Chapter Seven: Foiled Plans

“Hello, Director Zhang...”
“Liran, did you forget about the business trip assignment I gave you?” Director Zhang, the company's sales director, spoke with a note of displeasure.
Liran suddenly remembered—she had left in a rush the day before yesterday without handing anything over. The boss was probably furious by now.
“I’ll go to the office and take care of it right away!”
“No need. Anqi has already handled the aftermath for you,” Director Zhang replied, then hung up.
Liran stood frozen, phone in hand. In the past, she would never have minded Anqi handling such matters for her, but things were different now. The situation between her and Anqi was no longer so simple.
Without another thought, Liran headed directly to the office.
As she entered, she immediately saw Anqi printing documents. Liran strode over and demanded, “Anqi, since when do you have the right to meddle in my work?”
“Ranjie, what are you saying? You left unexpectedly that day, so of course I had to finish your tasks—otherwise the boss would be angry!”
Anqi blinked her eyes innocently.
If she hadn’t witnessed what happened yesterday, Liran might have believed her.
“Anqi, don’t think I don’t know what you’re really after. There’s only the two of us here. Drop the act.”

“My, what a thing to say. What could I possibly be after? I’m just doing my job, that’s all.”
Anqi replied lightly, picking up the documents on the desk and preparing to leave. Whether by accident or design, she lifted her left hand to brush back her hair, revealing a diamond ring on her ring finger.
Liran remembered—this ring… Zhang Fanfan had tried to give it to her the other day. Why was Anqi wearing it now?
“Where did you get that ring?” Liran grabbed her hand, demanding an answer.
“You’re hurting me! Let go!” Anqi wrenched her hand free and rubbed her wrist, glancing at the ring. “Where else could it come from? Of course—it was a gift from your husband!”
Zhang Fanfan, as she suspected.
No wonder he had disappeared without a word after leaving yesterday—he had gone to see her.
Anqi, noticing Liran’s dazed, shattered look, stepped closer. “Ranjie, I advise you to divorce Fanfan as soon as possible. A woman like you isn’t worthy of him.”
Liran saw the challenge in her eyes—deliberate, unmistakable.
“And then what? So you and he can be together?”
“At least you understand. Men like young, beautiful women. We may only be three years apart, but... compared to you, I still have the advantage.”
As Anqi spoke, she thrust out her chest as if to flaunt her assets.

Liran laughed. Hadn’t she, too, once been a naive girl like Anqi, relying on her youth and charm to act recklessly? She simply hadn’t stooped to Anqi’s level.
After her marriage, she had been consumed by work and home, forgetting that she, too, needed to preserve moments of beauty for herself.
“So what? One day, you’ll find yourself in my place, and your triumph won’t last long.” Liran’s stubborn spirit flared up again.
“And let me guess—Zhang Fanfan told you about our supposed divorce?”
“That’s right. He told me himself. You two are getting divorced soon.”
Liran sneered inwardly. Men truly had a way with lies—pleading with her not to divorce him, then turning around and promising Anqi that it would happen.
The little girl was still so naive.
“Then I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. Zhang Fanfan and I will never get divorced.”