Volume 1, Chapter 39: We Really Will Divorce

He Jingcheng shrugged. "It’s the item she won at the auction tonight. She knew Mother liked Guanyin and that Grandmother’s big birthday was coming up. It’s just her way of showing some heart."

"That’s truly sick," Huang Yujie snapped immediately. He Jingcheng’s expression stiffened.

Jiang Shuwei sat nearby in silence, slowly sipping her bird's nest soup.

"Mom, she kindly gave you a gift, why are you getting angry?" He Jingcheng was clearly kept in the dark; he had no idea what had actually transpired.

Huang Yujie shoved the box back. "Return this to Su Mian first thing tomorrow morning. I don't want it."

"Mom, isn't that a bit much? I'm a shareholder in Su Pharmaceuticals now. She’s giving gifts out of respect for me..."

Huang Yujie gave a cold laugh. "Your face is worth so much, isn't it? I specifically asked Shuwei to help me bid on this white jade Guanyin. Miss Su just has a bit of money to throw around and thinks she’s something else. An item that could have been secured for five million, she insisted on buying for fifteen million. And now, she has the nerve to act all generous and offer it to me? Jingcheng, has water leaked into your brain? Shuwei spent six hours on that cruise ship tonight and came back with nothing. Don't you feel any pity for her?"

He Jingcheng’s handsome face was etched with shock. A second later, he asked, "Mom, you asked her to bid on this white jade Guanyin too?"

"What else would it be?" Huang Yujie glared at her son. "You’re so concerned about Su Mian, but what about Shuwei? Don't forget, she is your wife."

He Jingcheng looked at Jiang Shuwei with a cold gaze. "On the cruise, why didn't you mention this?"

Jiang Shuwei, hit by a stray bullet while sitting still, looked up at him. "I thought you knew."

He Jingcheng immediately tried to soothe his mother. "Mom, it’s purely a misunderstanding. If I had truly known, I never would have let Su Mian bid. Regardless, the item you wanted is right here now; just take it and give it to Grandmother."

"I don't want it anymore," Huang Yujie said, her face grim. "Return it to Su Mian."

"Mom, there’s no need to be this angry, is there? You wanted the item; does it really matter who bought it?" Seeing his mother’s fury, He Jingcheng finally realized the situation was serious. He turned to Jiang Shuwei. "Jiang Shuwei, talk some sense into Mom. Tell her not to be so petty."

Jiang Shuwei stood up coldly and said to Huang Yujie, "Mom, I’ve finished eating. I’d like to go upstairs and rest."

Huang Yujie nodded and said gently, "Alright, you’ve worked hard tonight."

"Jiang Shuwei, are you mute? I told you to help me..."

"He Jingcheng," Huang Yujie scolded her son sternly. "Sit down. I have something to say."

He Jingcheng watched as Jiang Shuwei, who used to speak up for him every single day, walked upstairs with such indifference. A dull ache of frustration filled his chest.

Had this woman really had a change of heart?

Otherwise, in the face of a misunderstanding like today's, she would have long since stood up to speak well of him, smoothing over the lie so he wouldn't have to endure any scolding.

"Mom, I’m tired too..."

"Sit down." Huang Yujie’s face remained stern; she wasn't joking.

He Jingcheng had no choice but to sit back down, looking disgruntled.

"Jingcheng, have you ever thought that if you and Shuwei continue like this, you will divorce sooner or later?" Huang Yujie asked, looking at her son with earnest concern.

"Let them divorce, then. I don't care," He Jingcheng scoffed, his expression indifferent.

"Really?" Huang Yujie looked at him in disappointment. "Shuwei has changed a lot recently. Have you noticed?"

"Yes, she’s become more calculating, more cold-hearted, and more sharp-tongued." He Jingcheng pushed his tongue against his left cheek; the slap Jiang Shuwei had given him earlier still stung.

"Shuwei is a smart child. She is simply using her own way to protect herself, yet in your eyes, she is a bad girl." Huang Yujie felt even more disappointed. Was her son’s vision clouded by filth? Why did he refuse to acknowledge any of Shuwei’s virtues?

"Who’s trying to hurt her? Don't act like she’s the only saint in the world," He Jingcheng sneered coldly. "I think she’s the dangerous one. Mom, do you remember when she was nineteen and got drunk and slept in my bed for a night?"

Huang Yujie frowned. "Don't bring that up again. It was already humiliating enough for Shuwei."

"Ha, what was humiliating for her? Wasn't it intentional? She wanted to use alcohol to make something happen so you would agree to let her marry me sooner. Her schemes and methods are unmatched," He Jingcheng said, giving a thumbs-up.

Huang Yujie had wanted to have a heart-to-heart with her son, but it seemed clear now that he truly didn't love Shuwei anymore.

"Fine. If you really want to divorce, I agree," Huang Yujie said, feeling weary. She no longer wanted to force these two children together. A heart that hadn't warmed up in three years would likely remain cold for a lifetime.

However, even if her son divorced Shuwei, she would never agree to let Su Mian into the family.

The smug look on He Jingcheng’s face froze the moment his mother gave her consent.

Huang Yujie rose and headed upstairs. The housekeeper, who was clearing the table nearby, noticed He Jingcheng sitting motionless in the same position and asked with a smile, "Young Master, would you like a bowl of bird's nest soup too?"

He Jingcheng shook his head and silently went upstairs.

Upstairs, Jiang Shuwei had been standing by the corridor near the stairs. Although she was some distance away, she had heard every word He Jingcheng said.

So, in his eyes, she was just a bad woman.

She had always felt ashamed about what happened when she was nineteen. She truly hadn't entered the wrong room on purpose; she had been far too drunk that night.

Yet, He Jingcheng had always used that incident to prick at her, claiming she was desperate to sleep with him just to marry into the He family.

So many misunderstandings—it felt as if no matter how she explained, it would never be clear.

Jiang Shuwei returned to her room, closed the door, and locked it.

The next morning, after waking up, Jiang Shuwei went to find He Tingting.

He Tingting was being roused from her bed by Huang Yujie. Dressed in her sleeping bag, the little girl was groggy and couldn't even open her eyes—a warm, fuzzy little bun.

"Auntie..." She tilted her little head, thinking she was dreaming, and reached out a tiny hand. "Are you really here?"

Jiang Shuwei looked at her cute, dazed appearance and said directly to Huang Yujie, "Mom, let me help her get dressed."

Huang Yujie nodded with a smile. "Alright,