RITM - 57

Chapter 57: The Eighteen-sided Mirrors – Drifting (3)  

Her heart still racing, Xie Xinqi captured the damning chat records with her phone, closed WeChat, and waited for Su Jiannian to return to the car. Once he was seated, she handed his phone back to him. With meticulous care, he opened her drink, passing it to her alongside a napkin. Watching her finish the beverage, he started the car. But before they moved, he noticed her demeanor was unlike usual. “Baby, are you feeling unwell?” 

The word “baby” made her stomach churn. Taking a steadying breath, she replied, “I was just thinking… maybe I should adopt an English name.” 

“Aren’t you already using one?” he asked with a comforting smile. 

“No, I think ‘Adeline’ sounds nice.” 

His body tensed briefly, but he brushed it off casually. “That name’s too old-fashioned for you.” 

“For whom, then?” She sent him a series of screenshots. “Does it suit someone else better?” 

Finally, panic set in. His complexion turned a mottled shade of red, spreading from his ears to his cheeks. “Xin… Xinqi… It’s not what you think…” 

“I’ve sent you everything. Now get out of my car. Right now—don’t stay another second!” After ejecting him, she floored the accelerator and sped off. 

On the drive home, she replayed his long message in her mind. Tim Statham? Struggling to recall, she pulled over and searched for the name online. A photo of a distinguished older man with silver hair appeared, identified as an “American composer.” She finally placed the face—it was the man who’d mistaken her for a server at Mrs. Su’s birthday party. Linking this to Su Jiannian’s texts, she understood the full picture. No wonder he’d constantly mentioned marriage from the start. It wasn’t her resemblance to Luo Wei—it was his need for money. 

For Xie Xinqi, the day felt apocalyptic. But she had no idea worse awaited her. That night, Su Jiannian called, drunk and slurring. “Xinqi, you’re dumping me, aren’t you? Have you considered how unfair this relationship has been for me? You never loved me. Yes, I cheated, but why? You never respected me. Other girls are sweet and affectionate, but you treated me like a servant!” 

“Please,” she snapped. “You’ve always been effeminate—it’s not my fault. What kind of man lets his girlfriend pick every restaurant? And now you dare blame me?” 

“It’s because I didn’t dare choose! Remember that buffet? I didn’t finish my food, and you gave me that look. After that, I let you decide everything.” 

She paused, recalling the incident. “You’re ridiculous. Ordering so much and wasting it—isn’t that rude?” 

“It’s not just that. In Bali, you forced me to buy an expensive hat. When I bargained, you sulked. At the hotel, I didn’t tip the bellboy, and you looked at me like I was trash. Six months ago, when you were sick in California, the hospital billed us $3,400. I thought it was extortion and ignored it. Later, you discovered the unpaid bill, didn’t even ask me, and scolded me for being cheap. Then you transferred the money in front of me, saying we shouldn’t lack funds… There’s so much more. Being with you is exhausting. Every day, I struggle to seem less pathetic because your disdain makes me wonder who you’re comparing me to. The more I think, the more afraid I am of you. Can you understand? When I treat other girls, they’re grateful. With you, I’m nothing but a loser!”

Xie Xinqi was left utterly speechless. She knew Su Jiannian was more sensitive than most, but she had no idea he was someone who obsessed over details and held grudges so deeply. If not for his drunken confession during their breakup, he might never have brought up any of these grievances. Unlike him, she wasn’t one to hold things in—her temper flared quickly but dissipated just as fast. The incidents he mentioned were faint memories to her, ones she hadn’t given much thought to at all. 

True, Su Jiannian had picked up many gentlemanly habits while studying in Europe—opening doors for women, pulling out chairs, helping with coats—but some ingrained bad habits remained unchanged. For instance, at buffets, when dining with her brother, his appetite was modest, yet he didn’t approach meals with the same “get your money’s worth” mindset as Su Jiannian, who felt compelled to order everything in sight. Even if her brother only ate a small serving of foie gras egg custard, he’d still pay the full buffet price without hesitation, ordering swiftly and efficiently before focusing entirely on her. During overseas trips, whether dining at restaurants or interacting with bellhops and room service staff, her brother always tipped generously, using crisp bills rather than fumbling with loose change. As for spending, even if she maxed out her credit card, her brother would toss his own card to her without a second thought. She had grown accustomed to being treated like a princess when traveling with Xie Xiuchen, so the awkwardness she encountered with Su Jiannian inevitably grated on her nerves. She recalled her brother once saying, “With your severe princess complex, no man will ever be able to tolerate you.” Her father had also remarked, “Men aren’t fools—they know that when a woman truly loves a man, she’ll treat him gently.” Perhaps they were right… but she simply hadn’t met a man who satisfied her. 

Su Jiannian continued, “Oh, and do you remember one night at 12:30 AM when you sent me out to buy waxberry juice? I scoured the entire city of Gongzhou to find you a cup, and when I finally brought it back, you said I was too slow and didn’t want to drink anything sugary before bed. When I showed even the slightest hint of displeasure, you exploded at me, calling me useless and saying that if it were your brother, he wouldn’t just make you fresh juice by hand—he’d have a hundred ways to prepare something better. But let me ask you this: am I Xie Xiuchen?! He’s a wealthy young master from a prestigious family, and I’m just a struggling artist on the brink of bankruptcy! You’ve said the cruelest things imaginable to me—how is that fair? Xinqi, I do care about you. Let’s reconcile. Just treat me a little more kindly, and I promise I’ll spend my whole life…” 

After spouting such an irritating monologue, he actually dared to suggest reconciliation. She couldn’t bear to listen further and hung up the phone. He immediately sent a message: “Even if you want to break up, even if you want me dead, I deserve clarity. I’m downstairs at your place—come talk to me face-to-face.” 

She had no desire to see his face again. No matter how handsome someone might be, deceit and immorality always left behind a tinge of sleaziness. However, having received a good education, she understood that ending things via text lacked basic respect. She descended the stairs to open the door, intending to settle matters firmly at the threshold and ensure they’d never cross paths again. But as soon as she unlocked the door, he shoved it open, barging in and grabbing her wrist. “Xinqi, give me another chance.” 

His breath reeked of alcohol, making her wrinkle her nose and turn away. She tried to wrench free from his iron grip, but to no avail. Furious, she snapped, “I’ve told you before—I’m not like other girls. I understand your desperate need for admiration, but I can’t provide it. I’m surrounded by people with impeccable manners. If you can’t meet expectations and refuse to change, our problems will only multiply. Now you’re unhappy with me, and you’ve cheated. We’re even—can you leave now?” 

“I don’t need your admiration; I just need basic respect.” 

“I haven’t disrespected you. What you want isn’t merely respect—it’s the tenderness you get from your mistresses. Let me say it again: I can’t give you that.” 

“Why can’t you?” 

“Why? Because I’m Xie Xinqi!” 

“And what does that mean? Are you the most beautiful woman in the world? Luo Wei is stunning too, but she doesn’t carry herself with airs.” 

Again with Luo Wei! Again with Luo Wei! Xie Xinqi felt a surge of frustration. “You’re so strange—why should I live like some poor girl? Oh wait, she’s hitched her wagon to King now, so she won’t stay poor for long. But she has nothing I don’t already possess—I don’t need to demean myself, okay? Besides, how dare you demand anything from me after cheating? I’m not suffering from Stockholm Syndrome. Leave. It’s over between us.” 

“I’m curious—what’s worse: cheating or sleeping with your own brother? Why can you accept the latter but not the former?” 

“Su Jiannian, watch your words. My brother and I have nothing going on! But you—you not only cheated, you plotted against my family’s wealth. So don’t try to shift the blame onto me. It’s over. Get out of my house.” 

She tried to push him out, but he stood firm like an immovable mountain. It was Sunday, the one hour of the week when no one else was home—a fact he remembered all too well. He had deliberately chosen this time to visit. Her anger flared anew. “Fine, fine. Go ahead and blame me if it makes you feel better—I don’t care. Say whatever you want! But let me tell you, the more you threaten me, the more I despise you. Go find your Adeline—she’ll give you the sweetness you crave. You won’t find it here. And don’t think you’ll get a single penny from me—I won’t give you the chance!” 

“You can rest assured—I’ll go to her without needing you to tell me. But I won’t break up with you either. I’ll marry you, mark my words.” 

Her fists clenched tightly as she spat venomously, “Get out of my house! I’d marry a dog before I’d marry you—” 

Slap! 

Her words were cut short by a sharp, resounding slap across her face. Stunned, she clutched her cheek, staring at him in disbelief. “You… how dare you hit me?” 

“How dare I? Who do you think you are? A princess? A socialite? Let me tell you something—the Xie family is done for. Right now, you’re nothing but a foul-mouthed, spoiled brat. The fact that I’m still willing to marry you should be considered your blessing!”