Volume 1, Chapter 4: Miss Jiang Is Very Beautiful

Shen Yechu’s heart suddenly began to pound, as if it were about to burst from his chest.

Was this love? Or was it merely the changes she had to make to play the role of a wife well?

Was it... not?

Xie Ya’s voice drifted over from the staircase: "Chen Junyu, go get the car."

"You got it!" He turned and headed toward the door. As he brushed past Shen Yechu, he said lightly, "In these three years, did you really never love her?"

After Jiang Li and Xie Ya reached the ground floor, they scanned the living room. Once Jiang Li was certain none of her belongings remained, she nodded at her friend. Xie Ya, carrying two large sports bags, hurried toward the entrance. As she passed Shen Yechu, she shoved him hard, nearly causing him to lose his footing.

Jiang Li, however, did not spare him a single glance and walked straight to the door.

"Xiao Li..."

Jiang Li paused, but did not turn back. "Mr. Shen, I will see you at the Civil Affairs Bureau in half a month."

The door slammed shut. Shen Yechu’s heart continued to race, his hands clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned a deathly white.

*

For an entire week, Lu Jingye had been running himself ragged. Ever since he called Wu Di to organize the class reunion, he hadn't stopped for a moment. Between university lectures, unfinished jade carvings, and managing the company’s operations—having just returned to the country—he had to oversee everything himself before he could delegate tasks to others.

At that moment, he was at headquarters reviewing a list of personnel for a branch office when his assistant, Qin Yue, knocked on the door. After entering, she stood to the side in silence.

Lu Jingye didn't even look up. "Speak."

"...Mr. Lu, regarding the matter you asked me to look into concerning Ms. Jiang Li, she went back to Shen Yechu’s house today."

Qin Yue noticed his hand, which had been flipping through the list, freeze; the edges of the paper crinkled under his grip.

"Go on."

"She was accompanied by her friend Xie Ya and her husband. They left after about half an hour. It appeared they were only picking up some things."

Lu Jingye adjusted his tie. He said nothing, yet Qin Yue sensed a storm brewing in the air. She quickly bowed and exited the room.

Lu Jingye set down the list and stood before the floor-to-ceiling window. "Jiang Li..." The name was spoken with infinite tenderness and lingering affection, yet his expression held a ruthlessness no one had ever seen before.

On his desk, a single page from the staff list was set aside, bearing a name that invited deep contemplation: Bai Nannan.

...

After moving back home, Jiang Li returned to her predictable life of pre-tournament preparation, moving between two points. It wasn't until Friday that she received a call from Xie Ya.

"Hello, Ms. Jiang. I’d like to confirm: you haven't forgotten about the class reunion tomorrow night, have you?"

Jiang Li, who was hunched over her bed reviewing chess records, was startled and immediately played it off. "No, no, I definitely remember! I actually spent the whole day picking out an outfit."

"Hmph, good. Tomorrow, you must wear your most stunning 'battle armor' and dazzle everyone!"

Once the call ended, Jiang Li sprung up from the bed like a carp. Oh no—she had genuinely forgotten about the reunion. What was she going to do? She didn't have a single outfit in her closet that was suitable for the occasion. It looked like she would have to make a trip to the mall tomorrow.

Fearing that Xie Ya might drop by, Jiang Li arrived at the mall the moment the doors opened. The weather on Saturday was beautiful, and even at 10 a.m., the shopping center was packed. Jiang Li’s mind was solely focused on finishing her shopping quickly so she could return home before Xie Ya caught her.

She never expected to run into an old classmate she hadn't seen in years: Wu Di.

"Jiang Li! Long time no see!" Wu Di was dressed in casual wear, a dark blue baseball cap making him look exactly as he had in college.

"It really has been a long time." Jiang Li offered a polite greeting. Every time she saw Wu Di, she was reminded of her college years. Including Lu Jingye.

"Why are you out shopping by yourself?"

"Just picking up a few things, I’ll be heading back soon."

Wu Di shifted uncomfortably and adjusted his hat. "I heard that you... got a divorce?"

Jiang Li smiled. "Yes, though it will take another half a month to finalize the paperwork."

Perhaps it was Jiang Li’s overly calm demeanor that made Wu Di feel he had been making a mountain out of a molehill. "Haha, is that right?" he laughed awkwardly. "Well, anyway, I have to go get some things for Lu Jin—"

He stopped abruptly, but Jiang Li had already heard the name. Wu Di awkwardly pulled out a pack of cigarettes, suddenly remembered they were in a mall, and shoved them back into his pocket. "Anyway, Jiang Li, I’m in a hurry to get some things, so I’ll be going now."

"Right. Bye."

Wu Di walked a few steps away before turning back to ask, "You’re coming to the reunion tonight, right?"

Jiang Li hadn't expected him to ask, but she answered politely, "Yes, I am."

"Great! See you then, enjoy your shopping."

The name Wu Di hadn't finished saying swirled into a tangled knot in Jiang Li’s heart.

Her breakup with Lu Jingye had been a cliché tragedy born of necessity. He had an opportunity to study in the UK, but for Jiang Li’s sake, Lu Jingye had decided to stay in the country for self-study. His parents hadn't intervened, but they told them the opportunity was only available that year.

Jiang Li knew this was the one thing he truly loved and was willing to dedicate his life to. So, she initiated the breakup, telling Lu Jingye that her family had arranged a marriage with someone suitable for her.

Lu Jingye had fought it, begged, and even tried to compromise; he had even sent all their friends and family to persuade her. His father had called multiple times, speaking earnestly, telling her there was no need to break up—that she could wait for him to return after three years, or even go with him.

But Jiang Li’s career was not there. Young and headstrong, she had rejected everyone, cutting off every possibility for them.

When she married Shen Yechu, a large part of the reason was to forget Lu Jingye. She had thought she was beginning to love Shen Yechu, but she hadn't expected that the mere mention of Lu Jingye’s name would still hold more weight than anyone else.

She lost the heart to continue shopping. She sent a message to Xie Ya saying she couldn't find a suitable outfit at home and asked her to bring some over, then hurried back.

Even as she sat before her chessboard, her heart remained in turmoil.

When Xie Ya arrived, this was the scene she witnessed: Jiang Li sitting blankly before the board, a chess piece in her hand, hovering indecisively over the *tengen* position.

Xie Ya sat across from her and teased, "Has our great chess player finally developed a move of her own? Let me see... oh? The first move at *tengen*?"

Only then did Jiang Li realize she had unknowingly placed the piece on the board. She hurriedly picked it up, took a deep breath, and said to Xie Ya, "I was just tired from reviewing records. Why are you here so early?"

"Early? Great chess player, why don't you check the time?"

Jiang Li pulled out her phone. It was already nearly 5 p.m.

"You aren't going to tell me you don't plan on wearing makeup, are you?" Xie Ya placed the bags she had brought in front of her. "Even if you’re sweet and charming without it, tonight we need to dazzle everyone!"

"Go on, get changed and get your face done!"

By the time they were ready and left the house, it was nearly 6 p.m. An eye-catching orange McLaren was parked on the side of the road, followed by a more understated Cayenne.

Jiang Li looked at Xie Ya, who tilted her chin. "You’re taking the one in front. Today, I’m going to make sure you blind them from head to toe, inside and out."

The door of the McLaren opened to reveal a man Jiang Li didn't recognize. Chen Junyu stepped out of the Cayenne to introduce him. "Lin Xunan, my childhood friend."

Lin Xunan smiled politely at Jiang Li and shook her hand like a gentleman. "Hello, Ms. Jiang. I’ll be your driver today."

They got into their respective cars. Lin Xunan was very attentive, adjusting the seat and air conditioning vents for her. He then joked, "Do you need me to help you with your seatbelt?"

Jiang Li quickly waved her hand. "No, no, I can do it myself."

Seeing her slightly flushed face, Lin Xunan’s heart skipped a beat. He looked at her sincerely and said, "Ms. Jiang is very beautiful."

Jiang Li’s hand froze on the seatbelt, and she became even more nervous. After failing to click the buckle in a few times, the man’s broad, steady hand took it from hers and fastened it smoothly. Jiang Li was about to thank him when she looked up and realized they were quite close.

The black Cayenne glided past them, and Chen Junyu gave a loud whistle. Jiang Li’s face turned even redder. She quickly whispered a thank you and turned toward the window, not daring to move.

Lin Xunan smiled slightly and said nothing.