"There's no 'appropriate' amount. Julian will definitely have a scar on his leg. This is what he deserves. You two chat, I have to go," I said, then turned and left.
The young couple's carefree, lovey-dovey time was running out. Only about two weeks left. After that, Hugh Pei would make his grand entrance. Lila Wei would be his prey, and Julian Qi would never again have the chance to chat and laugh so happily with her.
Thinking about it, Hugh Pei was truly a beast.
After leaving the hospital, I had Leo Li take me back to Mapleview Manor, the villa where Hugh Pei and I lived.
My bag of Chinese medicine was there, and I wanted to pick it up. I planned to brew it daily at my parents' house. Paired with my mother's incredible cooking, I was sure to gain ten pounds a month.
The bag of medicine was still sitting in the living room, untouched.
I didn't know if Hugh Pei had come home last night or what the outcome of his talk with Ching Ching Pan was.
"Why didn't you get out of the car yesterday?" Just as I was about to leave with the medicine, Hugh Pei's figure appeared on the stairs. He looked down at me, his eyes filled with displeasure.
Why was he home again? Normally, he only showed up once every three months.
Hugh Pei was dressed in a simple, all-black loungewear set. It was minimalist to the extreme, but on him, with that face and figure, it was incredibly charming.
"I never interfered with your past rumored flings. I didn't want to break with tradition," I answered calmly.
"Is that so? Then was it just a coincidence that their resources were cut off one by one, and their names were dragged through the mud?" Hugh Pei looked at me, his expression emotionless.
So he knew what I had done. But he never stopped me because those women were just casual flings.
Not like the later Lila Wei. The one time I even wanted to meet her for a chat, Hugh Pei was like a furious lion, ready to tear me to pieces.
I didn't deny it. "You gave each of them a lot of money and resources. That's our joint marital property. It's only natural for me to get some of it back in a different way."
"Then why didn't you demand it back from Ching Ching Pan in person? I gave her a house. Half of it is yours." Hugh Pei came down and stood in front of me, his nearly six-foot-three frame exuding a powerful presence.
Was Hugh Pei possessed? I frowned. Why was he wasting his breath on me now?
In at most another year, he would propose a divorce and give me an inexhaustible fortune. Why would I care about a single house?
"I've thought it through. She's not the first, and she won't be the last. I can't deal with all of them," I said hastily and started to leave. I should have just had Leo Li come in and get the medicine.
It wasn't until I was out the door that I felt Hugh Pei's cold gaze disappear.
I tossed the bag of medicine into the back seat and told Leo Li to leave.
Back at the Xu family home, I handed the medicine to the maid. My mother was cooking; cooking was one of her hobbies.
My father's car also returned. The moment he walked in and saw me, he glared and handed me his phone. "Look at this nonsense."
I looked. #Popular Star let ChingChingPan And Pei Corp CEOS potted At Hotel Deny Relationship#
If those two really had something going on, it wouldn't be a relationship, it would be an affair.
I handed the phone back to my dad and comforted him. "Dad, it's all fake. You know Hugh Pei is a businessman. He has to play along sometimes."
"You're still defending him!" my dad said, furious.
I wasn't defending Hugh Pei. I was afraid my dad would get sick from anger, which wouldn't be worth it.
"Then go teach him a lesson right now!" I rolled up my sleeves. "I'll help you. Father and daughter duo, we'll beat him to a pulp!"
My dad's face, which had been dark, broke into a bright smile. "You're just talking nonsense again. Is this dark humor?"
I linked my arm with my father's and tried to console him. "Father dear, don't be angry. Just think about how much economic growth Pei Corp has brought to A-City, and your mood will surely brighten."
"You have a point. Not long ago, Hugh Pei donated new rubber tracks to several schools. I guess he does care about the people and gives back to society." My dad was suddenly reminded of Hugh Pei's good deeds.
"Exactly," I agreed.
As we were chatting, my mom finished setting the table and called us to eat. It was all my favorite dishes. As they say, a mother's love is the best.
The lunch was warm and cozy, but my dad had to rush back to work, so it was just me and my mom in the afternoon.
A few of my mom's friends came over for a game of mahjong. The four women sat at a table, chatting and playing. I lay on the sofa and clicked on the news about Hugh Pei and Ching Ching Pan.
Ching Ching Pan explained that she and Hugh Pei were just good friends and that he was planning to invest in a movie with her as the lead, which was why they were meeting so frequently to discuss the project.
It seemed Hugh Pei had coughed up some more money. He was indeed very generous in that respect, and it was the easiest and most effective method.
I dozed off on the sofa and was startled awake by a call from Ginny Deng.
A glance at the time told me all I needed to know. It was another invitation to a night out at a bar.
"Zoe, come have a drink! There are handsome guys!" Ginny shouted happily on the other end of the line.
"How handsome?" I asked.
"Handsome enough to shake the heavens and move the earth, to make the seas dry up and the rocks crumble. Just get over here, Tilly's already here. Ella's out of town for a small gig, so she can't make it," Ginny described them with great exaggeration.
Ever since they found out I was divorcing Hugh Pei, they had been taking turns asking me out—for meals, karaoke, or shopping sprees. They never let me be idle.
I knew they were afraid that while I appeared calm on the surface, I was heartbroken inside, so they wanted to distract me.
And I did need their help, or I would find myself dwelling on my past life again.
"I'll just change and be right there," I said, hanging up. Ginny had already sent me the address.
Half an hour later, I was re-energized and ready to go. The nightlife was just beginning.
Ginny had been to almost every bar and nightclub in A-City and knew exactly which ones had the best drinks and the most handsome guys.
I had to admit, the guys Ginny brought this time were quite something, almost like a few minor celebrities.
"Ugh!" I had a bit too much to drink and couldn't help but gag.
I was a lost cause. Seeing a group of handsome men, I found myself secretly comparing them to Hugh Pei. There was no other interaction, just drinking and more drinking.
Hugh Pei was still more handsome, both in looks and in presence.
"Excuse me, I need to use the restroom," I said, getting up. The handsome guy sitting next to me immediately followed, offering me a hand.
I didn't refuse, enjoying the feeling of being cared for.
When I got to the restroom, I threw up violently, then rinsed my mouth and washed my face. The handsome guy was still waiting for me when I came out. He asked, "Can I get your WeChat?"
"What for?" I asked deliberately.
"So we can stay in touch," he answered directly. "If you ever feel lonely, you can contact me anytime."