There was such a thing

There I was sipping my tea and taking spoonful and spoonful of my cake when the woman appeared directly before me. 

My eye began to twitch again. 

What the hell, I took a step back and she, like a scourge is still there. 

"Miss, can you ask your men—I mean your husband and friend to please let brother Duan go?" I said, glancing at the small and scrawny man who was sandwiched between the two larger, more imposing figures. My gaze then returned to the woman before me, who stood there seemingly unaware of the tension in the air.

Suddenly, she took a few short shaky steps forward, positioning herself directly in front of me, visibly trembling as if she were caught in a chill. 

All I wanted was to savor my tea in peace, but Tada! She popped up over and over like an incessant eyesore, her demeanor radiating fake innocence and desperation. "Miss, please. What he did was only to protect me. Your men are so harsh…" she begged, her voice dropping to a near whisper as she continued, her head bowed and fingers anxiously gripping the edges of her dress. She appeared young and impoverished. My judgment may seem harsh, but having experienced wealth and its vices, I saw little of value in her. Though her dress might have cost tens of thousands, it had the look of a gift rather than something she had chosen for herself. Her hair was mediocre, and while her face was pretty, her makeup seemed more aimed at eliciting pity than enhancing her features. She attempted to present herself as the ideal woman—weak and pitiful. 

It was a look that I never quite understood, though I suppose everyone is entitled to their own ideals; perhaps trends can bring a certain kind of recognition to some.

Despite my growing irritation,I sipped my tea, pretending to be deaf, when a shadow blocked my light. I sought refuge here to escape noise and conflict. While I'm not a celebrity in the traditional sense, I still enjoy considerable popularity. Getting dragged into a trivial matter that could damage my reputation would annoy me for days.

Not only that, but I dreaded the thought of how my grandmother might react if word got out. She could somehow sniff out even the faintest whiff of scandal, and I knew she would come at me with her incessant nagging and reminders. I love her dearly, but her well-meaning insistence on 'proper behavior' could become quite a nuisance.

Once again, I had blanked out the woman before me, treating her like air, but today just was not my day. "She has two men?" one onlooker whispered in disbelief, his eyes wide with surprise and curiosity. 

"Didn't one of them refer to her as his wife?" another person nearby chimed in, looking confused and intrigued, trying to piece together the unfolding situation.

"Just take a look at her finger—there's absolutely no ring in sight. What kind of husband would allow that? Look at that poor woman; she seems to be pleading her case, but she just sits there while simultaneously eating and drinking, as if none of what is going on concerns her," the first onlooker pointed out, shaking his head.

"An honest woman would definitely wear her husband's ring. It's a sign of commitment, after all," many others in the crowd nodded in agreement, exchanging glances and casting their judgments, as they all felt a collective sense of confusion over the strange scenario before them.

I almost spat out my tea hearing the word of a passerby. 

It does have nothing to do with me okay!

What the hell, why am I being implicated just like—

My thoughts were cut off as images bombarded me and I became stunned. 

Shit! there was such a thing!

I took a desperate sip of my tea, trying to calm myself. This situation could still be salvaged; I could escape this drama. How did I get dragged into this?!

 I mentally wailed, struggling to remain calm. Fortunately, my expression was neutral, and the tea in my hand masked my turmoil.

I recalled what had happened then.

The same scenario had unfolded before, but I had already left. The victim was forced to kneel and apologize to… what was her name? Miss Ki? Kim? Ah, Qi!

 She accepted it with a seemingly humble demeanor, and the two men took her away. Later, I heard she married the young master Duan, which had barely registered with me at the time. The Duan family, though well-known, didn't impress me much—perhaps because I had seen more of the world, I'm not sure.

Even now, despite my circumstances, I felt the Duan family was insignificant.

"Miss, can you please—"

The woman's voice interrupted my thoughts. I need to resolve this quickly to avoid any further drama and prevent myself from being stuck here like cannon fodder for hours. This plot is too strong ahh!

"What other men? I have the perfect one. Why would I seek others?" Honestly, I feel tempted, knowing my husband will soon leave me. I am quite demanding in bed and unsure I could manage without a partner. 

But that's a concern for later, once I know I'm carrying my daughter.

"I have a husband who is obedient and follows my wishes without question. However, he is my husband, not some trash I picked up. He's handsome, tall, successful, and matches my background." I interjected, trying to sound casual, though I felt pride. Despite my admiration for my husband, I still wanted a divorce. 

My little heart and fragile mind can't take what will happen in the future. If I had to hear her drivel, I would become violent. Only the great creator knows my struggle is so real; I'm haunted by the memories of this burden. I can't even enjoy tea and cake because of her. What a sin!

 "As far as I'm concerned, the only truly obedient creature worthy of that label is a dog! It's absolutely foolish for her to own so many and fail to choose just one to focus on," I declared, shaking my head emphatically. I have to say, I must commend this woman; she is certainly clever and perceptive. Such a pity she is a scourge and not even a high-level one at that.

Just then, out of nowhere, my husband appeared and leaned in close, whispering in my ear, "Wife, I will be your dog." His unexpected presence, combined with the lingering voice of my manager, reminded me just how intertwined our lives had become in this whirlwind of emotions and decisions.

Inwardly, I shook my head. I need to focus!

Ahh! This dog man!