Volume One, Chapter 15: Bringing Another Woman Back to the Old Mansion

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Ji Yanli showed displeasure on his face. “Mom, can’t I even bring a friend home?”

He Xin had learned from Ji Yanli’s assistant, Yan Yongfei, that today was Ji Jia’an’s birthday. She kept pestering Ji Yanli to bring her along.

“Ali, I’ve never been to the Ji family’s old mansion. I want to see the place where you grew up.”

Ji Yanli nodded in agreement.

He Xin’s plan was to make things easier for herself to marry Ji Yanli in the future by getting familiar with the family.

Wei Ying’s face turned ashen. “Is she just an ordinary friend? She’s the third party between you and your wife.”

Hearing this, He Xin looked wronged and glanced at Ji Yanli with tearful eyes.

Ji Yanli’s expression turned cold. “Mom, please don’t speak so harshly. There’s nothing between Xin Xin and me. She’s here to attend my father’s birthday banquet, and I see no problem with that.”

Having said that, he strode forward with He Xin.

Wei Ying was so furious that her stomach hurt. Shu Xingru comforted her, “Mom, don’t be angry. He’s determined to protect He Xin now. No one can persuade him otherwise.”

Wei Ying’s only consolation was that no one else was invited to today’s banquet, or else the humiliation would have spread all over the Huangpu River.

Ji Zhixu couldn’t help but get angry. “Dad seems to be suffering from dementia now.”

Shu Xingru laughed at her son’s teasing. “Then you just have to be understanding of this old man.” She took Ji Zhixu’s hand and walked inside.

Wei Ying saw that Shu Xingru not only wasn’t angry but even joked about the matter. She realized that Shu Xingru had completely stopped caring and sighed as she walked away.

The family’s longtime housekeeper, Aunt Hong, advised her, “Young Master is too stubborn and treats Young Mistress badly. You’ve tried so many times to reconcile them in vain. It’s better to let things take their natural course.”

Ji Jia’an was unaware of Ji Yanli’s affairs outside. Seeing him bring a strange woman, he was surprised. “Where’s Xingru? Why didn’t you come with her?”

Ji Yanli was still resentful of her rejection last night and said bluntly, “She’s just trying to get my attention again. I don’t want to deal with her.”

As he said this, Shu Xingru and the others arrived.

Shu Xingru frowned, thinking Ji Yanli’s mind must be half gone. But for him to hang out with He Xin, his intelligence was indeed offline.

A good woman doesn’t fight with a vicious dog, especially one without a brain.

She smiled as she handed the gift to Ji Jia’an. “Dad, wishing you good health and all the best!”

“Good girl, Xingru is thoughtful. You picked this ginseng carefully, right? I’ll brew some ginseng tea later.”

Ji Zhixu had made a model craft in kindergarten as a gift for his grandfather. It was a spaceship, the old man’s favorite.

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The old gentleman fondled the model Ji Zhixu made. The little one had done a remarkable job with all the details. Ji Jia’an was so happy his eyes turned into a line of joy. “Zhixu still wins my heart the most.”

Ji Yanli and He Xin both presented gifts. Ji Jia’an had the servants take them away, but he didn’t even glance at He Xin’s gift.

He Xin’s face paled. Ji Yanli whispered, “My dad is slow to warm up.”

Wei Ying coldly added from behind, “Your dad is not slow to warm up. He was very enthusiastic the first time he met Xingru. He just doesn’t like a certain person.”

He Xin’s face darkened further. She vowed silently, “I will make Shu Xingru leave.”

Ji Jia’an sat in the main seat holding Ji Zhixu, chatting happily with his grandson.

The servants busied themselves serving dishes—ten in total, symbolizing perfection.

Ji Zhixu talked to Ji Jia’an about recent aerospace knowledge and related news. Ji Jia’an was amazed by his knowledge and reading volume.

The old man excitedly said, “Smarter than your father was at that age.”

He looked up at Shu Xingru. “Xingru, you should have more children this smart and send them to me during holidays. It would be so much fun.”

Ji Yanli’s face turned grim. He cut in, “Dad, I won’t have children with her anymore.”

Ji Jia’an asked sternly, “If not with her, then who? That woman? What does she have that Xingru doesn’t?”

As head of the family, Ji Jia’an’s words silenced Ji Yanli from arguing. He Xin felt deeply wronged, tears welling as she looked at Ji Yanli, hoping to make him feel her sorrow.

Ji Yanli comforted her tenderly, “Xin Xin, don’t cry. Tomorrow I’ll take you to Jing City for some relaxation.”

He Xin’s mood instantly lifted, and she challenged Shu Xingru with a defiant glance.

Shu Xingru quietly watched their performance without a word.

After taking their seats, Shu Xingru didn’t sit near Ji Yanli but kept a distance from him.

This couple, once only pretending to get along, no longer even put on a show.

The Ji family elders shook their heads in disapproval. The meal was unusually quiet, except for Ji Zhixu who occasionally spoke to lighten the atmosphere.

Shu Xingru remained calm and composed, enjoying the meal.

After dinner, Wei Ying immediately instructed the steward, “No outsiders stay overnight in our house.”

This was indeed a family rule. Ji Yanli didn’t dare to refuse and had Gao Feng escort He Xin back.

He Xin put on a dramatic “one step forward, three steps back” act of reluctant affection.

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Ji Yanli deeply felt her earnest love, unlike Shu Xingru, whose mind was full of schemes.

If it hadn’t been for Shu Xingru drugging him back then, everything would have been different.

Ji Zhixu, tired from playing, was taken by the nanny to bathe. Shu Xingru also went to freshen up.

Ji Jia’an spoke in an authoritative tone, “Yanli, you’re getting more reckless. Bringing a questionable woman home.”

Ji Yanli retorted, “Dad, she saved my life after my car accident. Without her, I wouldn’t be standing here today.”

Ji Jia’an said, “If she saved your life, repay her with money. Don’t risk yourself. You have a family. Although we forced you to marry Xingru, she’s the right woman for home and family. Don’t let her down.”

After finishing, Ji Jia’an returned to his room.

Ji Yanli went back to his room where Shu Xingru sat at the vanity, drying her hair.

Her thick, jet-black hair softly cascaded down, lightly swaying as if emanating a fragrance.

Ji Yanli hadn’t spent several days in the same room with her, but her familiar scent still lingered, making his heart itch slightly.

He asked Shu Xingru, “When will you bring our son back home?”

Shu Xingru thought for a moment. “In a while.”

Ji Yanli felt a tightness in his chest. “Why did you sell the wedding ring?”

Shu Xingru was surprised he knew and was momentarily at a loss for words.

Ji Yanli confirmed she was trying to get his attention and said coldly, “Don’t do these useless things anymore. I won’t care.”

Shu Xingru didn’t understand what he meant but calmly replied, “Okay, got it.”

After drying her hair, she took a storybook to Ji Zhixu’s room.

Every time, she animatedly acted out the stories, making Ji Zhixu laugh and roll on the bed. Their mother-and-son noise made Ji Yanli unable to resist watching.

But he felt like an outsider, unable to blend in with them.

Shu Xingru closed the book. “Alright, time to sleep.”

Ji Yanli slipped back to his room to shower. When Shu Xingru returned, she still smelled lovely.