My hands shook and nearly dropped the magazine onto the floor. It was amazing Jiang Li could even be featured in ZZ Fashion. He might be a bit smarter, a bit more knowledgeable but there was nothing extraordinary about him, right?
I was not satisfied and read through the magazine interview. When my eyes fell on the words 'XQ Network', I gaped with my mouth open and was speechless.
XQ Network was a website that had risen rapidly within just a few years. Although it was not as strong as other bigger networks, it was still the fastest growing and it's development prospects was one of the most promising. I am a layman and do not understand the workings or advantages of a network but from the perspective of an ordinary internet user, XQ Network had really done a good job. The site's vision was very unique, for example, there were several popular domestic web games and they were all from XQ Network. The forum on this site was very aggressive, many sites might ban posts or speech but in this forum, there was freedom of speech and anything could be discussed. In addition, the site's server was very powerful, super fast and had never experienced any fault. On top of that, I also liked some of its relatively unique small features which were very convenient and practical. My blog was opened in XQ Network and I even had a lot of small items bought online via XQ Network's shopping channel.
And this latest issue of ZZ Fashion, the first sentence of the interview was, "As the founder of XQ Network, AD........"
So imagine how shocked I was.
AD is the founder of XQ Network and according to Jiang Li, AD is his pseudonym. That means, Jiang Li is........he is the founder of XQ Network........
So, this world of fantasy........
I stared at the sentence in the magazine and then placed my hand on his arm and gave him a pinch. He let out a scream and I dropped the magazine, looked at him and slowly said. "This is really not an illusion."
He rubbed his arm, helplessly shook his head. "Guan Xiao Yan, accept the reality of this."
I suddenly pounced on him and grabbed his neck, while shaking him, sadly said. "Tell me, tell me, how can this be? How did you suddenly become the founder of XQ Network? ........"
He easily disengaged my hands from his neck and calmly said. "I've always been."
Me: "Why didn't you tell me?"
JL: "You didn't ask."
Me: "....."
I clenched my fist and my heart burned with anger. He did this intentionally, absolutely! As the founder of XQ Network with his handsome looks and with the ability to put on an act, getting ZZ Fashion to do the interview was simply too easy. So, he had deliberately set this trap, laid a bet with me and waited for me fall for it!
I could not hold my calm any longer and pulled him by his collar, viciously said. "You! You deliberately bet with me?"
Jiang Li with both his arms resting on the sofa did not resist. He proudly replied. "I remembered it was you who wanted to bet with me."
I was taken aback for a moment and thought of another point. "Then, why did you pretend that you would not be able to get this interview?"
He smiled. "This is called adopting deceptive strategies to defeat the enemy. Anyway, you believed what I told you."
Me: "....."
I was speechless and cried in my heart. This world was too dark and even had given birth to such a scoundrel as him. He was a pest!
He removed my hands from his collar and smilingly said. "Guan Xiao Yan, do you remember what we had bet on?"
I looked at him with indignation.
If I say, I forgot, will you believe me?
Jiang Li nodded, said. "I know you did not forget. So, from now on, all your bank deposits are mine. What do you think?"
I did not have the energy to shake my head.
He continued to say. "Also, do not forget to resign the day after tomorrow. Do you need me to go with you?"
I felt more powerless. "You can if you want to." I know you want to go and see Wang Kai.
He shook his head and sighed. "Guan Xiao Yan, in fact, if you had withdrawn the money from your bank when you bet with me, you will not suffer any economic losses."
That was a really good idea, why didn't I think of that before? Jiang Li, ah, Jiang Li......why didn't you tell me earlier and now made me regret? So, you deliberately did this to anger me? ........
I sat on the floor, leaned back against the sofa and did not even have the energy to raise my head.
Jiang Li in a happy mood pulled at a strand of my hair. He said. "Guan Xiao Yan, go and prepare dinner."
This old woman does not have any more money and no job, why do I still have to cook! Starving to death will be better!
He looked at my indifference, so he said. "Well, if you do not want to cook, then I will do it."
I shuddered and said. "Okay, okay, I will do it! Jiang Li, you are really my uncle!" I struggled to stand up and walked towards the kitchen.
Behind me, he suddenly said. "Am I that old?"
I turned and stared at him. "Shut up! Jiang Li, you are so heartless!"
JL: "....."
***#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#***
Jiang Li's body recovered quickly after I had waited on him for a day. So, on January 04, he was his normal lively self and swaggered along to escort me to hand in my resignation.
I had never heard of anyone resigning due to losing a bet and so I really sympathized with myself.
Wang Kai was sitting leisurely behind his huge desk. When he saw me walking into his office, he grinned and then he saw Jiang Li behind me. His smile froze......
I forced out a crooked smile and put my resignation letter on his desk.
When Wang Kai saw the resignation letter, his expression changed. He swept a glance at Jiang Li and asked me faintly. "Secretary Guan, do you really want to resign?"
I hesitated and nodded, bowed my head, not daring to look at him.
Vice-President Wang, in fact, I really do not want to resign.......it was not easy for me to cheat my way up to this highly paid position........
Wang Kai: "Why?"
Me: "I have written in my resignation letter."
Wang Kai: "I want to listen to the real reason."
The real reason is..... I lost a bet. For such a shameful reason, even if I am beaten to death, I will not tell you......
At this time, Jiang Li, who had been silent all this while, said. "Xiao Yan, you have already handed in your resignation letter, we can leave now."
I also thought the same and nodded apologetically towards Wang Kai, turned around and left with Jiang Li.
"Jiang Li!" Suddenly Wang Kai banged his fist on the table. I was shocked and when I looked back, Wang Kai had stood up from his chair. Anger had covered his face with an expression no one would dare to ignore and he stared at Jiang Li. "How can you give her happiness?"
Jiang Li looked at Wang Kai's handsome face, paused for a moment, suddenly smiled. That smile was.......as if he was seeing some incredible or unreasonable things.
Jiang Li put an arm around my shoulder, glanced at Wang Kai, said. "So, you think you can?"
Wang Kai: "I certainly can. At least I am not gay!"
JL: "Well okay, let us do some comparisons. First, our status........you should know who I am. Southern Star seems to be richer than XQ Network but you must not forget, Southern Star belongs to your father. If you want to compare, then it would be between your father, Wang Cheng Hai and I.
Wang Kai laughed cynically. "Maybe, he really did compare with you, before."
Jiang Li looked down at me and said. "Moreover, Guan Xiao Yan is not interested in all these. She just needs to be able to eat every day and if in addition, she gets an annual income of about twenty hundred thousand, then she will be very happy. She doesn't even care if you are the successor of Southern Star or whether I am the founder of XQ Network."
I sweat. It is because you are the founder of XQ Network, all of this old woman's money have been cheated by you and you have the nerve to say this!
Jiang Li seemed to feel my dissatisfaction and patted my shoulder to comfort me. Then he turned to Wang Kai and said. "That aside, let's compare on the important points. You said you can give her happiness, how are you going to do that? Are you going to use the usual tactics that you use on other women? Forget whether I am gay or not, at least I have never played around with women."
Wang Kai: "Even if I play with other women, it does not mean I will play with her. I am sincere towards her."
"Sincere? Really?" Jiang Li said coldly. "Sincerity is shown through actions and not through words. If sweet words of deceit are considered sincerity, then sincerity in this world has no value. Although Guan Xiao Yan is stupid but she is not so easily fooled!"
I pulled at Jiang Li clothes, looked up at his sexy chin........Jiang Li, you are so eloquent........
Jiang Li lowered his head and gave me a slight smile. Then said to Wang Kai. "I will not waste time talking to you. Facts speak louder than words. Let's look at the fact that your type of men poses a greater security risk to all women!"
JL: "Let's take a step back and reconsider. If you really like her, how long will you continue to like her? A week? A month? Or a year? What will happen after a year? Did you ever think that if you do not like her any longer, how much hurt you will inflict on her? If you are unable to place yourself in her position and view the consequences from her point, then leave her alone."
JL: "If you want to play around with a woman, then do it openly and don't use love as a guise......of course, I will not allow you to play with Guan Xiao Yan."
JL: "Guan Xiao Yan belongs to Jiang Li....... Alive, she is Jiang Li's woman..... Dead, she is Jiang Li's corpse."
Jiang Li finished talking, did not wait for Wang Kai's reply, held me by my shoulders and guided me out the door. It looks like Wang Kai was momentarily defeated by his words and his brain suddenly slowed down .......after all, we are only mortals and Jiang Li, he is a pest.......
And I......my brain had completely gone blank and in my mind, the only words that kept repeating itself were 'Guan Xiao Yan belongs to Jiang Li. Alive, she is Jiang Li's woman..... Dead, she is Jiang Li's corpse.'
Alive, she is Jiang Li's woman..... Dead, she is Jiang Li's corpse........
I was led away by Jiang Li from XXX advertising company office building. Along the way, we attracted a lot of attention, mixed with some less reserved women's whispers and screams. Of course, I did not notice any of this because my brain was filled with Jiang Li's last words, repeating over and over in my mind.
My heart suddenly filled with a touch of sadness. How could he casually say those words? Did he know that it was easy for me to misunderstand?
But, why did my heart seem to flow with a feeling........as if.....touched?
I looked sideways at him, thinking........if only he is not a gay, if he is not gay......
I shook my head and smiled wryly. If he was not a gay, then I would not have the chance to get close to him, right?
Jiang Li put me in the car but I was still in a daze. Then he helped me put on my safety belt and gently patted me on my cheeks. He asked strangely. "Guan Xiao Yan, are you alright? Why are you looking so pale?"
I lowered my eyes and said lightly. "I'm fine, thank you."
JL: "You're welcome. In fact, this is not a big deal. You do not need to be so depressed."
"Oh....." I responded, hesitated for a moment, then summoned enough courage and said. "Jiang Li, you....."
Do you actually like me a little bit? But how can that be? You are a gay......but since you are a gay, do not act as if you like me, alright?
I was very nervous, I could not even feel my own heartbeat. I hesitated for a long time and in the end, I could not even utter a word.
Jiang Li asked in a strange manner. "What were you going to say..... about....me?"
I leaned against the seat and carefully lowered my eyes and whispered. "In fact, you do not need to be so nice to me."
Silence.
Still silence.
I thought Jiang Li did not hear me, I started to feel embarrassed and might just as well pretend nothing had happened. I pushed back all narcissistic ideas to the back of my mind and told myself over and over again that Jiang Li likes men, all women should step aside........
Just then, Jiang Li's clear cool voice replied. "I am willing."
***#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#***
I think Jiang Li had taken the wrong script because according to the original script, he should be interested in Wang Kai. But now ......although I dare not say he is interested in me, but the way he treated Wang Kai was impolite. I carefully asked him. "Jiang Li, tell me the truth."
Jiang Li was having his lunch which I had cooked for him. His mood seemed good. He was staring at the sweet and sour pork ribs dish and did not lift up his head. "Yes?"
I hesitated for a long time and finally mustered enough courage to ask. "Jiang Li, you really don't like Wang Kai?"
JL: "Nonsense, do you really like him?"
I explained. "I am not referring to that type of 'liking'.......the other type of 'liking', uh..... that is, men liking men, you understand........."
He took a piece of ribs and chucked it into my mouth, his expression did not look good. "Guan Xiao Yan, don't force me."
***#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#***
Since New Year would be around in a month's time, there was no rush to look for another job yet. Although my bank deposits were gone but Jiang Li said that as long as I cook for him and take care of the housework, he would give me some pocket money from time to time and if my performance was good, there would be bonuses too.
I said. "Can I work in XQ Network?" XQ Network, Yeah! One of my favorite sites, thinking about it made me excited.
Without any expression he replied. "I think you are more suited to be a full-time wife."
So, I was sadly transformed into his nanny, whereby I had to send him his lunch and accompany him to eat........because he did not like to eat alone. I was tortured by him and felt a little grievous, this guy was a bully.....
I really could not figure out, how the situation could develop into this. When we were just married I would only cook Jiang Li a meal if my mood was good.
No matter what my thoughts I had, the next day at noon, I still had to send food in a huge insulated pot to XQ Network headquarters.
The sweet looking receptionist at the front desk with an even sweeter voice asked me who I was looking for. Without thinking, I answered Jiang Li. The sweet receptionist was stupefied.
I suddenly remembered Jiang Li's pseudonym, then said. "I am looking for AD, sending him lunch."
The sweet receptionist glanced at the insulated pot in my hands, although polite but was trying to conceal the contempt in her eyes. She politely asked me whether I had made an appointment, and said a whole lot of nonsense which basically stated that a lot of people wanted to see AD and who do I regard myself as?
I felt that Jiang Li did not make any proper effort to make it clear to his staff. Obviously, he wanted me to send him his meals but why didn't he inform his front desk to let me through? I angrily gave him a call and asked him what tricks he was playing again. He laughed and reassured me that it was a small matter and to let him speak with the receptionist. I did as told.
Then, I saw the sweet receptionist put the cell phone next to her ear and for a moment, her face was full of surprise and excitement and also with respect. However, with just a few words from Jiang Li, her facial emotions were totally wiped off, replaced by disappointment, panic and unhappiness.
I looked at her expression with interest, in such a short period of time, she could have so many changes in expressions...... the girl was really talented.
The sweet receptionist answered the phone submissively a few times, handed the cell phone back to me and enthusiastically told me where Jiang Li's office was located.
***#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#***
When I walked into Jiang Li's office, he was sitting behind his desk, looking at some documents. I went over to the desk, carefully put the insulated pot down and said loudly. "Lunch time!"
Jiang Li looked up and saw me, curved his mouth into a smile. He moved his shoulders and said. "Give my shoulders a massage first."
You really think I am your nanny?
I wanted to oppose when he said. "About the bonus......."
Quickly and unscrupulously, I went over and stood behind him, using pressure, neither light nor heavy and massaged his shoulders. His shoulders were very wide........stop, stop, what was I thinking of........
As I was massaging his shoulders, I asked him. "What did you say to the little lady at the reception, just now? You scared her."
JL: "Nothing much. I just told her that .......a word from you, she can leave XQ."
I was shocked. "I, I.......am I that great?"
He was enjoying my massage and was looking at the insulated pot to see what was for lunch. At the same time, he leisurely answered. "You can try."
Well, I admit I dared not try. This pervert would really do it. I suddenly thought of the ancient eunuchs and court ladies who desperately schemed to try to work under the emperor and occasionally with only a few words, a person's life or death could be manipulated. Although this profession was dangerous, but the feeling of being so close to the top position was really cool.......wait.....why was I thinking of eunuchs and court ladies and not the Empress Concubine? No, not right. Looks like I could not be considered Empress Concubine, I am just Jiang Li's wife-in-name only, ah.....this in ancient times was considered.......an overlooked Concubine? (Slap myself......) What was I thinking of......ah.....ah......
After lunch, I did not go home immediately but anyway, even if I went home, I had nothing to do. It would be better if I loitered around Jiang Li's office for a while and pay a visit to the other XQ offices and then I could even go online the office forum to look at their chitchat. Good idea!
I nestled on the large sofa, watching Jiang Li sitting not far away. He was working on his computer, in concentration. His skin was white and delicate with deep eyes, high nose and slightly thin lips. From my point of view, his facial features were perfect, just like a man from the comic books. His hairstyle was very simple, not too long nor too short, like the neat hairstyle of a student. He was lazy to match his clothes and so he casually put on a white shirt with the top button undone, casual and relaxed. A very ordinary white shirt on his body displayed a different awareness. The sunlight coming in from outside threw a layer of golden light on him. Suddenly, I foolishly thought, standing in that layer of halo with him, would it be warm..........
Just then, suddenly Jiang Li looked up and glanced over at me. While still deep in my thoughts, I did not have time to react and like this, foolishly our eyes met.
He suddenly curved his mouth and slightly smiled at me, the golden rays hit his lips, very nice, very ........tempting......
"Guan Xiao Yan" Jiang Li suddenly called me.
Me: "Uh."
JL: "Wipe off your saliva."
I realized my gaffe, hurriedly lifted my sleeves and wiped the saliva off my mouth. It suddenly dawned on me that he had played this trick before. I remembered once Jiang Li had worn a thin bathrobe to cover his body and I almost had a nosebleed.......
His low laughter floated across the room as he said. "Guan Xiao Yan, you have been admiring me for a long time?"
Me: "....."
I angrily flopped on the sofa and played dead.
Jiang Li, if you do not say anything destructive, will you die?
I lay on the sofa and slowly fell into a deep sleep. I had a dream and it was a.....lustful dream. I dreamed that Jiang Li kissed me lovingly on my lips and I used my tongue to lick his lips, then he opened his mouth to hold my tongue, giving me a lingering kiss.......
However, in my heart there always seems to be a voice that keeps echoing the same words, unfortunately, you are a gay...........unfortunately, you are a gay......