My Superstar Ex-Husband is a Yandere
Translator: Fuyu
Chapter 2 - It felt like she was being watched by a fox with pale golden eyes.
Li Shihui raised her head. The hour hand on the clock had just moved to 6.
She wasn't the type to ask extra questions. She replied: Okay.
She looked at the food that was already laid out on the table: yellow croaker soup, sweet and sour pork with pineapple, and steamed turbot.
The sweet and sour pork would lose its crispy texture when reheated. Turbot would become tough when resteamed. It wasn't easy to preserve the broth in yellow croaker soup. After thinking for a while, Li Shihui decided to eat everything on the table by herself.
She retained the habits from when she was poor. Towards life's risks, she was like an easily startled bird. Even though she and Jiang Minyun lived a more luxurious life than before, the frugality in her genes remain deeply ingrained.
Li Shihui and Jiang Minyun had completely different tastes. She greatly loved spicy food, to the point that she couldn't enjoy a meal that didn't have spicy dishes. In contrast, Jiang Minyun was prone to breakouts when he ate spicy food. Although he argued that this was merely a sign of his unfulfilled desires, she still learned to cook many light and even sweet dishes to cater to his tastes.
She picked up a piece of sweet and sour pork. The taste couldn't be considered amazing. Perhaps, her cooking skills had deteriorated from lack of practice?
After her PhD graduation three years ago, they had become increasingly busy in their respective careers, so they had hired an auntie to clean and cook.
Li Shihui had never been particular about food. As long as it was appetizing and filling, that was enough for her. Jiang Minyun had a sensitive tongue and could detect changes in food. He was meant for the life of a young master.
She was about to continue eating when her phone rang with a familiar ringtone.
She raised her phone to look and was surprised.
It was her colleague, Su Jiao, from Mingcheng University.
After she graduated with a PHD in robotics from F University, which ranked among the top 3 in the country, she worked at Mingcheng University, a top-tier university, as a junior faculty on the probationary tenure track system. This was her third year, and the pressure to research and publish was tremendous.
Only those who met the performance requirements within six years could be promoted to tenure-track associate professors. The promise of promotion was like the carrot dangling in front of a donkey. It spurred her, a little donkey that was lacking in talent, but was diligent and hardworking to keep pulling the millstone, round and round.
Su Jiao was different from her. Su Jiao was an administrative staff member, specifically a student counselor for the University's School of Control Science and Engineering. She came from a wealthy family and drove a Porsche Cayenne to work. After passing the STHEE, she had become a salted fish.
(T/N: The STHEE is an exam in China that allows students to finish studies through self-study without going to school.)
The difference between Su Jiao’s mental state and hers was like the difference between the sky and the earth.
Thus, she had no idea how she caught Su Jiao's interest. In the beginning, Su Jiao would follow her every day and address her as Hui-jie this and Hui-jie that. Li Shihui was a passive person, so they gradually became friends.
She had once asked Su Jiao why she had chosen her as a friend when they were having afternoon tea in an exquisitely decorated café.
Su Jiao scooped a bite of cream cake with a tiny silver spoon. Pursing her lips that were painted with beautiful lip gloss, she matter-of-factly answered, "Of course, it's because we're from the same world."
As an academic person in science and engineering, Li Shihui had a very straightforward thought process. She thought the reason was probably because she drove a Porsche Panamera that had a similar price to Su Jiao's car, rather than any other reason like approaching her to meet Jiang Minyun.
Everyone in the school knew that Li Shihui was married, just like how everyone interested in the entertainment industry knew Jiang Mingyun was married, but almost no one knew they were a couple.
When Li Shihui, who had been preoccupied with personal issues, decided to leave work early to go home to cook, she felt an inexplicable pang of guilt. After getting Su Jiao's phone call, she realized the source of her guilt.
As early as a week ago, she had agreed to accompany Su Jiao to a dinner. Since then, Su Jiao had repeatedly reminded her how important it was for her to accompany her to this dinner.
Even so, her mental state had become fragile from Jiang Minyun's two-month-long cold war, and she forgot about the favor her friend asked her.
Li Shuhui answered the call with a slight headache and heard Su Jiao's frantic roar, "Li! Shi! Hui! You stood me up! What am I supposed to do?!"
For a moment, Li Shihui thought she had gone deaf.
Li Shihui lived in a detached home in the suburbs, and it would be difficult to find parking downtown. Now wasn't the time to overthink things. Li Shihui replied that she would head there now. She hailed a taxi and rushed to the meeting place, an upscale restaurant.
Su Jiao's important dinner was a blind date.
According to Su Jiao, this was a crucial meeting and no mistakes could be made. Although her blind date was almost 30 years old, he was a highly eligible bachelor and extremely outstanding in every aspect.
Su Jiao had also very shyly told Li Shihui that there was a 98% chance that the man was still a virgin.
"How was this probability calculated?"
While Li Shihui was still at a loss, Su Jiao had already moved onto the next topic.
"Hui-jie, you have to help me." Su Jiao placed her hands on Li Shihui's shoulders and shook her back and forth. "He has a PhD in robotics just like you, but he's an assistant professor in an overseas university. I want you to accompany me for our first meeting. We can talk about robotics to express my support for his career. For the second meeting, I'll meet with him alone to get closer and talk about feelings."
Li Shihui didn't know about psychological warfare. During those years that she pursued Jiang Minyun, she was clumsy and awkward. Hearing Su Jiao's plan, she was bewildered and could only nod in agreement.
Su Jiao had absolute faith in Li Shihui.
First, although Li Shihui wore clothes that were over ten thousand yuan, her style was conservative and leaned towards old-fashioned. Plus, Li Shihui had a clearly crooked nose, so her ordinary appearance wouldn't upstage her.
Second, Li Shihui was an elite in the field of robotics and could proactively bring up topics to prevent this first meeting from falling to awkward silence. Li Shihui had also prepared cheat sheets for her, so that her blind date would look at her in a new light.
Third, and most importantly, Li Shihui was honest and happily married. Although Su Jiao had never met Li Shihui's husband, she had occasionally seen passionate marks on the back of Li Shihui's neck, which was enough to prove that Li Shihui wouldn't become interested in this eligible bachelor.
After totaling up the advantages, Su Jiao praised herself for her brilliant idea in inviting Li Shihui. The only thing she didn't account for was that Li Shihui would forget about this matter.
The reservation was for 7:30 PM, but Su Jiao went to the restaurant at 6 PM to decide on when the dishes would be served, familiarize herself with the location of the restroom, and use every little dating trick she could think of.
Su Jiao was the type that expected an equivalent return for her efforts. As she sat in the private room and looked around, she lamented that she had wasted too much energy on her blind date.
It couldn't be helped. She had hopelessly fallen into the river of love when she saw a full-body photo of her blind date casually standing in the MIT campus in a Burberry trench coat.
After urging Li Shihui, Su Jiao felt restless. Nervous about the approaching meeting, she had the urge to use the restroom. While she was walking towards the restroom, she saw a man and woman walking into the restaurant. They were both tall and fashionably dressed.
They were both wearing masks. Su Jiao was about to pass by them when she suddenly realized something and stopped.
She turned around and asked the tall man in an excited, but lowered voice, "Are you… Jiang Minyun?"
When Su Jiao was 13 years old, Jiang Minyun was 18. He had just gained fame for his role as the male lead in the art film Fallen and won the Best Newcomer Award at the Hundred Flowers Awards.
From that time on, Su Jiao paid attention to this unrestrained youth in elegant white-clothing on the screen.
Unfortunately, he had been very low-key over the years. He never appeared in public, not even to promote his shows. When he officially announced his marriage on Weibo at the age of 22, Su Jiao cried all day.
She never expected to be so lucky as to meet the two most attractive men on the same day.
Jiang Minyun didn't look back.
He didn't want to reveal his identity, especially since he was with Liang Xinyu. It would be very troublesome if people used this to write nonsense.
If he had known this would happen, he wouldn't have agreed to Liang Xinyu's recommendation. This was a members-only restaurant and advertised itself as having a high degree of privacy.
Jiang Minyun looked up. What an unlucky year.
In contrast, Liang Xinyu graciously greeted, "Minyun-ge, this is your fan, right?"
She took off her mask and smiled at Su Jiao.
Su Jiao was about to lose her mind from happiness. She was unworthy of such good luck. She actually got to meet supermodel Liang Xinyu, who had always been working in the US!
"L-Liang Xinyu! You're Liang Xinyu?" Su Jiao's voice trembled. "I… the Chanel-style dress I'm wearing is from one of your runway pieces! I asked someone to bring it back from the US. Waaah!" She was so excited that she could barely speak coherently.
"Want my autograph?" Liang Xinyu asked.
Su Jiao was about to faint from Liang Xinyu's beauty.
"I didn't bring a pen…" Su Jiao was almost spinning from anxiousness. "Can we take a photo together?"
"No." Jiang Minyun's voice betrayed a hint of impatience.
"Liang Xinyu, let's go." He was in a hurry to go home.
Liang Xinyu apologetically smiled at Su Jiao, took off a ring from her finger, and sweetly said, "For you honey, please don't tell anyone we're here."
Su Jiao was knowledgeable about fashion and recognized that it was a new Tiffany piece. She clutched the ring in her hand and was less sad that Jiang Minyun didn't like her.
"Okay, I won't! Enjoy your meal! Take your time. See you. I-I've always liked you guys so much!"
After saying that, Su Jiao glanced at Jiang Minyun. His hands were in his pockets, and he was already walking away without looking back.
Liang Xinyu smiled and waved, then she caught up with Jiang Minyun in her high heels.
Su Jiao watched them leave, a bit sad.
—
After calming herself down and touching up her makeup in the restroom, Su Jiao returned to the private room and saw that her blind date was already seated.
His gray wool coat was hung on a hanger by the waiter. He was wearing a fitted white shirt. His head was propped up in his hand, and he was looking out the window at the endless blue scenery. A Patek Philippe Grand Complications Celestial was visible on his wrist.
If he was merely an assistant professor, he wouldn't have caught the eye of Su Jiao, the only daughter of a CEO of a listed company. She was attracted not only to this man's appearance, but also his family's wealth.
To her surprise, he was even more handsome than in his photo. Moreover, with the accumulation of years of experience, his demeanor was even more composed than in the photo.
It was really illogical that a man like him would remain single for so long. He was almost 30 years old.
Su Jiao tittered.
It seemed that the Heavens had taken pity on her for being single for so long, so it had sent a monk to subdue her, a little demon.
Hearing her voice, the man turned to look at her. He smiled and stood up to shake her hand. "Hello Miss Su, I'm Lin Zhicheng."
His hand was large and warm. Su Jiao was a bit reluctant to let go, but Lin Zhicheng withdrew his hand within the bounds of etiquette.
They sat down across from each other.
"I heard it was a gathering of three today." Lin Zhicheng's expression was nonchalant. He took a sip of apéritif and casually brought up, "Has that other lady stood us up?"
His tone was relaxed and pleasant. He didn't seem unhappy that the third person wasn't coming.
Su Jiao suddenly thought it would be good if Li Shihui didn't come. Lin Zhicheng was such a gentleman. Perhaps, the conversation wouldn't fall into awkward silence.
Just as she was about to take her phone out to send a message to Li Shihui to tell her to not come, the waiter opened the door, and Li Shihui walked in.
"Sorry, I'm late. I'm Su Jiao's friend, Li Shihui." Her attention was still on Su Jiao. After sitting down, she looked up and was stunned for a moment.
"Lin Zhicheng?" Li Shihui confirmed the man's identity in a very uncertain tone. He was her high school classmate. The one that she had been texting with about their academic field.
She took a deep breath. If she had known that Su Jiao's blind date was Lin Zhicheng, she would have never agreed to come.
Jiang Minyun had ignored her for two months after finding out she had texted Lin Zhicheng a few times. If he found out that she had dinner with Lin Zhicheng, he would probably escalate to demanding a divorce.
Although she didn't understand what Jiang Minyun was angry about, she had always gone along with his requests. If he was upset, she would work on making him happy.
She could only pray that she could hide this from Jiang Minyun.
Su Jiao affectionately hugged Li Shihui's arm and said, "Haha, Cheng-ge asked me to keep it a secret. He was worried you would feel awkward."
Su Jiao had taken a look into Lin Zhicheng's research area and racked her brains. She seized the opportunity to mention that she had friends in his field and incidentally mentioned Li Shihui's name.
Lin Zhicheng had said that he wasn't familiar with those people in his field, but he had heard of Li Shihui's name. If there was an opportunity, he hoped that she would introduce him to Li Shuhui to have a discussion. However, since their two teams had a minor conflict over a project, he was worried that Li Shuhui wouldn't be willing to come if she found out it was him.
He hid that he was Li Shuihui's deskmate for three years in high school.
Su Jiao naturally couldn't let this opportunity slip by. She was struck with the bright idea to tell Li Shuhui she needed her help with a blind date and tell Lin Zhicheng it was a gathering to discuss academic ideas. And with that, she set up this dinner.
In contrast to his gentle and considerate treatment of Su Jiao, Lin Zhicheng only gave a professional nod to Li Shihui.
"Hello Ms. Li," Lin Zhicheng was polite and distant as if he didn't know Li Shihui. He didn't get up and only showed a gentlemanly smile.
Su Jiao didn't show it, but she was quite happy.
Li Shihui, on the other hand, felt like she was sitting on needles. She didn't want to spoil her friend's fun, so she fed Su Jiao a few prepared topics like they had practiced.
Every time Li Shihui asked a question, Su Jiao would rush to answer first, and Lin Zhicheng would add to the answer with a smile. Almost every time Su Jiao answered a question, Lin Zhicheng would praise her without a hint of insincerity. At the end of the discussion, Lin Zhicheng even invited Su Jiao to study for a second master's degree at the university where he worked.
"Miss Su has an innate talent and a unique perspective on the field of robotics."
Su Jiao swayed back and forth in happiness. Radiant with happiness, she answered, "I've just been influenced by being a student counselor in the School of Control Science and Engineering!"
Li Shihui was very conscientious of her role as a supporting character. Unless the two protagonists called on her, she rarely interjected. She either ate with her eyes down or attentively listened with a smile.
"I'll definitely work hard. I'll finish the automation course first and when everything is ready, I'll apply to be Professor Lin's student. I won't let you down." Su Jiao raised her glass of red wine and clinked it with Lin Zhicheng's.
"Miss Su," Lin Zhicheng lowered his eyes, took a sip of red wine, and leisurely said, "The lesson I learned from my mistakes is that if you wait until everything is ready, it'll be easy to end up with nothing.
"Huh? Professor Lin, you're so amazing. How could there be a time when you've lost?"
To hide her shyness from Lin Zhicheng's invitation, Su Jiao lowered her head and focused intently on skewering a piece of melon and ham with a small fork.
Lin Zhicheng didn't answer.
Li Shihui was actually quite curious too. She always thought that a genius like Lin Zhicheng should have a smooth and successful life. That he could accomplish anything he wanted.
She snuck a glance at him and met Lin Zhicheng's gaze. It felt like she was being watched by a fox with pale golden eyes.
Li Shihui's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Translator Ramblings: Li Shihui is such a nice friend. I would be so annoyed if my friend knowingly tricked me. And for a guy she barely knows!