As her words hung in the air, Qi Zhicheng’s hand cutting the steak froze.
Beside his hand, the dark red liquid in the wine glass sat completely still, reflecting his suddenly frozen expression.
A bizarre silence fell over the dining room.
Watching his lightly furrowed brows and the gradual tightening of his lips, Jiang Man’s heart skipped a beat.
Could it, actually be true?
Just as she was about to slap the table and demand answers, Qi Zhicheng suddenly let out a low chuckle.
“I domestic-violenced you?” He put down his knife and fork, looking at her with amusement. “Manman, what on earth made you think that?”
Jiang Man stared at the untouched steak in front of her, whispering in a small voice, “I just don’t want to be chopped into pieces and packed into a suitcase.”
Qi Zhicheng didn’t hear her clearly. “What suitcase?”
Pushing her steak aside, Jiang Man met his gaze across the dining table. “Three months ago, I sent an ivory-white crepe satin fishtail gown from The Elara to their workshop for maintenance. I saw in their service records that there were tears on the dress, and there were stains that looked like blood.”
“Which one?”
Jiang Man pulled up the photo of the gown and raised her phone. “Do you remember this?”
Qi Zhicheng glanced at the screen, shifted his gaze, and then let it rest on her furrowed brows. “I do.”
Jiang Man remained silent, staring at him lifelessly as if waiting for his explanation.
Qi Zhicheng picked up his napkin, unhurriedly wiping his fingers. “Three months ago, on August 20th, it was my birthday.”
Jiang Man was puzzled.
Qi Zhicheng leaned back slightly into his chair, tapping his fingertip lightly on the table. “Do you know what birthday present you gave me that night?”
Startled, Jiang Man instinctively pressed, “What was it?”
“It was this dress.”
“Are you joking with me?” She frowned. “This is a dress. Would you wear it?”
The man opposite her let out a very soft laugh, the corners of his lips curving into a subtle, elegant arch.
“The dress was just the wrapping paper.”
“You, inside the dress, were the gift.”
The room went dead silent for two seconds as Jiang Man’s ears began to burn.
“That night, we had dinner together and drank some wine,” Qi Zhicheng paused slightly, raising his glass. His fingers spun the glass slowly, letting the dark red liquid swirl under the chandelier light.
He took a slow sip before continuing, “The stain on your dress wasn’t blood. It was just red wine.”
This explanation was reasonable. Thinking back to the stains on the dress, they indeed looked more like aged red wine than blood.
Jiang Man’s tense nerves eased slightly, but she quickly recalled the torn button. “But what about the missing button?”
“That night, we both lost control a little.”
Qi Zhicheng stopped there, leaving the rest unsaid.
However, his expression had clearly given her the answer.
The warm glow of the crystal chandelier spilled over the center of the table, illuminating Jiang Man’s flushing cheeks.
She uncomfortably took a sip of water. “I just feel like even if some memories are forgotten, physical instincts don’t lie.” She paused. “When you get close to me, sometimes I instinctively want to pull away.”
Qi Zhicheng fell silent for a moment. “I understand.”
“It’s true that the body is more honest than memory,” Qi Zhicheng said, setting his wine glass back down. “Amnesia resets everything to zero. What you forgot isn’t just fragments of the past, but also our familiarity and emotional connection. To the current you, I am a stranger.”
“But it doesn’t matter. Memories can be rebuilt, and so can trust. I will slowly wait for the day your body gets used to me again.”
He raised his right hand. “I promise you, these hands will never be raised against you. Even if I lose control, I will never harm you in the slightest. I will only ever use them to embrace you.”
His voice was low and incredibly gentle.
“How could I ever bear to hurt you?”
“In this world, no one loves you more than I do, Manman.”
The sudden confession made Jiang Man’s newly calmed heart pound wildly once more. Her previous righteous anger evaporated instantly, leaving behind a wave of nervous warmth.
She quickly lowered her eyelashes, picking up her utensils in a fluster. “If we don’t eat, the steak will get cold.”
She began to take tiny, excruciatingly slow bites. Her slightly trembling eyelashes betrayed her chaotic state of mind.
Qi Zhicheng didn’t move, silently gazing at his wife across the table.
The eyes behind his lenses were quiet, carrying a subtle, calculating appraisal.
He looked at her beautiful, long eyelashes as his thoughts drifted back to that night three months ago.
In a magnificent dining room with flickering candlelight, clusters of red roses bloomed with seductive intensity.
“Open it and take a look,” he had pushed a beautifully wrapped gift box toward her. “A gift for you.”
“Why are you buying me a gift on your birthday?”
He had smiled. “Aren’t you my gift?”
“Oh,” she had replied coldly. “So you’ve just picked a pretty wrapping box for your own present.”
He had lowered his eyes, his voice deepening. “Manman, do you really have to speak to me like this?”
But his mood had been excellent that day, so he hadn’t minded. He leaned down to kiss her forehead. “Wear it for me.”
Later on, the buttons popped, red wine soaked the hem, and the beautiful dress was crumpled into a chaotic mess during their passionate entanglement. Even their breaths had been burning hot.
At the end of the previous performance season, the dance troupe would enter a brief internal collective training period.
Rather than actual intense training, this period served as a transition and recovery phase, allowing the dancers to gently unwind from the high-stress state of the performance season.
The schedule during collective training was much more flexible. For instance, today, the entire afternoon consisted of only one basic ballet training class.
As the music faded and the class ended, the dancers in the rehearsal room sat in small groups along the wall to rest.
Liang Yue sat down next to Jiang Man. “Senior sister, aren’t you tired? You returned to training before your body fully recovered. During that last set of movements, everyone else was slacking, but you were still doing them so seriously. Collective training is meant for resting and relaxing. You don’t have to push yourself as hard as during the performance season.”
Jiang Man unscrewed her thermos and took a small sip of water. “I’m not trying to be perfect. I just want my body to return to its previous state as quickly as possible. This training period is the perfect time to quietly polish my skills.”
“But recovery takes time. You’re working too hard, senior sister. Are you pushing yourself this much because of-” Liang Yue suddenly leaned in close and whispered, “the lead role selection for the new production?”
Jiang Man’s fingers curled, tightening her grip on her thermos.
For the upcoming performance season, the Huaihai Ballet Troupe was launching a brand-new original ballet, Saint Teresa’s Illusion. Most importantly, the piece was being choreographed by the legendary master director, Li Kaiyi.
As Li Kaiyi’s comeback piece after a five-year hiatus, it had attracted immense attention from the entire industry since its inception and was highly anticipated.
Liang Yue rested her chin in her hands, smiling. “Senior sister, just relax. The role of Saint Teresa will definitely be yours.”
She added, “Not only that, but I’m sure you’ll be the one dancing on opening night.”
“Don’t say that,” Jiang Man shook her head. “Nothing is set in stone.”
“Senior sister, do you not want the role of Saint Teresa?”
Jiang Man fell silent.
Of course she wanted it.
While lead roles in classic repertoires rotated regularly, the premiere of a brand-new original production was extraordinarily significant.
And opening night was easily the most watched and prestigious performance of the entire season.
Being chosen as the lead for opening night was a massive honor and validation for any dancer.
However, the Huaihai Ballet Troupe was brimming with talent; they never lacked dancers with exceptional skills.
Securing the lead was already difficult enough, let alone landing opening night.
Furthermore, the car accident had still affected her body to some degree. She couldn’t be absolutely certain she could restore her physical peak in time.
“Senior sister, don’t think too much about it. There’s still some time before the next season starts anyway. Just rest well for now.” Liang Yue packed up her bag as she spoke. “I have to leave early today. I scheduled a physical therapy session tonight…”
As Liang Yue got up to leave, her backpack strap accidentally snagged on Jiang Man’s bag.
In an instant, the contents of Jiang Man’s bag spilled onto the floor.
That was when Liang Yue spotted the brochure for the North City International Ballet Competition.
The paper was printed with the competition logo and a long list of complex terms.
“The North City Ballet Competition?” Liang Yue blinked, thoroughly confused. “Senior sister, you aren’t planning on participating in this, are you?”
Jiang Man silently stuffed the brochure back into her bag without answering.
“But why?” Liang Yue was utterly bewildered. “Although this competition is highly regarded in the industry, to put it bluntly, the participants are usually newcomers trying to make a name for themselves. The contestants are mostly top students from academies or dancers like us who are in the corps de ballet. You’ve already danced the lead in so many classic productions. With your seniority and past achievements, this is completely unnecessary.”
The North City International Ballet Competition was indeed one of the most authoritative ballet events in the country. Held once every three years, it drew elite dancers from all over. Winning gold represented the pinnacle of domestic ballet, and the judges were all legendary titans of the industry.
But just as Liang Yue said, the contestants were almost all newcomers seeking a golden ticket into prestigious troupes.
She was already a principal dancer at Huaihai. There was truly no need.
Seeing Jiang Man’s lack of reaction, Liang Yue decided to speak frankly. “Senior sister, let’s be realistic. If you win the gold medal, people will just say you bullied the newcomers and that it wasn’t a fair match. But if you lose-”
Liang Yue cut herself off, hesitating to finish.
“I know,” Jiang Man completed the sentence for her. “If I lose, I’ll be ridiculed by everyone.”
And the backlash would likely be far more vicious than the current comments online.
Liang Yue was even more perplexed. “Then why this is completely thankless.”
Jiang Man smiled softly. “Perhaps, I just want to prove myself.”
A week ago, the official social media account of the Huaihai Ballet Troupe had announced their partnership with Li Kaiyi for Saint Teresa’s Illusion. The most upvoted comments were all “Boycott Jiang Man.”
Searching through the troupe’s past posts, any update related to her was always met with a storm of harsh criticism in the comments.
These voices sometimes made her feel lost.
It was as if her past achievements only existed in her dreams, a fragile, beautiful illusion that would pop at a single touch.
It made her doubt if her once-glorious past was fake, and this currently hated version of herself was the only truth.
Jiang Man closed her eyes, and scenes from her childhood flashed by.
At seven years old, she won gold at the city’s dance competition, the audience clapping thunderously.
At twelve, she challenged a highly difficult variation at the national youth dance competition. When the final note fell, the applause was deafening. Her notoriously critical ballet teacher finally gave her an proud, unreserved smile.
And later in Lausanne, she truly stepped onto the global stage, holding up a crystal trophy as the world watched her.
She wanted to use the most direct, indisputable method to prove herself.
She just needed to win one more time.
She just needed to stand at the absolute peak again, just like before.
So everyone could see that she was still the incredibly talented ballerina, Jiang Man.
“How long will you be gone?”
Qi Zhicheng looked up from his documents, his gaze behind his gold-rimmed glasses quiet and calm.
“About a week.”
Sitting on the sofa, Jiang Man withdrew her gaze from scanning his study and answered honestly.
She rarely came to his study; her only other visit had been when she accidentally walked into the wrong room.
At that time, she had only stood at the door. It was only today that she could clearly see the interior furnishings.
His study was minimalist: a large dark solid wood desk holding some documents and a computer, with several premium brown leather sofas and a row of metallic display cabinets on the other side.
Five minutes ago, she had come to the study to find him.
As her husband, she felt it was necessary to inform him about her business trip to North City.
“My flight is at ten tomorrow morning,” Jiang Man said. “I should land in the afternoon.”
“Alright.” Qi Zhicheng said softly, “North City is cold. Pack plenty of warm clothes.”
Before coming here, Jiang Man had anticipated many different reactions from him, but she hadn’t expected him to simply remind her to dress warmly.
“Aren’t you going to ask me… why I’m entering this competition?”
“That is your domain, Manman.” Qi Zhicheng put down his documents. “I may not understand ballet very well, but I understand what standing on that stage means to you as a dancer. I respect all of your decisions.”
This unexpected response left Jiang Man temporarily speechless. After a moment of silence, she whispered, “Thank you.”
Qi Zhicheng rose from his desk, poured a glass of warm water, and handed it to her.
“But Manman, I hope you understand that sometimes, the stage you are familiar with might not be as simple as you think.” He sat down beside her. “Your value lies in how you view yourself, not in the evaluations of others.”
Holding the warm glass of water, Jiang Man felt the warmth spread through her palms.
“I know, but I still want to try.”
Late at night, the villa’s long corridor was completely silent.
The oak floorboards gleamed warmly, reflecting their elongated silhouettes.
Qi Zhicheng walked Jiang Man to the door of her bedroom.
Jiang Man stopped to say goodbye. “Well, I’m going to sleep.”
He responded, “Good night.”
“Good night.”
Jiang Man turned, preparing to go inside.
The next second, her wrist was suddenly caught by a firm but controlled grip.
She turned back.
Holding her wrist, Qi Zhicheng took a step closer.
In that instant, their breaths mingled.
She smelled the crisp scent of cedarwood, along with the faint, burning aura unique to a man.
This distance was clearly well past a safe social boundary.
Her heart rate spiked, and moisture gathered in her palms.
She knew that if she looked up right now, she would lock eyes with his deep, dark gaze.
Jiang Man avoided his eyes. “Is there… something else?”
Qi Zhicheng made no further move.
Jiang Man saw his fingers tightening at his side, the blue veins faintly pulsing under the skin, a clear sign of intense restraint.
A few seconds later, he slowly and politely let her go.
Silence stretched between them.
“Send me a message when you arrive in North City.”
Because of the brief touch, Jiang Man found herself inexplicably avoiding his eyes, only lowering her gaze to murmur softly, “Yes, I got it.”
Closing the door behind her, she leaned against it and took a deep breath.
Her erratic heartbeat felt as though it were about to burst from her chest.
When the plane landed at the North City airport, tiny snowflakes were drifting past the window. Unlike the damp cold of Huaihai, North City’s cold was a biting, dry chill that stung as the wind whipped against her face.
Jiang Man wrapped her down jacket tighter, still shivering as the freezing air hit her.
The driver sent to pick her up explained while rubbing his hands together that winter had come unusually early this year, and a massive cold wave was on the horizon.
Her hotel was located near the performing arts center, with windows facing the bustling streets.
Her schedule before the competition was packed.
During the day, she practiced on stage to match the music, and at night, she revised her choreography. Her communication with Qi Zhicheng was limited to a few brief exchanges on WeChat.
At nine in the evening, Jiang Man returned to her hotel.
Her hands and feet were numb from the cold. It was only after taking a hot shower that her body finally began to warm up.
She sent a message to Qi Zhicheng letting him know she had returned to the hotel, and almost immediately, her mother’s call came through.
“Manman, are you resting yet?” Her mother, Shen Yalan’s voice carried through the receiver. “North City is much colder than Huaihai. Remember to turn up the heating. You’ve been sensitive to the cold since you were a child.”
“Yes, I just finished showering.”
The moment she spoke, Jiang Man’s throat tightened slightly.
Every child shows their softest side in front of their mother. No matter how old they get, with their mother, they can always be a child, acting spoiled and throwing tantrums.
Hearing Shen Yalan’s caring words, everything that had happened recently rushed to the surface.
Her eyes grew hot and turned red.
Not wanting to worry her mother, she adjusted her emotions and tried to respond in a cheerful tone, “I know, Mom. You need to take care of yourself too. Don’t work too hard.”
Shen Yalan spoke apologetically, “I originally planned to visit you in Huaihai, but I really can’t get away because of the Nancheng Industrial Park project. Your father has also been incredibly busy lately.”
Jiang Man had heard Shen Yalan mention this project in previous phone calls, and it seemed to be of vital importance to Jiangyuan Industries.
Right now was the most critical phase of the project.
Jiang Man didn’t want to worry her. “Mom, don’t worry about me. I’m doing great here. I just really miss.”
Just as she was about to pour her heart out, a hurried voice came from her mother’s end of the line.
“Director Shen, the tech department just replied. There’s a detail here that requires your confirmation.”
Shen Yalan said helplessly, “Manman, Mom has some things to handle here. Let me call you back later, alright?”
Jiang Man was understanding. “Okay, go ahead with your work.”
Cradled in the warm blankets, sleepiness quickly took over. Holding her phone, she unconsciously drifted into a light sleep.
After an unknown amount of time, a phone ring woke her from her daze.
Assuming her mother had finished her work and was calling back, Jiang Man, too sleepy to open her eyes, blindly reached for the phone beside her pillow and swiped to answer.
“Are you finished with work?”
Her voice carried a thick, nasal sleepiness and unguarded softness, murmuring just like she used to do as a child,
“I missed you.”
“Really missed you.”
On the other end of the line, there was a long, heavy silence.
Jiang Man waited for a while, but hearing no response, she thought she had been too sleepy and hadn’t actually connected the call. Confused, she pulled the phone away from her ear, squinting her eyes to look at the glowing screen.
Three words were clearly displayed on the screen:
Qi Zhicheng