Volume One, Chapter Nine: Do Not Mess with He Xin

Ji Yanli’s heart trembled slightly. Hah, didn’t she say she didn’t care about him? Dressing so beautifully was clearly meant to catch his attention. No matter how lovely she was, she was still a viper in disguise.

Ji Yanli shifted his gaze away from Shu Xingruo and said, “Mom, warn her not to cause trouble today, or I won’t be so polite.”

Wei Ying, tired of dealing with her blind and stubborn son, went off to amuse Ji Zhixu for a while.

Ji Zhixu had been about to call Ji Yanli, but Shu Xingruo stopped her. Causing a scene at someone’s opening ceremony—how could the hosts bear that? Besides, Ji Yanli’s attention was on He Xin now; he had no time to compete with her for her son.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony began. Ji Guangtong took the center, with Ji Yanli and Wei Ying on either side. Together they cut the ribbon, prompting cheers and applause from the crowd. The atmosphere was lively and festive.

The host then announced the official opening of Golden County Resort.

Next came song and dance performances featuring many professionals. The shows were exciting and entertaining, captivating everyone present.

Shu Xingruo handed Ji Zhixu over to Wei Ying and went to the restroom.

He Xin followed her. Just inside, she stopped Shu Xingruo.

“Did you dress like this today just to seduce A’Li?”

From the moment she arrived, He Xin had seen the radiant Shu Xingruo. Many people were secretly watching her, making He Xin feel overshadowed. She was furious.

Shu Xingruo glanced at her coldly. “What I wear is my own choice. At least for now, Ji Yanli is still my legal husband.”

He Xin sneered. “Husband? Then why does he never acknowledge you as his wife? Do you know how much he spent on my outfit today? Would he be willing to spend that on you?”

Shu Xingruo had no retort; Ji Yanli never took her out or bought her anything on his own.

Seeing Shu Xingruo silent, He Xin felt triumphant. “I advise you to stop wasting your efforts. No matter how beautiful this vase is, A’Li won’t even glance your way.”

Shu Xingruo laughed mockingly. “If you want to be a vase, go ahead; I have no interest. Even the most beautiful vase tires the eye eventually. Besides, there are countless young, beautiful vases throwing themselves at him every day. You’re just one of many.”

He Xin’s hands trembled with rage. “Shu Xingruo, you—”

Shu Xingruo ignored her and walked inside.

He Xin glared after her, furious beyond measure. Proud, huh? I’ll make you cry soon.

She rubbed her eyes hard until they were red and swollen, looking as if she’d been crying for ages. Then she wet her hair and face with water to appear deeply hurt.

Sure enough, when He Xin emerged, Ji Yanli saw her pitiful state and asked, “Xin Xin, what’s wrong? What happened?”

He Xin, eyes brimming with tears, nestled into his arms. “A’Li, it’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have worn such an expensive outfit; it made her angry.”

Ji Yanli’s chest heaved. That venomous woman Shu Xingruo must have bullied He Xin severely.

He waited in the corridor for Shu Xingruo to come out. She saw him but ignored him, walking straight ahead with eyes fixed forward.

Ji Yanli grabbed her arm sharply, pulling her back.

“Shu Xingruo, why are you bullying Xin Xin?”

Shu Xingruo looked puzzled, frowning. “Bullying her? Why would I do that?”

“Because you’re jealous. Jealous that I buy her clothes and jewelry. Jealous that I bring her in and not you. You poisonous viper.”

Shu Xingruo stared coldly at him. “Ji Yanli, are you blind or stupid? If I wanted to bully He Xin, I would have had our son call you ‘Dad’ just now, proving her status as the other woman. Let’s see how you’d handle that.”

Ji Yanli reconsidered; her words made sense. But his gentle, innocent He Xin wouldn’t fabricate such a scene. He couldn’t believe it.

He added, “You didn’t bully her publicly because you were putting on a show for my mother. Don’t think I don’t see through your schemes.”

Scorn nearly spilled from Shu Xingruo’s eyes. “Ji Yanli, don’t flatter yourself. I don’t care about you anymore. Take whoever you want; it’s none of my business.”

Before turning to leave, she tossed back, “Besides, if it weren’t for me—the poisonous viper—Mr. Ji, you’d still be in that wheelchair. Do you think your white moonlight would still bother with you then?”

Ji Yanli sneered, “If it weren’t for He Xin calling the ambulance in time, no matter how skilled your medicine is, you couldn’t have saved me.”

He closed in until Shu Xingruo could hear his breath.

She took a step back, flustered. His phoenix-like eyes were deep and sharp as he said, “You cured my leg, that’s true. I’ve already given you the position of Mrs. Ji. Behave yourself, and I’ll support you for life. But don’t hurt He Xin again, or I won’t hesitate to kick you out.”

Shu Xingruo suddenly recalled Lin Anhe’s warning. If Ji Yanli lost control and tried to take Ji Zhixu away, she stood no chance.

She raised an eyebrow. “From now on, I’ll expect He Xin to take a detour around me. Is that fair?”

She looked at Ji Yanli, whose face darkened and remained unreadable. He neither agreed nor denied her words.

Unwilling to waste more breath, Shu Xingruo quickened her pace and left.

When she came out, her expression was pale. Ji Zhixu asked with concern, “Mom, did Dad and that woman bully you?”

Shu Xingruo shook her head. “No, Mom is fine.”

Wei Ying had long noticed He Xin’s tearful state in Ji Yanli’s arms. Were it not for the public setting, she would have torn He Xin apart.

She comforted Shu Xingruo, “Xingruo, don’t be sad. That sly vixen pretends to be weak all day in front of Yanli. Let’s see how long she can keep up the act!”

Shu Xingruo wasn’t truly upset, only her heart was still racing from Ji Yanli’s pressure.

She scolded herself silently for being so weak, letting him still affect her emotions. She had to dig Ji Yanli out of her heart completely.

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, Ji Yanli took He Xin back to his room, leaving Ji Zhixu’s small face puffed up with anger.

Shu Xingruo patted his head gently. “Zhixu, don’t be angry. I’ll take you to the amusement park later.”

The resort’s large children’s playground featured a space theme, Ji Zhixu’s favorite.

Shu Xingruo picked up the resort brochure and flipped to the playground page. Ji Zhixu’s round eyes sparkled as he said, “Awesome! Let’s go play later.”

At that moment, Shu Xingruo’s medical kit arrived, and she followed Ji Guangtong to see his mother.

The elderly woman was Gan Jinglian. Though paralyzed, Ji Guangtong had hired three caregivers to take turns attending her. She bore no pressure sores and her complexion was somewhat rosy.

Shu Xingruo said, “Mr. Ji, you’re truly filial to take such good care of your mother.”

Ji Guangtong sighed, “Ah, I regret it deeply. My mother has diabetes, and I failed to manage her diet and blood sugar properly, leading to this.”

Shu Xingruo moved closer to take Gan Jinglian’s pulse. The more she checked, the grimmer her expression became.

Ji Guangtong broke out in a cold sweat. His heart sank. It seemed hope was slim.