Chapter 8: His Back

Xiǎngsī hurried back to Yíntān.

No sign of Hánjiāng?

Perfect, she thought, and headed to the bathroom.

Unexpectedly, when she pushed open the bathroom door, Hánjiāng was inside.

He seemed to be changing clothes, his upper body bare...

"Xiǎngsī!" Hánjiāng's face darkened, his voice a low growl as he quickly pulled on a shirt.

"Sorry!"

Xiǎngsī swiftly closed the door. How was she supposed to know he was in there? Why was he using the downstairs bathroom?

Inside, Hánjiāng's expression was grim as he glanced at his back... She couldn't have seen it, could she?

A few moments later, Hánjiāng came out, fully dressed.

He pointed to a large box on the coffee table and said to Xiǎngsī, "Change into these clothes!"

Xiǎngsī understood that the box contained an evening dress.

Even if it was just for her, the Fù family wouldn't skimp on preparations for a banquet.

"Alright."

Xiǎngsī nodded, picking up the box.

Soon, she emerged.

She wore an off-shoulder beige evening dress, the hem just brushing her feet. Since she was attending a banquet, she applied some foundation, lightly drew her eyebrows, and put on lipstick.

Fortunately, despite her financial struggles, her profession required her to have basic makeup essentials.

Though it was light makeup, her features were striking and pronounced, making her a classic beauty.

With just a bit of makeup, her beauty was accentuated.

Hánjiāng looked at her, subconsciously narrowing his eyes.

Tall and slender, with fair skin and her hair elegantly pinned up, revealing a delicate swan-like neck.

She was stunning, beyond words.

For a moment, Hánjiāng was dazed.

He had to admit, she indeed had an outstanding appearance.

Years ago, she had been as pretty as a doll.

Now, in her early twenties, she had shed her girlish naivety, blossoming like a newly bloomed rose...

Hánjiāng scrutinized her and asked, "Did you see earlier?"

"See what?" Xiǎngsī looked puzzled. See what?

Judging by her expression, which didn't seem feigned, she probably didn't see... his back.

Hánjiāng turned and walked ahead, "Follow me!"

…

The welcome banquet was being held at the rehabilitation center in the southern part of the city where Fù Míngzhū was staying.

Given the old lady's health, it was not suitable for her to travel.

Luckily, the old lady lived in a private area within the rehab center, and there was a lawn in the yard, making it feasible to hold a small family banquet.

A driver took them to the rehab center. Throughout the journey, Xiǎngsī kept her eyes on the passing scenery outside, silent.

Hánjiāng, sitting beside her, felt a bit uneasy for some reason.

It seemed too quiet?

Thinking back, Xiǎngsī used to be around him all the time, chattering incessantly, giving him headaches with her endless talk!

Now, why was she so quiet?

When things are abnormal, there must be something wrong!

Could this be her new trick?

He shook his head, dismissing it. She had already signed the divorce papers. No matter what new tricks she pulled, the divorce was already a done deal.

At the rehab center, Hánjiāng led Xiǎngsī to see Fù Míngzhū first.

However, unfortunately, the doctor was giving her a routine therapy session.

"Xiǎngsī."

Fù Míngzhū held Xiǎngsī's hand, "The therapy will take about half an hour. You can mingle and greet everyone. It's been so many years since you've seen them."

"Alright, Grandma." Xiǎngsī nodded with a gentle smile.

But Fù Míngzhū still wasn't reassured and looked at Hánjiāng, instructing him, "You accompany Xiǎngsī and take care of her."

"Grandma…" Hánjiāng frowned, unwilling.

"What?"

Fù Míngzhū's face darkened, "I listened to you back then. Can't you listen to me now?"

The old lady was referring to sending Xiǎngsī away years ago and forbidding contact…

Hánjiāng had no response to that.

Reluctantly, he nodded, "Alright."

"Good."

Fù Míngzhū was relieved, patting Xiǎngsī's hand, "Go ahead. Stay with Hánjiāng and ask him if you need anything."

"Okay, Grandma."

Throughout the exchange, Xiǎngsī could only nod in agreement.

…

Leaving the room, Xiǎngsī followed closely behind Hánjiāng.

They passed through the living room to the yard, and along the way, she felt many eyes on them.

She could even hear whispers.

"Hey, who's that with Fù Èr Yé?"

"Is it Yáo Lèyí?"

"Doesn't look like her. Yáo Lèyí isn't that tall."

"Can't people wear high heels?"

Xiǎngsī smiled inwardly.

She knew Yáo Lèyí and Hánjiāng were close, but mistaking her for Yáo Lèyí was a bit much.

Their figures and looks were completely different.

"Hey?"

The man in front of her suddenly stopped, answering a phone call.

"About the Dōngchāng matter… here's the situation…"

It sounded like a business call. Xiǎngsī didn't understand and wasn't interested, so she stood still quietly.

Hánjiāng suddenly quickened his pace, and Xiǎngsī hurried to catch up.

Unexpectedly, he turned and looked at her, displeased. "I need to handle something. Stop following me!"

After saying this, he walked off briskly.

Xiǎngsī stood there, emotionless and unperturbed.

It was typical for him to abandon her, but now, what should she do?

She rubbed her stomach. She was a bit hungry, having only had a couple of pieces of bread all day.

Perfect, time to eat.

Xiǎngsī went to the buffet area, picked up a plate, and started getting food.

This was all delicious food she hadn't had in years…

"Lèyí!"

Suddenly, someone lightly tapped her shoulder.

Xiǎngsī was slightly taken aback and turned around.

"Huh?"

The one who tapped her was a young woman.

Xiǎngsī remembered her.

Besides herself, this woman had been the most relentless in pursuing Hánjiāng back then. Her surname was Tián, Tián Xīn.

The Tián family's daughter.

Back then, people said that if it weren't for Xiǎngsī, Tián Xīn would have been the most likely to marry Hánjiāng.

So, Xiǎngsī and Tián Xīn had been sworn enemies.

"You're not Lèyí, you're…"

Just as Xiǎngsī recognized Tián Xīn, Tián Xīn scrutinized her and recognized her as well, though not entirely sure.

"You're Xiǎngsī?"

Tián Xīn wasn't alone. She was with a few girlfriends.

Hearing the name "Xiǎngsī," they all looked surprised.

They all turned to her.

"Who? Xiǎngsī?"

"She's back?"

"Hey," one of the girlfriends laughed, "how surprising. Today's banquet is a welcome party for her, you know! You didn't know?"

"I didn't know. I came because I heard about the banquet. Oh my! Xiǎngsī is really back!"

The girlfriends all looked disgusted.

"If I had known, I wouldn't have come! Welcoming her back, how unlucky!"

"Oh no! Xiǎngsī is back! Jiāngchéng will be in chaos!"

Xiǎngsī ignored their words, focusing on getting food. This was a rare opportunity, and she intended to make the most of it.

She reached for a brownie with the tongs, grasping it.

A second later, another pair of tongs reached for it.

Looking up, it was Tián Xīn.

"Oh."

Tián Xīn hastily let go, "You take it, you take it. I don't really want it."

Hmph.

Xiǎngsī let out a faint, cold laugh. As if she was really letting her have it!

A true display of pretense. Tián Xīn hadn't changed a bit.

If it were the past, she would have grabbed it and made a scene.

Now…

"Thank you."

Xiǎngsī smiled lightly, placing the brownie on her plate, and walked away.

Behind her, the gossip continued.

"What's going on? She didn't argue?"

"She's different from before!"

"Hmph." Tián Xīn sneered, "Different? Haven't you heard the saying 'A leopard can't change its spots'? She's just putting on a show!"

She eyed the evening dress on Xiǎngsī and smirked, "Just wait, there's going to be a show!"

Before she finished speaking, she saw Yáo Lèyí from afar.

She was in an off-shoulder beige evening dress, the hem brushing her feet, holding Hánjiāng's arm, smiling