Volume 1, Chapter 4: An Encounter Upon Discharge

Jiang Yunmiao had previously seen an invitation to a charity gala in Duan Yixiao’s study. There was one auction item—a pair of emerald earrings—that she had truly admired.

What had Duan Yixiao said to her at the time?

He had dismissed her with casual indifference: "There will be so many people there; it’s not guaranteed we’ll win the bid. If you like them, wouldn't it be more to your taste to have a designer create a custom set just for you?"

Back then, she was a severe case of a "lovesick fool," believing he intended to hire a top-tier designer to craft a jewelry set for her. Looking back now, Jiang Yunmiao wanted to cry at her own stupidity.

There was also the news that Duan Yixiao had attended a product launch for the Chenxing Group, where he was treated as a guest of honor. The Chenxing Group was the company owned by Chen Nianke’s family. Initially, Chen Nianke’s parents had looked down on Duan Yixiao and forcibly tore the two apart. Jiang Yunmiao had assumed he would hold a grudge for that humiliation, but she never expected that as soon as Chen Nianke returned to the country, he would be fawning over the Chen family to curry favor.

*

Before being discharged, Jiang Yunmiao went to visit her daughter in the incubator once more.

Because of the premature birth, her daughter looked tiny and fragile, her skin wrinkled, hooked up to machines and tubes. Though it wasn't her first time seeing the baby, Jiang Yunmiao couldn't hold back; her eyes reddened instantly, and tears began to fall.

"You promised not to cry, why are you doing it again..." Lu Shenshen’s heart ached as she watched her. "Didn't the doctor say our treasure is getting better and stronger every day? Since she’s so resilient, you, as her mother, need to be strong too!"

In reality, each visit lasted only a few seconds. The nurse would lift the baby, and the parents would stand in the hallway, catching a glimpse from behind the glass. Jiang Yunmiao still lingered, her gaze unwilling to pull away, her heart heavy with self-reproach.

If she had been more careful, would her child have avoided a premature birth? Would she have been spared these hardships from the moment she was born?

She sniffled, suppressed her heartache, and made a silent vow: she would reclaim every single thing that belonged to her and her daughter.

Lu Shenshen handled the discharge procedures. As Sister Xu packed their belongings and helped her leave the ward, they happened to overhear two nurses chatting in the hallway.

"Did you hear about the patient in Bed 6?"

"Yeah, I heard that in all the days she’s been hospitalized, her husband hasn't shown up even once. She even came for her prenatal checkups all by herself. Tsk tsk, how miserable."

"If you ask me, there’s always a reason for someone’s misfortune."

"Oh? What do you mean?"

"Haven't you seen her? That face of hers is so delicate and captivating, it’s almost provocative! Everyone’s guessing: do you think she gave birth to an illegitimate child for some wealthy family?"

"Are you saying she’s a mistress who can't see the light of day..."

Their voices faded into the distance. Jiang Yunmiao’s lips curled slightly, though her eyes remained devoid of warmth. Her expression was cold, her gaze flickering with a sudden, icy chill. She never imagined that Duan Yixiao’s absence would subject her to such slander.

Sister Xu was incensed and wanted to step forward to defend her, saying, "Those gossips are being absolutely outrageous."

But Jiang Yunmiao stopped her. "A rumor takes only a mouth to spread, but it takes broken legs to debunk. Don't waste the effort."

She spoke with indifference, though inwardly, she added this offense to the tally against Duan Yixiao. This humiliation wasn't caused by the nurses; it was caused by him.

As they exited the hospital building, two familiar figures caught her eye. A man and a woman—the man wore a high-quality black cashmere coat, his features prominent and exceptionally handsome. The woman was in a white coat, her makeup refined, her skin flawless.

They looked quite a sight walking together, yet the scene caused Jiang Yunmiao a wave of intense psychological discomfort. They were, after all, her husband and her rival.

"What are you looking at?" Seeing Chen Nianke staring in one direction, Duan Yixiao asked with gentle concern.

Chen Nianke looked puzzled. "Why does that person look like Jiang Yunmiao?"

Hearing this, Duan Yixiao followed her gaze.

For a split second, their eyes met. Jiang Yunmiao’s heart skipped a beat, her nerves instantly taut—would Duan Yixiao recognize her?

Even though she was wearing a hat and a scarf, with only her eyes visible, she had known him for ten years and lived with him for over five. Even Chen Nianke had recognized her; surely Duan Yixiao should have identified her at a glance.

Jiang Yunmiao’s mind raced, trying to figure out what she should say to him.

"It can't be her. She’s still on the cruise ship; why would she be at the hospital?" Duan Yixiao retracted his gaze, his expression unchanging.

Jiang Yunmiao: "..." That was it? It seemed she had been overthinking.

Just then, Lu Shenshen drove the car over and immediately spotted Duan Yixiao supporting Chen Nianke, the two appearing very intimate.

She glanced discreetly at Jiang Yunmiao, then stepped out of the car, determined to cause them some trouble.

"Oh, what a coincidence? President Duan doesn't have time to accompany Yunmiao on vacation, but he seems to have plenty of time for other women." Lu Shenshen eyed them meaningfully, dripping with blatant sarcasm.

"Lu Shenshen, don't talk nonsense. I was injured, and A-Yi is just bringing me to the hospital. That’s all." Chen Nianke explained righteously.

Lu Shenshen glanced at the bandage on her finger and laughed even more audaciously. "Right, right, right. Such a wound certainly requires an emergency trip to the hospital, otherwise, it might have healed on its own if you waited any longer."

"Lu Shenshen! I’m only holding back because you’re Yunmiao’s friend. Don't keep making unreasonable trouble." Duan Yixiao had always disliked Lu Shenshen’s headstrong and overbearing manner.

"Heh... you guys know it’s just a hand injury, right? You were holding her so intimately, I thought she had lost the use of her legs!" When it came to belittling others, Lu Shenshen’s tongue was sharp as a blade.

Chen Nianke glared at her in a rage. "Don't go too far."

Lu Shenshen tossed her hair, looking both beautiful and fierce. "I’d give you the same advice. President Duan, you might want to consider how you’re going to explain this to Yunmiao."

Duan Yixiao’s eyes were coated in frost. "There is nothing between Nianke and me; I don't need to explain anything to her."

Lu Shenshen curled her lips. "Is that so? It’s not just sharing a bed that constitutes cheating. I hope President Duan knows where to draw the line. Be careful what you wish for."

Watching Duan Yixiao and Chen Nianke walk away, Lu Shenshen quickly helped Jiang Yunmiao into the car.

"Is Duan Yixiao blind? You were standing right in front of him and he didn't notice?" Lu Shenshen felt heartbroken for her best friend, unable to hold back her frustration.

"Perhaps because there is no room for me in his heart, he cannot see me with his eyes either." Jiang Yunmiao unwound her scarf, layer by layer, as if untying herself from that relationship.

"Are... are you okay?" Lu Shenshen looked at her worriedly through the rearview mirror.

Jiang Yunmiao watched the light filtering through the car window, finding a faint smile amidst the floating dust. "I’m fine. In the face of life and death, these are nothing more than scratches."

Thinking of how Lu Shenshen had left them speechless, Jiang Yunmiao’s expression eased. "You looked so cool teaching them a lesson just now!"

"That’s a given! You think my master-level sarcasm training was for nothing? It has to be sharp and lethal!"

"Excellent! Teacher Lu, you should write a book."

Lu Shenshen: "A collection of insults? Hahaha..."