Chapter 58

Xiao Bing smiled awkwardly and said, "How could that be? I can tell that you are a decent woman."

"Thank you for seeing me this way. Sigh..." Julia held a wine glass in her hand, her gaze lost in the glass, her eyes filled with a hint of unwillingness and resentment.

From the moment Xiao Bing first saw her, he could tell that she was a proud woman. Such a proud woman usually had high standards, and would never marry an ordinary man. Therefore, Xiao Bing could imagine how much unwillingness and resentment she must have felt.

Just like in ancient times, when Pan Jinlian and Wu Dalang were criticized, but how many people understood the tragedy of Pan Jinlian? How bitter her fate was? How much unwillingness she had in her life?

Finally, after a long silence, Julia said in a melancholic tone, "Even if you don't say it, I know what you're thinking. I've known him since we were young. His family was one of the wealthiest in the village, while I was just a poor girl. Later, when I was in high school, an accident happened at home. My father fell into a dry well, and my mother fell ill and never recovered. At that time, it felt like a sudden curse had fallen upon my family. I was forced to drop out of school and return home to take care of my mother."

Xiao Bing was shocked to hear this, never imagining that the regal woman before him had such a tragic story. But the fact that she married such a man was already tragic enough.

Julia continued, "My mother's condition worsened, and she needed a large sum of money for treatment. I had no choice but to borrow money from everywhere. But my father was gone, and my mother was in such a state. The relatives and friends who seemed close before... well, you know..."

Julia's tone was mocking, "When you're fine, even those who aren't your friends act like brothers. But when you're in trouble, so-called friends become strangers. At that time, Zhang Gui's father offered to lend me money to treat my mother, but he had a condition: I had to marry his son, Zhang Gui."

Xiao Bing looked at Julia with sympathy and asked, "Did you agree?"

"At that time, I had no choice but to agree. Zhang Gui's reputation in the village was never good, and I knew he had tried to peep at me bathing several times. But I had no choice but to marry him. I thought, perhaps this was my fate, and it was all predetermined."

"Later, the story became simpler," Julia sighed. "The Zhang family almost went bankrupt due to a sudden natural disaster, and the old man passed away. Zhang Gui and I came to the city to work, but he was good-for-nothing, spending his days eating and drinking, while I supported him. It took me eight years to establish myself in Jiangcheng. I was 24 when I came here, and now I'm 32... I started by working for others, then as an apprentice, and later opened a small hair salon. After that, I came here to run a restaurant."

Xiao Bing said, "That's quite inspiring."

"As for Zhang Gui, after my business started to improve, he used to just drink heavily every day, but now he's also addicted to gambling... and he even goes to prostitutes. I just pretend not to know... There's no real affection between us, so if he likes to find women outside, why shouldn't I get a good night's sleep?"

These words were heart-wrenching, spoken in a state of utter despair.

Xiao Bing suddenly asked, "Have you ever thought about getting a divorce?"

Julia shook her head, "I understand him. He can't find anyone better, so he won't divorce me. I'm his cash cow, and he relies on me for his daily expenses. If we divorced, how would he survive? Besides, my mother's survival back then was largely thanks to his family, so I don't want to."

"You are a good woman, but it's a pity you haven't found your happiness."

Julia smiled, "Thank you for listening to all this. Here, let me toast you. This glass is to thank you for helping me yesterday."

Julia drank the glass in one go, and her cold face turned rosy, looking especially charming.

Xiao Bing was stunned, and Julia smiled, "Brother Bing, you're not getting drunk after just two glasses, are you?"

"No, of course not," Xiao Bing thought, "With your allure, you look just like Yuta Ayaka from Japan, and even have a queen-like aura. It's no wonder I'm getting a bit carried away. I really don't understand how Zhang Gui can have such a beautiful wife and not cherish her, yet still go out looking for other women..."

"I invited you here today partly to thank you, and partly..." Julia looked into Xiao Bing's eyes, "I've been thinking about how to support my family for years, always focused on making money, and haven't made any true friends. I have a lot to say, so I vented to you."

"That's fine, you can always talk to me."

Julia said, "You said it, and I trust you. I've trusted you since last night. Let's eat, I'm not trying to get you drunk."

They were supposed to be eating, but every few bites, Julia would find a topic to drink a glass. It was clear that after last night, her mood had become more melancholic, so she continued to vent.

By the time the meal was over, a bottle of red wine was empty, and Julia had drunk more than half of it. Usually, Julia was always proud and cold, but now her face was rosy, and her eyes were alluring. Xiao Bing felt as if he had entered a fox's den, and the fox spirit was right before him.

They stood up, and Xiao Bing tried to help Julia, but she gently pushed his hand away, saying, "I'm not drunk yet. Go sit in the living room, I'll bring you some tea."

Xiao Bing looked at the slightly tipsy Julia and smiled bitterly, returning to the living room and sitting on the sofa. He glanced at the time; it was almost nine o'clock. He would have to explain to Xiao Xiao again tonight... This Xiao Xiao, who is usually so cold, now seems to have a housewife's aura.

While he was lost in thought, Julia brought a steaming cup of tea over. She bent down and gently placed the tea on the coffee table in front of Xiao Bing. As she bent down, Xiao Bing could clearly see her black lace dress and the pink bra and cleavage inside... It was a temptation that could drive a man mad.

Julia seemed unaware of Xiao Bing's gaze. She sat on the sofa opposite him, and Xiao Bing swallowed hard, his throat feeling dry. He imagined that if he spent more time with this woman, his throat would be even drier.

"What are you looking at?"

"Oh, drink... tea." Xiao Bing reached for the tea, took a sip, and suddenly saw Julia's mouth open wide in surprise, as if she was about to say something. "Ouch, it's so hot..."

Julia was about to warn Xiao Bing, but he had already taken a sip. Fortunately, he only sipped a little, and the heat made him quickly put the tea down, sucking in cool air. Julia tried to hold back her laughter but couldn't help but giggle at Xiao Bing's expression.

Xiao Bing smiled bitterly, "I burned my tongue, and you're still laughing..."

Julia laughed even harder, "I haven't been this happy in a long time. Thank you, Xiao Bing, for making me so happy."

Xiao Bing felt a bit frustrated... Oh well, you're a beauty, so I'll make a fool of myself to make you happy.

Xiao Bing was still feeling depressed when he suddenly saw Julia cross her legs. She had been sitting with her left leg over her right, but now she put her left leg down and crossed her right leg over her left. The sound of her black stockings rubbing together was seductive, almost like a spell that made his blood boil.

Xiao Bing swallowed again, secretly glancing at Julia's black stockings, but on the surface, he smiled naturally, "If I can make Miss Zhu happy, it's an honor for me."

"Please don't call me Miss Zhu, just call me Julia."

As she spoke, Julia changed the position of her legs again, and the sound of the stockings rubbing together made Xiao Bing's attention waver.

"Xiao Bing, do you know, if it were a few years ago, I would have pursued a man like you—young, capable, and hardworking. I don't ask for a rich and handsome man; I just want someone who can give me a sense of security. When I saw you protecting us in the casino last night, I was thinking about this."

Xiao Bing touched his nose, "Can I take that as a compliment?"

Julia smiled, "Sure... but it's too late now. I'm already a withered flower, and I'm getting old..."

Xiao Bing looked away, though he was still reluctant, and said seriously, "You're not old at all. From the outside, you look no different from a teenager."

Julia laughed again, her face still rosy from the alcohol, making her smile more frequent and her eyes more alluring.

As she laughed, she changed the position of her legs again. Damn, stop being so tempting.

Xiao Bing suddenly stood up, ready to leave. Julia saw him stand and also stood up reflexively. But she stood up too quickly, and her feet seemed to tangle, causing her to fall to the side. Xiao Bing quickly rushed over and caught Julia in his arms.

Julia was only wearing a black lace dress, and when they embraced, Xiao Bing could feel the softness of her skin. At that moment, his desire overcame him, and he opened his mouth to kiss Julia's sexy red lips...