Chapter 64: Quite The Actor

With knees like jelly, He Lei showed Jiang Shaocheng a video. The chopsticks Jiang Shaocheng had been holding snapped.

A tremor of fear rolled through He Lei. I knew this would happen, he thought wearily. Why couldn’t the young mistress just behave herself? What did she stand to gain by embracing another man–and angering her husband?

“Take me to her school,” Jiang Shaocheng commanded, and He Lei rushed to obey.

Ke Liuyi was disgusted that Jiang Shaocheng was going to school to find Tang Qiu–again–but she kept her expression pleasant. “Qiu hasn’t finished classes yet, has she? Why are you going to pick her up now?”

He Lei shot her a warning look. Ke Liuyi was tempted to fan the flames of Jiang Shaocheng’s anger, but she restrained herself, if only so he wouldn’t take his temper out on her.

It didn’t stop her from resenting Tang Qiu even more, though.

Jiang Shaocheng pinpointed Tang Qiu’s location at a cafe near to her school. He Lei prayed that she would be alone, or at least not with another man. Or else…

As it turned out, his prayers were unanswered.

***

Twenty minutes ago, Jiang Hanchen’s butler found Tang Qiu and sat her down at the cafe. Even wary, Tang Qiu knew she couldn’t refuse–not with the guards tailing him.

Once they sat down, the butler said, “Let’s not waste time. I have ten million yuan here with me. It’s yours–as long as you leave Young Master Jiang. I’m sure you’re aware of your status as an illegitimate child. You’re not worthy of our young master–especially since you’re having an affair. The Jiang family doesn’t want to keep you around. My master sent me here to request that you initiate a divorce.”

Tang Qiu’s fists balled together. She didn’t even look at the check–money was important to her, but not at the expense of all else. “I told you, I wasn’t having an affair; it was just a misunderstanding. I won’t divorce him.”

“Twenty million yuan, then. I hope that satisfies you. You don’t want to make my master angry.” The butler’s expression was stony with hostility; this woman was truly difficult.

“You don’t need to worry about me,” Tang Qiu shot back. “I’m Jiang Shaocheng’s wife–the only reason I’d get a divorce is if he wants it. Go back and tell your master that he’s not going to win his son back like this. In fact, why not give the money to my husband? Why waste it on me?”

From a distance, He Lei watched–impressed by Tang Qiu–as his young master’s expression smoothed over. He breathed a sigh, just as Jiang Shaocheng turned his wheelchair around and pushed himself away.

The butler struggled to summon words past the chokehold of his fury. “I didn’t expect you to be so bold,” he said, stabbing a finger at Tang Qiu. “But I should warn you: my master’s wrath isn’t something you want to incur.”

“And what of my wrath?”

The butler’s head whirled around–and bowed. “Young Master,” he greeted, his tone deferential.

Jiang Shaocheng recognized him; he was called Uncle Yuan. “If you’re going to call me ‘Young Master’, then maybe you should treat my wife with the appropriate courtesy,” he said icily.

“Young Master… your father is doing this for your sake. He–”

“I don’t care whether he did it for me, or his reputation. Now get out.”

Uncle Yuan opened his mouth but said nothing; he knew the relationship between father and son wouldn’t be so easily mended. With the money in hand, he retreated from the cafe.

It was a surprise to see her husband, but a welcome one. “Why are you here?” Tang Qiu asked.

Her smile soothed Jiang Shaocheng slightly, but then her jacket caught his eye, complete with another man’s invisible pawprints. The thought burned like acid. “I missed you,” he said simply.

How clingy. “I’ll be home soon.”

“As long as you’re out of my sight, I can’t possibly be at peace.” His words were laced with an underlying meaning.

His young master was quite the actor, He Lei remarked silently. But Jiang Shaocheng’s next words caught him off-guard.

“Since you’re here, let’s have a drink together.”

You’re still pretending to be ill, He Lei nearly said. What happened to being careful? Still, a look from Jiang Shaocheng was all it took to send him scurrying to buy them both coffee.

When the coffee arrived, Jiang Shaocheng made sure it wasn’t too hot before passing it to Tang Qiu. His hand trembled, and the coffee splashed onto her jacket, leaving a stain.

“I’m sorry, Qiu.” He let frustration fall over his face. “Why don’t we go buy some new clothes for you?”