Volume One, Chapter 14: The First Time Being Rejected by His Son

At a loss, Shu Xingruo was soon joined by Lin Anhe, who had just finished a court session and was eager to share some juicy gossip. Noticing Shu Xingruo staring blankly at two resumes, Lin Anhe asked, “What’s got you so worried?”

Shu Xingruo looked up. “Both candidates are excellent. I just don’t know whom to hire.”

Lin Anhe flipped through the resumes. “Have you done any background checks?”

“Yes, I verified their work histories. Everything’s true.”

Lin Anhe shrugged. “That’s easy then—just hire them both.”

Shu Xingruo replied, “But I’m just starting out. I can’t afford two HR staff.”

Lin Anhe said casually, “Why not have one do administrative work? You have so many miscellaneous tasks right now; let the admin handle them.”

Shu Xingruo nodded. “A lawyer’s brain always makes sense.”

Just then, Aunt Wang, the housekeeper, brought dishes to the table. Shu Yanzhao had gone out for consultations, so the rest began their meal. Lin Anhe loved the Shu family’s cooking—it was always seasonal, with a perfect balance of meat and vegetables. Besides, the place held fond memories for her. She wasn’t from Haishi, but during university, she often tagged along with Shu Xingruo for meals, and the elder Shus treated her kindly.

After their satisfying meal, Ji Zhixu went to his room to play, and Lin Anhe began recounting the day’s courtroom drama. Her client had discovered the child was not his and filed for divorce, demanding emotional compensation from his wife. In retaliation, the wife exposed her husband’s affair with her best friend, claiming he had an illegitimate child with the friend. DNA tests were presented right then and there. The wife then counter-sued the friend, demanding the return of jointly owned property.

The friend, crafty as she was, ran a small shop and counted all the man’s money as expenses, refusing to return any. The wife was furious beyond words. Both sets of parents immediately joined the verbal brawl, only to uncover that each had extramarital affairs of their own—four tangled relationships in total.

The courtroom descended into chaos as the two families shouted at each other. All the staff were struggling to suppress their laughter, some nearly hurting themselves. The judge finally called in bailiffs to restore order before continuing the trial.

Shu Xingruo, Ning Kefang, and Aunt Wang laughed until they nearly lost their breath. Shu Xingruo even shed tears from laughter. “What happened next?”

Lin Anhe replied, “They ended up fighting outside the court. Passersby called the police, and they were all taken away. Who knows what new antics will show up next time? I’m about to suffer a work injury from holding it all in.”

After the gossip, Lin Anhe handed Shu Xingruo a card. “There’s two million in here—my entire savings. If it’s not enough, I’ll find a way.”

Shu Xingruo hugged her gratefully. “Anhe, you’re too good to me.”

Lin Anhe smiled. “Silly girl, without your tuition money, I wouldn’t be who I am today.”

They chatted a while longer before Lin Anhe drove away.

Shu Xingruo finished washing up and went to tell Ji Zhixu a story. They laughed together just as a video call from Ji Yanli arrived. Ji Zhixu, in a rare mood, refused to answer, waving his tiny hand dismissively. It was the first time he had ever rejected his father’s call.

Ji Yanli’s brow furrowed in frustration. How could his beloved son refuse him? It had to be Shu Xingruo’s doing.

He quickly sent a message: “Shu Xingruo, what are you up to again? Tell your son to answer.”

Shu Xingruo replied, “He’s tired from playing and already asleep.”

Ji Yanli demanded, “Send me some photos of him today.”

Shu Xingruo answered, “You have the kindergarten’s surveillance account. Watch the playback yourself.”

Repeatedly rejected, Ji Yanli was so angry he felt like smashing his phone.

At that moment, He Xin sent a flurry of selfies in a revealing camisole, her chest prominently displayed, the whole image both delicate and alluring. She coquettishly sent a voice message: “A Li, I miss you so much!”

Ji Yanli, still fuming, ignored the temptation. In his mind, He Xin was pure and innocent—how could she send such provocative photos?

He replied coldly, “Not a good look. It doesn’t suit you. Don’t send such photos again.”

He Xin was furious and confused. She couldn’t understand his meaning. He was so good to her but still refused to sleep with her. “Could he really like Shu Xingruo?”

A cold gleam flashed in her eyes. “Even if he does, it’s not allowed. What is Shu Xingruo anyway? She’s not worthy of Ji Yanli. He will only be mine.”

She had the means and strength to snatch Ji Yanli away.

At eight that morning, Shu Xingruo called Chen Yinuo. “Chen, if you’re available, please come work here soon. The probation salary is nine thousand, after confirmation it’s eleven thousand, plus a year-end bonus.”

Chen Yinuo was thrilled. “Okay, I can come sign the contract and start right away.”

Shu Xingruo liked people who were straightforward. “Good. I’ll wait for you at the Starbucks downstairs from the office.”

After hanging up, she called another interviewee, Yue Ling. “Yue, would you be interested in doing administrative work?”

Yue Ling was surprised. “You mean if I’m willing to switch to admin, you’ll hire me?”

Shu Xingruo said, “Yes. Probation salary six thousand, after confirmation eight thousand, plus year-end bonus. I know you want HR, and you have rich experience, but at this startup stage, we only need one HR person—I’ve already hired someone. You’re excellent, and when the company grows, you can transfer to HR.”

Yue Ling saw the sincerity and agreed. She had been out of the workforce for three years; finding a decent job was difficult. Her family expenses were heavy; she couldn’t afford to delay any longer.

Soon, both joined the company. Shu Xingruo had them sign for equipment and recruit more staff.

After finishing the arrangements, Shu Xingruo went to buy a birthday gift for Ji Jia’an, Ji Yanli’s father. His birthday was that evening, and she’d nearly forgotten amid the busyness.

She called Shu Yanzhao. “Grandfather, does Xingzhi Hall have any good medicinal herbs lately?”

Shu Yanzhao had already prepared a special wild ginseng suitable for old Ji. “There’s a premium wild ginseng I inspected personally. It’s perfect for him. Come pick it up later. I don’t want to see that little Ji Yanli tonight, so I won’t be going.”

Shu Yanzhao had long disliked Ji Yanli’s cold and indifferent attitude toward Shu Xingruo. They were married, yet he treated her like ice. Especially since she had gone to great lengths to save him, he showed no gratitude.

He hadn’t met Ji Yanli even once these years to avoid frustration.

After picking up Ji Zhixu, Shu Xingruo took the ginseng and drove to the Ji family’s old estate.

The Ji estate was a grand manor nestled by the mountains and water, with breathtaking scenery and exquisite architecture—mountains in front, lake reflections behind, towering bamboo groves adding serene charm.

Living here brought peace and joy to body and soul.

If it weren’t so far from the city, making schooling inconvenient for Ji Zhixu, Wei Ying would have urged them to move here long ago.

Wei Ying, concerned for Shu Xingruo and Ji Zhixu, was already waiting at the gate. Ji Zhixu, ever the clever little one, ran straight into her arms upon getting out of the car, cooing, “Grandma, you’re getting more beautiful every day!”

Her praise made Wei Ying’s heart bloom with happiness.

Soon, Ji Yanli’s car arrived, and He Xin stepped out alongside him.

Wei Ying’s face darkened. “Why did you bring her here?”