Chapter 7

But to my astonishment, he heard me out and said calmly, “There's no need to investigate. Ye Nuonuo, this company cares about results. And the result is that your meeting was a disaster. You ruined the project.”

A chill went through me.

He knew.

He understood exactly what had happened, and he was choosing to protect Xu Yanshuang anyway.

Hurt, rage, resentment—all of it surged up at once.

My eyes burned as I confronted him.

“You said we had to follow company policy. If something goes wrong, we're supposed to get to the bottom of it. Why do the rules stop applying when it's Xu Yanshuang?”

His expression didn't change.

“Nuonuo, you and Yanshuang are different. You're my wife. Of course we have to keep our distance. Besides, you aren't suited to office life. Wouldn't it be better to go back to staying home, shopping for designer things and traveling?”

A sob caught in my throat.

“Jiang Chenghuai, does being your wife mean I have to swallow every humiliation?”

He sighed and reached to wipe my tears.

“Nuonuo, why are you still such a crybaby? You've been working all this time and haven't grown up at all.”

I closed my eyes and knocked his hand away.

“Jiang Chenghuai. Let's get divorced.”

09

“What did you say?”

“I said we're getting divorced. I'm going to a lawyer right now to have the papers drawn up.”

I turned and left.

For a moment, he stood motionless. Then he called after me furiously.

“Ye Nuonuo, where do you think you can go without me?”

I didn't look back.

Only then did he truly panic.

Before we married, I'd made him promise that no matter how badly we fought, neither of us would ever mention divorce.

Once those words were spoken, there would be no going back.

He hurried after me.

Unfortunately for him, the elevator doors closed just as he reached them. No amount of jabbing the button would open them.

He had to take the stairs.

By the time he caught up, I was already clearing my desk.

His hair was disheveled from running. Two buttons of his normally immaculate shirt had come undone.

He stopped behind me, panting.

“Nuonuo, don't be childish. At work, results are what matter. Don't let something like this—”

Smack.

I turned and slapped him across the face.

Red-eyed, past caring how I looked, I shouted, “Jiang Chenghuai, I said we're getting divorced! From now on, go to work with Xu Yanshuang if you want. Stay at her place. Cover for her while she frames other people. Do whatever you like!”

“You'll never see me in front of you again. Now get the hell out of my sight. I never want to see your face!”

I picked up my box and walked away.

Let everyone at the company talk.

Fuck it. Fuck all of it.

At home, I hurriedly packed my belongings, dragged my suitcase out, and checked into a hotel.

Then I went straight to a law firm.

While I was discussing the divorce, a message from Qiao Xue came in.

[Nuonuo, are you okay?]

[Can you come out for dinner tonight? Haili wants to talk to you.]

I agreed immediately.

My mess with Jiang Chenghuai had dragged them into trouble. I owed them a proper meal—and an apology for hiding who I was.

I booked a restaurant near the office.

Shortly after the end of the working day, Haili and Qiao Xue arrived.

I'd expected them to be awkward now that my identity was out.

Instead, Qiao Xue was as warm and enthusiastic as ever.

She latched onto my arm and launched straight in.

“Nuonuo, you have no idea! After you went at Mr. Jiang this afternoon, the company group chats exploded. Everyone started digging into your relationship. Now the whole office knows Xu Yanshuang is a homewrecker. And because it caused such a huge fuss, the company's finally investigating what really happened at the kickoff. The results come out tomorrow. She can start packing!”

Then Qiao Xue looked at me hopefully.

“Once it's all cleared up, they'll probably give you your job back. Will you come back?”

I shook my head.

Much as I hated losing the Jiang Group's excellent pay and benefits, right now I only wanted to be as far from Jiang Chenghuai as possible.

Qiao Xue gave a mournful groan and drained her lemonade.

“Nooo. My work bestie's gone. Maybe I should quit, too!”

Just then, Haili handed me a business card.