"There's no 'necessary' limit. Julian's leg will scar—he deserves this. You two chat, I have to go." I turned and left.
That young couple's carefree days were numbered—half a month, at most. Then Hugh Pei would sweep in, Lila Wei would be his prey, and Julian Qi would never laugh with her like this again.
Hugh Pei was truly a beast.
After leaving the hospital, I told Leo Li to drive to Fengzhou Garden—the villa where Hugh Pei and I lived.
I needed the Chinese medicine packs I'd bought, to take back to my parents' place. With daily decoctions and Mom's amazing cooking, I'd gain ten pounds in no time.
The medicine packs sat untouched in the living room.
I had no idea if Hugh Pei came home last night, or what he and Ching Ching Pan discussed.
"Why didn't you get out of the car yesterday?" Hugh Pei's voice came from the stairs as I picked up the packs. He stood above me, eyes cold with displeasure.
Why was he home again? Normally, he showed up once every three months.
In an all-black loungewear set—plain, but on him, devastatingly attractive.
"I never interfered with your flings before. Didn't want to break tradition," I replied calmly.
"Is that so? Then their vanishing resources, their exploding scandals—all coincidences?" Hugh Pei stared at me, expressionless.
So he knew. He'd never stopped me because those women were just diversions.
Unlike Lila Wei—later, if I so much as wanted to meet her, Hugh Pei would snarl like a lion, ready to tear me apart.
"I don't deny it. You gave them money, resources—our marital property. Taking some back another way seems fair," I said.
"Then why not confront Ching Ching Pan directly? I gave her a house—half yours," Hugh Pei said, descending the stairs, towering over me with his nearly six-foot-three frame, his aura utterly overwhelming.
Was he possessed? We never exchanged more than a few words.
In a year, he'd ask for a divorce, shower me with endless money. Why quibble over a house?
"I've come around. She's not the first, won't be the last—I can't keep up," I said, hurrying out. Should've had Leo Li fetch the medicine.
Only after leaving did I feel his icy gaze lift.
I tossed the packs in the backseat, told Leo Li to drive.
Back at my parents', I handed the medicine to the maid. Mom was cooking—her passion.
Dad's car pulled up. He stormed in, shoving his phone at me. "Look at this nonsense!"
The headline: Top Actress Ching Ching Pan Spotted with Pei Group CEO at Hotel—Denies Romance.
If there was anything, it wasn't romance—it was an affair.
I handed back the phone. "Dad, it's fake. You know Hugh Pei—businessman, lots of acting for show."
"You're defending him?" Dad fumed.
Hardly. I just didn't want him to get sick over it.
"Want me to go beat him up? We'll team up, father and daughter—take him down!" I rolled up my sleeves.
Dad's scowl softened into a grin. "Always spouting nonsense. Dark humor, huh?"
I linked his arm. "Dad, don't be mad. Think—Pei Group boosts City A's economy. Feels better, right?"
"He did donate new tracks to schools recently—good for the community," Dad conceded.
"Exactly."
Mom called us to dinner—all my favorites. Truly, only a mother's love is unconditional.
After lunch, Dad went back to work, leaving Mom and me. Her friends came over for mahjong—four women chatting, playing tiles. I lay on the couch, scrolling through Hugh Pei and Ching Ching Pan's news.
Ching Ching Pan claimed they were friends—Hugh Pei was investing in a movie with her as lead, hence frequent meetings.
Typical—Hugh Pei threw money around. Easiest way.
I dozed off until Ginny Deng called.
"Zoe, come drink! Hot guys here!" she yelled excitedly.
"How hot?" I asked.
"Mind-blowing, earth-shattering, epic—hurry! Tian Tian's here, You You's out of town for a gig." Ginny's description was over the top.
Since I'd mentioned divorcing Hugh Pei, they'd dragged me out nonstop—dinners, karaoke, shopping—afraid I was hurting inside.
I needed it. Otherwise, I'd dwell on past lives.
"I'll change and come." I hung up—she'd sent the address.
Half an hour later, I headed out, ready for nightlife.
Ginny knew every bar in town—where the drinks were good, where the guys were hot.
She wasn't lying—the guys were model-level.
"Ugh!" I gagged, drunker than I thought.
Pathetic. I was comparing them to Hugh Pei—only drinking, no flirting.
Hugh Pei was still better—looks, aura, everything.
"Sorry—I need the bathroom." I stood, and one guy followed, steadying me.
I let him—nice to be cared for, for once.
I vomited my guts out, rinsed my mouth, washed my face. He waited outside.
"Can I add you on WeChat?" he asked.
"Why?" I teased.
"Keep in touch," he said. "If you're lonely—call me anytime."