Chapter 17

To the department store. What should she buy there?

"Anniversary…"

Without thinking, the words left her mouth.

"I haven't prepared an anniversary present for Jun Shang-ssi yet."

"Ah, okay. I will call for the car."

At Xiao's words, Secretary Rong lowered her head.

Xiao barely managed to calm her thoughts and tightened the belt of her coat. Once the car had arrived, Xiao got in and closed her eyes.

Outside, it was a gorgeous April day, but Xiao had a horrible headache. She felt as if the sun was boiling the blood behind her eyes.

"Don't cry, YunXiao."

A cold voice rang inside her thoughts.

"If you cry, I'm going to gouge out your eyes."

The terrible images flashed through her head.

"No!"

"What?"

Xiao immediately recovered her senses. She realized that she was sitting in the backseat of the car. Through the rearview mirror, Secretary Rong questioningly gazed at Xiao's complexion.

"I-It's nothing."

Xiao barely managed to respond calmly. However, her heart was beating rapidly inside her chest. Dread and terror. These emotions were rumbling inside of her. Xiao grit her teeth and looked out the window.

The car was headed to Cheongdam-dong. Just like last year, they didn't ask for her opinion of where to go to get Jun Shang's anniversary present.

"Are you not feeling well?"

Secretary Rong asked softly. Xiao looked back at her through the rearview mirror and managed to reply with a chuckle.

"It's nothing. I'm fine."

A person's voice could be so skilled at lying. Secretary Rong was watching her as if she was worried for her. Xiao's answered calmly as she regulated her breathing. They were all skilled liars.

Xiao turned her head and looked out the window. They were on the bridge passing over the Han River. The car made thumping noises as it crossed the bridge. She felt as if she was the young girl looking up at the sky as she looked through the beams of the bridge. Running as fast as she could in her bare feet over the bridge… Xiao quickly tilted her head back and closed her eyes.

She entwined her fingers on her lap. How many years had it taken to get to this point?

Suffocating in suffering and rage, searching for an exit that wasn't there… How long had she endured it?

That's enough.

Xiao laughed bitterly. Emotions wouldn't help in any situation. Anxiety, sadness, dread, and even suffering. They didn't help her at all. They only hindered her. She didn't need something like that.

"Young Madame?"

Xiao raised her head when she heard Secretary Rong's voice. All traces of worry had left Xiao's face.

Xiao lightly got out of the car and entered the luxurious entrance of the department store. The bodyguards had already gotten out of their car behind her. Xiao didn't look at them at all, but they were already looking around at her surroundings naturally.

As if they were already alerted of her arrival, the best brand-name watch store's doors were open. It was customary for this store to only allow one VVIP customer in at a time. As soon as Xiao entered, the shutters of the shop entrance lowered, and the store manager came up and politely introduced herself.

Xiao wordlessly looked at the woman. The woman would already know what she came here to buy and what she was looking for.

"There are only two new watches that we can present you this year. The other one was taken by Director when he came by last time because he found it to suit his taste."

Behind her, two people were holding up the watches as if they were precious jewels. As they should. A watch here would cost 100 million won. They even had watches that went up to 600 million won.

Xiao picked the most casual-looking watch of the two. Suddenly, Secretary Rong spoke up.

"Director already has a watch similar to this, Young Madame."

A prickly feeling shot through Xiao's chest. It was like a violent rage. Xiao was surprised by it herself. She was unable to block the poisonous displeasure that was overwhelming her. Just what do you think you're doing, Rong Ming? Are you showing off that you know my husband better than I do?

Rong Ming often did things like this. In a way that wouldn't catch anyone else's eye. Cleverly, she would let slip the fact that she knew Jun Shang better than Xiao did.

It felt like shit.

However, in this situation, Xiao couldn't continue with her choice. But she didn't want to let Secretary Rong pick the watch either.

"Is that so? Truthfully, I don't really like either of these choices. Could you show me your other watches?"

Xiao spoke coldly. She felt Secretary Rong's eyes on her back. Even though Xiao didn't explicitly say it, the message had been received loud and clear.

Don't interfere.

Anything that had to do with Jun Shang first went through Secretary Rong. The woman knew Jun Shang's preferences and his current interests. She was the most experienced when it came to him. The types of presents he'd like, the style of clothing he preferred, even the subtle details of his relationships with other people. When it came to all these things, Xiao had to ask for Secretary Rong's advice.

Why was she so annoyed?

Xiao blankly watched as the employees left to return the watches back to their places. They returned with one watch.

"This is something we…"

"I'll take it."

Xiao cut off the manager and got up from her seat. It didn't matter what she picked. The anniversary present could go to hell for all she cared.

Xiao wanted something else.

"I need to go to the restroom for a moment."

"We'll go to the VIP lounge on the 3rd floor."

At Xiao's words, Secretary Rong alerted the bodyguards.

All this chaos for one person. It was cumbersome and a bit laughable, but Xiao didn't express these thoughts. These people were just doing their work.