This time, it was only after Yuan Xiangdong's permission that Gong Si was able to return to China to participate in the event upon receiving the domestic invitation. Encountering Jiang Cong was also something Gong Si didn't anticipate.
She dared not imagine that if Yuan Xiangdong knew Jiang Cong was also in this research activity, whether he would fly into a rage. And if so, what would he do to her then?
Jiang Cong listened quietly as Gong Si described her experiences intermittently. He knew that although she was trying to understate the facts of the abuse, the pain and torture were deeply engraved in her bones.
Jiang Cong didn't rashly offer to help Gong Si. Gong Si was an extremely proud person. She wouldn't show her vulnerability in front of outsiders. They could only wait until she could take the initiative to break free from the shackles that had been binding her before there was hope for her to get out of the current situation.
"Are you going to live like this for the rest of your life?" As the sky darkened and the lights in the room remained off, Jiang Cong's face was hidden in the darkness, faintly visible.
Gong Si shook her head helplessly. "I don't know either. I'll just muddle along."
Jiang Cong frowned but still said nothing. When he got up to leave and passed by Gong Si, he left a sentence, "Come to me when you figure it out."
Jiang Cong walked out and closed the door. He also casually turned on the light. The warm yellow light enveloped Gong Si, who sat on the sofa looking blank.
Gong Si looked at the figure projected on the window. Under the glamorous appearance, there was unknown pain. Gong Si thought that perhaps this was just retribution for her own actions.
Back in his own room, Jiang Cong stood on the balcony with his hands hanging down. It was still a bit cold in late April of late spring. Jiang Cong moved his hands and feet, which had been still for a long time since he returned from Gong Si's place, while he was deep in thought.
He didn't feel sorry for Gong Si's experiences, but Jiang Cong didn't want to watch Gong Si sink deeper into the quagmire, dragged down by an unworthy person.
The long - forgotten past emerged again in Jiang Cong's mind.
Yuan Xiangdong came from a scholarly family. His ancestors were all well - known upper - class academic figures. However, there was no trace of the elegance of a literati on him. Instead, he was rather pedantic.
When Jiang Cong was with Gong Si, he had briefly met Yuan Xiangdong. At that time, Jiang Cong didn't quite understand the intriguing meaning in Yuan Xiangdong's eyes when he looked at him.
Now, looking back, it was very likely that Yuan Xiangdong had had designs on Gong Si for a long time.
Therefore, this was also the reason why Gong Si had proposed to break up and then turned to Yuan Xiangdong.
Jiang Cong took out a cigarette. Wisps of tobacco scent wafted out. His dark eyes stared intently into the distance.
After that day, Gong Si and Jiang Cong still went about their work as usual, as if nothing had happened. They never contacted each other privately. Apart from work, all they had were some meaningless greetings when they accidentally met.
However, the thing Gong Si was most worried about still happened.
After a seminar ended, everyone filed out of the meeting room one after another. Jiang Cong didn't like crowds, so he waited until most people had left before getting up and walking out.
Coincidentally, Gong Si had left something behind and came back to get it. So they walked out of the meeting room together on the way.
A figure suddenly blocked Gong Si's way. The person looked at Gong Si with a half - smile.
Gong Si's heart skipped a beat. Her body couldn't help trembling. Yuan Xiangdong tightly grasped Gong Si's arm with such force that it seemed as if he wanted to devour her alive.
Gong Si was completely desperate. There was only one thought in her mind, that she would definitely have a tough time tonight.
"Mr. Jiang, what a coincidence to meet you here." Yuan Xiangdong said in a rather sarcastic tone.
Gong Si frowned tightly. She was obviously dissatisfied with Yuan Xiangdong's rudeness. She emphasized, "Jiang Cong and I met by chance. It's all for work needs!"
However, Gong Si didn't know that her words sounded more like she was protecting Jiang Cong to Yuan Xiangdong. He snorted with a bad look on his face. Without caring about maintaining his hypocritical facade, he pulled Gong Si and walked out.
"Wait, Mr. Yuan. Gong Si is your wife after all. It may not be appropriate to treat her so rudely." Jiang Cong spoke up in time and successfully stopped Yuan Xiangdong from moving forward.
Yuan Xiangdong looked gloomy. His eyes looking at Gong Si were even more terrifying. His rationality was almost burned out by jealousy.
When Yuan Xiangdong learned that Jiang Cong was also among the participants in the research, the familiar sense of crisis hit him. He was afraid that Jiang Cong and Gong Si would rekindle their old love. So he had left everything behind and rushed back to China regardless, just to prevent the further development between the two.
Jiang Cong seemed to have guessed Yuan Xiangdong's thoughts. He strolled leisurely around to Yuan Xiangdong's front, crossed his arms leisurely, and there was a sarcastic smile on his cold face. "It seems that the gentlemanly demeanor is nothing but so - so. Taking out your anger on a woman, Mr. Yuan really has the style of a great family. The family education of the Yuan family is really good."
For a scholarly family like this, reputation was the most important thing. If any scandal broke out, Yuan Xiangdong would probably be mercilessly kicked out.
Jiang Cong's smile grew deeper. He was really looking forward to the day when Yuan Xiangdong would lose both wealth and beauty. A man who could lay hands on his own wife was a complete loser and a clown, no matter how great his achievements were outside.
Yuan Xiangdong's face changed several times! He gritted his teeth and forced a very awkward smile. "Sorry to make you laugh, Mr. Jiang. I just miss Sisi so much. I'm sure Mr. Jiang can understand the saying that a short separation is better than a new marriage."
Jiang Cong didn't expose Yuan Xiangdong's blatant lies. Instead, he followed his words and said, "Really? Then Mr. Yuan should treat your wife well. You also understand the principle that one prospers, all prosper; one suffers, all suffer!"
These words put Yuan Xiangdong in a difficult position and blocked his way out.
Yuan Xiangdong endured the anger. His chest heaved violently. At the same time, the force on the hand holding Gong Si's arm grew stronger and stronger.
Gong Si let out a pained cry. Under Jiang Cong's gaze, Yuan Xiangdong had to hypocritically hold Gong Si's hand. Looking at the bluish - purple bruises on her arm, he feigned concern and asked, "Sisi, are you okay? How did this happen?"
Gong Si turned her head away. She was really tired of Yuan Xiangdong's pretense, but she still had to give Yuan Xiangdong enough face in front of Jiang Cong. "I'm fine. I just accidentally bumped into something."
Yuan Xiangdong was obviously satisfied with Gong Si's good sense. He turned his head and said to Jiang Cong in a show - off manner, "Sorry to make you laugh, Mr. Jiang. My wife and I still have some private words to say, so we'll take our leave first."
Jiang Cong raised his eyebrows noncommittally and stepped aside, indicating that Yuan Xiangdong could leave.