In the middle of summer, Jiang Shi felt her palms turn icy cold. She picked up the hot tea on the table and cupped it in her hands.
Her voice was faint. “I agree to the divorce. I’ll talk to Cheng Jili as soon as possible.”
Yu Xianzhi’s brow relaxed slightly. “If you want something, just say it directly. Don’t beat around the bush, then go out and claim the Cheng family mistreated you.”
Yu Xianzhi had never thought highly of Jiang Shi.
She had only one biological son, Cheng Jili, so naturally she wanted to be selective about her daughter-in-law.
Ideally, she’d want someone sweet-tongued and sensible, graceful in public and skilled in the kitchen, someone who could take care of her son and also know how to please her as the mother-in-law.
Jiang Shi fit none of those criteria.
If not for the elders’ strong matchmaking efforts, she would never have agreed to this marriage.
Seeing Jiang Shi remain silent, Yu Xianzhi let out another sigh. “Honestly, look at you. Young as you are, how come you can’t even get pregnant? Go see a doctor if you need to. Otherwise, remarrying later will be troublesome too. Other mothers-in-law won’t be as easygoing as I am.”
Thinking of her own perfectly normal medical reports, Jiang Shi tightened her grip on the teacup. “If I had given birth to a child early on, what excuse would you have left to force me into a divorce?”
Although she had never won Yu Xianzhi’s favor, she was a well-behaved girl by nature, always listening obediently with her head bowed when elders spoke. Today, she was acting out of character.
Yu Xianzhi was visibly taken aback. “What kind of nonsense are you talking about? As his mother, how could I possibly wish for my own son to get divorced?”
Jiang Shi took a slow sip of tea. “What’s so wrong with divorce? Your precious son will still be a dragon among men even after a divorce. What would be a miserable affair for others is just another achievement to your son’s name. You’d be nothing but proud, if anything.”
“You…”
Yu Xianzhi was momentarily at a loss for words, just as a servant walked over.
“Madam, the young master and Miss Xiaoxiao have returned.”
Yu Xianzhi’s eyes lit up, and she beamed as she hurried over. “My son and daughter are home! How come you two came back together?”
Jiang Shi turned her head.
Cheng Jili and Cheng Xiaoxiao walked in side by side.
He had always been this way since childhood—casually indifferent, hands in his pockets, tie hanging loosely around his neck, laziness written across his eyes and brows.
But the moment he caught sight of her, the carefree spark in his eyes instantly mingled with a hint of coldness.
Cheng Xiaoxiao wrapped her arms around Yu Xianzhi’s neck, acting cute. “Brother gave me an amazing birthday gift last night, so of course I had to pick him up from work today!”
“You silly child,” Yu Xianzhi said, pinching her nose. “You’re so thoughtful it melts my heart!”
Cheng Xiaoxiao was carrying a luxury handbag in a sakura pink color—the latest model of the season.
Jiang Shi glanced at it, then calmly looked away.
Cheng Xiaoxiao, however, took the initiative to hop in front of her. “Sister-in-law’s here? I heard you got alcohol poisoning last night and went to the hospital? Are you okay?”
Jiang Shi looked up. “As you can see, I’m still shamelessly alive.”
“…Sister-in-law sure knows how to joke,” Cheng Xiaoxiao said, her newly applied false lashes fluttering as she wore an innocently harmless expression. “Sister-in-law, why were you drinking alone? Got something on your mind? Why don’t you tell me about it? I’m sure I can cheer you up.”
Jiang Shi smiled faintly, mimicking her tone. “If I told you so you could laugh at it, then of course you’d be able to cheer up.”
The atmosphere turned awkward in an instant.
Cheng Xiaoxiao ran back to Yu Xianzhi’s side with a face full of grievance. “I’m just clumsy with words and upset sister-in-law without meaning to. I really didn’t intend anything by it.”
Yu Xianzhi’s expression was ugly. “Jili, your wife has gotten quite impressive lately—she has an answer for everything. Just now she didn’t even spare me, not a shred of manners.”
Jiang Shi kept a straight face, looking calm on the surface, but her fingertips had long since dug into her palms.
Were honest people just supposed to be bullied forever?
Was talking back and resisting considered having no manners?
She’d like to hear what kind of words this man would say to defend his mother and sister.
Cheng Jili’s gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then he suddenly hooked one corner of his mouth into a roguish, rascally smile.
“The mother-in-law makes the daughter-in-law—have you forgotten how you used to go to war with my grandmother? Compared to you, she’s far behind.”
In the blink of an eye, Yu Xianzhi deflated like a punctured ball, laughing as she scolded him, “Stop talking nonsense!”
Cheng Xiaoxiao chimed in, “Mom, teach me too! Otherwise I’m the only one in this family who’s tongue-tied and can’t out-argue anyone.”
“Don’t listen to your brother’s nonsense,” Yu Xianzhi said, grinning from ear to ear. “Your grandmother and I get along just fine!”
Jiang Shi sat to the side with lowered lashes.
She felt like someone from another world, someone who had never truly fit into this family.
Naturally, she wasn’t foolish enough to think Cheng Jili had just been speaking up for her.
Cheng Yunshan didn’t come downstairs until dinnertime. After briefly asking about Jiang Shi’s health, he immediately got down to business.
“Jili, I heard your new project is competing with Shen Mochuan’s side over the same piece of technology, is that right?”
Cheng Jili nodded. “Yes.”
The Cheng family was a typical strict-father, kind-mother household. The moment Cheng Yunshan spoke, the atmosphere turned tense, and no one dared to interject.
Cheng Yunshan continued, “Using some tactics in market competition is unavoidable, but the Shen family are old friends of ours. Don’t resort to underhanded tricks. Mochuan is highly capable—even if you lose, there’s no shame in it. Consider it a learning experience.”
Jiang Shi wasn’t interested in business matters. Tonight’s dishes were all heavily flavored, not to her taste. She kept her head down, shoveling plain white rice into her mouth.
Cheng Jili’s gaze swept across her face before he slowly responded, “Mm.”
After dinner, Jiang Shi didn’t linger.
She had driven herself and went alone to the garage to get her car.
A set of footsteps followed her at an neither-too-close-nor-too-far distance, trailing her all the way to the car.
Jiang Shi turned around, her eyes asking: Why are you following me?
Cheng Jili shrugged indifferently. “I didn’t drive.”
Oh right, he’d come in Cheng Xiaoxiao’s rose-pink Porsche.
Just thinking about it was comical.
Jiang Shi pursed her lips and tossed him the car keys.
“If you want a ride, drive yourself.”
With that, she slid into the back seat.
Making the renowned Young Master Cheng of Jingbei act as her chauffeur—now that was a rare opportunity.
Cheng Jili got in lazily and reached to adjust the seat backward.
After adjusting it enough to accommodate his long legs, he started tidying the row of crooked little blind-box figurines lined up under the windshield.
One by one, unhurried, he set them straight, then moved on to organizing the clutter she’d left scattered on the passenger seat.
His tone was teasing. “Like a little pigsty.”
“None of your business.” Jiang Shi looked away.
The Volvo V60 she drove was bought for her by her grandfather before he passed.
It was a bit messy, but it was one of the few places that belonged to her alone—she didn’t need anyone’s commentary.
Cheng Jili’s hands didn’t stop moving. “Fine, I won’t butt in. Auntie Xiao’s been dismissed by you too. From now on, our place is going to look like a demolition site.”
Jiang Shi’s heart sank.
Thinking of what Auntie Xiao had said at the hospital this morning, every thorn on her body instantly stood on end.
“Is someone complaining about me now? What’s the matter? Did my firing a nanny break your heart that badly?”
“You’re welcome to call her back, double her wages, soothe her fragile soul after I fired her, and show off your benevolence as the man of the house while you’re at it.”
She smiled and clapped her hands. “The kind male lead and the pitiful nanny teaming up against me, the wicked woman—how thrilling.”
As her words landed, the only sound left in the car was the two of them breathing.
The man slowly turned his head.
The car’s dim, murky light fell across his face, half-lit and half-shadowed, making those eyes seem even darker and sharper.
He worked his jaw, then said slowly, “Jiang Shi, are you a dog? Biting whoever you catch.”