Because of Tao Ran’s series of well-calculated moves, not only were Fang Ming and Xiao Ai completely trapped in her web, even Liu Jie—who had been watching from the sidelines this whole time—was forced to get involved.
After all, he had lent Tang Ran quite a bit of money over the years. If Fang Ming ended up penniless, wouldn’t all that money go down the drain?
“Tang Ran,” Liu Jie began, his tone cautious yet pleading, “we’ve all seen how much you’ve loved Xiao Ming over the years. He’s suffering now—really suffering. Can you truly bear to—”
“Hold on.”
Tao Ran switched her phone to speaker mode and popped a slice of spicy beef tripe into her mouth.
Delicious.
So what if they had been a couple? If the man had a wolf’s heart, she would chew him up just the same.
“You were saying?” she asked casually. “Tell me, how exactly is he suffering? Maybe it’ll make me feel better—help with digestion.”
“He was beaten by a few homeless men this morning,” Liu Jie explained hurriedly. “Before he could even reach the hospital, the airport police lectured him. Then he was sent to an interrogation room and afterwards straight to a holding cell at the police station.”
“Mhm.” Just as planned.
“He’s covered in bruises, hasn’t received any medical treatment, and the humiliation… he’s really breaking down.”
“Mhm.” Exactly as she expected.
“Here, everything is about human rights, but the testing labs only work a few hours a day. His toxicology report won’t be ready until tomorrow afternoon at the earliest, so he’ll be locked up for another ten-plus hours…”
“Mhm.” Which was why she had chosen a noon flight—so the scumbag would spend the night behind bars.
“He’s sharing the cell with seven others—dangerous types, mostly arrested for street fighting. And he’s the only non-white. You know how bad the racial bias is here…”
“Mhm.”
“I went to see him today. He’s on the verge of a breakdown. He hasn’t eaten a single bite all day. They won’t even let him use the toilet. Every time he tries to stand, they trip him or humiliate him.”
“Mhm.”
“He’s miserable, Tang Ran. Truly miserable. I’ve never seen him like this—pale, exhausted, crying nonstop. You know how proud he is. For him to break down like that… it says everything.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
Tao Ran didn’t respond further—she was too busy savoring her food. The more pathetic Fang Ming sounded, the more appetizing her meal became.
“His suffering isn’t just physical,” Liu Jie continued. “It’s mental too. He’s terrified about his studies, his debts, his credit cards, his bank accounts, his IDs—and, of course, the money from his parents…” This chapter was copied from novelping.com without permission.
“Tang Ran, he’s learned his lesson. You’re a kind, gentle woman. If you wanted revenge, I think you’ve made your point. If this continues, he’ll be ruined.”
“He’s deeply remorseful. He wants to apologize—to beg for your forgiveness. Even if you’re set on divorce, shouldn’t you at least talk face to face?”
Honestly, Liu Jie was saying all the right things. He was the kind of friend any man would want.
Unfortunately for him, Tao Ran wasn’t buying any of it.
“Spare me the nonsense,” she said lazily, stretching after finishing her meal. “Tell me what you really want.”
“I… I have a few requests, and some questions—”
“Oh!” Tao Ran suddenly interrupted, feigning surprise. “Looks like my phone balance just ran out. I just got a message about it.”
Before Liu Jie could react, she hung up with a sharp tap.
International roaming wasn’t cheap. Why should she pay for the call when they were the ones begging?
A few minutes later, she powered the phone back on.
Sure enough, a message came through—someone had topped up her balance with fifty dollars.
Ten seconds later, the phone rang again.
“Where are you?” Liu Jie’s voice was noticeably heavier.
“I don’t have to tell you.”
“You’re back in the country?”
“None of your business.”
“What about Fang Ming’s money?”
“What money?” Tao Ran sneered. “Everyone knows I was the one footing the bills these past two years. Even if he had secret savings, that’s still marital property. I’m his wife—I’m entitled to use it. No problem there, right?”
“Did you max out his credit card?”
“If he’s unhappy about it, he can call the police.”
“But that money in his account was from his parents—for emergencies.”
“But you tricked his parents into sending you 150,000 yuan!”
“Tricked? I’m their daughter-in-law. We’re family. Since when is it called tricking family? If it really were fraud, why haven’t they called the police? Go on, tell them to file a report. If they’re not scared—let’s see who ends up looking like the dog!”
Liu Jie fell silent, his head pounding from her sharp retorts.
He tried a different angle. “Fang Ming’s passport, ID—his documents—they’re with you, aren’t they?”
“I can swear I don’t have a single one.”
“Then where are they?”
“Maybe he lost them.”
“Tang Ran, do you realize how serious this is?” Liu Jie’s voice rose. “Without ID, the police almost treated him as an illegal immigrant. That’s why he’s getting it worse. Without those papers, they can’t even check his bank balance. It’s a mess! Look, you don’t have to tell me, but at least let him know where they are!”
“Then tell him to come find me.”
“You know he’s in custody—”
“And you know this is between me and my husband!” Tao Ran snapped. “Our marriage. Xiao Ai got involved because she’s shameless. What’s your excuse? This has nothing to do with you!”
That finally pushed Liu Jie over the edge. He began yelling into the phone.
Tao Ran, unfazed, said calmly, “Put Xiao Ai on.”
Xiao Ai took the phone timidly.
But before she could speak, Tao Ran’s cold, cutting voice came through.
“Don’t tell me you really think what you and Fang Ming have is true love. Do you even know what he says about you behind your back? Think of the worst thing a man could call a woman—that’s what he calls you. That’s why I never suspected your affair; you weren’t even worth noticing. You’re nothing but a rag to him, Xiao Ai. Used and tossed aside.”
“And do you know why I took his bank card? Because there’s a lot of money on it. He’s always had money—he just prefers spending women’s money. He uses women. That’s all you are to him. Consider this a friendly warning: don’t let him scam you any further.”
“I’m divorcing him soon. If I were you, I’d ask him—does he plan to marry you, or repay what he owes you? He has to choose one. If he chooses neither, then you’re just a fool paying for the privilege of being used. Don’t be that stupid, Xiao Ai. Wake up.”
With that, Tao Ran hung up and powered off her phone again.
After all, the call had done its job—and it hadn’t cost her a cent.