Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I had just reached home when a message popped up, asking me to deliver a document to Lingyun Clubhouse.

Accustomed to this routine, I turned around and hailed a ride using the company’s reimbursement app.

The nights of an adult rarely belong to oneself.

Aside from what is sacrificed for love, the majority is occupied by unpleasant work.

As I stepped out of the car, wrapped in the biting wind, I looked around. I had heard of Lingyun Clubhouse before; the people who frequented this place were far from ordinary.

My boss was likely riding the coattails of some high-ranking official to even set foot in this courtyard clubhouse tucked deep within the hutongs.

I pushed open the vermilion gates. Waiters in suits stood on either side. After I stated my business, they respectfully led me into the inner courtyard.

I had expected this. After handing over the document, I instinctively put on a fake smile and respectfully made the rounds to toast everyone.

Often, delivering a document didn’t actually require me to make the trip myself.

But a dinner table like this always needed a beautiful woman as an ornament.

“Director Wu, this is Xiao Jiang from our technical department. Let her explain it to you; she’s a total professional!”

When the partner’s fingers brushed against the back of my hand, I lowered my wine glass and subtly pulled away.

In many situations, I didn’t have the luxury of a firm refusal, even if it meant enduring certain gazes.

After a few drinks, I made an excuse to step out for some air.

Turning a corner in the corridor, I saw a door left slightly ajar. The bronze door knockers glinted with a cold, hard light, and the intricate carvings on the door beams flickered in and out of sight in the night.

I glanced at it briefly, but just as I was about to walk past, a voice suddenly drifted out from inside.

“That’s hilarious. You’re saying Jiang Ran actually thinks Zhou Jinyan has no money, and that’s why he won’t marry her?

“I have to say, this girl is pretty naive.

“I checked with the bank for you. I heard her total savings added up to exactly 1,954,600 yuan, and she withdrew every cent to make a down payment on a place she said would be their wedding house.

“One million? Can that even buy a bathroom?”

My footsteps faltered. In disbelief, I took a few steps closer to listen more intently.

“But seriously, what kind of rags are you wearing? I’ve been abroad and back, and you’re still playing this ‘poor guy’ cosplay?”

I thought of the clothes Zhou Jinyan was wearing this morning. His jacket was a new down coat worth over two thousand yuan, his pants were some Taobao find for three or five hundred, and on his feet were a pair of Balenciaga 3XLs that I had only managed to buy after contacting several personal shoppers.

I looked down at myself; my entire outfit didn’t even cost two thousand yuan.

Perhaps I had misheard the voice. I squeezed my palms and pulled out my phone, intending to make a call.

Then, I saw someone inside lean forward, reaching out to lightly hook and open a bottle of wine on the table.

Because of that movement, his entire profile was revealed, along with the clothes he was wearing.

I unconsciously gripped the hem of my shirt, my knuckles turning white from the force.

My eyes were fixed on the scene before me. For a moment, I wanted to speak, but it was as if the freezing wind had clamped my throat shut, leaving me unable to make a sound.

Zhou Jinyan glanced at the man who had just spoken. “I have my own pace. Stay out of it.”

“Ha, you’re too much. What kind of ‘pace’ lasts five years? Didn’t you say at the start you were just playing around because you were bored? Don’t tell me you actually fell for that Cinderella?”

Zhou Jinyan’s hand, holding a lit cigarette, paused slightly. After a long moment, he gave a mocking laugh. “What are you talking about?”

“Even if you wanted to, it’s not like you could actually marry her. I’m telling you, break it off and get out now. Don’t waste her time; let the girl go so she can find a decent family to marry into as soon as possible.”

“Gao Yuming-” Zhou Jinyan exhaled a cloud of smoke and looked at him lazily. “You talk too much.”

“Heh,” Gao Yuming looked at him with a half-smile. “You don’t talk much, but the next time you dare to make me download some Pinduoduo app in the middle of the night to help your Cinderella get a discount, I’ll cut you first.”

At that moment, a young man wearing glasses raised his hand politely. “I think Pinduoduo is pretty useful. My ‘Tycoon Badge’ is already at max level~”

No one paid him any mind. Gao Yuming continued, “When do you plan to come clean with her?”

Zhou Jinyan paused. “On the day of the engagement, I suppose.”

“Is it definitely the Zhao Family then?”

“Yeah.”

“How are you going to say it? This whole thing is pretty unethical of you.”

“I won’t say anything. I’ll just have the ‘Jinyan’ she knows disappear.”

“That works too. If it weren’t for you doing this on purpose, someone like Jiang Ran would never have crossed paths with people in our circle in her entire life.

“When the time comes, just give her a sum of money. She’s been with you for five years, after all. Don’t mistreat her.”

Those words were like something from another world, crashing recklessly into my mind.

I looked at Zhou Jinyan, desperately hoping he would speak up and say something different.

*She’s different. Jiang Ran is different. She’s the girlfriend you’ve been with for five years, openly and legitimately.*

But there was nothing. He didn’t object; he didn’t say another word.

I stood frozen near the doorway, feeling as if the cold wind had seeped into my very bones, making my skin swell with the chill.

I even wanted to peer through the blue smoke to see his impassive face clearly.

The bare branches of the crabapple tree were heavy with winter snow, struggling with all their might yet unable to straighten their backs.