Chapter 64: Quite The Actor
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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 couldnât the young mistress just behave herself? What did she stand to gain by embracing another manâand angering her husband?
âTake me to her school,â Jiang Shaocheng commanded, and He Lei rushed to obey.
Ke Liuyi was disgusted that Jiang Shaocheng was going to school to find Tang Qiuâagainâbut she kept her expression pleasant. âQiu hasnât finished classes yet, has she? Why are you going to pick her up now?â
He Lei shot her a warning look. Ke Liuyi was tempted to fan the flames of Jiang Shaochengâs anger, but she restrained herself, if only so he wouldnât take his temper out on her.
It didnât stop her from resenting Tang Qiu even more, though.
Jiang Shaocheng pinpointed Tang Qiuâs location at a cafe near to her school. He Lei prayed that she would be alone, or at least not with another man. Or elseâŚ
As it turned out, his prayers were unanswered.
***
Twenty minutes ago, Jiang Hanchenâs butler found Tang Qiu and sat her down at the cafe. Even wary, Tang Qiu knew she couldnât refuseânot with the guards tailing him.
Once they sat down, the butler said, âLetâs not waste time. I have ten million yuan here with me. Itâs yoursâas long as you leave Young Master Jiang. Iâm sure youâre aware of your status as an illegitimate child. Youâre not worthy of our young masterâespecially since youâre having an affair. The Jiang family doesnât want to keep you around. My master sent me here to request that you initiate a divorce.â
Tang Qiuâs fists balled together. She didnât even look at the checkâmoney was important to her, but not at the expense of all else. âI told you, I wasnât having an affair; it was just a misunderstanding. I wonât divorce him.â
âTwenty million yuan, then. I hope that satisfies you. You donât want to make my master angry.â The butlerâs expression was stony with hostility; this woman was truly difficult.
âYou donât need to worry about me,â Tang Qiu shot back. âIâm Jiang Shaochengâs wifeâthe only reason Iâd get a divorce is if he wants it. Go back and tell your master that heâs not going to win his son back like this. In fact, why not give the money to my husband? Why waste it on me?â
From a distance, He Lei watchedâimpressed by Tang Qiuâas his young masterâs 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. âI didnât expect you to be so bold,â he said, stabbing a finger at Tang Qiu. âBut I should warn you: my masterâs wrath isnât something you want to incur.â
âAnd what of my wrath?â
The butlerâs head whirled aroundâand bowed. âYoung Master,â he greeted, his tone deferential.
Jiang Shaocheng recognized him; he was called Uncle Yuan. âIf youâre going to call me âYoung Masterâ, then maybe you should treat my wife with the appropriate courtesy,â he said icily.
âYoung Master⌠your father is doing this for your sake. Heââ
âI donât care whether he did it for me, or his reputation. Now get out.â
Uncle Yuan opened his mouth but said nothing; he knew the relationship between father and son wouldnât 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. âWhy are you here?â Tang Qiu asked.
Her smile soothed Jiang Shaocheng slightly, but then her jacket caught his eye, complete with another manâs invisible pawprints. The thought burned like acid. âI missed you,â he said simply.
How clingy. âIâll be home soon.â
âAs long as youâre out of my sight, I canât possibly be at peace.â His words were laced with an underlying meaning.
His young master was quite the actor, He Lei remarked silently. But Jiang Shaochengâs next words caught him off-guard.
âSince youâre here, letâs have a drink together.â
Youâre 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 wasnât too hot before passing it to Tang Qiu. His hand trembled, and the coffee splashed onto her jacket, leaving a stain.
âIâm sorry, Qiu.â He let frustration fall over his face. âWhy donât we go buy some new clothes for you?â