Chapter 4

Did President Huo really have to ask his wife for permission just to go home? Assistant Li couldn't stand watching anymore. “President Huo, would you like me to have the car ready?” Huo Congli lifted his eyes and glanced at him before putting his phone away. “…No need.” In the end, he never sent the message asking if he could go home. He was afraid that showing up unannounced would make Su Jingwan angry. Sometimes, when Su Jingwan was in a bad mood, she simply didn't want to see him. Forget letting him come home for dinner—she wouldn't even let him step through the front door. Although it was the Huo residence, Su Jingwan seemed more like the head of the household. Huo Congli said in a deep voice, “How are things with Ji Huaizhi? I don't want her to suffer because of him. Deal with those friends of his as soon as possible.” Assistant Li was highly efficient. “Don't worry, President Huo. They're all in the hospital now. I doubt they'll dare slander Madam again.” “Mm.” Huo Congli's eyes never left the screen. He was waiting for Su Jingwan to send him a message. Even a single symbol would have been enough. “President Huo, I'll go arrange your lunch now.” After Assistant Li left, Huo Congli received a message from the butler. **Butler:** President Huo, Madam and Young Master are having lunch. **Butler:** Madam is in a very good mood today and is willing to talk to Young Master more. **Butler:** She served Young Master a lot of food during the meal, and he ate everything. Huo Congli stared at the messages, his thin lips pressed together. He really wanted to go home and have lunch with his wife and son instead of eating a cold business meal in his lifeless office. — After lunch, Su Jingwan was basking in the sun on a reclining chair in the flower room. By now, she had completely shaken off the unreal feeling of being reborn. The sunlight warmed her body, and she finally felt truly alive again. She hadn't looked at her phone all morning. The moment she picked it up, she was greeted by a screen full of missed calls and messages. When she saw the name **“Brother Huaizhi”** on the screen, complete with a red heart in the contact name, Su Jingwan felt sick to her stomach. She immediately deleted the nickname. **Ji Huaizhi:** Su Jingwan, I was just joking around with my friends. Do you really have to act like this? **Ji Huaizhi:** So what if I called you my simp? Was I wrong? **Ji Huaizhi:** Didn't you want to be with me? Then isn't it reasonable for you to show me a little sincerity? I want a place in the city center, at least a 200-square-meter luxury apartment. I want to upgrade my car to a top-tier sports car, and I also want shares in Huo Corporation. Only then will it be worthy of my status. So that's why. She had been humiliated by Ji Huaizhi yesterday, which was why she had taken out her anger on Huo Congli that night. She had made him kneel, pulled him around by his tie, and humiliated him in every possible way. Huo Congli held such a lofty position and tremendous power, yet he had actually tolerated all of it from her. Perhaps because she hadn't replied quickly enough, Ji Huaizhi had even blocked her. Then he unblocked her again that morning. When he still didn't receive a reply, he began bombarding her with calls. **Ji Huaizhi:** Su Jingwan, what the hell do you mean by this? Those friends of mine were beaten badly enough to end up in the hospital. Did you send someone after them? **Ji Huaizhi:** Do you really have to be such a sore loser? You have to pay them a huge amount in compensation! **Ji Huaizhi:** Why aren't you answering my calls? Su Jingwan, you think you're too good to answer my calls now? **Ji Huaizhi:** If I hadn't sent you to Huo Congli's bed back then, how would you have gotten the chance to have his child and marry into the Huo family? **Ji Huaizhi:** Don't forget that I deserve a share of all the wealth and glory you have today! As Su Jingwan read the messages one by one, her heart grew cold. She couldn't help remembering her first night with Huo Congli. … It had happened four years ago. She had just graduated from university when Ji Huaizhi took her to a bar, where she joined him and his friends in playing Truth or Dare. She had been plied with drink by those men in every way possible, until she was thoroughly intoxicated. In a daze, she was carried to a bed. Through the haze, she heard the voices of Ji Huaizhi and a middle-aged man. Ji Huaizhi said, “I hope you enjoy yourself, Mr. Wang.” Then Mr. Wang’s wife called to check his whereabouts, and Ji Huaizhi hurried out to deal with her. Some time later, her stomach churned violently. She woke up and stumbled to the toilet, retching until she was drained. When she had finished, the room smelled so foul that she left on her own. She had barely stepped into the elevator when she collided with Huo Zongli. He looked scarcely more sober. Leaning against the cool metal wall, his impeccably tailored black suit was rumpled. His tie hung loose, and he had undone the top two buttons of his shirt, revealing a pale, elegant collarbone. The image of the perfect, disciplined gentleman had been unraveled by drink — a striking mix of restraint and reckless allure. His low, warm breaths carried the scent of fine wine. Su Jingyuan, captivated by his looks and reckless with intoxication, threw herself straight at him. Pushing him back against the elevator wall, she kissed him with utter abandon. The world spun away, and there was nothing but them, kissing as though nothing else mattered. Boldly, her hands slipped beneath his clothing, roaming freely over every hard line of muscle. Her voice was honeyed, her gaze heavy-lidded and sultry. “Are you single? Care to come do something wonderful with me?” Huo Zongli’s breathing grew ragged. A flush rose along his jawline. He leaned down, lifted her effortlessly into his arms, and carried her to a room. It was the first time Su Jingyuan had ever lain in the vast bed of the presidential suite. It was softer than she had imagined — yielding gently then springing back, a quality that proved particularly delightful in certain pursuits. That night was wild, overwhelming, unlike anything she had ever known. And it was addictive. She wound her arms around his neck, clinging to him, breathless and wanting more. Endearments she had never spoken before spilled from her lips unthinking. That night was when Huo Yujing was conceived. Recalling it now, Su Jingyuan’s face burned hot. She patted her cheeks, forcing herself to focus. She needed to think clearly about what had happened that night. Ji Huaizhi had been her university schoolmate. With his connections and status, how could he possibly have moved in the same circles as someone of Huo Zongli’s standing? The kind of men Ji Huaizhi knew were greedy, lecherous old tycoons — or vulgar upstarts keeping mistresses on the side. It was clear from the start: Ji Huaizhi had meant to deliver her straight into the arms of such a man. To use her body as a stepping stone, to buy his own advancement. Disgusting. In her past life, she had truly been blind — letting Ji Huaizhi deceive her, use her, humiliate her. Su Jingyuan made up her mind. She blocked his number without hesitation. Out of sight, out of mind. Setting the phone aside, she took a sip of juice and began to plan. This life would be different. She would live for herself. She would cherish little Yujing… and she would make amends to Huo Zongli, starting now. Not far away, a maid stood tending flowers — or appearing to. In truth, she was watching Su Jingyuan’s every movement in the conservatory. Seeing Su Jingyuan holding her phone and staring at it so long, the maid assumed she must be chatting with some lover again. This maid, Xiao Wei, had been placed in the household by Huo Zongli’s mother. Her sole task: report on Su Jingyuan’s every move. Xiao Wei embellished every detail when reporting back to Madam Huo, eager to see Su Jingyuan torn from her place as Huo’s wife. How could such a vain, scheming woman ever be worthy of Mr. Huo? How could she possibly belong to this family? … At six that evening, Huo Zongli returned home as usual. The house was quiet. Upstairs in the studio, Su Jingyuan sat painting with Yujing. Huo Zongli handed his coat to the butler and undid his collar buttons. “Has Madam stepped out at all today?” The butler answered truthfully. “She has not, sir. Madam has remained home all day with the Young Master. She read him stories this morning, lunched with him at noon, and has been in the studio throughout the afternoon.” Huo Zongli raised an eyebrow. More than surprise, he felt a quiet surge of delight. Su Jingyuan had not gone to meet Ji Huaizhi. He took the stairs two at a time, his stride lighter than it had been in a long while.