In the hospital room, looking at Mother Jiang lying on the sickbed, if one ignored the oxygen tube in her nose and the mask on her face, an observer might think she was merely asleep. Though her face bore the marks of time, it wasn’t hard to see that she had been a beauty in her youth.
A closer look revealed that Mother Jiang, who had been bedridden for years and sustained solely by nutrient fluids, was emaciated and pale, a far cry from her former beauty.
Jiang Shu lowered her gaze, looking at her mother in this state, her thoughts unknown.
Her mother had always cared deeply about her appearance. If she were awake… she would probably rather die than see herself like this.
Jiang Shu stayed in the room for over half an hour, only leaving when the doctor entered to change the medication.
Leaning against the wall, she waited for a while before seeing Cheng Xiyu approach from a distance. Gu Ting was no longer by his side.
She asked softly, “Did Dr. Gu say anything about my mother’s condition?” “…Is there still a chance she might wake up?”
“Yeah, this place is better than the previous hospital. The rehabilitation conditions have improved, and with the addition of mild neural stimulants, she might wake up soon. Don’t worry,” Cheng Xiyu said.
Jiang Shu lowered her head and murmured, “Mm,” wanting to say something but ultimately holding back.
Seeing her like this, Cheng Xiyu felt she was on the verge of tears. For some reason, his heart softened intensely. He gently pulled Jiang Shu into his arms and ruffled her hair. “…Trust me, I’m here for you…”
Jiang Shu didn’t speak, quietly leaning closer into his embrace.
Cheng Xiyu suddenly remembered something. “By the way, it’s Gu Zhao’s birthday today. There’s a gathering tonight at Dew Sky. Come with me.”
Jiang Shu froze for a moment, her expression troubled…
Cheng Xiyu frowned slightly and asked, “What’s wrong? Do you have something else?”
“…Yeah, I promised Senior Brother Bai I’d attend an appraisal event with him tonight…” After saying this, Jiang Shu fell silent.
Senior Brother Bai… Bai Shuxi? He murmured the name, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
How intimate. And they’re going to an appraisal event together, just the two of them…
An indescribable emotion surged inexplicably in Cheng Xiyu’s heart, leaving him deeply irritated.
It felt as though something that belonged to him was being eyed by someone else. It was… infuriating.
He knew Bai Shuxi all too well—an outstanding graduate of the Jewelry Appraisal program at Nan University, top of his class in multiple subjects during his studies, with experience in several major international appraisal projects and publications in core journals. His family also owned a sizable high-end jewelry appraisal firm. But none of that mattered. The most important thing—he was Bai Yiyi’s brother.
Unlike Bai Yiyi’s enthusiasm and vivacity, Bai Shuxi appeared gentle and harmless on the surface but was actually aloof and pretentious, always putting on an air of refined elegance. He looked down on Cheng Xiyu’s businessman demeanor.
Naturally, Cheng Xiyu had no fondness for him either—a man with underhanded methods who still pretended to be a gentleman. Given his background, if not for Bai Yiyi, Bai Shuxi wouldn’t even have the right to speak to him.
Cheng Xiyu had achieved fame at a young age, came from a good family, and was inherently proud and aloof. Though he never showed it openly, he was sharp and perceptive about everything.
So even when he was with Bai Yiyi back then, he had very little contact with Bai Shuxi.
Now, Bai Shuxi kept appearing around Jiang Shu under the pretext of sharing the same academic advisor. Cheng Xiyu couldn’t figure out what he was really up to.
Whether it was genuine affection for Jiang Shu or something Bai Yiyi had said, Cheng Xiyu wanted neither answer. Jiang Shu belonged to him, and she had no need to know about Bai Yiyi.
“I’ll take you to the appraisal event when I have time. Limit your contact with Bai Shuxi,” he suppressed his irritation and spoke to Jiang Shu in a cold tone.
Jiang Shu replied, “Understood.”
A flicker of disappointment crossed her heart. Lifting her eyes, she noticed his distant and unapproachable expression and chose not to say more, merely nodding slightly.
This appraisal event was a rare opportunity in the industry, held only once every six months. Though Cheng Xiyu said he would accompany her later, Jiang Shu thought that by then, she and Cheng Xiyu might already have parted ways.
She had always understood that this was a relationship built on deception and transaction—there was no room for discussions of the future.
Cheng Xiyu watched as she took out her phone to message Bai Shuxi. From the corner of his eye, he could barely make out the words “sorry” and “suddenly have something to do.”
He didn’t know what Bai Shuxi replied, but he saw Jiang Shu breathe a sigh of relief and then smile softly.
As the car approached Central Mansion, the driver dared a glance backward. Cheng Xiyu had been resting with his eyes closed the entire journey. Though his expression hadn’t changed, the driver suddenly felt the air grow cold and held his breath, not daring to make a sound.
Jiang Shu didn’t know why he was angry, nor was she sure if he was actually asleep. After hesitating several times, she chose to remain silent, quietly watching the scenery outside the window.
Cheng Xiyu’s already aloof face grew even darker. Although they hadn’t spoken much on the way there, the atmosphere had been noticeably better. Now, on the return trip, the car was filled with a suffocating silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
The driver thought to himself: Here we go again, another quarrel…