Volume One, Chapter 47: She Is the Indomitable Little Cockroach

After a short while, Huang Yujie went upstairs and pushed the door open, walking right in. “Shu Wei said you’re sick. Do you want me to call a doctor?”

“Isn’t Jiang Shu Wei studying medicine? Let her take a look,” He Jingcheng replied lazily.

“Shu Wei needs to take Tingting to school soon, she’s busy. I’ll call the doctor for you,” Huang Yujie said as she went to make the call.

He Jingcheng felt a buzzing in his head. Fever made him uncomfortable, and now his vision darkened.

Jiang Shu Wei had clearly changed. She used to stay by his bedside when he was ill, immediately bringing him water when he asked, cooling it when it was too hot.

She would even warn him not to drink recklessly when outside because of his antibiotics—drinking could be fatal.

But now, with him feverish and unable to get out of bed, she didn’t care or even stay; she just left.

After finishing the call, Huang Yujie returned to his bedside and sat down, frowning at her son’s flushed face. “Did you catch a cold or stay up too late and get overheated?”

“I don’t know,” He Jingcheng shook his head. “Has Grandpa been staying at that old villa again recently?”

Huang Yujie nodded. “Your grandmother’s death anniversary is coming soon. Grandpa probably misses her and keeps going there.”

He Jingcheng smiled wryly. “I wouldn’t have guessed Grandpa’s still a hopeless romantic.”

Huang Yujie nodded. “Yes, seeing how your grandparents loved each other is why I fell for your father. Your father is abroad lately; have you contacted him? Is he busy?”

He Jingcheng shook his head. “You know he won’t reach out, I won’t either, unless it’s work-related.”

“You unfilial son. Have you thought about Mom’s situation? I can’t keep an eye on him well. Can’t you help me watch over his private life? He’s alone abroad, far away. What if something happens…” Huang Yujie didn’t finish but her eyes showed worry.

“Mom, don’t worry. Dad isn’t like that. He’s even more disciplined than I am,” He Jingcheng reassured her. “If you’re uneasy, why don’t you go abroad and see for yourself? I’ll look after the house. Tingting won’t be lonely.”

Huang Yujie did have that thought. “I really want to go abroad and see him.”

“Then go. You two have been married so long, stay a while and then come back,” He Jingcheng said, a calculating gleam flashing in his eyes. “Mom, you should have Jiang Shu Wei move back for a while. Tingting can’t do without her.”

Huang Yujie gave him a sharp glare. “Why won’t Shu Wei move back? You know better than I do.”

“I promise I won’t bully her, alright?” He Jingcheng frowned in annoyance.

“Are you sure?” Huang Yujie’s face softened a bit. “Fine, I’ll ask Shu Wei to move back for a while. Jingcheng, whether or not you get a divorce depends on how you behave these days.”

Huang Yujie spoke seriously. “Although your marriage hasn’t been publicly announced, most who know you are aware. Shu Wei is still a young woman. How can she bear all the gossip, especially rumors that you never consummated the marriage? Only Shu Wei’s strong inside; if it were someone else, they’d have been depressed long ago.”

“Mom, she’ll be fine. She’s adapting well,” He Jingcheng said coldly with a mocking tone. “She’s like a cockroach that just won’t die. Rest easy.”

“You’re full of it.” Huang Yujie grabbed his ear fiercely. “Listen clearly—this is your last chance. If you don’t cherish her, I’ll be the first to demand a divorce. She’ll be my daughter, and I’ll find her the best match. If you don’t want her, someone else surely will.”

“Ow, that hurts!” He Jingcheng’s face flushed deeper from the pain and embarrassment. “Mom, are you really this biased? I’m your biological son.”

“If it weren’t for Shu Wei’s mother, you’d be kneeling at my grave calling me Mom,” Huang Yujie said, her nose tingling. She stood up and left, closing the door behind her.

He Jingcheng’s usually cynical expression flickered with surprise. Thinking it over, it was the truth.

“Jiang Shu Wei, just this once, I’ll spoil you,” He Jingcheng said, pulling back the covers to get out of bed, but as soon as his feet touched the floor, dizziness hit him and he collapsed back.

Around three in the afternoon, Jiang Shu Wei was in the studio when she received a call from her mother-in-law.

“Hello, Mom,” Jiang Shu Wei answered softly.

“Shu Wei, your father has been abroad for nearly half a year. I’m thinking of going there tonight to see him. Could you move back and stay for a few days to help look after Tingting?” Huang Yujie asked earnestly.

Jiang Shu Wei’s eyes flickered in surprise—move back?

“Shu Wei, can you? I haven’t seen your father for a while. I don’t know how he’s doing over there.” Huang Yujie had her own reasons: seeing her husband was one thing, but wanting Shu Wei to move back to strengthen the bond with her son was another.

“All right, Mom. Leave Tingting to me. Send my regards to Dad,” Jiang Shu Wei said without hesitation. After all, she was part of the He family now. Helping look after the household when the mother-in-law traveled was only proper.

“Good. Shu Wei, the driver and bodyguard will handle picking Tingting up and dropping her off at school. You just need to stay with her in the evenings,” Huang Yujie reminded her.

“Okay, I got it, Mom,” Jiang Shu Wei replied.

As night fell, Jiang Shu Wei glanced at the time and decided to bring some unfinished work home. A computer was all she needed to work.

When Zhou Haixin heard she was moving back into the He residence, her eyes gleamed mischievously. “Shu Wei, your mother-in-law must be trying to create opportunities for you two to have children.”

“I don’t want to have children,” Jiang Shu Wei said flatly, eyes fixed on the screen.

“Don’t want to bear the heir to the He family?” Zhou Haixin looked shocked.

Jiang Shu Wei’s eyes darkened with bitter irony. “He said children should be with the one you truly love. I think that makes sense.”

Zhou Haixin twisted the corner of her mouth, cursing silently.

“If you’re not the one he loves, why marry you? He’s seriously messed up.”

Jiang Shu Wei sighed helplessly. “Our marriage was an accident. Of course, back then, I really did love him.”

“And now you don’t?” Zhou Haixin blinked. “So love really can disappear?”

Jiang Shu Wei couldn’t answer. She no longer felt passionate about He Jingcheng. She once regarded him as family, but now even that bond was fading. Perhaps they would become strangers who just knew each other.

“Haixin, I’m heading out. Tingting’s class is over. Don’t worry about work; I’ll finish everything,” Jiang Shu Wei said.

Zhou Haixin shrugged. “You’re the boss. I don’t have nearly as many shares as you. No need to make promises.”

Jiang Shu Wei smiled, lips pressed tight. “True, almost forgot I’m the boss now.”

Back at the villa, the housekeeper had prepared a sumptuous dinner. He Tingting was in the living room, happily riding a rocking horse while watching cartoons. Seeing Jiang Shu Wei enter, she greeted cheerfully, “Auntie, Grandma went abroad to find Grandpa. She said you’ll be staying home to take care of me now.”

Jiang Shu Wei nodded gently. “Yes, from today on, I’ll come home in the evenings to keep you company.”

“Thank you, Auntie.” After speaking, Tingting furrowed her brows. “Auntie, please go upstairs and check on Uncle. He won’t take his medicine.”

Jiang Shu Wei was startled. Did He Jingcheng still have that stubborn habit? As a child, he refused medicine and only accepted injections. Now, grown up, he still acted the same.

“Auntie, please convince him, don’t let him die,” Tingting said without restraint, suddenly bursting into tears at the word “die.” “I don’t want Uncle to die. Auntie, please go see him.”

Jiang Shu Wei suppressed a laugh and stood up. “Don’t worry, he won’t die. After all, some troubles last for a thousand years…”

“Jiang Shu Wei,” a cold voice came from the staircase. A man in black pajamas descended, voice icy. “Who’s the troublemaker?”

Jiang Shu Wei shuddered, not expecting him to overhear. Feeling guilty, she looked at him. “I wasn’t talking about you. It was just a passing comment.”

He Jingcheng snorted coldly and walked down the stairs.

Just as Jiang Shu Wei was about to speak, the sound of sports cars turning off outside interrupted her. It seemed more than one had arrived.

At that moment, Su Mian, the Lu siblings, and Xia Chengze entered, carrying fruits and gifts.