Volume 1, Chapter 30: A Solitary Turmoil

The engagement date has been moved up.

Having endured countless breakdowns and profound grief, this time, Shu Wan felt strangely calm. Yu Lin’s words had proven prophetic.

As for why Meng Huaijin did not resist or respond to her forced kisses and physical advances this morning, allowing her to act as she pleased—it was not because he was playing hard to get, nor was it a tactical retreat. It certainly wasn’t because he had fallen in love and was merely constrained by circumstances from voicing it.

It was simply because he had already exhausted every harsh word in his arsenal, and since she still refused to let go of her feelings, he had been at a loss and was merely plotting his next move.

That next move was to accelerate the engagement date, cutting off any lingering hope she might have. That next move was to disappear for the better part of the day, escorting his fiancée-to-be to shop for a gown.

In this game of pursuit, Shu Wan was nothing more than a joke, a clown, a sycophant who had lost her sense of self. How truly pathetic. She had moved herself to tears and surrendered to her heart’s desires, only to find that she was the only one performing in this one-woman show, the only one caught in a storm of her own making.

Meanwhile, Meng Huaijin continued to navigate his adult world with methodical precision, balancing his career and his perfect bride-to-be with ease. He had made up his mind to marry that woman, to spend his life with her, to share a marriage bed with her, and to carry on his family line.

Shu Wan knew that her appearance in his life was merely accidental, while the alliance between the Meng and Jiang families had been an inevitability for years. Why would an official like Meng Huaijin ever change his course for someone who had simply crossed his path? Moreover, he had once told her that romance was the most easily satisfied, base, and worthless desire among his social class—why would he bother with such a thing?

He did not love her; he wanted to push her away.

Shu Wan sat on the bed, neither crying nor making a scene, just staring blankly at the sunset outside the window. Since the trees had been cleared, she could see a vast stretch of the horizon, shimmering with colors like a mirage. Not long after, familiar footsteps sounded in the hallway. The girl remained motionless, not even turning her head or blinking. The person stood at her bedroom door for a moment before turning to enter his own room.

Because of work, Meng Huaijin rose early the next morning. When he opened his door, the room across the hall was already open, and he could see at a glance that the bed was empty. Auntie Lin happened to be passing by while cleaning and said, "Sir, Miss Shu quietly packed her things this morning and returned to her apartment alone."

Meng Huaijin remained silent for a moment, gave a slight nod, and said nothing.

***

After returning to her apartment, Shu Wan did not remain idle. She began reviewing college entrance exam guides, comparing her estimated scores with the admission cutoffs from previous years, and circled several reputable universities.

The day before the official scores were released, she miraculously received a phone call. It was from Jiang Jie, asking to meet at a café. Shu Wan smiled faintly, changed her clothes, shouldered her backpack, and generously accepted the invitation.

The café was quiet at ten in the morning. Jiang Jie, dressed in professional attire, sat by the window, looking remarkably polished. Shu Wan wore jeans and a white T-shirt; the blue hair clip on her high ponytail was her only adornment. Compared to Jiang Jie, who was already established in her career, Shu Wan looked undeniably immature.

Jiang Jie asked her what she would like to drink. Shu Wan went straight to the point: "Let’s be direct. You didn't invite me here just for coffee."

The woman raised an eyebrow. "Fine. Let's be direct, then. Shu Wan, I know you like Huaijin."

Shu Wan raised her brows nonchalantly. "That’s right. I like him. Is there a problem with that?"

"A problem?" Jiang Jie narrowed her eyes. "Little girl, let me give you a piece of advice: blind, solitary courage will only lead to your own destruction. Besides, people ought to have some sense of decency and shame."

"True, I have no decency or shame, which is why I kissed him."

Jiang Jie laughed in frustration. "Let’s get one thing straight: we are getting engaged soon. By what right do you think you can challenge me?"

The girl’s eyelashes fluttered. "It hasn’t happened yet, has it? Be careful—the heavens are unpredictable."

Jiang Jie’s eyes sharpened. "You worry too much. Even if the sky falls, the marriage between the Jiang and Meng families will not be broken. I suggest you have some self-awareness and keep your distance from Huaijin."

Shu Wan sneered. "What’s the matter? Are you so insecure about your… political marriage? You can’t control him, so you’ve come to threaten me instead?"

"You…"

Jiang Jie had never expected the girl, who always appeared so frail, to have such a sharp tongue. But it was to be expected; she was, after all, the cherished daughter of the Shu family of Nancheng. Even though the family had fallen, the arrogance of a young lady remained.

Having spent years in the professional world, Jiang Jie quickly regained her composure and continued: "What do you think you can change? Can you stop my political marriage to him? You are truly delusional. Do you know how many power dynamics are involved behind this? Do you understand the concept of class disparity?"

"Do you really think you are still the young Miss Shu who could command the world in Nancheng?"

"If the Shu family hadn’t fallen, you could indeed walk around riding on your father’s coattails. But your parents are dead, and you are nothing but a destitute orphan!"

Shu Wan glared at her: "You have no right to mention my parents."

Jiang Jie sneered: "How ridiculous. They were just criminals. I even participated in the investigation. They committed suicide to escape punishment and are reviled by thousands—why shouldn't I mention them?"

"They aren't! They aren't!" Shu Wan’s gaze was firm, her hands clenched into tight fists as she gritted her teeth. "What do you understand? What do you actually know? You know nothing, and you have no right to say these things."

"I’m not here to discuss that today," Jiang Jie said, returning to the main point. "You should be grateful that it’s me who knows about your feelings for Huaijin, and not his grandmother, Madam Meng. Otherwise, you wouldn't even know how you died. Would she ever look favorably upon a young girl like you? Would she allow you to lay a finger on the son she cultivated so carefully and is so proud of?"

"The Shu family has collapsed! In this circle of vanity and status, who considers you anything? What status do you have to compete with me? I’m telling you, even if Meng Huaijin isn't passionate about romance, he will still marry me properly. His wife will only be me, Jiang Jie, and the children he has in the future will only be mine."

"Shut up," Shu Wan glared, interrupting in a low, cold voice.

Jiang Jie laughed, growing more emboldened: "Shu Wan, do you want to hear the story of your mother?"

Shu Wan’s expression shifted, her teeth chattering: "I don't want to know."

"Your mother, Meng Xian, and the eldest son of the Meng family, Meng Tingzhou—those two, siblings in name, played their little games right under everyone’s noses in the Meng household. When they conceived a child, your grandmother discovered it, and your mother was forced to have an abortion..."

"Shut up!" Shu Wan shrieked, rising from her seat. "Shut up right now!"

Jiang Jie did not stop: "After your mother’s abortion, she married Shu Huaiqing of Nancheng, and that’s how you were born. The sordid affair between her and your eldest uncle has always been the sharpest thorn in your grandmother’s heart."

"Because she ruined Meng Tingzhou, the brightest hope the Meng family had at the time. With their primary heir completely ruined, the elders of the Meng family chose to cultivate Meng Huaijin instead."

"And you, all these years later, dare to seduce Meng Huaijin! You and your mother… you’ve essentially split the Meng brothers between you. Isn't that hilarious?"

"Stop it!"

"Shu Wan, like mother, like daughter! When it comes to incest, you really are following in your mother’s footsteps, and the family tree is even more tangled than it was in her day! Don't you find yourself disgusting?"

"It’s not incest if there’s no blood relation! You’re twisting the concept! You’re slandering me!"

"Meng Xian entered the Meng household at eight years old, was registered as part of the family, and was raised as a daughter. In the eyes of the world, she was family. How can anyone accept what happened with her brother? Why wouldn't that be considered incest?"

"And you—Meng Huaijin provided your food and clothing, raising you like a princess, and you have the audacity to harbor inappropriate thoughts toward him. If that isn't inheriting your mother’s legacy, what is? You’re both monsters with sick minds!"

*Bang—*

A glass shattered.

Shu Wan held a dark, heavy pistol in her hand. She had first shattered the glass on the table. In an instant, the muzzle was pointed directly at Jiang Jie’s head.

"Mention my mother one more time, and I will blow your brains out."