Volume 1 Chapter 36 Malicious Price Undercutting

Jiang Shuwei’s eyes reddened, tears shimmering within, yet she showed no mercy. She forcefully shook off He Jingcheng’s arm and said coldly, “Don’t follow me anymore.”

Su Mian, witnessing the man she loved being struck, immediately blurted out in anger, “Jiang Shuwei, what’s wrong with you? What did Brother Jingcheng ever do to you? Your behavior is downright like a shrew.”

Jiang Shuwei took two steps back, her eyes blazing with fury as she stared at the two of them. Without another word, she turned and hurried away.

He Jingcheng’s handsome face darkened instantly. Gritting his back molars, he thought bitterly to himself that once home, he would end their marriage.

The group behind him was stunned. That woman was outrageously wild—how could she resort to violence over a mere disagreement? And she had struck the heir of the He family—what was her status, anyway?

Everyone grew curious, sensing that the woman who had struck him must be very close to He Jingcheng; otherwise, he wouldn’t have shown such concern.

Su Mian looked at He Jingcheng’s swollen face, clearly marked with five finger imprints.

“Brother Jingcheng, are you alright?” she asked softly, eyes glistening with worry.

Nearby, Xia Chengze and Lu Yanzhi also found Jiang Shuwei utterly unreasonable, like an uncouth, uneducated lunatic.

“Jingcheng, did you provoke her? She’s never dared to lay a hand on you before,” Lu Yanzhi wondered, curiosity piqued.

“It’s because she’s been spoiled rotten, developing such a haughty attitude. If it were anyone else, she wouldn’t dare strike them,” Xia Chengze sneered beside him.

Lu Yanzhi frowned and warned, “Jingcheng, people are already gossiping about what happened. You should leave quickly before this spreads.”

He Jingcheng clenched his fists in frustration and said sternly, “I’ve spoiled her too much. That slap today was a lesson.”

Hearing this, Su Mian was secretly delighted. Jiang Shuwei, keep acting out—better to end this marriage quickly so I can take her place.

She was already eager to marry He Jingcheng and claim the title of Mrs. He.

Suppressing the sadness welling in her eyes, Jiang Shuwei walked briskly to the men’s restroom door, her voice hoarse as she said, “President Qin, the shirt’s been delivered. Here, take it.”

Qin Weizhou had already taken off his shirt. Now standing before Jiang Shuwei, dressed only in dress pants and bare-chested, his strong, defined lines emanated power. Jiang Shuwei felt inexplicably shy and instinctively turned her face away, unwilling to meet his gaze.

He took the shirt and changed quickly. When he emerged, he noticed Jiang Shuwei had not left.

“Anything else?” Qin Weizhou asked coldly.

Jiang Shuwei blushed at the question and quickly shook her head. “Nothing. I just wanted to thank you again.”

“A mere trifle,” Qin Weizhou replied before turning to leave.

Jiang Shuwei dared not follow him any further. She turned and entered a small supermarket nearby.

The cruise ship was large, with many shops on the first floor. Jiang Shuwei asked the owner, “Do you have fruit knives? Or some kind of baton for self-defense?”

The owner looked at her curiously, noticing she was a very pretty young woman.

“Over here, pick what you like,” he said, pointing behind the counter.

Jiang Shuwei didn’t find a baton but bought a fruit knife and went to pay.

As she stepped outside, she heard Zhou Haixin’s heart-wrenching cries not far off: “Let me go! I really need to find He Jingcheng! Where is he?”

“I’m not a troublemaker…”

Jiang Shuwei hurried over to two security guards. “Let go of my friend. We came here to attend the auction.”

She showed them the ticket as proof.

Zhou Haixin’s face turned pale with fright. Seeing Jiang Shuwei safe, she rushed over and hugged her tightly. “Shuwei, are you alright?”

Jiang Shuwei shook her head. “I’m fine. Let’s go—I want to do something else.”

Zhou Haixin anxiously examined her and noticed her clothes were intact. Only then did her heart settle.

They went up to the third floor and entered a restroom.

Jiang Shuwei poured out all the moisturizing spray she had brought, emptying the bottle to make room for a small spray container.

“Shuwei, what are you planning?” Zhou Haixin asked.

Jiang Shuwei’s voice was cold. “I’m going to fill it with pepper spray.”

“Who were those bastards? Do you have a grudge against them?” Zhou Haixin realized Jiang Shuwei harbored many secrets.

Jiang Shuwei nodded. “Yes. Four years ago, that bastard tried to assault me. I beat him up. I never imagined I’d run into him here tonight.”

Zhou Haixin’s heart skipped a beat, looking Jiang Shuwei over. “Shuwei, I never expected you’ve been through so much.”

She truly admired Jiang Shuwei’s strength. If it were her, even one of those burdens would have crushed her.

Jiang Shuwei smiled faintly. “Yeah, I’m surprised at how much trouble I manage to attract. But right now, I need to find a way to protect myself.”

Back in the dining hall, Zhou Haixin brought over a bottle of chili oil. Jiang Shuwei sat down, filled the spray bottle, and tested it. The pungent sting was undeniable.

“Shuwei, is that man powerful and influential?” Zhou Haixin had seen enough of the world to know that the man’s bold assault on Jiang Shuwei in broad daylight signified his audacity.

“Very powerful,” Jiang Shuwei lowered her eyes, still shaken. She rested her head on the table, voice hoarse. “I thought once I married and had the He family behind me, I wouldn’t face such things anymore.”

Zhou Haixin’s heart ached deeply.

Fortunately, Zheng Dongsheng did not appear again by nine o’clock. The auction was about to begin. Jiang Shuwei and Zhou Haixin found their seats.

Today’s items were rare and precious, and soon the auction hall was filled.

Jiang Shuwei clutched her handbag tightly, silently praying for a smooth event.

She hadn’t dared to bid on the earlier items.

Finally, it was time for the White Jade Guanyin. The host introduced it with emphasis, starting at three million.

Jiang Shuwei was the first to raise her paddle, her clear, melodious voice declaring, “Three million five hundred thousand.”

Each increment was fifty thousand.

“Four million,” a woman’s voice rang out in the dim auction room, overpowering Jiang Shuwei’s bid.

Jiang Shuwei turned her head to find Su Mian seated behind her. Accompanying Su Mian were not He Jingcheng but Xia Chengze and Lu Yanzhi.

Jiang Shuwei’s heart jolted. Su Mian was actually bidding against her for the White Jade Guanyin?

“Four million five hundred thousand.”

“Five million,” another bidder joined in.

Jiang Shuwei felt uncertain, not knowing how much her mother-in-law had allocated. But surely the matriarch had come prepared.

“Five million five hundred thousand,” Jiang Shuwei raised her paddle again.

“Eight million,” Su Mian jumped by a large margin, drawing the crowd’s attention.

Jiang Shuwei clenched her fists secretly. Zhou Haixin beside her was losing composure, whispering, “Shuwei, will you bid again?”

“Eight million five hundred thousand,” Jiang Shuwei matched the bid.

“Fifteen million,” Su Mian’s arrogance and boldness struck a blow to Jiang Shuwei’s heart.

“Oh my god, it’s increased by five million,” Zhou Haixin gasped.

Su Mian pursed her lips and finally put down her paddle. Though she wanted to fulfill her mother-in-law’s task, the White Jade Guanyin was no longer worth this price.

With fifteen million, she could buy an even more exquisite treasure.

Su Mian sent a text to her mother-in-law. Upon hearing the bid had reached fifteen million, her mother-in-law told her to stop bidding.

Receiving her mother-in-law’s message, Jiang Shuwei ceased bidding.

She noticed Su Mian deliberately tilt her chin and smile toward her.

Jiang Shuwei was about to leave when the host unveiled the next item.

“This next piece is from a medical enthusiast’s collection: a book titled ‘The Golden Acupoint.’ I wonder if there are any medical aficionados present. This book was very popular three hundred years ago, but original copies are rare. Today is a rare chance to acquire it. The starting price is three hundred thousand, with five thousand increments.”

Jiang Shuwei, about to depart, halted immediately upon seeing the book.