Volume 1 Chapter 26 Facing a Career Crisis

Jiang Shuwei suddenly found herself at a loss for words, save for the realization that her capacity for endurance was remarkable.

"Mom, you and Grandfather both know that there is no spark between him and me, and this marriage has reached its end."

"Mom, if I divorce him, will you be angry with me?" Because she trusted Huang Yujie, Jiang Shuwei dared to broach the subject directly.

Although Huang Yujie had long suspected as much, hearing it from Jiang Shuwei still brought a pang of sadness.

"Shuwei, I know you had a crush on Jingcheng before. I always thought you would keep loving him," Huang Yujie said with a bitter smile. "Being bound to someone who doesn't love you back is a painful experience."

"I just feel that he has reached his limit. The person he loves is not me, and I don't want to hinder him from pursuing his true love. Mom, isn't it your wish to hold a grandson soon? If I divorce him, he will be free to marry the one he loves, and that grandson will arrive all the sooner," Jiang Shuwei said calmly.

"Is the person he loves Su Mian?" Huang Yujie frowned. "If Su Mian inherited her mother's overbearing personality, then I cannot agree to that match."

Jiang Shuwei was slightly surprised. She had heard that Su Mian's mother was the second-in-command at their company, a woman who had built the majority of the firm's business. She was a true powerhouse, possessing such a formidable personality that even after having only one daughter, she could firmly maintain her grip on the family's power, to the point that the elders dared not pressure her for a second child.

Huang Yujie snorted softly. "I don't want Jingcheng to marry a career woman who would end up riding roughshod over me."

Watching her mother-in-law’s distressed expression, Jiang Shuwei felt an urge to laugh.

"Mom, you didn't force me to marry him just because you were worried about that, did you?" Jiang Shuwei asked curiously.

"Of course not." Huang Yujie’s expression turned tense. "It was because we knew you loved Jingcheng, and our whole family likes you. It’s a pity that Jingcheng is so rebellious; it seems the more we approve of you, the worse he treats you. Sigh, every family has its own trials, and it turns out our trial is Jingcheng—he is just full of defiance."

Jiang Shuwei lowered her head.

"Shuwei, could you do this for me and have one more serious talk with him?" Huang Yujie was truly desperate to prevent her son from marrying Su Mian, which prompted her to make this request.

Jiang Shuwei looked at her mother-in-law and seemed to reach a decision. "Mom, I can agree to that, but I need you to promise me one thing: if we truly cannot get along, you must agree to our divorce."

Huang Yujie was taken aback, then nodded. "Very well. If it comes to that and you still cannot be together, then a divorce it is."

"Mom, while my marriage to him hasn't been made public, I hope we can divorce as soon as possible. I don't want to wait until it is announced, as I fear it would have a negative impact on the company." Jiang Shuwei was so urgent because she wanted to avoid any disastrous fallout.

Huang Yujie was stunned. "You mean, we should rush the divorce before it's announced?"

"Yes. He has actually brought up the subject of divorce several times, but we were afraid to talk to you about it because we didn't want to upset the elders," Jiang Shuwei said softly.

"That brat! He doesn't know how lucky he is," Huang Yujie fumed.

After lunch, Jiang Shuwei returned to her studio. Having spoken to her mother-in-law about the divorce, the weight on her heart felt significantly lighter. Her mother-in-law was a reasonable person and would surely not force them to stay shackled together.

Zhou Haixin was on the phone while working on a digital illustration, her voice booming: "What? You're withdrawing from the partnership? No, why? Someone offered you a lower rate? How much? Only three hundred per drawing?"

"Hey, don't hang up yet, let's talk."

With a curse, Zhou Haixin turned around and saw Jiang Shuwei had returned. She immediately began to complain loudly: "Just my luck—the very thing I feared is happening. We were just talking about competing on merit, and now a powerful competitor is swooping in to snatch our livelihood."

"What’s wrong?" Jiang Shuwei asked curiously.

"Remember those hospitals and medical centers we were in talks with? Just now, three of them canceled their partnerships, saying someone offered a lower price and a shorter turnaround time." Zhou Haixin crossed her arms, looking highly displeased.

Jiang Shuwei’s heart skipped a beat; she sensed the scent of a conspiracy.

Seeing her pursing her lips in silence, Zhou Haixin asked, panicked, "Shuwei, tell me, what on earth is going on?"

Jiang Shuwei called Zhou Haixin outside to discuss it.

"What is it, Shuwei? Did you figure out the reason?" Zhou Haixin asked anxiously.

Jiang Shuwei crossed her arms and leaned against the wall, her tone calm. "Haixin, it seems someone doesn't want to see us succeed and is starting to squeeze us out."

"Who is so wicked? Are they coming after us?" Zhou Haixin asked indignantly.

"It’s likely... coming after me," Jiang Shuwei admitted, not wanting to hide it.

"You?" Zhou Haixin pointed at her. "You offended someone?"

Jiang Shuwei gave a self-deprecating smile. "There are some people—even if you don't offend them, they still won't want to see you do well."

"Shuwei, tell me clearly, who did you offend? We can go and explain things to them," Zhou Haixin said naively, thinking an apology would fix everything.

Jiang Shuwei looked at her close friend, her heart filled with guilt.

"Haixin, haven't you always wanted to know about my past?" Jiang Shuwei looked into her eyes and said sincerely.

"Yes, I have."

Jiang Shuwei pointed to a nearby coffee shop. "Buy me a coffee, and I'll tell you."

"Why? Can't we expense our food and drink? You want me to pay out of pocket?" Zhou Haixin teased.

"Are you paying or not?" Jiang Shuwei raised an eyebrow.

"Fine, fine, I’ll pay."

Inside the coffee shop, Jiang Shuwei gave a concise account of her situation. Zhou Haixin’s mouth hung open so wide it could have fit a duck egg.

"You’re telling me you’re the wife of my idol? And that the plagiarized thesis was actually written by you? And the Yuntu order came from that... Qin... that untouchable man? You're currently being targeted by a group of wealthy socialites? And I’m your core team member? Doesn't that mean... our studio is doomed?" Zhou Haixin was overwhelmed by the influx of information, her words spilling out in a chaotic mess.

Jiang Shuwei nodded, slowly sipping her coffee. "Yes, that is the truth."

"Wait, never mind all that. You and He Jingcheng... you're husband and wife, so have you... you know?" Zhou Haixin found the most important detail amidst the chaos.

"No," Jiang Shuwei said, her eyes dimming.

"You said earlier that he hates you? Then why did he marry you?" Zhou Haixin’s gossip-loving heart began to stir.

Jiang Shuwei smiled bitterly. "He married me to take revenge on me."

"That is despicable!" Zhou Haixin clenched her fists, feeling the impotent rage of not being able to reach out and slap He Jingcheng across the face.

"Don't blame him," Jiang Shuwei said quietly. "Blame my own impulsive head."

"So now... what do we do? Surrounded on all sides? Enemies everywhere?" Zhou Haixin felt a chill run down her spine, sensing that they were about to be completely blacklisted.