Jian Xi's eyes suddenly flew wide.
He... had actually kissed her!?
All her cries for help were swallowed. Jian Xi's heart pounded like a war drum; she nearly forgot to breathe.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The neighbor knocked on the door. "Hello? Is anyone there?"
Si Yuhuan abruptly pushed Jian Xi away. Wiping his mouth with a look of utter disgust, he sneered, "Drinking and hitting the bars? You've really got some nerve. Just wait, I'll deal with you later."
He went to open the door.
The neighbor craned his neck, peering into the bedroom. "I just heard someone calling for help. Was it..."
Si Yuhuan, thoroughly annoyed, scowled. "Just some fun between husband and wife. Did you want to join in?"
The neighbor's mouth twitched, his expression odd. It was hard to believe that such a prim and proper-looking man, so outwardly respectable, could actually be such a deviant.
He muttered under his breath, "Well, that's playing a bit... too rough!"
Jian Xi scrambled out, pleading, "Folks, please help! I really don't know him! Save me!"
She was wrapped up pitifully, only her small, palm-sized head visible, looking utterly pitiable.
The righteous neighbor was about to confront Si Yuhuan, his finger already hovering over the call button for 110. But before he could dial, Si Yuhuan flashed their marriage certificate.
"Uh..."
The neighbor's face flushed with embarrassment. "So, you're really husband and wife, huh!"
Jian Xi looked more disgusted than if she had eaten a dead fly. Who in their right mind carries their marriage certificate around in their pocket every day! Si Yuhuan is a total freak.
BANG!
He ruthlessly slammed the door shut.
Jian Xi watched him, tense and wary.
Si Yuhuan raised an eyebrow, as if to say, Go on, keep screaming. Shout if you dare!
His imposing figure advanced.
Jian Xi swallowed hard. A direct confrontation wouldn't work. "Si Yuhuan, let's talk this through properly."
BEEP. BEEP.
A message arrived on the phone lying on the sofa.
Before Jian Xi could lunge for it, Si Yuhuan's long arm snaked out and snatched the phone.
She believed there shouldn't be secrets between spouses and hadn't bothered to set a complicated password on her phone. Si Yuhuan opened it directly.
Little Naigou: [Sister, if you're not asleep, can we have another drink together?]
Si Yuhuan's face turned as ugly as it could possibly be.
"Jian Xi, I was hospitalized because of an allergy to your cat, and you didn't even bother to check on me. Instead, you run off in the dead of night to cheat on me?" he ground out, pinching her chin viciously, his handsome face instantly frosting over.
His words caused all of Jian Xi's pent-up grievances to shatter in an instant.
"And you've done less? Why is it that you can flirt around and have affairs everywhere, while I can't even have a couple of close male friends to comfort my loneliness!"
"Si Yuhuan! Don't push me too far! If you're so unhappy, then let's get a divorce!"
She was fearless now, her confidence soaring.
"You just can't stand being lonely, can you? You absolutely need a man, don't you?"
For the first time while sober, Si Yuhuan forcefully tore open her nightgown.
Feeling the cold air on her chest, Jian Xi slapped his face. Fearlessly meeting his incredulous gaze, she lifted her chin slightly. "Si Yuhuan, if you dare treat me like this, will your precious idealized love still forgive you?"
It was like a bucket of cold water doused over him.
She saw the fire of desire mixed with fury in his eyes gradually extinguish.
Jian Xi pulled her nightgown closed, brazenly replying to Little Naigou right under Si Yuhuan's nose: [Wait for me. I'll be there soon.]
If he could make the first move, why couldn't she make the second?
Jian Xi slightly regretted arranging to meet Chu Xiao at Xinghai Apartment, a luxurious building in the heart of the commercial district.
This was tantamount to revealing her status to him.
But when Little Naigou arrived in his sports car, there was no surprise on his face.
Jian Xi speculated that if he wasn't a regular at such luxurious places, then he must be someone who lived in one.
He was very gentlemanly and charming, and took Jian Xi to a quaint, atmospheric lounge nearby.
He ordered a fruit wine with a refreshing flavor for her.
"A little drink at night is pleasant and won't give you a headache. Sister, I hope calling you out so late hasn't caused you any trouble?"
Testing! Blatant testing!
Jian Xi smiled and said directly, "I have a husband."
Her gaze was intense as she scanned her surroundings. Clearly, her mind was elsewhere. That damn Si Yuhuan, who cared so much about his pride, he must have scrammed by now, right?
Little Naigou's face stiffened slightly. "You don't look like you're married."
Indeed! She was married, but still an older virgin. Besides that piece of paper, how was she any different from someone who wasn't married? No, there was a difference. An unmarried woman wouldn't be as bitter and resentful as her. For a man, she'd been suicidal, nearly dragging her entire family down with her.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, her enthusiasm suddenly deflated. Jian Xi leaned close to Chu Xiao, her breath like a fragrant orchid as she whispered, "Kiddo, hitting on an older sister is one thing, but hitting on a married one could lead to your utter ruin."
She stood up, tossing her long, curly hair, looking both seductive and enchanting.
Her stunning figure drew appreciative glances from many men in the lounge.
In the dim light of the evening, their eyes glinted with desire.
Chu Xiao called after her retreating figure, as if vowing to achieve something, "You can get divorced if you're married! So, I still have a chance!"
He looked spirited, with an air of someone who wouldn't give up until he got what he wanted.
Jian Xi nearly stumbled.
She had to admit, he was dead on! Was 'I'm going to get a divorce' written all over her face? These young guys these days... can't mess with them, definitely can't mess with them.
Jian Xi fled in disarray.
Behind her, Little Naigou burst into hearty laughter.
In the end, Jian Xi didn't return to the apartment, fearing an awkward encounter with Si Yuhuan.
Instead, she drove to Wan Yu's place and knocked for a while.
Wan Yu eventually opened the door, looking dazed and sleepy.
When she saw it was Jian Xi, she let out a yelp and rushed upstairs.
Even though Wan Yu was quick, Jian Xi still caught sight of a man, practically radiating testosterone, coming downstairs.
Wan Yu pushed him back up. "Go, go, go! My friend is here. Get dressed and leave, quickly."
Ten minutes later, the man left.
Jian Xi crossed her arms, raised an eyebrow, and sized up Wan Yu. "Not going to explain, Sea Empress? This guy... if I remember correctly, isn't he that more aggressive 'little wolf-dog' type who hangs around Little Naigou? And you've already hooked up with him?"
Wan Yu brazenly slung an arm around Jian Xi's shoulder. "Men are just for sleeping with! Sis, you're about to get divorced. Try to be a bit more open-minded, okay?"
She never took emotions seriously, like a pixie flitting through the mortal realm.
To her, men were like clothes.
If I hang out with her too long, my mindset will definitely warp.
"So, Little Naigou didn't ask you out?" Wan Yu leaned in slyly. Jian Xi's face instantly turned red, and she pushed her away with a glare.
"I'm really not in the mood. Besides, he's still just a kid."
"What a waste! Little Naigou's family is in the Silicon Crystal mining business; they're ranked globally."
"What did you say?! Little Naigou... he's not a gigolo?"