Volume One, Chapter 41: Young Master He’s New Identity

Yan Hong stared at this scene in astonishment. Jiang Shuwei had not anticipated this move from He Jingcheng either, and her back bumped painfully against He Jingcheng’s chest.

Upon seeing this, Su Mian’s pretty face turned cold and dark, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"Jiang Shuwei, can you not be so casual?" He Jingcheng lowered his head to reprimand her.

Annoyed, Jiang Shuwei shoved him away and turned to stand by Yan Hong’s side once more.

Yan Hong could not help his bewilderment. "Shuwei, this is..."

"My brother," Jiang Shuwei introduced him expressionlessly.

He Jingcheng’s handsome eyes widened. What on earth was this woman babbling about?

What brother? Were the two words "husband" coated in thorns?

Hearing this, Su Mian sneered inwardly. It seemed Jiang Shuwei truly intended to divorce He Jingcheng; she was even drawing clear lines between their identities now.

"Hello, President He. My name is Yan Hong, Shuwei’s senior schoolmate," Yan Hong said politely, extending a hand.

Remaining completely indifferent, He Jingcheng said coldly, "I know who you are. Yan Feiye’s cousin."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuwei looked at Yan Hong in surprise, only then remembering that he shared the surname Yan. It was a rather uncommon surname, so they were indeed cousins.

Seeing Jiang Shuwei gazing blankly at him, Yan Hong smiled. "Apologies, I hadn't properly introduced my background earlier."

Jiang Shuwei smiled faintly as well. It seemed she had never really talked about her family matters either.

"Senior Yan, long time no see." Su Mian stepped forward, extending slender, fair fingers. "I’ve long heard that Senior Yan holds over a hundred patents at such a young age. Truly an elite among people, and someone this junior has admired for a long time."

Yan Hong shook her hand courteously before pulling back. "You flatter me, Miss Su."

Turning her gaze to Jiang Shuwei, Su Mian forced a smile. "Shuwei, I never would have imagined that you and Senior Yan were acquainted as well."

Yan Hong explained, "Shuwei and I worked together under Professor Luo on academic research back in university. We’ve known each other for many years."

"I see." Su Mian’s smile carried a trace of jealousy; individuals capable of studying under Professor Luo were exceedingly rare.

In truth, Yan Hong was equally surprised by the relationship between Jiang Shuwei and He Jingcheng. Back at the university, everyone had been completely immersed in academic exchanges, rarely bringing up personal backgrounds or family status. Consequently, Yan Hong had always assumed Jiang Shuwei came from an ordinary middle-class family.

Luo Yufu stepped outside and, looking at the young people gathered there, called out, "It’s so cold out here. Why aren't you all chatting inside?"

With that, everyone headed toward the small courtyard. It was an old, detached villa—state-allocated housing where most of the residents were leading figures in the nation's key scientific research fields.

"Jiang Shuwei, stay behind for a moment." Luo Yufu placed his hands behind his back, exuding the stern demeanor of a strict mentor.

Putting on a brave face, Jiang Shuwei called out, "Professor Luo."

He Jingcheng also offered a greeting. "Elder Luo, hello."

"No need for formalities, Young Master He. Please go inside and have a cup of tea first."

Su Mian eagerly stepped forward. "Uncle Luo, it’s been a while. You look even more spirited than before."

"You're too kind, little Su. Please go inside and take a seat first," Luo Yufu replied with a smile.

The other three young people kept glancing back as they walked away, leaving Jiang Shuwei behind to be reprimanded. However, Professor Luo held immense prestige and was a towering authority in this field. Despite their curiosity, none of them dared to eavesdrop.

As Luo Yufu walked ahead, Jiang Shuwei followed closely at his heels.

"Miss Su’s paper was plagiarized from yours, wasn't it?" Luo Yufu asked abruptly.

"Professor Luo truly has discerning eyes; nothing escapes you," Jiang Shuwei said with an awkward, sheepish smile.

"You wrote this paper three years ago. Why didn't you submit it? Is marriage more important than your future?" Luo Yufu stopped in his tracks, gazing at her sternly. "The young master of the He family is your husband, but look at you both now... what kind of state is this? He even arrived here with Miss Su."

A stinging sensation welled up in Jiang Shuwei’s nose. Her teacher knew all about her situation. Back then, to marry He Jingcheng, she hadn't even submitted her final university thesis, rushing away from campus in the second semester of her senior year solely because He Jingcheng had demanded she never show her face in public again after marriage.

"I thought you were headed toward a bright and brilliant life. Sigh," Luo Yufu sighed heavily. "I heard from Yan Hong that you’ve started a medical illustration studio now?"

"Yes," Jiang Shuwei answered in a voice barely above a whisper.

"You abandoned your profession to draw pictures? Shuwei, what does teacher even say to you?" Luo Yufu slapped his thigh in exasperation. "You were my most promising student back then. Do you have any idea how painful it was to lose a talent like you?"

"I’m sorry, Professor Luo. I’ve let down your guidance and teachings..." Jiang Shuwei’s eye rims turned red, filled with guilt and self-reproach. The former genius had been blinded by romantic infatuation; now she was trapped in an awkward limbo of her own making.

"What good is saying all that? Listen—Jiang Bo and I are in the same system, and he also intends to have you join our research team. We will join forces to recommend you to the superiors. Can you pull yourself together this time?" Luo Yufu turned around, asking her with well-meaning earnestness.

"I... I haven't done research in a long time. I'm afraid my academic skills have grown rusty..."

"You possess a genius brain with a photographic memory. Teacher doesn't believe for a second that you've grown rusty." Luo Yufu walked over and patted her shoulder. "I'll give you a month to think it over carefully."

Watching Luo Yufu’s retreating figure, Jiang Shuwei felt her heart hammer violently in her chest.

Yet, the moment she recalled what her mother had told her in the past, a sense of panic and lingering fear rose within her.

Her mother must have also been an academically brilliant genius, yet instead of standing in the limelight to receive praise, she had been forced to live under an alias, hiding away in deep mountains.

When Jiang Shuwei returned to the living room, the redness at the corners of her eyes had not yet faded, making her look as though she had been scolded to tears.

The corners of Su Mian’s lips curved into a smug smile. Jiang Shuwei had always been arrogant due to her talent. She had heard that back in the day, Jiang Shuwei’s brilliant scholarship had attracted numerous suitors and recruiters, all of whom she had rejected one by one. Professor Luo must have also found her arrogance unbearable, which was probably why he had spoken so harshly to her.

He Jingcheng sat in a chair, his expression gloomy and thoroughly displeased.

As Yan Hong drank his water, he cast glances at He Jingcheng, wondering why this young scion of the He family was giving off such an icy aura.

"Come, come, we're having hotpot today!" Madam Luo was a woman of cheerful disposition. Though dressed plainly, she possessed the refined temperament of a highly educated intellectual.

"Shuwei, come over and help your senior mistress bring the dishes," Madam Luo beckoned to Shuwei.

Jiang Shuwei hurriedly stood up and walked over.

"Sigh, time passes far too fast. In my memory, you were still just a fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl, smiling every day and seeming to know no troubles at all. Now you've grown up and have things weighing on your mind."

"Senior Mistress, I don't have any troubles right now," Jiang Shuwei said playfully.

"Don't try to fool me. Old Luo talks about you every day. You must come visit more often from now on."

"Okay, Senior Mistress," Jiang Shuwei nodded in agreement.

Not far away, He Jingcheng narrowed his eyes as he watched the attitude of Luo Yufu and his wife toward Jiang Shuwei—it seemed entirely different from the way they treated the other three.

Before marrying Jiang Shuwei, he had had virtually no interaction with her. She was a child raised by his mother and grandfather in a detached secondary residence. Aside from coming to the He family home for meals during major holidays, she spent most of her time at that residence, and they had attended different schools. Consequently, He Jingcheng didn't really understand Jiang Shuwei’s upbringing or trajectory.

He had simply assumed her academic scores were slightly better than average, leading to people pampering her as some kind of teenage prodigy. In his eyes, Jiang Shuwei was nothing more than a hopeless romantic who had spent her days fantasizing about him; the moment this "genius" married him, her brilliance had perished.

"Brother Jingcheng, let me scoop some mutton for you to eat," Su Mian said considerately, immediately getting to work. Then, smiling brightly, she looked at Yan Hong. "Senior Yan, you should have some too."

"Thank you," Yan Hong replied politely.

Jiang Shuwei brought over a plate of greens, and Yan Hong had already filled her bowl with plenty of food. "Shuwei, eat up. These are all your favorites."

"Thank you, Senior Yan," Jiang Shuwei smiled gratefully at him.

He Jingcheng’s grip on his chopsticks stiffened. He shot a cold glare at Jiang Shuwei; that casual address of "Senior Yan" sounded sweet enough to melt a man's soul.

The purpose of today's visit was simply to share a meal. Afterward, Su Mian and He Jingcheng stayed behind to discuss some work collaborations with Elder Luo, while Jiang Shuwei and Yan Hong left a step ahead.

When He Jingcheng and Su Mian finally emerged from Elder Luo’s study, they discovered that Jiang Shuwei was already gone.

She had actually left in Yan Hong’s car, making He Jingcheng’s expression turn even darker.

Su Mian remarked with a hint of delight, "Brother Jingcheng, several of our projects are supported by the state. With Elder Luo’s endorsement, our projects can develop even faster. The prospects are wonderful."

"Brother Jingcheng..." Su Mian continued as she drove, noticing the man beside her remained silent. She turned her head and called out with coquettish playfulness, "Were you even listening to me?"

Only then did He Jingcheng ask coldly, "Is Jiang Shuwei that famous at your university? Are the professors really that fond of her?"