in her social media feed were her university classmates, now scattered across different places. Some had switched careers, some were making a name for themselves in the industry, all shining brightly in their respective fields.
Only she had achieved nothing.
He Yang liked every post she scrolled through.
Until she came across Chi Dandan’s post.
When had she added Chi Dandan?
Too long ago.
He Yang couldn’t remember anymore.
Chi Dandan always prided herself on being a tomboy, acting carefree and casual when hanging out with Jiang Siye and his group of male friends, even calling each other “brothers” during fun times.
However, there was one time when Jiang Siye drank too much, and Chi Dandan leaned close to him, gazing at him with infatuation and quietly moving in to kiss him.
If not for this incident, He Yang would never have noticed.
But even after being caught, when that attempted kiss was interrupted by He Yang, Chi Dandan remained unfazed.
Chi Dandan’s post featured nine photos with the caption: 【Thanks to all my friends for showing up, I’ll remember it in my heart】
All nine photos were of gifts.
Each one was labeled with the name of the friend who gave it.
Naturally, Jiang Siye’s gift was included—a black and gold Birkin bag.
She posted it openly, acknowledging every friend and mentioning each of their names, leaving no room for anyone to read anything else into it.
That black and gold bag occupied the most prominent position.
Zooming in on the photo, Da Ke’s golden tail could be seen in the corner.
Jiang Siye truly doted on her.
He Yang had shed too many tears lately, and now her eyes were dry and sensitive to light.
The gathering spot was an entertainment club—a bar on the first floor, karaoke on the second, a bathhouse on the third, and only the club’s most important guests could access the fourth floor.
Lin Ting’s friends were similar to her in personality, young people who loved to have fun and make noise.
A team manager’s salary wasn’t high, so Lin Ting booked a small private room based on the number of people. Though cramped, it was lively.
Next door was the VIP room, likely hosting a gathering, as cheers and laughter drifted over whenever the door opened.
Lin Ting sighed, “When I have money, I’ll definitely experience the luxury of a VIP room too.”
“Dream big,” a friend retorted, “You only dare to dream of a bigger room, but I dare to dream of going up to the fourth floor.”
Lin Ting shook her head, “Those who can go to the fourth floor were born to do so.”
“Don’t be so discouraging,” the friend exclaimed, “Let’s sing.”
He Yang felt so guilty her face burned.
Outsiders said she had climbed the social ladder by marrying into a wealthy family, but it was precisely because of this wealthy family that her aunt and cousin had to keep their distance from her.
She had never let them benefit from her status in any way.
Lin Ting happily went to sing.
He Yang went to the restroom.The corridor was empty and dim, the marble walls gleaming with a cold, eerie light.
“You’re finally here, we thought you weren’t coming—”
A familiar male voice suddenly rang out.
He Yang paused, instinctively stopping at the corner.
The next second, Jiang Siye’s lazy voice sounded: “Came to pick up my Da Ke.”
“Cut the crap, since you’re here, come have some fun.”
As he spoke, the door to the VIP private room swung open, and the clamor, along with someone’s singing, spilled out into the hallway.
The door wasn’t fully closed, and inside, a boisterous cheer erupted, teasing Jiang Siye for being late and urging him to toast the birthday boy as an apology.
He Yang walked forward expressionlessly.
As she passed the VIP room, the lively commotion from moments earlier abruptly fell silent.
Probably someone was drunk, shouting hoarsely: “Fourth Young Master, I just have to ask you, isn’t Dandan good?”
The scene grew quiet, even the background music was turned off.
Immediately after, Jiang Siye’s indifferent voice sounded: “What’s it got to do with me?”
“How is it not your business?” the drunk man slurred. “Can’t you really tell she likes you?”
At that, Chi Dandan slapped him hard: “Stop talking nonsense, we’re all friends, we’re like brothers.”
“Cut the crap,” the drunk man said. “I can’t stand you hiding things, shut up, I’m going to get this cleared up for you.”
Chi Dandan fell silent.
The drunk man pressed on: “Tell me, back then, why would you rather marry that He Yang than choose Dandan?”
“If you like her, you marry her,” Jiang Siye said in a dismissive tone. “Do I have to explain to you who the hell I marry?”
At this, Chi Dandan’s expression changed.
“Fourth Brother,” she called out.
Jiang Siye glanced over.
Chi Dandan said seriously: “I want to know too.”
She was uncharacteristically earnest: “Exactly where am I worse than He Yang?”
The cards were on the table.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for an answer.
Jiang Siye narrowed his eyes, wrapping Da Ke’s leash around his palm: “Da Ke doesn’t like this kind of environment, I’m leaving.”
Chi Dandan raised her voice: “Fourth Brother! Answer my question!”
Jiang Siye chuckled, neither warm nor cold.
“I don’t like comparing others to my wife,” he said, his casual tone tinged with impatience. “But since you insist on knowing—”
“She’s more obedient than you, less trouble than you, I just can’t stand dealing with someone like you!”
Every word was clear and resonant, impossible to miss.
The fabric of He Yang’s clothes had somehow tangled around her fingertips.
Layer upon layer.
Twisted until the fabric was misshapen.
Like a heart squeezing out its blood.
Until only an empty shell remained.
She was obedient.
She was low-maintenance.
When she and Jiang Siye were dating, Jiang Siye’s father was critically ill.
Jiang Siye’s marriage naturally became an urgent matter.
Madam Jiang pressured him relentlessly, even going so far as to force the issue.
Jiang Siye was rebellious by nature, detesting anyone interfering in his life, hating others telling him what to do.
So, was He Yang the one chosen for that reason?
Compared to the young ladies from wealthy families in their circle, He Yang was indeed obedient. She lived with her aunt and uncle, and being well-behaved and compliant was her way of repaying them.
Jiang Siye was an untamable wild horse, loving freedom and unrestraint. The wealthy young ladies around him all had pride; they would throw tantrums, make demands, insist on being the sole focus of his attention, and demand he spend all his time with them.
He Yang wouldn’t.
She was very obedient.
Jiang Siye didn’t like staying home, and He Yang never dared to question him, never dared to check up on him. His clothes were taken care of by the housekeeper; she never went through his pockets, let alone touched his phone.
So, Madam Jiang was right. They had pushed too hard, provoking Jiang Siye’s rebellious streak, making him want to find someone obedient, someone low-maintenance.
Someone who wouldn’t interfere with his free life.
He Yang understood now.She was not his wife.
Rather, she was a pet he kept.
A pet to deal with his parents’ pressure to marry.