As she went downstairs, there was movement in the kitchen. The man was cooking. Jiang Shiyu poured a glass of hot water and sat nearby, watching Murong Cheng cook.
Murong Cheng noticed Jiang Shiyu and glanced over.
His skin was exceptionally fair and clear, with stubble on his chin, a hint of blue. His profile was sharp, his nose high-bridged. Because his eyes were gentle, he looked like a dashing young man in a white shirt, as refined as jade.
Jiang Shiyu’s heart skipped a beat, and she was slightly stunned.
Was she hallucinating? Why did he seem so familiar?
But she couldn't recall this face from her memory.
"Beep—"
The electronic door card sounded, and then the door opened.
"Mommy—" The little one's voice traveled from the entryway.
"Sweetie, are you done with school?" Jiang Shiyu picked up Che Che.
Che Che planted a kiss on Jiang Shiyu’s cheek, "Mommy! Muah muah muah muah!"
The little one smelled of baby milk, his lips soft and warm. Jiang Shiyu’s heart melted.
She tapped the tip of his delicate, prominent nose.
"Wash up and change your clothes. Dinner will be soon."
Later that night, Jiang Shiyu lay in bed. Perhaps she had slept too much during the day, or perhaps it was Song Yu's words that kept her awake, tossing and turning restlessly.
It wasn't until the latter half of the night, when Murong Cheng finished his work and got into bed, holding her, that Jiang Shiyu still couldn't sleep.
"What are you thinking about?"
Murong Cheng's voice was deep and muffled, clearly already a bit sleepy.
"Do I have to go to the Murong family?"
Jiang Shiyu was very nervous, clutching Murong Cheng's collar.
Murong Cheng paused. "If you want to, then yes. If you don't, I won't force you."
"Then let's go. After all... it wouldn't be good if I didn't." Jiang Shiyu had many concerns.
"You don't need to consider so much when you are with me."
Murong Cheng's voice was calm, but every word carried a stable strength.
The next day was Monday.
Jiang Shiyu put on light makeup before leaving work.
Fang Yuan was packing up her things. She glanced at Jiang Shiyu applying lipstick and seemed to understand something. Her lips drooped, and her eyes turned a little cold.
Fang Yuan came out of the restroom to find someone standing outside the door.
Jiang Yurou saw Fang Yuan, straightened up, and smiled gracefully at her, "Don't you feel resentful?"
Fang Yuan frowned, instantly understanding Jiang Yurou's intention, and scoffed, "Don't waste your effort on me."
"Wait, are you really willing to just watch Jiang Shiyu snatch everything that should have been yours? She's preparing to meet the Murong family. Are you willing?"
Jiang Yurou blocked Fang Yuan's path.
"Whether I'm willing or not has nothing to do with you, right?" Fang Yuan didn't look directly at Jiang Yurou.
She didn't think much of a nobody like Jiang Yurou.
Even if she was unwilling, she wouldn't stoop to the level of such a person and lower her own status.
"That being said, we both have the same enemy. If we join forces..."
Thinking of the humiliation that night, Jiang Yurou's heart seethed with hatred.
"That's your own business. It has nothing to do with me."
Fang Yuan lifted her chin and haughtily walked past Jiang Yurou.
She disdained cooperating with someone like Jiang Yurou.
Staring at Fang Yuan's retreating back, Jiang Yurou gritted her teeth, "Bitch, acting so high and mighty, aren't you still fawning over the Ling Sheng CEO? At least I've dined at the same table as Murong Cheng. What are you?"
Jiang Yurou spat. Since Jiang Yurou refused to cooperate, she would have to deal with that slut Jiang Shiyu herself.
When Jiang Shiyu got into Murong Cheng's car, it was six in the afternoon.
Murong Cheng drove and stopped at Xintiandi.
The sun was setting, and the sky was ablaze with clouds, like a beautiful painting.
Jiang Shiyu followed Murong Cheng into the Xintiandi department store.
The first floor was dedicated to international luxury brands.
"I have a work meeting. Go ahead and browse; I'll be right back." Murong Cheng, who had just received an urgent video conference call, gave Jiang Shiyu a gold card and entered a quiet coffee shop.
Jiang Shiyu held the heavy gold card in her hand. Was this card really made of gold? It was so heavy.
She casually walked into a luxury store with a double C logo at its back. Before she could even look at a few clothes, she heard a sharp and familiar voice.
"Well, well, isn't this Shiyu?"
Li Jing couldn't believe she was seeing Jiang Shiyu in a luxury store.
Before Jiang Shiyu transferred to their school, she was the class beauty.
The moment Jiang Shiyu enrolled, she stole all her thunder.
The boys who pursued her all shifted their attention to Jiang Shiyu.
From then on, Li Jing held a grudge against Jiang Shiyu.
When she learned that Jiang Shiyu had been dumped by Mu Rufeng a while ago, she was overjoyed.
She even married a driver. It seemed she was destined for a lowly life.
And she still dared to come to such an expensive luxury store...
"Jingjing, do you know this person?"
Her two female companions looked at Jiang Shiyu and noticed she was wearing a high-end designer suit skirt.
"She's my high school classmate. She got engaged to Mu Rufeng a couple of years ago and became a phoenix by marrying into wealth. Look at how her attire has changed. She's even shopping at luxury stores. No wonder people say marriage is a woman's second life. Even though she came from a poor family, finding a rich man changed her destiny, allowing her to live a life of wealth and status."
Li Jing introduced Jiang Shiyu's background, her words laced with undisguised mockery.
Jiang Shiyu was only slightly more attractive than her, but her family background was inferior, and her education was not as good. She really didn't know how she managed to hook up with Mu Rufeng!
"Who are you?" Jiang Shiyu cursed her bad luck upon seeing Li Jing.
"You've changed since becoming Mrs. Mu. Looking down on people now? You don't even recognize your high school classmates?"
Li Jing was furious and glared at Jiang Shiyu.
"Classmate? Not close! Don't know her!"
Jiang Shiyu lost the mood to shop and was about to leave.
"Why are you running? Can't afford it? You seemed to be shopping quite happily. How can you not buy something to take back?"
She heard that the Mu family only gave Jiang Shiyu's parents over ten thousand yuan a month. Jiang Shiyu was wearing a new suit skirt and dared to browse in a luxury store where prices averaged fifty to sixty thousand yuan. She must be putting on a brave face!
If Jiang Shiyu didn't give her a good look, she would make sure Jiang Shiyu couldn't save face!
She didn't believe Jiang Shiyu could afford to buy clothes here!
"I ran into a few dogs, and I've lost my mood! Get out of the way!"
Jiang Shiyu frowned, but Li Jing blocked her.
"Who's the dog is still unknown. Dogs naturally can't afford clothes when they come in, right? Shiyu's usual clothes cost at most one or two thousand yuan. These clothes here are so expensive, won't you buy a few to take home? After all, you're Mrs. Mu!"
Li Jing knew very well that she had broken up with Mu Rufeng.
Yet she deliberately said that.
She was clearly trying to make things difficult for her and embarrass her.
Fortunately, Murong Cheng had given her a gold card.