Volume One, Chapter Five: Even Injustice Has Become Familiar

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Huang Yujie, He Jingcheng’s mother, hurried over carrying breakfast. Seeing her granddaughter’s frail condition, she was deeply distressed. She turned to Jiang Shuwei and said, “Shuwei, luckily you’ve been filling the motherly role for Tingting. Otherwise, this child would be truly pitiful.”

Jiang Shuwei’s heart tightened at those words, and she glanced toward He Jingcheng.

He Jingcheng cast her a cold look, then stood up. “Mom, I’m heading to the company now. I’ll leave Tingting in your care.”

“Goodbye, Uncle,” Tingting waved her little hand.

He Jingcheng bent down and kissed his niece’s damp forehead. “Uncle will come see you later.”

Because he leaned in closely, Jiang Shuwei could smell the cold aura emanating from him.

“Shuwei, aren’t you busy with work too? Maybe you should leave first,” Huang Yujie said softly, hoping Jiang Shuwei would take the chance to ride away with He Jingcheng and help rekindle their marital relationship.

“Heh, Mom, I’m not going that way,” He Jingcheng said, leaving abruptly before Jiang Shuwei could respond.

Huang Yujie gave Jiang Shuwei an awkward look and muttered, “That boy has no sense of romance.”

Jiang Shuwei lowered her head and smiled. “Mom, I drove here myself. It’s fine; I want to stay with Tingting a bit longer. No rush.”

Huang Yujie sighed lightly and studied her daughter-in-law. She was very beautiful, like a blooming camellia—lacking the rose’s aggressive fierceness but possessing a calm, elegant aura.

Moreover, she had been intelligent since childhood, consistently ranking top in her studies—a truly promising talent.

Huang Yujie genuinely liked her. She was sensible, exceptionally clever, and beautiful.

That was why, after consulting with her husband, they had pressured their son into marrying her out of gratitude. They never expected their marriage to worsen year by year.

“Shuwei, don’t take it to heart. Jingcheng has always been cold since childhood. Even I, his mother, can’t sway him. You’re the only one who can tolerate him,” Huang Yujie said with a mixture of pity and helplessness.

Jiang Shuwei smiled, understanding what her mother-in-law meant.

“Mom, I’m used to it. It’s okay,” she replied.

The thought of divorce had crossed Jiang Shuwei’s mind countless times, but every time she tried to voice it, the words failed to come out.

Her father-in-law and mother-in-law treated her well, considering her family. She truly wanted to mend her relationship with He Jingcheng. The He family was her real home, giving her warmth and a place she wanted to stay.

“That kind of habit comes from enduring grievances,” Huang Yujie’s eyes reddened. “Jingcheng is so ungrateful.”

Jiang Shuwei was momentarily stunned. Grievances? She seemed to have become accustomed to them.

At noon, Jiang Shuwei stayed with He Tingting while she ate before finally leaving.

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As soon as she arrived at the studio, Zhou Haixin came running over excitedly. “Shuwei, do you know who just came by?”

Jiang Shuwei paused. “Who?”

Zhou Haixin squinted mischievously, then handed Jiang Shuwei a business card. “The renowned medical doctor, Professor Jiang Bo, visited personally. He left his card and wants to invite you to join their research institute.”

Jiang Bo was a member of a top multidisciplinary medical team, a leading figure in academia, and a nationally recognized key research talent. His institution, Maike Medical, ranked first in influence domestically. Joining his team for academic research was like carrying a walking business card.

Jiang Shuwei’s eyes brightened as she took the card. “Where is Professor Jiang now?”

“He just left. Your phone was unreachable—is it out of battery?”

Jiang Shuwei checked her phone; indeed, it was dead.

Zhou Haixin scoffed beside her. “Why are you still using an iPhone 5? It’s already iPhone 11 now. One full charge barely lasts a few hours. You should change it—it's ancient.”

Jiang Shuwei was momentarily stunned, looking at the silver phone, a birthday gift from He Jingcheng five years ago. She had cherished it, never thinking of replacing it despite new models coming out.

But now, seeing the worn silver case dulled from years of use, the screen cracked and patched repeatedly, she realized it was time to retire the phone and get a new one.

“Good advice. I’ll get a new phone this afternoon,” Jiang Shuwei smiled and patted Zhou Haixin on the shoulder.

Zhou Haixin spread her hands, as if saying, “Of course.”

“Shuwei, are you really going to work with Professor Jiang?” Zhou Haixin asked, flattering her. “Take me along! I can be your assistant—I’m great at running errands.”

Jiang Shuwei laughed at her expression. Having such a friend was priceless—always finding new ways to make her smile.

“Let’s see. Our studio is developing well, and there are countless possibilities ahead. The future’s bright,” Jiang Shuwei said encouragingly.

“That’s true. Better to be your own boss than work for someone else,” Zhou Haixin agreed, snapping her fingers.

They then immersed themselves back into their work until night fell.

Jiang Shuwei thought of He Tingting still hospitalized and planned to wrap up and head to the hospital.

Zhou Haixin looked at her and asked, “Shuwei, do you have a boyfriend?”

Jiang Shuwei was taken aback. “No.”

“Yeah, right. You’ve been acting all mysterious lately. Come on, who is he? Do I know him?” Zhou Haixin pounced and hugged Jiang Shuwei, demanding, “I’ve even told you about my bedwetting at three. You can’t keep secrets from me.”

Jiang Shuwei laughed. “Stop guessing. It’s just that a little family member is sick, so I have to take care of her.”

“Little family member?” Zhou Haixin frowned sharply. “You’re married with a kid, aren’t you? Jiang Shuwei, you’re hiding something big!”

Jiang Shuwei pushed Zhou Haixin away, holding her forehead. “What nonsense? I’m a wild horse—who’d dare tame me?”

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Zhou Haixin surveyed her from head to toe and nodded. “True. Whoever tamed you, I’ll do a handstand and poop.”

Jiang Shuwei was speechless.

“No, no, I didn’t mean it like a curse. I meant if you’re married, your partner must be amazing,” Zhou Haixin explained with a grin.

Jiang Shuwei headed straight to the hospital. As she parked, she noticed two people stepping out of a Bentley up ahead.

Her hand paused on the door handle.

He Jingcheng was walking toward the hospital lobby with Su Mian. They were close, walking side by side.

A pang of bitterness rose in Jiang Shuwei’s chest. In these three years, she had never appeared publicly with He Jingcheng, let alone walk beside him in a public place.

Now, He Jingcheng had brought Su Mian, carrying a large gift bag—clearly here to visit the patient.

Jiang Shuwei hesitated—should she go upstairs or wait for them to leave?

In the end, she decided there was no need to hide. She was not someone to be demeaned.

She carried a toy and some fruit and strode toward the elevator.

Inside the ward, He Tingting’s condition had improved, and she was more lively.

Huang Yujie was watching cartoons with her. When she saw her son arrive with Miss Su, she frowned, but Su Mian had also grown up under her care. Plus, He Jingcheng had said in front of her that he only regarded Su Mian as a sister.

“Aunt Huang,” Su Mian greeted politely as she entered.

Huang Yujie inclined her head. “Miss Su, what brings you here?”

“We had some work to discuss with Brother Jingcheng. I heard Tingting was ill and wanted to come see her,” Su Mian replied gently.

She looked at He Tingting and waved the toy. “Tingting, look what Sister Mian brought for you to play with.”

He Tingting, focused on the TV, only glanced at her briefly.

Then she suddenly asked He Jingcheng, “Where’s Auntie? Why didn’t she come?”

Su Mian’s enthusiasm felt like a bucket of cold water thrown in her face. Her expression turned awkward.