The Secret of Second Marriage

I smiled tactfully, then coldly refused: "I'm determined to terminate the contract."

"Jiang Man, think this through carefully. I personally promoted you, and now you want to betray me and terminate your contract? Do you think it's that simple?"

Director Zhang frowned.

"If you're not satisfied, see you in court."

Without fear, I turned around and prepared to leave the office.

But I underestimated the wickedness of human nature.

Xie Xue actually closed the office door, then slapped herself in the face, even burning her fingers with a cigarette butt, before glaring at me with a vicious look and saying, "Jiang Man, I'm going to sue you for abusing your manager!"

I was stunned.

Director Zhang Zhiwei shamelessly said, "Jiang Man, you are just a newcomer in the entertainment industry. Now you have finally made a hit TV series that has become popular all over the country and have gained a little fame."

At this point, your agent, Xie Xue, called the police and exposed your despicable character and abuse of your agent. Do you think anyone will still hire you for acting roles?

I never expected Xie Xue to be so shameless!

"Using such underhanded tactics to frame someone! This agency is so unethical, I won't stay here any longer."

I sneered without fear, kicked open the office door, and left with a flourish.

I wasn't actually afraid. Ever since I went through the divorce proceedings with my ex-husband, I've been more cautious. I carry a voice recorder in my bag and have a hidden camera on my clothes button, recording the process of negotiating the termination of the contract.

I originally wanted to give Director Zhang face, after all, she is a well-known woman in the industry, always wearing red dresses, with big wavy hair and bright red lipstick, looking very charming.

I heard that Director Zhang used to be a female celebrity who often accompanied investors and patrons in the industry for drinks. She was a social butterfly who played matchmaker and introduced her to her current husband. After they got married, she became a director and producer.

She's been busy looking for young and beautiful women in the industry.

I heard that she and her husband each have their own affairs, and she has three sons, the youngest of whom has a mysterious father.

After I left the agency, I drove to a coffee shop to meet Juan and Yuxiang.

Brother Yuxiang has been contacting private investigators to investigate my case.

Juan is a socialite with a wide network of connections, and she also helped me find out about Su Mixue's background.

We met at a coffee shop, found a private room, and ordered tiramisu and coffee.

Brother Yuxiang was very generous. He handed me the information he had found and said, "According to the information I found, President Jiang's uncle, Hai Zhiqiang, is ostensibly the second-in-command of the company and has always supported President Jiang in inheriting the group."

But in reality, he always harbored ulterior motives. On the surface, he was genuinely loyal to President Jiang, but in reality, he was plotting to be the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

He used President Jiang to remove the shares of President Jiang's stepmother and several children from the company, and then tried to seize power from President Jiang.

This project was facilitated by President Jiang's uncle, and it's also President Zeng's first major project since taking office. If over 800 million yuan goes down the drain, the board might consider replacing President Jiang!

I was stunned.

Sister Juan seemed to be deep in thought, and then told me something even more frightening: "That Su Mixue, on the surface, is a sexy and beautiful female internet celebrity, but in reality, she is a female swindler."

She and her mother were born in the countryside and didn't receive much education; she's not Mr. Su's niece at all.

She was a beautiful woman cultivated by President Su's group, specifically used to seduce businessmen and officials.

Su Mixue had previously seduced several business owners with assets of over 100 million yuan across the country, forcing them to break up their families and go bankrupt.

She's set her sights on President Jiang this time, probably to swindle over 8 million yuan in project funds.

However, those people have quite powerful connections. For your safety, I don't recommend you get involved in President Jiang's affairs.

After listening to the information that Juan and Brother Yuxiang had found out in private, I can deduce that Su Mixue, President Su, Hai Zhiqiang, Wang Hao... President Jiang's most trusted relatives and brothers were setting a trap for him to fall into.

I felt a chill run down my spine, my back went cold, and I broke out in a cold sweat.

I never knew people could be so treacherous and vicious!

Around noon, Mr. Jiang, Brother Yuxiang, and I found a restaurant. While eating, I was a little absent-minded and lost in thought.

This project was introduced by someone Jiang knew very well, so he must have never had any doubts from beginning to end.

That group of people had their eyes on President Jiang.

No wonder I was threatened when I accompanied President Jiang on his business trip to Suzhou.

Looking back now, I think they were afraid that if I stayed in Jiangsu for a few more days, it would disrupt their plans.

Yu Xiang said to me, "Man, people's hearts are treacherous, we must be on guard. Those people are capable of anything for profit, they might even kill!"

Listen to me, don't tell President Jiang about this, or you might face retaliation.

President Jiang has bodyguards protecting him, and after all, he is the president of a group with a net worth of billions. Losing 8 million is just paying for peace of mind; the worst outcome is being kicked out of the company.

"I know"

I said, "Brother Yuxiang, let me think about it carefully."

"Your sister-in-law cooked dinner at home tonight, Man. Why don't you come over for dinner and drinks?"

Brother Yuxiang said, "You saved my wife's life on that road in Tibet before. You will be my benefactor for life!"

"Come on, let's get together at my place tonight. Don't think about these messy things."

I politely declined.

I really don't feel like attending parties right now.

After finishing his meal, Brother Yuxiang received a phone call and was about to leave. Before leaving, he earnestly advised me: "Man, I know you are a woman with a strong sense of justice."

But don't dwell on the internal power struggles within the Jiang Group's upper echelons; people always live in reality.

You've already been threatened by assassins arranged by that group. It's not easy for a divorced woman like you with a daughter.

This matter is far beyond your capabilities. If you still tell President Jiang the truth in the end, reality will immediately slap you in the face!

Man, let me give you a piece of advice: be realistic, and never put yourself in danger!

"I understand, thank you for your concern for my older brother."

I say.

After Yu Xiang finished speaking, he left to attend to his own business.

Juan comforted me for a few moments: "Man, I know you. You wouldn't do anything against your conscience. If you really do remind President Jiang, take your daughter and go into hiding for a few days..."

Juan and I said goodbye and went home. Zeng Wanwan asked me to accompany her to look for a job.

She plans to work during the day and study for the civil service exam at night, so that she can earn some living expenses through her own efforts.

I accompanied Zeng Wanwan to look for a job nearby. Several hotels needed waitresses, with a monthly salary of over 5000 yuan. I was worried that it would be unfair for a young lady like Zeng Wanwan to work as a waitress, so I wanted to refuse on her behalf.

Zeng Wanwan, however, insisted on finding a job.

She took my hand and led me into a large hotel near my neighborhood. I had an interview at the front desk. She was beautiful and had excellent manners. She passed the interview quickly and became the lobby manager.

The hotel manager informed her to be at work promptly at 9:00 AM tomorrow.

Zeng Wanwan was very happy. This was the first time in her 20s that she had found a job and supported herself through her own efforts.

She is hardworking and can support herself; she doesn't need to rely on her father for the rest of her life.

When we got home, Zeng Wanwan was video chatting with Gu Jian in the bedroom, talking about how she went to look for a job that day.

Gu Jian said, "Wanwan, whatever you want to do, I will support you! Just one thing, don't work too hard."

However, I still want to advise you to stay home and prepare for the civil service exam instead of working at a hotel; it's too tiring.

I've given you my salary card. If you need more money, just take it from there. You know the PIN.

"I'm just keeping your salary card safe; I won't squander your money."

Zeng Wanwan was thinking that if she and Gu Jian didn't end up together, she would return the card to him even if she couldn't use it.

I can't sleep. I stand on the balcony, looking at the lights of every house, lost in thought. Maybe I should just accept reality.

President Jiang has already completed the preliminary work for the project, and he has been inspecting the land in Suzhou these past few days, checking the contract details and so on. He will only sign the contract after confirming that everything is correct.

Should I tell him?

If I tell him, I might face retaliation and be in danger.

I was torn by inner turmoil.

The next morning, as originally planned, at 10 a.m. today, President Jiang and President Su were to hold a signing ceremony, and there would be firecrackers, ribbon-cutting, and cheers.

Now, as an observer, I watched helplessly as President Jiang's uncle raised a cruel knife and brought it down on President Jiang. The company's 800 million yuan in working capital went down the drain, and the board of directors might find an excuse to remove President Jiang from his position as president.

Then the company that President Jiang had worked so hard to save for his father was gone.

Around 8 a.m., I wasn't in the mood, so I just drank a sip of soy milk, ate a small bowl of noodles, and then took my daughter to school.

My ex-husband was still waiting for me and my daughter at the elementary school gate.

He held a bouquet of roses and two homemade bento boxes, one large and one small. He gave one to his daughter and one to me, saying, "Man, I was wrong. Please give me another chance so I can make it up to you and your daughter!"

"Late-blown affection is worthless!"

I threw the lunchbox into the trash can, and left the flowers on the ground, leaving a mess of flower fragments everywhere.

Xue Fan was stunned.

I ignored him, dropped my daughter off at elementary school, and then drove away.

Around 8:30 in the morning, General Manager Jiang called me.

I hesitated for a long time before answering his call, saying through my earphones while driving, "Feed?"

"Man, the contract is being signed this morning. After that, I can come back to Beijing to be with you."

Mr. Jiang said, "I miss you so much, Man. I've been really tired these past few days. When you go home tonight, come stay at my place. I want to try the dinner you made for me—porridge, vegetables, and meat, just ordinary home-cooked dishes."

This kind of everyday life makes me feel at ease and happy!

"I'll cook for you when you get back!"

I say.

Mr. Jiang must be quite busy. He said good morning to me, reminded me to eat breakfast, said he would bring me a gift when he got back, and then hung up the phone.

As I drove, my thoughts were in turmoil. I gritted my teeth and told myself, "Man, when did you become so cowardly and afraid of death? No matter what, you must be a woman with principles!"

After I made up my mind, considering that Mr. Jiang's phone call might be tapped, I quickly went home, opened my laptop, and sent Mr. Jiang an email.

The time is 9:08.