Xiang Wan had originally planned to visit Nangong Chen, wanting to see how this CEO, who had just emerged from the lap of luxury, would deal with her, his nominal wife. She hoped to witness his change of heart and his attempts to conceal his true intentions, and perhaps even vent her anger for the original owner of this body. Unfortunately, plans changed. She received a phone call just before leaving and had to change her route to a coffee shop instead.
"here!"
A woman stood up and waved to her. Xiang Wan walked over, put her bag on the chair next to her, and sat down.
"Coffee or milk? Or some other beverage?"
Sitting opposite her was a middle-aged woman wearing sunglasses, whose tone was familiar and enthusiastic. Even through the sunglasses, Xiang Wan knew that this was the mistress Nangong Jue had brought back from the family banquet.
Xiang Wan called the waiter over for a latte, stirred it slowly with a spoon, and spoke in a calm, businesslike tone.
"Speak, what do you want from me?"
The person opposite him gave an awkward smile, looked around, and took off his glasses.
"We're acquaintances, aren't we? I did call you here because I have something to discuss with you, and it's something related to you."
"We've only met once. Don't you think it's a stretch to say that?"
The woman opposite her wasn't annoyed. She leaned closer and whispered to Xiang Wan, "It's about your husband. Aren't you curious?"
Xiang Wan took a sip of coffee, looked up at the person opposite her, and said, "If this is what you're trying to say to me, then you don't need to bother. We're not close, and I don't need you to stir up trouble."
Unsure of the person's intentions, Xiang Wan knew that given her current situation, if she wanted to marry into the Nangong family and build connections, she wouldn't stand a chance. Before understanding the person's purpose, Xiang Wan didn't want to show any bias, lest she give others cause for criticism.
"I'm supposed to be your elder, how can you talk like that?"
"Sorry, I don't know you."
The person on the other end of the line hadn't expected Xiang Wan to react this way; their chest heaved, clearly angered. It took them a while to calm down.
"Well, it's not too late to get to know each other now. My name is Xia Zhi, and I'm one of your father-in-law's—Nangong Jue's mistresses. I've been with him for many years, from the time Nangong Chen was born until now."
I thought that after his wife died, he would make me his official wife, but who knew he would be so heartless and never mention marrying me all these years.
After Nangong Chen got married, Nangong Jue seemed to want to break up with me. That won't do. I've been with him for so many years, I've done my part, even if I haven't achieved anything, I've still put in a lot of effort, and we don't even have a child. If he just leaves like this, how am I supposed to live…”
Xiang Wan hadn't expected her to say these things. It wasn't good to have overheard Nangong Jue's private matters. But Xia Zhi kept talking, so Xiang Wan could only pretend to drink her coffee and listen to every word.
It turns out that Xia Zhi was Nangong Jue's one-night stand after he got drunk, and they maintained this relationship ever since. Xia Zhi knew that Nangong Jue had a wife, and that they were newly married, but being young at the time, she believed that given enough time, she could definitely win Nangong Jue's heart. However, she later discovered that Nangong Jue had more than one mistress, so she used all her charms to attract him, which is how she became the one who stayed by Nangong Jue's side the longest.
A few days ago, she suddenly discovered that she was pregnant. She was overjoyed, thinking that this would allow her to enter the Nangong family. However, she overheard a conversation between Nangong Jue and Old Master Nangong and learned that Nangong Jue wanted to break up with her. She was anxious and happened to see Nangong Chen enter the hotel.
From the moment she appeared before Nangong Chen, he loathed her, and of course, she felt no interest in him either. Seeing that she was about to be dumped by Nangong Jue, she was unwilling to give up and decided to settle things with Nangong Chen. She followed him into the restaurant, pretended to do cleaning, stole the cleaner's badge, and entered Nangong Chen's resting room. She secretly hid nearby and used her phone to film the disgraceful act between Nangong Chen and Liu Zixi.
"This is a USB drive; I also have a backup on my computer."
Xia Zhi, looking smug, tossed the USB drive in front of Xiang Wan and waited for her reaction.
This is interesting. Nangong Chen rarely cheats on his wife, but he was caught by three people. What bad luck!
"If you get dumped, that's your problem. Why would you want a new daughter-in-law like me? Do you think I, as your daughter-in-law, can control who my father-in-law marries or not?"
Besides, including today, we've only met twice. You've told me everything, trying to drag me into this and get me on your side. Do you think that's possible?
You're using my husband as an example. Whether the video is real or not, it'll just turn out to be a prank in the end, believe it or not?
These words left Xia Zhi stunned, and she was momentarily speechless.
“You think no one can see us meeting in a place like this? If I record it, you're finished.”
Xiang Wan subtly probed and challenged Xia Zhi, successfully observing her changing expressions. This woman likely sought her out because she had no one else to turn to, and Xiang Wan was the only one who had treated her relatively well. Desperate, she had revealed all her cards. If Xiang Wan hadn't already replaced the original owner of this body, Xia Zhi's fate would likely have been much worse. Ultimately, this was her own choice, and she couldn't blame anyone else for the consequences.
"Then... will you tell him?" Xia Zhi's face turned deathly pale, her eyes dimming. "For so many years, I've followed him without asking for any title, I just wanted to be by his side..."
"You don't need to tell me what your purpose is, but I need to take this USB drive."
"Want to destroy it? No need. As I just said, there are many backups."
"You're overthinking it. I'm just curious."
"Then...you'll help me, right?"
"As Nangong Chen's wife and the wife of the Nangong family heir, what don't I have? Do you think I'm stupid enough to divorce Nangong Chen and give up everything that's within my grasp?"
"No, you're not that kind of person."
How do you know I'm not that kind of person? We're not close!
"Intuition! My intuition is always very accurate; you're not the kind of person who craves pleasure."
"Oh? Even if I'm not, what does that have to do with me being with Nangong Chen?"
"No, I trust my intuition. I'm sure I won't go wrong by coming to you. If you've seen the video and still say that, I'll accept whatever the consequences are."
Some people are like that; they judge others based on intuition, as if they've labeled them in their minds. Then, no matter what that person does, they use that label as the standard, and regardless of whether it fits or not, they can always find a reason to link it to the label.
Intuition is just a partial impression, and it relies heavily on luck. Those who have accurate intuition are not necessarily 100% accurate; nine times out of ten, they are digging their own graves.
After so many years of companionship, it's perfectly normal for Xia Zhi to want a child and a family. Her tactics aren't particularly clever; in fact, if this were a TV drama, she'd probably only be cannon fodder on one or two sides.
Xiang Wan has no right to comment on other people's lives; after all, it's their life. But since Xia Zhi has come to Xiang Wan's attention, it can be considered that she's lucky to have found the right person.
"Today, you're just feeling down and want someone to talk to. Go home and get some rest, take care!"
After saying that, Xiang Wan turned and left, settling the bill as she went.
Sitting in her original spot, Xia Zhi patted her belly, her worried brows relaxed, and she revealed a smile.
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