Chapter 024: The Fight

When Pei Songjiang and Shen Qingli got off the bus, he asked again,
“Will you be working part-time at Mortal Smoke and Fire every evening from now on?”

Shen Qingli nodded.
“Yes, their shift is from 7 to 9 p.m.”

Pei Songjiang nodded in acknowledgment, and after they parted ways, each headed to their classes.

That day, Jiang Junwen didn’t come to school.

Shen Qingli suspected he wouldn’t be showing up for several days. Luo Shuyao would need to stay in the hospital for at least three days, and after that, she’d probably be going abroad with her mother.

In the previous life, Jiang Junwen had deeply resented Luo Shuyao for leaving without saying goodbye. He’d brooded over it for years.

But now, he finally had the chance to say a proper goodbye.

During break time, Qian Xiqiao came over to gossip with Shen Qingli.
“I saw something in the gossip group! They say Luo Shuyao from the neighboring polytechnic has officially gotten together with Jiang Junwen. Someone spotted them at a hospital owned by the Jiang family. And get this—rumor has it…”

She leaned in closer and whispered,
“…rumor has it that Luo Shuyao had an allergic reaction from taking birth control pills. That’s why she’s hospitalized and on an IV.”

Qian Xiqiao sighed.
“Who would’ve thought these rich kids play so dirty!”

Shen Qingli was stunned.
“Your gossip group even knows that?”

They even found out about the pills?
Didn’t the Jiang family hospital keep anything confidential?

Qian Xiqiao replied mysteriously,
“You don’t get it, Ali. Sure, the hospital belongs to the Jiang family, but there are other shareholders too. And come on, so many girls are into Young Master Jiang—they’re jealous of Luo Shuyao and want to dig up dirt on her. With enough people, there’s nothing you can’t find out.”

Hearing that, Shen Qingli understood.

In her previous life, when she’d been hospitalized, rumors about her had spread like wildfire too.

They said she was just a chauffeur’s daughter chasing wealth, trying to seduce Young Master Jiang. The stories got more outrageous over time.

They claimed her college entrance exam results were fake, that she’d stolen someone else’s identity to get into university.

Shaking her head, Shen Qingli said,
“Don’t get involved in this kind of stuff. Just listen and let it go. We shouldn’t gossip about the Jiang family.”

Qian Xiqiao nodded while scrolling her phone.
“Don’t worry, I know my limits.”

…

Jiang Junwen hadn’t been going to school. He wasn’t even going home.

Shen Qingli enjoyed a couple of peaceful days—until she saw Jiang Junwen again.

This time, it was at her part-time job at Mortal Smoke and Fire. She was wearing a black server’s uniform and apron, clearing dishes and utensils.

Jiang Junwen walked into a private room in the restaurant with Yu Zhenghao and Li Wenyao.

On the way, he casually glanced over and spotted Shen Qingli carrying plates.

Yu Zhenghao exclaimed,
“Ah Wen, Shen Qingli’s working here part-time? Is she that desperate for money?”

Li Wenyao nudged him.
“Why are you talking so much? Let’s go.”

Yu Zhenghao glanced at Jiang Junwen and shut his mouth, sensing Jiang’s dark mood.

Jiang Junwen had been having a rough time.

Luo Shuyao had been on IVs for two days. The doctor said the medication had damaged her health, and she’d need to rest and recover for a long time. In the short term, she wouldn’t be able to get pregnant.

But when the doctor said “short term,” he meant at least one or two years.

Jiang Junwen remembered—Shen Qingli hadn’t gotten pregnant even after five years together.

If Luo Shuyao faced the same issue, she’d find out the truth eventually.

How would he explain it then?

Luo Shuyao had been discharged today and went home to recover.

Jiang Junwen hadn’t told her about Madam Gao putting drugs in her food. He didn’t know how to explain it, nor how to face her worn-out, pale expression.

But more than anything, he suddenly had the urge to see Shen Qingli.

Watching her from afar, humbly explaining dishes to customers while carrying plates, something inside Jiang Junwen suddenly snapped.

His expression darkened. He left Yu Zhenghao and Li Wenyao behind and strode straight toward Shen Qingli.

Shen Qingli was dealing with a difficult middle-aged customer who refused to order and kept pestering her:
“You’re new, right? Haven’t seen you before. You must be a university student from nearby, huh?”

Shen Qingli kept her polite smile.
“Yes, sir. Now, would you like to look at the menu?”

The man grinned.
“So young and already working in a restaurant—must be strapped for cash, huh? Got a bunch of student loans? Can you even pay them off?”

Shen Qingli was struggling to keep up her smile.

She forced herself to say,
“That’s not something you need to worry about, sir. If you’d like to take a look at the menu, I’ll come back to take your order shortly.”

She turned to leave, but the man called out again,
“Hey, I never said I wouldn’t order. What kind of service is this?”

Shen Qingli: “…”

It was her second day working there, but this was the most difficult customer she’d encountered yet.

She was about to go call the supervisor when she saw Jiang Junwen approaching with a dark face.

Suddenly, he kicked over the man’s wooden table, flipping it violently.

Shen Qingli stumbled back in shock.
“Jiang—Sir! What are you doing?!”

She rushed over, trying to push Jiang Junwen away.

But instead, he stepped in front of her, shielding her, and stared coldly at the man.
“If you’re going to eat, then eat properly. If not—get lost.”

The man stood up abruptly and pointed at him.
“What the hell? Who the f**k are you to ruin my meal? You dare kick my table? Do you know who I am?!”

The man had two companions with him. All three of them stepped up aggressively.

Jiang Junwen had been holding back his frustration for days. Now, he exploded. Without a word, he punched the man square in the face.

Shen Qingli was completely stunned.

And just like that, a fight broke out.

Though Jiang Junwen was tall and strong, he was still outnumbered. He took quite a few hits.

Yu Zhenghao and Li Wenyao saw what was happening.
“Holy sh*t!” Yu Zhenghao yelled, rushing over without hesitation.

Li Wenyao followed right behind.

The scene descended into chaos.

Shen Qingli quickly called the shift supervisor, who arrived in a hurry with four or five security guards. After a massive effort, they finally broke up the fight.

The middle-aged man was beaten black and blue—because Jiang Junwen had focused all his punches on him.

His suit was a wrinkled mess, and he shouted in fury,
“Call the cops! I’m reporting this!”