Chapter Twenty-Two: "Mother"

Jiangjiang was startled by Ye Pianpian’s shrill voice and burst into tears.

“Waaaaah... Mommy!”

Subconsciously, Jiangjiang reached out to Shen Suining for help, her cry of “Mommy” sounding desperate and raw. In the past, this would have surely broken Shen Suining’s heart. Yet, at this moment, she only felt a sense of irony. She realized more clearly than ever that Jiangjiang was seeking her help not out of any genuine attachment to her as a “mother,” but simply because she was the nearest person available. Thus, Shen Suining merely watched the child calmly, making no move to comfort her or even wipe away her tears.

Ye Pianpian was immensely satisfied; this was exactly how Shen Suining should behave.

Just then, Jiang Runlang and Lin Yinxi walked over. Jiang Runlang spoke to Ye Pianpian with a sharp, hostile tone. “Ms. Ye, you’ve crossed the line. My daughter is not for you to discipline.” As he spoke, he reached out to grab Ye Pianpian’s wrist, intending to hurt her enough to make her let go.

Lin Yinxi, anxious and frantic, knelt down to pull Jiangjiang into her arms, soothing her gently. “Don’t cry, Jiangjiang. Your crying is breaking my heart.” As she spoke, she lifted the hem of her expensive gown and used the delicate fabric to wipe the child’s tears. It was as if the thirty-million-dollar “Radiant Purple Galaxy” dress meant nothing to her, or at least, was worth far less than Jiangjiang’s tears.

Ye Pianpian released her grip the moment Jiang Runlang reached out; she had no intention of letting a repulsive man like him touch her. Freed at last, Jiangjiang buried her face in Lin Yinxi’s arms and wailed even louder. Between sobs, she turned her head to glare at Shen Suining, screaming, “You wicked, bad woman! I hate you! I’m going to make Daddy divorce you!”

Hearing this, Shen Suining finally stood up from her chair with grace and composure. She gazed at Jiangjiang for a few seconds, let her eyes sweep over the guiltily downcast Lin Yinxi, and finally fixed her stare on Jiang Runlang’s face.

“Jiang Runlang,” Shen Suining said, “for the past five years, I have given my all to both you and our daughter. I had intended to part ways with you peacefully and let us go our separate ways, but I’ve changed my mind. Since you are the at-fault party in this infidelity, be prepared to pay the price.”

She had indeed changed her mind. If she didn't strip a layer of skin off Jiang Runlang, she would be doing a disservice to the five years she had poured into this marriage.

However, Jiang Runlang clearly did not take her words to heart. He scoffed, looking at her with disdain. “Shen Suining, what kind of madness are you spouting? Who do you think you are to challenge me? Who gave you the audacity?”

Make him pay? Ha! He figured she had truly forgotten who she was.

Though her heart was utterly cold, Shen Suining still could not remain entirely unmoved by Jiang Runlang’s contemptuous gaze. Suppressing the sharp, stabbing pain in her chest, she didn't bother to put up a front. She simply looked at him calmly and said, “Then let’s wait and see.”

With that, she turned to Ye Pianpian. “Pianpian, I’m tired. Let’s go.”

Ye Pianpian had no objections. She had only come to keep Shen Suining company, and since Shen wanted to leave, she followed without a word.

Just then, a small figure came rushing over. It was Jiang Yinuo! He was followed by two large, burly bodyguards, their uniforms marked with a striking emblem: The Eagle Group.

Some guests recognized the insignia and gasped. It was the world’s most mysterious security firm, whose clients were political dignitaries and the ultra-wealthy—the absolute elite of the global rankings. That such bodyguards were trailing a small child made everyone wonder about his identity. Yet, despite their curiosity, no one dared to ask.

Whether intentional or not, as Jiang Yinuo passed Lin Yinxi and Jiangjiang, he tilted his shoulder, his sturdy frame bumping into them and knocking them to the ground. It wasn't enough to cause serious injury, but it was deeply humiliating. Furthermore, Jiang Yinuo stepped on the hem of Lin Yinxi’s gown several times.

Lin Yinxi was furious. Before she could even scramble to her feet, she glared toward the boy, but her view was blocked by two towering figures. She could only hear a crisp, sweet voice speaking to Shen Suining. “Mommy Suining, I’ve come to take you home!”

Shen Suining met Jiang Yinuo’s eager gaze, her eyes stinging. She understood perfectly well that he had called her “Mommy Suining” instead of just “Mommy” to protect her reputation. Such thoughtfulness touched her deeply. She nodded at him with a smile and said, “Alright, let’s go home.”

Jiang Yinuo burst into joy, his laughter ringing throughout the venue. Shen Suining bent down, picked him up, signaled to Ye Pianpian, and left the venue under the protection of the bodyguards.

Only then did the room erupt into a flurry of whispers.

“No way! There’s a twist? So Shen Suining is the real young mistress of the Jiang family?”

“And that one over there, acting so high-and-mighty like she’s the legitimate wife… tsk, how shameless!”

“What does it matter? With the young master of the Jiang family doting on her, wouldn’t you be high-and-mighty too?”

“Exactly! And the little princess even personally confirmed her as her new mother. With that kind of backing, wouldn’t you?”

Someone who had been questioned by the group curled their lip in disgust. “Spare me! Those of us from proper, well-bred families wouldn’t stoop to being a mistress so shamelessly!”

Regardless of whether they were being sincere or hypocritical, such sentiments were bound to be echoed in a setting like this. After all, these self-proclaimed aristocrats would never admit to such unsightly behavior themselves. Of course, they drew a line between being a mistress and keeping one. They could tear Lin Yinxi apart for being a home-wrecker, but they would never dream of criticizing Jiang Runlang for having an affair.

The atmosphere in the room turned bizarre. Almost everyone was looking down on Lin Yinxi, their cutting remarks and veiled insults filling her ears. She remained on the floor.

Once Shen Suining left, Jiang Runlang’s attention was entirely on Jiangjiang. He picked her up and began comforting her softly, paying no mind to Lin Yinxi’s plight. It was precisely this indifference that left Lin Yinxi unable to hold her head up. She gripped the hem of her gown in hatred, loathing Shen Suining with every fiber of her being. Today was supposed to be her moment to shine, and Shen Suining had ruined it all!