In less than ten minutes, Xiao Xu'an’s call came through.
Xiang Wanniao swiped to answer, softening her voice. "Hello, Brother An, what’s wrong?"
"Qiaoqiao, didn't you promise me yesterday that you wouldn't divorce Gu Jingzhan? Why did you sign the divorce papers?"
"I know, but Gu Jingzhan had someone bring the papers over this morning. Since he’d already signed them, I figured I might as well sign them too."
"Xiang Wanniao!"
Xiao Xu'an’s voice rose, laced with a hint of irritation as he barked her full name.
"Brother An, what’s the matter? Haven't you always wanted me to divorce Gu Jingzhan and elope with you? Why are you stopping me now? Besides, how did you know I signed them? I only told Weiwei!"
Xiang Wanniao asked with a calm heart, trying to force him to show his hand.
This rapid-fire questioning caught Xiao Xu'an off guard.
"I..."
"Brother An, is there something you're keeping from me?"
"What could I possibly be keeping from you?" Xiao Xu'an’s anger vanished instantly. "Qiaoqiao, don't overthink it."
"Then..." Xiang Wanniao let the word trail off.
"Qiaoqiao, I received news today that the West City Tourism Resort Development Project is going to open for public bidding next week. I want to secure this project so I can finally have some say within the Xiao Family and the Xiao Group."
In her previous life, it was her help that allowed him to steal the Gu Group’s reserve bid, securing him the project.
From then on, his status had skyrocketed. Not only did he gain the favor of Elder Xiao, but he also managed to get himself a seat on the board of the Xiao Group, just as he had wanted.
But even that hadn't satisfied his wolfish ambition.
Xiang Wanniao asked him bluntly, "So, you want me to stay by Gu Jingzhan’s side and steal their bidding price?"
"Qiaoqiao, don't you hate Gu Jingzhan for the unscrupulous way he forced you into marriage? Now there’s a perfect opportunity for you to get back at him."
Xiao Xu'an didn't bother to hide his intentions; after all, he needed Xiang Wanniao’s cooperation to land the project.
Xiang Wanniao clenched her fists and feigned compliance. "Alright, don't worry, I’ll help you."
"I knew you loved me the most, Qiaoqiao. And about the divorce..."
"Don't worry, the papers are still in my hands."
Xiao Xu'an clearly breathed a sigh of relief, his tone hiding a hint of delight. "That’s good."
"Someone’s here, I can’t talk anymore."
"Alright."
Xiang Wanniao didn't want to say another word to him and hung up on a pretext.
Xiao Xu'an, I paid a devastating price for loving you in my past life.
In this life, I want nothing more than to skin you alive!
Her fist tightened until her knuckles turned white, the hatred in her eyes growing intense. She was so immersed in her thoughts that she didn't even notice Jiang Peijun walking in.
Seeing the look of pure hatred on her daughter’s face, Jiang Peijun frowned, her eyes filled with curiosity.
"Qiaoqiao, what’s wrong?"
Xiang Wanniao snapped back to reality, stripping the hatred from her eyes and forcing a smile. "Nothing, just thinking about some things."
Jiang Peijun nodded, not pressing further.
When she placed the food container on the table, her eyes drifted to the drawer where the divorce papers lay. She asked, puzzled, "Qiaoqiao, didn't you say you wouldn't divorce Jingzhan? Why are the papers already drawn up?"
Xiang Wanniao followed her gaze and explained, "Don't worry, I didn't sign them. I’ll tear them up in a moment."
Jiang Peijun sat down on the edge of the bed with a serious expression, taking Xiang Wanniao’s hands. "Qiaoqiao, tell Mom the truth. Do you still want to divorce Jingzhan?"
"No."
Her answer was as crisp and firm as it had been yesterday, leaving no room for doubt.
"Then..."
Jiang Peijun wanted to say more, but Xiang Wanniao grabbed her hands, interrupting her.
"Mom, I’ve essentially died once. I finally see clearly who truly treats me well. I won't let him down again."
"It's good that you know." Jiang Peijun felt a deep sense of relief. "Xiao Xu'an is a man of deep schemes, calculating and petty—he is truly not a good match for you."
Listening to her admonitions, Xiang Wanniao felt her nose sting.
They had seen through Xiao Xu'an’s wolfish ambition all along. It was she who had been stubborn and blind, refusing to listen to their warnings and even causing rifts with them for his sake.
Xiang Wanniao lowered her head in shame, her voice apologetic. "Mom, I’m sorry."
Jiang Peijun smiled gently and reached out to stroke her hair. "Why are you apologizing all of a sudden?"
"I was too willful in the past, not listening to you and making you worry."
"You silly child, we don't blame you." Jiang Peijun said patiently, "Jingzhan is a good boy. Mom can tell he truly cares for you. Don't let down his sincere heart again."
"I won't."
So everyone knew of Gu Jingzhan’s love for her, but she had never cared. She had hated him to the bone for forcing her into marriage, only to be played for a fool by a scumbag and a so-called best friend.
Jiang Peijun added, "When you’re discharged tomorrow, go home and have a meal with Jingzhan. Your sister is returning from abroad tomorrow as well."
Sister!
Xiang Xingyu!
She was still alive—that was wonderful.
In her previous life, Xiang Xingyu had been blinded by Lü Siwei and sold into a den of vice, where she was repeatedly abused by perverted men and contracted a venereal disease.
In the end, unable to bear the humiliation, her sister had jumped from the roof of the hospital.
The sight of her death had been tragic.
Thinking of this, Xiang Wanniao felt a pain in her heart so sharp she could barely breathe.
In this life, she would change their fates.
Xiang Wanniao took a deep breath, smiled faintly, and replied, "Alright."
After lunch, while Jiang Peijun was out of the room, Xiang Wanniao used her phone to send an instruction to an unknown number.
The recipient immediately called back after reading the message.
"Miss, what are your orders?"
Xiang Wanniao spoke coldly: "From now on, I want you to tail Xiao Xu'an and Lü Siwei twenty-four hours a day. I want to know everywhere they go and everyone they meet."
"Understood."
"Also, conduct a thorough investigation into all assets under the names of Xiao Xu'an and Lü Siwei. I want to know exactly which businesses and projects they control."
"Understood."
"And one more thing: have Hualing acquire shares in both the Xiao Group and the Weian Group in her own name. Be as discreet as possible; do not let the Xiao Family or Xiao Xu'an notice."
"Understood."
With her orders given, Xiang Wanniao hung up, a cold, sharp smile playing on her lips.
Xiao Xu'an, Lü Siwei—my game of revenge has only just begun.
Everything you owe me from my past life, I will take back, bit by bit.