"Sign here and make an imprint. I'll have the money transferred to you later. You can finalize the house purchase tomorrow."
He said he was lending her the money, but at bank interest rates. It wasn't a gift. This made Xiang Wan feel much better. Moreover, she was the one borrowing the money. Everything was clearly written down on paper, and she wouldn't be cheated by him. It seemed there was no reason to refuse.
Back at the studio, within minutes, she received a text message alert. Two million had been deposited. Tang Haichao sent a WeChat message, asking if she had received the money.
"Received it. I'll finalize the house purchase tomorrow. I'll treat you to a meal once I get the property deed."
"Hey, that's no big deal. In the future, when you renovate your house, give me the business. And if you have friends who need renovations, introduce them to me. That way, we'll be helping each other out."
Xiang Wan agreed, promising to keep his requests in mind.
While she was texting Tang Haichao, a friend who had previously invited her to a beauty salon also sent a WeChat message.
"It's been a while since I've been to the beauty salon for a treatment. They're having a promotion now with great discounts. Are you free today? How about I treat you?"
Xiang Wan didn't have time. Furthermore, the mere thought of Lu Mingzhe's conspicuous photo displayed at that place made her never want to go again.
"I'm busy lately. You should invite someone else."
Seeing her lack of enthusiasm, her friend didn't press the matter. She simply replied with an "Oh" and went back to her tasks.
At two in the afternoon, Lu Mingzhe called Chen Jiaojiao. He wanted to use his work time to ask her to process the paperwork.
When Chen Jiaojiao received the call, she was quite surprised. Although she knew it wouldn't be anything good, she still tried to put on a brave face.
"What's up? Why are you thinking of calling me at this hour?"
Lu Mingzhe got straight to the point. "Are you mentally prepared for what I told you yesterday?"
Chen Jiaojiao's heart skipped a beat. She guessed what was about to happen, but she couldn't quite believe it. "What did you tell me yesterday?"
"Chen Jiaojiao, it's pointless to pretend you don't understand. You clearly agreed yesterday."
"You said so many things yesterday, how am I supposed to know which one you're referring to? Just say what you mean."
"Fine, then I'll be direct. Bring your household registration book and marriage certificate, get in your car, and meet me at the Civil Affairs Bureau. We're going to finalize the divorce."
Hmph, it seemed his relationship with that other woman had truly reached a critical point. Divorcing just like that, how ruthless. A wave of immense unwillingness washed over Chen Jiaojiao, and she deliberately made things difficult for him.
"You were the one who proposed marriage, and now you're the one proposing divorce. To get married and then to divorce so easily, Lu Mingzhe, you're really something."
Lu Mingzhe could hear the implication in her words. "What, are you going back on your word? Have you changed your mind about your previous commitments?"
"Of course, I have reservations. We've only been married a few days! Your parents haven't even recovered from the joy of our wedding..."
"That's our family's business, it's none of your concern. Besides, I'll be bringing back a new daughter-in-law soon, so there's nothing for them to recover from?"
Luckily, this was over the phone. If they were face-to-face, Chen Jiaojiao would have definitely slapped him without hesitation.
"Look at how eager you are. What's going on? Are you pregnant? Is the baby due soon and you can't wait to register the birth..."
"Stop talking nonsense with me, just tell me if you're coming today!"
He's even getting aggressive now? Chen Jiaojiao felt a surge of wronged emotion and wanted to cry.
"You forced me into this marriage in the first place, and now you're forcing me to divorce? If it weren't for you, would I have had to come to Nancheng all by myself?"
"My father passed away only a few days ago! I'm all alone and helpless, are you even human?"
What she said was true. He didn't know what had gotten into him back then, but he insisted on marrying her. Now that things had come to this awkward stalemate, Lu Mingzhe was filled with regret.
He paused and then conceded. "I'm not completely inflexible. If you really feel that divorcing now will affect your mood, then we can postpone it for a few days."
"You name a date. You be in charge. Whatever day you say, that's the day. Is that fair?"
He was willing to go to such lengths to divorce her, how could she not be furious! Chen Jiaojiao's pride had been trampled into pieces. At this point, she saw things clearly. Lu Mingzhe was deeply infatuated with that other woman, and arguing with him would be futile. The only solution was a delaying tactic.
"My father passed away only three days ago. We should at least wait until the forty-ninth day after his death. Calculate the date yourself, and come find me after the forty-ninth day."
After speaking, she hung up the phone. The forty-ninth day was thirty-five days away, plus the three days that had already passed. This meant he would contact her again in about a month. Fine. She could wait. After all, they had been married. It was better to part amicably. She'd wait another month for him.
After work, Lu Mingzhe called Xiang Wan, asking if she wanted him to pick her up. Sensing that he was in a good mood, she assumed he had good news and told him to come over.
They met downstairs. Lu Mingzhe kissed her hand and then asked if she was busy today and if she had missed him.
"Did something good happen? You came so early, do you have some good news to share with me?"
"Seeing you is the greatest good news. Isn't that worth celebrating?"
Lu Mingzhe seemed to have completely forgotten about the divorce he had mentioned yesterday. Xiang Wan almost reminded him. But her pride wouldn't allow it. The way he kept bringing up the pregnancy to force a divorce felt very much like something "A San" would do.
"Get lost. You're becoming more and more glib."
Feeling a hint of disappointment, she pulled her hand out of his. Lu Mingzhe smiled and started the car.
"We're not going back for dinner tonight. I've booked a restaurant, let's go out."
"No. Haven't I had enough of 'ditch water oil' food twice a day? I want to go home."
"It's just once in a while, it's fine. This place I booked is quite famous, let's try it."
Regardless of whether Xiang Wan was happy or not, he drove directly to the private dining restaurant. The environment was excellent, quiet amidst the hustle and bustle, and very elegant. But Xiang Wan's hopes were dashed, and she was feeling subtly annoyed, unable to be happy no matter what.
Lu Mingzhe pushed her inside. Once in the private room, they ordered their dishes. Xiang Wan took out her phone.
"I'll send Xiang Yang a WeChat message and tell him to eat by himself. He might still be waiting for me at home foolishly."
As soon as she finished speaking, the door to the private room was pushed open. A handsome boy pushing a beautiful trolley entered. On it was a large bouquet of bright red roses and a beautiful cake.
"Miss, your order has arrived."
His voice was filled with laughter. Who else could it be but Xiang Yang? Xiang Wan was stunned. "...Why are you here too?"
It wasn't anyone's birthday today, so why all the fuss with such a big cake and so many flowers? Lu Mingzhe didn't answer her. He stood up, took her hand, and opened the door to the inner room. It turned out there was more to it. The entire room was filled with colorful balloons, candles, fresh flowers, and rose petals scattered everywhere...
Lu Mingzhe pulled her to the center of the room, knelt on one knee, and took out a ring.
"I asked Xiang Yang to be a witness."
"I've been thinking about this for a long time. Although today isn't a special occasion, I decided to do it today to secure you as soon as possible."