Chapter 5: The Careless One

Qin Wan'er's eyes reddened in an instant, tears welling up and hovering, threatening to fall, making her look truly pitiful.

Shi Yi furrowed her brows slightly, inwardly sighing: It seems that in every era, there are these manipulative "little white lotuses."

Looking at Qin Wan'er’s helpless, fragile act, Shi Yi gave a mocking smile. "You don’t need to be nervous. As a lowly concubine, it is your duty to bear children for the Chu family; this is a grand, wonderful thing."

She paused, then added, "Besides, I have already decided to divorce my husband. I am clearing a spot for you—you should be thanking me, shouldn't you?"

Qin Wan'er looked pitifully toward Chu Yifan, squeezing her peach-blossom eyes until two lines of tears rolled silently down her cheeks. "Yifan, have I done something wrong? Have I offended Sister Yiyi? I don't understand what she is saying."

"Shi Yi, apologize to Wan'er immediately! And Wan'er is pregnant; she needs to eat well. Go buy some pork ribs and make soup for her," Chu Yifan roared at Shi Yi.

Shi Yi swung her leg and kicked Chu Yifan squarely in the stomach, saying unhurriedly, "I already gave you face just now."

Her fiery temper had already stretched to its limit; tolerating these two posturing in front of her for this long was giving them more than enough face.

She, a dignified legal wife, expected to apologize to a lowly concubine and then cook soup for her!? What kind of rules were these? A complete scumbag who doted on his mistress and humiliated his wife.

The blind fool. He insisted on provoking her. If this weren't an age where one couldn't kill, she would have long since drawn her sword back in the Great Qin Kingdom and executed this unfaithful man and his lowly mistress.

"Shi Yi!" Chu Yifan let out a pig-like shriek, clutching his abdomen in agony.

Shi Yi kept a smile on her face. "If you aren't going to get the divorce papers, get out of my sight. I have no time to watch you flaunt your affection for a lowly concubine in front of me."

"You... what did you say?" Chu Yifan was so angry his blood felt like it was flowing backward.

Shi Yi smiled brightly, enunciating every word. "I said, take your lowly concubine and get out."

Chu Yifan was red with rage. What was wrong with this bitch? Since last night, she had been like a completely different person. Was she possessed by some spirit? Her tone and her actions were all so eerie.

*Ring-a-ling—*

Just then, Chu Yifan's phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket and swiped to answer.

Song Yashan’s voice came through the line: "Son, did you pick up Shi Yi?"

"Mom, that woman Shi Yi has gone mad. She just hit me again." Chu Yifan glared at Shi Yi, his voice thick with tears.

Song Yashan suppressed her temper and coaxed, "Son, listen to me. Today is Elder Ling's birthday, and the old Madam Ling accidentally broke a family heirloom jade pendant. Only Shi Yi can fix it. No matter what method you use, you must bring her here. We cannot afford to offend the Ling family. Also, I heard your younger brother, Ling Sinye, returned last night. He is the crown prince of our circle; the Ling family will definitely be handed over to him. You must build a good relationship with him, do you understand?"

Hearing this, Shi Yi frowned. It wasn't hard to understand why Chu Yifan had always talked about divorcing the original owner but never took action. The original owner's grandfather was an expert in restoring jade and antiques. Raised by her grandfather, she had inherited his legacy; no matter how damaged the jade, she could restore it perfectly.

"Mom..." Chu Yifan clenched his fists in frustration.

Song Yashan lowered her voice. "Son, Shi Yi is a brainless thing. She loves you so much; just coax her with a few sweet words, and she will definitely listen to you."

Chu Yifan forced his anger down. "Mom, I'll do as you say."

"That's my good son," Song Yashan laughed.

After the call ended, Chu Yifan gave Qin Wan'er a look, and she sensibly took her leave.

Then, Chu Yifan looked at Shi Yi, his tone ingratiating. "Hurry up and get ready. You’re coming with me to Elder Ling's birthday banquet."

Shi Yi curled her lip. "Strange, how strange. My husband is speaking to me so gently. I am truly flattered!"

"So, will you come with me?" Chu Yifan winked at her.

"No time."

This man was actually batting his eyes at her!? Shi Yi felt a wave of nausea, nearly vomiting the half-apple she had just eaten. Compared to the handsome man she saw yesterday, this scumbag was like the mud on the ground compared to the clouds in the sky.

"You... Shi Yi, do you really have to be like this?" Chu Yifan frowned.

Shi Yi revealed a crafty smile. "We despise the sight of each other. Being forced together only brings mutual torment. If you don't want to be hit again, give me the divorce papers early. From here on, we part ways and have nothing more to do with each other."

Chu Yifan steeled himself and said, "Fine. If you accompany me to Elder Ling's birthday banquet, I will take you to get the divorce certificate tomorrow."

"Deal," Shi Yi agreed firmly.

Shi Yi packed some jade repair tools and followed Chu Yifan out the door. Although she had the original owner's memories, she couldn't help but find the cars strange the moment she saw them.

Shi Yi sat in the sedan, gazing through the window at the skyscrapers and the endless flow of traffic, her heart racing. She couldn't help but inwardly sigh: These later generations are like demons; the houses they build are truly advanced.

The car started. Half an hour later, they arrived at the Ling family's villa in the suburbs.

Shi Yi found everything novel, yet her face remained exceptionally calm; she had always been one to keep her emotions hidden. The Ling villa was a classical garden in the style of Jiangnan. It featured elegant, antique-style buildings, with rockeries, flowers, trees, pavilions, and bridges over running water decorating the grounds.

Shi Yi was dazzled; the decorations were even more beautiful than the imperial palace. The courtyard was laid out magnificently, with long, luxurious tables laden with all kinds of high-end buffet dishes, delicacies from land and sea, fine wines, and an array of exquisite pastries.

The male guests were all dressed in sharp suits, while the women wore luxurious evening gowns, adorned with jewels. Though Shi Yi wore a simple qigong, she could not hide her ethereal temperament. Her fair, oval face, brows like kingfisher feathers, skin like mutton-fat jade, and clear, shimmering eyes made her look radiant.

However, she could not avoid the judgmental stares of others. Everyone attending Elder Ling's banquet was a person of status. Compared to the others, her attire was indeed a bit too shabby.

Ling Sinye, who was chatting happily with a friend, saw Shi Yi arrive and felt a glint in his eyes. Perhaps fearing she might recognize him, he hurriedly took out sunglasses and put them on.

As soon as Shi Yi entered the courtyard, the white-haired old Madam Ling came forward, trembling slightly. She grabbed Shi Yi’s hand. "Oh, child, you’ve finally come. That old woman’s jade pendant was broken by a blind servant, and it’s killing me. That pendant was passed down through the generations! Child, can you fix it?"

"I... I will try my best."

Shi Yi felt the old lady was a bit overly enthusiastic. She had never liked physical contact with others and subtly pulled her hand back.