Mysyery

Chapter 2: Pulling the Trigger (Part II)

Xuan Xiao loves wearing shirts, especially in darker colors. His job involves interacting with clients daily, and wearing shirts gives off a neat and respectful impression, quietly earning others' trust. Additionally, his naturally tall and slender figure makes the dark shirts paired with tailored trousers even more striking, enhancing his handsome, elegant demeanor. Xuan Xiao is someone who understands himself very well.

“Xiaoying?” He opened the door in disbelief, surveying his wife standing outside.

Xuan Xiao's studio had moved into this office building three years ago, and Chi Xiaoying had only shown her face on the day of the relocation, never stepping foot inside again. Sometimes, he even wondered if she remembered which direction the studio's door opened. It seems she does remember.

“I just happened to be passing by while shopping, so I thought I’d stop by.” The wind had tousled Chi Xiaoying’s hair, with a few strands falling into her face. She hurriedly brushed them away, looking like a child who had walked into the wrong room, her expression slightly uneasy.

Xuan Xiao raised an eyebrow, looking at the office buildings standing tall in the rain—it was an office building, not a shopping mall. He discreetly masked a fleeting smile at the corner of his mouth and didn’t point out his wife’s lie. “Since you’re here, why not come up?” He reached out to take her hand, but she seemed to casually tuck her hand behind her back and glanced inside. “You’re all busy, so I won’t go up. Oh, are you coming home for dinner tonight?”

She stepped back down a level, increasing the distance between them, with half of her shoulder exposed to the rain.

Xuan Xiao frowned, noting that Xiaoying seemed unusual today, almost as if she were afraid of being bothered by him.

“I have to work on a bid today. The client is going to Shanghai for a tender tomorrow, so I won’t be home until late.”

“Mm, then you get busy. I’ll leave now. Remember to eat on time no matter how tired you are; your stomach had trouble last month.” She gave a faint smile, quickly turning to leave, but then suddenly turned back, “Xuan Xiao, is there anything you want to say to me?” She encouraged gently.

Xuan Xiao felt as if he were lost in a thick fog, and at the same time, he was a bit annoyed. Chi Xiaoying seemed strange, clearly having something on her mind, yet she came all the way here without asking directly, instead playing a guessing game with him in the wind and rain. Were they just strangers?

“Be careful crossing the street.” He suppressed his emotions and didn’t respond to her hint.

Chi Xiaoying sensed his anger but didn't take it to heart, thinking he might find it inconvenient to say anything in front of his employees. She gave a charming smile, turned away, and walked straight into the rain.

“Xiaoying, Xiaoying—d*mn it, she’s getting soaked again.” Xuan Xiao realized that he couldn't see her through the curtain of rain and noticed that Chi Xiaoying wasn’t carrying an umbrella. He quickly grabbed the umbrella prepared for clients in front of the door and prepared to go after her. Suddenly, his phone in his pocket started playing cheerful music. He pulled it out to check.

“Ning Yi!” He turned and called out inside.

A stylish, attractive woman ran out. “President Xuan, what’s the matter?” Her crisp, lively voice was full of energy.

“Take this umbrella to my wife.” The phone kept ringing. Xuan Xiao handed the umbrella to Ning Yi, pointed in the direction of Chi Xiaoying, and hurriedly went inside.

“Nan Nan, I was a bit busy just now… Hmm, okay, I’ll pick you up at seven tonight,” Xuan Xiao said as he walked.

Ning Yi pouted at his back, showing her teeth, then took the umbrella and followed the trail of raindrops as she hurried to catch up with Chi Xiaoying, who was briskly walking in the rain.

“Chi Jie, wait for me!” Ning Yi ran a few steps, breathless from the effort.

At first, Chi Xiaoying didn’t realize that Ning Yi was calling her. When Ning Yi grabbed her sleeve and faced her directly, she stared in surprise, “Do you know me?”

Ning Yi giggled, pulling her under the umbrella. “I’m Ning Yi from Xuan Xiao’s studio. You’re President Xuan’s wife, so I thought I’d call you Chi Jie since you look older than me. Don’t hold it against me!” She playfully stuck out her tongue, adopting a charmingly familiar demeanor.

These words sounded warm, but in reality, they were a form of showing off. Being young is an advantage, even if it's just a few years.

Chi Xiaoying was someone who didn’t overthink things, and she simply smiled warmly.

“Chi Jie,” Ning Yi linked arms with Chi Xiaoying, leaning in to whisper conspiratorially, “You should come to our office more often to keep President Xuan company. He’s quite the young talent in Binjiang City, and there are plenty of people watching. Be careful not to let him get stolen away!”

Chi Xiaoying paused, her thoughts momentarily halted, and she tilted her head, studying Ning Yi.

Ning Yi’s face flushed. “I’m sorry, it’s not appropriate for me to say such things on our first meeting. But you’re President Xuan’s legal wife, so no matter what others do, it’s all in vain.”

“Who are these others?” Chi Xiaoying asked slowly, her wedding certificate unconsciously crumpling in her hand. Without the legal layer, she and Xuan Xiao would be nothing.

Ning Yi stared in surprise with her mouth agape. “Chi Jie, didn’t you come today to catch us off guard?”

Chi Xiaoying shook her head with a smile. “You’ve been watching too many tricks from the Thirty-Six Stratagems.”

“Chi Jie, to be honest, none of us at the studio can stand it. Manager Yan from Shui Jian Yi Chu acts like she’s the mistress of the studio, coming here every day and bossing us around. In front of us, she flirts and quarrels with President Xuan. Oh, my mouth just can't keep quiet.” Ning Yi anxiously covered her mouth, her long lashes fluttering as she stared intently at Chi Xiaoying.

“Oh, it’s Nan Nan! She’s my college classmate and has known Xuan Xiao for

a long time. They’ve always spoken so casually with each other.” Chi Xiaoying admired her own calmness in the face of the situation, even managing to defend them.

Yan Nan Nan is someone who speaks casually, but Xuan Xiao is not like that; he is reserved and speaks very thoughtfully, rarely smiling.

“Chi Jie, we believe what you’re saying, but do you believe it yourself?” Ning Yi sympathetically met Chi Xiaoying’s calm gaze.

Chi Xiaoying turned to look at the rain and smiled. “I need to catch a cab. It’s hard to get a taxi on a rainy day.”

“Chi Jie, don’t be too kind. Be strong when you need to be. Marriage isn’t an impregnable fortress; when faced with strong opponents, you can’t be weak. You need to protect your own ground courageously. Don’t worry, I’ll help you.” Ning Yi’s voice drifted through the rain.

Chi Xiaoying didn’t turn around but simply waved her hand behind her, feeling that Ning Yi’s enthusiasm was a bit excessive.

In the light, Ning Yi saw a red object in Chi Xiaoying's hand, shimmering under the streetlamp, likely getting wet from the rain.

Rain? She looked up at the umbrella in her hand, realizing she had forgotten her original purpose after talking for a while. When she tried to call Chi Xiaoying back, she saw that she had already turned onto the main street and was out of sight.

In the late autumn rain, the chill was biting. Chi Xiaoying’s thick jacket soon became soaked, dripping water. Her hair clung to her face, and the rain made her eyes squint, making everything appear blurry.

The street was bustling with taxis, but none were available. Chi Xiaoying walked down two streets without being able to flag down a single cab.

Soaked by the rain, her body was gradually becoming unsteady, feeling heavy-headed and light-footed, with her teeth chattering.

She kept her gaze fixed straight ahead, stubbornly continuing to walk forward.

She wasn’t actually heartbroken; instead, she found it quite amusing. Yan Nan Nan and Xuan Xiao? Especially Xuan Xiao, such a workaholic and upright gentleman, actually being someone’s mistress—it was too intriguing. Was he worried that if he suggested a divorce, she might cling to him desperately? Or was he leaving the decision to her, so he could leave with a clearer conscience?

Here's a hint: She has always been someone who values facilitating others' happiness.

Last week, Yan Nan Nan had met her for dinner, and they talked until late into the night before parting ways. It was always Nan Nan doing the talking, while she quietly listened. The topics of discussion were Xuan Xiao and Bai Yuan, with comparisons between the two being made repeatedly.

In today’s world, a man’s success typically comes from two paths: either thriving in the business world or making waves in politics. Xuan Xiao and Bai Yuan have each chosen a different path and are both considered successful in their own right. Yan Nan Nan asked her who she thought was more successful or outstanding.

She laughed and said, “Each to their own.”

Yan Nan Nan suddenly sighed wistfully and said that Chi Xiaoying was in a good position but didn’t realize it. Xuan Xiao was undoubtedly more outstanding. Bai Yuan, trailing behind various department heads, was already starting to show signs of aging and hair loss at just thirty, looking quite pathetic. In contrast, Xuan Xiao was someone others bowed to, with a full head of hair and a striking presence.

Now, Chi Xiaoying recalls that Yan Nan Nan was hinting at something back then, but she didn’t think much of it. Sigh, it’s not that the enemy is too powerful, but that our own side is too weak.

Who would think in that direction? Yan Nan Nan was her classmate and friend, and Xuan Xiao was Bai Yuan’s friend. The idea of not crossing those boundaries with a friend’s spouse is an outdated, moldy notion that doesn’t apply to the current times.

It really does echo the lyrics: "The ones closest to you hurt you the most." Is it truly hurt?

For Bai Yuan, it’s indeed possible. Losing both his wife and his friend would be a devastating blow.

For her, it’s not a hurt but a liberation. From now on, she has the right to live for herself. Chi Xiaoying curved her lips, her eyes reflecting a soothing smile.

At the crossroads, the crowd surged like a tide, and the cars lined up like a dragon. Umbrellas opened like flowers in the night, creating a dazzling scene.

The green light came on, and Chi Xiaoying stood dazed for a moment, wiping the rainwater from the corners of her eyes before moving forward. After taking a few steps, she felt her foot slip on a piece of fruit peel, causing her to suddenly fall forward.

The red light came on. A car splashed up a towering column of water, which whooshed past her face.

She tried to control her body, but it was beyond her strength. In her panic, she closed her eyes, and with a loud thud, she fell to the ground. The screeching sound of brakes filled her ears, and she looked up in terror to see a car coming to a sudden stop right in front of her, almost face to face. Her hand instinctively loosened its grip.

The driver was so frightened that his scalp tingled. Through the thick glass of the car window, he saw a strand of hair fluttering in front of the car, almost within reach. In that instant, time seemed to freeze, and space ceased to be a factor. He had no idea how serious the situation was.

He steadied himself and opened the car door. "Can you stand up?" The man rushed to Chi Xiaoying's side.

"I... I..." Her teeth chattered, both from the cold and the shock. "I think I can!" She struggled to stand up, bracing herself against the car, her eyes blinking uncomfortably as the rain poured down.

The man reached out to support her waist, looking at her with concern. Her legs were intact, and the droplets on her forehead were rain, not blood.

"I'll take you to the hospital." The man's concern eased slightly by Chi Xiaoying's response, but he remained uneasy. The woman's face was too pale; he worried she might have internal injuries.

"No need, I just tripped on my own; it has nothing to do with you." Chi Xiaoying nodded at the man, pushing his hand away. She looked at the mud on her clothes and sighed. "Did your car get damaged?"

The man's vehicle was an expensive-looking SUV, robust and well-maintained.

The man looked at her in surprise, "It's quite sturdy, unless you're a heavy weapon. Miss, where do you live? I'll give you a ride."

"No need." The car was fine, and she was okay. Everything was in good shape.

The rain pelted down heavily on both of them, creating a moment of silence. Onlookers, seeing there was nothing more to watch, began to disperse.

The man handed a business card to Chi Xiaoying. "This is my card. If you feel unwell or need anything, call me anytime."

Qi Xiaoying straightened up and waved her hand. 'Don't make a fuss, I'm really fine.' After saying that, she quickly rejoined the crowd, walking with a somewhat awkward gait, likely because she had twisted her ankle.

The man stared blankly at her retreating figure, sighed, and turned to get back into his car, tripping over something on the ground.

He looked down and saw two red booklets, now battered and covered in rain and mud.