Chapter Nine: It Takes Two to Tango

Before Pei Susu left the house, she and the HR had been chatting pleasantly on the phone. They had even agreed she would join the company the day after tomorrow, with only the details of salary and job responsibilities left to discuss in person. Yet at the last moment, the HR reneged on his promise.

She was quite dissatisfied with his lack of integrity, but still maintained a calm tone.

“I’ve already explained to your company the issues I have with Xingye. I’ve submitted ample evidence to the divorce court proving that all the allegations of embezzlement, bribery, and false accounting Xingye has leveled against me are nothing but slander.”

The HR knew he was in the wrong, but he hadn’t expected Liang Wenru to be so narrow-minded as to blacklist his ex-wife—especially considering it was he who’d driven Pei Susu out of Xingye in the first place. Now he was afraid she’d join another company? What on earth was this?

“I… Well, in any case, our company already has a deputy general manager. I just received the notice myself. Sorry to have wasted your time. You’d better try interviewing elsewhere.”

Pei Susu could see there was no chance of being hired here; any further argument would be pointless. She picked up her bag and rose to leave. “Since your company has already found someone, I won’t take up any more of your time.”

As she stepped outside, she came face to face with Chu Qingzhu.

The woman beside Chu Qingzhu was flamboyantly dressed, teetering on impossibly high heels, and her voice dripped with contempt. “It takes two to tango. Flies don’t go after eggs without cracks. If you hadn’t behaved improperly, would Xingye have thrown mud at you for no reason?”

Chu Qingzhu shot her a look, then spoke in a gentle tone. “No one is perfect. It’s normal for Sister Pei to make mistakes. As long as she can admit them and change, both Xingye and I are willing to forgive her.”

The woman curled her fingers daintily. “Qingzhu, you’re much too kind.”

While Pei Susu had worked at Xingye, she’d made a point of learning about the social circles of the wealthy and their various mistresses, all to facilitate business negotiations.

The woman before her was likely President Fang’s lover. Years ago, after Fang’s wife died in childbirth, this woman had moved up to become Mrs. Fang. Pei Susu remembered that she hated nothing more than the fact that too many abortions during her time as a mistress had left her unable to bear children.

Pei Susu’s lips curved into a smile. “It’s true I can’t clap with one hand alone, but Mrs. Fang and President Fang are the perfect couple. Yet there’s still no heir. I suppose one day the Fang family’s fortune will end up in the hands of one of President Fang’s darlings outside.”

“You bitch, I’ll tear that mouth of yours apart!” Mrs. Fang, her sore spot ruthlessly exposed, raised her hand to slap Pei Susu.

Pei Susu caught her wrist and used the woman’s own hand to slap her face lightly. “Restrain yourself, Mrs. Fang. President Fang doesn’t like it when you cause him trouble.”

Chu Qingzhu, eager to find an ally, stepped forward to try and pry Mrs. Fang free. “Sister Pei, Mrs. Fang just speaks her mind. Don’t take it to heart.”

Pei Susu released her grip, regarding Chu Qingzhu with a look of pity. “Marriage can end in divorce; let alone the fact that you and Mr. Liang aren’t even married. Who knows if there’s even a place for you in the vast empire of Xingye?”

“Mr. Liang has plenty of admirers—his secretary, his business partners, his confidantes.” Pei Susu counted on her fingers, then held up seven. “Seven, to be precise.”

“Impossible! Wenru only loves me.”

Pei Susu replied coolly, “If he loved you so much, why didn’t he marry you immediately after our divorce?”

Chu Qingzhu recalled the way Liang Wenru’s secretary looked at him and was suddenly flustered, already plotting how to eliminate her rivals.

Pei Susu had intended to interview at the remaining four companies, but each sent her a message telling her not to come. She ended up with unexpected free time and strolled home at an easy pace.

Inside the small villa, Lu Qianqian inhaled the aroma of rich chicken soup, then prepared three homestyle dishes and set them on the table. She was about to ask Pei Susu about her interviews and bring her a meal, when she heard the click of a key turning in the lock.

“Susu, you’re back just in time for dinner. I was just thinking I’d pack you a lunchbox with love once you finished eating.”

Pei Susu’s mood brightened instantly at the sight of the delicious spread.

Lu Qianqian served her a piece of poached fish. “The interview didn’t go well, did it? I bet that bastard Liang is behind it. He’s got no ability of his own, so he tries to keep you out of other companies, afraid you’ll rise again.”

The fish was tender and fresh, and a smile formed in Pei Susu’s eyes. “I hadn’t even spoken, and you’ve already guessed I failed the interview.”

Lu Qianqian rolled her eyes. “With your workaholic tendencies, if you’d succeeded you’d have stayed at the company to work—you wouldn’t be home eating dinner with me.”

“I’m telling you, divorce is a blessing—divorce is wonderful! Liang Wenru is no good. That handsome guy who came looking for you at the hospital the other day, now he’s great—handsome, devoted, clearly smitten with you…”

…

After an afternoon of cursing Liang Wenru, Lu Qianqian began sending messages about her hatred for him to contacts both at home and abroad. Under her forceful insistence, Pei Susu read storybooks aloud—supposedly as prenatal education.

“Damn it! Liang Wenru dared invite my husband to Royal KTV and even asked for models. And my idiot husband agreed! I’ll kill him!”

After receiving a tip-off from her husband’s secretary, Lu Qianqian, now absolutely furious, dragged Pei Susu off to confront him.

In the Royal KTV, Pei Susu protected Lu Qianqian as she hurried toward the private room. “Hey, you should remember you’re pregnant—calm down. If you want, I’ll livestream the fight for you, how about that?”

“The first thing he does on returning isn’t to see me, but to find some models? Does he take me for a fool?” Lu Qianqian reached the door in a few swift strides and kicked open the half-closed wooden door with a bang.

…

Inside, the lighting was dim and suggestive, the seats filled with pretty women. Liang Wenru, glass in hand, wore a sycophantic smile.

“President Ji, Xingye is one of the top companies in the city. Working with us will greatly help your entry into the local market.”

Ji Chuan’s expression was cool and unreadable. Dressed in a tailored suit, his every gesture exuded aristocratic elegance. On either side of him, beautiful women leaned in, smiling, trying to touch his chest.

Seeing Pei Susu enter, Liang Wenru assumed she’d heard about the models and come to make a jealous scene. Feeling triumphant, he stepped forward to block her path.

“President Ji, my apologies. Women can be so impulsive; she heard a rumor and chased me here. I’ll send her away at once.”

Pei Susu mentally rolled her eyes and pushed Liang Wenru aside. “If you’re sick, go to a hospital. Don’t block the way here.”

Lu Qianqian marched straight up to Ji Chuan and brought her hand down hard.

A thin line of blood appeared at the corner of Ji Chuan’s lips. In the darkness, he extended a tattooed hand toward Lu Qianqian.

Pei Susu knew her best friend was brave, but hadn’t expected her to be this bold. The Ji family had a criminal background in the past; only in the current generation had they gone legitimate, but their methods remained ruthless.

Moreover, Ji Chuan and Lu Qianqian’s marriage was purely a business arrangement, with no real affection between them.

Pei Susu immediately stepped between them, cutting off their line of sight. Her body was taut, fingers interlaced, knuckles cracking audibly. “You want to fight?”

Ji Chuan withdrew his hand, the corners of his mouth tilting up. With his sharp eyes and star-like gaze, he exuded a roguish charm.

“Qianqian, darling, come give me a hug.”