Chapter Twelve: Yinxī's Mother

In the evening, after having dinner together with Ye Pianpian, Shen Suining returned to the imperial capital of Dijian. She was still wearing the clothes Jiang Yun had picked out for her. As soon as she stepped through the door, the servant looked at her with a strange yet amazed expression. After a moment of recognition, the servant approached to greet her.

"Young madam, you're back."

Shen Suining nodded slightly and casually asked, "Where is Jiang Jiang?"

The servant hesitated, seeming troubled.

Frowning slightly, Shen Suining looked at the servant again. Only then did the servant answer truthfully, "Miss Jiang Jiang’s parent-child event at kindergarten was very successful today. She went to celebrate with the young master."

There was a clear pause in the servant’s words, and without asking, Shen Suining understood—she had not dared to tell her directly that Jiang Jiang had gone to celebrate with Lin Yinxī.

Silently, Shen Suining went upstairs. Back in her room, she took a shower and changed her clothes. Sitting before the mirror, drying her hair, she recalled Ye Pianpian’s words.

“Darling, since Jiang Jiang isn’t truly your daughter, and Jiang Runlang has done such a dirty deed, ask your own heart—do you still have feelings for them? If you do, then hold on tightly; if not, then just leave.”

Only a true friend like Ye Pianpian would speak so sincerely to Shen Suining.

Shen Suining was not ungrateful; she naturally knew who was good or bad to her.

While soaking in the bath earlier, she had already made her decision.

She was going to divorce Jiang Runlang.

As for Jiang Jiang, she still wanted to confirm the relationship between herself, Jiang Jiang, and Jiang Runlang.

Having made this resolution, Shen Suining felt a lightness in her heart.

At that moment, her phone rang.

The caller ID read: Husband.

Shen Suining frowned in surprise—this couldn’t be Jiang Runlang; she had only saved his name, nothing more.

Instantly suspecting who it might be, her brows knitted even tighter.

She was reluctant to answer.

But although she had only known Jiang Yun for a day, she already understood his domineering nature.

She was sure that if she didn’t answer now, Jiang Yun would keep calling.

Just as the call was about to disconnect, Shen Suining finally answered.

From the other end came Jiang Yun’s low laughter, “Suisi, I thought you wouldn’t pick up my call.”

Gritting her teeth, Shen Suining snapped, “Who gave you permission to mess with my phone!”

And shamelessly saving his number as “Husband”—who did he think he was!

Jiang Yun said, “That’s just the objective fact. Suisi, you already know who your one and only man is.”

His words struck her dumb. She understood the meaning behind Jiang Yun’s implication.

She inexplicably felt a bit ashamed—married to Jiang Runlang for five years, with Jiang Jiang already four years old, yet she had never shared a bed with Jiang Runlang.

Seemingly sensing her thoughts, Jiang Yun comforted her, “Don’t overthink it, Suisi. It’s just that useless Jiang Runlang doesn’t have that ability. My Suisi is incredibly charming.”

Jiang Yun’s comment made Shen Suining blush. She raised her eyes and shot a scolding glance—but only at her reflection in the mirror.

Annoyed further, Shen Suining retorted stubbornly, “Then how can you be so sure I haven’t sought out other men over the years, just because I was lonely?”

After all, this was no longer an era of repression; women had the right to pursue happiness.

There was no immediate response from Jiang Yun’s end, only the sound of his gradually deepening breaths.

Strangely, though they had just met, Shen Suining could tell from his breathing that Jiang Yun was displeased.

After a few seconds, Jiang Yun said, “Even though I know you’re deliberately trying to provoke me, Suisi, if such a man really exists, then I’ll just have to show you my ruthless side.”

His tone was calm, without emotion, yet it sent chills down Shen Suining’s spine.

She inexplicably felt fear toward Jiang Yun.

After a long pause, Shen Suining said, “You’re meddling too much.”

Jiang Yun replied, “Because you’re my chosen treasure, Suisi. You belong only to me.”

It was as if Jiang Yun’s large hand had clenched her heart tightly, leaving her filled with nothing but dread.

Not wanting to hear more, she found an excuse to hang up.

“Wait,” Jiang Yun stopped her.

He said, “Suisi, I’m giving you one day to ask Jiang Runlang for a divorce. Otherwise, you won’t want to know what I’ll do.”

Though Shen Suining had already resolved to divorce Jiang Runlang, hearing Jiang Yun’s words still made her angry.

Forgetting her earlier fear, she furrowed her brows and retorted, “Are you threatening me?”

Jiang Yun answered, “No, I’m just asking.”

She was speechless—such an ultimatum disguised as a request was something she could never accept.

Softening his tone, Jiang Yun said, “Suisi, don’t keep me waiting too long. I might go crazy.”

Shen Suining didn’t know how she ended the call. Jiang Yun left her utterly unsure how to respond.

She was both afraid and terrified, yet somehow she sensed a hint of humility in his voice.

As if he were the subordinate.

Absurd.

Before Shen Suining could sort out her thoughts, the sound of a car arrived outside.

Soon, Jiang Jiang’s excited voice came to her ears.

“Daddy! Mom Yinxī is really, really, really nice! The restaurant she took us to was so, so, so delicious! I want to go with Mom Yinxī again tomorrow. Daddy, please say yes!”

Jiang Runlang usually indulged Jiang Jiang, but this time he refused.

“No, there’s an important dinner tomorrow. Didn’t you forget, Jiang Jiang?” Jiang Runlang said.

Jiang Jiang immediately pouted, “Oh, I remember now.”

A few seconds later, she continued, “Daddy, can we bring Mom Yinxī with us tomorrow? I want to wear pretty dresses with Mom Yinxī.”

This time Jiang Runlang didn’t answer immediately.

Jiang Jiang kept coaxing, “Please, Daddy! I like Mom Yinxī! I want to be with Mom Yinxī!”

Perhaps unable to resist Jiang Jiang’s persistence, Jiang Runlang said, “It’s not impossible.”

Jiang Jiang immediately cheered, “Yay! Daddy, you’re the best! I love you the most!”

After enjoying his daughter’s praise, Jiang Runlang said, “Jiang Jiang, now that we’re home, you can’t call Lin Yinxī ‘Mom’ anymore, okay?”