Chapter 1: My Husband Returned with His Mistress

"One more time?"
The man's voice was low and pleasant, tinged with desire that had yet to fade, carrying an enchanting power.
Jiang Zhiyou glanced at the floor: the lace lingerie tangled with a suit, a torn dress, high heels tossed under the sofa.
All bore silent witness to the wild passion that had just transpired.
"No, I'm tired," Jiang Zhiyou refused.
This man's stamina was growing by the day.
Moments ago, she nearly begged him for mercy in tears.
Yet, even as she spoke, her delicate hand boldly roamed over his firm abs.
He caught her mischievous hand.
Desire lingered in his magnetic voice: "Don't tease me. I can't promise I'll hold back."
Jiang Zhiyou laughed.
Her face was already strikingly beautiful; now, her dark eyes sparkled like stars, lips crimson as fire, her thick black waves cascading over her snowy back, making her skin appear as smooth as cream. Her lazy smile curved her petal-red lips, tugging at the tiny tear mole beside her eye.
That smile was seductive, enchanting as a temptress from legend.
Looking at the woman curled in his arms like a languid cat, he felt an urge to devour her wholly once again.
"Don't be so stingy. I’ll miss it when I can't touch you anymore," Jiang Zhiyou teased with a bright smile.
But the man’s expression suddenly froze, his face turning cold.
"What do you mean?"
Jiang Zhiyou threw off the thin blanket, dressed swiftly, and took a check from her bag, walking to his side.
"Darling, here’s five million, as compensation for you. And this villa is yours too."
She placed the check in his hand.
Yet he showed no joy at the lavish gift.
"Jiang Zhiyou, are you trying to leave me?" His voice was terrifyingly low, barely containing his fury.
Jiang Zhiyou's face remained gentle, spring-like.
She gently pinched his chin and kissed him in comfort: "My husband has returned. I can’t play outside anymore. Let’s end it here."
His expression grew darker still.
She pecked his lovely lips again: "Be good. If you ever need help, you can still call me."
With that, Jiang Zhiyou rose, picked up her bag, and walked out.
She’d barely taken two steps when something shattered in the room behind her.
She didn’t stop.
She simply smiled, helplessly.

She had kept him for three years. There was no true affection, only a semblance of it. Such an abrupt, cliff-edge breakup was hard to accept.
Leaving the villa, Jiang Zhiyou drove straight to the airport.
Her husband, Yan Feng, had taken his mistress abroad for three years. Unable to withstand the pressure from his family, he was finally coming home.
"Jiang Zhiyou, though we grew up together and dated for two years, I feel nothing for you,"
"The only one I love is Xia Ling. If Grandfather hadn’t forced me, I would never have married you."
"I won't touch you. That's my promise to Xia Ling."
"The only thing I can offer is the title of Mrs. Yan. If you get lonely, find yourself a boyfriend. I won’t interfere. And you can’t interfere in my affairs with Xia Ling."
Those were the words Yan Feng said to her on their wedding night.
Three years had passed, but she remembered every word.
The Jiang family and the Yan family had always been close; three generations had been friends. When Jiang Zhiyou was born, the Jiang family had a daughter, the Yan family a son, and from birth, their marriage was arranged.
To cultivate their bond, they played together from childhood, spending holidays in each other’s homes.
Their relationship was always good, and after entering university, they naturally began dating.
Until Xia Ling intervened.
In truth, Jiang Zhiyou herself had pushed Yan Feng toward Xia Ling.
Xia Ling was their high school classmate—poor, timid, but academically outstanding, the only scholarship recipient at their elite school.
Like a little white rabbit in a den of wolves, she was often bullied by privileged students.
Jiang Zhiyou repeatedly helped her, even getting into fights for her.
They became best friends in high school and later attended the same university.
As her high school confidante, Xia Ling was familiar with Yan Feng as well.
At the time, there was no sign of romance between them.
During their sophomore summer, Jiang Zhiyou and Yan Feng signed up for a school-organized camp.
Near departure, Jiang Zhiyou sprained her ankle and gave her spot to Xia Ling.
Yan Feng hadn’t planned to go, but Jiang Zhiyou insisted, fearing Xia Ling would be bullied, and pushed him to accompany her.
In caring for Xia Ling, the two grew close and became lovers.
That summer, Jiang Zhiyou faced the greatest crisis of her life.
Jiang Xiaoxiao returned.
In her darkest hours, Yan Feng abruptly broke up with her and announced he was with Xia Ling.
Unable to bear the blow, she attempted suicide.
She survived, and the event brought a turning point.
Yan Feng’s parents were devastated, having regarded her as their daughter-in-law since childhood.

Grandfather Yan went further, threatening Yan Feng with family shares until he agreed to marry her.
Yet within two months, Yan Feng applied for a student exchange at Yale and left for America.
Naturally, Xia Ling went with him.
Three whole years had passed...
The car soon stopped at the airport.
Jiang Zhiyou gathered her thoughts.
Today, she was summoned by Grandfather to pick up Yan Feng.
She checked her watch.
The timing was perfect.
Looking up, she saw Yan Feng pushing a suitcase out of the terminal.
He wore a white shirt and black trousers, his features refined, his manner noble and elegant, every gesture reflecting the pedigree of a scion.
His gentle face darkened as soon as he saw Jiang Zhiyou.
Jiang Zhiyou smiled, got out of the car, and walked over.
"Husband, long time no see. I hope you’ve been well."
Her smile was radiant and charming.
With her background in broadcasting, her voice was naturally pleasant, laced now with a touch of coquettishness.
She was irresistible, drawing admiring glances that envied her husband.
Yan Feng frowned even deeper at her.
Jiang Zhiyou was stunning today, as if she’d dressed up just for him.
She looked different from three years ago.
Back then, she wore no makeup and appeared sweet and innocent. Now, her makeup was immaculate, her hair styled in waves, her outfit all designer labels, exuding lazy elegance and aristocratic grace.
"Don’t call me husband."
Yan Feng’s voice was icy.
He glanced at the woman beside him, dressed in a white dress.
Even before getting out, Jiang Zhiyou had seen her.
Xia Ling had returned with him.
Xia Ling wore a loose cotton white dress, no makeup, her small, delicate face and naturally shy, innocent eyes making her look fragile and lovely.
One hand clung to Yan Feng’s arm, the other unconsciously touched her slightly rounded stomach.
The gesture was unmistakable.
Jiang Zhiyou smiled and asked, "Xia Ling, are you pregnant?"