"He's not even worth a sesame seed to me," Hailey Tang said flatly, arms crossed and tone laced with disdain.
Jo Ning blinked in disbelief. "Wait… you're joking, right?" She couldn't help but laugh. "Everyone in C City knows Ethan Yu is the most eligible bachelor—rich, brilliant, handsome. You married that man, and you say he's not even worth a sesame seed?"
Hailey laughed too, but it was short and bitter. "If you were in my shoes, you wouldn't think so."
She didn't mention how many nights she'd cried herself to sleep, how it felt to live with someone who only ever saw her as a pawn. Or how dangerous it was to love a man like Ethan Yu—how his world was lined with secrets, coldness, and the kind of power that could crush you in a heartbeat.
Jo Ning looked confused. "Why? You and Ethan… are you two not getting along?"
"We're not. Actually, we're planning to divorce soon."
"What?" Jo Ning's eyes went wide. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
Hailey didn't want to get into it. There were too many things that couldn't be explained in a single conversation. So she just waved it off with a smile. "I'll tell you the full story another day. Come on, let's keep walking. Hey—what's going on over there?"
Across the lawn, near the pond, a group of students surrounded a camera rig and lighting equipment. The air buzzed with activity—directors giving orders, actors rehearsing lines.
Jo Ning glanced over and smiled. "Oh, they're filming a student project. It's for our semester-end film course. Everyone has to submit something to get graded. Most of them are doing short films or mock TV scenes."
"You're doing one too?" Hailey asked with interest.
"I have to, but I haven't figured out what to shoot yet. I want to create something meaningful, you know? Not just another classroom drama or cliché romance."
"You could shoot a documentary," Hailey suggested casually.
"I've thought about it," Jo Ning sighed. "But documentaries need access, interviews, a location—and equipment we barely have. Plus, the funding's always an issue."
Hailey's eyes sparkled as an idea hit her. "Actually, there's a project happening right now—Dongfang Group is designing a new building for the local orphanage. You could document the process—the transformation, the kids' reactions, the social impact. It's real, emotional, and meaningful."
Jo Ning's jaw dropped. "You mean… follow the whole thing from start to finish? Design to construction to move-in?"
"Exactly. The orphanage is really run-down right now. Once the renovations are complete, the kids will be living in a whole new world. Think about the emotional arc you could capture."
Jo Ning's mind was already racing with possibilities. But then reality set in. "Wait. I'd need permission to film inside Dongfang. There's no way they'd let a student walk in and start recording everything, right?"
"I can ask Ethan for you," Hailey offered without hesitation.
Jo Ning's eyes widened again. "Hailey… are you sure? I mean, you just said your relationship with him isn't great. I don't want to cause you trouble."
"It's fine," Hailey said breezily. "If he says no, we'll figure something else out. But if he agrees, then great."
Jo Ning was touched. "You're amazing. Seriously, this could be my best project ever! If it works out, I'm buying you dinner. Wait—scratch that. I'm buying you dinner tonight. Whether it works out or not."
"Don't be silly. You don't have to."
"I insist! Come on, what do you feel like eating?"
Hailey smiled. "I'm easy. You decide."
"Hot pot?" Jo Ning suggested with a hopeful grin.
"I love hot pot!"
"I knew we were soulmates!" Jo Ning laughed, linking arms with Hailey.
The two girls chatted and laughed all the way to a nearby restaurant just off campus. The place was warm and lively, filled with college students unwinding after classes. The spicy aroma of boiling broth filled the air as they sat down and ordered a mountain of food—thinly sliced meats, fresh vegetables, tofu, dumplings, and more.
"I swear, if you and I had met earlier," Jo Ning said, sipping a cold drink, "we'd probably be living together by now."
Hailey giggled. "Don't tempt me. Living with you sounds way less stressful than being married to Ethan Yu."
"Still can't believe you're leaving that fine specimen of a man."
"I'm not leaving a man. I'm escaping a glacier with sharp teeth."
Jo Ning choked on her drink laughing.
By the time they finished eating, the sky had turned navy blue. Streetlights flickered on as night crept over the city.
"Wait here. I'll go get the car," Hailey said, patting her friend's arm.
Jo Ning nodded. "Okay, but don't take too long. It's creepy out here at night."
Hailey jogged toward the small campus parking lot while Jo Ning stayed by the side of the road, scrolling through her phone under the dim light of a flickering streetlamp. The occasional student passed by, but the area had quieted considerably.
What neither of them realized was that someone had been watching them from the shadows.
Back in the parking lot, Hailey found her car easily, but as she reached it, her phone buzzed with a message.
Ethan:
Where are you?
Her heart skipped. Just seeing his name gave her mixed feelings. Confusion. Frustration. And an unspoken ache she didn't want to acknowledge.
Hailey:
Out with a friend. Why?
The reply came quickly.
Ethan:
Come home. We need to talk.
Her fingers hovered over the screen. That tone again—calm, commanding. Like he could summon her with a few words.
Before she could respond, another message popped up.
Ethan:
It's about the orphanage project.
Her brows furrowed.
Ethan:
Tell your friend she has permission to film. But on one condition—I want to meet her first.
Hailey stared at the message.
So he knew.
And just like always, he was two steps ahead of her.
She sighed and slid into the driver's seat. The night was only just beginning.
To be continued…