Volume One, Chapter 13: Can I Still Ask for Living Expenses?

Shu Xingru tightly pressed her lips together, clenching her hands so hard her knuckles turned white. Her throat felt as if it were blocked by cement.

She truly wanted to rush forward and slap He Xin twice, but then she saw Ji Yanli’s resolute expression.

She stopped herself. She couldn’t afford to provoke him. Her voice was hoarse as she said, “I’m sorry. It’s my fault for not raising my child properly and causing trouble for you.”

Seeing her sincerity, Ji Yanli no longer pressed her.

“Shu Xingru, there must never be a next time.”

Humbly, Shu Xingru replied, “Understood.”

Ji Yanli took He Xin back to the car. He Xin felt annoyed. Since when had Shu Xingru learned to endure and yield?

If she had been like this earlier, she wouldn’t have had such a bitter conflict with her father, He Hong.

She needed to find another opportunity to make Shu Xingru stubborn and anger Ji Yanli.

Coincidentally, her parents would be moving back to Haishi next week, and Shu Xingru detested her parents intensely, so opportunities wouldn’t be lacking.

After bringing Ji Zhixu home, Shu Xingru broke down in tears the moment she entered the room. Her heart felt crushed into pieces, the pain so unbearable she could hardly breathe.

Ji Zhixu hugged his mother tenderly. “Mom, I’m sorry. I couldn’t help but scold that woman, and it caused you to get involved.”

Shu Xingru crouched down to him and said, “Your father favors her. Don’t be quick to argue in the future. Mom doesn’t have the strength right now. If he takes you away, and you have to face that woman every day, you’ll be the one suffering.”

Ji Zhixu said, “Then I’ll ask Grandpa and Grandma for help, so they can support you.”

Both elders of the Ji family cared deeply for Shu Xingru, but the Ji Corporation was now completely under Ji Yanli’s control, and he often ignored their advice.

Shu Xingru took Ji Zhixu to take a bath, shaking her head. “It’s useless. Your father is headstrong and arbitrary. Listen to me: for the next year and a half, we endure. If you can’t bear it, then don’t see them. Remember what Aunt Lin said?”

Ji Zhixu nodded. He was really angry seeing He Xin’s face, and it made him dislike his blind father even more.

Yes, no more meetings with them.

To avoid a repeat of today’s incident, Shu Xingru told Ning Kefang that from Monday to Friday, she would need help picking up the child.

Ning Kefang agreed.

The next morning when she woke up, one million yuan had been deposited into Shu Xingru’s account.

It was the living allowance Ji Yanli gave her, arriving regularly on the 27th of each month.

Shu Xingru called Lin Anhe. “Can I still use the living allowance Ji Yanli gives me?”

Lin Anhe yawned. “You can. Don’t let the mistress have it cheap.”

She had worked overtime until late last night and was still a bit drowsy, but hearing about the money instantly perked her up.

Shu Xingru said, “I don’t mean that. I mean, if I keep spending his money, will it affect Zhixu’s custody?”

“No, it won’t. You’re not forcing him to give it. He’s so rich he probably wouldn’t even notice if he lost a few million.”

With that reassurance, Shu Xingru felt at ease.

She was short on money now—office rent, lab equipment, expenses everywhere.

She regretted not taking Ji Yanli’s supplementary card when she moved out; the credit limit on that card wasn’t small.

That morning she rented an office in a good location, which made their company look more professional and capable.

But the rent was expensive, and paying three months’ rent stung Shu Xingru deeply.

Fortunately, the office required no renovation; the previous tenant was also a pharmaceutical company, saving her a significant amount.

She planned to buy equipment and hire staff in the afternoon, busy to the point of being overwhelmed.

Exiting the elevator, she ran into Su Rongze, who wore a snow-blue silk shirt and tailored trousers that showcased his long legs perfectly.

He exuded an aloof, aristocratic air.

Seeing Shu Xingru surprised him. “Dr. Shu, what brings you to Dongsheng Tower?”

Shu Xingru looked puzzled. “Why can’t I come? Is this building yours?”

Su Rongze smiled faintly. “It belongs to my group.”

Su Rongze was the president and chairman of the Dongsheng Group.

Dongsheng Tower had 35 floors: the first floor housed Dongsheng Bank and some shops; the next four floors were leased out; the upper 30 floors were all offices for their group.

Shu Xingru’s expression was priceless, as if silently saying, “How did I end up renting a place in this fool’s territory?”

Su Rongze cleared his throat. “Sorry for offending you last time. Let’s have a meal together today.”

Given they would be seeing each other often, Shu Xingru agreed.

They each drove to the restaurant Su Rongze reserved. Just as they entered, they ran into He Xin and Ji Yanli at the door.

Shu Xingru frowned, annoyed at seeing those two misfortunes. Quickly, she hid behind Su Rongze to avoid being noticed.

After a while, Su Rongze said, “They’ve left.”

Only then did Shu Xingru emerge from behind him, apologizing, “Sorry about that.”

Su Rongze smiled gently without replying and led her to the private room.

Inside, Su Rongze asked what Shu Xingru liked to eat. She ordered only crispy veal and chicken juice with Chinese cabbage.

Su Rongze chuckled, “Are you trying to save me money or did seeing those two just ruin your appetite?”

Shu Xingru’s face twitched slightly. “Honestly, just seeing them makes me lose my appetite.”

Su Rongze added a few signature dishes, and the waiter went to place the order, leaving just the two of them in the room.

An awkward silence settled. Shu Xingru lowered her head to check the kindergarten surveillance footage of Ji Zhixu.

Suddenly, Su Rongze asked softly, “Is Ji Yanli your husband?”

The Ji family was famous in Haishi, so it wasn’t surprising Su Rongze knew him.

His face shadowed by the lights, his thoughts were inscrutable.

Shu Xingru looked up, impressed by his perceptiveness.

“Yes. That woman is his... mistress.”

Su Rongze understood immediately. “Why don’t you get a divorce?”

Shu Xingru herself didn’t understand why Ji Yanli refused to sign the divorce papers. She didn’t dare ask, fearing he would fight for custody.

“I’ve applied for legal separation. I’m waiting for it to take effect.”

They were already separated. A quiet joy brushed Su Rongze’s heart.

Suddenly, he wondered why he felt happy hearing that news.

After dinner, they went back to their work. Shu Xingru purchased laboratory instruments and office equipment, fortunately all in stock.

The supplier promised to install and debug everything the next day.

The agency was efficient, replying that she would receive her business license tomorrow and could open a corporate account that afternoon.

She named the company Xingzhi Biotechnology Co., Ltd., ambitious not only to produce pharmaceuticals but also, if possible, to enter the daily chemical industry.

At 4:30 p.m., she began interviewing HR candidates at the Starbucks downstairs in Dongsheng Tower.

She had arranged interviews with four people: two fresh graduates, a senior HR professional who had been a stay-at-home mom for three years, and a 36-year-old woman unemployed for a year.

The two fresh graduates were master’s degree holders dissatisfied with their current jobs. Seeing this was a startup and the salary wasn’t high, they showed little enthusiasm.

Shu Xingru was very satisfied speaking with the latter two, who had rich experience.

Especially the 36-year-old Chen Xinnuo, who had over ten years in HR and had previously worked in biopharmaceuticals.

Due to her age, she had been rejected by many other companies.

Shu Xingru told both she would consider them, but their faces showed disappointment.

The workplace was too unfriendly to older professionals, and they felt Shu Xingru shared that attitude.

She assured them both, “I’ll think it over tonight and give you an answer tomorrow.”

After returning home, Shu Xingru placed both resumes on the table, hesitant and undecided.