"Yi Ge, I heard that Secretary Chen has feelings for President Shang. Is that true?" a woman asked tentatively.
Qin Yi Ge replied ambiguously, "I'm not sure. She hasn't told me whether she likes Shang Sheng or not."
"Ah? You're keeping a love rival by your husband's side. Yi Ge, you're still young and don't know men are all cheap... Sorry, I didn't mean President Shang. I'm talking generally. In our Port City, many secretaries are their bosses' mistresses on the side."
"Lily is right, Yi Ge. You need to be vigilant. Ask others if President Shang brought Chen Ling with him on his business trip the other day..."
It was Qin Yi Ge who mentioned Shang Sheng's business trip. When her girlfriends called to ask if she was free to hang out, she said yes and casually mentioned that Shang Sheng wasn't in Port City.
"We're doing this for your own good. President Shang is so outstanding; women who want to marry him are as numerous as carp crossing a river. Your relationship with President Shang isn't stable, so there are definitely women with ulterior motives trying to find loopholes."
Although Shang Sheng and Qin Yi Ge were married, the fact that they were once arch-rivals was no secret. Many people didn't have high hopes for their marriage.
While they talked, Qin Yi Ge was lost in her own thoughts.
When did Shang Sheng return from his business trip? If he didn't tell her, why didn't he come home?
After the women finished speaking, Qin Yi Ge finally said, "Chen Ling can't make any waves. She won't be able to take over. Putting aside President Shang himself, the Shang family wouldn't agree."
"That's true, but Yi Ge, would you be happy if your husband was keeping Chen Ling on the outside?"
Happy?
Happy my ass!
If Shang Sheng dared to cheat on her, she'd chop him up!
Recalling Shang Sheng's dominance that night, his skillful technique honed by countless women, Qin Yi Ge felt a pang of panic.
She was scared too.
Scared that Shang Sheng would actually cheat on her and embarrass her.
Infidelity was a small matter; losing face was the big one.
However, she couldn't let the scheming Tang An Ruo be happy. "You're all thinking too much. Shang Sheng wouldn't dare!"
Tang An Ruo was about to say something else, but Qin Yi Ge interrupted her directly. "Even if Shang Sheng really has another woman on the outside, all his money is with me. Those women with ulterior motives who want to get their hands on his money won't be able to!"
"President Shang handed over the financial control to you?" Several people were surprised.
Qin Yi Ge, putting on a brave face, nodded and said casually, "I live in the most expensive house in Port City, don't have to do any housework, have more money than I can spend, jewelry I can't wear out, and many luxury cars. Why would I be angry? No matter where Shang Sheng is, as long as his money is with me, that's all that matters."
Yes, she wasn't angry at all.
Her words drew envious glances from everyone. Tang An Ruo, who had been smug, fell silent.
Later, Qin Yi Ge couldn't sit still any longer and made an excuse to leave early.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she left, the topic of conversation among her girlfriends turned to her.
"Qin Yi Ge is so enviable. Who would have thought she could turn her life around and become Mrs. Shang."
In their eyes, Qin Yi Ge going from Shang Sheng's arch-rival to the position of Mrs. Shang was a complete turnaround.
"I knew they wouldn't have a smooth relationship. Someone even tried to pair them up. With her personality, few men could handle her."
"Alas, I wonder if it's Qin Yi Ge's good fortune or the Qin family's influence that allowed her to marry into the Shang family."
"She only has a pretty face. If she isn't more obedient, President Shang will eventually not be able to put up with her, perhaps divorcing her before the wedding."
They were truly green with envy.
Qin Yi Ge walked out of the clubhouse and headed straight for her car.
Driving aimlessly through the streets, she didn't know where to go.
She didn't want to go home, nor did she want to go to her studio...
She thought of Tang An Ruo's words again, and felt incredibly agitated.
Half an hour later, her car appeared in the parking lot of the largest coffee shop in Port City.
Qin Yi Ge looked at the coffee shop's sign and found herself speechless.
Why had she come here?
Well, since she was here, she might as well go in and take a look!
She parked her car, grabbed her bag, and got out.
Even at this hour in the evening, there were quite a few people patronizing the coffee shop. After all, besides coffee, there were many other items to consume.
Before she could even enter, she saw a familiar figure through the glass.
In a private booth of the coffee shop, he was wearing a white shirt, his sleeves rolled up to reveal his sturdy forearms.
Beside him, holding documents, was Chen Ling. Opposite them were three male clients.
Shang Sheng hadn't seen her and was engaged in a serious conversation with someone.
A moment later, as he reached for some documents, he accidentally brushed some cream from a dessert.
Chen Ling reacted quickly. Upon seeing this, she immediately grabbed a tissue and, moving close to him, helped him wipe the cream from his sleeve.
A strange sourness welled up in Qin Yi Ge's heart. She didn't know why she felt this way.
Perhaps it was because Shang Sheng had angered her?
He was back from his business trip, and his wife didn't even know. What kind of person does that?
Qin Yi Ge wanted to leave, but as she turned, she inadvertently spotted Tang An Ruo's car not far away.
She recognized the license plate, and the color was also ostentatious, matte dark green.
If she wasn't mistaken, Tang An Ruo was here to gloat.
A damned competitive spirit surged within her. Qin Yi Ge withdrew her gaze, walked directly to her car, and pulled open the door to take something out.
That something was... the air.
She hadn't taken anything, she just wanted to avoid embarrassment and put on a show.
Then she locked the car, and with her bag in hand, walked into the coffee shop with her back straight.
The server opened the glass door for her and asked warmly, "Hello, welcome. How many in your party?"
"One."
"Okay, this way please."
The server was about to lead her in a different direction, but she didn't move, looking towards the opposite side. "I'll sit over there."
"Okay."
Qin Yi Ge deliberately chose a window seat next to Shang Sheng's booth.
She sat down. The server brought out a tablet for ordering and asked, "What would you like to drink?"
She raised her voice slightly. "No coffee. I'll have a mousse."
"Okay, the mousse varieties are all on this section. Please take a look at what you'd like."
Qin Yi Ge glanced briefly and distractedly rattled off a few names. "Lychee mousse, and another rose mousse—"
There was a slight stir from the next booth.
As her words trailed off, a tall figure appeared in her line of sight.
"太太."
Hearing this voice, Qin Yi Ge's lips curved up uncontrollably. She looked up at the man she hadn't seen in days. "Husband?"
Her tone was filled with immense surprise.
Of course, the reason she smiled was entirely because he had actively approached her upon hearing her voice.
With his wife calling him 'husband,' Shang Sheng sensed that something was amiss.
He nodded calmly and explained, "I'm meeting a client."