Chapter Two: She Reported Her Late Return, Yet He Did Not Reply

She went downstairs to cooperate with the Shen family's staff, took some photos for the press release, sent away the reporters at the door, and drove home alone.

The villa was empty—Shen Ruizhang had not returned.

She stared at the photo on the bedside table for a long time.

In the picture, she was still fourteen, dressed in a white princess dress. Shen Ruizhang, with a gentle smile, was helping her onto a horse. The soft glow around them was as delicate as beautiful bubbles.

But bubbles burst at the slightest touch.

The next day, she slept until noon.

The villa remained empty; it seemed Shen Ruizhang had not come home all night.

Jiang Yunzhu instinctively avoided thinking too deeply.

After changing her clothes, she drove to the hospital to visit her grandmother.

Madam Shen had cared for her well over the years. Now that she was about to leave, Jiang Yunzhu couldn’t bear not to visit her.

When she entered the ward, she saw Shen Ruizhang standing by the bedside.

Madam Shen, clutching her chest, berated him angrily, “You ungrateful child! Are you really trying to anger me to death? Now that Zhou Qingfei is back in the country, you’re getting entangled with her again!”

“If you dare marry her, I’ll act as if I never had such a useless son!”

Madam Shen valued her late-born son greatly, having had him in her forties. He excelled in everything from childhood, and after taking over the company, managed even the old guard with ease. Yet, he had become utterly bewitched by that woman!

She had seen from the start that what Zhou Qingfei cared for was merely the Shen family’s power. Now that Zhou Qingfei had even been married to someone else, Madam Shen was even less inclined to let her in the door!

Shen Ruizhang’s eyes were shrouded in a faint mist. His lips pressed into a thin line, he said nothing.

Jiang Yunzhu, seeing her grandmother’s face flush with anger, feared for her health and hurried forward to gently pat Madam Shen’s back. “Grandmother, please don’t be upset.”

She cast a glance at Shen Ruizhang and pursed her lips. “Uncle and Miss Zhou truly have nothing between them. I was there yesterday as well—it was only a business discussion. Miss Zhou is immensely popular right now, and Uncle is thinking of the company’s interests.”

Madam Shen frowned at her, but her tone softened considerably. “Good child, you’re not lying to me, are you?”

Jiang Yunzhu nodded obediently. Seeing that Shen Ruizhang still stood motionless, she shot him a covert look. “Uncle, why don’t you explain things to Grandmother? You’re making her worry again.”

Shen Ruizhang lowered his gaze, his expression unreadable. “Yes, it’s my fault.”

Madam Shen looked the two of them over, sensing something was off.

But with Yunzhu present, she refrained from scolding her son too harshly and merely snorted, “For all your years, you’re not half as sensible as Yunzhu! At your age, you should know how to choose a good wife!”

“If only Zhou Qingfei were half as good as Yunzhu, I wouldn’t stop you two!”

“You and Yunzhu…”

“Mother.” Shen Ruizhang cut her off, his lips tight. “I have work to do at the company. Let her—let Yunzhu stay and keep you company.”

Jiang Yunzhu unconsciously clenched her palms.

How many years had it been since he last called her “Yunzhu”?

In recent years, he’d always addressed her by her full name, cold and formal. Even when family were present, she was only “Yunzhu”.

But once, she was his little darling, his princess—the one he cherished above all.

He had always been proper and disciplined. Otherwise, he wouldn’t stand here quietly enduring Madam Shen’s scolding, nor insist on having her help soothe his mother.

His eagerness to interrupt Madam Shen was probably just to avoid any association with her, so she wouldn’t get her hopes up.

Madam Shen snorted again, clearly unwilling to pay her son any further attention.

Jiang Yunzhu spoke softly, “Goodbye, Uncle.”

Only then did Shen Ruizhang turn and leave the ward.

Madam Shen didn’t mention him again, focusing instead on Jiang Yunzhu’s recent life.

Jiang Yunzhu answered everything, then hesitated before saying, “Grandmother, I plan to return to my parents and continue my studies.”

Madam Shen’s concern was clear. “Studying is good, but Yunzhu, you’re twenty-four now. All these years and you’ve never had a boyfriend—have you really never met anyone you liked?”

“Maybe I just haven’t met the right one yet.” Jiang Yunzhu feigned nonchalance, her voice hoarse. “Who knows, maybe I’ll meet someone when I go abroad. I might even bring you back a blond-haired, blue-eyed grandson-in-law.”

She fought to keep her voice steady, suppressing any trace of a sob.

“As long as he cherishes you and sees nothing but you in his heart and eyes, it doesn’t matter what country he’s from.”

Jiang Yunzhu smiled in agreement. When Madam Shen grew sleepy after her medication, she quietly left the ward.

To find someone whose heart and eyes held only her—it was such a simple truth.

But she had never truly understood it. Perhaps it was because Shen Ruizhang once did hold only her in his heart, making it so hard to let go.

Now that she finally understood, she mustn’t look back.

As Jiang Yunzhu left the hospital, her phone rang.

“Yunzhu, didn’t you promise to spend my birthday with me?”

Song Shuheng’s voice came through the receiver, feigning annoyance with a touch of grievance. “This is the third time you’ve forgotten my birthday. Am I even your friend?”

Jiang Yunzhu finally realized she had missed an important day for her childhood friend.

“I’ve just been busy with work… What gift do you want? I’ll buy it for you now.”

“Is your uncle treating you like a slave? With your family’s business, do you really have to work yourself to death?”

Song Shuheng snorted, his voice bright and smiling. “Eight o’clock tonight, at the Mortal Realm Bar. Don’t worry about a gift—just having you there will make me happy.”

Before Jiang Yunzhu could reply, the call was already cut off.

She hesitated.

At sixteen, a friend had dragged her to a bar out of curiosity. She’d gone secretly, only to be harassed by a group of drunkards. Frightened and at a loss, she’d called Shen Ruizhang in tears.

Within five minutes, Shen Ruizhang had arrived with a group of bodyguards, breaking the hand of one of the offenders and, for the first time, scolding her harshly.

After that, he set a curfew for her. No matter who she went out with, she had to report it, and no matter how busy he was, he would fetch her after school.

But now, he hadn’t asked about her whereabouts for a long time. Even when she reported late returns, he never replied. If he did respond, it was just a cold “Mm.”

So now, did it even matter where she went?

At seven in the evening, Jiang Yunzhu appeared at the Mortal Realm Bar in a striking black dress, instantly drawing countless admiring glances.

Song Shuheng’s eyes sparkled in amazement, his ears flushing red.

He stood frozen for a moment before clearing his throat and walking over, draping his jacket over her shoulders to shield her from those covetous eyes.

“You look amazing tonight… But would your uncle approve? Didn’t your family rules say skirts can’t be above the knee?”

“I’m twenty-four. Why should he still control me? Besides, I’m planning to study abroad soon; I ought to leave some memories behind.”

Song Shuheng made a curious sound, his gaze probing. “So sudden? Didn’t you say you didn’t want to go to America?”

Jiang Yunzhu hedged, “There’s a professor who appreciates me. I don’t want to miss the opportunity.”

Song Shuheng studied her, a bright smile on his lips. “Alright, then I’ll come visit you in America. Tonight, let’s treat it as your going-away party.”

They clinked glasses and exchanged drinks; Jiang Yunzhu was soon tipsy.

“I’m going to the restroom,” she slurred, staggering to her feet.

Song Shuheng reached out quickly to steady her. “Already drunk after so little? If something happens to you, how will I explain to Uncle Shen?”