Volume 1, Chapter 32: Coveting Him

Jiang Shuwei’s eyes widened in surprise, her sudden nervousness causing a crimson flush to bloom across her pretty face. "N-no, thank you. I can apply the medicine when I get home."

Qin Weizhou was an assertive man. Ignoring her refusal, he took the medicine, dipped a cotton swab into it, and switched on the overhead light, staring at the bruised, swollen area on her fair, delicate skin.

"Does your husband treat you poorly?" Qin Weizhou asked suddenly as he dabbed the medicine onto her skin.

Jiang Shuwei’s expression froze. She and He Jingcheng had never been as close as she was with Qin Weizhou right now. She instinctively looked up, the lamplight reflecting in her clear, limpid eyes. As she caught his gaze, it felt as if she were staring into a galaxy; his eyes deepened.

He carried a faint scent of cigarettes, mixed with a cold, masculine fragrance—a unique, earthy musk that she couldn't quite name, but one that made her feel uneasy.

"He... treats me... alright." Jiang Shuwei understood the rule that one should not air family grievances in public. Even if she and Lu Jingcheng loathed each other, she had to maintain the appearance of a good relationship to keep up a facade of harmony.

Qin Weizhou pressed the antiseptic-soaked swab directly onto the broken skin. A stinging pain shot through Jiang Shuwei’s entire body. She flinched instinctively, her brows knitting together.

"Does it hurt?" Qin Weizhou asked.

"A little," Jiang Shuwei replied.

"Then I’ll be gentler," he said.

Jiang Shuwei didn't dare make another sound, but an unnatural flush rose on her cheeks. She found herself wickedly replaying their conversation in her mind, layering it with unspeakable imagery. She quickly stopped the train of thought. How starved for affection was she to be fantasizing about the iceberg sitting right in front of her?

A soft, peach-colored glow spread across her porcelain-like skin. Her eyes lowered, casting fan-shaped shadows with her thick lashes. Qin Weizhou, towering over her, stared for several seconds.

Once the medicine was applied, he pulled his hand back, placed the medicine in the bag, and set it beside her.

The car drove on until it reached the building where Jiang Shuwei lived. Zhou Zirui handed her an umbrella. "This car belongs to Young Master Qin. You can return the umbrella to him later."

Jiang Shuwei was startled. Standing on the roadside under the umbrella, she watched the SUV drive away. It was Qin Weizhou’s car, and Qin Weizhou’s umbrella—how could Zhou Zirui have taken it upon himself to make Qin Weizhou wait in the heavy rain for over half an hour?

Whose favor was she actually indebted to? Having incurred the kindness of two men at once, how was she supposed to repay them? Her mind in turmoil, Jiang Shuwei hurried toward her home.

It was the turn of late autumn into early winter, and the weather was shifting. The days ahead would only grow colder. However, her transaction with He Jingcheng today had lifted her spirits.

***

Late at night, in a high-end entertainment venue, three men held cues in a luxuriously decorated billiard room. Nearby, Su Mian and Lu Youyou sat on chairs, watching.

He Jingcheng leaned over, took a shot, and suddenly spoke: "Chengze, stop the competitive pressure on 'Clear at a Glance'."

Xia Chengze, who was wiping his cue, looked stunned. Su Mian, holding a glass of lemonade, also lifted her beautiful eyes, staring at He Jingcheng.

He Jingcheng offered no explanation, only saying, "I will cover your losses. Do not pursue this matter any further."

Xia Chengze looked at Su Mian not far away, seeing her head bowed and looking deeply disappointed. He immediately bent down and struck a ball with frustration, saying, "Alright."

Su Mian’s fingers tightened around her glass. Could Jiang Shuwei have negotiated some condition with Brother Jingcheng? That Jiang Shuwei really had some tricks up her sleeve to have managed to eliminate a competitor this way.

At this thought, a warmth rose in Su Mian’s heart. To protect her reputation, Brother Jingcheng had been willing to lower himself to negotiate with Jiang Shuwei. Ultimately, she was the person He Jingcheng cared about most. The more schemes Jiang Shuwei used, the more people would despise her.

During a break, He Jingcheng went to the restroom. Xia Chengze sat down beside Su Mian. "Xiao Mian, I’m sorry. I’m afraid I can’t get revenge for you."

Su Mian immediately offered a grateful, gentle smile. "Thank you, Brother Chengze. You’ve already done so much for me."

"That’s not nearly enough." Xia Chengze clenched his fist and slammed it onto the table. "I really underestimated Jiang Shuwei. To think she has the ability to turn the situation around."

Lu Youyou curled her lips in a cold sneer. "What ability does she have? I bet she just cried to Grandfather He and begged him to intervene, which is why Young Master He stepped in to help her."

Xia Chengze agreed that this was the most likely scenario. After all, Jiang Shuwei had been favored by the old man since she was a child, and He’s mother, Huang Yujie, treated her like her own daughter. The two elders must have demanded that He Jingcheng intervene on her behalf.

"How much longer is she going to keep leeching off the He family? I really can’t stand parasites like her." At this moment, Xia Chengze truly loathed Jiang Shuwei.

Su Mian felt secretly smug. She was the darling of this circle; as long as she shed two tears, who wouldn't side with her?

"It’s alright. She is, after all, Brother Jingcheng’s wife. Perhaps I overstepped," Su Mian said, forcing a smile and putting on a reasonable, gentle expression.

Xia Chengze, however, was still annoyed. Glancing at the entrance to see that He Jingcheng hadn't returned, he leaned toward Su Mian’s ear and whispered, "We can't handle her, but someone else is returning to the country."

"Who?" Su Mian’s eyes widened.

Xia Chengze smiled with a malicious glint. "Remember when you were eighteen, that man who almost dragged Jiang Shuwei into a room to sleep with her?"

Su Mian’s eyes widened further. "You mean Zheng Dongsheng?"

Xia Chengze nodded. "The Zheng family is not someone most people dare to provoke. Zheng Dongsheng returns the day after tomorrow."

Su Mian’s eyes sparkled with joy. "Really? That’s wonderful. I’ve been waiting for that playboy to come back."

"Back then, he didn't manage to bed her, and he ended up with his face scratched by her fingernails and a bottle smashed against his forehead. He still has the scar," Xia Chengze said. He had dined with Zheng Dongsheng abroad recently and noticed the faint scar on his forehead. That scar was Zheng Dongsheng’s greatest humiliation.

"I remember what happened that day. It was quite amusing," Su Mian said, laughing softly as the memory flashed before her eyes.

"There, now someone can finally deal with that wretched girl." Xia Chengze had successfully cheered her up, and Su Mian looked at him coquettishly. "Brother Chengze, you’re so good to me."

Xia Chengze felt a stir of emotion, but unfortunately, Su Mian’s heart was entirely set on He Jingcheng; she only saw him as a brother.

The next morning, Jiang Shuwei had already gathered nearly fifteen people. Zhou Haixin was giving them a lecture, and the small studio was packed. Jiang Shuwei sat in front of her computer, meticulously reviewing drafts. The work was detailed and cumbersome, but her heart was as calm as water.

Her phone suddenly rang. Seeing it was her mother-in-law, Huang Yujie, she quickly answered. "Mom..."

"Shuwei, are you busy?" Huang Yujie asked gently.

"A little. Is something the matter, Mom?"

Huang Yujie spoke immediately: "Could you come out for a moment? I need a favor."

Jiang Shuwei quickly left the studio and saw the understated Maybach parked by the roadside. She walked over, and Huang Yujie invited her into the car to talk.

"Shuwei, my mother is celebrating her seventieth birthday next month. I want to prepare a gift for her," Huang Yujie said softly. "I’ve been searching for a while, but I haven't found anything suitable."

"Take a look at this." Huang Yujie opened an auction catalog. "Do you see this white jade Guanyin? Isn't it beautiful? The craftsmanship on the face is exquisite."

Jiang Shuwei’s eyes widened in admiration. "Mom, the quality of the jade is wonderful."

"Indeed. Unfortunately, it’s being auctioned on a cruise ship tonight. I have to look after Tingting, so I can't get away. Your grandfather has also been coughing for the last two days. Could I ask you to go to the cruise ship and bid on this Guanyin for me?" Huang Yujie’s eyes were filled with anticipation.

Jiang Shuwei naturally felt duty-bound. She nodded. "Mom, don't worry, leave it to me. But... have you asked him? Does he have time?"

"I asked. Jingcheng said he was busy tonight, which is why I’m entrusting this to you." Huang Yujie pressed a card into her hand. "Take this. There is money inside. No matter the price, please help me win it."

Jiang Shuwei was stunned. She carefully tucked the card away and took the auction catalog. "Alright, Mom. I will definitely win it for you."