During dinner, Su Yue suddenly suggested returning to Xiaoyanglou instead of staying to eat with Song Xiaoqing and the others.
Jiang Muhang, seated across the table, blinked in surprise. Su Yue hadn’t shown up for family dinners in days. And now she wanted to leave again? Was she trying to retreat in order to advance, hoping to catch his attention by acting aloof?
His gaze dimmed, and without commenting, he shifted his focus to the woman beside him. He placed his arm snugly around Jiang Xuan’s slender waist and asked softly, “Did you go for the audition earlier?”
Jiang Xuan, now more used to the intimacy between them, tilted her rosy lips into a smile. A cute dimple appeared on her cheek, making her look soft and sweet. “I did. I got the role.”
Although it wasn’t the female lead, the part suited her image perfectly, and she was genuinely pleased.
In this life, she would have her own career, her own name. She would no longer live like in her previous life—trapped in the cold, gloomy little Western-style house, enduring Jiang Ci’s terrifying presence day in and day out.
Jiang Muhang’s eyes softened. “That’s good,” he said warmly. “If you run into trouble, you must tell me. Jiang Xuan, you’re my woman now. I won’t let you suffer injustice.”
Jiang Xuan’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink. She nodded, heart swelling with certainty—she had chosen the right path in this life. Unconsciously, her gaze drifted to the woman seated across from her.
Su Yue was talking to Jiang Haoyan, her expression calm, even warm. There wasn’t the slightest trace of irritation or rejection toward the child. Jiang Xuan’s heart twinged with guilt. Su Yue had married Jiang Ci in her place. Not only did she have to endure living in Xiaoyanglou, she also had to accept the role of a mother upon marriage. Jiang Xuan knew that pain—she had lived through it once.
Even if Su Yue still chose to target her… she would endure it.
“Su Yue,” Jiang Xuan spoke gently, her gaze soft, “didn’t you say you wanted to act before? There’s a role in the crew that suits you really well. If you’re interested, I can recommend you.”
Su Yue blinked, clearly caught off guard. She hadn’t expected Jiang Xuan to bring that up. She remembered the original Su Yue’s past—how she’d burned with jealousy over Jiang Xuan entering the entertainment world, and had once said bitterly that if Jiang Xuan could do it, so could she.
Before she could speak, Song Xiaoqing turned to her, startled. “Su Yue, you want to act too?”
Her tone wasn’t mocking, but the disbelief in her eyes was obvious. It wasn’t that she looked down on her daughter-in-law, but… Su Yue didn’t exactly have the looks or aura to fit that world.
Jiang Muhang, lounging lazily on the sofa, lifted his gaze at the mention. Hearing his wife’s offer, he glanced at Su Yue with barely concealed contempt—overestimating herself.
Su Yue’s expression stiffened for a moment. She hadn’t expected such a public reaction. Yet deep down, she was aware—of her current state, her appearance. Stepping into the entertainment industry now would be a joke.
“I’ll pass, for now. But thank you,” she replied calmly.
She wasn’t sure if she truly wanted to act. Besides, the original Su Yue had taken a month-long leave from university, and once the break ended, she still had to return to complete her studies.
“It’s getting late,” she added quickly, “I’ll take the child back first. Jiang Ci is probably waiting for us.”
Song Xiaoqing nodded approvingly. “Alright, go back and take care of him.”
Something about Su Yue felt different today. She didn’t mention leaving Jiang Ci or throwing tantrums like before. Instead, she seemed… quieter, more composed. Song Xiaoqing couldn’t help but feel pleased at this change.
Once Su Yue left with Jiang Haoyan, Jiang Xuan turned to Jiang Muhang with concern. “Do you think I upset her just now?”
Jiang Muhang looked at the delicate little wife in his arms, her small, pale face filled with worry. He felt a surge of tenderness—she was too kind. That woman had made things difficult for her countless times, yet she still worried about her.
He kissed her forehead gently. “No. Jiang Xuan, you don’t owe her anything. You don’t have to tiptoe around her feelings.”
But Jiang Xuan bit her lower lip and remained silent. In her heart, she knew she did owe Su Yue.
—
Back at Xiaoyanglou, as they passed by the painted swing in the courtyard, Su Yue paused.
“I keep my promises. Come on, Xiao Haohao,” she said softly. “I’ll push the swing for you.”
Jiang Haoyan clutched his little coriander tightly. His gaze lingered on the sky-blue swing, filled with longing, but when he looked at Su Yue, he still held himself back.
“You don’t want to play?” Su Yue asked, arching a brow. “If not, we’ll go upstairs.”
She turned as if to leave.
Panicked, the little boy’s big eyes filled with tears. He pouted, voice soft and wronged, “Liar… You said you would.”
His chubby cheeks tightened, clearly heartbroken.
Su Yue turned back, amused. “So you do want to play?”
The little one nodded firmly. “Yes!”
Hmph. Little brat, you think I can’t handle you?
Jiang Haoyan bent down and gently set his coriander aside. “Wait for me,” he told it softly, “I’ll hug you later.”
Then, with determined little steps, he waddled toward the swing and looked up at Su Yue. “Haohao can’t get on by himself.”
Su Yue knelt down and scooped him into her arms, settling him onto the swing board. “Hold on tight.”
The little boy was briefly stunned. Then he grabbed the ropes and wiggled into position, his legs dangling in the air.
“Haohao is sitting!” he announced proudly.
Su Yue smiled. He really was adorable. She began to push the swing gently. The boy’s body was light, making it easy.
At first, he seemed a little nervous, but after a few pushes, his eyes sparkled and a delighted grin spread across his face. “Higher! Higher!”
“Alright, but hold on!”
Laughter echoed through the courtyard, sweet and innocent. The breeze rustled the bamboo leaves above, and the quiet little Western-style house finally came alive with the sound of joy.
—
Inside, the villa remained dark, except for the moonlight pouring in through the window. A tall figure sat alone at the table, shrouded in shadow.
While others needed the light to eat, Jiang Ci sat there quietly, dinner untouched, surrounded by darkness.
When Su Yue pushed the door open and flicked the switch, light flooded the room.
“Dad! Haohao played on the swing!” Jiang Haoyan ran up to him, his little cheeks flushed with happiness, coriander in his arms.
Su Yue’s heart ached. How could something so small bring him so much joy?
She remembered the book—how Jiang Haoyan had grown up in this house without friends, without outings. His world consisted of only a quiet, blind father and a silly cat.
How lonely.
“Aren’t you feeling heartbroken
, eating alone in the dark?” Su Yue teased as she approached Jiang Ci.
“I thought you’d already eaten,” Jiang Ci replied coolly.
“Leaving you to eat alone feels cruel.”
“Cruel?” Jiang Ci’s face darkened, his tone sharp. “Spare me your pity. People like you think someone like me is pitiful… just because I could kill at any moment, right?”
Su Yue stiffened. His eyes were cold and unreadable, sending a chill down her spine. She had forgotten—forgotten who Jiang Ci really was.
She quickly softened her tone. “I misspoke. You’re not pitiful.”
No, he wasn’t. Even blind, he was still terrifying. Just for a moment, she’d felt sorry for him—but that man was never someone to pity.
—
Later that night, the moon hung high, its pale light casting a glow through the windows.
In the bathroom, Su Yue stared into the mirror.
Her face was slimmer.
Her skin paler.
Even the pimple on her forehead was gone.
Heavens!
She scrambled to the scale.
Holding her breath, she stepped on it, eyes squeezed shut. After a pause, she peeked—
140 pounds!
She had lost more weight!
Her heart thundered in her chest. How? She weighed herself again. And again. Still 140.
Her gaze flew to Jiang Ci, who sat calmly on the bed.
Could it be…
Every time Jiang Ci gets angry… I lose weight?
The realization hit her like lightning. Was this her golden finger?
Still unsure, she decided to test it.
“I want some water,” Jiang Ci’s low voice suddenly broke the silence.
Su Yue smirked. How natural it felt now, to fetch water for him.
But just as she turned with the glass, a wicked idea struck her.
She pretended to trip. “Ah!”
The cup of water sloshed—and splashed straight onto Jiang Ci’s face.
“Su Yue!”
Jiang Ci’s cold voice cracked through the air as he caught her waist to keep her from falling.
Flustered, Su Yue planted her palm on his chest. “I’m sorry! I slipped!”
His hair was soaked. Water dripped down his face and his shirt clung to his chest. He looked… humiliated.
Yet he didn’t explode.
Instead, he sneered. “So fat.”
He gave her waist a tight squeeze. “No wonder you can’t even walk straight.”
Su Yue gritted her teeth. Vile man!
“Still sitting? Trying to crush me to death?”
His deep voice held a dangerous edge. Her scent lingered around him. His jaw tightened.
But Su Yue didn’t get up. Oh no.
She leaned in, holding the cup with one hand and wrapping her arm around his waist with the other. She ground her soft body against him deliberately.
“I’m sorry… my legs are weak.”
“Su Yue!”
A beep rang in her head—
Anger Value: 10.
Su Yue froze.
Then her eyes lit up like fireworks.
Bingo.