My Wife Always Wants to Run Away - Chapter 8

Jie Xiangyi ignored their banter, her expression complex as she gazed at Tang Jinzhi. The moment their eyes met, her composure crumbled.

Tang Jinzhi quickly averted her gaze, attempting to explain, “Don’t overthink it. I’m only doing this to get better revenge on them.”

Jie Xiangyi didn’t believe her. She was more inclined to believe Zhang Yueqi’s version of events: that Tang Jinzhi was deliberately helping her, with revenge as merely a side benefit.

Tang Jinzhi couldn’t even admit the real reason to herself, and now that Zhang Yueqi had exposed her, she still tried to reassure herself not to overthink it.

Jie Xiangyi’s throat tightened as she looked at Tang Jinzhi with a complicated expression. She remembered to thank her, “Thank you.”

Tang Jinzhi replied stiffly, “No need…”

Tang Jinzhi sensed a mix of gratitude and confusion in Jie Xiangyi’s eyes. She hoped it was just her imagination, that Jie Xiangyi wouldn’t dwell on it too deeply. She was afraid.

Desperate to salvage the situation, Tang Jinzhi quickly retorted, “I wasn’t trying to hide anything from you! Zhang Yueqi just stole my lines and made it all about herself!”

Jie Xiangyi heard her, but she didn’t believe it. She clung to the belief that Tang Jinzhi was acting in her best interest.

Zhang Yueqi also heard her, and she didn’t believe it either. Why couldn’t the story unfold the way she imagined it?

Zhang Yueqi scoffed, “Enough with the pretense, Tang Jinzhi. We all know what’s really going on.”

Know what?!

Tang Jinzhi’s breath caught in her throat. She decided to shut up and stop arguing; the more she explained, the worse it sounded.

But Zhang Yueqi clearly wanted to add more drama.

She plopped down next to Jie Xiangyi and leaned in eagerly. “Tang Jinzhi told the ‘power fantasy’ version, while I told the ’emotional drama’ version. Which one do you prefer?”

Jie Xiangyi’s lowered lashes fluttered slightly, her eyes revealing a hint of confusion.

She took Zhang Yueqi’s words to heart, pondering which version she would prefer.

“Hold on!” Tang Jinzhi quickly interrupted, cutting off Jie Xiangyi’s wandering thoughts. “Actually, I’m going for the ‘career-focused’ version!”

She couldn’t help but mentally commend Zhang Yueqi for her vivid descriptions.

Zhang Yueqi looked puzzled. “Since when are we focused on our careers?”

Jie Xiangyi also turned to Tang Jinzhi, wondering what else she hadn’t revealed.

Tang Jinzhi cleared her throat, lifted her chin, and suddenly adopted a dignified air. “Haven’t you heard the saying?”

“Art! It comes from life!”

Zhang Yueqi: “So? What does that have to do with the bad things we did?”

“What do you mean ‘doing bad things’? We were just correcting the hospital’s corrupt practices,” Tang Jinzhi retorted, glaring at Zhang Yueqi. If she weren’t trying to maintain some semblance of dignity, she would have rolled her eyes at him.

Zhang Yueqi was speechless. Only a fool would believe her.

Jie Xiangyi, however, nodded in agreement. “It does need correcting.”

Zhang Yueqi: …?

Tang Jinzhi was quite pleased with Jie Xiangyi’s response.

She decided to cut to the chase. “I originally just wanted to eavesdrop on gossip. It’s a ready-made source of inspiration, which is very useful to me. But then I accidentally overheard gossip about myself, and I couldn’t resist joining in.”

In the past, she often went to the park to listen to the gossiping aunties and grandmas basking in the sun, but even after hearing countless stories, she rarely found inspiration.

Tang Jinzhi realized that everyone else was also struggling with their own problems, just like her. Listening to their stories helped her relax and find a sense of balance.

Zhang Yueqi was curious about what she meant by “useful.” “How exactly is it useful to you?”

Tang Jinzhi didn’t hide her intentions. “I want to write some murder mystery scripts, and I’m lacking inspiration.”

Zhang Yueqi’s eyes lit up with curiosity. “Murder mystery scripts? Why are you writing those?”

“Making money. I’m broke.”

Over the past few days, Tang Jinzhi had carefully reviewed her assets and connections. Her conclusion: she had neither.

But she did have one thing she could leverage: the benefits her family had promised when she agreed to the arranged marriage.

Since she had no intention of becoming an actress, she could repurpose those promised resources.

For example, she could secure investment for a variety show based on her murder mystery scripts. This world lacked puzzle-solving reality shows, and Tang Jinzhi believed that as long as the celebrities and her scripts were solid, it would be hard not to make money.

Alternatively, she could have her family introduce her to reliable directors, allowing her to realize her dream of adapting her novels into television dramas. Ideally, her family would also invest in the project under her name, making her a producer.

These were the fastest and most lucrative methods she could think of.

Zhang Yueqi was skeptical. “How much money can you even make with this stuff?”

She’d heard of murder mystery games, but could they really be profitable?

Tang Jinzhi shook her head. “Not much, based on current trends.”

She didn’t want to waste time discussing something that was still just an idea.

There was another matter that had been puzzling her.

“If I may ask, are you two very wealthy?” Tang Jinzhi added quickly, “Don’t misunderstand, I just get the feeling our wealthy families operate differently.”

After asking, Tang Jinzhi braced herself. She knew she wouldn’t be able to handle the answer, but she couldn’t resist asking, hoping to finally crush her lingering hope.

Without hesitation, Zhang Yueqi pulled out his phone to check his bank balance.

Seeing him lower his head and meticulously count, Tang Jinzhi’s lips twitched, suddenly afraid to hear the answer.

Zhang Yueqi scratched his cheek. “Ah, only about two million left in my account. Mom should be transferring more soon.”

Tang Jinzhi fell silent, pressing a hand to her chest. She slowly turned to look at Jie Xiangyi.

Come on, just give me the final blow.

Jie Xiangyi turned away, avoiding her gaze, unwilling to crush her spirit.

Oblivious to the tension, Zhang Yueqi asked, “What about you, Jie Xiangyi?”

Jie Xiangyi hesitated, her lips moving slightly, before answering softly, “I don’t know.”

Zhang Yueqi scoffed. “Why don’t you just check your phone?”

After hesitating repeatedly, Jie Xiangyi finally uttered a sentence that silenced both of them: “Too many to count in the short term.”

Zhang Yueqi clutched his chest. “Your wealthy family and my wealthy family are clearly on different levels.”

Then he saw Tang Jinzhi raise her hand to cover her eyes.

“What are you doing?” Zhang Yueqi asked, puzzled.

“I can’t bear to hear any more,” Tang Jinzhi replied.

“Then why are you covering your eyes?” Zhang Yueqi pressed.

Tang Jinzhi’s tone turned serious. “I’m afraid my eyes will start glowing green with envy.”

Jie Xiangyi, who had been listening quietly the whole time, was speechless.

I already said I don’t know…

Tang Jinzhi suppressed her anti-rich sentiments, her composure quickly returning.

She was merely feeling indignant on behalf of the original owner of her body. In truth, she wasn’t at all discouraged!

Jie Xiangyi glanced at them both, then explained, “Those are regular deposits from my family. The shares are also from them, not anything I earned myself.”

Tang Jinzhi paused, surprised. Was Jie Xiangyi trying to comfort her?

Understanding dawned, and Tang Jinzhi chuckled, blinking. “In that case, I guess I’m a bit more impressive than you.”

Jie Xiangyi’s expression suddenly relaxed, and she smiled, “Well, I’m not even a chief physician yet, so I don’t earn much.”

Zhang Yueqi, who had been about to call his mother to ask for more pocket money, silently put his phone down.

Tang Jinzhi’s attention suddenly shifted.

“Huh? You’re not a chief physician yet?”

Tang Jinzhi only knew that when you’re sick, you see a doctor. She didn’t know much about the medical profession.

Jie Xiangyi’s expression froze for a moment. Isn’t that normal?

She took a deep breath and pretended it was nothing. “Yeah… not yet.”

Zhang Yueqi, who had done his research, chimed in, “She’s only 26. She has plenty of time.”

Jie Xiangyi nodded innocently, as if to say, It’s not like I’m not trying hard enough.

Tang Jinzhi’s expression cleared with understanding. “Oh, I see. I just thought you seemed really reliable, like Doctor Qiu.”

Jie Xiangyi couldn’t help the corners of her mouth from twitching upward. She hummed softly and replied earnestly, “Doctor Qiu is amazing. I still have a long way to go.”

Zhang Yueqi nodded vigorously. “Exactly, exactly!”

Just as the group was enjoying their conversation, the highly skilled Doctor Qiu finally arrived.

“Why are you all sitting outside?” she asked.

Tang Jinzhi replied with a smile, “It’s easier to chat out here.”

She then asked, “Doctor Qiu, can I be discharged today?”

Qiu Wanjun nodded. “Yes, you can. But remember to come back for follow-up appointments.”

She had been planning to discuss this anyway; Tang Jinzhi was indeed ready for discharge.

Tang Jinzhi immediately turned to Jie Xiangyi, her voice firm. “I’m getting discharged today!”

Jie Xiangyi thought for a moment, checked the time on her phone, and nodded with a complex expression. “Alright, let’s do it today. We still have time.”

They could get their marriage certificate before the civil affairs bureau closed for the day.

Hearing this, Tang Jinzhi paused on her way back to the ward and turned to Jie Xiangyi. “Do you have something urgent? If so, I can go home by myself.”

“…I don’t have anything urgent. I just forgot to tell you something.”

“Oh?”

“Let’s talk about it when we get home.”

Jie Xiangyi glanced around. The room was too crowded for a private conversation.

Tang Jinzhi understood immediately. She wants to whisper secrets? I get it, I get it.

Once they decided on the discharge, the group wasted no time.

Jie Xiangyi went to handle Tang Jinzhi’s discharge paperwork.

Zhang Yueqi reluctantly bid farewell to her best friend. Tang Jinzhi’s sudden departure had caught her completely unprepared.

Ignoring Zhang Yueqi’s resentful glances, Tang Jinzhi grabbed the clothes Jie Xiangyi had brought earlier when she retrieved her phone and went to change in the bathroom.

She had to admit, Jie Xiangyi’s clothes fit her perfectly, and even the undergarments were brand new.

After so many days, Tang Jinzhi once again marveled at Jie Xiangyi’s thoughtfulness.

By the time they finished the discharge procedures and left the hospital, half an hour had passed.

Zhang Yueqi had wanted to go back to their place for a visit, but Jie Xiangyi said she had errands to run and suggested he come back tomorrow.

Tang Jinzhi didn’t concern herself with their plans, simply telling him to come by whenever he wanted.

Finally leaving the hospital, Tang Jinzhi felt a strange mix of nervousness and excitement. The outside world was a whole new world, and it was thrilling.

The ride home was only two minutes long, barely giving Tang Jinzhi time to feel sentimental before the ride-hailing car pulled up to their apartment building.

After getting out of the car, she followed Jie Xiangyi into the elevator. Remembering Jie Xiangyi’s earlier mention of going out, she asked, “Are you still going out later?”

Jie Xiangyi glanced at her. “Yes, and you’re coming too.”

Tang Jinzhi was confused. “Where are we going?”

Jie Xiangyi cut straight to the point. “Remember when I said there was something I forgot to tell you?”

Tang Jinzhi’s eyes lit up, and she leaned in eagerly. “Yes, yes! Tell me!”

She waited with bated breath for Jie Xiangyi’s secret.

Jie Xiangyi’s lips twitched. She really hoped Tang Jinzhi could maintain that expression later.

“We’re going to get our marriage certificate. We’re getting married.”