Volume One, Chapter 19: Using Work as a Threat Against Her

He Jingcheng’s face was as dark as stagnant water, a sneer spreading at the corners of his eyes. "Is there any difference? I never said I liked you before, but didn't you still throw yourself at me to get married?"

"Was it you who proposed to me?"

"I said 'marry me,' and you agreed? Just how cheap is your love?" He Jingcheng let out a faint, mocking laugh.

Jiang Shuwei felt as though her heart had been punched. With reddened eyes, she turned to face him. "It is precisely because I made mistakes in the past that I now want to find a way to dissolve our marriage and give you back your freedom. Rest assured, I won't keep you and your Miss Su waiting for too long."

He Jingcheng watched her retreating figure; feeling unamused, he followed her out and slammed her door shut.

Downstairs, Jiang Shuwei saw He Jingcheng’s Bentley. Shaojie, seeing her, greeted her politely, "Good morning, Miss Jiang."

Jiang Shuwei glanced at him and hurried down another path, as if fleeing from some terrifying beast.

Shaojie watched He Jingcheng strolling toward him and asked curiously, "Mr. He, did you reach an agreement with Miss Jiang?"

"Hmph, she is as stubborn as a mule. I have no interest in casting pearls before swine." With that, He Jingcheng ducked into the car.

The car drove away.

Running until she was breathless, Jiang Shuwei stopped. At that very moment, the silver Bentley glided elegantly past her.

Inside the car, He Jingcheng caught sight of the panting Jiang Shuwei. She was wearing professional attire, her long chestnut hair left loose, cascading down as she bent over to catch her breath.

"Truly incorrigible," He Jingcheng muttered, feeling immensely irritated.

Jiang Shuwei hailed a taxi and headed straight for the Qin Group headquarters. Today was the deadline for her submission. To ensure her future prospects were clear, she was determined to secure this project no matter what.

"Hello, I would like to request a meeting with Mr. Qin," Jiang Shuwei said to the receptionists.

There were six receptionists at the front desk, each stunningly beautiful—the very face of the Qin Group. Seeing a delicate-looking girl trying to see Mr. Qin early in the morning, they all frowned. Why were girls these days so lacking in self-respect? Coming to a workplace to flirt?

"Mr. Qin is not seeing any outside guests today; his schedule is fully booked," one of the beauties said with a plastic smile.

Jiang Shuwei faltered, then quickly clarified, "I have professional business to discuss with him; I’m not here to cause trouble."

The receptionist maintained her fake smile. "Miss, I’m sorry, but our time is very valuable. Please step aside; there are others waiting behind you."

Jiang Shuwei sighed. As she turned, she saw a familiar figure—it was Su Mian.

Su Mian was dressed in a beige professional suit, exuding the competence of a career woman. Two men in suits followed behind her. Initially, Su Mian hadn't noticed that the person blocking the way was Jiang Shuwei, as she was busy typing on her phone.

When Jiang Shuwei turned away in disappointment, their eyes met.

Su Mian was here for business and felt much more confident. Seeing Jiang Shuwei being turned away, Su Mian clicked her seven-centimeter heels, brushed past her elegantly, and said to the receptionist, "Hello, I am Su Mian, the representative of the Su Group. I’m here to see Mr. Qin."

The receptionist immediately said politely, "At ten-thirty in Conference Room 8. Mr. Qin has already agreed to the meeting. You may go upstairs to wait."

Hearing that Su Mian was allowed up, Jiang Shuwei instinctively looked back. Su Mian took the access card and glanced at Jiang Shuwei with a look of pride, too disdainful to speak to her.

Jiang Shuwei felt incredibly frustrated. The last time they were at the club, she had only handed her business card to Qin Weizhou but hadn't left a way to contact him.

"Is there nothing to do but wait?" Jiang Shuwei walked toward the lounge area, sat down, and took out her phone to handle work messages.

"Jiang Shuwei, let's talk." Su Mian was in no hurry to go upstairs. Seeing her lingering, she walked over and sat opposite her.

Jiang Shuwei had nothing to say to this woman and coldly dismissed her, "Sorry, we have nothing to discuss."

Su Mian sneered, looking Jiang Shuwei up and down. She really didn't know who had raised her to be so arrogant, when in reality, she was nothing.

"Because of Brother Jingcheng, you are full of hostility toward me. Actually, there's no need to cling to it anymore. It's a fact that he doesn't love you. This kind of desperate pestering is truly meaningless and makes you look cheap." Su Mian grabbed the chance to lecture her.

What Jiang Shuwei hated most was people meddling in her business. Moreover, Su Mian was doing it from the position of a third party, telling her she should get lost and that occupying her place would only invite ridicule.

"It is meaningless," Jiang Shuwei smiled noncommittally. "But what does that have to do with you?"

Su Mian choked on her words. A second later, anger surged. "Jiang Shuwei, what kind of attitude is that? The Su and He families have been friends for a century. You don't have a shred of respect. The elders of the He family must be heartbroken that they didn't raise you better."

Jiang Shuwei looked at her with amusement, put down her phone, and said earnestly, "Your parents certainly raised you well—shamelessly stealing someone else's husband while being so brazen about it."

"You..." Su Mian was so angry she almost had a heart attack. Was this woman's mouth poisoned? Why was she so sharp-tongued?

"Jiang Shuwei, being sharp-tongued won't do you any good. Believe me, the moment I see Mr. Qin, your collaboration with his company will be dead in the water." Su Mian threatened her using her work.

Jiang Shuwei’s face paled. This order was what she valued most right now; if Su Mian sabotaged it, she would truly be worried.

"Miss Su is perhaps too confident." Jiang Shuwei felt a panic inside, but she didn't show it on her face.

Su Mian curled her lips with interest. "Do you know why I came this time? The Qin Group actually reached out to us for a collaboration. If I add one more condition to this partnership, I’m sure Mr. Qin would agree."

"Su Mian, I have no objection to you being with He Jingcheng, but if you try to interfere with my career, I won't be polite either," Jiang Shuwei warned, her voice tight with anxiety.

"How will you be 'not polite'? I'd love to see it." Su Mian loved seeing Jiang Shuwei in such a flustered state—this was exactly the reaction she deserved.

Jiang Shuwei felt Su Mian was doing this on purpose and clenched her fists.

Just then, Su Mian received a text notification saying Mr. Qin would arrive shortly and she should head to the conference room to prepare. Su Mian triumphantly waved her phone. "I have to go up now. Jiang Shuwei, we'll see how this plays out."

Jiang Shuwei stood up abruptly, watching nervously as Su Mian’s back disappeared into the elevator.

Her mind was in chaos. She regretted provoking Su Mian; she should have just endured it for the sake of her work. She would have to remember this lesson for the future.

Whenever Jiang Shuwei got nervous, she tended to need the restroom. Clutching her scroll, she decided to head to the washroom first. But with her mind racing, she walked too quickly and accidentally bumped into someone.

The scroll case shattered from the impact, and the cap rolled away, spinning elegantly across the floor.

"I'm so sorry..." Jiang Shuwei apologized hurriedly and reached to pick up the cap.

Above her head, Qin Weizhou’s voice sounded: "Are you here to see me?"

Jiang Shuwei’s hunched frame jolted. Clutching the cap, she turned to find Qin Weizhou standing right beside her.

"Mr. Qin." Jiang Shuwei’s spirits lifted, and she quickly stood up. "Yes, I came to submit my sketches today."

Qin Weizhou glanced at the broken scroll case in her arms, his brow furrowing. "Is this how carelessly you treat things you intend to give me?"

Jiang Shuwei’s face flushed with embarrassment, her voice dropping. "I'm sorry, I... I bumped into someone just now."

Qin Weizhou didn't press the issue and said indifferently, "Come upstairs with me."