Chapter 36: Revealing the Truth

Yet Jiang Hao’s demeanor remained utterly indifferent. There was not the slightest hint of surprise; his expression was as calm and composed as ever.

“Is there any point in saying all this now?” Jiang Hao said coldly.

“Of course there is!”

Su Qingli drew a deep breath, then spoke rapidly, “Earlier, Old Master Bai was gravely ill and needed a kidney transplant. Yours happened to be a match. So, in an attempt to curry favor with the Bai family and secure benefits for the Su family, my mother contacted Dr. Wang Jun’an to arrange for your kidney to be taken.”

“You know as well as I do that Wang Jun’an has always harbored designs on me. My mother took advantage of this and colluded with him. Thankfully, their plot failed and you managed to escape unscathed—though I don’t know all the details, it’s enough that you’re safe now.”

“But most importantly, I was completely unaware!”

“The reason I repeatedly urged you to go for a checkup was only because I was worried about your health. I simply wanted you to have a thorough examination. And, to be honest, my mother influenced me; it was she who persuaded me that it’d be best if you got checked at the hospital.”

“I truly didn’t know that my mother and Wang Jun’an were working together to harm you. If I’d known beforehand, I never would’ve let you go. You have to believe me!”

Su Qingli poured out everything in one breath, convinced that the truth had finally come to light and that the misunderstanding between her and Jiang Hao could now be resolved.

But to her dismay, Jiang Hao’s gaze remained as frosty as ever, showing not the slightest change.

“That’s all you have to say?” His voice was as placid as a stagnant pool, devoid of even a trace of joy.

Su Qingli was stunned for a moment, then cried out, “Don’t you believe me? Everything I’ve said is true!”

Her words were like a spark tossed into a powder keg—Jiang Hao exploded at once.

With a bang, he slammed the car door shut, glared at Su Qingli, and shouted, “Why should I believe you? Am I supposed to trust you unconditionally just because of a few words? Su Qingli, tell me, how have I behaved in your home? I cared for you, waited on your parents—doing everything like a servant, with not a shred of dignity left!”

“And what about you all? Did any of you ever look at me with respect? Your parents spent their days sniping at me with icy sarcasm, and you never once treated me as your husband!”

“Now you stand before me and say these things—what’s the point? What good does it do? Even if you truly didn’t know, so what? Do you expect me to go back, to return to that house and keep serving the three of you? Is that it?”

“I’ve had enough, Su Qingli. I’ve really had enough.”

“I beg you, stop pestering me. Once I’m settled, I’ll arrange for our divorce as quickly as possible.”

With that, Jiang Hao climbed into the car and rolled up the window.

Su Qingli stared in disbelief at the Bugatti Veyron before her, at the man in the driver’s seat whose expression was as cold as ice. A sharp, aching sorrow flooded her heart.

“Jiang Hao, I’m sorry,” she said painfully. “It’s true, I was wrong before. My parents and I all wronged you, but we haven’t reached the point of divorce yet, have we…”

“Stop pretending,” Jiang Hao cut her off. “It’s over between us. It’s finished!”

As soon as he finished speaking, he started the engine. The Bugatti Veyron roared, then sped swiftly toward the exit of the underground parking lot.

Watching the luxury car disappear into the distance, Su Qingli collapsed to the ground, covering her face with both hands as she sobbed.

Jiang Hao left Maple Leaf Residences without a backward glance and drove straight to the villa in the eastern suburbs.

Once there, he parked, hauled his suitcase inside, and entered the main building.

He put away all his belongings, then sat quietly on the king-sized bed in the southeast corner room on the second floor.

Surrounded by exquisite, resplendent décor, Jiang Hao felt only a chilly emptiness.

But that was to be expected. In such a vast villa, with only himself for company, how could it feel anything but desolate?

Yet, no matter what, his new life had finally begun.

From this day forth, he would have no further ties to the Su family.

The following morning.

Sunlight streamed through the window, dancing across Jiang Hao’s face and tickling his nose.

Awakening from his dreams, he reached for the battered old cellphone on his nightstand—it had been with him for years. Although he had always handled it carefully, every part of it exuded age, and its style was hopelessly outdated.

It was time for a new phone, but that could wait.

Jiang Hao powered it on and saw a message.

It was from Su Qingli, inquiring about further treatment for her grandmother’s illness.

Jiang Hao gave a cold chuckle and set the phone back down.

But after a moment’s thought, he picked it up again and typed out a reply.

He informed her that the old lady’s illness was all but cured; the coldness that had gathered in her lungs had been expelled. For a full recovery, she needed plenty of sunlight and exercise, and should avoid living in damp, chilly environments.

Shortly after sending the message, a brief “Thank you” came back from Su Qingli.

Seeing the interface indicate that she was typing another message, Jiang Hao simply blocked her.

Since their relationship was severed, there was no reason for further contact.

He had just blocked Su Qingli when his phone suddenly rang loudly.

He answered, irritation in his voice: “Don’t you ever get tired of this? I just blocked you and now you’re calling—are you really this persistent?”

There was a moment of silence on the other end before a man’s voice responded.

“…It’s me, Mr. Jiang. Zhao Ziyun.”

It was not Su Qingli, but Zhao Ziyun, eldest son of the Zhao family, who had called.

Jiang Hao was momentarily surprised, then said coolly, “Sorry, I was in a bad mood just now.”

“Oh, it’s nothing,” Zhao Ziyun replied readily, not pressing the issue. He got straight to the point: “Here’s the thing, Mr. Jiang. Weren’t we supposed to meet today so you could come to our house and treat my father? But just now, a very important client asked to meet me for business, so I won’t be able to pick you up.”

“That’s alright, we can postpone,” Jiang Hao replied immediately.

“No, no, that’s not what I meant. My father’s illness really can’t be delayed any longer. I’d like to ask you to come directly to our home and treat him. As soon as I’m done with this business meeting, I’ll return right away—it won’t take too long.” Zhao Ziyun’s tone over the phone was exceptionally sincere, carrying a note of entreaty.

For someone like Zhao Ziyun, the eldest son of the Zhao family and one of Maple Leaf City’s most prominent figures, to humble himself to this degree for the sake of his father’s health—his courtesy toward Jiang Hao could not have been greater.

Under such circumstances, Jiang Hao could hardly refuse.

“Alright, I understand. Send me your address and I’ll come over now,” Jiang Hao agreed with a nod.