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The Woman I Love Is So Cheap
墨書 Inktalez
Chapter One
I tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Today is my birthday, but she still hasn't come back.
I slowly got up and walked to the living room, lighting a cigarette.
Suddenly, my phone vibrated.
It was a text message from an unknown number.
"Dear Ms. Bai Jie, the room you reserved is ready. Welcome to check in."
I was stunned. Bai Jie booked a room?
But today is my birthday.
Could it be that she’s hiding something from me...
I suddenly recalled Bai Jie’s recent strange behavior—she often worked late and always hurriedly hung up the phone.
My heart began to race, an ominous premonition rising within me.
With trembling hands, I dialed Bai Jie’s number.
"Beep... beep..."
The phone rang for a long time before it was answered.
"Hello?"
Bai Jie’s voice seemed tinged with tension.
"Where are you?"
My voice quivered slightly.
"I’m working late, what’s wrong?"
Bai Jie sounded somewhat impatient.
"Are you sure?"
I tightened my grip on the phone.
"Of course I'm sure. Why are you acting crazy in the middle of the night?" Bai Jie’s voice rose a few notches.
"I received the check-in message from the hotel sent to you," I took a deep breath and said.
There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line.
"What are you talking about? I don’t understand," Bai Jie’s voice sounded a bit flustered.
"Stop pretending. I already know," my voice was cold.
"You... you’re stalking me?" Bai Jie’s tone sharpened.
"I'm not stalking you; I just received a message," I forced down my anger.
"That must be a mistake from the hotel. I didn’t book a room at all," Bai Jie continued to argue.
"How long are you going to keep lying to me?" I could no longer hold back, shouting.
"I’m not lying to you!" Bai Jie shouted back.
We continued to argue over the phone until finally, in a fit of anger, Bai Jie hung up.
I sat despondently on the sofa, the cigarette in my hand already burnt out.
Bai Jie, why did you lie to me?
I pulled out my phone and dialed that unfamiliar number again.
"Hello, who is this?"
A sweet female voice answered.
"I would like to inquire about the room number reserved by Ms. Bai Jie."
I tried to keep my voice steady.
"Please hold on."
After the woman spoke, I could hear the sound of her typing on a keyboard.
"Hello, Ms. Bai Jie has reserved room 1808."
The woman said.
"Thank you."
I hung up the phone, my heart aching like a knife.
1808, that number was deeply etched in my mind.
I suddenly stood up, grabbed my coat, and rushed out of the house.
I was going to the hotel; I had to see for myself what Bai Jie was really doing!
I drove like a madman, memories of me and Bai Jie flashing through my mind.
We met in college, got married after graduation, and weathered many storms together.
I had given up my career for her, willingly becoming a stay-at-home husband.
I thought our love was unbreakable; I thought we would grow old together.
But was all of this a lie?
"Bai Jie, why did you betray me?"
I arrived at the hotel entrance, took a deep breath, and walked inside.
Approaching the front desk, I provided Bai Jie's name and room number.
The receptionist checked her computer and said, "Hello, Ms. Bai Jie’s room is currently occupied."
"Can you tell me who is staying with her?" I asked.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we cannot disclose guest information," the receptionist politely refused.
I took out my ID and said, "I am Bai Jie’s husband. I have the right to know who she is with."
The receptionist hesitated for a moment but ultimately relented.
She checked the computer again and said, "The occupant is Mr. Lin Hao."
Lin Hao?
Bai Jie’s secretary?
My heart sank, and a wave of anger surged through me.
Bai Jie, how could you be with your secretary behind my back…
I could no longer control my emotions. I pushed past the receptionist and rushed toward the elevator.
I needed to find Bai Jie; I had to get to the bottom of this!
The elevator doors slowly opened, and I dashed into the corridor on the 18th floor.
I reached the door of room 1808, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door.
"Knock knock knock..."
The sound echoed in the silent hallway.
My heart raced in my throat as I awaited a response from behind the door.
Suddenly, the door swung open.
Standing in the doorway was Bai Jie.
She was wearing pajamas, her hair a bit disheveled, and there was a hint of panic on her face.
"You... what are you doing here?"
Bai Jie’s voice trembled slightly.
I pushed her aside and rushed into the room.
The place was a mess, clothes strewn across the floor, and an ambiguous atmosphere hung in the air.
Lin Hao lay on the bed, his upper body bare, staring at me in terror.
"You... you two..."
I pointed at them, shaking with anger, unable to utter a single word.
Bai Jie quickly picked up a piece of clothing from the floor to cover herself.
"Please let me explain..."
Her voice quivered with the threat of tears.
"Explain what? Explain how you both were sneaking around behind my back?"
I shouted furiously.
"It’s not what you think..."
Bai Jie tried to defend herself.
"I saw you both coming out of the hotel with my own eyes. Do you still want to lie to me?"
I pointed at Lin Hao, consumed by rage.
Lin Hao's face turned pale with fear, and he didn't dare to say a word.
"We... we were just..."
Bai Jie stammered, unable to complete a single sentence.
"Enough!"
I interrupted her. "I don't want to hear your lies anymore."
I turned and walked over to the dining table, grabbing the takeout that Bai Jie had brought home and smashing it onto the floor.
"Crayfish? Is this your excuse for working late?"
I pointed at the crayfish on the ground and shouted.
Bai Jie's face grew even paler.
"I... I..."
She wanted to explain, but I was no longer interested in listening.
"Let's get a divorce."
I said coldly.
Bai Jie froze, and so did Lin Hao.
"What did you say?"
Bai Jie couldn't believe her ears.
"I said, let's get a divorce."
I repeated myself, my tone firm.
"Are you crazy?"
Bai Jie screamed. "You're going to divorce me over something so trivial?"
"Trivial? You're cheating on me behind my back, and you call that trivial?"
I laughed bitterly in my anger.
"I... I was just confused for a moment..." Bai Jie cried out.
"Confused? How long have you been with Lin Hao? A year? Two years? Or even longer?" I pressed on relentlessly.
Bai Jie’s face turned pale, and she couldn’t utter a single word.
"I’ve treated you so well. Why would you do this to me?" My voice was filled with pain and despair.
"I... I was wrong..." Bai Jie knelt on the ground, clutching my leg and weeping.
"Wrong? Do you think saying you're wrong can undo everything?" I shook her off. "It’s over between us."
---
Bai Jie’s face remained pale, and she was at a loss for words.
"Why would you do this to me?"
My voice was heavy with anguish and hopelessness.
"I... I don’t know either," Bai Jie sobbed. "I just feel like he... he understands me better than you do."
"Understands you better?"
I laughed bitterly again. "What does he understand about you? Your vanity? Your snobbery? Or your fickleness?"
Bai Jie’s expression grew even more distressed.
"You... you bastard!"
She suddenly shook off my hand and screamed, "What right do you have to say that to me?"
"What right do I have?"
I pointed at the crayfish on the floor and shouted, "Is this your reason for working overtime? Is this what you call understanding me better?"
Bai Jie’s lips trembled, but she couldn't utter a word.
"I've treated you so well, why are you doing this to me?"
My voice turned low again, filled with sorrow.
"I... I was wrong."
Bai Jie knelt on the ground, hugging my legs and crying, "Please, forgive me."
"Forgive you?"
I let out a cold laugh. "Do you think a simple apology can make everything right again?"
"I... I can change."
Bai Jie sobbed as she spoke, "I won't do it again. Please, give me another chance."
"A chance?"
I pushed her away forcefully. "It's already over between us."
"No, please don't!"
Bai Jie cried out, trying to grab me, but I left without looking back.
I walked out of the room, out of the hotel, out of Bai Jie’s life.
My heart shattered completely along with her cries.
I wandered aimlessly down the street, unsure of where to go.
My mind was in chaos—Bai Jie’s betrayal, Lin Hao’s hypocrisy, my pain, my despair—all these emotions intertwined, making it hard for me to breathe.
I walked and suddenly stopped.
I looked up at the sky.
The sky was gray and dull, devoid of any light.
Just like my mood, gloomy and oppressive.
I took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.
I told myself that I couldn't let this defeat me.
I still had many things to do; I needed to start my life over again.
I turned around and walked towards home.
I needed to go back, pack my things, and leave this place of sorrow.
I wanted to begin my life anew, a life without Bai Jie.
When I reached my front door, I found it locked.
I took out my key but couldn’t get it to work.
I twisted the key with all my strength, but it was futile.
My heart sank once more.
Could it be that Bai Jie wouldn’t even leave me the last remnants?
I leaned helplessly against the door and closed my eyes.
Her figure reappeared in my mind.
Her smile, her tenderness, her betrayal, her tears.
All the images flashed through my mind like a movie.
My heart was once again torn into pieces.
I suddenly opened my eyes and slammed my fist against the door.
Chapter Four
I stumbled down the stairs like a lost puppet, my mind replaying the image of Bai Jie kneeling and begging for mercy, along with her cold words, "It's over between us."
It felt as if a massive stone was pressing down on my chest, making it hard to breathe.
I wandered aimlessly through the streets, letting the cold wind whip against my cheeks.
Everything that once felt familiar had turned strange and icy.
The sycamore trees lining the road stood bare, their leaves long gone, their stark branches shivering in the chill.
Just like my current mood—lonely and despairing.
I sat down on a bench in the park, covering my face with my hands as silent tears streamed down.
Once, Bai Jie and I were like the couples in this park—sweet and happy.
We walked together, watched movies together, dreamed of our future together.
Back then, I thought we would always be this happy.
But reality slapped me hard across the face.
Bai Jie’s betrayal pierced my heart like a sharp knife.
The love I once believed to be unbreakable crumbled in an instant.
I closed my eyes in pain, recalling every moment shared with Bai Jie.
The first time we met, she wore a white dress, her smile sweet like an angel's.
We fell in love and got married. I gave up my job to become a stay-at-home husband, dedicating myself entirely to caring for her.
I thought my sacrifices would earn her true devotion.
But I was wrong.
What Bai Jie wanted was something I could never provide.
She wanted material enjoyment and mental stimulation, not the mundane life I led.
I sighed helplessly, the pain in my heart growing stronger.
At that moment, my phone rang.
It was Zhang Jie calling.
"Hey, Zhao Bin, where are you?"
There was a hint of urgency in Zhang Jie's voice.
"I'm at the park," I replied weakly.
"Hurry over here. I've found a job for you," Zhang Jie said.
"A job?"
I was a bit surprised.
"Yes, a friend of mine's company is looking for someone, and I think you'd be a good fit," Zhang Jie explained.
"But... I'm not sure right now..."
I hesitated, unsure whether to accept.
"Don't hesitate. Just come over; this is a rare opportunity," Zhang Jie urged.
I hung up the phone, feeling a mix of emotions.
On one hand, I didn't want to return to the workforce and live that nine-to-five life again.
On the other hand, I needed a job to support myself.
I needed something to distract me, something to help me forget Bai Jie.
I stood up and walked towards the address Zhang Jie had given me.
Perhaps a new job would allow me to start over.
When I arrived at the company Zhang Jie mentioned, I found it to be a small but vibrant internet firm.
Zhang Jie introduced me to his friend, the company's owner, a man in his thirties named Wang Qiang.
Wang Qiang was very welcoming and chatted with me for quite a while before deciding to hire me.
I sighed with relief; finally, I had a job.
When I got home, I began packing my things.
I decided to move out, to leave this place filled with memories behind.
After packing my luggage, I stepped out of the room and took one last look back.
This had once been my home, the love nest shared with Bai Jie.
Now, it had turned into a place of sorrow, somewhere I never wanted to return.
Taking a deep breath, I turned away and left.
Goodbye, Bai Jie.
Goodbye, my past.
Dragging my luggage along the street, I watched the bustling traffic and the crowd flowing by.
My heart was filled with confusion and unease.
I didn't know what my future held, but I believed that I would start anew and find my own happiness.
At that moment, my phone rang.
It was an unfamiliar number.
I hesitated for a moment before answering the call.
"Hello, is this Zhao Bin?"
A woman's voice came from the other end of the line.
"This is Zhao Bin. Who are you?"
I asked.
"I'm Li Li, Bai Jie's best friend."
The woman replied.
"Oh, nice to meet you."
I responded flatly.
"Well, the day after tomorrow is Bai Jie's birthday, and I would like to invite you to her birthday party."
Li Li said.
---
I held the phone, remaining silent for a long time.
"Bai Jie's birthday?"
My tone was cold, laced with a hint of sarcasm.
"Yes, I know your relationship isn't great right now, but..."
Li Li's voice sounded a bit awkward.
"You don't need to say more. I understand what you mean."
I interrupted her.
"I just think that Bai Jie is still your wife, and between you two..."
"Wife?"
I let out a cold laugh.
"Does she deserve it?"
Li Li fell silent.
"I won't go."
After I finished speaking, I hung up the phone without hesitation.
I threw my phone onto the sofa and ran my fingers through my hair in frustration.
How could I possibly attend Bai Jie's birthday?
To watch her and Lin Hao being all lovey-dovey?
I would rather die!
I grabbed the pack of cigarettes from the table, lit one, and took a deep drag.
The smoke curled around me, blurring my vision.
Images of Bai Jie and Lin Hao together flooded my mind.
They were hugging and being intimate.
My heart ached as if it had been pierced by a thousand needles.
I abruptly crushed the cigarette butt in the ashtray, my eyes filled with rage.
Bai Jie, why are you doing this to me?
I treated you so well; why did you betray me?
I hate you!
I wish I could kill you!
In agony, I closed my eyes, tears silently streaming down my cheeks.
At that moment, the doorbell rang.
I opened the door to find Zhang Jie standing there.
"Why are you here?" I asked.
"I came to see you," Zhang Jie said as he walked into the room and noticed my dejected expression. He sighed.
"Are you okay?" he asked.
"I'm fine," I shook my head.
"Don't lie to me; I know everything," Zhang Jie replied.
"I know about Bai Jie," he added.
I fell silent.
"What are you planning to do?" Zhang Jie asked.
"I don't know," I shook my head again.
"My mind is a mess right now; I can't think of anything."
Zhang Jie patted my shoulder.
"Don't overthink it; everything will pass," he comforted me.
"Time will dull everything."
I let out a bitter laugh.
Can time really dull everything?
I don’t know.
All I know is that I am in pain, in despair.
"By the way, the day after tomorrow is Bai Jie’s birthday. Are you going?"
Zhang Jie suddenly asked.
My heart sank heavily.
"No," I replied coldly.
"Why not?"
Zhang Jie pressed.
"There’s no reason," I said, not wanting to explain.
"Zhao Bin, I know you’re really angry and sad right now, but…"
"Don’t say anything more. I don’t want to hear it."
I interrupted him.
"Just go. I want to be alone for a while."
Zhang Jie sighed, said nothing more, and turned to leave.
I closed the door and leaned against it, sliding down to the floor in exhaustion.
My heart felt as if it had been hollowed out.
Bai Jie, why did you have to treat me this way?
What have I done wrong?
...
Two days later, I received a call from Li Li.
"Zhao Bin, where are you?" she asked.
"I'm at home," I replied.
"Hurry over, Bai Jie's birthday party is about to start," Li Li urged.
"I've already told you, I'm not going," I answered coldly.
"Zhao Bin, just do me a favor and come," Li Li pleaded.
"I said I'm not going!" I raised my voice.
"You..." Li Li seemed to want to say something more, but I hung up the phone abruptly.
I threw my phone onto the bed and ran my fingers through my hair in frustration.
I really didn't understand why Li Li was so insistent on inviting me to Bai Jie's birthday party.
Did she not know that Bai Jie and I had already broken up?
Did she not realize that I didn't want to see Bai Jie at all?
I stood up irritably and paced back and forth in the room.
At that moment, the doorbell rang.
I opened the door to find Li Li.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, my tone unfriendly.
"Zhao Bin, please, come with me to Bai Jie's birthday party," Li Li pleaded.
"I've already told you, I'm not going!" I replied firmly.
"Zhao Bin, just consider it a favor for me. Bai Jie…"
"What happened to her?" I asked.
"She's pregnant," Li Li said.
My heart sank suddenly.
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