Chapter 30 He Was Upset

Qiao Jiu had little desire to discuss her trivial matters with Lu Fengzhou, so she changed the subject abruptly, “Have the Liang brothers left?”

Guan Wei nodded, “They just left not long ago.”

After a moment’s hesitation, she added, “A Cheng is quite worried about you.”

Qiao Jiu responded carelessly, “What’s there to worry about? I’m not a child.”

Her indifferent attitude eased Guan Wei’s concerns, making it easier to speak frankly. “Qiao Jiu, the Liang family is interested in collaborating with Lu Fengzhou. By the look of things, Lu Fengzhou seems receptive. It shouldn’t take long. A Cheng has just returned and knows nothing yet…”

Before she could finish, Qiao Jiu interrupted, “Mm. Don’t worry. I’m not close with Liang Xiucheng, and I doubt I ever will be.”

Afraid Qiao Jiu might misunderstand, Guan Wei explained, “I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just that Lu Fengzhou is petty, and the Liang family wants to avoid complications.”

Qiao Jiu raised her hand to pinch her brow, “I understand, there’s no need to explain.”

It was late. Her body felt uncomfortable and she didn’t want to talk any longer. “Alright, I drank a bit too much today and I’m really tired. I’ll go to sleep first.”

Guan Wei replied quickly, “Rest up. If there’s anything, let’s talk when we meet tomorrow.”

After hanging up, Qiao Jiu turned and headed to the bathroom.

She undressed and glanced at herself in the mirror. Bruises mottled both sides of her waist—marks from where Lu Fengzhou had gripped her, rough and fierce.

She checked her shoulder as well, which looked better now, just a faint pink mark that would probably disappear in another hour or two. It wasn’t a safe period these days. After two years of married life with no pregnancy, the family doctor said her body was cold and not easily receptive, but she still wasn’t at ease. Tomorrow she’d have to get some medicine.

Life was already hard enough; she couldn’t afford any more surprises.

After her bath, she returned to bed, wrapped herself tightly in the quilt, and shut her eyes. Yet all that filled her mind was Lu Fengzhou’s face—sometimes gasping, sometimes gritting his teeth as he growled, “What do you think?”

Other times, his mouth bit down on her shoulder, eyes full of hatred.

Qiao Jiu couldn’t fathom Lu Fengzhou, but if she had to say, she truly had nothing to feel guilty about. She’d once had a bad temper and a capricious nature, but with him, her posture had been lowered again and again. Even if this marriage wasn’t his wish, he’d agreed to it himself, and she was blameless.

Her thoughts tumbled in confusion, but she didn’t last long before drifting off.

Perhaps from exhaustion, she slept dreamlessly until morning.

When she awoke, she felt refreshed. After a quick tidy-up, she headed out.

Her stomach felt empty, but she chose to go to the pharmacy first to buy emergency contraceptives.

Standing at the pharmacy entrance, she opened the box, glanced at the instructions, and, without water, swallowed the pill dry.

She tossed the empty box into a nearby trash bin, patted her clothes, and walked off in search of a restaurant.

As soon as she disappeared, someone approached, retrieved the discarded box from the bin without concern for cleanliness, and returned to a nearby car, handing it to the man in the back seat.

The car’s rear window was open. Lu Fengzhou sat there with a placid expression, his gaze fixed outside.

He didn’t take the box, nor did he glance at it, only asked, “Emergency contraceptive?”

“Yes,” the driver replied.

After a long silence, Lu Fengzhou spoke, “Let’s go.”

He’d come intending to remind Qiao Jiu to take the pill, but it seemed he’d worried too much.

The driver pulled away. After a while, he glanced at Lu Fengzhou in the rearview mirror.

Lu Fengzhou pressed his lips together, still looking calm, but the driver could sense his displeasure.