877825535 4 Translated
This is a wonderful story that will captivate readers.
My Billionaire Husband's Mistake: Trading Me for His Mistress
Author: Sophie Chen
Tags: #contemporary_romance #betrayal #revenge #strong_female_lead #divorce #ceo_romance
Summary
When my billionaire husband drunkenly called me by his mistress's name during intimacy, I knew our eleven-year marriage was over. Ji Lincuan, once the perfect husband who built his empire from nothing with me by his side, wanted a divorce to give his mistress "a legitimate name." What he didn't know was that his entire success was built on my father's secret investment - and I was about to take everything back.
Ji Lincuan came home drunk, carelessly tearing off my nightgown and pinning me to the bed, kissing me roughly.
We hadn't been intimate in a long time. Since his company went public, he rarely came home at all.
This sudden passion left me overwhelmed.
But just as we were about to reach the peak, he held me tightly and couldn't help but call out: "Manman..."
My mind exploded with a "bang."
He immediately lost his momentum too.
Rolling off me, he sat on the edge of the bed with his back to me.
The bedroom was dark, very dark.
Ji Lincuan remained silent for a long time. After stubbing out his last cigarette, he spoke in a deep voice: "Su Wan, let's get a divorce."
"Manman doesn't care about my money, she just wants a legitimate name, I have to give it to her."
1
From falling in love to marriage with Ji Lincuan, it had been eleven years.
He had always been the perfect husband in others' eyes.
Successful in business, he loved me and took care of our home.
So until tonight, I had never imagined he would cheat on me.
My chest felt like a heavy stone was pressing down on it, so heavy I could barely breathe. I asked him with a crying voice: "When was your first time?"
Moonlight like frost.
Coldly squeezing through the window lattice into the room.
Falling on Ji Lincuan.
He unconsciously frowned: "Two years ago, when I went to Shanghai on a business trip."
I remembered that time.
Ji Lincuan went to Shanghai on business to chase down a major client.
The company was facing a crisis then.
He was under a lot of pressure.
"That night I was in a terrible mood, and Manman suddenly appeared at the hotel room door."
"She was completely drenched from the heavy rain, like a pathetic and pitiful little rabbit, throwing herself into my arms."
I stared at the dark ceiling, tears flowing silently.
What was I doing that night?
Mother-in-law fell and injured her leg while bathing, ended up in emergency.
I hurriedly took our daughter to my grandmother's house and rushed to the hospital overnight.
Afraid Ji Lincuan would worry.
I kept it secret, and even took time to send messages encouraging him.
[Husband, don't be discouraged, I believe in you.]
[No matter what happens, our daughter and I will always stand by your side. Worst case, we sell the house to supplement funds.]
[As long as our family of three is well, that's more important than anything.]
Ji Lincuan didn't reply to my message for the first time.
I naively thought he was tired, had fallen asleep.
But it turned out he was pressing down on another woman.
Clouds turning.
Rain falling.
It had already been two years.
Ji Lincuan hid it so well.
Just last month, we had just celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary.
In front of the whole family, he gave me a bouquet of roses and a Chow Tai Fook gold bracelet.
"Wife, you've worked hard taking care of the family all these years."
"Happy anniversary."
He held our daughter and me in his arms.
My mom had even specially taken a family photo.
This photo was still pinned to the top of my WeChat Moments.
The surroundings were deathly silent, oppressive as waves spread.
"Ji Lincuan, if you weren't a billionaire owner now, would that woman still be with you?"
Ji Lincuan held a silver lighter in his hand.
Silent.
Brewing.
Suddenly, the wind picked up outside.
A bolt of lightning split the night sky.
And in that instant, he suddenly spoke, his voice so steady it was almost impossible to detect any ripple.
"Su Wan, I know you love me."
"But Manman isn't that kind of money-loving woman. For two years, she's had no name or status, endured endless grievances, I can't fail her again."
So you have to fail me instead?
In Beijing, where every inch of land is precious, we were once so poor we had to squeeze into a basement of less than twenty square meters.
We lived there for three years.
No heating in winter, no air conditioning in summer.
Often woken up at midnight by cockroaches crawling on our arms.
I used to think love could overcome all difficulties.
But looking at it now, the result is just the same.
"Ji Lincuan, have you forgotten?"
"When we got married, you also cried and swore you would treat me well for the rest of your life!"
After hearing this, he thought slowly for a few seconds.
Then said tiredly and lightly: "Su Wan, we were too young then, mistaking the throbbing of youth for love."
"But now we're both thirty years old."
"Only after meeting Manman did I understand what love is."
Hearing this, I thought I would become hysterical.
At least I would rush forward, grab Ji Lincuan's collar, and curse him, hit him hard.
But unexpectedly, I was so calm.
Even though tears were welling in my eyes.
I couldn't help but laugh out loud.
On the bedside table, Ji Lincuan's phone suddenly rang.
The lit screen was particularly glaring in the darkness.
The surroundings were silent.
I heard a sticky and aggrieved girl's voice through the receiver.
"Big brother, I know I shouldn't call you when you're at home. But there's thunder outside, I'm so scared..."
The suffocating feeling spread from my chest, making it hard to breathe.
But Ji Lincuan lowered his voice, coaxing her:
"It's okay, I've already talked to her."
"You be good and cover yourself with the quilt, I'm coming to your place tonight."
2
Two AM.
I sat in Ji Lincuan's study.
He always had the habit of backing up chat records, afraid of losing information with important clients.
Fortunately, he hadn't changed his lock screen password, still our daughter's birthday.
I scrolled through his dense chat records with Lin Manman.
There were 26,893 messages in total.
Last week, Lin Manman sent Ji Lincuan a WeChat message.
[Big brother, I cooked several dishes tonight! This was my first time cooking, I learned it specially for you. Quick, praise me.]
Ji Lincuan replied instantly.
[Manman, you don't need to wrong yourself to please me, you're already perfect as you are.]
[I like you just like this, pure and beautiful.]
Lin Manman sent a crying emoji.
[Wuwuwu, big brother, you're going to spoil me like this.]
[My woman, I'll spoil her, what's wrong with that?]
My hands trembled as I scrolled up through the records.
Last month.
That is, on the day of our seventh wedding anniversary.
He had even slept with Lin Manman that afternoon.
Even on the way home, he didn't forget to send messages reminding her:
[I still see some redness, remember to apply more medicine yourself tonight, good girl.]
Lin Manman sent a shy emoji.
[Got it~ You little nag.]
[It's all your fault, I don't want to do it from behind anymore.]
[But big brother, can you promise me not to touch her anymore... Every time I think about you kissing her, my heart hurts so much I could die.]
[Little fool, we did it eight times in one afternoon, I'm not made of iron.]
I scrolled for a long, long time.
Finally found the chat records from two years ago, after their first time together.
Lin Manman didn't call him "big brother" then.
[President Ji, last night was voluntary, you don't need to take responsibility.]
[I know you were drunk when you hugged and kissed me, I understand everything. Just to have had you, I'm already very satisfied.]
[But I still want you to know, you're my first man.]
It was obvious that Ji Lincuan was very conflicted then.
He only replied after midnight.
[That little bit of alcohol wasn't enough to get me drunk.]
[I couldn't help myself, that's why I kissed you.]
I felt disgusted, couldn't read any more.
After backing up all their chat records to a USB drive, I hugged myself, curling up in the chair, making suppressed sobs from my throat.
Wanting to cry out loud but having to hold back, afraid of waking our daughter sleeping next door, my heart felt as if it was being cut by countless fragments.
After so many years, I had long been used to having Ji Lincuan by my side.
To suddenly cut ties like this, it would be a lie to say it doesn't hurt.
After calming down.
I called my father who was far away in London.
It was 8 hours later there, just evening.
"Dad, Ji Lincuan cheated on me, I'm preparing for a divorce."
"You withdraw the money you invested in his company."
Ji Lincuan never knew.
When the company was almost bankrupt, it was my father who invested money as an investor that helped him through the crisis.
Because my parents divorced when I was very young.
I had always stayed in the country with my mother.
It was only a few years ago that I reconnected with my father, learning that he had started a company abroad and become successful.
And to help Ji Lincuan get the investment money, I specially flew abroad, only to endure the disdain and difficulties from my stepmother.
My stepmother's son sprayed water on my face with a water gun, I had to endure it.
My stepmother made me massage her legs, pour foot-washing water, I had to smile.
Even at the dinner table, when my stepmother indirectly called me a money-grubbing beggar and cursed me as a jinx, I had to pretend not to understand.
Although my father favored sons over daughters.
But because he always felt guilty toward me, he also agreed to help Ji Lincuan.
And because my mother hated my father deeply.
So I never dared to mention this matter.
But Ji Lincuan thought it was his extraordinary ability that attracted investors.
I knew he cared about face, so I didn't expose him.
3
I didn't sleep all night.
The next day, I took my daughter to kindergarten as usual.
Curious about what Lin Manman looked like.
So I went to the café opposite Ji Lincuan's company.
Sat by the window.
Waited for three hours.
Finally, at dusk, Ji Lincuan came out.
Followed by a young, beautiful girl with a sweet smile.
I sent a message asking my mother to pick up the child from kindergarten.
Afraid of attracting Ji Lincuan's attention, I only took a taxi and followed behind his car.
The car drove into a newly built villa area.
By the river.
There were few people there.
Only Ji Lincuan's villa had its lights on.
The balcony door on the second floor wasn't closed.
The wind blew the white curtains back and forth.
Through the gap.
I saw Lin Manman wearing a bunny suit, with tender pink ears on her head, and a black chain around her neck.
Ji Lincuan leaned on the sofa.
Letting Lin Manman laughingly kneel and sit on his lap.
Biting open his shirt buttons one by one with her mouth.
His eyes stared tightly at her, full of desire, as if he wanted to devour her alive.
Unlike with me, it was always perfunctory.
Lin Manman's head moved down along his lower abdomen...
Ji Lincuan's body suddenly trembled, his Adam's apple bobbing.
A few minutes later.
Ji Lincuan eagerly pulled Lin Manman into his arms, lowered his head, and kissed her fiercely.
I watched them hug each other tightly.
Watched Ji Lincuan press Lin Manman against the floor-to-ceiling window.
Their entangled, moving bodies reflected on the white curtains.
I raised my phone.
Zoomed in the lens, took several continuous shots.
And recorded a video.
Compared to making a big scene, evidence is more practical.
A cheating husband, you can't really reason with him about conscience.
4
At night, after putting my daughter to sleep.
I sent Ji Lincuan a message, saying I agreed to the divorce, but we had to wait until after our daughter's fifth birthday next month.
Because withdrawing investment takes time to circulate.
But I didn't expect.
The usually steady Ji Lincuan would be so impatient.
At a mutual friend's birthday party, he knew I would be there, yet he openly brought Lin Manman with him.
5
I was late because of traffic.
At the private room door, I heard Ji Lincuan's friend Huang Ming trying to persuade him.
"No way, Lincuan, are you serious?"
"Young girls these days don't have simple intentions, you mustn't be deceived by their pretty faces. That Su Wan genuinely went through hard times with you, she's someone who truly wants to live life with you."
Ji Lincuan sat cross-legged on the chair, smoking.
"Huang Ming, I know you mean well."
"But Lin Manman isn't the kind of girl you think, she's as pure as a blank sheet of paper."
When he mentioned her, Ji Lincuan's tone would unconsciously become gentle.
But when he mentioned me, there was deep helplessness.
"I admit Su Wan is a good woman. But even a fairy, sleeping for ten years gets boring, I can't get hard for her anymore."
"Now all she talks about with me are household matters, restricting me everywhere, not letting me eat cold things, controlling my drinking and smoking. This life where you can see the end at a glance is like stagnant water, I dream of escaping."
"But Lin Manman is different, she plays with me on the beach, also asks for kisses from me on snowy streets, and on rainy days, like a cute little madman, she pulls me to splash in puddles."
"When I'm with her, I'm not Yuanyuan's father, not Su Wan's husband, not my parents' son."
"I'm just Ji Lincuan, I can be willful and do whatever I want."
Huang Ming finished listening, didn't want to say anything more.
Just patted Ji Lincuan's shoulder, with the tone of someone who's been there.
"But Lincuan, people need to be down-to-earth to live."
"Romance can be passionate, but after marriage, it's all messy trivialities."
"I'll put it this way, losing Su Wan, you'll regret it sooner or later."
Ji Lincuan irritably stubbed out his cigarette.
"Rest assured, my life has no room for regret."
"All these years I've been earning money to support the family, Su Wan eats my food, wears my clothes. Without me, where would she enjoy these blessings? I haven't treated her badly."
"For the rest of my life, I want to live for myself once."
6
Before Ji Lincuan finished speaking, I pushed the door and walked in.
The atmosphere in the private room suddenly became strange.
Everyone's eyes moved back and forth between me, Ji Lincuan, and Lin Manman.
I pretended not to see.
Holding a birthday cake.
Walked generously toward tonight's birthday star, Ye Mian.
"Happy birthday, dear."
She was Huang Ming's wife, a bold and straightforward woman.
We had a good relationship.
During dinner, Ye Mian even deliberately made things difficult for Lin Manman to help me vent.
"What's your name, Man? There's a rule in our circle that first-timers at the table must toast everyone present."
"First cup, you toast to Su Wan."
The air instantly became tense to the extreme.
Everyone's eyes focused on Lin Manman.
It was also my first time to carefully observe her tonight, a light pink dress, hair smoothly draped over her shoulders, looking weak and innocent.
Lin Manman gently held the wine glass, her voice as soft as a mosquito's.
"I... I don't know how to drink."
Ye Mian sneered: "First time strange, second time familiar. You're already Ji Lincuan's mistress, we'll be seeing each other often in the future."
Lin Manman's face changed.
Biting her lip, tears glistening in her eyes, as if she had suffered some great grievance.
Ji Lincuan couldn't sit still.
"Ye Mian, don't make things difficult for her."
"She's a young girl with a thin face, not like you guys, I'll drink this glass for her."
I looked up at Ji Lincuan.
His gaze dodged for a moment.
Then firmly looked back.
"Oh, already protecting her?"
Ye Mian sneered, heavily placing her wine glass on the table with a "dong" sound.
"Ji Lincuan, you're quite good at showing tenderness, why don't I see you showing some tenderness to your own wife?"
His brow furrowed, his tone also turned cold.
"Ye Mian, this is our family matter, don't interfere."
Huang Ming kept tugging at Ye Mian's clothes under the table.
She shook him off.
"Family matter?"
Ye Mian's voice suddenly rose: "You're protecting your mistress in front of so many people, and you call it a family matter?"
"Ji Lincuan, have you no shame?"
The atmosphere at the table was completely frozen.
Some people lowered their heads, pretending to drink.
Some secretly glanced at me, seeming to want to see my reaction.
I still sat there, without a ripple on my face.
But Lin Manman, her eyes red, voice choked: "I'm sorry, big brother, it's all my fault... I shouldn't have come..."
As she spoke, she stood up and ran out crying.
Ji Lincuan glared at me, also got up and chased after her.
"Wanwan, are you okay?"
Ye Mian's voice carried concern.
I shook my head, "Thank you, Ye Mian."
She sighed, feeling sorry for me: "You're always so calm, if it were me, I would have flipped the table long ago."
7
I talked with Ye Mian a bit more.
She got up to take a call outside.
I also went to the restroom, but unexpectedly ran into Lin Manman who had already been coaxed by Ji Lincuan.
She was now standing in front of the mirror touching up her makeup.
The overhead light was cold white, shining on me and her.
Without Ji Lincuan present, Lin Manman no longer pretended to be weak, angrily asking me: "Su Wan, did you deliberately have Ye Mian make things difficult for me?"
"Is that necessary?"
She looked directly at me, her eyes provocative: "Of course. Big brother is going to divorce you, you're jealous of me, hate me, aren't you?"
My voice was cold: "Jealous of what?"
"Jealous that you're young and became a mistress, destroying someone else's family? Or jealous that you picked up the man I used?"
Lin Manman's eyes widened like copper bells, anger surging within them.
"Don't be stubborn, Su Wan!"
"Ji Lincuan doesn't love you anymore, the person he loves is me."
"Even if you're unwilling, you can't change this fact. Making things difficult for me will only make him hate you more, truly pathetic."
I looked at her, my gaze not wavering in the slightest.
"In divorce, Ji Lincuan is the one at fault, I will make him leave with nothing. By then, I'll have a house, money, and our daughter, such a life is free and happy, what's pathetic about that?"
I laughed lightly, "On the contrary, you're a young woman in her twenties serving a whole family."
"Waiting hand and foot on a paralyzed mother-in-law, and dealing with a troublesome sister-in-law, that's truly pathetic."
A hint of panic flashed in Lin Manman's eyes.
But quickly returned to calm, firmly asserting.
"Su Wan, you're dreaming."
"You haven't worked these past few years, all the family's money was earned by big brother alone,凭什么 should it be taken by you."
"Big brother as a person and his money, you won't get either."
As expected.
She only cared where Ji Lincuan's money went.
I wonder if she could handle it when Ji Lincuan truly became penniless.
The outcome was set.
I couldn't be bothered to deal with her anymore, turned and walked out of the restroom.
8
In the hallway, I ran into Ji Lincuan.
The first words out of his mouth were blame.
"Su Wan, why did you have Ye Mian make things difficult for Manman?"
"I never discovered before that you were such a malicious person."
"Clearly you said you agreed to the divorce, that's why I brought Manman to the party."
"And I'm the one who cheated, the one who wronged you is also me."
"If you have any resentment, direct it all at me alone. Manman is just a young girl, how can she withstand the humiliation from you and Ye Mian."
I looked at Ji Lincuan, sneering.
"I never discovered before that your IQ was so low."
Lin Manman also came out of the restroom then.
Saw Ji Lincuan.
She threw herself into his arms like a startled little deer.
Two teardrops hung on her eyelashes, about to fall, pitiful and moving.
Understandingly and considerately said: "Big brother, it doesn't matter if I suffer a little grievance, you must not make things difficult for Sister Su Wan because of me, I beg you."
Ji Lincuan raised his hand to wipe her tears, his tone softening.
"You're always so compromising, thinking of others."
"In the future, I won't let you bear these things alone anymore."
Lin Manman lowered her head.
Tears pattered down from her eyes.
Dropping onto Ji Lincuan's shirt one by one, burning his heart.
"With those words from you, my life is complete."
The good show before me, even one more glance felt disgusting.
I turned and left indifferently.
Sent Ye Mian a message: [Dear, I messed up your birthday party tonight, sorry. I'll treat you to hot springs another day.]
The moment I walked out of the restaurant, the night wind hit my face.
I looked up at the night sky.
The stars were sparse.
The moonlight was dim.
I couldn't wait to see the expression on Ji Lincuan's face when he became penniless.
Lin Manman, you'll never be a rich lady in this lifetime.
9
I got home, it was already ten PM.
My daughter was asleep.
My mother was leaning on the sofa in the living room, dozing off sleepily.
Her phone fell to the floor along her hand with a "clang."
My mother was startled awake.
Just in time to see me take off my coat and drape it over the sofa.
She glanced behind me, cursing: "Lincuan didn't come back again? So late, and he's not worried about you being alone."
"Don't know how much he earns every day, never coming home."
"Su Wan, I'm not saying this to criticize you, you need to be more attentive. Young girls outside are all盯着 successful thirty-year-old men like Lincuan, don't let someone take advantage and you not even know, marital feelings need to be maintained."
My mother hated cheating the most.
Because my father had cheated back then.
The year they divorced, I was only six years old.
I still remember, my mother hugging my father's legs, crying and throwing a tantrum, not letting him leave.
But my father never looked back.
Since then, my mother always told outsiders that my father was dead.
Even Ji Lincuan thought so.
I didn't know how to bring up the divorce with my mother.
Just looking at her made me feel wronged.
My mother asked me anxiously: "What's wrong, daughter? Why are your eyes red? What happened?"
I bit my lip, struggling to speak.
"Mom, I'm going to divorce Ji Lincuan, he has someone else."
My mother was stunned for a few seconds.
Slapped me on the shoulder.
Hating that I couldn't improve.
"I told you so! I said something was wrong with him always running around! I told you to be more attentive, but you insisted he wasn't that kind of person."
"Now it's good! You're a thirty-year-old woman with a child, what will you do after divorce? Who will want you? That will be a bitter life!"
She walked back and forth in front of the coffee table, cursing for over ten minutes.
Finally warned me:
"Su Wan, you are not allowed to divorce! Did you hear me!"
"This matter you don't need to worry about, I'll handle it."
My mother had an impatient temper, angrily slammed the door and left.
I couldn't stop her at all.
My daughter was woken up, scared and crying loudly.
I had to go in to comfort her.
10
Ji Lincuan never expected that Su Wan's mother would come looking for him.
In the office.
That usually fierce old lady now stood timidly before him, her eyes carrying an unprecedented pleading.
"Lincuan, you know, Wanwan has had a hard life!"
"Her father died early, I raised her alone, she didn't suffer less following me. Later she married you, I thought she could finally live a good life, but now... how can you divorce?"
Ji Lincuan sat behind the desk, brow slightly furrowed.
"Mom, I know you care about Su Wan, but feelings can't be forced."
"Between me and her, there's no love anymore."
Hearing this, Su's mother's voice suddenly became sharp.
"What do you mean no love?"
"When you had nothing, why didn't you say there was no love? When you knelt before me, you said you would treat Wanwan well for the rest of your life!"
"Now that you're successful, you say there's no love?"
The guilt in Ji Lincuan's eyes deepened.
He sighed, his tone softening: "Mom, I've wronged Su Wan, and I've wronged you too."
"But rest assured, I will compensate Su Wan."
"Compensate?"
Su's mother sneered, but tears couldn't stop falling.
"Does Wanwan want your money?"
"Do you know how much she has suffered for you?"
"When you were starting your business, she stayed up late every day helping you organize materials, accompanied you to social engagements, drank until she had stomach bleeding and didn't make a sound! Now that you've succeeded, you want to abandon her?"
"Ji Lincuan, are you even human?"
Ji Lincuan's fists were tightly clenched, his voice somewhat hoarse: "Mom, I know Su Wan has sacrificed a lot for me, and I'm grateful to her."
"But between us, it's impossible to go back."
Su's mother suddenly "plopped" down, kneeling before Ji Lincuan.
He quickly stepped forward to help Su's mother up, his voice carrying panic.
"Mom, don't be like this! Get up quickly!"
But Su's mother tightly gripped his arm, her voice trembling.
"Lincuan, Mom begs you... don't divorce, okay?"
"One day as husband and wife means a hundred days of kindness, just take pity on Wanwan... and Yuanyuan is only five years old, can you bear to let her lose her father?"
Ji Lincuan's hands trembled slightly, the guilt in his eyes almost overflowing.
But just then, the phone on the desk suddenly vibrated.
It was a message from Lin Manman:
[Big brother, I just came out of the hospital, the test results really show I'm pregnant!]
[Big brother, you're a sharpshooter, so brave~]
[I'm going to be a mother, so moved, I want to cry~]
Ji Lincuan hardened his heart, gritted his teeth and said: "Mom, I can't promise you."
Su's mother's body suddenly stiffened, then slowly released her hand, fiercely slapping Ji Lincuan across the face.
"Slap——"
The crisp sound of the slap echoed in the office.
Ji Lincuan's face turned to the side.
He didn't dodge, nor did he speak.
"Ji Lincuan, you'll get what you deserve!"
After speaking, Su's mother turned and stumbled out.
Her back was hunched.
As if she had aged many years in an instant.
11
After Ye Mian's birthday last time, I hadn't seen Ji Lincuan again.
Finally, it was the night of my daughter Yuanyuan's birthday.
Long ago I had promised her that she could invite kindergarten friends to our home for her birthday, and both mom and dad would accompany her.
Yuanyuan had been looking forward to this.
I also demanded that Ji Lincuan must attend.
Before the birthday party, I specifically warned him.
Even if we had to pretend, we had to pretend to be loving.
We couldn't let Yuanyuan lose face in front of her little friends and their parents, or let them see what was happening.
After the birthday party ended, we would immediately proceed with the divorce.
Ji Lincuan agreed.
12
The living room was filled with colorful balloons.
On the wall were letters spelling "Happy Birthday."
On the dining table was a birthday cake with five candles inserted.
Yuanyuan wore a pink princess dress, with a sparkling little crown on her head, happily saying: "Dad, Mom, let's make a wish together."
She stood before the cake, little hands clasped, eyes closed.
Ji Lincuan and I knelt on either side of her.
With gentle smiles on our faces, like a loving couple.
"I wish..."
Yuanyuan thought seriously, and said in a soft voice: "Dad won't be so busy with work, can often spend time with me and Mom."
Ji Lincuan's smile froze for a moment.
My eyes felt slightly warm.
After Yuanyuan made her wish, Ji Lincuan reached out and pulled our daughter and me into his arms: "Mom and Dad will blow out the candles with you, okay?"
"Okay, okay."
Yuanyuan's eyes curved into little crescents.
"One, two, three——"
The moment the candlelight went out.
Warm applause and cheers erupted in the living room.
The little friends chattered as they gathered around.
Parents smiled and offered blessings.
Yuanyuan happily kissed me and Ji Lincuan on the cheek.
"Dad, Mom, I love you guys the most!"
Ji Lincuan's Adam's apple bobbed, as if he wanted to say something, but in the end just rubbed Yuanyuan's hair, his voice slightly hoarse: "Dad loves you too."
I lowered my head to hide my reddening eyes, but still kept a smile on my face.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
"I'll get the door."
A kind-hearted parent quickly walked to the entrance.
The door opened, Lin Manman's voice sounded: "Yuanyuan, Auntie brought you a birthday present~"
I looked up, my heart suddenly sinking.
Lin Manman stood at the doorway.
With a smile on her lips.
Wearing a pregnant woman's anti-radiation vest.
She walked in carrying a gift.
Every step seemed to be treading on my nerves.
I turned my head, glaring fiercely at Ji Lincuan.
His brow was slightly furrowed, apparently not expecting Lin Manman to suddenly appear either.
13
Lin Manman walked to Yuanyuan and squatted down.
"Little Yuanyuan, happy birthday~"
Yuanyuan wrinkled her little brow and asked: "Who are you?"
"I'm~ your dad's girlfriend, also your future..."
"Slap!"
Before Lin Manman could finish her words, I slapped her across the face.
Lin Manman staggered, falling to the ground, the gift box in her hand flying far away.
The living room was deathly silent, everyone was stunned.
Even Ji Lincuan was frozen in place.
Lin Manman covered her face, her eyes instantly red, her voice trembling.
"Sister Su Wan, I... I just came to give a gift... why did you hit me?"
She quickly touched her stomach.
As if afraid people couldn't see she was pregnant.
Only then did Ji Lincuan react, immediately rushing over to help her, his tone tense: "How do you feel? Are you hurt anywhere?"
Lin Manman leaned in his arms, tears pattering down.
"Big brother, I'm fine, just my stomach hurts a bit..."
Ji Lincuan looked up at me, his eyes resentful.
"Su Wan, you've gone too far!"
"She's pregnant, how could you hit her?"
"I went too far?"
I held Yuanyuan in my arms, sneering: "She said those things at my daughter's birthday party, who's the one going too far?"
"Ji Lincuan, did you forget what you promised me!"
He was rendered speechless by my retort.
Only then remembering he had promised me to give Yuanyuan a happy and dignified birthday party.
He glanced at the frightened Yuanyuan, then looked down at Lin Manman in his arms, finally saying in a low voice: "Manman, I promise you, this is the last time you'll suffer grievances, you go back and wait for me first."
Lin Manman bit her lip, nodded reluctantly.
Before leaving, she didn't forget to look back at me, her eyes carrying the triumph of a victor.
14
The balloons in the living room were still floating.
But the air was cold enough to suffocate.
Everyone looked at each other, finding excuses to leave with dry smiles.
After the crowd dispersed.
I forced a smile, taking Yuanyuan back to the bedroom.
When I returned to the living room, I could no longer suppress the rage churning in my chest.
"Ji Lincuan, you and Lin Manman disgust me."
He frowned, his tone impatient.
"Su Wan, can you stop being unreasonable? Manman just came to give a gift, she had no ill intentions."
"No ill intentions?"
I sneered, "With that look of hers, she was just short of announcing to everyone that she's pregnant with your child, Ji Lincuan, and you're still protecting her?"
But Ji Lincuan was self-righteous.
"Her thoughts aren't as dirty as yours, don't say it so unpleasantly."
"Ji Lincuan, ask your conscience, from dating to marriage, from your startup until now, have I, Su Wan, ever let you down? Now for a mistress, you're even ruining your daughter's birthday?"
His expression changed slightly, but quickly returned to coldness.
"I'll emphasize one last time, Manman didn't mean anything, you're being too sensitive."
I almost laughed.
"Good, since you're determined to protect her, then let's stop pretending."
I took a deep breath and said word by word: "Divorce tomorrow, all the family property and Yuanyuan's custody go to me, the company shares go to you."
Ji Lincuan's eyes suddenly turned cold.
"Su Wan, you're finally showing your true colors?"
"When it comes down to it, you're just greedy for money."
I stared at him hard.
"Ji Lincuan, when you had nothing, who was there with you through it all? Now that you're successful, you think I'm greedy for money?"
He was silent for a moment, looking away.
"There's no need to mention the past."
15
Late at night, Ji Lincuan drove back to Lin Manman's place.
Seeing him enter, Lin Manman quickly ran over barefoot, her eyes turning red at will.
"Big brother... I'm sorry..."
Her voice trembled, tears falling like pearls, "I just wanted to give Yuanyuan a gift, build a good relationship in advance, I didn't expect it would turn out like this..."
Seeing Lin Manman's pear-blossom tear-stained appearance, Ji Lincuan lovingly wiped her tears.
"Don't cry, you're pregnant."
"You're so pure, I of course know you meant well."
Lin Manman took the opportunity to lean into his arms, sobbing: "Is Sister Su Wan very angry? It's all my fault..."
"I'm going to handle the divorce proceedings with her tomorrow."
He rubbed his brow, his voice somewhat weary.
Lin Manman immediately looked up, tears still in her eyes, but a hint of joy flashed through them.
"Really?"
But she quickly changed to a concerned expression, "Then... how will the property be divided?"
"I'll leave with nothing."
Lin Manman clenched her fists, but her face remained gentle: "That's appropriate... after all, we wronged Sister Su Wan."
She tentatively asked again: "Then the company?"
"The company is mine."
Lin Manman secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but said: "It's just a pity, big brother, all the family property you've worked for over the years will be given to others."
"I'm the one at fault, consider it compensation for them mother and daughter."
"As long as the company is still in my hands, making money isn't a problem."
Lin Manman was unwilling.
But she didn't dare show it, only forcing a smile.
"Hmm... fortunately the company is still here, later we..."
She deliberately paused, shyly lowering her head: "Big brother, I'll give birth to a son for you, we'll start over..."
16
I always thought Yuanyuan was still young, she didn't understand anything.
But tonight, before bed, she suddenly hugged me tightly with her little hands, crying in my arms: "Mom, are you going to divorce Dad?"
"That aunt tonight, Dad is leaving us for her, isn't he?"
My heart felt as if it had been fiercely grasped, the pain suffocating.
I held Yuanyuan, gently but firmly saying: "Baby, there are some things you might not understand right now. But Mom will never leave you, will always love you."
Yuanyuan cried herself to sleep in my arms.
But even in deep sleep, her little hand tightly gripped my finger, afraid of being left behind.
In her daze, she even talked in her sleep: "I want Mom... I want to stay with Mom..."
In an instant, I burst into tears.
My original family wasn't happy.
So more than anyone, I hoped my child could grow up healthy and happy.
But in the end, I couldn't protect my daughter well.
Mom has failed.
17
At six AM the next morning, my mother hurried over.
Yuanyuan wasn't awake yet.
My mother didn't even have time to take off her coat, pulling me to the table.
She solemnly and sincerely handed me a bank card.
"Wanwan, there's seven hundred thousand in this card."
"I sold the old house for four hundred thousand, the remaining three hundred thousand is money I've saved over the years, plus what you gave me, I've saved it all."
"Now Mom is giving it all to you."
My mother tightly gripped my hand, her voice trembling as she said:
"Mom doesn't have much ability, in this life I've only been able to run a small stall, outsmarting urban management officers."
"I can't provide you with superior conditions, letting you suffer following me. But Wanwan, we're not afraid, so what if it's divorce? You still have Mom, as long as Mom is alive, I'm your support."
"In the future, Mom will help you raise Yuanyuan together, we take this money to start a small business, we can still live well."
She forced a relaxed smile.
Looked up, not letting the tears fall.
"Mom has lived to this age and finally sees clearly, all men, they're all fucking bullshit! Unreliable."
"From now on, we three women will depend on each other, living well is more important than anything!"
I tightly gripped the bank card, choked up and unable to speak for a long time.
Self-blame, guilt.
My mother at her age still had to worry about me.
"I'm sorry... Mom..."
My mother lovingly hugged me, "Why are you crying, silly girl. From now on, we won't have to serve men anymore, how great is that."
"Wanwan be good, Mom will always be here!"
18
In the morning, Ji Lincuan and I handled the divorce procedures.
He left with nothing.
I also agreed to give up the company shares.
19
A week later, my father sent me a message.
He said Ji Lincuan's previous investments had all been suddenly terminated, causing great losses to the company.
The shareholders were discussing holding a board meeting to remove Ji Lincuan from his CEO position.
Moreover, my father had never withdrawn his shares and had privately acquired some shares, becoming the company's largest shareholder.
That is to say, in the future, the actual controlling shareholder of this company would be my father.
Ji Lincuan had always been confident.
To stabilize the situation, he boasted that he would personally fly to Germany to secure the client.
...
On the day Ji Lincuan flew to Germany, I brought movers to the house where Lin Manman now lives.
Eviction!
Because it was bought by Ji Lincuan during our marriage.
It belongs to marital property, it's mine.
20
I stood at the entrance, coldly watching Lin Manman's delicate face gradually distort.
"What are you doing? This is my home!"
She tightly gripped her phone, "I'm going to call Lincuan!"
"Call then."
I calmly scanned the room, "But he's on a flight to Germany right now, phone off."
Ji Lincuan still didn't know.
The major clients he had lost one after another were all my father's people.
Among them, this German client was especially my father's old friend for many years.
He couldn't salvage it at all.
This was a trap set by my father from the beginning, to force him out.
The movers had already started moving things out.
Lin Manman's Chanel jacket was carelessly draped over a cardboard box, like a rag.
"Su Wan!"
Her voice was as sharp as glass scraping, "On what grounds?"
"On the grounds that the property deed has Ji Lincuan's name on it."
"Belongs to marital property, now it's mine."
Lin Manman's face instantly turned deathly pale.
Only then did I notice several Hermes packaging boxes scattered at her feet - Ji Lincuan was really generous.
I gestured to the movers, "Throw all these out."
"The clothes and shoes I'll give you, after all..."
I looked Lin Manman up and down, "You've slept with him, you should get some hard-earned pay."
Lin Manman suddenly pounced at me, but was stopped by the movers.
She screamed hysterically: "Su Wan, if Lincuan knows you're bullying me like this, he definitely won't let you off!"
I calmly turned, walking toward the floor-to-ceiling window.
The sunlight outside was too dazzling, stinging my eyes.
Behind me came the sound of things falling to the ground.
All of Lin Manman's dignity was trampled underfoot at this moment, fiercely crushed.
When the last item was cleared out.
I said coldly to her: "Ji Lincuan can barely protect himself now, what can he use to vent your anger?"
"Lin Manman, I'm waiting to see your end."
She didn't understand what I meant and wanted to ask more, but was dragged away by the people I had found.
I locked the door.
Stood alone in this space filled with their presence.
On the wall still hung their photo from the Maldives.
Lin Manman in a bikini clung to Ji Lincuan, smiling dazzlingly.
I picked up the photo frame and smashed it against the wall.
Glass shattered all over the floor.
I took out my phone, took several photos and sent them to a real estate agent.
[It can be listed for sale.]
As I walked out the main door, autumn wind with a few dead leaves brushed past my feet.
I got in the car without looking back.
In the rearview mirror, the villa grew farther and farther away, finally becoming a small blurry dot.
Like some people.
Ultimately, they would completely disappear from my life.
21
A month later.
Ji Lincuan was forced by the board of directors to hand over his shares at an extremely low price, or they would send him to jail.
His position was also forcibly removed.
Lost everything overnight.
On the day he handled his departure, fine rain drifted from the sky.
Ji Lincuan held a cardboard box, tie loose, his once proud face now only showed dejection.
The German cooperation couldn't be saved.
When the board voted, even the vice president he trusted most had betrayed him.
The rain wet his suit, the chill seeping into his skin.
"Ji Lincuan."
A steady voice sounded behind him.
Ji Lincuan turned, seeing a man in a black coat standing with an umbrella, about fifty years old, with some familiarity in his features.
"You are...?"
"Su Wan's father."
Ji Lincuan's pupils suddenly contracted.
Wasn't Su Wan's father long dead?
Su's father sneered, rain dripping in strings from the umbrella edge.
"Two years ago, when your funding chain broke, it was Wanwan who begged me to invest."
"My current wife dislikes her intensely, to make things difficult for her, she made Wanwan kneel on the cobblestones in the yard for four hours. When I came home, her knees were covered in blood, but she didn't make a sound."
"Want to know why the German client suddenly breached the contract?"
Su's father's tone was firm: "You betrayed my daughter, this is the price."
Ji Lincuan suddenly widened his eyes, "This..."
"Heartless thing, you don't deserve her."
The rain grew heavier.
Ji Lincuan saw the Rolls-Royce parked behind Su's father, with Su Wan in sunglasses sitting in the back seat shadows.
Now looking coldly at him, like looking at a stranger.
He stumbled forward, but was blocked by Su's father.
"Ji Lincuan, if you hadn't betrayed Wanwan, I would have, for her sake, ensured you a lifetime of stability."
"So reaching today's point is your own doing."
"Stay away from my daughter in the future, get lost."
Only at this moment did Ji Lincuan suddenly understand.
His success was given by Su Wan.
From the moment he cheated and decided to leave Su Wan, his current destitute end was destined.
22
Later, Ji Lincuan came looking for me.
I refused to see him.
After Ji Lincuan lost his CEO halo and was penniless, Lin Manman's ugly face gradually emerged.
She began to complain about living in a rental apartment.
Forcing Ji Lincuan to go live at his mother's current house.
But Ji Lincuan's mother's house was also mine.
I only lent it to them temporarily out of consideration for the old woman's paralysis and inconvenience, but I charged rent.
My troublesome sister-in-law came to my door, cursing me for being cold-blooded.
But she stopped coming later, I heard she was being pestered by Lin Manman's older brother, who blocked her at the company entrance demanding money.
Lin Manman's older brother was uneducated, a rough man with tattoos all over one arm.
Taking advantage of Lin Manman's pregnancy, he forced Ji Lincuan to borrow money to buy a house, saying his sister couldn't endure such hardship.
Ji Lincuan had no money, so he went to Ji Lincuan's sister for it.
Lin Manman even declared that if there was no house, she would abort the child, refusing to marry in a rental apartment.
Ji Lincuan said she was heartless, that was a life.
Lin Manman finally admitted.
"Ji Lincuan, what did you think I was with you for?"
"You're eight years older than me, if not for your money, would I, being this beautiful, be with you?"
"Don't you look in the mirror at yourself now, if you still want this child, then you have to listen to me."
"I don't care if you borrow or steal, I want a house, and my name must be on the property deed!"
"Don't expect me to be like Su Wan, living with you in a basement, eating instant noodles and steamed buns, that's impossible! I'm not as stupid as she was."
Ji Lincuan suddenly remembered that cold winter ten years ago...
That night of Su Wan's birthday, with him wrapped in a cotton quilt, sitting on the wooden bed of the rental room, shivering from the cold.
On the small table before them was a small cake costing 35 yuan.
With a single candle inserted.
Before the candle burned out...
Su Wan clasped her hands together, making a serious wish.
He hugged Su Wan tightly from behind, guiltily saying: "Wanwan, I'm sorry, following me has made you suffer."
"But believe me, I can do it."
Su Wan turned with a smile, pecking his lips.
"I believe you."
"Lincuan, I'm not afraid of hardship, as long as we're well together."
Tears welled in his eyes.
Ji Lincuan finally understood what regret felt like.
The resentment in his chest surged violently.
So without thinking, he raised his hand and slapped Lin Manman, gritting his teeth: "Don't you mention Su Wan!"
Seeing his sister get hit.
Lin Manman's older brother immediately flew into a rage.
Rushing forward, he punched Ji Lincuan in the face.
The two tangled together.
The room was smashed to pieces.
The noise alerted the neighbors.
Someone called the police.
When the police arrived, both were lying on the ground, faces covered in blood.
After simple treatment.
They were each detained for seven days.
23
I picked up yoga again.
Six months later, I successfully opened a yoga studio.
On the opening day of the new studio, Ye Mian brought a group of wealthy ladies to show support.
In the more than six months since my divorce, she often accompanied me.
She said: "Wanwan, I envy you."
"Unlike me, even though Huang Ming and I have long been estranged, I ultimately can't bring myself to divorce, our economic interests are too tightly bound."
Back then, Huang Ming had cheated with his female secretary, and Ye Mian had caught them in bed.
Although Ye Mian had given the secretary money to leave.
Huang Ming also returned to the family.
But a broken mirror can never be perfectly restored.
They were just making do.
Yes, making do.
Ye Mian said that in this world, many people trap themselves in the cage of marriage for various reasons.
Those who can successfully walk away from a failed marriage and live well are all lucky.
It was busy until evening before closing.
I planned to treat Ye Mian to a big meal to thank her.
24
Locked the door.
Turned around.
But unexpectedly saw Ji Lincuan.
Under the streetlight, Ji Lincuan stood on the steps, his suit wrinkled like pickled vegetables, the bunch of pink roses in his hand rustling.
He reeked of alcohol.
When he looked up at me, the stubble on his chin was blue, his eyes were bloodshot.
"Wanwan, congratulations on your opening."
His throat was terribly hoarse, the hand holding the flowers was trembling.
Ye Mian stepped forward, knocking the roses to the ground.
The sound of tearing wrapping paper scared away the stray cat by the roadside.
I found even one more glance at Ji Lincuan disgusting, pulling Ye Mian, "Let's go."
But Ji Lincuan suddenly grabbed my wrist.
"Wanwan, do we really not have even the slightest chance?"
I shook him off, continuing forward.
Ji Lincuan chased after, almost tripping on the steps.
"Wanwan, I know I was wrong... I truly know I was wrong, please give me another chance, okay?"
Ye Mian pulled me behind her, loudly cursing:
"Ji Lincuan, who are you putting on this act for?"
"If Lin Manman were still clinging to you, if the board hadn't kicked you out, would you remember who Su Wan was?"
His shoulders gradually slumped.
The alcohol made his eyes red, but couldn't hide the embarrassment within.
"I know I deserve it..."
"Know that then get lost." I coldly interrupted him.
"But Yuanyuan is only five, she needs a father!" The streetlight at the corner illuminated the tear streaks on his face, "Can we... can we start over..."
"Needs a father?"
My voice was terrifyingly calm.
"When she had a 40-degree fever, you were in Lin Manman's bed."
"When she had her kindergarten performance, you were traveling with Lin Manman."
"Is this the fatherly love you give Yuanyuan?"
He seemed struck by something, taking two steps back.
The alcohol seemed to have mostly worn off, his face deathly pale.
Ye Mian's car arrived.
She timely opened the car door.
I bent to get in, hearing Ji Lincuan's broken voice: "At least... let me see Yuanyuan..."
I didn't look back: "You don't deserve."
The car started.
In the rearview mirror.
Ji Lincuan was stumbling after the car, his tie fluttering in the wind like a hangman's noose.
25
After that night, I never saw Ji Lincuan again.
The yoga studio's business got better and better.
I soon opened two branches.
My mother moved in with me, helping me pick up and drop off Yuanyuan.
But regarding my reconnection with my father, I never mentioned it, afraid of stirring up painful memories for her.
My father met with me privately several times.
He transferred all the company shares to me.
He said he would hire people to manage the company's business, I didn't need to worry, just wait for the annual dividends.
He said his current wife didn't know about this.
It was his compensation to me.
Mentioning the past, I learned that my father had been forced to marry my mother, the two had cultural differences and no common language.
My mother was from the countryside, uneducated.
My father was a city person, they met when he was down on his luck.
Such a marriage, divorce was inevitable.
But cheating was always his mistake.
He said he had no right to ask for my mother's forgiveness, only hoping that we mother and daughter would live better.
I didn't have deep feelings for this father.
But in handling Ji Lincuan's matter, he truly did what a father should do, protecting me completely.
I didn't refuse those shares.
After experiencing all this, I understood a truth, all feelings can change, only holding money in your hands is security.
I would give Yuanyuan the best life.
26
Later and later...
Ji Lincuan began drinking heavily, neglecting his work.
Lin Manman looked down on him for being poor, unwilling to endure hardship with him, so she aborted the child and turned to seduce an older, richer man.
But this time she bet on the wrong horse, running into a tough opponent.
When the affair was discovered, the man's wife hired thugs to pour sulfuric acid on Lin Manman's face, disfiguring her.
I heard she couldn't accept her face and went mad.
Was sent to a mental hospital by her family.
And the once proud and arrogant Ji Lincuan also completely disappeared from the circles.
Before he left the city, he met Huang Ming once.
"Huang Ming, you were right, I regret it."
"If only I had listened to your advice back then."
Huang Ming told me that Ji Lincuan's right leg was crippled.
The cause was that Lin Manman's older brother wanted to extort money from him, Ji Lincuan had none, Lin Manman's older brother was drunk, and in a rage, beat him until he was disabled.
But these had nothing to do with me anymore.
There are no "what ifs" in life.
Ji Lincuan and I.
Ultimately became passersby in each other's lives.
(End)