Saturday dinner was as somber as a funeral.
Lin Jingxuan was on edge. Zhou Wanqing forced a smile. And I calmly poured their tea.
They thought I was playing a part—the pitiful fool, numb from the blow of my bankruptcy.
They didn't know this was their last supper.
On Monday, I took the initiative to schedule a meeting with Mr. Zhao.
The location was a coffee shop downstairs from his company. I specifically chose a window seat with a view of the four gilded characters upstairs: "Starlight Media."
Mr. Zhao arrived fashionably late in a custom-tailored suit, his every move oozing the greasy arrogance of a successful man.
He took a sip of his coffee, sizing me up with the look one gives a stray dog. "Mr. Lu, what can I do for you? If this is about that role for your wife, forget it."
I ignored his taunt and pushed a file across the table to him.
"My company, along with all its channels and patents, is yours for three million."
Mr. Zhao's eyebrows shot up, clearly not expecting a move like this. He opened the file, his initial disdain slowly giving way to greed. My company, though not large, had a decent reputation in the industry, with net assets of at least thirty million.
Three million was practically a giveaway.
"The condition?" he asked, closing the file and leaning forward like a shark that had smelled blood.
"One condition." I looked him in the eye and said, word by word, "I want you to make Zhou Wanqing famous, at any cost."
Mr. Zhao froze for a moment, then burst out laughing so hard he nearly cried.
"Mr. Lu, you're really… quite the romantic! Giving up your company for your wife?"
I let him laugh, a bitter and helpless expression on my face, perfectly playing the part of a fool sacrificing everything for love.
"She's been with me for so many years," I said. "I can't let her starve with me. This is the last thing I can do for her."
Mr. Zhao's laughter died down. The pity and contempt in his eyes deepened. He probably thought I was completely under Zhou Wanqing's thumb, a hopeless loser.
And that was exactly the effect I wanted.
He immediately called in his legal team, and we quickly signed the equity transfer agreement.
As we shook hands, he patted my shoulder, his tone dripping with the charity of a victor. "Don't worry," he said, "I'll take good *care* of your wife."
I nodded and watched him leave, smug and triumphant. I sneered inwardly.
Mr. Zhao, you think you've landed a bargain?
What you've swallowed is a sugar-coated bomb. And Zhou Wanqing is the fuse.
Back home, I tossed a copy of the signed agreement in front of Zhou Wanqing.
"What's this?" she asked impatiently, a face mask on.
"Mr. Zhao agreed. He'll use all his resources to promote you," I said flatly. "This is what I got for selling the company."
Zhou Wanqing shot up, ripped off her mask, and snatched the document. As she read it, her eyes lit up with a stunning brilliance.
The resentment and scorn of the past few days vanished without a trace, replaced by an almost manic ecstasy.
"Darling! You're too good to me!"
She shrieked and lunged at me like a butterfly, trying to give me a passionate hug.
I instinctively stepped aside to dodge her.
She stumbled, her ecstatic smile freezing on her face.
The air in the apartment turned frigid.
She stared at me in disbelief, her eyes filled with hurt and confusion.
"Don't touch me," I said, my face impassive.
"Lu Mingqian, you…"
"This is a transaction now," I cut her off, my voice as cold as ice. "I've paved the way for you. All you have to do is follow my instructions."
The color drained from Zhou Wanqing's face. She finally realized that something had fundamentally changed.
The next day, I had Zhou Wanqing call Lin Jingxuan over to the apartment.
When Lin Jingxuan saw me, he avoided my gaze, looking flustered and guilty.
"Brother Mingqian, you wanted to see me…"
"Sit." I pointed to the sofa and got straight to the point. "Wanqing is about to launch her career and needs some publicity. I've come up with a plan to build her a public persona of a deeply devoted wife. I need your cooperation."
I took out the documents I had prepared.
"This is a marital property agreement, stating that I am voluntarily gifting all my pre-marital assets to Wanqing. This is a public statement, thanking my dear friend for sticking by me after my bankruptcy. You two will sign them now."
Zhou Wanqing and Lin Jingxuan looked at each other, clearly baffled by my move.
"What… what is this for?" Zhou Wanqing asked hesitantly.
"Building your image," I said succinctly. "A bankrupt husband gives up his fortune for his beloved wife, while his loyal friend lends his full support. What a great story. So much buzz. Sign it. For your future."
Fame and fortune are the most potent drugs. Zhou Wanqing's hesitation lasted only a few seconds before she grabbed a pen and quickly signed her name.
Seeing her sign, Lin Jingxuan could only bite the bullet and sign as well.
I collected the documents and made a phone call.
Soon, a woman in a nurse's uniform walked in carrying a medical kit.
"What is this for?" Lin Jingxuan stood up warily.
"The final step of the promotion." I looked at them and gave a smile that could almost be called gentle. "To show the world how strong your bond is, we need a blood donation, a gimmick about 'praying for love with blood.' Don't worry, she's a professional. She won't take much."
Zhou Wanqing, desperate for fame, didn't care anymore and readily extended her arm.
Lin Jingxuan's face went pale. He wanted to refuse, but under my gaze, he couldn't utter a single word. In the end, he could only slump back down.
The nurse worked skillfully, and soon, two bags of crimson blood were drawn, each clearly labeled with their names.
I paid the nurse and saw her out. Then I picked up the two bags of blood, holding them up to the light.
The blood sloshed slowly inside the bags, like two intertwined vipers.
I placed them in the cooler I had prepared, then picked up the two signed statements. The smile on my lips deepened.
Zhou Wanqing. Lin Jingxuan.
All the props for my revenge are now in place.
The daggers you handed me yourselves will soon be plunged into your own hearts.