Chapter 4: He Must Hate Me

Qiao Jiu’s mother passed away early, and her father, feeling sorry for her, didn’t discipline her much. She did everything according to her own whims; she had none of the gentleness or propriety expected of young ladies from prominent families. From childhood to adulthood, she was always getting into fights and causing trouble.

That was why, after her father died and Lu Fengzhou kicked her out of the Qiao family and seized the company, everyone applauded, saying she got what she deserved.

Qiao Jiu knew she was no virtuous person, but only now did she realize how much worse she was compared to Lu Fengzhou.

Sitting in the private room next door, she listened to Ruyue’s heart-wrenching screams, unsure what the sudden surge of feeling in her chest meant.

She used to think Lu Fengzhou had been merciless, but in comparison, it seemed he had actually shown restraint.

Guan Wei, seated beside her, said, “I called you here to plead on my behalf, but look at you—here just to watch the spectacle.”

Qiao Jiu leaned back. “Do you think my words have any effect? Just look at how things turned out for me.”

Guan Wei smacked her lips. “You two were married for two years. How did things fall apart like this?”

For once, Qiao Jiu reflected. “Maybe he hates me.”

Back then, she had shamelessly clung to Lu Fengzhou, and he was clearly annoyed by her. Later, her father had a private talk with him—whether he offered a tempting deal or made threats, she didn’t know, but Lu Fengzhou finally relented.

Qiao Jiu stood up, unwilling to keep listening to the increasingly disturbing sounds from next door. “Enough, this outcome isn’t so bad. She’s always done this sort of thing, so it’s not a big loss. She’ll recover after some rest. I’ll be leaving now.”

Guan Wei glanced at her. “I always thought if he was willing to sleep with you, he must have feelings for you. I once offered to find him a clean girl, but he refused outright. What do you think that means?”

Qiao Jiu couldn’t care less what it meant. “I’m going.”

She pushed open the door. The voices in the hallway were even louder now—probably the effect of the drugs kicking in, as Ruyue’s cries had turned sultry.

Qiao Jiu shrank her neck and hurried down the stairs.

Just as she exited the bar, she saw Lu Fengzhou’s car parked by the curb. It had begun to rain at some point, and the driver was standing by the car with an umbrella, waiting.

She straightened her clothes, raised a hand to shield her forehead, and spotted a taxi just ahead. She planned to make a dash for it.

But as soon as she lifted her foot, someone called out behind her, “Qiao Jiu.”

She turned around and blinked. “What is it?”

It was the bartender from the public area, wearing only a shirt with sleeves rolled up. “You’re leaving for the night?”

Qiao Jiu nodded. “Not much to do today, so I can leave early.”

The bartender glanced outside. “It’s raining. Do you have an umbrella?”

“It’s not a heavy rain,” she replied. “Don’t worry about it.”

Out of courtesy, she asked, “Why did you come out?”

He smiled. “Just to have a smoke.”

But he didn’t step out to light one. “Wait here—I’ll get you an umbrella.”

Qiao Jiu called after him, wanting to say the rain was nothing, but as she turned, she saw Lu Fengzhou standing not far behind her, apparently having witnessed everything.

Qiao Jiu withdrew her gaze, pretending not to know him.

Lu Fengzhou exited the bar, and the driver hurried over, shielding him with the umbrella as he got into the car.

After his door closed, the bartender returned and handed Qiao Jiu an umbrella. “Here you go.”

She took it. “Thanks, I’ll return it tomorrow.”

“No worries,” the bartender said. “It’s mine, so it doesn’t matter.”

Qiao Jiu barely knew him—they’d only exchanged glances before, and she didn’t even know his surname.

She opened the umbrella and descended the steps. Lu Fengzhou’s car window was rolled down a noticeable crack, and he looked over at her with a touch of cold mockery in his gaze.