I Love Her Because She’s Dim-Witted And Filthy Rich - Chapter 41

He Aizhi fell into silence.

When she was young, her parents had been unanimously opposed to her marrying Su Miao’s father. They said that while he appeared excellent on the surface, he looked down on women in his very bones, and that she would certainly not have a good life if she married him.

However, she felt her parents were biased against him. With a heart that would not look back, she went with Su Miao’s father to register their marriage.

Even after hearing they had registered, her parents continued to urge her to get a divorce. Not long after, she became pregnant with Su Miao. At that point, her parents finally, if reluctantly, shut their mouths.

Back then, she had been quite smug, thinking her parents were just old and that her judgment of character was far superior to theirs. She never imagined that in just a few years, she would be slapped in the face by reality.

She and Su Miao’s father had initially agreed to have one son and one daughter. She hadn’t expected that Su Miao would not be very bright from a young age; He Aizhi poured all her heart and soul into Su Miao, leaving her with no energy to have and raise another child.

Su Miao’s father, however, thought the complete opposite: “It’s precisely because Su Miao isn’t smart that she needs a younger brother to take care of her.”

At the time, He Aizhi asked, “What if it’s a younger sister?”

Su Miao’s father was silent for a moment. “It’s still best if it’s a brother. Didn’t we agree at the start? One son and one daughter.”

He Aizhi’s heart went cold. She had thought Su Miao’s father sincerely wanted a brother to look after Su Miao, but it turned out he just wanted a son.

Back then, she could hardly handle raising one child like Su Miao. According to her own wishes, having just Su Miao was fine; she could give one hundred percent of her love to her daughter. So, having understood Su Miao’s father’s true thoughts, she refused on the spot.

Afterward, the two of them quarreled over this matter every few days for two or three years.

Later, they suddenly stopped arguing.

Later still, she heard that Su Miao’s father had a son with someone else.

And later, the two of them divorced.

In truth, while Su Miao looked well-behaved, it was only an appearance. Just as He Aizhi had refused to listen to her parents’ advice back then, Su Miao would not listen to her advice now.

He Aizhi suddenly felt a sense of defeat.

She still did not think highly of Duan Bainian, but… she couldn’t bear to watch Su Miao continue like this.

Having raised Su Miao for twenty years, she had invested half a lifetime of effort into her. Seeing Su Miao heartbroken was a hundred times more painful than being heartbroken herself.

She didn’t know if Su Miao’s future would be good or bad; for now, she just wanted Su Miao to stop crying and instead be like she was before—able to eat two large bowls of food in one sitting.

She only wondered: if one day Su Miao really was abandoned by Duan Bainian, would she look back and remember that her mother had cautioned her out of genuine sincerity?

He Aizhi suppressed her tears. “Go find Duan Bainian. Mama… won’t stop you anymore.”

Su Miao looked at He Aizhi in disbelief. “Are you serious?”

He Aizhi turned her head, not wanting her daughter to see her tears. “I’m serious. Why would Mama lie to you?”

Su Miao immediately moved to open the car door. Hearing the commotion, He Aizhi grabbed her. “What are you doing?”

Su Miao’s eyes were bloodshot. “I… I’m going to find her.”

He Aizhi compromised, “Don’t you have to finish your porridge before you go? In your current state, do you even have the strength to walk?”

Su Miao didn’t want to keep worrying her mother and replied obediently, “Then let’s go have some porridge together.”

He Aizhi searched along the street and stopped the car in front of a chain porridge shop.

After ordering two bowls of vegetable porridge, He Aizhi took two sips and said, “You eat first. There’s something at the company; I’m going out to make a phone call.”

He Aizhi went outside and called her assistant.

“Have you drafted the contract termination for Duan Bainian?”

The assistant replied, “It’s almost ready. I was just about to send it for you to review.”

He Aizhi said, “No need. We won’t be terminating the contract with Duan Bainian for the time being. Dispose of the contract yourself. Also, don’t reject the resources and collaborations coming in for Duan Bainian anymore. Handle them as before—show them to me after screening.”

The assistant was stunned. “Understood. Is there anything else, Sister He?”

He Aizhi: “Nothing else. Hanging up.”

Returning to the porridge shop and seeing that more than half of Su Miao’s bowl was gone, He Aizhi felt much better.

She sat down to continue her porridge and asked, “Do you still feel nauseous now?”

Su Miao shook her head. “It seems the digestive medicine the doctor gave is working. I don’t feel nauseous now; I can eat.”

He Aizhi breathed a sigh of relief. “Since you can eat, finish the whole bowl.”

After finishing the porridge, Su Miao spoke tentatively, “Then… can I go find her now?”

He Aizhi forced a smile. “Go on. When you get there, explain things clearly to her. Tell her that Mama isn’t playing the ‘stumbling block’ anymore.”

Hearing He Aizhi say this, Su Miao actually felt a bit embarrassed. She stood up. “Then I’m going, Mom.”

Watching Su Miao duck into a taxi and disappear, He Aizhi finally regained her composure. She stood up despondently, preparing to go home.

Su Miao arrived at Duan Bainian’s apartment at 6:30, but no one answered the door despite her knocking for a long time.

Su Miao was a bit confused.

She was afraid that Duan Bainian wouldn’t open the door if she knew it was her, so she intentionally stayed silent. But why still no answer?

While she was wondering, He Aizhi called.

“Have you reached Duan Bainian’s house?”

Su Miao said dejectedly, “Yes, I’m here, but Duan Bainian won’t open the door for me.”

He Aizhi: “I just remembered to ask the assistant. Duan Bainian went to take promotional photos for ‘Shadow’ today. She might finish quite late. Why don’t you come home first and look for her tomorrow?”

Su Miao: “Huh? She’s not home? Then… I’ll wait for her. It’s already past seven; it probably won’t be much longer.”

She didn’t expect that this wait would last until 11:00 PM.

Su Miao already had no strength in her body, but she held on by sheer willpower. By 11:00, she truly couldn’t hold on any longer and sat half-reclined on the carpet outside Duan Bainian’s apartment door.

Beijing in January was already deep into winter. The draft in the hallway made Su Miao shiver uncontrollably. Fortunately, the heating from inside the apartment seeped out slightly, making her feel a bit better.

The hallway lights flickered on and off. Su Miao curled her body up, staring unblinkingly at the elevator.

At 11:30, she heard the “ding” of the elevator opening on her floor.

Duan Bainian was back!

Su Miao chuckled sillily, using a burst of energy to scramble up. She didn’t want Duan Bainian to see her in such a pathetic state.

Unexpectedly, she heard Duan Bainian say, “Wait for me here a moment, I’ll be right out.”

Su Miao was a bit dazed. Who was Duan Bainian talking to?

Soon, she heard Baron say, “Sure, I’ll wait for you here.”

Duan Bainian turned the corner, and Su Miao unexpectedly crashed into her line of sight.

Duan Bainian froze for a second, but her face quickly turned cold again. “What are you doing here?”

Su Miao was in disbelief. “It’s this late, and you’re bringing Baron home?”

Duan Bainian frowned. “What does that have to do with you?”

Hearing that something was wrong, Baron immediately followed her around the corner. “What’s going on?”

Su Miao’s eyes began to sting.

Because of Duan Bainian, she had been so sick these past few days that she couldn’t eat, her whole body was weak, and she could barely stand. Yet she had waited for several hours in this cold weather.

She hadn’t expected that what she was waiting for was Duan Bainian bringing a man home.

Seeing Su Miao, Baron was also greatly surprised. “Little Cutie? Are you waiting for Duan Bainian? It’s midnight—why didn’t you call her beforehand?”

She had been blacklisted by Duan Bainian long ago.

Su Miao already hated Baron calling her “Little Cutie,” and now, being poked in her sore spot, she stepped forward and shoved Baron. “Don’t be a hypocrite here! Go away! Go away!”

Duan Bainian grabbed Su Miao. “Stop making a scene and go home.”

Su Miao panted, “You… you think I’m making a scene?”

Duan Bainian pursed her lips and said nothing.

Su Miao broke free from Duan Bainian’s hand and went to shove Baron again. “Why haven’t you left yet?!”

Baron stumbled from the shove. Just as Duan Bainian was about to grab Su Miao, she saw Su Miao plop down onto the floor, panting even harder.

Only then did Duan Bainian realize something was wrong. Who pushes someone else and ends up falling down themselves?

She stepped forward to support Su Miao, frowning. “Are you unwell?”

Hearing those words, Su Miao finally couldn’t hold it back and began to cry. “Duan Bainian…”

Duan Bainian suppressed her impatience. “Are you sick? Have you seen a doctor?”

Su Miao’s face was crumpled in tears. “You… make him leave!”

Duan Bainian grew angry. “I’m asking if you’re sick! Have you seen a doctor!”

Su Miao was startled and said softly, “I’ve seen a doctor…”

Duan Bainian: “What did the doctor say?”

Su Miao: “The doctor just told me to eat properly…”

Hearing that she had seen a doctor, Duan Bainian felt relieved. She looked up at Baron. “Wait a moment, I’ll go grab the script.”

Baron: “Okay.”

Duan Bainian pulled Su Miao up, placed her on the sofa, went to the cabinet to get the script, went out to give it to Baron, and then returned to Su Miao’s side.

Su Miao asked, “Is he gone?”

Duan Bainian: “He’s gone.”

Su Miao: “Oh…”

Duan Bainian frowned. “Since you’re not feeling well, why are you running around outside?”

Only then did Su Miao remember her purpose. She said with a beaming smile, “My mom let me come!”

Duan Bainian: “What?”

Su Miao couldn’t stop grinning. “My mom agreed to let us date!”

Duan Bainian clearly didn’t believe her. “There’s no need for this. Can you keep up a lie for a lifetime?”

Su Miao’s eyes widened. “I’m telling the truth! Why don’t you believe me!”

Duan Bainian gave a small smile; she naturally didn’t believe it.

Su Miao made a move to take out her phone. “Wait, I’ll call my mom and let her tell you.”

Seeing that the call was about to go through, Duan Bainian quickly stopped her. “Don’t call.”

Su Miao emphasized again, “My mom really agreed!”

Duan Bainian silently scrolled through her phone, not responding.

Su Miao said anxiously, “I’m not lying, really! I got sick, and my mom felt bad for me, so she stopped blocking me.”

Duan Bainian’s eyelid twitched. “How did you get sick?”

Su Miao was a bit dazed. “I don’t know… it seems like it was that morning I came to find you. You wouldn’t open the door, and I got cold.”

Duan Bainian was incredibly irritated. “Are you stupid? If the door doesn’t open, you just stay there and don’t leave?”

Su Miao scratched her head. “I didn’t stay that long. Probably only half an hour. It wasn’t as long as I waited tonight.”

Duan Bainian was momentarily stunned. “What time did you come today?”

Su Miao said with a bitter face, “I came at seven. I thought you were home. I didn’t expect you to come back so late… Oh, Duan Bainian, you have no idea how cold your hallway is. I almost froze to death.”

Hearing Su Miao’s slightly coquettish tone, Duan Bainian was both angry and resentful.

Angry that Su Miao was acting as if nothing had happened, and resentful that she herself was still susceptible to this behavior.

But a breakup was a breakup. Could acting cute cover up everything that had happened? Those few sentences Su Miao said in the recording still made her heart ache when she thought of them.

Duan Bainian stood up. “It’s quite late. You should go home early.”

Su Miao was stunned. “Go home?”

Duan Bainian: “Yes. Let’s go, I’ll call a car for you.”

Su Miao’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Why should I go home? Haven’t we already made up?”

Now it was Duan Bainian’s turn to be incredulous. “When did we make up?”

Su Miao said urgently, “My mom agreed to let us date!”

Duan Bainian: “…” She was once again defeated by this fool’s bizarre logic.

Su Miao: “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

Duan Bainian was actually moved to angry laughter. “Your mom’s agreement is your mom’s agreement. When did I ever say we made up?”

Su Miao belatedly realized that what Duan Bainian said wasn’t entirely without merit.

She wanted to argue but couldn’t find a suitable reason for a moment.

Duan Bainian walked toward the front door while saying, “I’ve called a car for you. It’s almost here. Let’s go, downstairs, I’ll see you off.”

Seeing that she was about to be kicked out again, Su Miao’s face crumpled in anxiety.

Seeing Su Miao wasn’t moving, Duan Bainian urged again, “Hurry up.”

Su Miao picked at the sofa cushion, feeling terribly wronged. “My mom agreed and you’re still kicking me out. Do you not like me anymore?”

Having been inexplicably blamed, Duan Bainian didn’t even bother to speak. She walked straight back, intending to pull Su Miao out.

Su Miao had no strength because of her illness and was pulled right off the sofa by Duan Bainian.

The moment she stood up, Su Miao felt terribly dizzy. She panted, “Don’t pull me, I feel sick…”

Duan Bainian paused and let go. “Then walk yourself.”

Since the hand was let go, Su Miao naturally didn’t move. She peeked at Duan Bainian, standing still and making no sound.

Duan Bainian remained expressionless. She knew it would be like this, so she reached out again to pull Su Miao’s arm.

Being pulled along, Su Miao started yelling, “I really feel sick, Duan Bainian! Don’t do this! I feel sick, I feel sick, I feel sick!”

Duan Bainian was fed up. “From the sound of your shouting, you seem to have plenty of energy!”

Su Miao froze, realizing she had indeed been shouting too loudly.

She peeked at Duan Bainian, then peeked at the floor.

Grit her teeth, steeled her heart, closed her eyes, and with a “thud,” she collapsed onto the floor.