Suddenly, the atmosphere grew silent.
At that moment, the boss's wife turned to me and said, "Zhao Jian, do you want me to analyze your wife's mindset from a woman's perspective?"
I nodded and replied, "Sure!"
She continued, "Zhao Jian, is this your wife's first pregnancy?"
I admitted it again.
I didn't understand why she was asking these questions — was she secretly testing my virility?
Thinking back to that night when I almost had something with the boss's wife, I suddenly felt my ears grow hot.
After a moment's thought, she said, "Zhao Jian, let me say this upfront — you can't get angry at what I'm about to say."
I said, "Boss's wife, I've worked with Zhang for three years now. You know my character well enough. How could I get angry with you?"
She said, "In my opinion, this child is most likely not yours."
Although I had suspected as much earlier, my heart still sank.
She went on, "Usually, when a woman is pregnant for the first time with her husband's child, she will treasure it deeply — even more than work. She wouldn't give it up due to life's pressures, unless the child is the product of an affair."
She added, "If I'm right, the night you went to the nightclub was because of your wife's infidelity."
Clever women truly speak differently. I smiled and said, "Boss's wife, nothing escapes your eyes."
She said, "Zhao Jian, you're still young, with a bright future ahead. You should focus on your career. Once you have success, no matter what happens with your marriage, you'll be unstoppable."
Her words moved me. I replied, "Boss's wife, I'm truly sorry for what happened that day, and about the 100,000 yuan—I will find a way to pay you back."
She shook her head. "Zhao Jian, you just got promoted to sales manager and signed a major contract. For all you've done, Zhang really has nothing else to reward you with. Consider that 100,000 yuan as your bonus from me."
Hearing that, I was genuinely touched.
She went on, "I know you're a good man, and I won't cause you trouble. But about the young guy who was with you last time—could you connect me with him? I quite like him."
Apparently, the boss's wife still had desires unabated.
If Lu Wan ever found out about this, what would she think of me? Besides, Lu Wan's close friend Fang Min was dating Zhao Hu passionately—if she found out, she'd surely have her opinions.
I thought for a moment and asked, "Boss's wife, is the child in your womb Zhao Hu's?"
She said, "I thought about it, and those days I was seeing Zhao Hu quite often. There's a large chance the child is his."
According to her, besides Zhao Hu, she also saw other men.
I wondered to myself, Is it really suitable for me to be involved with such a woman?
I asked her, "Boss's wife, I've always wondered why you and the boss never had a child. At your age, it's good to have someone to rely on."
She sighed deeply. "Zhang Zhiyuan has fertility issues. His sperm is defective, and current medicine can't fix it."
Hearing this, my heart turned cold.
It seemed my guess was right.
She continued, "I was attracted to Zhang at first because he was young and handsome. Later, after being with him, I was deeply devoted."
"The problem with his infertility," she said, "I only found out after we married. But by then, it was too late to regret."
Until now, I had little knowledge of Zhang's past. Hearing this from her, I finally understood the situation.
I had assumed pursuing her would be difficult, but apparently, it had been surprisingly simple.
She went on, "Honestly, I know Zhang cheats. But I'm not worried. We each have our lives; isn't that better?"
I immediately understood why she favored young, tall men like Zhao Hu. She no longer believed in love.
She was a woman who had been hurt.
I asked, "Haven't you thought about finding someone else? With your beauty, it wouldn't be hard."
She smiled at my compliment and said, "I'm old now—what's the point?"
I pressed further, "If you really wanted, I'm sure there'd be someone suitable. Maybe you'd even have children with them, someone to support you in old age."
She replied, "I have thought about it, but Xingchang Group is controlled by Zhang Zhiyuan. If I divorced, it would be bad for me."
At that moment, I wanted to tell her that Zhang had long ago mortgaged the company to someone else, and it was now worthless.
I guessed the boss's wife still held shares in Xingchang, probably majority shares. I couldn't figure out how Zhang managed to use her shares as collateral.
If Zhang forged her signature, that would be a crime, and the mortgage contract invalid.
Someone as shrewd as Gu Xiaofei surely knew this.
I finally understood that the boss's wife refused to divorce because of the shares in Xingchang—it was the foundation of her livelihood.
Of course, this was only my speculation; the true situation I didn't know.
I said to her, "Life is short. Finding the right person is more important than money. If someone suitable comes along, take the chance to get a divorce. I don't think Zhang would stop you."
Suddenly, she grasped my hand tightly and said, "Zhao Jian, thank you. I'm glad you say that. But someone like me—would a young man like Zhao Hu really want me?"
I couldn't figure out what exactly the boss's wife saw in Zhao Hu. Was it because he was young? Handsome? Or skilled in bed?
I had to admit, these reasons probably contributed to her attraction. But a woman like her, if she really chose Zhao Hu, would soon squander her fortune. I didn't want to see that happen.
Besides, Zhao Hu was already involved with Lu Wan's best friend, Fang Min. If my wife found out I had broken them up, would she forgive me?
I said, "Zhao Hu definitely isn't right for you. But I promise to find someone good-looking and of good character who will satisfy you."
Her face suddenly lit up with a smile. She asked, "Are you serious or just saying that?"
I said, "If you really want to divorce Zhang, I can help you."
I had my own reasons for saying this. If Zhang had forged her signature, prison wouldn't be far off for him.
If Xingchang's new product truly succeeded in the market, there was still hope.
But for now, it seemed Gu Xiaofei had everything under control—even the contract I signed with Yuxing Group appeared to be one of her moves.
Though I still didn't understand her exact plan, it was clear she was preparing for a major move.
The boss's wife fell into thought, obviously making a decision.
After a pause, she said, "Alright. If there's someone suitable, I'm willing to start over—even if it means giving up my shares in Xingchang."
I felt that she had no feelings left for Zhang Zhiyuan.
I said nothing, only holding her delicate hand a little tighter.
By then, my wife had finished the abortion procedure. When she came out of the operating room, her complexion looked pale.
I hurried to her side and asked, "Honey, are you okay?"
She seemed lost, and tears immediately spilled from her eyes.
I immediately understood—she truly was reluctant to lose this child.