Chapter 29: Deceived and Willing

He was driving, so he connected the call via the car's Bluetooth.

A man’s voice came from the other end: "Mr. Cheng, we agreed on ten days. Tomorrow is the deadline. Is the money ready?"

Cheng Jun frowned deeply and replied, "Can you give me a few more days? I'm already working on it."

"That won't do. I've already given you enough time." The man showed no mercy. "If you still haven't scraped the money together, I’ll have no choice but to take the company under your name as collateral."

He hung up immediately after. Cheng Jun looked visibly displeased.

Jiang Yue had heard everything. She immediately asked, "Brother Jun, what’s going on? Who is that? Do you owe him money?"

Cheng Jun nodded, his expression grim. "It’s a debt my father left behind. Now that he’s lying in the hospital and I’ve taken over the family business, I’m the one who has to deal with it."

"How much is it?" Jiang Yue asked.

"It’s fine, Yueyue. I’ll figure something out."

Jiang Yue knit her brows, sounding upset. "You said earlier that you’d tell me no matter what happened. What’s wrong with you? Don't you keep me in your heart anymore?"

"I know, but..." Cheng Jun looked pained. "It’s quite a lot. This person was a major client of my father’s company."

"How much?"

"Ten thousand."

No "yuan" was mentioned, so it meant ten million.

Cheng Jun, you are ruthless. When I asked Jiang Yue for a hundred thousand, she dragged her feet for days and even accused me of trying to scam her. Yet you, with a single word, secure ten million.

Of course, Jiang Yue could afford it. Not to mention her family’s wealth, the company she currently managed could easily cover that amount.

Without a moment’s hesitation, she said, "Let’s go to the bank now. I’ll transfer the money to you."

Cheng Jun quickly demurred, "Yueyue, really, you don't have to. You just transferred two million to me for an emergency a couple of days ago, and now... how could I possibly..."

Before he could finish, Jiang Yue interrupted, "Brother Jun, don't talk about that. I told you, I would do anything for you. Besides, once we’re married, won’t what’s mine be yours anyway?"

Cheng Jun still put on a show of being reluctant, only agreeing after Jiang Yue insisted with an authoritative tone.

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

Why couldn't I ever master the art of playing hard to get?

Jiang Yue, oh Jiang Yue, where did that sharp wit of yours go?

Whatever. I’m dead anyway; it’s none of my business.

To be deceived is a choice. A woman like you deserves to suffer a loss before you’ll finally learn to cry.

It just really irks me that she treats him this way. I remember how difficult it was for me to borrow a mere hundred thousand from her, yet after a few pathetic, manipulative words from her "white moonlight," she’s willing to hand over ten million.

Isn't this just messing with my head?

Wait—I’m already dead; I don’t have a head anymore.

They really went to the bank. Jiang Yue was a VIP client. She didn't need an appointment, and even for large transfers like this, she only needed to be present in person.

After receiving the transfer, Cheng Jun immediately hugged her and said, "Yueyue, I love you. I will work hard to build a good life for us. Please, just trust me."

Jiang Yue was completely smitten, utterly bewitched by him.

Perhaps it’s true—when it comes to love, both men and women lose all their intelligence.

Including me.

Otherwise, how could someone like me, a graduate of a prestigious art academy, have been tortured to the point of being neither human nor ghost by this woman?

But I only realized these truths after my death. It’s far too late.

That evening, Cheng Jun took Jiang Yue to eat spicy hot pot. It wasn't a fancy restaurant, which just goes to show how well he knows how to manipulate a woman’s heart.

A woman like Jiang Yue—what kind of high-end restaurant hasn't she been to? But a roadside stall like this? She’d truly never been. I had tried to take her to one before, but she rejected the idea outright.

It seems it really depends on the person.

While eating, Cheng Jun suddenly said to her, "By the way, Yueyue, I just remembered something."

"What is it?" Jiang Yue tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.

"Didn't you have a collaboration with a French company that fell through because they breached the contract?"

"Oh, that. Yeah, they were unprofessional. They signed the contract and then broke it. I’ve already given up on it."

"I know how much that project meant to you. I did some checking, and it seems the Mingyuan Group has snatched it up."

"Mingyuan Group?" Jiang Yue paused. "Don't they focus on real estate?"

"They do, but they have a subsidiary for interior design. Though, they haven't successfully signed the contract yet."

Jiang Yue laughed dismissively. "Whatever. I wouldn't work with such an untrustworthy company anyway."

"Yueyue, don't let your emotions dictate your decisions. I know this is important to you, so let me try to secure it for you. I happen to know someone who is very influential in this field."

I don't know what kind of scheme Cheng Jun is hatching, but I’m certain he doesn't have such kind intentions.

Jiang Yue was naturally moved. She smiled and said, "Brother Jun, you’re so kind, but this is too much trouble for you."

"Hey, don't say that, Yueyue. Didn't you say we’re a family? Is it wrong for me to help my own woman?"

These words completely melted Jiang Yue. Her eyes even welled up with tears.

Cheng Jun still hasn't revealed his true purpose. Perhaps he’s saving his "big move" for later.

After dinner, Cheng Jun drove Jiang Yue back to her home. They shared a lingering, romantic farewell kiss before she went back into the villa, still looking reluctant to part.

As soon as she entered, she saw Jiang Zi in the living room, watching a drama she had starred in.

"Why haven't you gone back to Mom and Dad's?" Jiang Yue asked as she changed into her slippers and walked toward her.

Jiang Zi shifted her posture and smiled. "Sis, I just wanted to be here with you. Don't tell me you’re going to kick me out?"

Jiang Yue chuckled. "What are you talking about? I just thought Mom and Dad missed you, yet here you are."

"It's fine, I’ll go back tomorrow." Jiang Zi said, hurriedly pulling Jiang Yue down to sit beside her. "Sis, sit down, I have something to tell you."

"What trouble have you caused this time?"

Jiang Zi pouted. "Sis, is that how you see me? I’ve been very well-behaved." She paused, then added, "I want to talk to you about Chu Jianghe. It’s very important!"