Volume One, Chapter 33: It's Truly Time for a Divorce

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“What a wonderful daughter-in-law.” Huang Yujie smiled happily and could not resist praising her.

Though Jiang Shuwei was young, she handled matters with poise and restraint. Huang Yujie liked her, but she also admired her.

“Being able to meet you is my good fortune, Mom,” Jiang Shuwei said, her eyes reddening with emotion.

“Hmm. I checked the schedule. The cruise ship leaves Southbridge Wharf at six-thirty tonight and returns at one in the morning. I’ll send someone to pick you up at the dock then. I’ve booked two tickets for you, so if you have a friend, you can bring her along.” Huang Yujie had already arranged everything.

“All right, Mom. I’ll remember that.” Jiang Shuwei nodded with a smile.

At five in the afternoon, Zhou Haixin stared wide-eyed at the cruise ticket in her hand before throwing her arms around Jiang Shuwei.

“You really got this for me? I can go play on a cruise ship?”

“We’re not going there for fun. I’m going to bid on some valuable items for my mother-in-law.”

“To me, this is practically a dream vacation! Shuwei, I knew I was right to follow you. You’re the guide leading me through the gates of a whole new world. I love you—I absolutely adore you!” Like a little frog that had just escaped the bottom of a well, Zhou Haixin jumped for joy.

“All right, business comes first. Of course, enjoying the sea breeze, having a few drinks, and chatting about gossip are allowed too.”

After that, the two of them decided to head for the wharf.

“Wait, Shuwei. Are we really going dressed like this?” Zhou Haixin pointed at their wrinkled work clothes.

Jiang Shuwei pressed her lips together and smiled. “Don’t worry. I came prepared.”

Childhood sweetheart

Jiang Shuwei immediately took two bags from beneath the table. As soon as she had received the assignment at noon, she had called a private couture studio and rented two formal evening gowns.

Zhou Haixin truly admired Jiang Shuwei. She was meticulous and considerate in every way. With someone like her, how could she fail to achieve great things?

After changing, the two of them hurried to the wharf.

“What’s going on? Why are there luxury cars everywhere?” Zhou Haixin gazed out the car window at what looked like an exhibition of expensive vehicles.

“They’re probably all here for the rare auction items.” Jiang Shuwei frowned slightly, hoping she could successfully win the White Jade Guanyin for her mother-in-law tonight and that nothing would go wrong.

They reached the gangway and presented their invitation tickets. A crew member wearing white gloves guided them aboard.

“It says the food and drinks in the third-floor hall are free tonight. Is that true? Will there be a feast?” Zhou Haixin asked excitedly.

Jiang Shuwei nodded with a smile. “Of course. The auction house must have prepared it for the guests. Eat your fill tonight.”

The moment they entered the hall, Jiang Shuwei came to an abrupt stop.

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Zhou Haixin also saw the group of people standing not far away. At the head of them was none other than Jiang Shuwei’s legal husband, He Jingcheng.

Standing very close beside him was Su Mian, the eldest daughter of the Su family—the woman who had stolen Jiang Shuwei’s thesis. Their figures and attire made them look exactly like an affectionate couple.

Jiang Shuwei pressed her lips tightly together. Her mother-in-law had said that He Jingcheng was busy and could not come. Yet here he was, standing beside Su Mian as if they were inseparable. Was this what his important business was?

“Shuwei, do you want to go over and say hello?” Zhou Haixin asked sympathetically.

“There’s no need.”

Jiang Shuwei immediately took Zhou Haixin’s hand and headed toward the staircase.

Just then, Su Mian stepped forward and called out to her.

“Jiang Shuwei, what are you doing here? Did you find out that Jingcheng would be attending the banquet and follow him here again?”

Jiang Shuwei felt uncomfortable the moment she heard that.

Su Mian made it sound as if she had once again followed He Jingcheng here.

“I had no idea there was a banquet here. I came for something else,” Jiang Shuwei replied coldly.

He Jingcheng had already walked over. His expression was distant as he asked, “I never expected my mother to send you to the auction.”

Jiang Shuwei turned to look at him and said indifferently, “If I had known you were coming, I wouldn’t have come.”

He Jingcheng lifted his lips in a mocking smile. “You say you wouldn’t come, yet here you are.”

Su Mian curled her lips as well. The look she gave Jiang Shuwei was as though Jiang were some clingy pest, a piece of chewing gum that stuck to He Jingcheng wherever he went, always following him by scent.

Jiang Shuwei frowned and immediately made up her mind. “Then why don’t you bid on the item for Mom? I’ll leave right now.”

At that moment, the cruise ship suddenly rocked, followed by the blast of a horn.

Su Mian said coolly, “You arrived so late, and now you want to leave? It’s already too late. The ship is heading out to sea.”

Zhou Haixin stood beside them, furious but afraid to speak. She had once considered He Jingcheng her idol, but the instant she truly felt the chill radiating from him, she kicked him off that pedestal without hesitation.

What kind of idol was he? A man who helped his mistress instead of his wife was nothing but a scoundrel.

Jiang Shuwei tilted her head in thought, then drew out a calm smile. “How strange. I’m not here to steal anyone’s husband, so why should I run away when I see you two? Since I accepted the task Mom gave me, I’ll certainly see it through.”

With that, Jiang Shuwei stopped paying them any attention. Taking Zhou Haixin by the hand, she walked toward the stairs.

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Su Mian watched Jiang Shuwei’s retreating figure, a cold smile curling at the corners of her lips.

Jiang Shuwei, you’ll regret staying on this ship.

There was a banquet on the fourth floor that evening—a celebratory dinner for the chairman of an extremely influential chamber of commerce. The guests included all kinds of prominent figures from the business world, along with wealthy heirs who were about to take over their family enterprises.

The reason the auction on the third floor had been arranged for the same evening was to encourage these wealthy people to spend lavishly and, in the excitement of the moment, call out even higher prices.

Before coming, Jiang Shuwei had known only about the auction. She had no idea there would also be a grand banquet.

Zhou Haixin had lost all the excitement she had felt earlier. Her heart ached for Jiang Shuwei, who was being mistreated by her husband and his mistress.

“Here, try this cocktail.” After going upstairs, Jiang Shuwei picked up a drink and handed it to Zhou Haixin.

Zhou Haixin accepted it and gazed at her with concern. “Shuwei, if you’re hurting, you can cry. I won’t laugh at you.”

Jiang Shuwei had always been strong, but being shown concern so suddenly nearly broke through her defenses.

Still, after being worn down day after day, her heart had long since grown calm and detached.

“Once you get used to it, it doesn’t hurt anymore.” Jiang Shuwei tugged at the corner of her mouth and forced a smile. “Haixin, come on. Let’s make a toast—to celebrating my successful divorce, which will happen soon.”

“Ah…” Zhou Haixin had not expected Jiang Shuwei to be planning a divorce. But this was the He family. How many people dreamed of possessing the status of Mrs. He?

“What are you ah-ing about? A man who doesn’t love you is like a lump of filth stuck to the hem of a gorgeous dress. Wearing it is disgusting, but throwing it away feels like a waste. No matter how outstanding he is, I have to give him up quickly. Otherwise, he’ll only waste my time and drain my energy.” Jiang Shuwei had already seen the truth clearly: relying on herself was better than relying on anyone else.

“You’re serious?” Zhou Haixin could hardly imagine how Jiang Shuwei dared to abandon the wealth and status she possessed now.

“Could divorce be fake?” Jiang Shuwei smiled with her lips pressed together. “I’m completely serious. Before long, you’ll be able to take me out to find some handsome younger men.”

Zhou Haixin forced out a bitter smile. “How could some younger man compare with He Jingcheng? He’s a refined young master from a prestigious family, and he’s so handsome and good-looking. Sigh, Shuwei, why don’t you endure it a little longer? Don’t get divorced.”

Jiang Shuwei rolled her eyes at her. “If I don’t divorce him, am I supposed to keep him around for the New Year? You saw how intimate he was with Su Mian just now. He even brought only her to the banquet.”

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