Volume 1, Chapter 8: She Could Still Be This Beautiful

Shu Xingruo sighed. “I’m mainly afraid I won’t be able to secure custody of Xuxu. If I open a pharmaceutical factory, I’ll have a better chance.” Her true passion was still treating patients; opening a pharmaceutical factory was merely a desperate measure.

Lin Anhe strongly supported Shu Xingruo in expanding her business. “If you don’t have enough money, I’ll give you everything I have. I’ll even mortgage my house for you.”

Shu Xingruo smiled. “Thank you, but things haven’t reached that point yet.”

“Auntie Lin, you’re so kind!” Ji Zhixu said.

Lin Anhe smiled at him. “Your mother has always been wonderful to me, too!” Back then, when she had wanted to go abroad to study but her family could not afford it, Shu Xingruo had given her one hundred thousand without a second thought—the entirety of her savings from childhood onward.

“Hehe, I only have this much right now. Once I earn money, I’ll send you some every month.”

Later, Shu Xingruo married Ji Yanli. With ample household money every month, she continued supporting Lin Anhe until she graduated.

Lin Anhe picked up a slice of pizza and asked, “Has your husband signed the divorce agreement?”

Shu Xingruo shook her head. She did not understand why Ji Yanli, who was so annoyed whenever he saw her, still refused to sign.

Lin Anhe said rationally, “At this stage, it’s better that he hasn’t signed. You can continue raising Xuxu. Once he signs, he’ll start fighting you for custody. The Ji family is rich and powerful—you can’t beat them. If you drag it out until Xuxu is a little older, the judge will ask for his opinion.”

Ji Zhixu immediately wrapped his arms around Shu Xingruo’s. “I want to stay with Mommy.”

Lin Anhe pinched his little cheek again. “What a good boy. Your mother hasn’t spoiled you for nothing.”

They had only just arrived home after dinner when Shu Xingruo received a call from her mother-in-law, Wei Ying.

“Xingruo, my friend’s resort is opening tomorrow, and he’s asked me to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Bring Xuxu along. I’ll send you the address and time shortly.”

Wei Ying had always treated Shu Xingruo well. She thought her daughter-in-law was beautiful, kindhearted, and deeply devoted to her son—someone impossible to find even with a lantern.

Most importantly, during the Ji family’s crisis, when Ji Yanli had been paralyzed, Shu Xingruo had never abandoned him.

“All right, Mom. I’ll bring Xuxu tomorrow,” Shu Xingruo said.

The moment Ji Zhixu heard that it was his grandmother, he reached for the phone. “Grandma, I miss you so much.”

His sweet voice delighted Wei Ying. “Xuxu, have you been a good boy lately?”

Ji Zhixu immediately began complaining. “I’ve been very good. Daddy is the one who hasn’t been good at all. He wouldn’t eat with me—he went to keep He Xin company instead. Remember to spank him.”

Shu Xingruo: “…”

The mention of He Xin filled Wei Ying with anger. The last time He Xin had returned to the country, Ji Yanli had made such a grand spectacle of it that Wei Ying had scolded him for a full half hour.

Yet he had remained utterly unrepentant and turned around to throw He Xin a birthday banquet. If Ji Yanli had not been her own son, she would have urged Shu Xingruo to divorce him long ago.

Wei Ying asked Ji Zhixu to hand the phone to Shu Xingruo, then asked anxiously, “Xingruo, are you all right?”

Over the years, she had scolded Ji Yanli countless times, but he always remained the same—cold and indifferent toward Shu Xingruo.

“Mom, I’m fine. I’m used to it,” Shu Xingruo replied.

Hearing how unconcerned she sounded, Wei Ying’s heart sank. She had a feeling that Shu Xingruo no longer loved Ji Yanli.

She hurriedly ended the call and phoned Ji Yanli. At that moment, he was at the hospital accompanying He Xin.

“Mom, what is it?”

Wei Ying suppressed the urge to start cursing. “Are you at the hospital with that homewrecker?”

Ji Yanli’s brow twitched. “Mom, don’t speak so harshly. Did Shu Xingruo complain to you?”

“Complain?” Wei Ying raised her voice in fury. “Xingruo doesn’t care about you at all anymore. She didn’t even mention you. Xuxu told me everything. You refuse to accompany your wife and child, yet you spend your time with some disreputable woman. Have you got water on the brain?”

Ji Yanli’s face darkened. “Mom, Xinxin isn’t some disreputable woman. She saved my life.”

“She saved your life? Haven’t you given her enough money? She keeps clinging to you without end—that shameless—”

The angrier Wei Ying became, the more viciously she cursed.

Ji Yanli cut her off. “Mom, if you keep insulting her, I’m hanging up.”

Wei Ying’s teeth ached with rage. “Fine, I won’t curse. Just keep protecting her. Your wife doesn’t care about you anymore!”

Didn’t care? Shu Xingruo had sold her wedding ring and even asked their son to arrange time with him. Wasn’t she simply trying to attract his attention?

How could she possibly not care about him? What an absurd joke!

Ji Yanli simply refused to believe it.

“All right, Mom. I understand.” He hung up.

Wei Ying shook her head. Her son was beyond saving. She could only hope that Shu Xingruo would not divorce him. Given enough time, perhaps her blind son would eventually realize how good she was.

Jinjun Resort was nestled against the mountains and water, surrounded by Thirteen Peaks and snow-capped mountains. The rooms featured enormous floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing guests to admire the golden glow of sunrise on the mountains from the comfort of their beds.

Most importantly, the resort had been built around natural hot springs. In winter, guests could soak in the springs while taking in the breathtaking mountain scenery—a truly peaceful and luxurious experience.

That day, Shu Xingruo wore a pink, flowing fairy-like gown, with a rose blooming across the bodice. It made her look like a celestial maiden descended from the clouds—dreamlike, ethereal, and weightless.

When Wei Ying saw how beautiful she looked, her eyes lit up. “Xingruo, your dress is gorgeous. Which designer made it?”

Shu Xingruo gave an awkward smile. She could not bring herself to spend money on haute couture now. “It’s from a designer’s studio. It wasn’t expensive.”

“Well, you’re beautiful. You look good in everything.”

Wei Ying quickly introduced her to the resort’s owner, Ji Guangtong.

“Mr. Ji, this is my daughter-in-law, Shu Xingruo. She’s a master of traditional Chinese medicine. She was the one who cured my son’s legs.”

Ji Guangtong’s eyes brightened. “I never imagined Mrs. Ji could possess such remarkable medical skills at so young an age. My mother has been half-paralyzed for six months. I wonder if you might examine her? She’s staying here at the resort.”

“Of course,” Shu Xingruo said. “But I didn’t bring my medical kit today. I can have someone send it over shortly. However, Mr. Ji, I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to cure your mother.”

Though Shu Xingruo’s medical skills were extraordinary, there were countless illnesses in the world that remained unknown. She would never make promises she could not keep.

Ji Guangtong did not hold out much hope either. It was a desperate attempt, but if Shu Xingruo was willing to examine his mother, that was enough for him.

A commotion suddenly broke out at the entrance.

Ji Yanli had arrived with He Xin.

He Xin wore a pink rose gown from Dior, creating a certain clash with Shu Xingruo’s outfit. Yet in terms of figure and appearance, Shu Xingruo was clearly a level above her.

The only thing was that Shu Xingruo’s neck was bare, while He Xin wore a complete set of Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry, radiating wealth and elegance.

Everyone knew that He Xin was Ji Yanli’s first love. He was truly generous—whenever He Xin appeared in public, her outfit and accessories were worth several million.

Only a very small number of people present knew Shu Xingruo’s identity.

Ji Guangtong glanced awkwardly at Shu Xingruo. She remained composed, without the slightest trace of panic or anger, as if Ji Yanli were merely a stranger with nothing to do with her.

Wei Ying’s expression turned ugly. She walked over and questioned Ji Yanli in a low voice. “Why did you bring her here? Your wife and child are both here. Don’t blame me for embarrassing you.”

Ji Yanli looked toward Shu Xingruo, who was chatting with Ji Guangtong a short distance away.

They had been married for six years, and he had never once taken her to a social function. He had never seen her dressed like this.

Today, she was dazzlingly beautiful.