Volume 1, Chapter 50: Only One Room Left

Su Mian knew that the elders of the He family favored Jiang Shuwei largely because of He Tingting.

“Damn kid,” Su Mian cursed silently in her heart.

The morning’s events were both fun and exciting. He Tingting had a great time, her little face glistening with sweat. She handed a trophy to Jiang Shuwei. “Auntie, this is for you.”

Jiang Shuwei took it gently. “I’ll take it home for you first.”

“Auntie, I love you.” Watching other children hugging their parents, He Tingting suddenly threw her arms around Jiang Shuwei’s neck and planted a kiss on her cheek.

Jiang Shuwei’s nose tingled with emotion, understanding all too well how pitiful children without parents could be. She whispered softly, “I love you too, Tingting.”

After leaving the school, Jiang Shuwei stood by the roadside to hail a car.

The Su family’s chauffeured car was parked not far away. Su Mian strutted over arrogantly and sat gracefully in her vehicle.

She shot a cold glance at Jiang Shuwei, a rising sense of threat swelling in her heart.

She had heard from He Jingcheng that Huang Yujie was going abroad for a while, and Jiang Shuwei had moved back into the He family residence.

A single man and woman living under the same roof—children could easily be conceived.

Su Mian was utterly vexed. How could she drive Jiang Shuwei out of the He household?

Before she could devise any plan, news came that Friday night, He Tingting insisted on going out to play, so He Jingcheng decided to take the little one skiing.

Early winter had brought the first heavy snowfall to the famous ski resort a hundred kilometers away.

He Tingting, who had been skiing well since she was three, demanded to go play upon hearing about the snow. He Jingcheng, always doting on his niece, naturally agreed.

Jiang Shuwei had no intention of going when she heard about the skiing, but after He Tingting tugged at her arm and pleaded for a long time, she reluctantly agreed to accompany her. Since He Jingcheng’s last illness, his attitude toward Jiang Shuwei had cooled noticeably.

When he heard she was going, he made no comment, only telling Jiang Shuwei to pack a bag for He Tingting.

They would set off Friday night and arrive early Saturday morning for skiing.

Thus, they would stay overnight in a hotel near the ski resort on Friday.

Su Mian learned of this from Xia Chengze and immediately arranged with Xia Chengze and Lu Yanzhi, siblings, to go together.

Under the pitch-black night, the business van sped along the highway.

Jiang Shuwei held He Tingting in her arms as the little girl slept, her warm face resting against Jiang Shuwei’s chest.

He Jingcheng lounged lazily in the front seat, occasionally glancing back.

Jiang Shuwei had fallen asleep, her long hair cascading down. She seemed exhausted, sleeping in a relaxed posture—one arm tightly encircling He Tingting, the other resting on the armrest.

The faint light outside filtered through the window, softly illuminating her delicate features. He Jingcheng’s thin lips pressed tightly.

He didn’t truly dislike Jiang Shuwei; he only hated that she disrupted his life.

Jiang Shuwei had been sensible since childhood, understanding the rules of living under someone else’s roof—no crying, no fussing, no pampering. At the small villa, she helped the housekeeper after school, woke and slept alone, rode the bus to school alone. Once, when the driver got caught up in a card game and lost track of time, she walked home from school for over two hours alone, without a single complaint.

He had always known Jiang Shuwei was strong.

Because she was always so strong and never showed weakness in front of him, he despised that feeling.

Suddenly, the business van jolted, waking Jiang Shuwei. She slowly opened her eyes.

He Jingcheng’s gaze, which had been fixed on her face, quickly withdrew.

Jiang Shuwei’s arm holding He Tingting had gone numb, so she hastily switched arms.

Having slept, she now found herself unable to rest again and stared blankly at the night outside.

***

He Jingcheng saw she wasn’t going back to sleep and immediately closed his eyes to feign slumber.

Upon arrival at the five-star hotel at the ski resort, several luxury cars were parked nearby.

Su Mian, dressed in a white down jacket, looked both charming and alluring.

Xia Chengze helped carry her luggage as she snapped photos of the misty mountain scenery in the distance. He gazed at her with infatuated eyes for a few seconds.

Su Mian glanced back and smiled happily. “Chengze, take a photo of me.”

He set down the luggage and came over to take the picture. Before the lens, Su Mian was like a luminous moonlight, her smile enchanting and sweet.

Xia Chengze’s gaze reluctantly left the camera.

Just then, the Lu siblings also got out of their car. Lu Youyou pouted, “This is the first snow of the year. It’d be great if Master Yan came too.”

Lu Yanzhi shot a sharp look at his lovestruck sister. “If he comes, are you going to leap on him?”

Lu Youyou’s lips puckered. “If he dares come, I’ll definitely pounce.”

At that moment, a Land Rover sportily drifted to a stop beside them.

The door opened, and Yan Feiye stepped out wearing a blue ski jacket.

The Lu siblings’ expressions instantly stiffened.

Following them out were Zhou Zirui and Qin Weizhou, dressed in a white ski jacket.

They had also come to ski.

Lu Yanzhi immediately led his sister forward to greet them. “Young Master Qin, Young Master Yan, Young Master Zhou, didn’t expect to see you here.”

Zhou Zirui raised his eyebrows with a smile. “It’s the first snow of the year. Not coming would be a pity.”

As they spoke, snowflakes began to fall gently, adding a touch of romance to the dusk scenery.

Lu Youyou, flushed and breathless, stared at Yan Feiye.

“Master Yan, what a coincidence,” she said, instantly turning into a little fangirl before him.

Yan Feiye nodded politely but then followed Qin Weizhou toward the lobby.

Lu Yanzhi shot his sister a glance. “Weren’t you just saying you’d pounce on him? Go on.”

Lu Youyou blushed deeply. “Brother, I can’t embarrass myself like that.”

Not far away, Su Mian and Xia Chengze returned from taking photos and, seeing the siblings teasing each other, asked, “What’s going on, Yanzhi? Still teaching little Youyou?”

Lu Yanzhi said calmly, “Qin Weizhou and the others are here too.”

Xia Chengze’s expression brightened. “Now this will be interesting.”

Su Mian glanced around but couldn’t spot Qin Weizhou’s group.

“They went upstairs. Let’s go inside; it’s too cold out here,” Lu Yanzhi suggested.

So the group headed into the hotel lobby.

The penthouse suites on the top floor had all been booked. Qin Weizhou had a room to himself, while Zhou Zirui and Yan Feiye stayed next door. After dropping off their luggage, they came over to find Qin Weizhou.

“Let’s have dinner, then soak in the hot springs. The springs here are very natural,” Zhou Zirui proposed.

“Sounds good,” Qin Weizhou agreed.

Yan Feiye teased, “Now that they’re here, He Jingcheng will come too, right?”

Hearing He Jingcheng’s name, Qin Weizhou’s eyes flickered but he said nothing.

Zhou Zirui looked out the floor-to-ceiling window at the falling snow. “He definitely will.”

***

At 7:30 p.m., the business van finally arrived at their destination.

He Tingting had slept and now had rosy cheeks and a dazed expression.

He Jingcheng took his niece from Jiang Shuwei’s arms.

Jiang Shuwei tightened her coat around her. As she stepped out of the car, a chill swept over her, and she shivered.

“You’re not seriously wearing only that coat, are you?” He Jingcheng glanced at her thin wool coat.

Jiang Shuwei hugged herself tighter. “How could it be so cold?”

She was relieved she had dressed He Tingting in a warm down jacket.

He Jingcheng set He Tingting down, then quickly removed his black coat and tossed it to Jiang Shuwei. “Here, take this for now.”

“No, I can handle it,” Jiang Shuwei refused.

He Jingcheng searched the car and found a white men’s down jacket, wrapping it around himself. “Jiang Shuwei, I know you’re stubborn, but today, don’t be so hard-headed—wear it or you’ll catch a cold tonight.”

“Auntie, Uncle is better now. His clothes don’t have any germs. You should wear it,” He Tingting said, clearly worried about Jiang Shuwei.

He Jingcheng pursed his lips tightly; the little niece was so dutiful.

Jiang Shuwei had indeed underestimated the biting cold atop the mountain and quickly wrapped herself in his black coat.

It was much warmer, but the scent of the man clung to the garment, causing a faint blush to seep across her fair face.

The three entered the hotel and learned that all the penthouse suites were fully booked.

“Damn, should have booked earlier,” He Jingcheng muttered in frustration.

The front desk attendant smiled sweetly. “Sir, there is only one room left.”

“One room?” He Jingcheng glanced at Jiang Shuwei.

The attendant nodded. “Yes, perfect for your family of three. The room is large, on the fifteenth floor, with a window facing the ski slope.”

“All right, we’ll take it,” He Jingcheng said, seeing no objection from Jiang Shuwei.

“Auntie, after dinner, let’s go soak in the hot springs. Grandpa and Grandma took me last time—it was so much fun,” He Tingting said expectantly.

“Mm, let’s eat first,” He Jingcheng said, booking the room and leading the two upstairs.

After settling their belongings, Jiang Shuwei planned to buy a down jacket at a nearby mall.

So she didn’t wear He Jingcheng’s coat.

Seeing her preparing to head out in such a thin jacket again, He Jingcheng said sternly, “Jiang Shuwei, some things are counterproductive, you know?”

She lifted her beautiful eyes and looked at him.

“The more you refuse my things, the more it shows you’re guilty…”

Jiang Shuwei turned her head, grabbed his black coat, wrapped it tightly around herself, and buttoned it up.

Seeing this, He Jingcheng’s handsome face darkened.

The three went to a nearby restaurant for dinner. Just as they entered, a sweet female voice called out, “Jingcheng, what a coincidence...”

Su Mian’s words were cut short as she saw Jiang Shuwei enter, wrapped in an oversized men’s coat that made her appear small and pure.