Sweet But Jealous

Chapter 2: Collision Course (2)

"What do you want then?" Fu Tingchuan's frown deepened, his look pure disgust. "The North City apartment. Consider it alimony. I'll add three million cash. Don't be greedy."

"How generous, Mr. Fu." Qu Yan gave a slow, mocking clap.

"Qu Yan, you—" Fu Tingchuan sputtered, infuriated.

She raised a hand, cutting him off. "I'll sign. Right now. Honestly, I'm afraid you'll regret it."

Fu Tingchuan stared, momentarily speechless. "...Saying things like that is pointless..."

Qu Yan arched a brow, her gaze sharp. "Who's being petty?"

She strode to the coffee table, scanned the agreement, and signed her name with swift, decisive strokes. Final. Unhesitating.

Fu Tingchuan watched, dumbfounded. No pleas? No clinging? Hadn't she loved him secretly since she was sixteen? Seven whole years?

She agreed to divorce... just like that?

A flicker of something complex stirred within him, quickly drowned by profound relief. No tears, no scene. This was best. Finally, he could give his beloved woman the status she deserved, love her openly.

...

The divorce papers were signed, but formal dissolution at the civil registry awaited the next business week.

Qu Yan refused to stay another night under Fu Tingchuan's roof. She packed a few essentials into a pink suitcase and moved to the North City apartment.

It wasn't large – two bedrooms, one living room – but ample for one. Returning to the Qu family, with its crowd of bullying relatives, held no appeal; she wasn't a masochist.

Dusk deepened into night.

Qu Yan freshened up, slipped into a stunning red dress and heels, and hailed a taxi to the "Nightfall Lounge."

An exclusive VIP club, its entrance streamed with luxury cars – a notorious playground for the city's wealthy elite.

Qu Yan wasn't a member. Entry denied.

She headed for the outdoor parking lot, planning a little... accident.

A black Maybach glided slowly into the lot. Qu Yan narrowed her eyes, confirming the occupant. A smile touched her lips.

She stepped forward, executing a seemingly accidental spin-slide directly in front of the car's path, then crumpled gracefully to the ground.

The Maybach screeched to a halt.

The window lowered, revealing a sharply defined, handsome face. The man inside possessed striking features – a high-bridged nose, deep-set eyes, and intense, coolly assessing dark eyes that swept over the woman on the pavement.

"Sir..." Qu Yan blinked her large, innocent almond eyes. "Your car hit me." Her accusation was brazenly clumsy, delivered with an air of naive entitlement.

It was transparently staged, yet she played it with glaring holes and utter conviction.

Bo Siyan raised a dark brow, studying her. "Are you certain?" His voice was dangerously calm.

Qu Yan nodded, brushing non-existent dust from her skirt as she stood. She leaned close to the open window, a mischievous smile curving her lips. "I won't demand compensation, Sir. Just take me into the Nightfall Lounge." She tilted her head. "See how magnanimous I am?"

She was close. Her delicate face rested lightly on the window frame, a picture of vulnerability, yet her sly eyes sparkled with playful defiance.

Bo Siyan's icy gaze swept over her pretty features, unmoved. He pressed the window control.

The glass began to rise. Qu Yan stubbornly kept her face in place.

"Move," the man commanded coldly.

"Take me in, or I won't." She planted her head firmly on the glass, closing her eyes. "Go ahead, crush me. You've already run me over."

A long finger pressed against her forehead. With deliberate force, he pushed her back. No gentleness, no chivalry.

The window sealed shut. The car purred to life and slid into a parking spot.

Qu Yan gave a soft "hmph," letting him go. No point in further pursuit.

"Beautiful lady, are you alone?"

Another car stopped beside her. The driver, a young playboy type, beamed with interest. "Heard you want into Nightfall? Let big brother take you in, hmm?"

Qu Yan lazily sized him up, then nodded.