Her Imperfection for Wifehood - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: The End of the Inverted V

The heart-palpitated Xu’er suddenly felt fear, a fear that made her want to call Boss Jing for help. After all, the Second Miss was the only one in the entire Wei family who treated her like a human, and the Second Miss had never yelled at or hit her.

At times, she even felt a connection of shared fate with the Second Miss, as the Second Miss was also sometimes beaten and scolded by the Madam for no reason.

It was just that the Second Miss dressed better, lived better, and ate better than she did.

Yet, despite having all these things, the Second Miss was not happier than she was. Xu’er rarely saw the Second Miss smile at home, but ever since she met Boss Jing of the An Corporation, the Second Miss had a shy smile on her face every time they met.

The Second Miss was beautiful when she smiled, the most beautiful woman she had ever seen.

But no matter how afraid or sympathetic she was, she could only think about it. It was impossible for her to actually make a phone call to tip off the boss.

If she made that call, she might not survive the night. Even if the Master and Madam spared her life, they would surely beat her half to death and then throw her out to fend for herself.

She was a mere servant, her life as insignificant as grass. Her life or death didn’t matter, and even if she died in the Wei house, the Wei family could easily cover it up with any excuse. She didn’t want to die, and certainly not for someone else.

She could only pray in her heart for the Second Miss, praying that she would escape danger and be safe.

Half an hour later, that person left.

For that agonizing half hour, Xu’er had been secretly hiding by the kitchen door, peeking out. The moment she saw the man leave, she scurried into the house in a panic.

“Second Miss? Second Miss, you, you…”

Wei Yinxia’s clothes were intact, but she looked distraught. Two of the toggle buttons at her collar were undone. She sat on the carpet, hugging her arms, her pale, bloodless face obscured by messy, sweat-soaked hair.

Xu’er knelt beside her, sobbing: “Second Miss, what happened to you?”

“Don’t touch me! Don’t touch me…”

“Okay, I won’t touch you, I won’t touch you.” Xu’er withdrew her hand, frantic. “Tell me, what can I do?”

Wei Yinxia showed a smile instead: “Xu’er, help me boil a bowl of ginger soup. I want ginger soup.”

Yinghua had not only established a spinning mill but also simultaneously built its own department store, operating exclusively as a high-end establishment, only selling imported goods, and only serving the elite and wealthy.

Kahn, the British partner of the Yinghua company, had sent invitations to many officials and businessmen for the grand and solemn opening reception. An Jing naturally received one as well.

If she hadn’t thought there was a chance to see Wei Yinxia, she wouldn’t have come.

The half-month deadline had passed. Wei Zhengqing hadn’t received her reply and was bound to take other actions. Sure enough, at the reception, she saw Wei Yinxia, who was attending with Wei Zhengqing.

Their eyes met from a distance. Both knew their meeting here was expected.

Wei Yinxia quickly looked away. An Jing was trying to find a reasonable excuse to create an opportunity to be alone with Wei Yinxia.

However, the sound of the host, Kahn, speaking into a microphone interrupted her thoughts: “I, Kahn, on behalf of Yinghua, extend a warm welcome and thank you to all our distinguished guests! Next, I will invite the beautiful and noble Miss Wei Yinxia to open tonight’s first dance with me.”

Applause erupted all around.

Wei Yinxia was wearing a ball gown today, not a cheongsam. She held up her skirt and extended her right hand to Kahn, who was walking toward her, without even glancing at An Jing.

The music began.

In the center of the crowd, a flash of red and black spun and danced.

Kahn’s hand was firmly around Wei Yinxia’s waist, his other hand clasped with hers as they elegantly waltzed.

But this time, An Jing had no mind to admire her Yinyin’s artistic talent.

Five minutes later, the dance ended. Kahn, with the courtesy of a gentleman, kissed the back of Wei Yinxia’s hand.

“Second Miss Wei is graceful, beautiful, and moving. She is the most beautiful girl I have seen in Shanghai. I want to marry you and make you my wife.” Kahn smiled as he asked Wei Zhengqing, “Boss Wei, what would it take for you to marry your daughter to me?”

This declaration caused a stir among the guests. Everyone looked toward Wei Zhengqing, curious about his response.

An Jing’s heart leaped into her throat.

Wei Zhengqing stroked his goatee and replied with a smile: “If Mr. Kahn can offer 100,000 silver dollars as a betrothal gift, my little girl is yours.”

100,000?!

100,000 silver dollars was a staggering sum, enough to buy ten villas in Shanghai.

100,000 was only 50,000 less than the price An Jing paid for the 75 new machines.

Yinghua had purchased a large number of new machines, built a factory, hired workers, and decorated the department store. Kahn couldn’t possibly have that much cash on hand, and he certainly wouldn’t spend that much money on a woman.

An Jing thought so.

She had heard of Kahn five years ago but had never met him. Before today, she had only seen his photo in the newspaper.

To her surprise, Kahn agreed instantly: “It’s a deal! Boss Wei, we are both businessmen, and businessmen value credibility the most. I cannot produce that much money right now. Give me a few months, and I will surely deliver the 100,000 betrothal gift. If Boss Wei does not believe me, I can pay a 20,000 silver dollar deposit now. Until I pay the balance, I ask Boss Wei to allow the Second Miss to go out with me for tea and meals to cultivate our relationship.”

Another uninvited guest who hadn’t found a chance to approach Wei Yinxia was An Yi.

After hearing Kahn’s proposal, he furiously drank his red wine, slamming the glass down on the table so hard that it shattered.

He had naively thought Wei Zhengqing was giving him a chance. He never expected to be lured here to watch a spectacle. He felt nothing but the anger of being humiliated.

An Yi stood up and sneered: “Mr. Kahn, aren’t you afraid of being ridiculed by everyone for spending 100,000 silver dollars to marry a low-born, illegitimate daughter? In China, there is a world of difference between a legitimate and an illegitimate child.”

The crowd parted for An Yi. He flinched for a moment when he saw An Jing’s razor-sharp, cold gaze, but he braced himself, raising his head and chest, and walked between Kahn and Wei Zhengqing.

Pointing at Wei Yinxia, he continued: “Mr. Kahn, you’ve been in China for quite a while, haven’t you? Don’t you know she’s the woman my An family rejected? Marrying her will only make you lose face in celebrity circles both at home and abroad. Her face is beautiful, but is that face alone worth 100,000 silver dollars? Unless all you want is a long-term bed warmer, then I have nothing to say, ha ha ha ha…”

Slap! The insolent An Yi was stunned by a ringing slap from An Jing.

“Get out.”

An Yi suffered enormous humiliation but could only clutch his cheek, staring hatefully at An Jing. He swallowed hard before saying: “Did I say anything wrong?”

An Jing kicked him again and said coldly: “Get out! Don’t make me say it a third time.”

An Yi, having lost more than he gained, cast a glance at the people present. The immense shame filled him with resentment toward An Jing, but he couldn’t compete with An Jing’s status or her physical strength: “I was rash, Cousin. Your lesson is well received.”

Wei Yinxia felt a chill emanating from within. She never once looked at An Jing, giving An Jing no response whatsoever, not even a glance.

After An Yi left the reception looking utterly defeated, Kahn stepped forward again, took Wei Yinxia’s hand, and declared to everyone that he was pursuing true love and all things beautiful, caring nothing for social standing. He then had someone prepare a restroom for Wei Yinxia.

Facing the pointing and gossiping of the guests, the numb Wei Yinxia looked on with cold indifference, refusing to engage.

Once Wei Yinxia left the reception hall, Kahn raised his glass toward An Jing: “I apologize, Boss Jing, for the spectacle. And for causing a conflict with your family member. This drink is my apology.”

An Jing ignored him, raised her glass to Wei Zhengqing, who stood beside him: “My apologies, Boss Wei. It is An’s fault for not disciplining my younger brother properly, causing Second Miss Wei such great distress. She must be deeply upset. I, as his cousin, should apologize to the Second Miss on An Yi’s behalf, both ethically and reasonably. Please excuse me for a moment.”

Wei Zhengqing did not commit to an answer.

Meanwhile, Qin Zhe, who had been standing at the edge watching the whole fiasco, was approached by Kahn after An Jing left the hall.

“Boss Qin, I’ve heard much about you.” Kahn sought out Qin Zhe not to flatter him.

“The pleasure is mine.”

The two clinked glasses and drank. Kahn smiled meaningfully: “I heard that Boss Qin, in a bid to win Boss Jing’s favor, went so far as to divorce his wedded wife. To be honest, I admire Boss Qin’s spirit of daring to love and hate. And you didn’t mistreat your ex-wife and daughter, giving them plenty of money—enough for the rest of their lives. Boss Qin, you and I are people of passion. You must understand what I just said and did, right?”

Kahn’s raking up of old matters embarrassed Qin Zhe.

The day after his confrontation and argument with An Jing, An Jing had come to see him.

He had naively thought An Jing was coming to explain, to apologize, and to reconcile.

But what was the result?

An Jing did come to “clarify” that she was treating Wei Yinxia like a sister out of guilt and thus showed her extra care. She didn’t want him to be misled by baseless gossip and used by those with ulterior motives.

Just as hope was rekindled, An Jing then proposed that he buy back her shares, stating that as an older sister acting as a mother, she needed the money to help An Xi marry.

It was a brilliant sugar-coated cannonball, and he almost believed her.

Qin Zhe smiled and replied to Kahn: “It has been said since ancient times that even heroes find it hard to resist the lure of beauty. To marry a beauty like Second Miss Wei, what’s a thousand ounces of gold? I’d like to offer my congratulations to Mr. Kahn in advance, wishing you a swift realization of your desires and the early embrace of your beauty.”

“Thank you for your good wishes, ha ha.”

Having dealt with Kahn, the inwardly troubled Qin Zhe quietly followed the direction An Jing had taken. He wanted to see exactly what kind of “sisterly affection” existed between the two women.

The restroom was small, containing a wooden sofa covered with a thick velvet cushion, large enough for one person to lie down, a rectangular table, and four chairs.

Wei Yinxia sat on the sofa, clutching her legs. Humiliation—wasn’t that her daily bread?

But her Ah Jing was here.

An Jing found the room easily. She raised her hand to knock on the door, paused, lowered it, and then pushed the handle, walking straight in and locking the door behind her.

Looking at the closed door, Qin Zhe’s eyes were filled with a gloomy light. From this moment on, his admiration for An Jing vanished. As much as he liked her before, he now detested her.

Inside the restroom, seeing Wei Yinxia’s state, An Jing was filled with self-reproach. She had promised to protect her, but she had failed.

She knelt in front of Wei Yinxia and softly called her “Yinyin,” but received no response.

She tried to take Wei Yinxia’s hand, but it was pulled away. Helpless, she opened her arms and embraced Wei Yinxia completely.

“Boss Jing, control yourself.” Wei Yinxia said the words, but she didn’t struggle. Her voice was just unnaturally calm.

“Control myself? You want me to control myself?” An Jing grabbed her shoulder in frustration, forcing her to look up: “Wei Yinxia, we went on a date and had Western food a few days ago, holding hands down a tree-lined path. A few days apart, and you’re telling me to control myself?”

Wei Yinxia’s tears started immediately: “You know we haven’t seen each other for days, but do you know how much can change in just these few days?”

The sight of her tears immediately panicked An Jing. She held her tightly and coaxed softly: “I’m sorry. I wasn’t really angry. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have gotten mad at you, shouldn’t have been fierce, shouldn’t have spoken so loudly…”

She had deliberately provoked her to release her emotions, afraid that Wei Yinxia would bottle up her grievances and tears.

Hearing An Jing’s apology, the protective wall Wei Yinxia had built up instantly collapsed. She hugged An Jing tightly: “Ah Jing, I’m so tired.”

Living is so tiring.

An Jing sat on the sofa, gently patting her back: “Yinyin, I’m useless.”

“Wei Zhengqing knows I have no hope of marrying into the An family, so he brought me out to scout new targets, and Kahn is one of them. Miss Tang was right. Zhengqing Department Store is facing an unprecedented crisis. He desperately needs circulating funds. If he doesn’t get the funds soon, Zhengqing Department Store will be acquired by another large company. It’s his life’s work. He can’t bear to hand it over.”

“What about the bank? He could mortgage…”

“If selling his daughter can bring in a huge sum of money, why would he choose the difficult path of taking out bank loans and incurring debt instead of taking the ready shortcut?”

“That despicable Wei Zhengqing.”

“He deserves to die. If he dies, perhaps I will be free.”

“Yinyin, don’t do anything foolish.” An Jing heard the hatred in her words and quickly kissed her lips: “You still have me. I will find a way to set you free. When that time comes, we will go to a place with no war or turmoil, where no one knows us, and live a peaceful life. If you want to study, if you want to see the outside world, I can take you overseas.”

She couldn’t guarantee all of this would come true, but she had to give Wei Yinxia hope.

“What about the An Corporation? Are you going to abandon it? Compared to you, I have contributed nothing to you. I don’t want to be the person who makes you ungrateful.”

“The An Corporation belongs to An Xi. Even if I have to force him, I will hand it over to him. Yinyin, trust me. The An Corporation is important, and you are also important. I will give my all for our future. Until then, you must be strong, you must be brave…”

As An Jing spoke, she grasped Wei Yinxia’s arm. Wei Yinxia sharply inhaled with a faint gasp.

“What’s wrong? Did I hurt you?”

Wei Yinxia shook her head.

She was wearing a French square-neck evening gown today, with long, lace-trimmed sleeves and a laced-up back, featuring sequin and bead embroidery.

The wounds hidden beneath the dress were from the belt Kahn had used to whip her two days ago, one strike after another.

He had said—If your father hadn’t repeatedly emphasized the importance of a woman’s virtue among you Chinese, we couldn’t risk losing everything. You would have been ravished by me right then and there.

He had said—Soon. Once the An Corporation falls, I can play with you all I want. My country is not as feudal and conservative as yours. The more women enjoy sex, the more popular they are in our country.

He had also said—We are one step away from success. How can you turn An Jing into an impulsive devil for you, willingly falling into the trap, without having some injuries on you?

And he concluded—Wei Yinxia, one day, you will be mine, and so will your Wei family.

The demon was relentlessly lurking.

Support