Jiang Zhixue finally understood.
Zhou Yan thought she was refusing to divorce to force him into selling a kidney for money.
After all, from the moment he went bankrupt, she had been clamoring for a divorce.
Jiang Zhixue: “…”
You’re quite the good guy, male lead.
Not only did he agree to divorce, but he was also worried she’d have no money after the split, willing to trade a kidney for cash to give her.
Thinking about it, at this point, Zhou Yan still had some feelings for her, his malicious ex-wife.
It was only later, after she repeatedly pushed her luck, that he grew to utterly despise her, gave up on her, and cut ties completely.
So much so that later, when he saw her suffering inhuman treatment, he no longer lifted a finger to help.
In the end, upon hearing news of her death, he merely said indifferently:
“Serves her right.”
Up to now, it was entirely Jiang Zhixue who had wronged him, hurt him, and betrayed him.
Everything she had achieved was all thanks to Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan was originally an orphan adopted by an elderly neighbor of the Jiang family. When he was fourteen, the old man passed away. Seeing him pitiful, Jiang’s mother gave him food.
Jiang Zhixue also took care of him, often bringing him meals. They were even middle school classmates in their hometown.
Seeing her poor academic performance, Zhou Yan tutored her. Later, she followed him to high school and then to Haishi for college.
However, she only got into a second-tier university.
If she had put in a bit more effort, Zhou Yan, the academic prodigy, could have lifted her up, and they could have attended Haida University together.
Come to think of it, for most of her four years in college, Jiang Zhixue’s living expenses were covered by Zhou Yan’s part-time earnings.
When he worked side jobs, he could earn four or five thousand a month during peak times, giving her three thousand.
She saw that Zhou Yan was not only academically excellent but also earned more than others through part-time work.
Even before graduating, he started a company with a group of rich second-generation heirs.
Such a promising talent was the highest ceiling she could ever reach.
That’s why, in her junior year, she actively pursued him.
When she saw wealthy older women and daughters of wealthy families appearing around him, she forced him to get a marriage certificate.
So, before they even graduated in their senior year, they were already married.
Looking back, Zhou Yan truly gave his all to this malicious ex-wife, pouring his heart and soul into her.
They were childhood sweethearts, after all.
Enough to provoke the male lead, giving him a betrayal so profound it would fuel his growth—
“No need, no need! No selling kidneys.” She immediately waved her hands in refusal.
Not to mention she couldn’t possibly sell one, how could the male lead have only one kidney? He needed to keep his extraordinary kidneys to conquer the female lead.
Zhou Yan frowned at her unusual behavior. “Jiang Zhixue, what exactly are you trying to do?”
“I…”
She opened her mouth, unsure how to explain.
Given how far she had gone, no matter what she said, he probably wouldn’t believe her.
“Ding…” Just then, her phone rang.
Only then did she realize she was holding a pearl clutch, wearing a red spaghetti-strap dress, with big wavy curls—still looking every bit the wealthy woman she used to be.
The pearl clutch cost ten thousand, and the dress six thousand.
She had bought them with Zhou Yan’s card back when they were married, before he went bankrupt.
Dressed like this, she had been planning to take Zhou Yan out to sell a kidney.
Lost in thought, her phone rang a second time before she fished it out.
As soon as she answered, a male voice came through:
“Jiang Zhixue, where have you taken him? I don’t see you anywhere.”
Hearing the familiar voice, she knew exactly who it was.
A wealthy second-generation heir, Han Ling, who later became her boyfriend.
To put it nicely, he was her boyfriend, but Han Ling never actually intended to be with her.
He was merely attracted to her beauty and saw her as someone he could exploit. Under the guise of a romantic relationship, he toyed with her and used her for her value.
But the original host was foolish and blind, clinging to the dream of marrying this wealthy heir.
And now, she was still married to Zhou Yan.
So, this Han Ling was essentially her—
Lover!
Jiang Zhixue felt numb all over again!
Later on, after Han Ling had used her up and saw that she had no more value, he sent her to Paradise Island.
"Jiang Zhixue, I’ve already arranged for a doctor to be waiting for the examination. You know how expensive and hard to book specialists at private hospitals like this are."
"If you miss this chance, there won’t be another. If you want to sell your kidney later, you won’t get such a good opportunity or price."
"Sell your mother’s!"
Jiang Zhixue listened to his condescending tone—as if he were some merciful bodhisattva saving others while actually sucking their blood and stealing their lives—and couldn’t help but curse.
Thinking about everything he had done to her, if it weren’t for the phone between them, she would have rushed over and slapped him hard across the face.
As soon as the curse left her lips, she felt the atmosphere around her shift.
Looking up, she saw Zhou Yan staring at her in surprise.
Both of them had come from a small town, and Haishi, as a first-tier city, placed great emphasis on sophistication and refinement.
Jiang Zhixue had always felt deeply insecure, so she paid close attention to her words and actions, carefully packaging herself as a well-mannered, educated young lady.
He hadn’t heard her curse like this in years.
As a top-tier workhorse in the upper echelons of the financial world, she never dared to curse openly. Such words were only ever muttered in her heart.
Jiang Zhixue: "…"
She shouted into the phone, "Sell it yourself if you want to. We’re not selling."
"And Han Ling, if you call me again, I’ll report you to the police for organ trafficking."
"You scumbag, stay away from me!" After warning him through the phone, she hung up and finally let out a sigh of relief.
Looking up, she met Zhou Yan’s somewhat stunned gaze.
"That… Han Ling isn’t a good person. I… won’t contact him anymore."
As soon as she finished speaking, her phone rang again—it was Han Ling calling.
Jiang Zhixue, under Zhou Yan’s watchful eyes: "…"
She immediately blocked him, even on WeChat.
"I really won’t contact him again."
Zhou Yan looked at his suddenly softened, earnest wife and felt a sense of unreality.
"Do as you please," he said, then stood up and headed out.
They rented the top floor, and Zhou Yan was so tall that he had to stoop in many places.
"Where are you going?" Jiang Zhixue asked anxiously.
Zhou Yan pursed his thin lips, gathering his thoughts before replying, "Going to drive for a ride-hailing service."
Only then did Jiang Zhixue remember that Zhou Yan now worked delivering food during the day and drove for ride-hailing services at night, working around the clock, more diligent than a donkey grinding grain.
"Oh…"
As soon as she spoke, he flinched reflexively.
"Be careful, and don’t overwork yourself," Jiang Zhixue said gently.
As someone who had died from overwork in her past life, she knew that people who worked day and night without rest were at constant risk of sudden death. Her concern was genuine, a reminder for him to take care.
Instead of the expected insults, Zhou Yan turned back and looked at her in surprise.
The woman wore a red halter dress, with voluminous curls cascading down her back. Standing at 1.7 meters tall, she had a full bust, a slender waist, long legs, and an exceptional waist-to-hip ratio.
She was even more stunning and radiant than a major celebrity.
So he thought that with her looks, if she left him and didn’t stir up trouble, she could marry into the middle class and live comfortably for the rest of her life.
Seeing him staring at her, Jiang Zhixue’s heart skipped a beat again. “What’s wrong?”
Could he have discovered she was a transmigrator?