Volume One, Chapter 51: Expressing Gratitude on Behalf of the Wife

"How are you all here?" He Jingcheng asked, surprised.

Xia Chengze immediately raised his hand. "Jingcheng, I organized this. Sorry for not inviting you—I knew you had to take care of Tingting."

He Jingcheng said nothing more and held He Tingting in his arms. "We came because Tingting wanted to."

Xia Chengze and the Lu siblings looked at them, resembling a family of three, especially Jiang Shuwei, who wore an ill-fitting men's jacket, silently suggesting something unspoken.

Seeing Jiang Shuwei like this annoyed Xia Chengze; her presence would surely sadden Su Mian.

He glanced at Su Mian, who pursed her lips and looked downcast.

"Since we've met, let's eat together," He Jingcheng said.

Just then, a playful male voice came from behind: "President He, can the three of us join you?"

He Jingcheng turned to see Zhou Zirui leading the way in, followed by Qin Weizhou and Yan Feiye.

"Sure, let's eat together," Lu Youyou happily invited from the side.

Lu Yanzhi shot a glare at his useless sister.

At the sight of Qin Weizhou, He Jingcheng's eyes involuntarily flicked to Jiang Shuwei.

Jiang Shuwei looked equally surprised; who would have thought they'd run into Qin Weizhou and his group atop this mountain?

"President Qin, hello," Jiang Shuwei greeted proactively.

Qin Weizhou's gaze settled on her face, his eyes flickering briefly as he nodded faintly.

Rumor had it their marriage was troubled—yet here they were together, and Jiang Shuwei was still wearing a man's jacket. It hardly looked like a couple on the verge of divorce.

Suddenly, He Jingcheng changed his mind. "Chengze, you four eat here. I'll join President Qin and the others; I need to discuss something with him."

Su Mian’s eyes darkened with complex emotions as she stared at He Jingcheng.

He was refusing to sit with her at the table?

Xia Chengze smiled and agreed right away. "Alright, later come to this private room for a drink."

"Okay," He Jingcheng nodded.

Jiang Shuwei looked surprised that He Jingcheng didn’t join his four close friends but chose instead to enter a private room with Qin Weizhou and the others.

"I’ll treat tonight’s meal," He Jingcheng said after holding He Tingting as they came in.

Zhou Zirui laughed out loud. "Such sincerity from Young Master He—we won’t refuse."

Qin Weizhou said coldly, "No need, we’ll pay for ourselves."

He Jingcheng handed He Tingting to Jiang Shuwei. "Take Tingting out to buy candied hawthorn sticks. She was craving them earlier."

Jiang Shuwei nodded, took He Tingting’s hand, and left the restaurant.

He Jingcheng remained seated as Qin Weizhou’s expression darkened, but he didn’t mind.

"Young Master Qin, I want to thank you on behalf of my wife for saving her," He Jingcheng said bluntly.

Zhou Zirui and Yan Feiye exchanged surprised looks. The jerk only now came to express gratitude? He seemed indifferent even toward his own wife.

Qin Weizhou cast a cold glance at him. "President He, you just found out?"

He Jingcheng neither confirmed nor denied, continuing, "Jiang Shuwei and Zheng Dongsheng had issues four years ago. That’s why he bullied her. Regardless, I’m grateful you stepped in when you did."

Zhou Zirui sneered, "President He can’t even protect his own wife. That doesn’t seem very manly."

He Jingcheng ignored the ridicule and calmly explained, "Jiang Shuwei and I are married, but our relationship has never been good."

"Husband and wife? Not good? That’s a fresh phrase," Zhou Zirui’s sharp tongue jabbed again.

Yan Feiye chuckled, "Young Master He doesn’t seem like someone who takes grievances quietly. If the relationship isn’t good, maybe it’s time for a divorce."

He Jingcheng knew they were deliberately provoking him. He was no longer the hot-headed youth he once was, so he only smiled. "Divorce isn’t simple. It’s not something I can decide alone."

"Is there any marriage Young Master He can’t end if he wants to?" Zhou Zirui said with mock enlightenment.

Qin Weizhou said expressionlessly, "Zirui, don’t provoke him. Maybe he just doesn’t want to divorce."

He Jingcheng’s chest tightened. Frowning, he explained, "Jiang Shuwei was already betrothed to me the day she was adopted. It was arranged by my elders, so divorce also requires their approval."

The three men exchanged strange looks. He Jingcheng didn’t want to waste words and stood up. "Tonight’s meal is on me. Please enjoy."

With that, he left.

Zhou Zirui raised an eyebrow. "First time I’ve seen someone treat guests so half-heartedly."

"No worries—free meals always taste better," Yan Feiye said lazily.

Qin Weizhou stayed silent.

Shortly after, Jiang Shuwei returned carrying a bag of candied hawthorn sticks.

He Tingting was nibbling on one, and Jiang Shuwei ate another.

"Miss Jiang, do we get some too?" Zhou Zirui asked with a smile.

Jiang Shuwei felt awkward but nodded. "Yes. Do you like sweets?"

Yan Feiye quickly grabbed three sticks. "An occasional bite won’t hurt."

Zhou Zirui took one and ate it; Yan Feiye passed one to Qin Weizhou.

Qin Weizhou glanced at Jiang Shuwei; she had replaced the man’s jacket with a brand-new red down coat. The soft red hue brightened her fair face, making her complexion look healthy, her lips rosy and teeth white.

He accepted the candied hawthorn and took a bite.

"Where’s my uncle?" He Tingting blinked.

"Your uncle went to visit a friend," Yan Feiye replied with a smile.

"Oh, auntie, what about us?" He Tingting knew auntie disliked Miss Su. If they had to eat together, would auntie lose her appetite?

"We’ll sit outside at another table," Jiang Shuwei whispered.

"Okay," Tingting agreed; she preferred dining only with her auntie.

Zhou Zirui warmly invited, "Miss Jiang, why not sit here? There’s plenty of space."

"No, thank you," Jiang Shuwei politely declined.

Qin Weizhou glanced at her, quietly savoring the candied hawthorn.

When He Jingcheng came out looking for them, he saw Jiang Shuwei seated by the window in her new coat, watching the snow with He Tingting.

"Why don’t you come inside?" He Jingcheng asked.

"Uncle, I want to sit here," Tingting said, hands on her hips, a little annoyed.

He Jingcheng shot Jiang Shuwei a reproachful look. "Tingting is young and naive. Don’t you understand?"

Jiang Shuwei was taken aback. "What did I do wrong? I’m not close to them."

"You’ve known them for over ten years and still not close?" He Jingcheng frowned.

Jiang Shuwei chuckled mockingly. "Yes, over ten years. When they made fun of me, you never stood up for me once."

He Jingcheng thought she was making a fuss. "Tingting, are you sure you want to eat here?"

Tingting nodded firmly.

He Jingcheng had no choice but to sit beside her.

"Uncle, why are you sitting here too?"

He Jingcheng gestured to the waiter to bring more utensils. "Wherever Tingting is, that’s where I’ll be."

Tingting’s lips curved into a small smile. Jiang Shuwei lowered her head to look at her phone, ignoring him.

When Su Mian came out and saw the three of them sitting by the window, candlelight flickering on the table, snowflakes drifting outside, the scene was warm and romantic.

Su Mian pursed her lips, eyes burning with jealousy, then turned and retreated back to the private room.