Chapter Fifty: The Bitter Fruit of Jealousy

Qiu Jieqin’s hand and her words made my blood surge instantly, my face flushing hotly. I had never imagined that a woman could say such provocative things. Though I knew she was experienced, bold, and always took the initiative, I still found it overwhelming and unexpected.

Her hand finally reached its destination. Even through my trousers, Qiu Jieqin could feel my excitement, which had already reached a boiling point. Her face blushed deeply as she giggled softly into my ear, her lips brushing against my earlobe from time to time, her warm breath trickling down my neck and flooding my whole body in an instant. Her palm pressed gently over my aroused body, moving slowly but deliberately.

Just as I was completely at a loss, trembling all over from her teasing, my phone started ringing incessantly in my pocket.

Qiu Jieqin murmured, “Turn it off, don’t answer.” Her hand pressed harder, her movements growing faster. I couldn’t take it anymore and grabbed her teasing hand, panting, “Jieqin, stop for a moment, it’s too much, I can’t handle it.”

Qiu Jieqin raised an eyebrow, amusement flickering in her eyes. I understood what she meant—she was laughing at how little I could withstand, wondering what would happen if things went any further.

But the phone in my pocket kept ringing stubbornly, ruining my mood again and again. I sighed, gave Qiu Jieqin a helpless look, and pulled out the phone.

The caller ID showed it was Hua Jingjing.

My first thought was to turn off the phone and ignore her call.

But I hesitated. In my heart, I didn’t really hate Hua Jingjing. Even if she bit me tonight, I knew it was just her spoiled temper flaring up, unable to control herself. I couldn’t see it as intentional.

Besides, I vaguely sensed she treated me differently. According to Qiu Jieqin, she liked me. Though I couldn’t quite believe it, all signs suggested it was possible.

I had offered my resignation partly because of Xu Shu’s pressure, but another small reason was to avoid Hua Jingjing. I honestly didn’t want any more entanglements with her. Her temper was more than I could tolerate, and I didn’t want people saying I was climbing the social ladder by associating with her.

But I also knew running away wasn’t a real solution. Hua Jingjing was the kind who wouldn’t give up until she got what she wanted, her stubbornness rivaling mine. Even if I ignored her now, she’d eventually wear me down. Besides, I still had to go to the office tomorrow to finalize my resignation, and it would be impossible to avoid her. There were things better said over the phone than in the office.

I explained to Qiu Jieqin, “It’s Hua Jingjing. She’s probably calling about my resignation. I need to answer and make things clear.”

Qiu Jieqin pursed her lips. “Calling so late, it can’t be anything good. Can’t it wait until tomorrow?” I stroked her cheek and smiled, “I’ll answer right here, with you watching me, isn’t that reassuring enough?”

She snorted softly and said no more, sliding down beside me, her head resting on my leg as she lay on the couch, her big eyes fixed on me.

I smiled at her reassuringly and pressed the answer button. “Hello?”

Hua Jingjing’s hoarse voice came through, “Are you asleep?”

“No.”

“I can’t sleep. Does your hand still hurt?”

“It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“I’m sorry, I really didn’t mean it. I don’t even know why—I just bit you as soon as you spoke.”

“I know. I’m not angry with you.”

“But you hate me now! I sincerely wanted to keep you, but you’re still determined to resign.”

“I’ve already said, my resignation has nothing to do with you. I just want to strike out on my own, not keep drifting like this.”

“You could build a career at the company, too. If you don’t want to idle your days away, I can give you responsibility and let you spread your wings. I’ll completely support you. But if you leave, I won’t have any trusted people left in the company—I’ll be so lonely.”

I laughed, “Since when did I become your confidant? We were just arguing fiercely a few days ago.”

“Disagreements aside, I know you’re trustworthy and responsible. I… I was childish and tried to harm you, but you didn’t abandon me. When I fainted in the fields, you found me and spent the whole night getting me to the hospital. The doctors told me you were truly anxious. I was so moved. When I sent you for errands, you didn’t make a single mistake, not even with specifications or sizes—you’re so thorough and careful. Even in the hospital, after a fierce argument, I told you not to come back, but the next day you still came to handle my discharge paperwork. That shows how responsible you are, not letting emotions affect your actions. Tang Qian, I don’t know anyone else in the company the way I know you. I truly value you. I already see you as one of my own. Tang Qian, I need you! I need your support, your help. Please, don’t leave the company, don’t leave me. Take back your resignation and think it over, okay?”

Hearing all this, I felt a warmth in my heart. I’d never expected to be so important to Hua Jingjing. But am I really as good as she says? Wasn’t I just driven to a rash decision by a few words from Xu Shu?

I was rarely this moved, but I’d already spoken my decision—and promised my girlfriend I’d stay away from Hua Jingjing. It was too late to change my mind now.

I sighed, “Hua Jingjing, hearing this from you, I’m starting to see you in a new light. I always thought you were just a spoiled, willful heiress. But your words show you have your own mind, that you’re a capable boss. You won’t be unable to manage without me. Besides, I’m not as good as you say. My staying won’t help you that much. There are plenty of people in the company far more talented than me. With your abilities, it won’t be hard to win them over. As for me, let me go.”

“There may be many talented people, but it’s hard to know whom to trust these days. I only trust you. I can’t go through the same things with everyone else that I did with you. Only in times of crisis do you see a person’s true nature. In my darkest moment, you didn’t abandon me. That alone makes you worthy of my trust. Tang Qian, you know my temper. I’ve never spoken so sincerely to anyone. I truly need you—there’s no one else I can trust. I came to this company to accomplish something big, but with you around, I lost all ambition and spent every day bickering with you, neglecting my work. That’s my immaturity. Now I regret it. My brother’s career is on track, my father is proud of him, but I have nothing to show. He sent me to America with high hopes, but I’ve disappointed him. Tang Qian, I realize now how wrong I was. I won’t fight with you anymore. I want to work hard. I need someone I can rely on completely—and that’s you, only you! Take back your resignation. Let’s work together. If we succeed, you’ll have half of everything I gain. All right?”

I held the phone in silence for a long time. If she’d said all this yesterday, I wouldn’t have hesitated—her sincerity and trust alone would have made me want to give everything for her. But today…

For the first time, I felt deeply conflicted. I knew that most of my decision to resign was because Xu Shu had looked down on me, and I’d acted rashly out of wounded pride. But in this world, it’s hard to succeed on one’s own. I knew that well. Who doesn’t want to achieve something in life? If I had a boss who appreciated me, I could rely on the company’s resources and get twice the results with half the effort. Even if it wasn’t just my own career, as long as I could accomplish something, my value would be proven.

Qiu Jieqin noticed my hesitation and immediately shook me by the shoulder. I knew she was afraid I’d change my mind and spend every day with Hua Jingjing again, something she couldn’t bear.

I smiled at Qiu Jieqin to reassure her that I meant what I said. Into the phone, I replied, “President Hua, I’m truly moved by how much you value me. Honestly, I want to achieve something at the company too. With your trust, how could I not excel? But it’s too late. I’ve made my decision, and I’ve promised someone else. You wouldn’t want me to be the kind of person who goes back on his word, would you?”

“Promised? Who did you promise?”

“My girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend? You have… a girlfriend? How come I didn’t know?”

“Yes, my girlfriend supports my resignation. I’ve promised her personally. President Hua, thank you for valuing me so much, but I have to keep my word. Otherwise, I couldn’t face her. Don’t you agree?”

Qiu Jieqin, beside me, couldn’t help bursting into laughter, both pleased and intentionally showing it. Sure enough, Hua Jingjing heard it. Her voice trembled, “Your… girlfriend, is she with you now?”

“Yes, she’s here.”

“Tang Qian! Are you… are you lying to me?”

Hearing the near-tears in her voice, I was finally convinced that Hua Jingjing truly had feelings for me—a fact I struggled to understand. How could a wealthy heiress fall for an ordinary guy like me?

Understanding or not, I knew I had to make things clear now, or there would only be more trouble later. I knew it was cruel to tell her, but it was better she woke up from this sooner rather than later.

“I’m not lying. My girlfriend’s name is Qiu Jieqin. She was my high school classmate.”

A long silence came from the other end. I waited, but when she didn’t respond, I was about to speak when the call abruptly ended with the sound of a disconnect tone.

I sighed, unsure if I had hurt her, but what else could I do? I couldn’t keep hiding the truth. Besides, after I left the company, we wouldn’t see each other often. With her looks and background, she’d soon have countless admirers, and she’d forget about me.

I put down the phone. Qiu Jieqin, overjoyed, climbed onto me, planted a firm kiss on my cheek, and laughed, “I get it now—so the wound on your hand was from Hua Jingjing? What a vicious woman! You did the right thing. The farther you stay from her, the better. She’s not worth working for. You’re already patient enough. If it were me, I’d have said goodbye long ago.”

I gave her a playful smack on her firm, round bottom. “You’re the happiest one now. I’m out of a job, and you’re still laughing!”

She yelped and rubbed her behind, feigning annoyance. “How mean! I’m not to be hit today. Oh no, it’s started again, so much… I need to change my pad.”

With that, she hurried off to the bathroom.

Watching her graceful figure, her lovely back, a wave of emotion surged in me. This woman was born to be seductive; being with her, it was impossible to stay in control.

I lit a cigarette to calm myself, the thick smoke helping me think. I’d made up my mind—leave Lady Green’s company and go it alone. But what was I going to do?

What could I do?

I began to think seriously, though I knew nothing would come from mere contemplation. Some things require time and discussion with family. Thinking of my family, I checked my watch—damn, it was already past eleven. I should head home. And come to think of it, I hadn’t eaten a bite all evening, no wonder my stomach kept growling.

I walked to the bathroom door and called through the glass, “Jieqin, are you done yet? It’s late, I need to get home.”

The door swung open, and Qiu Jieqin, hands still wet from washing, poked her head out in surprise. “You’re leaving? Not staying the night?”

I smiled, caressing her cheek. “It’s not a good time for you. If I stay and see you looking so tempting but can’t have you, it’s pure torture.”

Her face flushed with embarrassment. “You’re awful! You were never this cheeky before. When did you change?”

I laughed, “You taught me! I used to be such a pure boy, but ever since I met you, you’ve led me astray.”

Her expression flickered, as if remembering something. I gently patted her cheek. “Don’t daydream. I really am leaving.”

She nodded and walked me to the door, then suddenly tugged my sleeve, asking seriously, “Tang Qian, do you not like me being so… forward? I… I just want to hold on to you. I’d never be so flirtatious with anyone else.”

I just smiled, stroked her hair, and said, “Get some rest. I’ll come see you tomorrow.”

After leaving her place, a question surfaced in my mind. During the eight years Qiu Jieqin and I were apart, I knew she’d had many boyfriends. Was she really not as flirtatious with anyone else, as she claimed?

Given her experience and skill in seduction, I’d never imagined her the type to remain pure. I’d even prepared myself for the fact that she’d been with other men. It’s not that I didn’t care—honestly, no man would be indifferent to his girlfriend’s past. But I could only blame myself; I was the one who let her go. How could I expect her to stay chaste for someone so unworthy? Since I’d been moved by her devotion and chosen to accept her, I’d have to accept her past too. No matter how many men she’d known, it was all in the past. She owed me nothing for those eight years. As long as she stayed true from now on, I could bear it.

But I truly regretted it.

I regretted not choosing her from the start. Now I was tasting the bitter—indeed, the sour—fruit of my choices.

As I walked, lost in thought, my phone rang again. I checked the screen: an unfamiliar number.