Chapter Forty-One: Unwilling to Stay

Xingan heard Xiao Shi call Jiang Tang’s name, her gaze flickered, and she shifted her posture, closing her eyes to rest.

Jiang Tang was still on the phone, asking, “Where have you all gone? Why didn’t you say anything for days? I thought Cheng Jiu was off on another assignment.”

Xiao Shi rubbed his nose, stammering as he tried to dodge the question, “Something came up suddenly…”

“What is it that you can’t tell me?”

“Well…”

“Xiao Shi, if it’s not an assignment, why can’t you tell me? If you can’t say, hand the phone to Cheng Jiu. I’ll ask him myself.”

Xiao Shi whispered, “Jiu-ge is driving…”

“Then put me on speaker.”

Unable to handle Jiang Tang, Xiao Shi looked to Cheng Jiu for guidance, “Jiu-ge, Jiang Tang wants to talk to you.”

Cheng Jiu responded with a brief grunt, took the phone, and asked simply, “What is it?”

Jiang Tang laughed lightly, teasing, “Can’t I call you if there’s nothing wrong? Listen to yourself. What are you and Xiao Shi up to, so secretive? I ask Xiao Shi, but he doesn’t dare tell me.”

He gazed coldly ahead, not replying.

Jiang Tang continued, “Cheng Jiu, my father’s birthday is in a few days. He called to ask if you’d come for a meal.” Afraid Cheng Jiu would refuse, she lowered her voice, pleading, “He’s getting old, nothing much to do at home. He keeps asking when you’ll have time to come over for a drink. But if you’re too busy, I’ll let him know.”

Xingan remained silent. The car was quiet; when Cheng Jiu wasn’t speaking, she could faintly hear Jiang Tang’s voice from the phone. Though soft, she could make out what was said. To her, Jiang Tang’s visits never boded well.

She thought Jiang Tang must see her as a rival now, with Cheng Jiu between them. Women’s minds are intricate and unpredictable; once a man is involved, nothing is clear.

Cheng Jiu paused and said, “Got it.”

“So you’ll come? Wonderful, I’ll tell my father. He’ll be so happy.”

Cheng Jiu was rather indifferent. “Anything else?”

Suddenly, a cough sounded from the back seat. Xiao Shi turned to see Xingan covering her mouth, coughing, and quickly asked, “Miss Xin, are you alright?”

Cheng Jiu glanced back as well, and the phone went silent.

Xingan shook her head, indicating she was fine, and didn’t speak.

But Jiang Tang had already heard Xiao Shi’s words, “Miss Xin.” The smile at her lips gradually faded. She asked Cheng Jiu, “Miss Xin is with you?”

Cheng Jiu grunted, losing patience, “I’m driving. If there’s more, we’ll talk later. I’m hanging up.”

The next moment, Jiang Tang heard the busy tone.

She stood clutching her phone, gave a cold laugh, and pressed her lips together hard. She never imagined Cheng Jiu was with Xingan. So all these days Cheng Jiu was away, he was with her?

…

Cheng Jiu rolled down the window, saying, “Drink some water, soothe your throat.”

Xiao Shi immediately handed Xingan an unopened bottle of mineral water. She took it, twisted it open, took a sip, and was about to thank him when she heard Cheng Jiu ask from the driver’s seat, “What are your plans when you return?”

“The matter at Songli is settled. I’ll be heading back to Yongcheng.”

At this, Cheng Jiu raised his brows, showing a hint of displeasure.

“In a hurry to leave?”

Xingan replied, “Yes, I’ve just graduated and need to start job hunting.”

Xiao Shi exclaimed, interjecting, “You’re leaving already?”

In truth, both Cheng Jiu and Xingan knew in their hearts her mind wasn’t here, that leaving was inevitable. Yet Cheng Jiu had said their marriage would go forward, and she could stay to cultivate their relationship.

But Xingan clearly had no desire to remain.