Chapter Sixteen: Official Announcement of the Breakup

"Zhiye," Tao Ranming looked at Du Zhiye, "can't you give me a chance?"

Du Zhiye shook her head. It wasn't that she didn't want to give Tao Ranming a chance, but rather that it was unnecessary. After all, her life would not last much longer. Perhaps in three days, there would no longer be anyone in this world named Du Zhiye.

Leaving the Du family home, Du Zhiye felt much lighter. She ordered a ride through an app and, while waiting for the car, thought of Jiang Yingnan. He had just been at the Du family house as well—probably called over by Du Xin. The thought that just last night she and Jiang Yingnan had been sharing the most intimate moments, and today he appeared with her own sister, left Du Zhiye feeling unsettled.

Yet that discomfort was quickly dispelled by reality. Now was not the time to dwell on Jiang Yingnan's relationship with Du Xin; what she needed to focus on was sleeping with Jiang Yingnan again—and capturing photos this time.

After mulling it over, Du Zhiye took out her phone and sent Jiang Yingnan a flirtatious message: "Second Young Master, I miss you."

They had just spent the night together, so nothing would happen so soon again. Still, Du Zhiye knew she had to lay the groundwork. Best to keep the spark alive, to prepare for their next encounter.

When Jiang Yingnan received the message, he had already arrived at the Jiang Corporation's parking lot.

He glanced at his phone, a cold chuckle escaping his lips, then tossed the phone onto the dashboard. He tapped a cigarette from its pack and lit it. With his chiseled features, the set of his jaw, and the smoldering smoke swirling around him, he exuded an aura both mysterious and forbidding.

Jiang Yingnan was not particularly interested in Du Zhiye; the main reason he had slept with her was because she was Tao Ranming's woman. Yet… remembering what had happened at the Du family home, his expression darkened further. If Du Zhiye was only seducing him as revenge on Tao Ranming, then she was certainly living far too comfortably.

With a shadowed expression, Jiang Yingnan stubbed out his cigarette, got out of the car, and locked the door. His movements were fluid, his legs long and straight, and paired with that austere face, he was the kind of man who made women instinctively swallow hard at the sight of him.

After sending her suggestive message, Du Zhiye's phone remained completely silent. She didn't mind. Jiang Yingnan was always out of reach; it was perfectly normal for him not to reply.

Just as she put her phone away, her ride arrived. She had arranged to meet a private investigator today; she still needed to thoroughly look into the accident.

The meeting place was a coffee shop on the west side of the bridge, a rather secluded spot. By the time she arrived, the investigator was already waiting. He had been recommended by a college friend and seemed reliable.

On her way over, Du Zhiye reviewed everything that had happened before and after the car accident. That day, on her way from her apartment to Tao Ranming's house, there had been nothing wrong with the car. She had made several emergency stops and sharp turns at intersections.

So, it was very likely that someone had tampered with her car while she was upstairs.

Du Zhiye gave the investigator the precise time and place, asking him to check if anyone had touched her vehicle during that period. The investigator readily agreed and promised to have results before the end of the day.

As she left the coffee shop, Du Zhiye glanced at her phone. There was still no message from Jiang Yingnan. After a moment's thought, she sent another message: "Second Young Master, remember to contact me when you have time!"

Jiang Yingnan received her message just as Xu Hao informed him that Tao Ranming had announced he and Du Zhiye had broken up. Tao Ranming had posted on his social feed: "From now on, we part on good terms and wish each other well." The accompanying photo was a picture of himself and Du Zhiye, with a photoshopped dividing line splitting it neatly in two.

Their mutual friends quickly left comments, asking Tao Ranming what had happened. He simply replied, "We've broken up. We'll be friends from now on."

The news quickly spread through their circle. Many couldn't believe it and called Tao Ranming, who confirmed it himself.

Reading Du Zhiye's flirtatious message again, Jiang Yingnan found it almost laughable. His face cold, he immediately blocked her.