When Jiang Da and Han Yunru arrived, it was Yang Jinqiu who opened the door, smiling brightly. “Big Brother, Sister-in-law, you’re here!”
Jiang Da frowned.
Han Yunru was startled too.
Because the woman in front of them had a pale face, swollen red eyes, and a smile that wasn’t warm or gentle, but carried a tinge of madness. She was nothing like the graceful and poised “Teacher Yang” they remembered.
“Sister-in-law, are you… okay?”
“You must be joking. What could possibly be wrong with me? Come in.” She took shoe covers from the cabinet and handed them over.
Han Yunru exchanged a glance with Jiang Da and silently accepted them.
The moment they stepped in, both paused.
The living room was a mess—chairs overturned, the sofa askew, shards of glass scattered everywhere. It looked like a burglary scene.
“This…”
“Don’t mind it, I was in a bad mood and lost control of my temper.”
“You’re not hurt, are you?”
Seeing Han Yunru pretending to be kind and concerned made Yang Jinqiu feel nauseated. She let out a sharp, mocking laugh. “Hurt? Me? What could possibly hurt me?!”
Han Yunru sensed something was seriously off in both her tone and demeanor. She nodded lightly and replied, “As long as you’re okay.”
Then she quietly moved closer to Jiang Da.
Sensing her tension, Jiang Da gently took her hand into his palm, silently offering comfort.
Han Yunru steadied her heart.
Jiang Da said, “Sister-in-law, where’s Jiang Hua? Can you call him out? I want to talk.”
Yang Jinqiu curled her lips into a half-smile, her gaze mocking. Talk? Jiang Hua probably hated him more than anyone else.
“Sister-in-law?”
“Big Brother, Jiang Hua’s not home yet. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a bit.”
“Not home?!” Jiang Da was stunned.
Han Yunru was also surprised. “But… didn’t something just happen on the phone?”
She clearly heard things being smashed.
“Oh, I accidentally broke a vase. Must’ve been a misunderstanding.”
“Then…” Han Yunru cautiously asked, “Why did you call us here?”
Yang Jinqiu smiled, her bloodshot eyes gleaming with excitement. “To watch a good show with me—how about it?”
Jiang Da and Han Yunru had no idea what she was talking about.
“Shhh! He’s back. Quick, go into the bedroom. Don’t make a sound, or the show won’t work.”
…
Jiang Hua didn’t even take off his shoes as he entered. His face looked grim. He glanced at the chaotic living room, unsurprised. “What now?”
“You won’t even give me a polite greeting now? Not even a token one? Not even for the sake of manners?”
Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
Jiang Hua impatiently loosened his tie. “There’s no need to pretend between us. Say what you want. No need for theatrics.”
“Fine, then I’ll be direct. I want a divorce.”
Jiang Hua raised an eyebrow and looked at her. “You sure?”
“Yes.” Yang Jinqiu didn’t miss a single expression on his face.
But all she saw was mild surprise, followed by relief. He even subtly exhaled in relief. No guilt. No regret.
Jiang Hua nodded. “Alright, let’s divorce.”
Even though she was prepared, seeing his coldness firsthand still made her heart twist with pain. Maybe… he had been waiting for her to say those words all along.
Fine then…
The last trace of warmth faded from her eyes.
“Jiang Hua, can you tell me why? Why cheat? Why divorce?”
“It was just a fling. And you’re the one asking for the divorce, don’t pin it on me.”
“Oh? A fling? What kind of play were you putting on? Is the body-double act fun? Exciting?”
Jiang Hua’s brow furrowed sharply. “Do you even know what you’re saying?”
“Of course I do. I’m saying you couldn’t get the real one, so you found a substitute! Their eyes look alike, don’t they? Both have those watery, peach blossom eyes—gentle and affectionate, like they’re speaking just by looking…”
“Shut up!” Jiang Hua barked, veins bulging from his forehead.
How did she know?
Who told her?
“Oh? Flustered, are you? Hit a nerve?” Yang Jinqiu laughed wildly.
Jiang Hua’s eyes darkened. “Watch your mouth!”
“What’s there to be afraid of? It’s just the two of us here. What can’t be said? You’re in love with my sister-in-law and hate Big Brother, right?”
“Yang Jinqiu—!”
“Oh? Angry now?”
Jiang Hua charged forward, grabbed her by the throat. His eyes burned with rage, like a demon. “Who told you?!”
“Cough cough… Need someone to tell me?” she croaked like a blood-soaked cuckoo. “You hide it well… but your eyes, your attention—they’re all on her. You think… no one noticed?!”
“Jiang Hua, you’re disgusting. You’ve hidden it for so long! Cough… When you’re in bed with that vixen, do you pretend she’s my sister-in-law? Feels good, doesn’t it?”
Jiang Hua sneered and shoved her to the ground.
Yang Jinqiu gasped for air, cheeks flushed.
“Cough cough cough…”
“So what if you know?” Jiang Hua adjusted his cuffs calmly. “What can you do?”
“I’ll tell my brother and sister-in-law!”
“Who’d believe you? You’re just a mad dog barking.”
“Jiang Hua! Even now, you still feel no guilt?!”
“Guilt?” He laughed like it was the biggest joke. “Why should I feel guilty? Is loving someone wrong? If not for my brother, I would’ve been the one to marry Ah Ru! Why him? He’s just a chef—no degree, no looks, can’t even make money. What qualifies him?”
Yang Jinqiu smiled eerily. “Can’t you see? No matter how bad big brother is, and no matter how ‘good’ you are, my sister-in-law never saw you. She only ever loved him. And you… you’re just a pathetic fool, hopelessly in love, secretly pasting photos of yourself with her—what a joke. How pitiful, how pathetic. Hahahaha…”
“You went through my drawer?!” Jiang Hua’s eyes widened in fury.
“Yes. How else would I see how filthy and disgusting you really are?”
“B*tch—!”
Jiang Hua yanked her hair and slapped her—twice.
Smack—Smack—
Loud and clear.
Yang Jinqiu only laughed harder. “Hahahaha… Keep hitting! Let my brother and sister-in-law see what kind of disgusting trash you really are!”
Jiang Hua froze. “What did you say?”
“I said…” Yang Jinqiu enunciated clearly, her smile radiant, “Big Brother and Sister-in-law are watching right now! Hahahaha…”
Jiang Hua’s whole body stiffened.
The next second, his head jerked up in shock.
Author’s Note:
Nothing drives Jiang Hua crazier than having his mask torn off in front of Han Yunru.
Three generations of “white moonlight”—from Sister Yue, Sister Yue’s mother, to her grandmother—what a tragic chain of unattainable love.
