Chapter 82: When Did I Become Your Fiancée?

But she remembered clearly that not long ago, Shen Ruizhang had been utterly disgusted whenever she used Old Madam Shen to "lecture" him.

"The patient's data is improving!"

The doctor's voice interrupted Jiang Yunzhu's thoughts. Several doctors and nurses approached, swiftly recording Old Madam Shen's various medical stats.

"Mr. Shen, Miss Jiang, Old Madam Shen's condition is improving!"

The doctor spoke again, alerting the two. Shen Ruizhang seemed to grasp at this news like a lifeline, his gaze fixed intently on Jiang Yunzhu, hoping for her reply.

"Zhouzhou, quickly, tell Grandma!"

"Yes... yes, Grandma."

Jiang Yunzhu was momentarily helpless; at this moment, Old Madam Shen's health was paramount.

Steeling herself, Jiang Yunzhu took Old Madam Shen's hand and said, "Grandma, I promise you, when you wake up, our family will be together, just like before."

The fifteen-minute visitation flew by. Jiang Yunzhu strode out of the ICU, removing her protective suit and mask in one motion.

Behind her, the heavy doors to the ward slammed shut, and her thoughts were in turmoil.

"Uncle, why did you lie?"

Faced with Jiang Yunzhu's questioning, Shen Ruizhang appeared utterly relaxed, as though her promise were already settled.

"Zhouzhou, don't be so anxious," he said, a faint smile on his lips, as if none of this troubled him. "You know my mother has always recognized you as the only daughter-in-law of the Shen family. It's already decided—what difference does a day make?"

"But you know I've long been engaged to Tingxiao!"

Her tone was almost accusatory, but mindful of their surroundings in the hospital, she suppressed her anger.

Even so, Shen Ruizhang merely smiled.

"An engagement is nothing; it's not a real marriage registration. Legally, you and I are still married."

Stunned by his sophistry, Jiang Yunzhu opened her mouth but could find no words.

Seizing the moment, Shen Ruizhang grasped her hand, rare sincerity in his plea. "Zhouzhou, there's only this one thing I ask of you. For Grandma's sake, won't you promise me, be my wife?"

He raised three fingers to his temple and swore, "I, Shen Ruizhang, vow from this day forward to cherish only you, to love only you."

Hearing such "earnest" words and seeing the longing in his eyes, Jiang Yunzhu felt a complex mixture of emotions.

Had it been before, she would have been overjoyed.

But now, there was not even a trace of Shen Ruizhang left in her heart.

"When did my fiancée become yours?"

At that moment, a cold, sharp voice rang out.

Jiang Yunzhu followed the sound, and saw Shen Tingxiao in a crisp black suit, one hand in his pocket, his expression etched with disdain.

Instantly, Jiang Yunzhu shook off Shen Ruizhang's grasp and strode toward Shen Tingxiao.

Watching her departure, Shen Ruizhang felt a bitter taste in his heart.

"Tingxiao, why are you here?"

"I finished work and wanted to see you."

Shen Tingxiao smiled gently, lifting his hand to tidy a stray lock of her hair.

Jiang Yunzhu suddenly thought of something, and asked in confusion, "How did you know I was here?"

After all, she hadn't told Shen Tingxiao about Old Madam Shen.

If Shen Tingxiao wanted to find someone, he always did—and most of all, if that person was Jiang Yunzhu.

"There's a special bond between fiancés. Besides, last night you said on the phone how much you wanted to see me, didn't you?"

He deliberately spoke sweetly, glancing provocatively at Shen Ruizhang, his words just loud enough to reach his ears.

Shen Ruizhang's face turned green with jealousy, his back teeth clenched unconsciously.

Jiang Yunzhu blushed, biting her lip and whispering, "Stop it, we're in public."

"So what? I'm flirting with my legitimate fiancée, not like some people..."

He shot a pointed look at Shen Ruizhang, his gaze almost a warning.

"Always has an inexplicable possessiveness for someone else's wife."

"You!"

Stung, Shen Ruizhang's anger was written all over his face.

"Shen Tingxiao, let me tell you, no matter what, I'm still Jiang Yunzhu's uncle. My mother raised Jiang Yunzhu—something you can't deny."

Shen Tingxiao narrowed his eyes, grasping what had happened.

Jiang Yunzhu wanted to respond, but Shen Tingxiao was quicker.

He let out a cold laugh, drew Jiang Yunzhu behind him, and spoke word by word, "Zhouzhou is kind-hearted, which is why she lets someone like you threaten her. But I'm not so gentle."

He stepped forward, eyes burning with barely contained fury, warning, "Mr. Shen, Zhouzhou is my fiancée, my future wife. Take care."

With that, Shen Tingxiao refused to waste another moment on such a man. Turning gentle, he took Jiang Yunzhu's hand and led his beloved away from this place of strife.

"Zhouzhou!"

Shen Ruizhang called out instinctively as he watched them leave.

But Jiang Yunzhu ignored him, holding Shen Tingxiao's arm.

Soon, the two disappeared from Shen Ruizhang's sight.

Shen Tingxiao had driven himself, his luxurious Maybach parked in the hospital's underground lot, drawing all eyes.

He settled Jiang Yunzhu in the passenger seat, then slid in himself, long legs folding elegantly. After driving several kilometers, he pulled over and stopped.

The engine faded, but Shen Tingxiao's inner fire raged on.

Jiang Yunzhu pressed her lips together. Shen Tingxiao hadn't spoken a word along the way, but the air was thick with jealousy.

"Tingxiao, let me explain, I—"

Before she could finish, he swiftly unbuckled his seatbelt, turned, and cupped the back of her head between his palms.

The next moment, a kiss claimed her, intense and possessive.

Unlike his usual style, the kiss caught Jiang Yunzhu off guard—the seatbelt's constraint and his overwhelming presence left her breathless.

As she reached for the seatbelt buckle, Shen Tingxiao quickly pressed her hand down.

When their lips finally parted, she noticed the crimson in his eyes.

"Sometimes, I really want to keep you by my side, never let you leave."

"Tingxiao..."

A warm rush filled her heart as she gently slipped her hand from beneath his, arms resting on his shoulders.

"I won't leave you."

Her words were vows, few yet priceless to Shen Tingxiao.

Then, Jiang Yunzhu kissed him again, deepening their embrace.

How could she ever bear to leave Shen Tingxiao?

He was the man she loved and yearned for most in her heart.