Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman

Jean was upset with the lack of seriousness on Zed's behalf. She couldn't understand why he was so determined to avoid talking about the Residence Booklet. Annoyed, she pushed Zed away. Then she glared at Zed while she thought of how to approach the topic again. Zed ignored Jean's reaction. He flashed her a charming smile before teasing her," Are you upset with me? Did I say something wrong?" Zed stopped to raise an eyebrow before continuing," Is this your subtle way of telling me that you've recovered and that you are expecting strenuous exercise? Hmm.. let me see. Does sex count as exercise?"

Hearing that, Jean didn't argue with him anymore.

Once Jean crawled into bed, Zed wrapped his arms around her and cuddled. Jean waited nervously for Zed to fall asleep so that she could wiggle out of his grasp, but to her dismay, Zed held her the whole night. While Zed awoke feeling well-rested and completely refreshed, Jean was exhausted as she hadn't been able to fall asleep before the early hours of the next day.

Jean sighed as she began the tiresome task of applying concealer to cover the dark circles under her eyes. Then she slipped into a white shirt and a sky-blue knee-length skirt. Finally, she tied her long hair into a ponytail. When she looked at her reflection in the mirror, she felt a measure of satisfaction. Although plain, she looked pretty.

In contrast, Eva seemed to be garishly dressed.

Jean had arrived at the Coffee House a few minutes before Eva. She had just finished placing her order when Jean saw Eva walking toward her. She was surprised to see the heavy makeup and flashy clothes Eva had chosen for a mid-afternoon tête-à-tête. "I didn't know what you would like to eat. So I ordered for myself. Would you like something to drink?"

Although Jean was trying to be civil, Eva ignored Jean's politeness. After sitting down, Eva played with her mobile phone for a few seconds before she looked at Jean and asked," Is your marriage to Zed for commercial benefit or not? The last time we met, you implied that it was not. How and why would Zed fall in love with a plain woman like you?"

Was she questioning? Was she confused? Was she complaining? Jean couldn't understand from Eva's tone whether she was asking rhetorical questions or whether Eva actually expected Jean to reply.

Knowing that Eva was jealous, Jean didn't get defensive about the questions. Aware that Eva was her best chance to get rid of Zed, Jean decided to play along and be nice.

"He doesn't love me. Our marriage is just a business deal. And we will divorce soon. So, you don't have to worry too much about this."

Jean spoke in a dry tone as if she were narrating something of no significance.

On the contrary, Eva seemed to be quite excited. Despite the happiness she felt, Eva was unsure of whether she could trust Jean.

"Are you telling the truth?"

Jean furrowed her brows and looked at Eva in confusion," Why would I lie to you? How does a lie benefit me?"

At that moment, Eva was so happy that she almost cried out. Her expression softened. But she resisted the urge to hold Jean's hands and thank her.

Instead, she said," You better not lie to me. If I find out that you are being dishonest, I will not spare you."

It sounded very much like a threat. However, Eva's tone was not as aggressive as before.

Jean smiled and said," Well, I didn't lie to you. What I have said is true. I got married with Zed because the Wen Group would benefit from the arrangement. Moreover, there is no love between Zed and I. So it is best for us both to divorce as soon as possible." Jean looked very calm and sincere as she spoke.

Eva carefully studied Jean's expression and found no reason to doubt her.

Since Eva desperately wanted to renew her relationship with Zed, she was quick to believe Jean. Her pride would not allow her to consider the possibility that Zed would have any real interest in a person like Jean. On the contrary, she was certain that only she was deserving of Zed.

'Jean is so ordinary! She won't be able to keep Zed interested for too long!

I am the perfect match for Zed and we are destined to be together in this lifetime.'

Thinking about that, Eva smiled coldly and then said," Have you finished?"

"Yes, that's all!" Jean nodded. She was still smiling sincerely.

"What changed your mind? The last time we met, you were determined to prove to me that your marriage to Zed was more than a business deal."

Despite how happy Eva was to hear Jean's explanation, she did feel that Jean had an ulterior motive. No matter how badly Eva wanted Jean's explanation to be true, this was a feeling that she just couldn't shake.

Compared with Jean's sincerity and indifference, Eva seemed to be more arrogant. This attitude and her sense of natural superiority was Eva's weakness.

While Eva came from a rich background, Jean's father owned the Wen Group, a comparatively smaller company. Eva was certain that Jean's modest background, her plain looks, and her boring personality were no match for her. In fact Eva was so confident that she wouldn't consider a woman who had a similar family background to hers, as competition. For her, the fact that she once held Zed's interest was the only significant factor. "I don't have any hidden agenda, Eva. I know that you still love Zed, don't you?"

Since Eva had come straight to the point, Jean felt that she didn't need to talk in a roundabout way.

"Yes, I love Zed. He is perfect for me. And yes, I am aware that many women consider him to be a suitable match as well. I have introspected on our relationship in the time that we have been separate. Our breakup truly devastated me. In the beginning, I comforted myself by thinking that he is just a man. I even went so far as to convince myself that I could be with any man that I choose. After all, I am very rich and desirable. But I gradually realized that I wouldn't care about other men the way that I care about Zed. None of the men I have dated since my breakup with Zed have helped me forget about him. There is something special about Zed indeed."

Eva's words revealed her true sentiments.

Jean did not feel that Eva was being dishonest. What she had said was right. It was very difficult to forget about a person for whom one had deep feelings.

For example... Zed!

Jean felt a little shocked about her thought and when she looked at Eva, a mixture of emotions threatened to spread across her face.

But Jean kept smiling so that Eva wouldn't doubt her sincerity.

"I love him. I loved him in the past and I love him now. And I will continue to love him in the future!"

Eva said that with conviction.

At that moment, Jean felt a bit of reverence for Eva.

At least... Eva can bravely fight for love. But what about her?

"Well, that's all!"

"Lady, here is the pasta you ordered."

Eva quietened when the waiter walked to their table with the dish in hand. Although a little absent-minded, Jean quickly remembered that she had been so hungry that she had ordered food for herself. "Thank you!"

Jean's overzealous thank you was said not only to express her gratitude to the waiter, but also to conceal her guilty conscience.

Jean smiled brightly again.

What else could she say?

After this conversation, Jean was clear of Eva's intention to make Zed her own.

And Jean was also very clear about the distance between Zed and herself.

"Did you understand what I said?" Eva asked tentatively.

Jean nodded quickly and seemed to be a little embarrassed. She said," I heard. Since... you love him so much, how about we make a deal?"

Eva was a little surprised.

"Yeah. A deal. You can rest assured. I am not asking for money. After divorcing Zed, I intend to move to a different city and find a job to earn for myself. Once I am settled, I will stay far away from Zed and will not interfere in your relationship. So how about it? I will help you get back with Zed."

As Jean voiced her plan, she felt a little unsure of herself. She was no longer confident that she really wanted this.

"Why do you want to help me?"

Eva was dubious about Jean's offer.¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶¶