The Secret of Second Marriage

Shen Xing had already paid the bill at the front desk sometime earlier. Our meal cost 699 yuan, which is reasonable for a first-tier city.

I was supposed to pay for this meal, but I was a bit lost and my eyes were glued to the screen watching the message from President Jiang.

A faint ache stirred deep within me, a pang of indescribable pain and regret.

I don't know if I still love President Jiang, or if I can't bear to part with him.

But what does it mean that he sent me these messages? Does he not forget me and want to see me? What about his girlfriend?

He's already engaged to another woman, why is he still looking for me!

Am I, Jiang Man, that kind of despicable woman? No, no matter what, I have one principle: I will never be a mistress, and I will never be a third party who interferes in other people's relationships!

As I was hesitating, I heard Shen Xing lean over and say, "Sister, what are you looking at? Is the doctor going to urge you to go back to the hospital again? I'll take a taxi to send you back later."

"no"

I whispered two words, but it was too late to stop Shen Xing from seeing what was going on; he had already seen it.

When Shen Xing saw the dazzling text message that appeared when he added a friend on WeChat, he froze on the spot, as if struck by lightning, and his eyes dimmed instantly.

He looked like a wilted eggplant, his face etched with sadness from just moments before, and asked me, "Sister, will you go?"

"Won't"

I'm serious.

"President Jiang already has a fiancée; there's no place for me by his side."

I forced my tears back and forced myself to maintain a relaxed and composed expression. I smiled and said, "Shen Xing, your sister Man is never the kind of woman who can't let go of things."

President Jiang is indeed a perfect marriage partner. He is successful in his career, handsome, and is pursued by countless girls wherever he goes. He is a hot commodity in the marriage market and the domineering CEO that every woman dreams of meeting.

But such a man is as dazzling as the moon in the sky, and he is never short of women. I don't want to be a star next to him, surrounded by so many other stars.

"I, Jiang Man, want to be the protagonist of my own life; I disdain being a third party."

"That's good, sis. I heard something: your agent is planning to sign an artist next week, and they've prepared a grand press conference and even contacted the media in the industry beforehand. Do you know who the new artist she's signing with your company is?"

Shen Xing's expression suddenly became very serious. Although he had a refined face like a young scholar in ancient style, he also had a touch of masculine charm.

Suddenly, a woman's name came to mind, in comparison to my breakup with President Jiang.

I was actually more worried about my career, so I asked nervously, "Do I know that celebrity you're talking about?"

"We know each other and are quite familiar with each other."

Shen Xing comforted me, saying, "That woman is Xia Weiwei. I heard that her mother gave her agent a lot of money and told her to take care of her daughter."

She not only signed with your entertainment company, but also wants to completely replace you. Your agent has probably already given her all the resources that were originally intended for you, behind your back.

Sister, don't be too discouraged. This is the norm in the entertainment industry. Every famous artist has to go through these dark times before they become famous.

But don't worry, I've already asked some acquaintances in the entertainment industry to put in a good word for you and help you terminate your contract with that agency. I heard that the director at Lemon Pictures really likes you and has praised your acting skills at dinner parties several times.

I heard you did a great job in that period drama you filmed called "The Peerless Spy".

This TV series has entered the post-production stage and should be released in a few months. Sis, I think with your hard work, you're sure to become famous!

"Where did you get all this inside information?"

I asked, somewhat shocked.

Shen Xing said, "Don't forget, all my college classmates are filming in various film crews after graduation. I just treat them to a meal and give them a red envelope before telling me."

Actually, I don't care about other actors or the unspoken rules of the entertainment industry; I only care about you, sister.

So I've been keeping an eye on your agent and Xia Weiwei for you. Be careful yourself...

"Um"

I say.

I originally wanted to stall for time, but I never expected that my agent, Xie Xue, that seasoned veteran in the entertainment industry, would be so ruthless towards me.

Knowing full well that Xia Weiwei and I are competitors, they still signed her to this agency.

Isn't this a blatant decision to sideline me and promote Xia Weiwei? Is it so great to be rich and powerful? Am I destined to be bullied because I have no money or power?

No, I, Jiang Man, possess an indomitable spirit.

The more they want to knock me down and trample me into the mud, the more they want me to never rise again, the more I will grit my teeth and stand up step by step!

I want to tell all those I've bullied that I, Jiang Man, am not the kind of person who can be bullied. One day I will stand on the awards stage, let my strength speak for itself, and shut up all those who can't stand me!

I thanked Shen Xing, but it was getting late and I had to get back to the hospital as soon as possible.

Shen Xing packed some seafood and a cup of milk tea, which I love, from his cousin's place. After our date, he hummed a lighthearted tune, hailed a taxi on the street, and took me back to the hospital.

We parted ways at the hospital entrance, and I said, "You should go home now."

Shen Xing said, "Sis, I know your agency hasn't arranged any roles for you lately. Just focus on your hospital stay. If you need money, just let me know. I have some money here that you can use first..."

At that moment, I was truly filled with emotion.

I looked very carefully into Shen Xing's eyes and said two words: Thank you.

"Don't be so polite with me, sis."

Shen Xing gave me a reluctant hug.

I carried the seafood and milk tea back to the hospital ward, and just in time to meet the doctor who came to check on me at 8 p.m.

Dr. Xiao Shui was tall and wore a white coat. He had glasses and a pen in his pocket. He had a low-key and refined demeanor, yet also exuded the aloofness and arrogance of an intellectual.

After checking on me and looking at my wound, he said, "Ms. Jiang, this is a one-time exception."

"I'm sorry about what happened today. It won't happen again."

I say.

Dr. Xiao changed my dressing and wrapped the white bandage around and around again. Then he asked me where I had been and what I had eaten that day.

Why are you asking these questions?

My first reaction was a bit annoyed. I felt like I was being interrogated as a criminal, with my privacy being questioned.

"Don't overthink it. The doctor is just asking you this to find out what you ate, where you went, and whether it could cause your wound to become infected or inflamed."

Dr. Xiao said.

I said, "I'm sorry, this is my privacy, and I refuse to answer!"

I am a stubborn woman. When I lose my temper, I refuse to answer any questions I don't want to answer.

Dr. Xiao Shui was stunned for a moment, as if she had never seen such a bold woman as me before, who didn't even listen to the doctor's words.

He said, "Patient, please behave yourself. If you don't listen to the doctor, the wound will become infected..."

"You will bear the consequences."

I said, "Don't worry, I won't blame your hospital, and I won't file a complaint against you!"

"..."

Dr. Xiao Shui was about to get angry, but seeing my attitude, she didn't say anything, finished her rounds, and left the ward.

Tonight, Juan didn't stay with me in the hospital room. Instead, she went to a bar to drink alone. She met up with a large group of wealthy female friends. First, they went to a club to play cards, and then they went to a nightclub and hired male models.

I watched the video Juan sent me. In the VIP private room of a glamorous nightclub, a group of wealthy women, each with an exceptionally refined air, sat eating fruit and singing, each with a male college student sitting next to them.

The male models had exceptionally good physiques, with their collars slightly unbuttoned to reveal their refined collarbones and strong pectoral muscles. However, they were all wearing makeup, making them look a bit too refined.

The sophistication achieved through makeup and styling is completely different from the handsomeness of a completely bare face.

Juan said to me, "Man, how was your date with that young guy today? You seem to be in a much worse mood now, haha. Who says only old men are allowed to date young girls? It's like an old cow eating young grass."

We women are just as charming as those young girls. We're knowledgeable, experienced, and wealthy; we can find any kind of cute guy we want. The male model I picked today is very handsome, and he's so sweet-talking that he made me very happy.

"Juan, I'm going back to the hospital. Don't stay out too late, go home early and be careful."

I say.

Juan sent me a bitter smile emoji after a moment and said, "Man, you don't know how bitter it is for your sister. Your sister has worked so hard to maintain her marriage and dignity for so many years, almost 20 years."

How could he be so heartless to treat me like this? I'm so resentful. I'm all alone now, what home do I have anymore? Once my two children go abroad to study, my home will be completely gone, and I'll be all alone from now on.

"Man," she thought, "I'm planning to start a company, register the same type as my husband's, and then steal their business. I'll crush them! Scumbags and mistresses, they're the creatures I hate most in this life!"

Juan said indignantly while drinking.

The male model next to her kept ordering her expensive drinks, drinking with her glass after glass, all smiles, calling her "sister" and coaxing her into opening many expensive bottles.

I'm a little worried about Juan.

It's not for any other reason than that, although those male models in nightclubs seem gentle and sweet-talking, they actually don't have much sincerity and are only interested in making money off their sugar daddies.

I was afraid Juan was drunk.

I'm her only friend in this city, and I want to go out and find Juan.

But Dr. Xiao kept a very close watch on me during his shift, as if he was afraid I would run away. He came to check on me several times throughout the night.

I had no choice but to tell Dr. Xiao, "Could I take a day off? I need to pick up my best friend from the nightclub; she seems to be drunk."

"Jiang Man, I've never met a woman more loyal than you. You dragged your injured hand to save your best friend."

Dr. Xiao said.

"Juan is my best friend in this city. She recently got divorced, and I can't just abandon her!"

I say.

Dr. Xiao thought for a moment, then took off his white coat when he returned to his shift. He then spoke a few words to the other doctors on duty in the department, took his car keys, and accompanied me out.

He said, "Come on, it's not safe for you to be a woman alone. I'll take you there!"

Besides, you're my patient, I have the right to protect you!

Why does this sound so much like a hero rescuing a damsel in distress? I suddenly realized that Dr. Xiao Shui was quite indifferent to everyone else, but for some reason, he was very kind to me.