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墨書 Inktalez
"I’m at Golden City Mall, why can’t I use my credit card?" Jiang Xiaoli was shouting on the other end of the line.
Today is my birthday, and she forgot. She had arranged to meet Jiang Ruming on WeChat, saying she wanted to buy me a gift, to give me a big surprise. They were supposed to have a candlelit dinner afterward, and Jiang Xiaoli was going to pay with my credit card!
Can you imagine how I feel?
Three days ago, I clearly and firmly told her: the past four years were my mistake; let’s break up!
She shot me a glance and said, "Are you crazy?"
Then she slammed the door and left.
According to her agreement with young master Jiang on WeChat, they were going out for afternoon tea and then to watch a movie together.
I started packing my things and canceled the supplementary credit card that had always been in her name.
"What are you trying to do?" After living together for four years, it was the first time I showed my face in front of Jiang Xiaoli like this. She must have been unaccustomed to it. No longer shouting, she lowered her voice and offered me an out: "Stop messing around. I know that day is your birthday, but I really had something important to attend to. When will you be back? I’ll make it up to you with a belated birthday celebration."
Oh my God, is Israel really withdrawing from Gaza?
Usually, when she softened her expression even slightly, I would rush over eagerly, wagging my tail like a puppy.
But not anymore.
"I’ve packed most of my things. I’ll be moving out soon. Let’s just part ways peacefully and not see each other again."
For the first time, I hung up on her.
Jiang Xiaoli called back: "I know I was wrong. I've been spending more time with Jiang Ruming lately, but you shouldn’t be so petty about it. We were just having meals and tea together… I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want you to overthink it. Who knew you’d still think too much?"
Am I really the one at fault here?
The reason she still contacted me wasn’t because I hadn’t made myself clear; it was because she thought I would still be the same as before. No matter how she treated me, as long as she beckoned with her little finger, I would obediently fall at her feet.
I hung up without saying a word and blocked her number.
Jiang Xiaoli called again from someone else's phone, hysterically demanding, "I’ve explained everything! Are you done yet?"
I hung up again.
Exhaling the stagnant air from my chest felt incredibly refreshing. The company approved my half-month annual leave, and I returned to my hometown in Annan. Every day, I helped my mother wash chopsticks and dishes, and I massaged my father's back and shoulders. They asked me how my marriage preparations were going, and I told them the house wasn't renovated yet, so I pushed it back.
It was the four-year reunion of my classmates, held at Heavenly Abode. The gathering was initiated by Brother Biao, who said that brothers are like limbs, and Brother Biao was like an arm to me.
Rushing back to Jiangcheng, I took a taxi to the Private Room that Brother Biao mentioned. A circle of familiar faces looked at me with strange expressions.
"You're the last one! Come on, sit down," Brother Biao greeted me, his expression awkward yet friendly.
"Lao Hu, Xiaoli insisted I accompany her, so here I am crashing your reunion," I replied.
To my surprise, Jiang Xiaoli was sitting directly across from me, with Jiang Ruming right next to her, smirking as he spoke to me. His smile was not only forced but also insincere, revealing a sense of pride, provocation, and cunning behind it.
Brother Biao glanced at me, worried that I might suddenly explode.
I ignored Jiang Ruming entirely; Liu the Imperial Uncle once said: women are like clothes. Some people may look decent on the outside but are nothing inside.
I didn't look at Jiang Ruming at all and didn't even spare a glance at Jiang Xiaoli. Indifferently, I turned to Brother Biao and said, "Let’s get the food started!"
As we shared our thoughts over drinks, after a few rounds, everyone began to tear off their masks from work and reveal their true selves. Jiang Qiuying from the bank lamented: "Our unit's income is decent, but they treat women like men and men like beasts. Endless overtime, meetings, training sessions, exams... it's messed up our cycles."
Mona from the Jiangcheng Evening News sighed: "Who would have thought that we traditional media would be stripped bare by the internet?"
Brother Biao joked about his real estate job: "Five years ago, you could sell a chicken coop easily; now we're all just sitting around waiting for something to happen."
Sitting next to me was Sister Hua, who had been our class committee secretary back in school. After graduating, she joined the tax bureau and lightly clinked her teacup against mine: "We have steady work there, but at twenty-six I've already seen what I'll be like in thirty years—like a frog in warm water slowly boiling. You wouldn't believe it; Lao Hu is doing the best among us tech folks."
Jiang Ruming peeled shrimp for Jiang Xiaoli, cracked crabs for her, and even removed fish bones for her while casually saying to her: "If you like that bag, I'll buy it for you tomorrow." "My dad said the company is preparing to hand it over to me; why don't you be my assistant?" His voice was neither too loud nor too soft but audible enough for everyone around.
I noticed my "real" classmates glancing over with mixed reactions—some looked down on Young Master Jiang while others scorned Jiang Xiaoli. There were also looks of sympathy and pity directed toward me.
Sister Hua shot me a glance before taking a sip of her tea and suddenly turned her attention to Jiang Ruming: "Young Master Jiang, I heard from someone in inspections that there are leaks in your Jin City operations?"
Jiang Ruming nearly dropped the piece of fish he was holding as he stammered: "My dad... he..."
"You've been back home for a while, right? What have you been busy with?" Sister Hua asked again.
young master Jiang stammered even more, "I... I..."
Jiang Xiaoli choked on a sip of tea, and young master Jiang hurriedly grabbed a tissue to wipe her mouth. She, however, was furious. "What are you doing!" She stood up, grabbed her small bag, and walked over to me. "Let's go home."
In the past, if Jiang Xiaoli had acted so submissively, I would have been grateful to the point of tears. But now, I remained unmoved.
I raised my glass and stood up. "I'll toast twice first, then take a walk."
Brother Biao and the others responded with enthusiasm.
Jiang Xiaoli felt ignored, caught in a dilemma of whether to leave or stay.
Jiang Ruming came over and wrapped an arm around her. "I'll take you home."
Jiang Xiaoli snapped, "Don't touch me!"
Then she shot me a glare, her eyes red as she stomped out in her high heels.
The brawny former sports committee member Gao Jiazhuang looked at me in confusion and scolded, "Lao Hu, what are you doing? You're making Miss Jiang feel wronged. You're too much of a chauvinist and don't know how to cherish a lady!"
In the past, no matter the time or place or who was present, I would have chased after her without hesitation before she even left.
But not anymore.
I cut off Gao Jiazhuang's reprimand. "Just drink your wine and eat your food!" I turned to Jiang Ruming. "You’re not going to chase after her!"
"She's your girlfriend, okay?"
I splashed my drink in his face. "Damn it, you know she's my girlfriend!"
Jiang Ruming was furious, wiping his face as he glared at me with bloodshot eyes. "Fine, just wait!"
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