Volume 1, Chapter 62: Refusing His Favors

"Humph, you wouldn't forget such an important day, would you?" Elder He slammed his palm onto the table. "What are you busy with every single day? Can't you put some effort into anything concerning Shuwei?"

He Jingcheng's heart skipped a beat. He immediately looked at Jiang Shuwei, hoping she would step in and say a few words on his behalf.

Jiang Shuwei only lowered her head, silently drinking her porridge, treating him as if he were air.

"I've prepared a grand gift worth ten million, it's right in the car. I'll go get it." With that, He Jingcheng turned around and walked back to his car. He quickly wrote a check and shoved it haphazardly into a red envelope.

Returning to the table, He Jingcheng handed the envelope to Jiang Shuwei. "Congratulations. Wishing you a prosperous business and abundant wealth pouring in."

Jiang Shuwei's eyes widened in surprise as she looked at the man who handed over the envelope and offered a few sincere words of blessing.

"Thank you." Right in front of Elder He, Jiang Shuwei accepted it anyway.

After breakfast, Jiang Shuwei drove He Tingting to school. Along the way, she planned to drop off Qin Weizhou's suit jacket at the dry cleaners and return it to him.

As she headed out, He Jingcheng caught a glimpse of the black corner of the garment poking out from the bag Jiang Shuwei was carrying.

His expression grew dark and gloomy. He pressed his thin lips together and walked upstairs.

After dropping off the child, Jiang Shuwei hurried over to the Yunrun Building. Upon arrival, she noticed that the hallway outside her company entrance was crowded with staff from the same floor who had come to admire the artworks displayed along the walls.

Jiang Shuwei entered her studio and began her work for the day.

The deadline for the first batch of draft submissions was approaching, and Jiang Shuwei planned to head over to Yuntu in the afternoon to handle the matter.

She picked up Qin Weizhou's suit jacket, thinking that if she happened to run into him, she could return the coat right then and there.

Yuntu's offices were located in a square office building adjacent to the Qin Group's headquarters tower.

Jiang Shuwei arrived to coordinate project details with the person in charge at Yuntu. She remained busy until past nine in the evening, even eating her dinner at the company cafeteria.

"Miss Jiang, we are extremely satisfied with the images your team provided. As expected of President Qin's discerning eye. I hope we have a pleasant cooperation moving forward."

At ten o'clock in the evening, Jiang Shuwei bid farewell to the person in charge at Yuntu. Receiving their praise brought genuine joy to her heart.

However, since she hadn't returned Qin Weizhou's jacket yet, it seemed she would have to schedule another time for it.

Just as Jiang Shuwei was about to hail a taxi to head back, a sleek black Rolls-Royce pulled up right beside her.

The window rolled down, revealing Qin Weizhou's handsome and striking features.

"President Qin?" Jiang Shuwei's face lit up with a hint of delight when she saw him.

"Here to discuss work matters?" Qin Weizhou asked in a calm voice.

"Yes, today was the deadline for submitting the drafts," Jiang Shuwei nodded and replied.

Qin Weizhou gave a slight nod. "Need a ride?"

Jiang Shuwei was momentarily stunned. The next second, she asked, "Is it on your way? I'm heading back to the Yunrun Building."

Qin Weizhou nodded. "On the way. Get in."

Jiang Shuwei recently had a Mercedes-Benz C-Class added to her name—a fresh gift from Elder He that was still awaiting license plates—so she was currently without a car of her own.

Jiang Shuwei got into the car, holding his suit jacket, and immediately said, "I took this suit jacket to the dry cleaners. Thank you for your help, President Qin."

"Think nothing of it. Just a small favor." Qin Weizhou reached out, took the jacket, and placed it on the opposite seat.

Once the polite formalities were over, Jiang Shuwei suddenly realized that the atmosphere between the two of them alone in the car had grown somewhat subtle.

Qin Weizhou naturally exuded a sense of cold, aloof detachment. Coupled with his tall, handsome stature and a classic black-and-white tailored suit, the aura of quiet aggression he emitted was both flawless and breathtaking.

"Have you heard any news regarding the first volume of the Golden Acupoint, Miss Jiang?" Qin Weizhou suddenly asked her.

Jiang Shuwei felt a brief flash of awkwardness. Looking guiltily down at her fingers, she replied, "Not yet."

Qin Weizhou let out a soft "Mn." Then he asked, "Do you believe the first volume still exists in this world?"

"Of course." Jiang Shuwei answered a bit too quickly. Realizing how it sounded, her pretty face paled slightly. "It might just take a little patience to find it."

"I truly hope we can find it soon." A trace of impatience crept into Qin Weizhou's expression. "My grandmother cannot wait much longer."

A pang of sympathy stirred in Jiang Shuwei's heart. Qin Weizhou was truly a filial grandson; his grandmother must be immensely proud of him.

"Rest assured, President Qin, I will make inquiries among my medical friends and mentors," Jiang Shuwei offered as comforting reassurance.

Qin Weizhou turned his head to look at her, his deep, captivating eyes holding a mesmerizing, enchanting charm.

When Jiang Shuwei caught his gaze, her heart began to beat wildly and uncontrollably against her will.

Beneath the dim shadows, the man's facial features were deeply chiseled and strikingly handsome, reminiscent of an ethereal enchantr.

Jiang Shuwei was a married woman now; she neither dared nor was allowed to indulge in appreciating another man so recklessly.

Seeing her instantly lower her gaze, Qin Weizhou felt a faint shadow of disappointment flash through the depths of his eyes.

The Yunrun Building was reached in just over ten minutes. After returning his suit jacket and offering a few more words of gratitude, Jiang Shuwei pushed open the door and stepped out of the car.

Watching the Rolls-Royce drive away from her sight, Jiang Shuwei went back inside the company to handle a few remaining tasks, finally returning to the villa late into the night.

He Tingting was already fast asleep, having been lulled to bed by He Jingcheng.

Seeing her return so late, He Jingcheng asked in a flat tone, "Were you really that busy?"

Jiang Shuwei casually replied, "I went to Yuntu to submit the drafts today. Is Tingting asleep?"

"She waited for you for a long time." A flash of light crossed He Jingcheng's eyes. She went to Yuntu today?

Did that mean she also went to see Qin Weizhou? And returned the suit jacket to him?

Without saying anything further, Jiang Shuwei headed upstairs, intending to shower and go to sleep.

After going downstairs to drink a glass of water, an inexplicable fire began to burn within He Jingcheng's chest.

The thought of Jiang Shuwei's partnership with Yuntu—meaning she would likely continue dealing with Qin Weizhou in the future—filled him with an inexplicable sense of irritation.

He carried his glass of water upstairs and returned to the bedroom, only to notice a splash of red resting against the blue bedding.

He Jingcheng's expression darkened. He took a step forward and picked it up to inspect it.

It turned out to be the ten-million-dollar red envelope he had given Jiang Shuwei that morning. The check inside was still intact.

The hand holding the water glass stiffened slightly.

He set the glass down and turned around to look for Jiang Shuwei.

Jiang Shuwei was taking a shower. Inside the bathroom, the sound of running water echoed, and mist clouded the frosted glass door.

He Jingcheng stared fixedly at that door.

Ten minutes later, Jiang Shuwei emerged wearing a nightgown.

She hadn't expected He Jingcheng to be standing right by the door, and she startled, taking two steps back in surprise.

Through the lingering wisps of steam, she looked as fresh and crystalline as morning dew, her skin fair, tender, and glowing. She cut a delicate figure that simultaneously radiated a woman's quiet allure.

He Jingcheng's breath hitched. It was the first time he had ever seen her look like a lotus rising out of the water.

However, by comparison, his anger quickly took the upper hand.

"What is the meaning of this?" He raised the red envelope in his hand.

Jiang Shuwei crossed her arms over her chest.

"It doesn't mean anything. It's your money, and I can't accept it." Jiang Shuwei spoke calmly, walking toward the walk-in closet to grab a thicker bathrobe to wrap around herself.

He Jingcheng let out a cold chuckle. "Is it because the amount wasn't enough?"

Jiang Shuwei turned back around, her gaze as tranquil as still water. "I have never cared about how much money you give. On the contrary, you gave far too much."

"You work so hard, isn't it just to make money? I gave you a bit more, wouldn't it be great to just take it for free?" He Jingcheng was astonished to find that Jiang Shuwei's attitude toward him hadn't just changed a little—it had completely transformed.

In the past, if he so much as bought her a phone, she would be thrilled and excited for quite a while.

Now, he handed her a grand gift worth ten million, and she actually returned it.

He Jingcheng wasn't stupid; he knew it was likely because he had consistently ignored her affections for so long, eventually driving her to emotional numbness.