Volume 1, Chapter 30: A Proud Apology

A white shirt, a pair of jeans, and smooth hair cascading to her waist—her fresh, delicate face was completely devoid of makeup.

Her natural, untamed brows swept elegantly past the corners of her eyes, lending her a vivid allure. Beneath long, dark, curled lashes, her deep eyes shimmered like stars. Her lips, of moderate fullness, were tinted a soft, rosy red. Jiang Shuwei approached, carrying a beauty that was uniquely her own.

He Jingcheng sat on the sofa, helping He Tingting with her homework.

He Tingting’s face fell. Her small hand, gripping a pencil, was already aching. She dropped the pencil and began to pout, throwing a small tantrum. "Uncle, I don't want to do this anymore. It's too hard! I’m still a preschooler, why do I have to study primary school material? Wuu wuu… someone save me."

When Jiang Shuwei walked over, she heard He Tingting’s aggrieved whimpering. She couldn’t help but lean in to take a look; the child was practicing calligraphy, and it looked like chicken scratch.

He Jingcheng also looked exasperated. He had discovered that teaching his niece was far more exhausting than working a full day.

"Let your aunt teach you," He Jingcheng said, his patience entirely spent. Seeing Jiang Shuwei, he spoke up immediately.

"I’m so hungry, I want to eat," He Tingting looked up at He Jingcheng with a pitiful expression.

"Alright," Jiang Shuwei said softly. "I’ll take you to wash your hands, and then we’ll eat."

"Thank you, Auntie! Auntie is the best!" He Tingting jumped off her seat and followed Jiang Shuwei toward the washroom.

He Jingcheng pressed his temples. After an hour of tutoring, Tingting had concluded that Jiang Shuwei was the best person in the world. His blood pressure was starting to rise.

Jiang Shuwei led a clean-handed He Tingting back to the table. Not far away was a children’s play area, a space provided by the restaurant specifically for kids.

Seeing that their food hadn't arrived yet, He Tingting rubbed her hands together and looked at the two of them. "I want to go play, can I? Please, please!"

Jiang Shuwei had no objections, but He Jingcheng cautioned, "Stay safe, and don't play too wildly."

He Tingting took off like a little pony, sprinting toward the area.

Jiang Shuwei watched her small figure with a smile. When she turned her gaze back, she found He Jingcheng staring straight at her. The smile on her face froze, then vanished, and she looked down, pretending to search for her water.

"Why didn't you reply to the text I sent at noon?" He Jingcheng asked coldly.

"Oh? You sent me a text? I must have been too busy with work and didn't see it," Jiang Shuwei offered a hollow smile.

He Jingcheng couldn't be bothered to call out such a clumsy excuse. He asked, "Are you still unsatisfied with the situation regarding Su Mian?"

Jiang Shuwei shrugged. "She hasn't even offered a formal apology. How could I be satisfied?"

"Why must you keep hounding her? Your jealousy is getting out of hand," He Jingcheng’s expression darkened.

"What does this have to do with jealousy? That paper was the result of years of my hard work; it’s not just a few scrap pages. It was my ticket into the country’s top research institutions. She used it, and for me, it’s ruined. Do you understand?" Jiang Shuwei’s pretty face turned livid.

He Jingcheng fell silent, because he knew what Jiang Shuwei said was the truth.

"I’ll invest 100 million in your studio. Let’s not talk about this again." He Jingcheng picked up his teacup and took a sip. He knew Jiang Shuwei currently lacked startup capital. Previously, his grandfather had insisted on investing, but she had refused. Now that she was looking to expand, she surely needed money everywhere.

"No need. I’ve already taken out a loan," Jiang Shuwei said coldly.

"What did you use for collateral?" He Jingcheng’s deep eyes narrowed.

"My apartment," Jiang Shuwei replied.

He Jingcheng’s brow furrowed tightly. "That apartment was bought by my grandfather for you to live in. Why didn't you consult us before taking out a loan?"

Jiang Shuwei said flatly, "It’s a minor matter; I can make my own decisions."

He Jingcheng looked at the woman before him who was so capable of deciding things on her own, and a suffocating feeling tightened in his chest. Was he, her husband, really just a piece of furniture in her eyes? Was she using her own way to hollow out his authority as a husband, just as she treated his existence like air?

At the thought, his heartbeat slowed abruptly. He watched Jiang Shuwei while drinking his water, as if trying to see through all her thoughts.

Jiang Shuwei looked out the window, her mind racing.

"I will allow you to make one request, and then this matter must never be mentioned again," He Jingcheng said, his voice dropping.

Jiang Shuwei’s heart felt as if it were being squeezed by a hand, a dull ache blooming. To protect Su Mian, He Jingcheng had truly gone to great lengths, even lowering his status to negotiate with her.

"Fine. I have only one condition," Jiang Shuwei held up a finger, her voice calm and steady. "I want you to help me suppress the 'Cloud Drawing Studio' that appeared out of nowhere. Force them to return all the clients they took from me."

He Jingcheng’s handsome face stiffened, and he frowned. "You have a competitor?"

Jiang Shuwei nodded. "That’s right. This studio was only established a few days ago, and they’ve already snatched away nearly half of my clients. This is clearly a deliberate attempt to target me, and it displeases me. With your reach, Mr. He, such a small favor should be effortless for you, right?"

Hearing this, He Jingcheng suddenly remembered what Xia Chengze had said while they were drinking in a private room at the club. He had mentioned that because her studio lacked a core competitive advantage, it had drawn the attention of Qin Weizhou. Xia Chengze had claimed that he could make her go out of business with a flick of his wrist.

Could it be… Realizing this, He Jingcheng understood why this was happening.

"Fine. I’ll help you with this." Dealing with this malicious competition was truly just a matter of a single word from him.

"Really?" Jiang Shuwei flashed a smile as cunning as a little fox. She raised her water glass toward him in a toast. "Then thank you, Mr. He."

He Jingcheng watched the triumphant look on her face. Her eyes were overflowing with confidence and calculation—she really did have a sly streak.

"So, was that the purpose of your post on Weibo in the middle of the night?" He Jingcheng suddenly felt a sense of condemnation and revulsion toward such calculated behavior.

Jiang Shuwei didn't deny it.

He Jingcheng’s face turned grim. "People with too much cunning never earn others' affection. Do you understand?"

Jiang Shuwei’s heart stalled. She looked at him with a heavy, dull feeling. "I don't need everyone to like me."

He Jingcheng turned his head, not wanting to see her anymore. In his eyes, Jiang Shuwei was now a scheming woman who would stop at nothing to achieve her ends, using Su Mian’s reputation and the Su family company as stepping stones.

Jiang Shuwei bit her lip. Just then, their delicious dinner was served, and He Tingting ran back, covered in sweat.

Jiang Shuwei quickly took off the child's coat, wiped the sweat away carefully with a tissue, and served her a bowl of rice.

He Jingcheng was in a foul mood and headed to the smoking area alone. Jiang Shuwei glanced toward the end of the corridor and curled her lips—He Jingcheng probably looked down on her even more now.

After dinner, the three of them left the restaurant, only to run into a group of people at the entrance.

Leading them was Qin Weizhou. He wore a suit, his demeanor cold and indifferent. Beside him were Zhou Zirui and Yan Feiye, along with several others who appeared to be high-level executives.

"Mr. He, what a coincidence. Dining here as well?" Although Qin Weizhou and He Jingcheng didn't have the best relationship, they were all in the same circle, and Yan Feiye and Zhou Zirui still greeted him politely.

"Yes, just finished," He Jingcheng nodded courteously.

Jiang Shuwei immediately greeted Qin Weizhou, "Hello, Mr. Qin."

Qin Weizhou swept a cold glance over her, gave a faint acknowledgment, and headed toward the stairs. The group behind him followed quickly.

He Jingcheng turned his gaze to Jiang Shuwei, whose eyes were still fixed on the departing Qin Weizhou. This made him feel deeply annoyed. However, since He Tingting was still in his arms, he had to suppress his urge to mock her.

"Your eyes are about to fall out," He Jingcheng finally remarked, his voice dripping with cold sarcasm.