1

On the day the typhoon hit, I got a big gig as a part-time delivery guy.

I had to rush a bag of adult toys to a five-star hotel in the city center, with an expedited delivery fee of 200 yuan.

Braving the wind and rain, I handed the package to the man who answered the door, only to hear a familiar voice from inside.

"Come over, help me take off my clothes."

"Okay, Mr. Jiang."

Even though the hotel's soundproofing was good, I could still hear my wife's alluring and urgent voice from the door.

I finished an entire pack of cigarettes standing at the hotel entrance, but she never came out.

Looking at the diamond necklace I saved up so hard to buy, I threw it into the trash can and turned away.

...

By the time I returned drenched to the rental apartment late at night, Jiang Li still hadn't come back.

I took out my phone and searched for "Jiang Li" on the search engine.

The Baidu entry that popped up was the president of the Jiang Family in Lu City, with assets worth millions.

The latest news was from this afternoon—President Jiang Li was spotted entering a hotel with a male model.

Although there wasn't a frontal photo of Jiang Li, the male model captured was the same man I saw this afternoon.

Just as I couldn't figure out why Jiang Li would do such a thing, there was a noise at the door, and I looked over to see Jiang Li return wearing the same outfit she left in this morning, bought from Pinduoduo for 29.9 yuan.

She was holding the fried noodles and cola I like, and I was stunned for a moment looking at Jiang Li like this.

I reflexively wanted to laugh out loud; it must be hard for her, putting on this act to deceive my feelings. Truly a taxing endeavor.

Seeing that I didn't go over to hug her as I usually would, Jiang Li asked in confusion:

"Zisheng, what's wrong? You don't look happy. Did something happen?"

Looking at her gentle concern for me, I was dazed for a moment and almost believed that what I saw and heard today was all fake.

But her alluring voice from the hotel room kept looping in my mind like a curse.

I really wanted to ask her, why would you do this?

Why would you deceive me like this?

But I couldn't confront her directly, not yet.

I tried to calm the anger in my heart, forced a smile, and said to her, "I'm just a little tired. You go wash up first."

After she went into the bathroom, I looked at the fried noodles on the table. Although it was my favorite food, I now felt nauseated.

At that moment, Jiang Li's phone on the table vibrated.

I picked up her phone as if possessed.

When I opened it and saw the message displayed on WeChat, any remaining hope was extinguished.

"Sister Li, how was the top male model from the club? Isn't he a lot better than Lu Zisheng's poverty-stricken vibe? No offense, even if Lu Zisheng resembles Huaizhi a bit, you don't have to compromise yourself like this!"

I resemble the Huaizhi they're talking about? Does that mean I'm a stand-in?

I let out a sarcastic laugh, who would've thought this stand-in literature from novels would happen in real life to me.

Well, then I'll play along with you.

...

I took a deep breath and composed myself before Jiang Li finished her shower and laid down on the bed.

When Jiang Li came out and saw that I hadn't touched the food on the table, she leaned over and asked softly:

"Honey, why aren't you eating?"

I purposefully lowered my voice and said, "My stomach's a bit upset, you eat."

Jiang Li knows I have stomach problems.

When we first got together, our meals were uncertain, and to get by a little better, I would work a part-time job delivering food after my main work, often combining two meals into one.

Over time, that ruined my stomach.

As soon as Jiang Li heard my stomach was upset, she immediately got up to look for the medicine, but I had finished it last time and forgot to get more at the hospital.

She looked for it for a long time but couldn't find it, anxiously saying, "I'll go buy some now."

Listening to the anxious tone in her voice, I felt nothing but admiration for her acting skills.

In the past, I would rather endure the pain myself than let her go out in this weather and at this time.

But today, I let Jiang Li continue with her devoted lover act.

"Alright, stay safe."

She seemed surprised that I actually let her go out to buy medicine and was momentarily stunned before leaving.

After Jiang Li left, I went to the window to look down.

I intended to see her embarrassed figure caught in the heavy rain going to buy medicine, but after waiting for a long time, I didn't see her come out from the stairwell.

Then I thought to myself, someone as high-profile as her, surely she wouldn't go without a few people to protect her.

Thinking of how I previously endured the pain in silence out of concern for her, I couldn't help but curse, "Lu Zisheng, you're such a fool."

Sure enough, Jiang Li returned soon with the medicine.

Seeing her clothes without a single drop of water, I couldn't help but laugh internally: "She's exposed."

After handing me the medicine, Jiang Li lay down to sleep.

She didn't pour me a glass of warm water as usual.

I didn't point out her abnormality, instead wishing her goodnight.

As she turned away from me, I took out my phone and sent a text message.

I thought I could maintain calm, but in the dead of night, the anger of being deceived and betrayed churned inside me.

Tossing and turning, I couldn't sleep the whole night.