Chapter 15: A True Flower of Earthly Splendor

The setting sun cast golden light through the clouds, exceptionally dazzling. Shen Jingjue sat wearily in the back seat as the luxury car headed towards Guanchao Manor. “Mr. Shen, I’ve dealt with those marketing accounts spreading rumors about the young madam. We’ve banned their accounts and issued lawyer’s letters; that should give them a taste of their own medicine. However, as for the wedding news, the trending topics just won’t die down. This… is proving very difficult.” Han Xian’s face showed his struggle. Shen Jingjue gazed darkly out the window. All this way, he’d felt an impulse to contact Bai Xiaoxiao many times, but remembering their last conversation, which had ended on bad terms, and now having to go through Tang Yue just to speak to her, he felt too awkward. Even if he called, and she answered, what would he say? *Sorry about today?* He couldn’t bring himself to say it, yet his heart felt like it was crushed by a boulder, so heavy it made breathing difficult. As the Rolls-Royce was about to enter the vicinity of Guanchao Manor, Shen Jingjue’s brows suddenly furrowed. “Stop the car.” The driver braked, pulling over to the side of the road. Before Han Xian could even ask, Shen Jingjue had already opened the car door and stepped out. He crossed the street, walking directly towards a retro-fronted tailor shop. Through the clear display window hung meticulously tailored suits. Above the entrance, a plaque bore two brush-stroke characters: Jiu Nian. Shen Jingjue suddenly remembered that the packaging box for the suit Bai Xiaoxiao had given him also had these two characters written on it. His tall, imposing figure pushed the door open. A wind chime jingled, and an old tailor emerged. “Sir, are you here to pick up or order a suit?” Shen Jingjue seemed momentarily lost, then hesitated for a long while before asking, “About a month ago, did a woman in her twenties have a men’s suit made here?” “Ah! Yes, yes! There was such a young lady! Oh, she was so skillful, I remember her vividly!” The old tailor’s eyes lit up as he recalled Bai Xiaoxiao. “That girl has a real talent for design. I’ve been in this business for forty years, and honestly, I can’t compare to her!” “Did she… come here every day to work on the suit during that time?” Shen Jingjue’s throat felt dry as he asked in a low voice. “Yes, she did. She’d come every morning on time and work until we closed in the evening. Several times I saw her so tired she’d fall asleep slumped over the table. She wouldn’t even stop to drink water all day; it was quite heartbreaking.” The old tailor reminisced, “I asked her if it was for her father or her boyfriend, and she blushed and said it was for her beloved. Oh, I never thought she’d be married so young. I wonder which young man is so fortunate!” *Beloved.* Those two words were like thorns on a rose stem, gently pricking his trembling heart. “When she talked about her beloved, she had so much to say, and her eyes sparkled. I think that girl must truly love her husband, otherwise, how could she put so much effort into making a suit with her own hands? Every stitch is filled with affection. Oh, by the way, who are you? How do you know all this?” Shen Jingjue’s Adam’s apple bobbed. As if possessed, he said, “I am that beloved.” The old tailor was utterly stunned, scrutinizing the man intently. “A talented man and a beautiful woman, truly a perfect match!” Shen Jingjue emerged from the tailor shop, the lingering sunset glow on his face. Everything felt like a dream. A dream Bai Xiaoxiao had left for him. Could that woman truly have been sincere about him? But could there truly be someone so rational, almost like a split personality, who was completely devoted to him when they were together, yet could seamlessly transition and throw herself into another man’s arms the moment they parted? Shen Jingjue felt an unprecedented emptiness in his heart. “Mr. Shen! Why are you browsing tailor shops? You usually wear high-end designer brands. When did you change your taste?” Han Xian, the clueless assistant, completely missed the point. “No, let’s go back.” Suddenly, his phone vibrated. Shen Jingjue felt like he was developing PTSD from his phone today. He frowned as he took it out, then finally let out a sigh of relief. It was his best friend, Huo Ruxi, the eldest young master of the Huo family. “What is it?” “Come out tonight. I’m celebrating for you, buddy.” Huo Ruxi’s voice was cheerful, with a hint of teasing. “Celebrating what?” “That depends on you. It could be celebrating your marriage, or celebrating your divorce.” “Get lost.” “Haha! Just kidding, just kidding. My new place is opening tonight. Can’t you just come and show some support? You haven’t sought me out in ages. Have we grown distant? Is there no love left?” Shen Jingjue hesitated, then took a breath. “See you tonight.” * That evening, Tang Qiao’er cooked a sumptuous dinner for Tang Xu. “Qiaoqiao, you’re allergic to smoke. Although the kitchen fumes aren’t severe, you should still avoid inhaling too much.” Tang Xu looked at the table full of delicious dishes, concerned about Tang Qiao’er’s health. “It’s fine. Anyway, I always cook…” Tang Qiao’er then realized she had let something slip. There was nothing she could do; she was too relaxed with her brother, completely uninhibited. “Damn it! You mean you cooked for that scumbag Shen for three years?! I’ll give him a big punch!” Tang Xu was so angry he almost flipped the table. “It’s nothing. It’s only natural for a wife to cook for her husband. But it doesn’t matter now. I’ll never do that again.” Tang Qiao’er laughed heartily twice, but her laughter couldn’t hide the disappointment and sadness in her eyes. Tang Xu, who was usually so boisterous, suddenly became serious. He walked over to her, opened his arms, and embraced his sister, like a clam protecting a pearl. “Consider those three years fed to the dogs. From now on, for the rest of your life, your brothers will spoil you with our lives! My princess!” … Nine o’clock sharp. Huo family’s newly opened nightclub, Ace, was packed with socialites and young masters. After all, who wouldn’t come to support the illustrious Huo Ruxi? The roar of an engine announced the arrival of a globally limited Bugatti, making all women envious and all men weep. Tang Xu was the first to step out from the passenger seat. Tonight, he wore casual clothes, a departure from his usual meticulous and serious prosecutor image, looking sunny and handsome yet still refined. Then, the driver’s side door opened. Tang Qiao’er’s hand rested in the man’s palm as her fair, long leg stepped out of the car. Tonight, she wore a tight, sexy silver spaghetti-strap mini-dress, which shimmered like a romantic galaxy under the hazy lights. Her dark hair was styled in large waves, and a pair of unique diamond tassel earrings made her small face appear as beautiful as the moon surrounded by stars. All the handsome men outside stared, their mouths watering. Tang Xu, startled, quickly pulled his sister into an embrace. “Good heavens, aren’t you dressed a bit too provocatively tonight?” “What? Am I not beautiful, dear brother?” Tang Qiao’er raised a seductive eyebrow. “Beautiful! Extremely beautiful! I’m just afraid these wolves with green eyes will pounce on you and devour you!” “Who dares to devour me? I’ll pull out their teeth one by one, believe it or not?” Tang Qiao’er’s red lips curved into a wicked smile. Inside the nightclub, it was a scene of debauchery, lively enough to send adrenaline soaring. Tang Xu didn’t dare let his sister sit at the bar, so he booked a private booth and ordered a table full of expensive drinks, creating an aura that warned others to keep their distance. “Ugh, now that I’m in here and see so many handsome guys, I kind of regret coming with you, second brother.” Tang Qiao’er swirled her drink, pouting unhappily. “You know, I just got divorced. This is precisely the time I need fresh excitement to nourish and comfort me. You being by my side is just blocking my chances!” “Damn it, picking a man in a nightclub is like picking a rutting male dog in a kennel! Sis, divorce doesn’t mean you’ve lost your value. Can you please not choose a man from a place like this and disgust yourself?” Tang Xu sat closely beside her, yet even his presence couldn’t deter the greedy gazes drifting towards Tang Qiao’er. And at that very moment, in a relatively quiet luxury booth on the second floor. Huo Ruxi and Shen Jingjue, two handsome gentlemen, walked in. Tonight, Mr. Shen was still impeccably dressed in a crisp suit. Huo Ruxi eyed him, clicking his tongue and shaking his head. “Is that suit welded to you? Anyone who knows you’re here to have fun, but anyone who doesn’t would think you’re here to discuss an acquisition.” “Almost all nightclubs in Shengjing are on a downward trend, losing money year after year. This place of yours isn’t even worth my acquisition,” Shen Jingjue said, sitting down elegantly. “Haha, others lose, but you think I’ll lose?” “You won’t lose?” “I will. But I’m not afraid, because I’m so poor all I have left is money, hahahaha!” Huo Ruxi laughed boisterously, holding his whiskey glass by the rim, drinking as he gazed at the bustling crowd downstairs. Suddenly, his narrow eyes fixed on something, and he exclaimed, “She’s truly beautiful! Dressed like a queen of the night, her every move clearly that of a flower of earthly splendor!” Shen Jingjue had always been indifferent to women and initially had no interest, but Huo Ruxi insisted, practically dragging him to look. It wasn’t a problem not to look, but once he did, Shen Jingjue’s pupils instantly constricted, and his blood rushed! It was Bai Xiaoxiao! It was actually Bai Xiaoxiao! Who was the man beside her? Tang… Yue?!