In the tenth year of my marriage to Jin Xiao, he took a fancy to a poor student sponsored by his group.
He said love meant helping someone rise. The girl hadn't graduated yet, but he arranged an internship for her at the company. As soon as she graduated, he made her a secretary in the CEO's office.
He said love meant teaching her how to survive in the world, so he gave her a million-yuan project to practice on.
He said love meant broadening her horizons, so he spent a fortune on her at an auction.
When she said she wanted to see the ocean, he dropped a billion-yuan acquisition project and took her to the Maldives.
People teased him, saying he was so blinded by beauty that it was clear how much he liked the girl, and asking if Mrs. Jin's place was about to go to someone else.
He said the girl was still young and would have to marry someday. He was destined to be with her for only a while, so he had to give her everything he could.
He would lower himself to eat the street food he despised with her.
On crowded streets, he would hold up a camera and patiently take perfect shots of her all dressed up.
He said she made him feel like he was in love again, just like when he was young.
"What about Tang Ying? You used to say she was the love of your life, too."
His brother asked him after getting drunk.
He said, "Tang Ying is the best woman in the world. It's just a shame she's gotten old."
The "old" Tang Ying no longer deserved all his love. Someone new had to take her place.
He spoiled the girl until she became utterly brazen, bold enough to ram her car into mine just to provoke me.
He rushed over, wrapped the girl in his arms, and comforted her gently. Then he turned to me and said, "No one can take your place as Mrs. Jin. Be more understanding, and don't hold it against the girl."
Jin Xiao had probably forgotten that the supposedly "understanding" Tang Ying was actually petty. She always repaid a grudge, and she never forgave.