Chapter 93: An Encounter by the Street

“So that’s how it is.” Gao Xiaoqin suddenly understood, nodding as realization dawned on her face.

She then looked at Jiang Hao with expectation and asked, “Mr. Jiang, can you treat my sleep paralysis? Honestly, I haven’t dared to sleep these past few days. Every night I’m on edge, terrified.”

“There’s nothing to be afraid of,” Jiang Hao replied with an easy smile, taking a sip of his drink.

Gao Xiaoqin looked a bit embarrassed. “I’m rather timid… If a man encountered something like this, perhaps he wouldn’t be scared. But I live alone, and when that happened, I was completely petrified. I didn’t even go to work at Bifeng Bank that day.”

“If it’s convenient for you, could you help me?” Her tone was pleading, leaving Jiang Hao almost too embarrassed to refuse.

He looked at her, troubled. “Treating sleep paralysis… to be honest, it’s not so simple. How about this—if you insist, I can come to your home and observe. It’d be best if you try to fall asleep in my presence; only then might I be able to figure out how to help you.”

Sleep in front of Jiang Hao?

Gao Xiaoqin’s face was incredulous. A woman living alone, inviting a man over—and sleeping in his presence?

Jiang Hao noticed her hesitation and quickly explained, “It’s just a suggestion—you’re free to refuse. But if you do, I won’t be able to help you. I’m not threatening you, just being honest; sleep paralysis isn’t like ordinary illnesses. If I don’t see exactly what happens, I can’t help.”

Gao Xiaoqin’s mind wavered. As general manager of Bifeng Bank, and with Jiang Hao merely a client, their relationship shouldn’t warrant inviting him home. Yet, it seemed there was no other solution.

After wrestling with her thoughts, she finally nodded. “All right, after dinner, you’ll come home with me. But, Mr. Jiang, I hope you can…”

Her voice trailed off—she simply couldn’t bring herself to say it. Yet even without her saying more, Jiang Hao understood. He quickly reassured her, “Don’t worry, I’m not that kind of person. I’d never cross the line.”

“I trust you,” Gao Xiaoqin replied with a faint smile.

Soon after, the waiter brought their meal. As they ate, Jiang Hao and Gao Xiaoqin chatted idly, the conversation light and casual.

Half an hour later, Gao Xiaoqin paid the bill, and the two of them left the restaurant together. There was a short flight of steps outside; though not particularly steep, perhaps distracted by their earlier conversation, Gao Xiaoqin missed a step and stumbled.

“Careful!” Jiang Hao called, reaching out instinctively to grab her wrist and pull her back.

It was a reflex, nothing more. But in that moment, Gao Xiaoqin fell straight into his arms.

For a moment, Jiang Hao stood frozen, and Gao Xiaoqin’s face flushed crimson. She scrambled to stand, awkwardly thanking him. “Th-thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” Jiang Hao replied, turning away and forcing his voice to remain calm.

Just then, a woman’s voice called out from not far ahead.

“Jiang Hao, you two…”

Jiang Hao turned at the sound, his expression changing instantly.

Standing a short distance away was Su Qingli. Her clothes were plain and simple, a far cry from the usual elegance of a daughter of the Su family. Alone on the street, she looked utterly downcast.

In her hand she clutched several leaflets, each advertising houses and shops for rent or sale. What she intended to do with them, he could not tell.

“What are you doing here?” Jiang Hao asked, face stern.

Su Qingli glanced between Jiang Hao and Gao Xiaoqin, a bitter expression on her face. She had seen Gao Xiaoqin fall into Jiang Hao’s arms—though she realized it was just an accident, jealousy still burned within her.

Her own husband, dining with another woman, and by a twist of fate ending up in her arms—what was she to do as his wife? Cause a scene? Break down in tears?

Su Qingli took a careful breath, forcing a smile. “I just came out for a walk… Jiang Hao, this is…?”

Gao Xiaoqin immediately answered, “You must be Miss Su, Su Qingli? I’m Gao Xiaoqin, general manager of Bifeng Bank. I just had a meal with your husband to discuss some business matters. There’s nothing between us, please don’t misunderstand.”

“There’s no misunderstanding,” Su Qingli replied, shaking her head and suppressing her pain. The smile on her face was obviously strained.

Before she finished speaking, Jiang Hao coldly said to Gao Xiaoqin, “Why bother explaining? Let’s go.”

With that, he turned and crossed the street alone. Gao Xiaoqin gave Su Qingli an awkward smile and hurried after him.

As she watched Jiang Hao and Gao Xiaoqin leave together, Su Qingli felt her heart ache. The leaflets in her hand were crumpled into a ball.

The street was busy, car horns blaring, the city center of Maple Leaf City alive with noise and bustle.

As Gao Xiaoqin led Jiang Hao on, she ventured hesitantly, “Mr. Jiang, that lady must be your wife, right? Why are you so…”

She couldn’t find the right words to describe his attitude toward Su Qingli.

Jiang Hao glanced at her and replied, “You think I’m too cold to her, too harsh?”

“That’s not what I meant…” Gao Xiaoqin protested, shaking her head with a forced smile.

“But that’s the truth. I am harsh to her. But it’s only right—after all, we’re about to get divorced, aren’t we?”

Jiang Hao’s tone was calm, as if he were speaking of someone else’s story, not his own.

“But even ordinary people, when they’re divorcing, usually have at least a sliver of affection left for their spouse…” Gao Xiaoqin ventured.

“Can you not mention her again?” Jiang Hao suddenly interrupted, anger in his voice. Though he tried to suppress it, his tone was still severe.

Startled, Gao Xiaoqin didn’t dare utter another word, only nodding emphatically.

“Sorry, I’m not in the best mood,” Jiang Hao muttered by way of apology.

“It’s fine, I understand how you feel,” Gao Xiaoqin replied, forcing a smile.