Volume One, Chapter 11: Master Lu's Resolute Assistance

He Jingcheng said coldly, "Then do something to make me happy, make me smile."

The three bodyguards stiffened; very few could bring a smile to Young Master He’s face, and Miss Su Mian was one of them.

But at this moment, the lady sitting beside him could never put him in a good mood.

Jiang Shuwei stood up directly and said to the bodyguards, "Would you like to come in for some hot tea? It’s freshly brewed."

The three bodyguards thought about it, but He Jingcheng stood up and said, "The photos are done. Come with me."

They glanced left and right uncertainly.

Jiang Shuwei did not insist. Watching He Jingcheng lead the bodyguards and drive away, she returned upstairs.

She decided it was time to open the box her mother had hidden in the attic.

She hadn’t known about the box before; last year when there was a leak, she hired someone to fix it and discovered a box hidden up there. It was small, probably only able to hold some documents.

Jiang Shuwei tried several passwords but failed to open it. Finally, she gave up, thinking she would need a professional to unlock it.

She decided to take the box home with her.

The day for the ancestral memorial arrived. Jiang Shuwei bought flowers and offerings and carried a hoe up the mountain.

The next day, Jiang Shuwei sat in the small building painting. She planned to stay there for three days before returning.

Meanwhile, Su Mian, accompanied by He Jingcheng, had been searching the county town for a long time but found nothing. They suspected the woman from years ago might have been a doctor, but after inquiring at every hospital, there was no record of a woman named Li Shuyu.

In the restaurant, Su Mian was on the phone with her father. "Dad, there’s no woman named Li Shuyu here. Could it be that she’s no longer alive?"

Su’s father’s tone was heavy. "Impossible. She was a very strong and capable woman."

"But I really couldn’t find her. Even the people you sent couldn’t find her. She must be dead, the account closed." Su Mian almost wished the mother and daughter were completely gone.

Su’s father sighed deeply. "Is she really no longer with us?"

Su Mian comforted him, "Dad, don’t be sad. You’ve done enough. It’s just that the two of them didn’t have the fortune to wait for you to come for them."

"I won’t give up," Su’s father said painfully. "Xiaomian, do you know? When our company was founded, it was her who provided the funding and technology."

Su Mian’s expression darkened slightly. "Dad, that’s all in the past. Why bring it up now? I know you want to repay her, but we just can’t find her."

Su’s father had no choice but to say, "Come back first. I’ll send people to keep looking. Maybe she’s not dead, just changed her name."

Su Mian was impatient. "Fine."

After hanging up, Su Mian returned to her seat, adopting a gentle and tender demeanor.

"Brother Jingcheng, aren’t you worried about finding her? I’ve almost wrapped up my side of things." Su Mian’s voice was sweet and understanding.

He Jingcheng replied coldly, "I don’t want to see her."

Su Mian’s heart leapt with joy. Everyone knew Jiang Shuwei was like a stubborn burr, clinging tightly. He Jingcheng was annoyed just seeing her, wishing he could sever that tail of hers.

She clung to him as a child, and as an adult, she had the audacity to force him to marry her.

Su Mian thought Jiang Shuwei was far too greedy and presumptuous, believing that forcibly binding themselves together would win a man’s true heart—how naive.

"Brother Jingcheng, thank you so much for helping me with that paper." Su Mian looked grateful but also guilty. "I was desperate and about to graduate, so I used her paper to publish, but I truly didn’t know she wrote it."

He Jingcheng nodded. "I believe you didn’t do it on purpose. Jiang Shuwei is just too petty."

Su Mian was moved, tears welling in her eyes. "Brother Jingcheng, can I learn management from you? I’m my father’s only daughter, and I’ll have to take over Su Biotech someday. If you help me, I won’t be afraid."

He Jingcheng glanced at her. "Such grand ambitions at a young age. That’s commendable."

Winning He Jingcheng’s admiration, Su Mian was overjoyed. From now on, she could openly be with him.

Three days passed. Jiang Shuwei packed her things, closed the door, and drove away.

Arriving in the capital city in the afternoon, she hurried to the studio to submit her paintings.

"A big order just came in, Shuwei! Someone’s investing ten million yuan, wanting us to deliver 30,000 images within six months!" Zhou Haixin excitedly spun around holding Jiang Shuwei.

Jiang Shuwei was surprised. "Which company needs so many images?"

Zhou Haixin immediately took out the cooperation letter. "Look, it’s this company called Tuyu. They want to use the images as a library for internet browsing."

Jiang Shuwei frowned. "Haixin, although this is a huge order, there are only the two of us in the studio. Even if we don’t eat, sleep, or rest, we can’t finish 30,000 images in six months."

Zhou Haixin’s eyes widened. "Aha! That’s why we recruit new people, expand the company, and go professional! Shuwei, don’t you think if we become the leading company in this field, we’ll be the first to break new ground? Others will only be left with scraps."

Jiang Shuwei thought Zhou Haixin’s analysis made sense. Considering her future plans, it was time to strive and start a business.

"Alright, let’s take it. We’ll divide the work: you recruit, I’ll find the office."

Jiang Shuwei finally resolved to do something big—found her own company.

Having been immersed in the He family’s affairs over the years, she knew a lot about running a company. The choice of office location was crucial.

She didn’t want to rely on the He family’s connections, but her search for office space eventually reached Old Master He’s ears.

Old Master He called Jiang Shuwei directly.

"Grandpa!"

In a loud and clear voice, the old man said, "I heard you’re looking for a new office?"

"How did you know, Grandpa?" Jiang Shuwei chuckled softly.

"You’re too distant, girl. For something so small, you don’t come to Grandpa but to strangers. I’m really disappointed. Aren’t we family?" The old man spoke as if hurt.

"No, Grandpa, it’s because it’s a small matter that I didn’t want to bother you…"

Old Master He knew Jiang Shuwei was sensible and independent, both in study and life. He believed she was destined for great things.

"I’ve picked the office for you—Yunrun Tower. You can choose any floor you like, pick the view you prefer," the old man said generously.

Jiang Shuwei found it hard to refuse but softly said, "Grandpa, I’ll pay the rent."

The old man was vexed again. "Girl, how much money can you make from painting? I’m worried you’ll go hungry. No rent, I insist."

Jiang Shuwei was stunned. The old man was offering the space for free.

With his words, Jiang Shuwei headed straight to Yunrun Tower.

She didn’t notify the building manager, deciding to check the floors first.

But when she appeared on the eighth floor, she unexpectedly ran into Su Mian and He Jingcheng, accompanied by the building manager, Mr. Wang.

He Jingcheng’s expression darkened when he saw Jiang Shuwei step out of the elevator.

Su Mian’s lips tightened, displeased. That Jiang Shuwei was truly a relentless shadow.