Volume One, Chapter Three: He Accompanied Her Throughout

It turns out that when someone you don’t love truly dies, people still mistake it for merely sleeping.

Jiang Shuwei lay back on the bed, closing her eyes as tears slipped down her cheeks.

Huang Yujie softly comforted her, “Shuwei, don’t be sad. Jing Cheng is just talking nonsense.”

“Mom, I didn’t… I really didn’t stage anything.” The victim, at this moment, still had to prove her innocence.

The pain was unbearable.

Huang Yujie quickly handed her a tissue to wipe her tears. “Shuwei, don’t cry anymore. Grandpa and I believe you.”

The old man also comforted her, “Luckily, the injuries aren’t worse. That scoundrel Jing Cheng—I’ll make sure to teach him a lesson.”

Jiang Shuwei cried for a long while before opening her eyes and murmuring as she stared at the ceiling, “Grandpa, Mom, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have used marriage to bind him. I truly was wrong.”

Huang Yujie and the old man exchanged glances and couldn’t help but sigh aloud.

Jiang Shuwei stayed in the hospital for three days before being discharged, her forehead still wrapped in gauze, her complexion pale.

Suddenly, Su Mian appeared at her studio.

Seeing this cunning woman, Jiang Shuwei immediately scolded, “Su Mian, I won’t give up on the plagiarism issue. I advise you to quickly come forward and clarify publicly.”

Su Mian suddenly knelt before Jiang Shuwei, her voice sincere and pleading, “Shuwei, I’m sorry. It was wrong of me to steal that paper. I didn’t know it was your work. If I had known, I would never have published it. I’m holding a press conference tomorrow to clear this up. Please don’t accuse me of being the culprit anymore.”

Before Jiang Shuwei could respond, He Jingcheng strode in through the door, pulling Su Mian up by the arm. “Jiang Shuwei, don’t push things too far.”

Jiang Shuwei’s face turned pale instantly; she hadn’t done anything.

Su Mian sobbed softly, “Jingcheng, please don’t be angry. It really was my mistake. I’ve decided to hold a press conference to clarify everything. I don’t want Shuwei’s achievements to be tarnished.”

Jiang Shuwei looked at Su Mian’s shameless act—her acting skills were truly impressive.

In terms of performance, she was like an award-winning actress.

“Jiang Shuwei, listen carefully. Su Mian never intended to hurt anyone,” He Jingcheng said angrily.

“Jingcheng, don’t be harsh with Shuwei. She’s the one who suffered the most. Shuwei, I’m really sorry. It was unintentional,” Su Mian’s eyes reddened as she spoke earnestly.

Jiang Shuwei sneered at this master of deception, “Su Mian, stop pretending here. Do you think shedding a few tears can erase the fact that you’re a thief?”

Su Mian took a step back, almost losing her balance. He Jingcheng wrapped an arm around her waist and glared at Jiang Shuwei. “Jiang Shuwei, don’t get carried away. Look in the mirror at that ferocious expression—it's truly disgusting.”

With that, He Jingcheng left the studio, holding the weak Su Mian in his arms.

After the terrifying car accident, Jiang Shuwei rested at home.

After He Jingcheng’s sister fell ill and passed away, she left behind a daughter who had been living with the He family.

The little girl loved making beaded crafts, so Jiang Shuwei patiently taught her how to string beads and molded many cute little animals out of clay. He Tingting’s face was full of smiles as she stretched out her small hands, imitating carefully.

“Auntie, does your wound still hurt?” He Tingting gently blew on the injury on Jiang Shuwei’s hand.

Jiang Shuwei was touched and softly replied, “Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“Have they caught the bad guy who hurt you?” He Tingting asked, frowning.

“Not yet.” Jiang Shuwei shook her head. The police explained that the car had a fake license plate and had mysteriously vanished.

Jiang Shuwei increasingly suspected someone was orchestrating this behind the scenes.

But how could a car just disappear into thin air?

The police promised to keep investigating, but Jiang Shuwei dared not hope for much.

Still, she wouldn’t give up.

She had noted the license plate number and vowed that one day, she would find the culprit.

After three days of recovery, Jiang Shuwei returned to her studio. Zhou Haixin pointed to the computer beside her. “Look, my idol has finally publicly announced his girlfriend. It’s so sad. But just by looking at her, she’s obviously from an aristocratic family. No ordinary fan like me can compare. Fate is so unfair.”

Jiang Shuwei stopped in her tracks, eyes fixed on the screen.

It was a press conference. Su Mian, the eldest daughter of the Su family, sat in the main seat wearing a modest black gown embroidered with gold thread. She spoke tearfully, “There was a misunderstanding regarding the borrowed paper. I truly didn’t know those pages were the hard work of someone else, and I feel very guilty.”

She sobbed once, wiped tears from the corner of her eye, and continued sincerely, “Although I borrowed her research findings, I repeatedly verified the data myself. Only after confirming everything accurate did I dare to publish. Here, I sincerely apologize to the victim whose work I borrowed. I am willing to compensate her for emotional damages, and in future academic research, I will be more careful and live up to expectations.”

Su Mian’s tearful speech was remarkably genuine.

At this moment, the livestream chat exploded.

No one expected that the groundbreaking paper was plagiarized by Su Mian. Though her words were subtle, everyone knew it was plagiarism.

The comments were filled with anger, yet some tried to downplay the issue, praising Su Mian’s sincerity—claiming honesty is precious and that admitting mistakes is a rare virtue.

Zhou Haixin sneered, “How shameless. The thief apologizes publicly and is praised for virtue? What about the victim she plagiarized from? Where do we go to seek justice?”

The public didn’t know who the original author was, so everyone was curious to find out which genius had written it.

“My idol actually likes a literary thief? How disappointing,” Zhou Haixin said, turning to Jiang Shuwei. “Why aren’t you reacting? Come curse her with me.”

She immediately placed her hands on the keyboard, fingers flying as she typed rapid-fire insults:

“Triggered? Just two words: beast.”

“I have trypophobia; I can’t be near people with ill intentions.”

“You should eat more cosmetics to improve your inner beauty.”

“You must have the animal association protecting you.”

“The rain won’t last forever, but your headache will.”

Jiang Shuwei watched, wide-eyed. Zhou Haixin’s scorn was uniquely creative.

On the screen, Su Mian’s shoulders trembled with quiet sobs, tears streaming down her face, while He Jingcheng sat beside her, gently holding her. Then, together, they left.

At this moment, Jiang Shuwei could no longer deceive herself—He Jingcheng did not love her.

His presence at Su Mian’s apology press conference said it all. He openly supported her, publicly standing by her side. How could that not be favoritism?

“What’s the point of cursing her? She won’t truly repent; it’s just a show,” Jiang Shuwei’s resentment remained unresolved.

After the press conference, Su Mian’s new paper was published.

Jiang Shuwei knew it was crafted by experts behind the scenes. The Su family’s eldest daughter was truly the center of attention—suffering a minor grievance and instantly countless people rushed to comfort her.

The press conference had just ended when Su Mian’s call came through.

Her tone was still extremely sincere.

“Shuwei, I’ve held the press conference to clarify everything. To make amends, may I treat you to a meal?”

Jiang Shuwei sneered, “Su Mian, others may fall for this, but not me. Don’t think I’m unaware of how fake you are. Remember, the longer you wear a mask, the harder it is to remove. One day, someone will tear it off and see the falsehood beneath.”

Su Mian’s voice was firm. “Shuwei, I know you don’t like me and don’t like me getting close to Jingcheng, but you’re already his wife. What more do you want?”

Jiang Shuwei replied coldly, “I only want some people to be accountable and stop pretending one way in front and another behind. Also, since you know he has a wife, please maintain your distance.”

“Shuwei, please don’t be so domineering. Jingcheng and I grew up together; we’ve always been best friends,” Su Mian said, feigning sorrow.

“Is pure friendship possible between grown men and women?” Jiang Shuwei asked sharply.

Su Mian’s insincere response: “You wouldn’t believe it unless you’ve experienced it. But I do. Jingcheng and I are simply friends.”

Jiang Shuwei no longer wished to hear such nonsense and promptly hung up.

In a luxurious presidential suite, Su Mian clenched her phone tightly, her pretty face unsettled.

Nearby, her father sat on the sofa smoking, watching his daughter complain. He could only offer comfort, “Alright, don’t be angry. So far, this hasn’t affected the company.”

“Dad, I just can’t swallow this grievance. Why does Jiang Shuwei dare compete with me? She’s just an illegitimate child…” Su Mian’s tone was bitter.

Her father frowned, reminding her, “She’s a true medical genius. This sensational paper proves it. If we can recruit her to our institute, it would be a good thing.”

“Dad, she’s treated me like this and you still want to recruit her?” Su Mian’s face darkened.

Her father flicked ash from his cigarette and continued, “With her reputation, many will want to recruit her. Su Mian, remember what I taught you growing up? To achieve great things, you need vision. It’s not worth losing a talent over petty things.”

“This isn’t petty. She stole my Jingcheng brother from me,” Su Mian said, eyes red with anger.

Her father frowned again. “Don’t worry. Their marriage won’t last long. Jingcheng will come back to you sooner or later.”

Su Mian was about to say more when her father’s phone rang.

He went to the floor-to-ceiling window to answer. After hanging up, he grew visibly excited.

Su Mian noticed the uncontainable joy on her father’s face and asked, “Dad, what happened?”

Her father said excitedly, “Remember what I told you before? I might have found your sister.”

Su Mian crossed her arms and pursed her lips, “You’ve been searching so long and only now some news? Last time you said that woman went back to the countryside to give birth. Even if we find my sister, she’ll be a rustic bumpkin.”

She smiled mischievously, “I’ve heard rural girls get married in their teens. Dad, if she brings back a bunch of kids, you’ll be in trouble. Not only will she have many children, but a whole bunch of poor relatives will come with her.”

Her father placed a hand over his chest, sorrowful, “No matter who she is, I have to bring her back. She is my daughter, Su Zhendong’s daughter. I owe her mother an apology.”

Su Mian huffed, “Dad, you promised Mom and me—you can find them, but you can’t bring them back openly.”

Her father was taken aback.

Su Mian continued, “In short, you can give them money, but there can only be one Su family eldest daughter.”