This woman was truly… unpredictable.

Tang Hongen had no idea what to say.

When they were young, Ji Ya’s proud and self-centered temperament was charming, something Tang Hongen could accept from a young girl.

But he was no longer the Tang Hongen of the past.

His rich life experiences had shaped him into a completely different person!

He had progressed, while Ji Ya remained stuck in the past, still thinking everyone should humor and coax her—how was that possible?

Even if they hadn’t divorced, he wouldn’t have the patience to constantly coddle her. He couldn’t spend all his energy trying to guess a woman’s thoughts.

“If you have something to say, just say it directly.”

Tang Hongen felt Ji Ya was acting strange today.

Of course, Ji Ya’s few encounters since returning to China had all left Tang Hongen with poor impressions.

Ji Ya hadn’t expected such a response.

Was Tang Hongen really waiting for her to apologize, to admit she was wrong for asking for divorce back then?

Ji Ya felt that saying such words would be like standing naked in the street.

However, thinking of George’s uselessness and Harold’s contempt, the fire in Ji Ya’s heart couldn’t be suppressed. What else could make someone like Harold lower his proud head?

It seemed Tang Hongen was her only readily available shortcut.

Even if she needed to bow her head, there was no one else around. Ji Ya steeled herself:

“When I asked for divorce back then, it was because I was angry that you valued others more than me and Jiangyuan. If you had cared about us mother and son, you wouldn’t have stubbornly insisted… If I had known the situation would turn around in just a few years, I wouldn’t have divorced.”

Tang Hongen was surprised.

Why did Ji Ya’s tone sound like she was showing weakness?

But he had understood her reasons when he agreed to the divorce back then.

The Ji family must have pressured Ji Ya. She was young then, seeing no future with him. Tang Hongen could understand Ji Ya’s choice because he couldn’t predict the situation either.

Ji Ya had taken Ji Jiangyuan and raised him well.

If Ji Ya had behaved like a normal person, Tang Hongen wouldn’t have disliked her as much as before.

“I know. I never blamed you for asking for divorce.”

Ji Ya felt relieved, and the words buried in her heart spilled out: “Then why are you openly appearing with a rural woman? Your behavior has caused me great trouble. People will compare her to me. You’re being too childish—”

Tang Hongen’s brows furrowed. What she said before had been reasonable, but suddenly her tone went askew. He couldn’t help interrupting:

“You must have some misunderstanding. I and Liu… I and Afen are getting to know each other. It’s my interest in her, following my own heart, not to spite you. Ji Ya, we’ve been divorced for 13 years. In these 13 years, you haven’t said a word—even the deepest feelings would have been blown away by the wind. I’m starting a new relationship, and I don’t need to explain it to anyone. As long as I like her, that’s enough! Don’t overthink it. I’m not using Afen to spite you, and I must correct your thinking—you believe Afen can’t be compared to you, but that’s because you don’t understand her at all!”

How could Liu Fen not compare to Ji Ya?

When comparing the two, surface qualities weren’t what mattered.

Surface things could improve—Tang Hongen valued what was inside more.

He liked Liu Fen’s simple kindness, her resilience, and admired her bold progress.

A chill ran down Ji Ya’s spine.

Perhaps considering they were in the mayor’s office, Tang Hongen hadn’t argued loudly with her, but his voice had softened when mentioning Liu Fen—he wasn’t joking, he was serious!

Ji Ya felt as if struck by lightning.

Today was truly a disaster in Ji Ya’s life!

First, she was scorned by Harold, then discovered George was useless, and now she was told her beliefs were wrong. Tang Hongen, whom she thought she could easily pull back like a puppet on a string, was seriously telling her he was interested in another woman.

Another woman.

Hah, a village girl!

Harold looked down on her, George couldn’t protect her, and Tang Hongen would rather choose a village girl!

Could today get any worse?

Ji Ya glared hatefully at Tang Hongen, “Right, that kind of rural woman really can’t be compared to me!”

Tang Hongen’s face darkened:

“You can leave now. If you’re here to say such nonsense, don’t come to the city government looking for me anymore. You’re not welcome here.”

Tang Hongen had thought Ji Ya had changed—he was too naive.

How could a person’s character change so easily?

Secretary Peng appeared at the most appropriate moment, “Leader, your meal is getting cold…”

Tang Hongen strode away, leaving Ji Ya standing in the office.

Ji Ya wanted to wreck Tang Hongen’s office, but with Secretary Peng watching her like a thief, Ji Ya, face pale, had to maintain her dignity and composure in front of others. She straightened her back forcefully and walked away in her high heels.

Secretary Peng escorted her downstairs, only returning after seeing her get into a car.

Tang Hongen quickly finished his simple work lunch, unable to understand Ji Ya’s purpose in coming today.

Indeed, Tang Hongen’s impression of Ji Ya’s pride was so deeply rooted that how could he imagine she would consider reconciliation?

When others want to reconcile, they humble themselves first.

When Ji Ya wanted to reconcile, she still held her beautifully curved chin high, waiting for Tang Hongen to understand her feelings.

Tang Hongen’s heart wasn’t with Ji Ya at all—how could there be such tacit understanding?

“Really…”

Tang Hongen shook his head, unable to finish his thought.

After Ji Ya left, Tang Hongen suddenly really wanted to see Liu Fen. Since breaking the ice between them last month, they hadn’t met in person. He had called Liu Fen, but she wasn’t the type to speak passionate words of love, and across the distance, it seemed they had lost their previous tacit understanding.

Phone calls and letters couldn’t replace meeting in person.

Tang Hongen asked Secretary Peng: “Can my schedule be freed up for two days soon?”

Secretary Peng didn’t even need to check his notebook—he kept the leader’s schedule in his head:

“It’s possible, but Xia Xiaolan’s company wants to acquire land. Don’t you need to personally oversee that?”

Tang Hongen shook his head, “Precisely because her company wants to acquire land, I can’t be involved. You can handle the specifics. As long as the price is right and qualifications are in order, she can acquire the land fairly through her abilities!”

Secretary Peng nodded. When Tang Hongen asked him to book a flight to Beijing, Secretary Peng tried hard not to show any reaction—what else could he be going to Beijing for at this time? Miss Ji was truly impressive, acting as a catalyst for the leader’s new relationship.

The leader was going to visit Comrade Liu Fen!

Secretary Peng had always had a good impression of Liu Fen. While he privately criticized Xia Xiaolan’s cunning, he had never spoken ill of Liu Fen.

After today’s close encounter with Ji Ya, Secretary Peng truly hoped Mayor Tang and Comrade Liu Fen would get together soon!

Ji Ya might appear elegant, but Secretary Peng felt she was like a time bomb, potentially exploding at any moment and affecting everyone around her!