Volume 1, Chapter 19: Let Them Fight Among Themselves

For so many years, Shu Xingruo had never been able to resolve this question.

Back when Ji Yanli and He Xin were dating, their relationship had been excellent. They were the couple everyone on campus envied; Ji Yanli, a heartthrob of legendary status, had shown He Xin great favor, not to mention that the Ji Corporation was at its peak back then. Ji Yanli was the dream man of countless girls, including Shu Xingruo.

In those days, Ji Yanli had doted on her just as he did now. What could have possibly possessed He Xin to drug herself and climb into Ji Yanli’s bed?

Shu Xingruo steadied herself, her hand gripping her phone no longer trembling. She sent the recording to Lin Anhe, asking for her help to investigate the events of that year. She did not hold much hope; after all, it had been a long time, and she was going to divorce Ji Yanli anyway. A truth revealed too late no longer mattered so much.

Returning to the private room, Chen Yunuo noticed something off about Shu Xingruo. Her face was pale, and her body was slightly shivering.

"Director Shu, are you alright?" Chen Yunuo asked with concern.

Shu Xingruo shook her head. "I'm fine, just a bit of low blood pressure. I’ll be better after a moment."

After the recording was sent, Lin Anhe did not reply, perhaps busy with something. Once the gathering ended, Shu Xingruo composed herself and returned to the office to work for a while. Around three o'clock, she took the materials to the Planning Bureau as Chu Ming had instructed.

As soon as she arrived at the office, she saw that Chu Ming’s face was pale, her hand against her forehead, looking listless. Shu Xingruo habitually reached out to check her pulse. The sensation was striking—the pulse felt like pearls rolling on a plate. She was overjoyed. "Sister Chu, you’re pregnant."

Chu Ming was momentarily dazed. She had been trying to conceive for three years, having endured so much suffering and taken so many wrong turns. She had almost given up, never expecting to be pregnant now. She wept with joy. "Little Shu, is it really true?"

Shu Xingruo nodded. "It is. You can go to the hospital tomorrow morning to check, though it might not show up yet; you could wait a week."

If not for the pregnancy, Chu Ming would have spun Shu Xingruo around three times. Joy is the best medicine, and her complexion improved instantly. Shu Xingruo handed her the materials. Chu Ming glanced over them, found no issues, and rushed to register her for the quota.

"The bidding meeting is at the end of the month," Chu Ming said. "We will notify you of the exact time later."

"Thank you!"

As she prepared to leave, a knock sounded at the office door. "Come in!" Chu Ming said with authority.

It was He Xin!

Shu Xingruo frowned slightly. This woman was like a plague; she encountered her everywhere. He Xin had arrived with Uncle Chang, a veteran employee of Ruixiang Pharmaceuticals, who had met Shu Xingruo at the Ji family estate. That day, Ji Yanli had explicitly told him not to reveal Shu Xingruo’s identity to the outside world. Uncle Chang’s eyes darted between Shu Xingruo and He Xin, his expression quite complex.

He Xin whispered in Shu Xingruo’s ear, "I am the CEO of Ruixiang Pharmaceuticals now. He truly dotes on me to the core."

Shu Xingruo remained composed. He Xin was single-mindedly chasing money, and since Ji Yanli loved her, he would naturally provide her with funds and resources. It was in stark contrast to her own cold-storage marriage. Shu Xingruo walked out of the office with a calm expression.

He Xin sighed inwardly, *Why has Shu Xingruo become so poised?* She had hoped Shu Xingruo would get jealous and have a huge row with Ji Yanli; after all, the more a marriage is quarreled over, the easier it is to end. Sadly, she seemed not to care at all.

Once outside, Shu Xingruo’s phone rang. It was Lin Anhe.

"I just finished verifying the evidence. I listened to the recording; I told you, it was 100% He Xin’s own orchestration." Although Lin Anhe couldn't guess He Xin's purpose, she had always believed it was her doing.

Lin Anhe continued, "I will definitely find a way to help you look into this, but it happened a long time ago and in Hong Kong. Let’s meet up tonight to talk."

"Alright!"

Lin Anhe asked, "If Ji Yanli finds out the truth and turns over a new leaf to be good to you, will you still divorce him?"

Shu Xingruo said decisively, "Divorce. I am seeking the truth only to borrow Ji Yanli’s hand to deal with He Xin, not to salvage the relationship. This man is tainted; I don't want him." She despised He Xin and her mother with a passion. If Ji Yanli had been with any other woman, she wouldn't have felt this disgusted. He Xin had been abroad for years, and Tian Yufen was in Hong Kong; she hadn't been able to touch them. Now that they were back and protected by Ji Yanli, she had even fewer opportunities to strike.

If she could make them tear each other apart, it would be quite a show.

Lin Anhe said, "Fine, I support whatever you decide to do."

After hanging up, she drove back to the company. The moment she arrived, everyone in the office was staring at her.

Shu Xingruo touched her face. "Is there something on my face?"

Her assistant, Huang Lige, said with a gossipy tone, "The president of Dongsheng Group is here to see you. He’s such a handsome man!"

Shu Xingruo asked, "Where is he waiting for me?"

"In the conference room."

*At least they have good confidentiality awareness and won't let gossiping delay their work.*

Shu Xingruo said, "Tell him to come to my office." She turned and walked into her office, opening her computer.

When Su Rongze entered, his eyes lit up. Shu Xingruo usually preferred wearing loose, Neo-Chinese style clothing, which gave her a very gentle and graceful air. Today, she was in a white professional suit, and with the boost from her high heels, her presence rose by several levels; she appeared beautiful, yet carried a hint of sharpness.

Su Rongze smiled. "Dr. Shu is truly full of surprises."

Shu Xingruo said, "I had to meet with leadership today, so I dressed more formally. President Su, what brings you here in your busy schedule?"

Su Rongze sat in the chair in front of her desk and said slowly, "I attended a business luncheon this afternoon, and Ji Yanli was there. He privately warned me not to have any 'inappropriate thoughts' about you. It seems this man doesn't intend to let you go; he simply enjoys the luxury of having both women."

Shu Xingruo was puzzled. "Ji Yanli had someone investigate me?" She smiled gently at Su Rongze. "I’m sorry, I’ve implicated you."

Su Rongze felt her smile was as beautiful as a blooming winter plum, and he couldn't help but feel moved. "I don't care about that. I’m not afraid of him; I just wanted to remind you to be careful of him going insane. If you need my help, just say the word."

His relationship with Shu Xingruo was open and honest; he possessed basic morality. Even if he wanted something to happen between them, he would at least wait until she was divorced.

Shu Xingruo handed him a cup of flower tea. "Thank you for the reminder. I will try my best not to provoke him."

Su Rongze lowered his head to sniff the tea; the fragrance was refreshing. He took a sip; the taste was sweet and delicious. Perhaps he was thirsty, as he drank two cups in a row, both poured by Shu Xingruo.

He set the cup down and rested his hands on the desk. "There is one more piece of good news. My grandmother’s upper body has regained some movement. My uncle said she tried to feed herself today and was already able to pick up food, though she can't manage chopsticks yet."

Shu Xingruo smiled brightly. "Really? That’s wonderful! Madam Gan is recovering faster than I imagined. It looks like I’ll have to adjust the prescription again."

Su Rongze was infected by her smile. "Which day are you going?" he asked, looking at Shu Xingruo with eyes full of anticipation.