Volume One, Chapter 22: She Wants to Establish Herself in the He Family

At 9:00 PM, Jiang Shuwei hurried over to the old family estate. He Tingting had been refusing to come downstairs to eat, and after the elders of the house failed to coax her, they had called for Jiang Shuwei.

Jiang Shuwei walked upstairs softly. The child’s room was decorated in shades of powder blue, featuring a pumpkin-shaped bed, an abundance of expensive toys, dreamy curtains, and a full set of pink wardrobes. In the He family, He Tingting was the apple of everyone’s eye.

"Tingting, may Auntie come in?"

"Yes," a tiny, tender voice replied.

Jiang Shuwei pushed the door open to find He Tingting curled up inside her castle-shaped play tent, still wearing her school uniform.

"Tingting, I heard you fell down at school today. Did you get hurt? Let Auntie take a look." Jiang Shuwei bent down and crawled into the small tent.

He Tingting immediately lunged forward and hugged her, her small arms strong as she buried her face in Jiang Shuwei’s shoulder.

"What’s wrong? Won't you tell Auntie?" Jiang Shuwei held her gently and kissed her forehead.

Only then did He Tingting muffle, "During PE today, I bumped into a little boy. I apologized to him, but he pushed me anyway and called me a pathetic stray, an orphan."

Jiang Shuwei realized the little one had been deeply wounded. At such a young age, she was sensitive and observant; to be called an orphan to her face was a devastating blow.

"Tingting, he said that on purpose to hurt your feelings. If you let it upset you, then he’s succeeded. You are not an orphan. You have your grandparents who love you, your grandfather, and me. Oh, and your Uncle loves you very much, too. You are loved by so many people," Jiang Shuwei comforted her with tender sympathy.

"I know," He Tingting nodded her little head, "but it still hurts."

Jiang Shuwei cupped her small face and kissed her. "Remember, that boy is the one who lacks character for hurting you like that. It’s his problem, not yours. You don’t need to pay him any mind. And if you feel angry, you have every right to snap back at him. There’s nothing wrong with that."

He Tingting froze, blinking. "I can? Can I tell him, 'Shut up, you're the one who's a pathetic, unwanted kid'?"

Seeing the solemn, serious look on the little girl's face, Jiang Shuwei nearly laughed. So, Tingting had wanted to fight back all along, but the He family’s upbringing was too rigid; she was too kind to retaliate.

"Of course you can. You must be a kind person, but one with an edge. If someone bullies you, you bully them back. Don’t be afraid, because you have family behind you. You are here to be loved, not to be bullied," Jiang Shuwei soothed her gently.

He Tingting took this to heart. She immediately broke into a smile, hugging Jiang Shuwei’s shoulders and acting spoiled. "Okay, I’ll listen to you, Auntie. From now on, I want to be strong just like you."

"Am I very strong?" Jiang Shuwei smiled, pursing her lips.

"Yes! Even though Uncle hasn't fallen in love with you after all this time, you still face everyone with a smile. Isn't that strong?" He Tingting asked, blinking her large, dark eyes.

Jiang Shuwei: "..."

Even a child could see through her facade of strength. It turned out she was a pathetic soul after all.

Jiang Shuwei pinched He Tingting’s cheek and asked softly, "Do you think Auntie is a failure, then? Since I’ve tried for so long without success?"

He Tingting pouted. "Not at all! It’s Uncle who is blind. He doesn't even realize he has such a wonderful wife. If you ever get taken away by someone else, he’ll definitely have to hide somewhere and cry in secret."

Jiang Shuwei was instantly comforted by her words. She hugged her and showered her with kisses. It turned out she hadn't come to comfort the child; the child’s words had healed her instead.

When Jiang Shuwei led He Tingting downstairs for dinner, Huang Yujie immediately hurried over. "My little ancestor, what on earth is the matter? Why wouldn't you talk or eat?" Huang Yujie had checked with the teacher, who only said the girl had bumped into someone and they had exchanged words.

"Grandma, I'm so hungry. I want to eat," He Tingting said in a soft, sweet voice.

Huang Yujie looked at Jiang Shuwei and asked gently, "Shuwei, have you eaten? Why don't you join her? Keep Tingting company."

"Of course, Mom." Jiang Shuwei sat at the dining table, tending to He Tingting as she ate.

Outside, the sound of a car engine cutting off echoed, and moments later, He Jingcheng’s tall, elegant figure walked in. He glanced at the dining table and walked straight over, asking, "Tingting, eating so late? What happened?"

Huang Yujie stepped in to explain, "The little one hid upstairs the moment she got home and refused to eat. It took Shuwei coming over to coax her down."

Hearing this, He Jingcheng immediately asked with concern, "Tingting, did someone bully you? Tell your uncle."

He Tingting shook her head. "No, I was just in a bad mood. Auntie comforted me, and I’m much better now."

Huang Yujie smiled. "Thank goodness for Shuwei. She and this child get along the best."

He Jingcheng’s gaze fixed on Jiang Shuwei’s face. He Tingting was his niece, yet now she only confided in Jiang Shuwei. *Ha,* this woman still had the audacity to claim she didn't want to stay in this family. Everything she did, every step she took, was aimed at rooting herself here. He feared that if he ever brought up a divorce, everyone would oppose it.

Was her goal finally coming to fruition?

Jiang Shuwei felt a dangerous gaze locked onto her. She looked up and met He Jingcheng’s eyes. Her heart trembled; the man was looking at her as if she were some disgusting monster.

Jiang Shuwei couldn't help but sigh. It seemed that because Tingting was so fond of her, she had earned He Jingcheng's resentment as well.

*What now? Should I stop being kind to the child?*

Jiang Shuwei watched He Tingting eating in small bites beside her and thought, *To hell with it.* Did she need He Jingcheng’s permission to be kind to someone? He wasn't an emperor; why should he get to dictate who she could be nice to?

He Jingcheng watched the woman’s expression. Her furrowed brows suddenly smoothed out, as if her mood had shifted in an instant. In his view, Jiang Shuwei must be secretly gloating, convinced she was irreplaceable in this household.

"Auntie, can you stay tonight? I want to hear you tell some fun stories," He Tingting said, grabbing Jiang Shuwei’s sleeve and shaking it gently.

Jiang Shuwei glanced at He Jingcheng.

Huang Yujie immediately agreed, "Of course she can. It’s been a while since you stayed over, hasn't it, Shuwei? What do you say?"

"I have no problem with that," Jiang Shuwei nodded with a smile.

He Jingcheng walked upstairs with a cold expression. The more his family liked Jiang Shuwei, the more he loathed her.

After dinner, Huang Yujie took He Tingting to the bathroom to bathe. The grandfather was on a business trip abroad, and He’s father had been stationed at their overseas branch for the past six months. As a result, the vast, expansive villa was exceptionally quiet.

Jiang Shuwei had a room there. She went to grab her pajamas, intending to shower so she could tuck He Tingting into bed early. She walked into the walk-in closet, and just as she retrieved her pajamas, she felt someone standing behind her.

He Jingcheng had appeared silently at the threshold of the closet. His tall, imposing frame made the small space feel stifling.