Chapter 11: Shock! Mr. Li Has Strayed Yet Again

Zhang Xiluo and Jiang Xueting exchanged a glance and turned to leave, but the woman deliberately blocked their way, her face full of provocation.

Inside the room sat Li Mingye and Ouyang Chen, along with a few others from their circle. Aside from Zhao Chengyi, the notorious attention-seeker, Zhang Xiluo had little impression of the rest.

Since their path was blocked, Zhang Xiluo simply gave up on leaving and entered the private booth instead. She chose a seat as far from Li Mingye as possible, watching as the woman sat herself down right beside him.

“Luoluo, I didn’t know they’d be here,” Jiang Xueting whispered.

“It’s fine,” Zhang Xiluo replied with a smile.

Li Mingye didn’t spare her a single glance, taking the drink offered by the woman and downing it in one go.

Jiang Xueting couldn’t take it anymore. She stood up and started to shout angrily, “You bitch, you did this on purpose, didn’t you? Putting on a show like this—have you no shame? No wonder you wanted to buy me drinks, you clearly had ulterior motives!”

“His wife is already here, and you still have the nerve to press those two lumps of silicone against him. Such an innocent face, yet you’re doing filthy things.”

Only then did Zhang Xiluo recognize the woman—it was the latest rumored mistress linked to Li Mingye. No wonder she looked familiar.

Was she here to make a show of staking her claim?

Very well, let her have it.

“Stop arguing,” Zhang Xiluo said, pulling Jiang Xueting back. She took out her phone and began snapping pictures of the pair. “If you want fame, I’ll help you. You’re quite photogenic.”

“Shocking! Li Group’s CEO caught cheating again, this time by his own wife. The mistress is…” Zhang Xiluo waved her phone, asking if the headline was to her satisfaction.

A cold, menacing aura radiated from Li Mingye, so angry at Zhang Xiluo’s actions that it was as if he’d suffered internal injury. This woman was truly insane.

Jiang Xueting couldn’t hold back her laughter. “Luoluo, you’re amazing!”

“You’ve achieved your goal. I’m leaving now,” Zhang Xiluo said, tucking away her phone. She offered the woman a faint smile, then turned and walked out of the booth.

A thunderous crash followed—probably Li Mingye overturning the table in a fit of rage.

As compensation, Jiang Xueting treated Zhang Xiluo to a lavish meal. She wanted to explain what had just happened, but Zhang Xiluo stopped her.

She didn’t see the need; she genuinely didn’t care.

Jiang Xueting went on to clarify the matchmaking incident. The Jiang and Ouyang families had a new business collaboration, and her father wanted to strengthen their ties, so he’d forced her into the meeting.

Ouyang Chen had always been a special case. He disliked the world of business and had no interest in casual relationships. Jiang Xueting described him as an ascetic carved from ice.

Zhang Xiluo didn’t agree. She had witnessed his passionate side before—his love was as intense as Li Mingye’s.

After parting ways with Jiang Xueting, Zhang Xiluo returned to the villa, only to be surprised by the arrival of Li Mingye’s mother.

“Mom, what brings you here?” she asked.

“I accompanied your father nearby to visit friends, so I thought I’d stop by,” Mrs. Li replied, stepping up to Zhang Xiluo. “Is Mingye not with you?”

“No, he’s probably busy,” Zhang Xiluo answered considerately, making up an excuse for him.

“Tell him to come home. I need to speak with him.”

Zhang Xiluo agreed and stepped aside to call Li Mingye, but the call was hung up after the first ring.

She tried again; he hung up once more, then switched off his phone entirely.

“Mom, his phone’s off,” Zhang Xiluo said calmly, neither angry nor upset, and certainly not sad.

“That rascal,” Mrs. Li muttered, frowning as she took Zhang Xiluo’s hand in comfort. “Don’t stoop to his level. From now on, I’ll make decisions for you.”

“It’s alright, Mom,” Zhang Xiluo replied, giving a gentle, detached smile.

“Luoluo, tell me the truth—are you two planning to divorce?” Mrs. Li caught on to Zhang Xiluo’s change in demeanor, sensing the severity of the situation. She had never seen Zhang Xiluo so composed.

“If he’s done something to hurt you, just tell me. I’ll stand up for you.”

Zhang Xiluo knew very well that marriages of this kind, forged for business, were never easy to dissolve. Mrs. Li’s visit today must have been prompted by something she’d heard. For a moment, Zhang Xiluo hesitated, unsure whether or not to tell her the truth…