Chapter 1 — My Husband and My Best Friend

The affair between my husband and my best friend was a secret kept from everyone, and I was the second-to-last person to find out. Our mutual friends were actively placing bets on whether or not I would have the courage to demand a divorce.

Jiang Yi is definitely too cowardly to ever divorce him. Lin Xun is just far too successful at making money!

Well, if you ask me, a lot of the blame falls on Jiang Yi for being so spineless. Otherwise, how could Mr. Lin ever be tempted to stray?

Hey, Lin Xun, say something. Did your wife throw a tantrum and demand a divorce yet?

Right at that moment, my best friend was sitting right on Lin Xun's lap, smiling as she pressed a soft kiss to his lips.

I honestly don't think Jiang Yi has it in her to divorce him. She is nothing more than a pathetic parasite; she doesn't have the guts.

Lin Xun raised a brow, stubbed out his cigarette, and suddenly pulled her in close for a deep, lingering kiss. I was standing just outside the door, my entire body trembling uncontrollably. It dawned on me then that they had deliberately lured me here tonight simply to watch my reaction. Yet I was even more cowardly than they could have possibly imagined. I lacked the courage to even push the door open and step inside. Instead, I pulled out my phone and dialed the number of my best friend's husband.

Xiao Yun is completely drunk and currently at Victory Bar. You need to come and pick her right now.

Tran Van’s husband, Xiao Xu, had once served prison time for violently injuring another person in a fit of rage. Surely, he possessed far more courage than I did.

Who is she drinking with?

Xiao Xu’s voice over the line carried an icy edge. I answered without hesitation:

Just some friends, all men, and they have a habit of getting rather aggressive. You should get over here immediately.

Xiao Xu grunted in affirmation, promising he would arrive at once. I hung up the phone and turned away. Tran Van used to tell me with immense pride:

Xiao Xu might look honest and unassuming on the outside, but back then, he nearly killed someone entirely because of me.

And ever since that incident, he has made a habit of carrying a knife with him everywhere he goes, purely out of the paranoid fear that someone might try to bully me again.

As I reached the entrance of the bar, my phone suddenly rang. It was Lin Xun. His voice sounded casual and laced with utter laziness:

You have already arrived, haven't you?

My lips parted, but no words came out. He continued:

The waiter mentioned seeing you standing outside staring for a while. Did you hear everything?

His tone was gentle, yet to me, it felt unimaginably cruel. I let out a faint murmur of acknowledgment. Lin Xun let out a low laugh:

Such a coward.

Indeed, everyone knew I was a coward. Back in our school days, I had been the quiet girl who merely trailed behind Lin Xun like a shadow. Had it not been for his constant protection, I might not have even passed the university entrance exams.

Unbelievable. You didn't even have the courage to step inside?

What is the point of continuing to deceive yourself like this?

People around him chimed in, their mocking laughter ringing out without the slightest hint of restraint. At that moment, Tran Van snatched the phone away and giggled:

If we had known you were so terrified of losing him, we wouldn't have bothered going to all this trouble to hide it from you.

Still, sneaking around right behind your back is honestly quite thrilling.

Your husband, I have already tasted him for you. He is quite impressive in every single aspect, so I suppose I will gladly take him off your hands.

Sister Yun, keep talking like that and she is actually going to cry.

Aren't you going to go comfort her, Mr. Lin?

Just as Tran Van finished speaking, another voice chimed in. This time, Lin Xun spoke with a rare hint of seriousness:

Cut it out. If she starts crying now, I'll be the one stuck having to comfort her.

Jiang Yi is nothing like you. She is far easier to soothe, so stop picking on her.

With that, he took the phone back, his voice clearing up as he addressed me directly.

Where are you? The restroom? I'll come find you. It's difficult to catch a cab around here.

I glanced toward the corridor and spotted him frozen in place with the phone to his ear. The moment his eyes landed on me, he abruptly hung up. Lin Xun’s face wore an expression of profound satisfaction, tinged with a hint of malicious pleasure. He strolled over to me and casually ruffled my hair.

She is not like you. You are the lawful Mrs. Lin, so why are you crying?

Alright, I promise I won't divorce you.

His tone carried the condescending charity one might reserve for a favored pet. Yet at that exact moment, Tran Van stumbled out clutching her head. Swaying unsteadily, she collided squarely against Lin Xun’s chest. He instantly wrapped an arm around her waist, his palm pressing against the bare skin of her flank. Tran Van tilted her head back against his chest, peering at me through half-lidded eyes.

Mr. Lin, my head hurts so much. Those people forced me to drink too much earlier.

Take me home. Anyway, Jiang Yi already knows, so we don't need to hide anymore.

She won't mind, right?

As she uttered those final two words, she looked directly at me, her eyes brimming with undisguised provocation. Right then, Xiao Xu sent a text asking for the bar's address. I promptly forwarded him our location. Pocketing my phone, I raised my head and stared coldly at Lin Xun.

What if I do mind?

A flicker of reluctance crossed Lin Xun’s face. He made a move to push Tran Van away, but she went limp like a rag doll, slumping heavily back against him.

We have already done it countless times, so why bother playing the noble gentleman now?

She laughed softly, casting another sidelong glance in my direction.

Didn't you say it yourself? In bed, Jiang Yi is just like a dead fish, not the least bit fun!

Her words were meant for Lin Xun, but her eyes never left me. Lin Xun shot me a tense, uneasy look.

It was just a joke, I only said it to amuse her.

My fingernails dug deep into the palms of my hands, but my voice remained eerily calm:

Then I will come with you to take her home.

What did you say?

Tran Van asked, utterly disbelieving. I lifted my chin, looking at the two of them with unwavering resolve.

Doesn't your head hurt? Lin Xun and I will take you back.

Without waiting for a reply, I stubbornly grabbed her arm, forcing her to lean her weight against me. Lin Xun stared at my actions in stunned silence for a second before chuckling with amusement. He reached out and lightly tapped the tip of my nose.

Oh, so you finally decided to feel jealous? Developing a bit of a backbone suits you.

His words and gestures were brimming with an intimate familiarity, as if nothing untoward had ever occurred. A profound wave of nausea rose within me, though I kept my face entirely impassive. Back in high school, the girlfriend of a local delinquent had once cornered me in the restroom, tearing my clothes to shreds. I had worn that exact same submissive expression back then. It was Lin Xun who had stepped in to warn that girl off. He had furrowed his brow, staring at me for a long time before taking off his own school uniform jacket to drape over my shoulders.

You really should learn to show some spirit.

After that, that girl never returned to school. Lin Xun always believed it was entirely due to his intervention. What he never knew was that when that girl and her delinquent boyfriend had been kissing in the stairwell, they had been caught red-handed by her own father. And the person who had led her father straight to them was me. Expelled and forced to transfer schools, she naturally lost any opportunity to continue bullying me. I had been more than happy to let someone like Lin Xun play the role of my heroic savior, and so I had never spoken a word of the truth.

But I've already booked a hotel room, who said anything about going home?

Tran Van’s voice cut through my thoughts. She blinked, her eyes sparkling with triumph as she turned back to Lin Xun:

Does Mr. Lin not want to come? Though dragging Jiang Yi along with us might be a bit awkward, wouldn't it?

Lin Xun’s gaze shifted back and forth between the two of us. Before he could speak, I interjected quietly:

Lin Xun, come home with me.

I fixed my eyes on him, softening my tone into a pleading murmur. Deliberately, Tran Van wound her leg around his in front of me, staring straight into his eyes.

The outfit you wanted me to wear is already waiting at the hotel. If you miss out tonight, I won't ever wear it for you again.

Lin Xun’s pupils constricted, the hunger in his gaze deepening visibly.

Jiang Yi, you go on ahead.

In the end, those were the words Lin Xun chose for me. My eyes stung with hot tears as I looked up at him.

Are you certain about this?

He gave a brief nod, his brow furrowing in mild annoyance.

Be a good girl. Unless you want a divorce.

I drew in a deep breath. Even my ribcage ached with the effort of the simple motion. Tran Van let out a derisive scoff.

What, were you planning to stay and watch? That wouldn't be very wise; it's far too cruel to put you through that.

I remained silent. Abruptly, she stepped closer, whispering directly into my ear:

Do you even know when the very first time we were together was?

It was when you suffered a miscarriage and were lying helpless in the hospital. We did it right there on your own bed.

Jiang Yi, if you have any sense left at all, hurry up and divorce him.

My entire body began to shake. That had been the first child I shared with Lin Xun. I had anticipated its arrival for so long, nurturing it with absolute care, only to lose it in the end. Throughout the days I spent trapped in the hospital bed, Lin Xun had continually claimed he was overwhelmed with crucial business projects. I had weathered that agonizing isolation entirely on my own. So all along... I glared fiercely at Tran Van.

Why would you do something so vile?

Lin Xun makes a fortune, and he's devastatingly handsome. A man like him is a rare commodity.

If I left him lingering around you, someone else would inevitably snatch him up sooner or later, so I figured I might as well make use of him myself.

As for the useless man I have at home, I've wanted to dump him for ages anyway.

I checked the time on my phone. Xiao Xu should be arriving in roughly ten minutes.

Are you not afraid he will refuse to let you go? Didn't you say he has a vicious temper and nearly killed someone in the past? Aren't you terrified?

At the mention of Xiao Xu, the smugness in Tran Van’s voice faltered slightly.

He is nothing more than an absolute fool with a strong body and no brains. All I have to do is crook my finger, and he will do whatever I tell him.

At worst, I'll just figure out a way to trick him into signing divorce papers first. He's just as gullible as you are.

Her casual demeanor made it abundantly clear that she held Xiao Xu in absolute contempt.

What if he catches you cheating?

A flash of genuine panic flickered across Tran Van’s eyes, though she quickly suppressed it.

He could never possibly find out. By this hour, he's probably still out making food deliveries.

Training him is no different from training a dog, you wouldn't understand!

A cold sneer formed in my heart, though I kept my face utterly blank as I glanced down at my phone screen. A new message from Xiao Xu flashed brightly: [I am almost here.] Suddenly, I realized I had no intention of letting them off the hook quite so easily. I wanted a front-row seat to watch a mad dog tear its prey to pieces. Adopting a pitiful, wounded expression, I looked up at Lin Xun.

I will wait for you down in the hotel lobby. Once you are finished, can we go home together?

I lowered myself completely, groveling for his scraps. Shock registered clearly on Lin Xun’s face.

Why are you... Why are you so fixated on me?

Tran Van immediately sneered:

Jiang Yi, how can you be so utterly devoid of self-respect?

Things have reached this point and you are still clinging to him like this? What on earth do you want?

I completely ignored her, gazing up at Lin Xun as if I genuinely knew no better.

If it weren't for Lin Xun back in university, I honestly don't know how I would have survived.

Besides, throughout all four years of undergrad, every penny of my living expenses came from him. He is the one who supported me.

Tran Van, I simply cannot live without him anymore.

Lin Xun was indeed remarkably talented at making money. By the time he was twenty, he had already amassed tens of thousands. Throughout his university years, his various ventures had netted him over a million. Staying by his side meant I never had to worry about financial ruin. It was precisely because of this security that I was able to comfortably pursue my master's degree and continue all the way through a doctorate. Tran Van choked on her words, her face contorting with fury. Lin Xun looked at her with growing impatience.

Don't speak to her that way.

He turned back to me, softening slightly:

I told you long ago, whatever is between you and me should never involve Jiang Yi.

And I have no intention of divorcing my wife to marry you. Unless you've been harboring some misplaced illusions?

Tran Van’s expression shifted rapidly, and she quickly forced a conciliatory smile.

I didn't mean it like that, I was just worried she would ruin the mood.

She won't do anything of the sort!

I shook my head gently. Lin Xun let out a helpless sigh.

Be a good girl. This is the last time. From now on, I will treat you well, alright?

I nodded with apparent satisfaction.

Okay, I believe you.

Lin Xun’s gaze softened with fond pity.

You silly girl. What would you ever do without me?

Without him, I naturally intended to inherit every single cent of his hard-earned fortune.