Stepping out of the car with the bag, Su Yingxia thanked the driver and watched the Rolls-Royce depart.
Then, humming a little tune, she opened the door and went inside.
Her harvest today was excellent. Attending the banquet with Yuan Liangping, she not only became familiar with Miss Yuan Fangfei, the eldest daughter of the Yuan family, but also met many top celebrities and influential figures in Hangjiang.
Thanks to her status as Yuan Liangping's companion, the young masters and ladies of the Tang, Peng, and Lin families all flattered her.
Coupled with her inherent beauty, the evening gown and jewelry further enhanced her allure, making her the focal point of the small gathering.
It was a pity, however, that she was married and couldn't stay too late, so she left the banquet early.
Thinking about it, she couldn't help but feel a sense of regret.
That feeling of being surrounded by people, embraced by flattery and praise, was truly wonderful.
The garden villa was dark.
"Honey, I'm back!"
Su Yingxia called out.
With a click, she turned on the light.
"You still know how to come back?"
A sinister voice echoed.
Jiang Shaolong sat on the sofa, his expressionless face unreadable.
"Honey, why isn't the light on?"
Su Yingxia felt a pang of guilt. With a forced smile, she sat down beside Jiang Shaolong, linked her arm through his, and said, "Honey, I'm sorry. Miss Yuan Fangfei, the eldest daughter of Young Master Yuan, invited me to a dinner party, and I couldn't refuse."
"The dinner party hasn't even ended, and I came back early."
Jiang Shaolong grinned, his smile devoid of warmth. "Dinner party?"
Su Yingxia nodded and said with a smile, "Honey, I know I shouldn't have gone out right when you got back. But you know, if we can get on the good side of Young Master Yuan and Miss Yuan, it would be very beneficial for us."
"At the dinner party, I met many people, like the young master of the Peng family, the young lady of the Peng family, the young master of the Tang family, and so on. I've met them all!"
Jiang Shaolong let out a cold laugh upon hearing this and suddenly stood up.
"Honey?"
"You slut! Did you call Yuan Liangping 'honey' so naturally too?"
With a sinister laugh, Jiang Shaolong slapped her hard across the face.
With a crisp smack, Su Yingxia was sent sprawling to the floor.
Jiang Shaolong wasn't finished. He lunged forward, pinning Su Yingxia's neck, his face contorted as he roared, "You slut! How dare you cheat on me! Believe it or not, I'll kill you!"
Su Yingxia's face turned ashen. She struggled desperately but couldn't break free.
She shook her head frantically, her voice muffled.
"Still not admitting it? Do you think I'm a nobody in Hangjiang, ignorant of the banquet on the West Lake pleasure boat?"
Su Yingxia trembled, realizing she had made a mistake.
While the Jiang family might not have been qualified to attend this small banquet, it didn't mean they were completely unaware of what transpired.
In Hangjiang, the Jiang family was considered a second-tier family, possessing connections and influence.
Someone among the guests that night had tipped off Jiang Shaolong.
"Where did you get this dress? Do you think I don't know quality?"
Jiang Shaolong, seemingly deranged, grabbed the evening gown and tore a large section of it, revealing a expanse of snow-white skin.
"And these jewels, worth over three million yuan. Do you think I wouldn't know this is the 'Rose Heart'? You must have sold yourself to sleep with Yuan Liangping to get them!"
Su Yingxia's face was filled with terror.
"You unchaste whore! I was locked away in a dark room, seeing no daylight, while you were out having a good time with other men!"
Jiang Shaolong burst into wild laughter. "Ultimately, aren't you just drawn to Young Master Yuan Liangping because he's richer than me?"
"You're a greedy, status-seeking slut. I should have realized this when I married you."
"You could dump that good-for-nothing Chen Fan, and when you meet someone richer, you'll dump me too and climb even higher!"
While pinning Su Yingxia down, Jiang Shaolong began to beat and kick her violently.
Su Yingxia struggled with all her might, but she was no match for Jiang Shaolong's strength.
For a moment, she felt a surge of despair.
Feeling Jiang Shaolong's madness, her heart turned to ash.
What kind of man had she married?
Jingle...
Just then, her phone rang.
Jiang Shaolong ignored it, but the ringing persisted.
He snorted, released Su Yingxia, and rummaged through her bag for the phone.
The screen displayed a number without a name.
Freed, Su Yingxia gasped for air, tears streaming down her face.
She even suspected Jiang Shaolong intended to strangle her to death.
"Hello? Who is it?"
A furious Jiang Shaolong yelled, "What the hell are you calling for so late at night?!"
With that, he hung up with a snap, his bloodshot, furious eyes fixed back on Su Yingxia.
Su Yingxia trembled and retreated weakly.
Jiang Shaolong walked towards her again.
"Bitch, what else do you have to explain?"
Leaning close to Su Yingxia, Jiang Shaolong said coldly, "How much have I sacrificed for you? I almost didn't make it back alive, and you, you're out gallivanting with another man before I'm even home?"
Su Yingxia, her face bruised and swollen, cried, "Jiang Shaolong, I was wrong. I didn't mean to deceive you; I was afraid you'd misunderstand. Nothing happened between me and Young Master Yuan!"
"Do you take me for a three-year-old?"
Jiang Shaolong sneered.
Jingle, jingle, the phone rang again.
It kept ringing incessantly.
Jiang Shaolong strode over and pressed the answer button.
Before he could speak, an angry voice from the other end said, "This is Yuan Liangping!"
Hearing this unfamiliar voice, Jiang Shaolong's body stiffened.
"Jiang Shaolong, I guarantee with my reputation. If Miss Su Yingxia is harmed by you, I will bankrupt your entire Jiang family and ensure you die a miserable death!"
The voice was urgent and filled with fury.
Clearly, Yuan Liangping had heard what was happening on the phone earlier.
Jiang Shaolong's body froze.
His expression flickered.
Yuan Liangping on the other end neither urged him nor hung up the phone.
Su Yingxia stared, a flicker of hope in her eyes.
His expression shifting repeatedly, Jiang Shaolong took a deep breath and said, "So it's Young Master Yuan. I don't understand what you mean. Yingxia is my wife; how could I harm her?"
"I want to hear Yingxia's voice!"
Yuan Liangping said sternly.
Jiang Shaolong smiled obsequiously and said, "Please wait a moment!"
He cupped his hand over the phone and looked at Su Yingxia.
He gave Su Yingxia a meaningful look and gestured for her to put the phone to her ear.
Su Yingxia hesitated, her voice hoarse as she said, "Young Master Yuan, why are you calling?"
"Just checking if you got home safely; I was a little worried," Yuan Liangping replied. "You sound like you're crying. What happened?"
"It's nothing!" With tears still in her eyes, Su Yingxia said somewhat unconvincingly, "Thank you for your concern."
"That's good then." Yuan Liangping, whether he believed her or not, said, "If you've suffered any injustice, tell me, and I'll see that you get justice."
"Okay, thank you, Young Master Yuan."
As Su Yingxia said this, tears began to flow again.
After hanging up, Jiang Shaolong returned the phone to Su Yingxia, then his demeanor changed completely. He helped her to the sofa and slapped himself twice.
Then, with an apologetic smile, he said, "Wife, I'm sorry. I lost my mind for a moment and forgot what I was doing. Can you forgive me this time?"
He had changed his tune once again.