Chapter 64 (1/2)

This chapter is really huge so I am dividing this into two parts of the same length as usual – nearly 2500 words.

Chapter 64

Jiang Yu Nan was surprised when he saw her.

The light in the bathroom was behind him, the two people looked at each other expressionlessly, one in the light and the other in the dark.

Because the light was behind him, Yan Liang could not make out the expression on his face , but his eyes were flashing brightly in the darkness. Instinctively, she wanted to avoid him.Standing up straight through sheer will power, she walked into the room.

In her current state, Yan Liang basically wanted to lie down on the bed and sleep. As she stepped to the side of the bed, her foot stepped on something. She felt it was somewhat familiar and was about to bend down, when a tall shadow appeared behind her, engulfing her own shadow on the bed.

He stood behind her but silently. Yan Liang gritted her teeth, bent down to remove the quilt lay down in the bed, pulled the quilt to cover herself and closed her eyes.

She turned sideways. She had made up her mind that even if he asked her why she was looking so ill she would not respond.

As long as she did not respond,, he would not be able to see her weaknesses and would not realise there was something wrong.

While she was thinking all this, she waited for either his questions or his footsteps leaving her.

However Jiang Yu Nan just stood silently near the bed. He didn’t leave, neither did he say anything; he just stood there watching Yan Liang curl into herself and sleep.

He stretched out his hand as if to touch her arm outside the quilt, but just before he could touch her, he changed his mind and withdrew his hand. Instead he squatted down and picked up two white tablets she had inadvertently trampled on earlier when she came near the bed.

When the door finally closed, Yan Liang opened her eyes. She gazed out the window , the day was inky black. She no longer felt drowsy, her mind was crowded with all kinds of thoughts..how would she convince Liang Ruiqiang ?

**** ****

Nightmare…

She couldn’t breathe.

In her sleep, she was back in the car, immersed in the cold water. She reached out to pull the door but it refused to budge. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t breathe, the fear of dying was tightly stuck in her throat, desperately she tried one last time when the door miraculously opened. She was delighted and swam out of the car. Just when she had reached the surface of the water and could breathe in the air, suddenly a strong force grabbed her ankle and pulled her down into the water. When she looked down in horror, the person who was pulling her down to die with him had Jiang Yu Nan’s face…

Yan Liang woke up.

Her ear was roaring as she emerged from her dream like state to reality. Her mouth and nose were still blocked, she breathed heavily. Looking up at the ceiling, she tried to remove the last traces of the face from her mind.

Outside , the rain was heavier than usual.

The constant ringing she was hearing was not because of her tinnitus; a cell phone was ringing.

It was raining heavily in the summer season, her bedroom was both humid and hot. The air conditioning was off. Yan Liang was sweating . Though it was hot, the sweating made her feel slightly better. Her brain was calmer now. She got down from the bed and followed the sound of the phone. It was placed under a wet shirt and trousers in the laundry basket. She pulled out the phone.

The phone was damp but still functional. As soon as the call was connected, before she could speak, the person on the other side hurriedly said, “Mr Jiang, you finally took my call..”

This was Secretary Li, a person dedicated to his master. Without the slightest enthusiasm in her voice, Yan Liang answered, “ It’s me.”

There was a short silence. Li quickly overcame his surprise and asked in a respectful tone, “ Mrs Jiang, I cannot contact Mr Jiang. Can you ask him to call me?”

“ Why are you looking for him ?”

“That..”

Li hesitated. Yan Liang did not want to hear some cliched response. She took the phone and peeked downstairs looking for Jiang Yu Nan. She was about to go downstairs when she saw a servant running upstairs. She stopped her, “Have you seen master ?”

She looked at her in surprise. The couple in this house hardly exchanged three words to each other in a year. Everyone was accustomed to the protracted cold war between the two. This was the first time ever that the madam cared about the whereabouts of her husband, how can she not be astonished ?

“He’s in his room…”

She said , “Tell him Mr Li is looking for him.”

The door was still locked, Yan Liang thought a bit, then told the servant , “Take the spare key.”

The servant quickly took the spare key and opened the door for Yan Liang. Just across her, Jiang Yu Nan was lying on the floor.

**** ****

Yan Liang was stunned. She rushed up to him. Kneeling next to him, she shook him by his shoulder, “ Jiang Yu Nan !”

She put her hand on his forehead, it was burning up. Even as she called his name again and again, he did not give the slightest reaction.

The servant heard her anxious voice and immediately rushed over. Yan Liang ordered her,” Take his arm. Help me pick him up.”

The servant nodded again and again. The two of them tried to lift him by holding him on both sides. But his body was as heavy as iron and Yan Liang was already weak. So they failed and sat down again.

After such movements, Jiang Yu Nan’s eyelashes trembled slightly. He frowned and gradually opened his eyes. The servant took the lead and immediately remarked with pleasure, “ Sir has woken up!”

Yan Liang reflexively looked at him. In that second, her eyes met his. His eyes were darker than the night, and seemed like two large bottomless pits.

His eyes flashed slightly. It seemed as if he was indulging in a happy memory. As he looked at her, he smiled slightly and reached out his hand to caress her cheek.

His movements were very gentle, as if the slightest bit of force would break this dream and it would be impossible to piece it together again ; his smile contained too many feelings he could not speak of; his gaze was too heavy with emotions. As he silently looked at Yan Liang , she was overwhelmed and shrank back subconsciously.

She withdrew her hand, stood up and stepped back.

The man watched drowsily as she swiftly escaped, but his movements were sluggish; he could only watch as she backed off little by little and then turned away..

This was similar to the torment he had been withstanding for what seemed like ages..

Yan Liang turned around and went back to her room. She picked up her phone and called the family doctor, asking him to come over immediately.

Then she went back to the room. Jiang Yu Nan had closed his eyes again. The servant had helped him to the bed. Yan Liang looked at his pale face and wondered why he smiled at her like that. Her heart skipped a beat.

**** ****

Dr Sun was the family doctor for the Xu family. He was the doctor who looked after Xu Jin fu when he was sick. The relationship between him and the Xu family had been good so far. So it was no accident that the news of Jiang Yu Nan’s illness soon travelled to Zhou Cheng.

The first meeting with Liang Ruiqiang was not very effective, but he was fairly happy. Liang Ruiqiang did not get personally involved in all his investment projects. As long as he was interested in the ideas, she could consider herself successful. Liang Ruiqiang’s secretary accompanied Yan Liang and Zhou Cheng till their car. Zhou Cheng kept looking at her as if he wanted to say something to her. When he looked at her through the rear view mirror for the third time, Yan Liang partially turned her head and looked at him directly, “ What’s on your mind ?”

“I heard a few days ago that Jiang Yu Nan was sick?”

“It ‘s just a mild fever. He won’t die. “

Her tone was slightly cold. Zhou nodded his head and did not ask anything else. He redirected his attention to the road. After a moment of silence, he decided not to hold back after all and with a meaningful glance at her , he remarked , “ See you’re still nervous about him.”

“Of course ! If he died right now, my whole plan would be wasted. Not only will I never get Xu back, Jiang Shi Jun will never let me go.”

“ You really think so, or are you just reluctant to admit your mistake?”

“ What do you think?” Yan Yan pulled her mouth into a semblance of a smile, but the fierceness in her eyes gave away the true answer to Zhou Cheng.

Zhou Cheng carefully observed her. He wanted to strip the fierceness from her eyes and look into the real emotions behind the mask. But he ultimately gave up. He would never be able to completely guess her real motivations.

At this point, he could only remind her, “ If our co operation with Liang Ruiqiang becomes a success, then you and Jiang Yu Nan would never be able to reconcile in this lifetime. You need to consider that carefully.”

“ Why do you think I did not insist on divorcing him?” Yan Liang was angry now but her tone was only getting colder. “ I am not you, don’t judge me by your sentimental ways of thinking.”

“……” “…”

“Do not worry, I have already thought through things very clearly.”

**** ****

No one expected Jiang Yu Nan’s minor illness to impact his relationship with Yan Liang. The protracted Cold War between the two had actually changed, not for the better, but for the worse.

After two years, Yan Liang had again become the talk of the town. At night she was seldom home, the tabloids photographed her drinking with strangers. Some speculated that this was Mrs Jiang retaliating to the news of Jiang Yu Nan’s affairs.

Mr Jiang also seemed to ignore this behaviour. Whether it was because he was ashamed in his heart, or because any feelings between the husband and wife had really come to an end , he was completely indifferent to his wife’s antics, to the point that he almost had a laissez faire attitude..

It was already the third time in the week that Yan Liang had returned home really late at night.

Jiang Yu Nan did not seem to be at home, but the family servant looked at her gorgeous clothes as she drunkenly made her way upstairs. The fact that Yan Liang had again spent the night outside would surely reach his ears soon.

What was the limit this man had for her ? She was going to find out.

Yan Liang removed her make up and stood under the shower. The alcohol and the brightness of the evening washed away into the sewers and she was only left with a blank mind and a tired body.

She leaned her head back as the cold water poured over her when she heard a bang.

Surprised , she suddenly turned around.

She saw the bathroom door being pushed from outside with so much force that it hit the inside wall and swung back again.she realised immediately what was happening and as she stared at the door she saw Jiang Yu Nan standing there.

His figure was steady, his face was sullen.

Yan Liang turned back . She completely ignored him, raised her chin slightly and closed her eyes so that her head leaned back. Under the shower, she started rinsing her hair. He had not even taken off his shoes. She could hear his shoes treading on the ceramic tiles. She waited patiently for him to reveal why he was here.

The glass door to the shower cubicle was opened. Even before she could get a towel from the rack, Jiang Yu Nan pulled her out.

“ What’s wrong with you?”. She knew.

He was silent.

Yan Liang’s body was bare, her hair was wet. As he dragged her with him ,she dripped water on to the floor. She stumbled as he pulled her into the cloak room and then threw her on the stool

The drops of water on the dArk red stool turned some areas black, but the man opposite her had deep black eyes on a face red with rage.

Yan Liang pulled out a shirt from the closet to cover herself. When she looked up again, the man was coldly glaring at her face.

Jiang Yu Nan did not say anything. He impatiently rummaged in the closet, fiddled with the hangers and soon took out a lingerie set and threw it on the sofa, “ Put this on.”

“ Where am I going ?”

Jiang Yu Nan gritted his teeth and repeated, “ Put this on.”

Then he threw a nude coloured dress at her. Yan Liang knew wHat this combination meant. She sat there motionless, very reluctant to get up.

Seeing her unco- operative attitude, Jiang Yu Nan looked even more gloomy. But instead of bullying her, he bent down, pinched her chin with his thumb and forefinger and raised it towards himself.

“ I haven’t forgotten our agreement. Unless you co operate, I will press criminal charges against Zhou Cheng and sell the Xu brand.”

As he finished the sentence , he let go of her face suddenly in exasperation. Yan Liang could not match his strength and her face turned sideways.

She did not react at all. In the ensuing silence, Jiang Yu Nan walked out from the cloak room and Yan Liang heard him order one of the servants, “ Get me a towel and this hair dryer.”

Jiang Yu Nan still remembered her size , the nude dress he had selected for her was the right size. The length of the dress was just half an inch above the knee. The dress tightly wrapped her body and showed off her curves to advantage.

Two people were sitting at two ends of the rear seat of the car. Jiang Yu Nan’s eyes were closed. Yan Liang looked out of the window. Today was another rainy day, it was the time to get off work. Pedestrians were taking out their umbrellas. No one told her where this car was going, but when the car finally stopped outside the revolving door of the the Ming Ting hotel, Yan Liang was not surprised.

This was the venue of Mingting’s son’s wedding banquet today.

The groom was from a prominent family, the bride was the daughter of a senior party official. She had known of the engagement for a long time. Lu Mingting had established a fund for his daughter in law, this news was widely spread out, so it wasn’t difficult for Yan Liang to know this.

The guard opened the door for Yan Liang. Jiang Yu Nan got off the car and held out his arm in the direction of Yan Liang. She watched his gesture, but had no intention to co operate. She stepped towards the door but was instantly pulled back.

Jiang Yu Nan grabbed her hand and put it on his arm. She wanted to pull out her hand but he held it down with force. And it was like this that this couple, who were secretly strangers to each other, entered the Ming Ting hotel.

In the banquet area, there was a huge table. Lu Zheng had set up the banquet in his own hotel. Wherever she went, Yan Liang could see all the waiters were cheerful, as it was their boss’s wedding.

It was only once they entered the elevator that they separated . Jiang Yu Nan no longer forced her. The minute the doors closed, Yan Liang frowned, pulled her arm out and moved to the corner, her attitude clearly exhibiting her rejection of him.

Jiang Yu Nan stood straight. He looked at the front, then back at her and haughtily asked her, “ How doesn’t feel to see your old lover getting married ?”

Yan Liang answered with a straight face, “ I don’t want to live anymore .”

From her vantage point, she saw his back tighten she made the remark.

She smiled faintly. The elevator arrived at their floor and the doors opened.

( Miumiu : well JYN , you asked for it)

This time, she behaved well. She moved forward to hold Jiang Yu Nan’s arm and they walked out of the elevator like an intimate couple.

After signing the guest book, the waiter led them into the main area.

Jiang Yu Nan stood at the door and scanned the crowds to locate the important people. Seeing Lu Minting with his in-laws, he turned to Yan Liang by his side, “Let’s go and say hello”

Hearing this, Yan Liang could not help but look. This tough looking elderly man in an antiqued suit- this was the father of Lu Zheng ?

Wasn’t he also the one who had helped Jiang Shi Jun destroy one of the allies of Xu ?

Jiang Yu Nan walked all the way to the corner of the hall. Many people came forward to greet him warmly, he just nodded in response.

However these so called friends whispered behind Jiang Yu Nan’s back about his partner; the biggest question was.. “ That is.. Mrs Jiang ..isn’t she …the former girlfriend of Lu Zheng ?”

＂……＂ “…”

“ She’s so glamorous and dazzling..but who knows what is in her heart..”

In these years of ups and downs with Yan Liang, Jiang Yu Nan had honed the skill of ignoring all kinds of malicious gossips and slanders to an art form. He steadily walked till he reached Mingting’s side.

When Lu Mingting saw Jiang Yu Nan , he smiled at him in a friendly manner, “ Yu Nan !”

“Mr. Lu.”

“Why are you looking ill?”

“ This is my wife”, Jiang Yu Nan said as he indicated Yan Liang at his side.

“Mrs Jiang ?” Lu Mingting immediately looked at Yan Liang , and his smile turned cold, hinting at a deeper emotion , “ I can see that.”

In another corner of the venue, an assistant was whispering a reminder to lu Zheng when he suddenly looked up and saw his father at the other end.

Time suddenly stopped…

**** ****

As if alerted by a sixth sense, Yan Liang looked up with some hesitation as well and saw lu Zheng. They were separated from each other by the wide expanse of the huge hall, but their eyes still found each other.

There was silence for a while.

Melodious music started up in the hall. As if he had seen her for the first time, Lu Zheng nodded at her slightly and smiled.

Years had passed. At this moment, Yan Liang could only bow her head.

This man had wanted to give her the love she had yearned for, but unfortunately, he was only destined to be a passer- by in her life.

And the man by her side…..the man who had defeated her soundly at every turn in the name of love, was her own choice. Ultimately, she had to bear the responsibility for the consequences her choice had unleashed.

Jiang Yu Nan and Lu Mingting were still talking when Yan Liang interrupted them , “ I’m sorry , I need to go to the washroom.”

After a moment, Yan Liang was sitting alone in the smoking area, smoking.

The cigarette in her hand had burned down to half of its length as she stared at the distance, when the door opened.

Footsteps approached her, and then stopped in front of the bench she was sitting on.

The man silently sat down. Yan Liang still did not raise her head, until she heard him say , “ Can I borrow a light ?”

She froze.

He said: “Long time no see.”

Yan Yan looked up to see lu Zheng. “ Long time no see.”

She smiled at him brightly, and Lu Zheng also smiled, “ Your dress is very beautiful.”

“ My husband helped me select this.”

Lu Zheng’s smile stiffened for a moment.

Just now , Yan Liang had been happy to see this man. But how could she forget that she did not deserve him and had no right to his affections? Those affections belonged to his future wife.

Lu Zheng took out a lighter from his pocket and held the flame to the cigarette. Yan Liang laughed at him, “ You already have a lighter ! Why were you asking for one?”

She had just wanted the conversation to be more natural, but her efforts yielded the opposite result.

“ Otherwise how would I have the courage to come and find you ?”

Yan Liang could not help but look up at him.

His eyes were like the placid waters of the lake, but it had the power to draw people in.