Jiang Li had long anticipated that Zhou Ningyun would call her.
So when that familiar phone number popped up on the screen, she wasn't the least bit surprised.
After what had happened today, it would have been odd if she hadn't made this call.
Jiang Li had just been dropped off at home by Chen Siqi. She was now in the bathroom, removing her makeup. She simply placed her phone on the sink counter and hit the speaker button.
Zhou Ningyun: "When did you start hooking up with Siqi?"
She got straight to the point without any beating around the bush.
Jiang Li turned on the faucet, first rinsing the remaining makeup remover off her face with clean water. She didn't bother arguing with Zhou Ningyun's rudeness and simply replied indifferently, "Recently."
"How recently?" Zhou Ningyun was clearly in a fit of rage. "Why have you never told me that you've been getting so close to Chen Donghai's son!"
"You never told me that the man you married wasn't the violent - tempered one either," Jiang Li said calmly, answering without holding back. "I should congratulate you on being so lucky to find Uncle Chen as your savior."
"You!" Zhou Ningyun was exposed and gasped for breath in anger. "My business is none of your concern!"
Jiang Li didn't say a word. She just wanted to end this call. "The hot water's getting cold. I need to take a shower. Bye."
Zhou Ningyun called with something to say. Seeing that Jiang Li was about to hang up, she hurriedly blurted out, "Jiang Li, you can climb up the social ladder, but stay away from Chen Donghai's son. Stay away from Chen Siqi!"
Her tone was just as impatient as when she used to boss Jiang Li around.
Only then did Jiang Li realize that Zhou Ningyun had treated her like this for a long time.
There was no motherly love, no family bond.
"Did you forget that you once said you wanted to cut off the mother - daughter relationship with me?" She said with a smile. "So, you - have - no - say."
She deliberately dragged out the last few words. Then, with a meaningful tone, she added, "Besides, once I marry into the Chen family, we'll be mother and daughter again. You should be happy."
Zhou Ningyun gritted her teeth. Insulting words came through the receiver. "You're shameless! You're so cheap! How did I ever get stuck with you, like a piece of dog - skin plaster that I can't get rid of!"
Jiang Li let out a sad laugh. She ignored the endless scolding on the other end of the phone. Before Zhou Ningyun could finish speaking, the moment her finger touched the red button, the noise in the bathroom abruptly stopped.
It was so quiet.
When the hot water cascaded down from the showerhead, steam instantly rose, blurring her vision.
She looked up at the ceiling, her eyes wide open, mouth agape as she gasped for air.
It must be because the bathroom was too stuffy that made her feel suffocated, she thought.
---
After taking a shower, Jiang Li's mind was much clearer. She carefully recalled what had happened today and decided it was necessary to have a talk with Chen Siqi.
The relationship between her and Zhou Ningyun couldn't be hidden for long.
There was no way to keep a secret forever. Instead of having others expose it, it was better for her to come clean herself.
Anyway, they hadn't gotten their marriage license yet. If he wanted to back out or change his mind, it was still not too late.
Before Jiang Li could reach out to Chen Siqi, he took the initiative to contact her. He said that in a few days, Song Yu and Bai He were going to have their wedding banquet and asked her to accompany him.
This was also part of the agreement. She had to accompany him to some public occasions as his fiancée.
Jiang Li naturally had to agree.
It was clearly stated in the agreement. She couldn't shirk any of her responsibilities.
On the day of the wedding banquet, Jiang Li met Chen Siqi in advance. She was wearing a light - golden, tailored and modified cheongsam dress, which was simple and elegant.
Chen Siqi was dressed in a dark - blue suit with a white shirt inside. They looked well - matched standing together.
As soon as the car pulled up near the wedding - banquet hotel, there was a large group of paparazzi waiting at the entrance.
As soon as a car arrived, they immediately raised their cameras and started taking pictures like crazy. The flashlights and shutter sounds were non - stop.
Seeing this scene, Jiang Li frowned instinctively.
"Take it easy," Chen Siqi knew what she was worried about, so he gently patted her on the shoulder. "I'll arrange the press releases to make the public opinion turn in our favor."
Jiang Li gave him a gentle smile. "It's okay."
If it was a blessing, it couldn't be a disaster; if it was a disaster, it couldn't be avoided. She was the one chosen for this deal. How could she have a say in whether she was willing or not?
Sure enough, when Jiang Li and Chen Siqi got out of the same car together, all the paparazzi aimed their cameras at them in unison.
Even so, the smile on her face remained calm and natural. She wrapped one arm around Chen Siqi's and gracefully lifted the hem of her dress with the other, smiling and greeting the media.
There was not a trace of impatience on her face.
Jiang Li's expression management in front of the camera was always the benchmark and role model in the entertainment industry.
When they walked into the hotel lobby, her tense nerves finally relaxed a bit. She forced a smile at Chen Siqi.
It was obvious that there was a hint of helplessness in that smile.
Chen Siqi said, "You don't seem to like being a public figure. You don't seem cut out for the acting industry."
"But it's the only thing I'm good at," Jiang Li shrugged indifferently. "Besides, I actually like acting very much."
She liked the feeling of emptying her own shell and filling it with another soul.
It was as if she briefly had another life.
"But one can't have it all. It'll invite retribution," Jiang Li murmured to herself. "So, in order to pursue what we like, we have to endure some things we dislike."
She saw things very clearly.
One couldn't have both the fish and the bear's paw. There were always trade - offs.
...
The wedding banquet was held in Beicheng. It was inevitable that they would run into many old acquaintances. When they saw Jiang Li and Chen Siqi attending together, they were all surprised but didn't show it.
Everyone was smart enough to be good at adapting to the situation. Naturally, they wouldn't show any emotions in front of Chen Siqi.
But privately, there was bound to be some discussion. How could Jiang Li, who had been by Xiao Yanzhi's side for so many years, suddenly become Chen Siqi's fiancée?
After wandering around with Chen Siqi and offering toasts for several rounds, they finally waited for the bride and groom to make their entrance.
The bride was beautiful and the groom was handsome. They looked perfect for each other on the stage.
There weren't many complicated wedding ceremonies, nor any overly emotional interactions. They just gave a few simple speeches, and then the dinner began.
When Song Yu brought Bai He over to offer toasts, Jiang Li raised her glass with a smile. "Lawyer Song, Miss Bai, happy wedding. Congratulations."
Song Yu looked at her several times, then at Chen Siqi beside her.
"Why didn't you send me an invitation for your wedding? I had to come as a female companion," Jiang Li joked with Song Yu with a smile. "Long time no see."