When a "Sea King" is Bound to a System [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 66

Gu Tang’s action, it must be said, deeply hurt Jiang Yan.

The way she subconsciously turned her back, in Jiang Yan’s view, was a form of concealment. In three years of marriage, this was the first time Gu Tang had ever turned her back to reply to a message.

Jiang Yan pretended not to notice anything, asking calmly, “Who is it?”

Gu Tang’s finger tapped on the screen, replying with something unknown.

“A company employee. She said there were some work issues and asked me to go back and deal with them.”

Jiang Yan’s heart plummeted, but the expression on her face remained unchanged; she even managed a smile.

“What if I don’t want you to go back? Today is our wedding anniversary. Please spare some time to accompany me.”

Jiang Yan knew she didn’t have the right to be willful, so even though she had many doubts, her tone was still humble.

Gu Tang pulled her into her arms, kissed her hair, and said in a slightly hoarse voice, “I will only be gone for an hour or two. I’ll be back once I’ve sorted it out. Can you and Miaomiao go shopping first?”

Her voice was as gentle as ever, but Jiang Yan’s heart was as cold as ice. Gu Tang was consistently tender in bed, always giving her the ultimate pleasure.

But Jiang Yan didn’t know if she offered the same tenderness to others.

Qiao Ling had returned. She invited Gu Tang to her place, and Gu Tang didn’t refuse, which spoke volumes.

“Baby, why aren’t you saying anything? Are you angry?” Gu Tang released Jiang Yan and looked into her eyes, asking.

Jiang Yan smiled and replied, “No, I’m just thinking about where it would be best to eat. After all, it’s such an important day; we can’t be careless.”

Gu Tang smiled along with her, rubbing her nose. “Anywhere is fine, as long as I’m with you.”

Jiang Yan said nothing, still smiling, but her heart was like a landscape ravaged by a cold wind, barren and lifeless.

After Gu Tang left, Jiang Yan took a shower and stayed at home for a long time until Lin Miaomiao called to say the reservation was set, bringing her back to her senses.

“How was it? Were you happy spending time with your CEO Gu?” Lin Miaomiao’s voice was full of playful mockery. Jiang Yan knew what she meant, but she wasn’t in the mood to joke.

“Miaomiao, do you still remember Qiao Ling?”

“Qiao Ling? Which Qiao Ling?” Lin Miaomiao paused, then asked in surprise, “You’re not talking about Gu Tang’s ex-girlfriend, are you?!”

Jiang Yan fell silent. Thinking of Qiao Ling and Gu Tang’s past, her heart felt heavy as stone.

When they married, Gu Tang clearly told her that their marriage was merely a business alliance. They only needed to keep up appearances in front of both families and outsiders. She could give Jiang Yan anything but her feelings.

Anything but her feelings…

Gu Tang’s heart had always belonged to Qiao Ling. Marrying Jiang Yan must have been purely a decision by a company executive, after all, Gu’s Corporation was in crisis at that time, and the conditions offered by the Jiang family were so tempting. Only a fool wouldn’t accept.

At the time of the marriage, Jiang Yan was full of confidence, thinking, It’s just Gu Tang; I’m so beautiful and rich, I refuse to believe I can’t win her over.

She had thought this for the past three years, and even up until today.

But now she was uncertain.

With Qiao Ling’s return, did she still have a chance?

“Speak up! What are you doing? You’re making me anxious!”

Lin Miaomiao’s impatient voice came through. Jiang Yan took her phone, stood up, and picked up her bag to leave.

“I’m coming to find you. Let’s talk when we meet.”

She hadn’t lost yet, had she? She still had a chance before Gu Tang made a choice. At least for now, they were still legally married wives. Qiao Ling was, at best, an “ex-girlfriend,” a thing of the past. What was there to be afraid of?

After giving herself a pep talk, Jiang Yan drove her red Ferrari out.

This was the birthday gift Gu Tang gave her in their first year of marriage. Jiang Yan hadn’t held out much hope, but Gu Tang personally went abroad to choose it. She was so excited for days. Her courage grew, and on her birthday, she “packaged” herself and sent herself to Gu Tang’s bed, which then… spiraled out of control, giving a certain person a taste of pleasure.

The rain was still falling. Jiang Yan, wearing a red velvet dress, with long curly hair cascading down her back, carrying a globally limited edition bag, and wearing nude high heels from a major brand, was exquisitely groomed from head to toe. She attracted many people’s attention as she walked into the mall.

Lin Miaomiao spotted her immediately, lifting the corner of her eye and muttering “femme fatale” to herself before walking up to her.

“You’re too exquisite. You make me look like a simpleton.”

Jiang Yan looked at Lin Miaomiao, who was dressed casually, feeling incredibly envious, yet still expressed disdain. “I’ll accompany you to buy a couple of outfits then?”

“Good! Good! Will you pay?” Lin Miaomiao blinked her eyes, looking expectant.

Jiang Yan sighed. “You’re a rich family’s heiress, after all. Can you not act so destitute?”

“Oh, come on! Can I compare with you? You have talent, and your family spoils you. My parents don’t give me money at all. I only get that little bit each month; it’s not even enough for food. Yan Yan, as my best friend, you wouldn’t just watch me starve to death, would you?”

“Alright, alright, stop playing pitiful! I’ll pay, is that okay?”

“Yay!”

Lin Miaomiao beamed, pulling Jiang Yan into a designer store.

Gu Tang left home and went straight to the address Qiao Ling had sent her. She didn’t want the incident from noon to happen again, so she felt it necessary to warn Qiao Ling.

Qiao Ling came looking for her as soon as she returned. Gu Tang was well aware of her intentions. She initially wanted to keep things civil for both of them, but since Yan Yan saw her, this matter had to be resolved quickly.

Although the marriage was not what she originally wanted, after living together for three years, she had become accustomed to Jiang Yan’s presence. If she had to choose someone to spend the rest of her life with, that person could only be Jiang Yan.

She rang the doorbell, and Qiao Ling opened the door from the inside. She was wearing a very revealing nightgown, with key areas faintly visible.

Gu Tang frowned, saying coldly, “Since you’re not dressed appropriately, I’ll come back another day.”

“Oh, well, since you’re here, come in and sit down.” Qiao Ling grabbed Gu Tang’s hand. Gu Tang glanced at her indifferently, her eyes radiating an aura of do not approach.

Qiao Ling immediately withdrew her hand, her eyes beginning to redden, looking about to cry. “If you don’t like it, I’ll just change, okay? Why are you so fierce? People are coming and going here. Are you just going to let me stand here with you?”

Gu Tang avoided her, walking sideways into the house. She placed the bag in her hand on the table.

“This is the item you left yesterday. I came to return it to you.”

It wasn’t a valuable item, but it was inappropriate to keep it with her, as she was a married woman.

“Didn’t we agree on one each back then? You don’t want it anymore?” Qiao Ling said with a trembling voice, taking the mug out of the bag and hugging it to her chest.

Gu Tang was unmoved, her gaze not on Qiao Ling. “You said ‘back then.’ Since it’s a thing of the past, let’s not bring it up again. We both need to look forward.”

The reason she was still willing to speak calmly with Qiao Ling was that she understood Qiao Ling. If the matter wasn’t resolved properly, she would definitely go to Jiang Yan and speak nonsense. She did not want Qiao Ling to disturb Yan Yan, so it was best to settle it privately.

Qiao Ling had put on a little show, only to realize the other party wouldn’t even look at her. She was so angry she nearly smashed the mug in her hands.

She had managed to find this mug amongst a pile of sundries with great difficulty. She had intended to use it to jog Gu Tang’s memory, but it hadn’t worked at all.

It seemed Jiang Yan had cast quite the spell on her in these three years.

Qiao Ling put the mug down and said tearfully, “Please sit for a bit. I’ll go change.”

Gu Tang’s heart was unperturbed. She held her phone, ready to reply to Jiang Yan’s messages at any moment, but unfortunately, there hadn’t been a single message since she left.

Jiang Yan was never clingy with her; in fact, she could be said to be overly relaxed with her. Unlike other people’s wives who would call when their spouse was late or worry about infidelity, she seemed not to worry about Gu Tang cheating at all, or perhaps she simply didn’t care.

Thinking of this, Gu Tang felt inexplicably irritated. She looked out at the rain curtain, her eyes darkening.

Qiao Ling dawdled for a long time before returning in a slip dress. While still revealing, it was within an acceptable range.

Gu Tang didn’t want to waste time and got straight to the point. “Don’t come looking for me again. My wife will be displeased.”

Qiao Ling’s hand, pouring water, paused. She smiled as she handed the cup to Gu Tang. When she leaned over, a large portion of the snow-white skin on her chest was exposed. Gu Tang looked straight ahead, completely uninterested in such trivial tricks.

In her position, she was constantly subjected to temptation. She couldn’t be bothered with Qiao Ling’s low-level tactics.

Qiao Ling also realized that the current Gu Tang was no longer the naive person she once was, who would believe anything said to her. She had become mature and charming, which attracted her even more and ignited her competitive spirit.

What was the fun in conquering a foolish woman? Only a domineering CEO who disregarded everything was a challenge.

“Have a glass of water first. We haven’t seen each other for so many years. Don’t you have anything you want to say to me?”

“No.”

Gu Tang glanced at the water glass on the table but did not pick it up. She spoke clearly and concisely.

Qiao Ling was repeatedly rejected, and she became more and more frustrated. She put on a nostalgic act.

“I really miss our past. I didn’t go a day without thinking of you during these four years. I thought you would be happy when I came back, but you treat me like this. It’s truly heartbreaking. You really don’t love me anymore?”

Gu Tang didn’t indulge her words. Instead, she looked at her with meaningful eyes, as if her gaze could see through her.

Qiao Ling became uncomfortable under her scrutiny. She got up and walked toward the kitchen. “You sit for a bit. I’ve slow-cooked your favorite soup; it should be ready soon.”

Gu Tang stood up, her face devoid of emotion. “I don’t like it anymore. I like my wife’s cooking. She is waiting for me. If there’s nothing else, I’m leaving.”

She turned to walk out. Qiao Ling swiftly rushed over and embraced her from behind.

“Tang Tang, do you truly have no regard for our past feelings?! I came back for you after so much hardship. I thought things would be the same as before, but you keep saying things that hurt me. Do you really not love me at all?”

As she spoke, tears started to fall, and even the posture of her crying was controlled, making her look like a sorrowful beauty.

Gu Tang said coldly, “Let go!”

“No! I have a feeling that if you walk out of here, I’ll never get another chance to see you. Just stay and have a meal with me, please? I promise I’ll never bother you again after we eat.”

Gu Tang’s eyes were deep. She looked down at the hands wrapped around her waist, an expression of disgust flashing across her face.

“You let go of me first.”

“Will you leave then?” Qiao Ling’s tone was pathetic.

“No.”

Gu Tang controlled her temper so her voice didn’t sound too cold.

Qiao Ling didn’t dare to push too far and slowly let go of Gu Tang. Gu Tang turned around and looked down at her.

“You sit for a while. I’ve been stewing the soup you like. It should be ready soon.”

Qiao Ling said and quickly walked away, her steps a little hurried. She actually dared not look Gu Tang directly in the eye, fearing she would see through her intentions.

Compared to the past, this woman not only possessed a mature charm but her gaze was also much sharper, carrying the authority of a superior. Merely being stared at gave her an invisible pressure.

Gu Tang checked the time and sat down again. Since she was here, she might as well resolve the issue once and for all.

Or rather, resolve the person creating the problem directly, preventing her from having any improper thoughts.

Qiao Ling brought out a bowl of soup, a faint steam rising from it. “Quickly taste it and see if my cooking has deteriorated.”

Although she said this, Qiao Ling felt guilty. This was not soup she had specially stewed for Gu Tang but the leftovers she had made for herself last night on a whim.

She hadn’t wanted to do this, but Gu Tang kept insisting on leaving, so she had to use this to keep her.

If she stayed, she would be very willing to make her a fresh bowl.

Gu Tang glanced at it and, as before, did not reach for it. Instead, she asked Qiao Ling, “What will it take for you to stop bothering me?”

The forced smile on Qiao Ling’s face froze. She clenched her fists tightly, and her patience began to wear thin.

This Gu Tang is so much harder to deal with than before; it’s maddening!

“Money? Or something else?”

Gu Tang spoke very casually, without any emotional burden. In her mind, Qiao Ling was this kind of person; otherwise, she wouldn’t have left her when Gu’s Corporation was in crisis.

“Do you think I, Qiao Ling, am that kind of person?”

“Aren’t you?” Gu Tang curled her lip, full of sarcasm. “We’re all old foxes here. Stop playing games with me. State your purpose, and let’s discuss this openly, so we don’t waste each other’s time.”

Qiao Ling moved closer and hugged Gu Tang. The soup on the table was consequently knocked over, splashing onto Gu Tang’s clothes.

Fortunately, it was leftover soup, so the temperature wasn’t too high, but it still stained Gu Tang’s clothes.

“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I didn’t do it on purpose!” Qiao Ling quickly apologized, a flash of triumph in her eyes. No matter what, she was determined to make Gu Tang stay.

Gu Tang’s face darkened like ink. She pushed Qiao Ling away, shaking the food residue from her clothes.

“I already gave you a chance, but you didn’t treasure it. Don’t come looking for me again, and don’t let me see you, or I’m not sure what I might do.”

She could forgive Qiao Ling harassing her, but she would absolutely not tolerate her harassing Yan Yan. Of course, the best outcome was for neither of them to be harassed.

The tears that had previously clung to the corners of Qiao Ling’s eyes now fully streamed down her face after Gu Tang’s words. She grabbed Gu Tang’s arm and said, “I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean it. I’m very sorry I stained your clothes. Why don’t you go take a shower? I’ll have someone buy a new set of clothes and deliver it.”

Gu Tang checked the time. There wasn’t enough time to go home. So, she entered the bathroom with a sullen expression.

Qiao Ling kept apologizing until Gu Tang closed the bathroom door, then revealed a strange smile.

Even the smartest person loses reason when furious. Didn’t I just catch my opportunity?

Gu Tang’s phone being left there was certainly convenient for her, especially since she knew Gu Tang’s password.

It seemed her trip to Gu Tang’s company yesterday wasn’t without merit; at least she saw her phone password.

Qiao Ling curved her lips, found the contact named “Wife” in the phone book, and dialed the number.

Jiang Yan and Lin Miaomiao had been shopping for clothes for two hours, and her legs were aching badly. She was resting in a coffee shop when Gu Tang’s call came in.

She looked at the name on the caller ID, and a smile naturally appeared in her eyes.

No matter how upset she had been earlier, seeing Gu Tang’s name still made her unconsciously happy.

This is a sickness that needs to be cured.

“Whose call is it? Why aren’t you answering?” Lin Miaomiao prompted.

Jiang Yan finally slid the ‘accept’ button, only to hear a clear, feminine voice from the other end:

“Tang Tang, are you going to wear my nightgown?”

A muffled, indistinct sound came from the background, but Jiang Yan could confirm it was Gu Tang’s voice.

“The clothes will be delivered soon. Let’s go shopping together another day. I don’t have any of your clothes here, which is quite inconvenient.”

Qiao Ling made sure Jiang Yan heard what she wanted her to hear, then decisively hung up and deleted the call record. Gu Tang heard her say these inexplicable things and ignored her.

Jiang Yan’s hand slid down, and the phone fell to the ground, the screen shattering into white lines.