Volume 1, Chapter 6: This Is a Matter Between Husband and Wife

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If this had been a month ago, Xingruo Shu would have been furious upon hearing those words. Now, her eyes were calm and unruffled. "Oh, then go ahead and have the baby. Just a reminder: we’re not divorced yet, so the child you’re carrying would be illegitimate."

Xin He’s face turned pale, her teeth clenched tightly as she snapped, "Listen, Yani has never loved you; there’s no point in you clinging to the title of Mrs. Ji."

Xingruo Shu gave her a cold, disdainful glance. "Whether I cling or not is between me and my husband. It’s none of your business as an outsider."

Zhixu Ji raised his thumb in approval at Xingruo Shu. "Mom, you’re amazing!"

Xin He was nearly livid. Soon, she planned to win over Yanli Ji, after all, she was his first love.

Once inside the car, Zhixu Ji asked worriedly, "Mom, she’s trying to take Dad away—aren’t you worried?"

Driving, Xingruo Shu replied, "I don’t want your father anymore. Whoever wants him can have him. Now, all I want is to have you with me."

He looked a little sad. "I still want a family with both Mom and Dad."

Xingruo Shu comforted him, "Zhixu, adults have their own lives. Just remember, even if we are apart, we’ll still love you just like before."

Zhixu Ji shook his head, "No, Mom will definitely keep loving me, but Dad… if that woman has a child with him, he won’t love me as much."

Xingruo Shu said nothing. Xin He was indeed Yanli Ji’s first love, and after the divorce, they would certainly have a child of their own.

Zhixu Ji remembered Xin He had gone to find Yanli Ji and quickly video-called him. "Dad, what are you doing?"

Xin He was confessing her feelings to Yanli Ji when Zhixu Ji interrupted abruptly.

"I’m chatting with Aunt Xinxin. Want to talk to her?"

Zhixu Ji huffed, "No way! She was mocking Mom outside the door. Are you going to do something about it?"

Xingruo Shu didn’t want Zhixu Ji tangled up in the divorce drama and quickly said, "Zhixu, adult matters aren’t for you to worry about."

Xin He hurriedly denied with a soft and gentle tone, "Yanli, you know me—I’m always kind. Even when that incident happened, I never cursed her."

Yanli Ji found her words reasonable and scolded Zhixu Ji, "Aunt Xinxin wouldn’t mock your mother. Don’t make things up. I’m busy now; I have to go."

Zhixu Ji’s small face flushed with anger, "Dad, you really are blinded by love."

After hanging up, Xingruo Shu tried to reason with Zhixu Ji, "Zhixu, your father has his private life. You don’t need to concern yourself with it. Think about it: when you get upset, it’s bad for your brain development. You still need to grow into a smart and adorable little genius."

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Zhixu Ji crossed his arms defiantly. "Mom, I want to care. I just won’t get angry."

Back home, the little rascal rushed into the arms of Ning Kefang. "Great-Grandma, I missed you so much."

Ning Kefang subtly avoided him, replying coldly, "Time to eat," then turned to help Aunt Wang in the kitchen.

Xingruo Shu followed and explained Zhixu Ji’s recent behavior to Ning Kefang.

Ning Kefang nearly bit her tongue in surprise. "This… this five-year-old can do all this?"

Xingruo Shu nodded. "Exactly. He’s quite the little schemer."

Ning Kefang immediately went to the dining room, hugged Zhixu Ji, and apologized, "Zhixu, I’m sorry. Great-Grandma misunderstood you just now. I apologize."

Zhixu Ji, acting like a little adult, patted her back gently, "It’s okay. I forgive Great-Grandma!"

Shuyanzhao came out of the study. Zhixu Ji affectionately grabbed his leg and called him Great-Grandpa. Shuyanzhao lovingly stroked his head.

At the dinner table, he asked with concern, "Will the Ji family really let him go to you? Zhixu is handsome, smart, and the only young heir. The Ji family probably won’t let him go easily."

Xingruo Shu felt uncertain too. "I don’t know, so I plan to start a business, improve my financial strength, and gain more bargaining chips."

Shuyanzhao thought for a moment and said, "After dinner, come with me to the study."

In the study, Shuyanzhao opened the safe and took out three secret prescriptions, handing them to Xingruo Shu. She looked at them, her face lighting up with joy.

The three formulas were for stubborn insomnia, postpartum qi deficiency, and male impotence.

These recipes had been passed down in the Shu family for generations, said to have originated from the imperial palace. They had never been made into medicine due to the chaos of war and disorder. Eventually, they ended up in Shuyanzhao’s hands. He believed he lacked the talent for business.

Because the medicine was never produced, the family’s ancestral medical skills were neglected.

So the matter had been delayed for so long.

Over the years, Xingruo Shu had been researching these formulas non-stop. She had accumulated more than a dozen, but none had experimental data yet and required further study.

Shuyanzhao asked, "How much capital do you have?"

"Less than forty million." The alimony Yanli Ji provided over the years was mostly saved, except for funding Lin Anhe’s studies. She rarely spent money herself and usually used Yanli Ji’s card for purchases.

When she left the Ji family, she took all the jewelry, worth tens of millions. In a few days, she planned to sell the bags to a second-hand luxury store, which should bring in several million more.

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However, this was far from the one to two hundred million needed to set up a factory.

Shuyanzhao was unfamiliar with pharmaceutical investment and said, "I have about five million. Take it all."

Though a famous doctor, Shuyanzhao charged little, wanting to ensure everyone could afford treatment. It had taken him decades to save that much.

Xingruo Shu shook her head, "That’s your and Grandma’s retirement money. I can’t take it. Business has risks. I’ll find other ways to raise funds."

Coming out of the study, Zhixu Ji had already bathed and was lying in bed. "Mom, I want to be independent. You focus on your career and make Dad regret it."

Seeing his rosy cheeks, all her worries vanished. "Your dad doesn’t love Mom. He won’t regret anything. We just need to live well ourselves."

She found a children’s book to read him a story. On returning to her room, Zhixu Ji video-called Yanli Ji again.

She confirmed Xin He hadn’t stayed overnight, which eased her mind.

Zhixu Ji said, "Dad, I’m out of money. You have to give me some."

Yanli Ji asked, "How much do you want?"

Zhixu Ji thought for a moment, then said, "One hundred million."

Yanli Ji nearly dropped his phone on his face in shock. "Did your mom tell you to ask for that?"

Xingruo Shu was speechless.

Zhixu Ji glared at him, "Has Mom ever asked you for money? You don’t even understand your own wife. You’re not a good husband."

Yanli Ji said, "I can’t give you one hundred million now. I’ll transfer you one hundred thousand. Buy yourself some toys."

"Cheapskate Dad! I’m hanging up now. I want to listen to Mom’s story."

After the call ended, Xingruo Shu received a WeChat message from Yanli Ji: [Don’t teach our son bad habits. He’s not your tool.]