Chapter 13: Why Hate Her

“Li Jiuwei!”
His voice carried a note of displeasure.
Li Jiuwei smiled indifferently, tossing a document onto Li Jingchen’s desk. “Let’s talk,” she said.
She was here for business, nothing else.
Li Jiuwei spoke with calm assurance, while Li Jingchen’s gaze was inscrutable.
“Well?”
“I can’t sign this deal,” Li Jingchen replied.
Truthfully, this was the outcome she had already anticipated.
Li Jiuwei had always believed that Li Jingchen was able to hold onto the position of president at Li Group because he was different from the rest of the family. Still, she decided to give it another try.
“We can negotiate the terms,” she offered.
“Jiuwei, our parents don’t want me to work with you,” Li Jingchen suddenly said.
She froze for a moment.
She had always known this, but hearing the words come from Li Jingchen’s lips still left her gasping for air.
Her entire family ostracized her.
“So, what about you?”
“You’re my sister too. It was Xin Chun and Jiang Huaijing who wronged you, not me. I shouldn’t be taking their side, but… Jiuwei, Xin Chun is pregnant now, and her health has always been fragile. I can’t just stand by and watch something happen to her.”
His gaze turned cold as he continued, “Jiuwei, as long as you apologize to Xin Chun, I’ll sign immediately.”
“If in your eyes Xin Chun is the only one who matters, then there’s no need to put on a show in front of me.”
“Jiuwei, being too stubborn won’t do you any good.”
“That’s my concern, not yours. Mr. Li, I’ll leave the contract here. Sign it whenever you come around.”
With that, Li Jiuwei left.
Zhang Bing was anxiously waiting outside. When she found out the contract hadn’t been signed, her shoulders slumped in defeat. “We’re doomed.”
“Don’t give up until the very last moment.”
“But I’ve lost all confidence.”
“The business world changes in an instant. Li Jingchen will come around,” Li Jiuwei replied with a faint smile, as if she were in control of everything.
With those words, Zhang Bing cheered herself up.
After they parted ways, Li Jiuwei returned to Zhaoshan Villa. Since she planned to break off the engagement with Jiang Huaijing, it was time to start packing her things too.
Unfortunately, as soon as she returned, she ran into Jiang’s mother.
“Jiuwei, come here. These are some new jewels I’ve bought. I thought they’d suit you perfectly.”
Jiang’s mother sat in her wheelchair, holding an exquisite box.
Inside was a string of jewels, worth millions. Her gifts were always luxury items, but Li Jiuwei declined politely, “Auntie, this is too generous. I can’t accept it.”
“You’re my future daughter-in-law. A gift from your future mother-in-law can’t be refused.”
“Auntie, Jiang Huaijing and I will part ways sooner or later.” Her intention had never changed.
Hearing this, sorrow clouded Jiang’s mother’s eyes.
“Jiuwei, Huaijing can change.”

“It’s not about whether he can change. It’s that our fate has run its course.” Her voice was firm.
Jiang’s mother, who had wanted to try persuading her further, gave up for the moment.
“If you’re set on breaking off the engagement… can you wait until after my birthday? Just let me have this wish I’ve held for so many years.”
Over the years, Jiang’s mother had always treated her well.
It was only a month more.
“Alright,” she agreed.
“Thank you, Jiuwei.”
Jiang’s mother was delighted and decided to stay for dinner that evening.
Night fell.
Jiang Huaijing came home alone. Seeing that Li Xinchun wasn’t there, Jiang’s mother called out to him, delighted.
“Huaijing, sit beside Jiuwei.”
She never missed a chance to bring the two together.
Jiang Huaijing looked sullen, but Li Jiuwei didn’t notice. She ate her dinner quietly and occasionally checked her messages from Feng Su.
“Huaijing, when you have time, take Jiuwei out to relax. Don’t spend all your days working. She’s lost a lot of weight lately.”
“I don’t have time.”
“You can always make time if you try.”
Ding—
Another message.
Jiang Huaijing glanced at Li Jiuwei. Who was she chatting with that made her so happy?
Li Jiuwei was indeed delighted.
The little wolf’s post-shower photo was truly tempting!
He never missed a chance to tease her, and Li Jiuwei’s lips curled with a smile. If this kept up, she might really find it hard to let him go.
Ding—
Another one.
Jiang Huaijing sneered, “Getting a lot of messages. Are you that attractive?”
“I can’t help being outstanding,” she replied with a graceful smile, which only irritated Jiang Huaijing further.
Seeing the two about to argue, Jiang’s mother quickly intervened.
“I’m done eating, Auntie. Please, take your time.”
Li Jiuwei went upstairs to reply to messages.
As soon as she entered her room, Feng Su’s video call came through.
She hesitated, then picked up.
“Sister—do you like it?”
“It’s alright.”
“Sister, don’t lie. I can tell you want to devour me… It’s a long night ahead. Will you come over tonight?”

On the other end of the video, Feng Su was bare-chested, his figure on full display. Li Jiuwei couldn’t help sighing—he truly was a seducer.
Suddenly, she heard the door open. Li Jiuwei quickly hung up the call.
“Who were you talking to?”
Jiang Huaijing asked.
“My little lover, of course. He’s been clingy lately and wants to make things official.”
Jiang Huaijing’s expression darkened, but he forced a smile.
So she was putting on a show again, trying to provoke his jealousy.
“Fine, go ahead and make it official. I don’t care,” he said.
Li Jiuwei clicked her tongue softly.
So full of himself.
“Get out, I need to rest.”
“Don’t pretend to be chaste. Who knows how many men you’ve slept with.” His eyes were full of contempt. Li Jiuwei trembled, staring at Jiang Huaijing’s face twisted with malice.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly what I said.”
“Explain yourself. What have I ever done to deserve such humiliation from you?”
Li Jiuwei’s heart pounded. Did he know about what happened three years ago?
That was the one thing she feared facing most.
She was tense, but Jiang Huaijing, seeing her reaction, took it as confirmation of his suspicions.
“Nervous? No matter how guilty you feel, you can’t change the filthy things you did in the countryside. Stay away from me—I don’t want to catch something from you.”
So it wasn’t about three years ago.
Now it was the countryside again?
“I haven’t done anything. Jiang Huaijing, you have no right to slander me.” Her eyes blazed with anger, meeting only hatred in Jiang Huaijing’s gaze.
Her heart shuddered.
At this moment, Li Jiuwei’s doubts reached a peak—why did Jiang Huaijing hate her so much?
“I don’t believe a word you say.”
With a mocking laugh, Jiang Huaijing slammed the door behind him as he left.
Li Jiuwei rushed out after him. Her explanations had never mattered to Jiang Huaijing. She stopped in the hallway, biting her lip gently.
Forget it. He’ll never believe her, no matter how much she says.
The childhood friendship they once shared had ended when they were twelve.
Feng Su called again, but she hung up.
When another call came through, Li Jiuwei answered impatiently, “How many times have I told you? Stop calling. You’re really…”
“Weiwei, it’s me.”