Chapter 31: Provocation

Li Zecheng was unwilling to live an ordinary life like his uncle. He gritted his teeth and said angrily, “I don’t really want to divorce Qiao An. I just can’t take it lying down. I’m a man. How can I be controlled by my wife?”

The Third Madam’s arrogance had disappeared. She gave in to the Old Master’s warning. With some unwillingness, she comforted Li Zecheng. “Son, the family gathering is next month. If you don’t want Grandpa to have a prejudice against you, think of a way to bring Qiao An back and cooperate with you to show off your love. Let’s dispel your Grandpa’s worries first.”

Li Zecheng nodded dejectedly. “I understand.”

Even if Li Zecheng didn’t want to admit that Qiao An was the reason behind his smooth sailing career in the past two years, he had not been too successful in recent times. His partners had taken into account his unstable public image recently and no one dared to cooperate with him.

It struck Li Zecheng that he did need Qiao An to maintain his image of decency.

To please Qiao An, he resorted to a series of tactics.

He arrived at Wei Xin’s residence and made a cruel request. “Wei Xin, I’m sorry. Qiao An wants a house by the river, so I can only transfer this house to her.”

Wei Xin could not accept this cruel blow. However, she had to pretend to be gentle and sensible. She cried, “Brother Zecheng, if Qiao An wants this house, then give it to her. I’ll move out immediately.”

Li Zecheng asked, “Where are you moving to?”

Wei Xin sniffled and said, “I’m going to stay with a friend for a while. When I have money, I’ll get a small room for myself.”

She pretended to have no desires.

Li Zecheng hugged Wei Xin from behind and felt very guilty. “Wei Xin, Qiao An has been throwing a tantrum with me recently. It has affected my public image and thwarted my career. I had no choice but to coax her back. Don’t worry, I won’t treat you badly. Just take a good look at a house you like and I’ll help you buy it.”

Wei Xin’s eyes revealed joy.

This riverside mansion was Li Zecheng’s property. No matter how luxurious it was, it did not belong to her. However, Li Zecheng was about to help her buy a house. She had profited.

“Brother Zecheng, you’re so kind.”

Li Zecheng sighed. “If only Qiao An were half as gentle and considerate as you.”

After settling Wei Xin down, Li Zecheng went to the hospital and began to coax his wife.

“An’an.” He sat in the companion chair and looked at Qiao An, who was growing fuller by the day. Qiao An, who had regained her beauty, was still beautiful even without the embellishment of rouge and makeup.

Li Zecheng’s heart started to beat for her.

He shook Qian An’s hand affectionately. “Honey, I know I was wrong. I’ve been thinking a lot lately. We used to love each other so much. I shouldn’t have neglected you just to keep busy with work. Don’t worry, I’ll cut back on my work and spend more time with you. Okay?”

Qiao An had chosen to rest her eyes from the moment he’d entered.

She ignored him.

Li Zecheng was at a loss when he saw how cold she was to him.

But he’d always found women the easiest toys to conquer. And he was convinced that Qiao An still loved him. If he kept trying, she’d come around.

He took out the key to the Riverside Mansion and stuffed it into Qiao An’s hand. “An’an, don’t you like the apartment at Riverside Mansion? I’ve already asked Wei Xin to move out. Here’s the key. If you like it there, we can move in.”

Qiao An slowly opened her eyes. Disgusted, she lifted the key, then let it do its free fall.

“Li Zecheng, I find the place where Wei Xin lived dirty.”

Li Zecheng felt as if a sharp blade had pierced his heart. He was used to being high and mighty, surrounded by everyone, but Qiao An looked down on him like he was an ant. His self-esteem suffered and his expression was ugly.

“Honey, for you, I’ve already cut ties with Wei Xin. What else do you want?” Li Zecheng said angrily.

Qiao An looked at him coldly and said, “Li Zecheng, I beg you to let me go.”

“Let’s get a divorce,” Qiao An said resolutely.

“Why must you divorce me?” Li Zecheng suddenly tightened his grip on Qiao An’s hand. He was a little agitated.

“Is it because I didn’t choose to save you immediately in the ruins? Or was it because I let Wei Xin stay in the apartment? Or was it because I did not lend you money for your mum’s medical bills? Qiao An, I’ve already made up for these mistakes.”

Qiao An’s beautiful face squeezed out a bitter smile. She didn’t want to argue with such a heartless person. She just said tiredly, “Li Zecheng, I don’t love you anymore.”

Li Zecheng was still in a daze. He couldn’t believe that Qiao An, who had once loved him so much, had suddenly stopped loving him.

At this moment, Li Zecheng, who clearly felt that this marriage was dispensable, suddenly felt reluctant.

He remembered the warm image of Qiao An making him porridge and eating it with him when his stomach hurt.

She remembered how Qiao An had bragged to her grandparents that her husband was the best man in the world.

As he recalled the good deeds Qiao An had done, he realized that even the media had praised his Mrs. Li for being beautiful and kind.

To be honest, Li Zecheng was actually not prepared to end his relationship with Qiao An. Now that Qiao An had announced that it was over, he realized that he still had some indescribable feelings for Qiao An.

“Qiao An, I’ve given up so much for you. My friends, my career… I hope that you can give me another chance…”

He wasn’t finished. His phone wouldn’t stop ringing.

Qiao An glanced sideways and saw the word Wei Xin flashing on the screen.

Li Zecheng looked very embarrassed. He hung up the call and put the phone in his pocket.

However, the phone rang stubbornly again. Qiao An reached out his hand to Li Zecheng, asking for the phone.

Li Zecheng said guiltily, “Honey, I really cut ties with her. I don’t know why she still called me.”

Qiao An said, “Give me the phone.”

Li Zecheng was delighted. Qiao An’s jealousy showed that she still cared about him.

Women don’t mean what they say.

He handed the phone to Qiao An, who answered it and scolded Wei Xin very rudely. “Miss Wei, why are you looking for my husband?”

Wei Xin stammered, “Qiao An, why is Brother Zecheng’s phone with you?”

Jo Ann chuckled. “Isn’t that exactly what you wanted? Didn’t you call to tell me that you and my husband still have feelings for each other?”

Li Zecheng’s expression turned dark.

“Wei Xin, didn’t I tell you not to contact me?”

Wei Xin did want to sow discord between Li Zecheng and Qiao An, but she did not expect Qiao An to be so smart as to see through her tricks and make Brother Zecheng instantly feel nothing for her.