Volume 1, Chapter 128: What’s Wrong With Me Looking at My Own Girlfriend?

"I am your woman! How could you ask me to go to other men? You promised to marry me!"

A heart-wrenching cry echoed through a luxurious, sprawling apartment. Zhao Yiyi stared at Li Jiang, who stood before her, her expression one of utter disbelief.

"Don't make a scene. It was just a fling. Did you really think you could marry into our family? Look at yourself—what part of you is even remotely worthy of me?" Li Jiang’s voice was icy, his expression filled with disdain. "The clothes you wear, the bags you carry, the luxurious apartment you live in—all of this is provided by me. You should be grateful."

"Li Jiang, are you even human? I gave you my purity, and this is how you treat me?" Zhao Yiyi’s voice was choked with sobs.

Li Jiang looked impatient. "Enough. We’re both people of the world; learn the rules of the game. It’s just a transaction. I slept with you, yes, but I also gave you a chance to debut, gave you resources, and provided the life you’ve always wanted. Or did you think you could have reached this level on your own?"

Every word of Li Jiang’s cold remarks felt like a lash against her heart. Yet, she was helpless. She could only bow her head and weep, her eyes filled with regret. Li Jiang was right; wasn't it precisely for these things that she had willingly followed him in the first place?

But why did she feel so miserable? If only she hadn't broken up with Jiang Yu back then. No, she was right—what was wrong with wanting a better life? Setting aside the facts, it was all Jiang Yu’s fault. Yes, it was his fault. If he had shown his talent back when they were together, she wouldn't have ended up in this position.

However, it was not over. Seeing her cry, Li Jiang showed no pity. He stepped forward, gripped her chin, and spoke with complete indifference: "There is no such thing as a free lunch, nor is there a cure for regret. Since you chose this path, you should have known what the outcome would be."

After saying this, Li Jiang laughed again. "As long as you are obedient, everything you have remains yours. If this matter is handled well, I’ll give you even more resources. Be a good girl, and listen."

With that, he scooped Zhao Yiyi up in his arms and carried her into the bedroom. Zhao Yiyi did not resist; she could not.

...

At the largest stadium in Shanghai, a woman wearing sunglasses and a very revealing outfit stood in the shade. Zhao Yiyi watched the luxury complex where people came and went, her expression incredibly complex.

Jiang Yu’s upcoming concert was a trending topic on the internet, and she had naturally taken note of it. After their breakup, Jiang Yu had displayed astonishing talent, frequently topping the trending charts within months of his debut. She knew Jiang Yu had become successful, but she had no idea he had become *this* successful.

Looking at her own social media account with just over a hundred thousand followers, then at Jiang Yu’s, which was nearing ten million, she felt a pang of bitterness. On the day of the Golden Melody Awards, Jiang Yu had shone on stage, standing his ground against the industry establishment. She had originally thought his career was over and felt a sense of satisfaction, but she never expected that so many superstars would scramble to request songs from him.

*Red Bean*, *Legend*. She had listened to both songs, and she was truly jealous. All of this should have belonged to her. Jiang Yu had grown into a genius collaborating with musical icons, while she had been reduced to nothing more than a tool for Li Jiang to use at home.

She was not reconciled to this. Yesterday, after Li Jiang left, she had frantically tried to call and video chat with Jiang Yu. But on WeChat, all she saw were red exclamation marks. On the phone, there was only a mechanical voice: "The number you have dialed is temporarily unavailable."

She knew in her heart that it wasn't because of bad reception; it was because Jiang Yu had blocked her on every platform. Thinking of this, Zhao Yiyi felt even more aggrieved. When she was with Jiang Yu, he had always catered to her every whim. Even though they hadn't had much money then, Jiang Yu would work hard to buy her whatever she wanted. Why had a man who treated her so well become so heartless after they broke up?

Zhao Yiyi could not accept this attitude from Jiang Yu, especially when combined with the way Li Jiang treated her. After much thought, she decided to find Jiang Yu herself. She took a late-night flight to Shanghai and came to the Bund One to intercept him.

She even wore her most provocative outfit—lace at the chest hinting at what lay beneath, denim shorts, and black stockings with lettering. She drew many eyes along the way, and she was confident; with her beauty, there was no man she couldn't seduce. But since she couldn't contact Jiang Yu and only knew he was in Shanghai preparing for his concert, she had no choice but to wait here like a rabbit waiting for a tree stump. Surely, they would come to inspect the concert venue eventually, right?

For several days, from morning until night, she watched the staff coming and going. Thinking of Jiang Yu shining on the stages of the Army Day celebration, the National Day gala, and the Golden Melody Awards, her heart ached.

Li Jiang merely used her as a tool to vent his desires, and the resources he gave her were nothing more than charity. She didn't want to live this life anymore. Therefore, her main purpose in coming this time wasn't to fulfill the task Li Jiang had given her, but to beg Jiang Yu to take her back. At the very least, with Jiang Yu, she was a person, not a tool.

Some people are just like that—others treat them like human beings, yet they insist on being tools. But once they have had their fill of being a tool and want to be a person again, is it really that easy?

...

The Bund One.

"Do we have any official business to attend to today?" Jiang Yu was busy preparing a sumptuous breakfast in the kitchen.

"No, the most important thing right now is your concert." Su Muyu rested her chin on the table, watching Jiang Yu intently.

Jiang Yu brought the breakfast over and playfully tapped Su Muyu on her nose. "Since there's nothing else, why don't I take you out for a stroll?"

Su Muyu’s lips curled into a smile; she truly enjoyed Jiang Yu’s affection. "Ticket sales for the concert are starting soon. Why don't we go together and check out the venue?"

"Sure!" Jiang Yu’s eyes lit up. He also wanted to see the place where he would hold his first concert. "Let’s eat first, and we'll go once we're full."

"Mm." Su Muyu smiled sweetly.

After the meal, Su Muyu went back to her room to get ready. A moment later, she emerged. "How is it? Does this look good?"

Jiang Yu, who had been sitting on the sofa playing on his phone, looked up and was instantly dazzled. Today, Su Muyu was wearing a loose white sweater and shorts, revealing her long, straight, and fair legs. Her face was lightly made up—a truly stunning beauty.

That such a beauty was his girlfriend made Jiang Yu’s heart flutter. Seeing Jiang Yu’s gaze lingering on her legs, Su Muyu gave him a playful, annoyed look, walked over, and put on a pair of knee-high boots. "And you said you didn't have a foot fetish."

Hearing this, Jiang Yu blushed. "I don't, I didn't, don't talk nonsense. Besides, what's wrong with me looking at my own girlfriend?"

"What a dork. Let's go!" Seeing Jiang Yu’s mixture of shyness and bravado, Su Muyu couldn't help but laugh. She put on her boots and tucked her arm into his.

Jiang Yu smiled, and the two headed out the door.