The Ex-Wife Of A Wealthy/Powerful Family Tempts Me To Treat Her Badly/Betray Her - Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Many Aspects to Fine-Tune

Jiang Yu had grasped the general situation and originally intended to return straight to the company to discuss the specifics with Lu Linqiao.

However, en route, Lu Linqiao informed her that a model had accidentally fallen down the stairs, and she couldn’t leave her emergency meeting. Jiang Yu needed to go to the hospital with the model.

By the time the matter was resolved and she returned to the company, it was past ten in the morning.

When Jiang Yu entered Lu Linqiao’s office, Lu Linqiao and Ji Zhou were already deep in conversation.

They had clearly been talking for a while, as the water in the cups on the table was more than half gone.

Ji Zhou leaned back on the sofa, opening her mouth with a hint of exasperation: “I do know that girl, but what is she even talking about? She’s just a younger sister I’ve sponsored.”

Lu Linqiao: “I know, I’ve heard you mention her before.”

“Over the years, the transfers you made for her sponsorship and through third-party institutions should all leave a trace. This shouldn’t be a particularly difficult problem to solve.”

Ji Zhou nodded in agreement: “Exactly, that’s what I was thinking. I feel like they’re brainless; this allegation is even less credible than the plagiarism one.”

Speaking of this, Ji Zhou and Lu Linqiao exchanged a look, both with a certain degree of concern.

The sound of the door opening had been moderate. Ji Zhou was aware of Jiang Yu’s arrival and naturally turned her gaze to her: “You’re here. What’s your take on this?”

Jiang Yu leaned against the edge of the sofa and pondered: “Let’s observe for now. If someone is trying to target me or Qiao Qiao, they will inevitably make subsequent moves.”

“In any case, the most important thing right now is to clarify your situation. And thank them for the trending topic; it saves me the money I would have spent buying one.”

Ji Zhou stretched and stood up: “That’s the truth, but it’s genuinely annoying.”

“I’m feeling restless; I’m going to the smoking room. Ms. Jiang, care to join?”

Jiang Yu didn’t feel like smoking right now, so she shook her head: “You enjoy yourself. I’ll rest here for a bit.”

Ji Zhou acknowledged her with an ‘un-huh,’ waved her hand, and left the office.

Only Jiang Yu and Lu Linqiao remained in the office.

Lu Linqiao asked: “Is Bao Yi okay?”

Jiang Yu nodded: “It’s not extremely serious, not a fracture.”

“You haven’t eaten yet, have you? I have instant oatmeal here. Just eat a little for now.”

Jiang Yu wasn’t particularly hungry, but she did feel it was about time to eat, so she nodded in acceptance: “Thank you.”

“Help yourself. I have a lunch appointment. I’m leaving now.”

Jiang Yu nodded and proceeded to prepare a cup of oatmeal.

The rich scent of oats wafted into her nose. Jiang Yu held the cup and slowly took two bites.

In the quiet moment, she picked up her phone again.

Just as they had expected, this incident seemed to be fueled by someone. By now, the trending topic related to Ji Zhou had dropped to second place, and the top spot was occupied by a hashtag about the mysterious person behind Ji Zhou.

Jiang Yu stared at the keyword for a long time. After a while, she made a call to her assistant.

“Focus your investigation on people related to Lin Cheng.”

Hearing this, Lin Yao fell silent for a moment to consider.

News in the fashion industry always traveled fast. While their confidentiality work regarding Ji Zhou had been decent, it was inevitable that some rumors would leak out.

Jiang Yu had been out of the front line for years and was not involved in competition with anyone. Moreover, Jiang Yu’s personal relationships in the modeling circle had been decent over the years. She could be said to have no enemies; it wouldn’t make sense for someone to use the Ji Zhou incident to slander her.

“I understand, Ms. Jiang. I’m already looking into it.”

Jiang Yu slowly stirred the oatmeal, replying: “Good, thank you for your hard work.”

…

“What is the meaning of sending me so many messages?”

The establishment of a new project in the group’s apparel division required many meetings that she had to attend in person.

It was already past eight in the evening when Rong Wei finished the on-site inspection and the wrap-up meeting.

Back in her office, her private phone screen kept lighting up with numerous messages from her younger sister, Rong Shi. Fearing that Rong Shi had something important to say, she called her back.

“Why did you send me so many messages?”

Since she was home and the new semester hadn’t started, Rong Shi was incredibly free.

Upon seeing Rong Wei’s message, she immediately sprang up from her bed and began: “It’s just some gossip! I know you never pay attention to this stuff.”

“But this time is a little different.”

“The target of the current public outcry might be Sister Jiang Yu, my idol, and also your wife!”

Rong Shi didn’t actually intend to pry into her sister Rong Wei’s privacy. It was just that now knowing the relationship between Jiang Yu and Rong Wei, while sharing gossip with friends, she forwarded the news that might concern Jiang Yu to Rong Wei as well.

Hearing this, Rong Wei’s faint chuckle came through the line: “What if I told you we’re divorced now?”

For a moment, Rong Shi was stunned. She let out an incredible ‘Huh’ and then asked, “So, you two have absolutely no contact now?”

Rong Wei was silent for a moment before only saying: “Even if we do have contact, neither of us will interfere with the other’s affairs.”

On the other end of the line, Rong Shi reflected with a complex expression. She opened her mouth, momentarily unsure of what to say.

After all, this sounded exactly like something Rong Wei would say.

Gentle, mature, and possessing just the right amount of restraint.

She let out a soft “awoh,” her tone slow: “Sister, you must be busy. I won’t bother you.”

Rong Wei looked up, checked the time, and stood up: “Mm, rest early, and remember to study hard.”

“I know. You also need to take care of yourself over there.”

“If you’re bored, you can message me anytime.”

Rong Wei smiled and agreed. Then, the call ended.

It was now past eight in the evening. Rong Wei’s neck felt a bit stiff, so she stood up and walked to the window to stretch a little.

France was truly a magical country.

For instance, right now, the sky had just darkened. The surrounding streets flowed with weak light, not dazzling, but possessing a strange, almost romantic, atmosphere.

Rong Wei relaxed for a moment, then retracted her gaze and sat back down in her office chair.

She hadn’t forgotten that she still owed Jiang Yu an answer.

Actually, the answer to this question was never in doubt.

Rong Wei naturally picked up her phone, navigated to the chat box with Jiang Yu, and sent a voice message: “Are you busy right now? Want to chat?”

About half an hour later, a video call request from Jiang Yu came through.

Rong Wei raised an eyebrow and, after a brief pause, pressed ‘Accept.’

Jiang Yu was likely still outside, as the background was mostly dark, with only a street lamp shining above her head. The sound of the wind faintly drilled through the receiver.

Her features were exceptionally striking; even standing under the street lamp, her face was bright and captivating, without any distortion.

“Ms. Rong is quite fast. I thought you would consider it for a while longer.” Jiang Yu spoke first.

Rong Wei looked at Jiang Yu and chuckled: “There’s nothing to hesitate about in this matter.”

On the other side of the lens, Jiang Yu raised an eyebrow, a smile spilling over her lips.

“However, Miss Jiang, there are many aspects that I think we still need to fine-tune.”

Jiang Yu opened her mouth, perplexed: “Such as?”