Chapter 018: “I’ll Just Go Pick Her Up From School.”

Jiang Junwen had taken Shen Qingli’s phone and promised her he’d be back by 8 p.m.

That’s why he had rushed back from the hotel with Luo Shuyao—but in the end, Shen Qingli herself wasn’t even back yet.

Jiang Junwen’s expression was extremely unpleasant—he was clearly upset.

He wasn’t sure why he was angry, but it was definitely because Shen Qingli had no sense of time.

They had agreed on eight o’clock, yet now it was nearly ten and she still hadn’t returned.

Seeing his expression, the old butler pulled out his phone and said, “Young Master, it’s so late now and raining heavily. Miss Ali probably didn’t bring an umbrella, which is why she’s not back yet. I’ll give her a call and ask where she is. I’ll have Driver Shen pick her up.”

But just as the butler finished speaking, Jiang Junwen’s face grew even darker.

Shen Qingli’s phone was in his pocket. How could anyone reach her?

Before the butler could realize this, he had already dialed the number—and right then, the phone in Jiang Junwen’s pocket began to ring.

Luo Shuyao had been watching him the entire time. Now, hearing the phone ring from Jiang Junwen’s pocket, her expression became even gloomier.

The old butler didn’t think much of it. He stood there holding the phone, waiting for the other side to answer.

Annoyed, Jiang Junwen turned off the phone and said, “Forget it. If she didn’t bring an umbrella, can’t she buy one?”

Then it hit him—she didn’t have a phone, so how could she buy an umbrella using mobile payment?

Frustrated, Jiang Junwen cursed under his breath.
“Forget it. I’ll just go to the school and pick her up myself.”

Of course, he wasn’t going because he was worried about her—he told himself it was because he had taken her phone, which meant she couldn’t even buy an umbrella. So at the very least, he should bring her one.

The butler was surprised at his decision and quickly tried to stop him.
“Young Master, you’d better not. You didn’t return home early tonight, and Madam has been waiting for you.”

Madam Jiang had been furious all day. She couldn’t reach Jiang Junwen or Shen Qingli.

She even called the school counselor, who said Jiang Junwen hadn’t shown up at all that day.

Her anger had been simmering—if Jiang Junwen didn’t go explain himself soon, her rage might burn the entire Jiang household down.

Hearing this, Jiang Junwen hesitated.

He’d never had a good relationship with Madam Jiang because of her overbearing control.

But he was still a student, and he hadn’t completely broken away from the Jiang family yet.

As long as he wasn’t financially independent, the family still had leverage over him.

The butler then turned to Luo Shuyao.
“Miss Luo, your guest room is ready. Why don’t you go rest first?”

The butler was trying to de-escalate the situation. Everyone knew Madam Jiang disliked Luo Shuyao.

And now Jiang Junwen had brought her home to spend the night.

It was practically a slap in Madam Jiang’s face.

The butler was beyond stressed, unsure what to do.

Luo Shuyao clung to Jiang Junwen’s arm, her eyes watery and filled with grievance.
“Ah Wen, can… can I stay in your room?”

The butler: “…”

He didn’t think that was a good idea. Madam Jiang was already furious.

Jiang Junwen bringing Luo Shuyao back to stay in his room would be like throwing oil on the fire—and then cracking an egg into the pan.

It was suicidal.

But Jiang Junwen ignored the butler’s warning glance. He nodded and gently patted Luo Shuyao’s head.
“Shuyao, I’m sorry. I can’t stay with you right now. Go rest in my room first. I’ll go talk to my mom.”

Luo Shuyao sighed in relief and smiled.
“Okay. I’ll wait for you in your room.”

The butler had no choice but to escort her to Jiang Junwen’s room.

Meanwhile, Jiang Junwen went to see Madam Jiang.

Luo Shuyao had often visited the Jiang family when she was young. Her grandfather had been friends with Old Master Jiang, and there had even been talk of an arranged marriage when they were kids.

Madam Jiang, however, had never been impressed by the Luo family.

Luo Shuyao’s father was in politics, her mother came from a modest background, and her grandparents were just ordinary people. They simply weren’t on the Jiang family’s level.

The Jiang family had been growing in power since Old Master Jiang’s generation, and by the time Jiang Junwen’s father took over, they had become one of Haicheng’s most elite families.

Madam Jiang hadn’t agreed to the match—but she hadn’t rejected it either.

If the two kids grew up and truly liked each other, it wouldn’t have been out of the question.

But then Luo Shuyao’s father got into trouble. How could there still be talk of a marriage alliance?

Their status was too low—how could they be worthy of her son?

Her son was the only heir of the Jiang family!

There was no place in his perfect life for in-laws that might drag him down.

While Jiang Junwen went to meet his mother, Luo Shuyao entered his room.

The butler had someone bring her some fruit and snacks, then went over to the small annex near the villa to find Shen Guiqi.

At the time, Shen Guiqi was tidying up the room. Liu Lifeng wasn’t home.

Oddly, Shen Guiqi didn’t seem the least bit worried.

The butler cautiously asked, “Driver Shen, has Ali come back yet?”

Shen Guiqi straightened up, a bit concerned.
“Ali? Not yet. Why, is Madam looking for her again?”

The butler said, “No, it’s the young master who’s looking. Since it’s so late and raining, why don’t you go pick her up? Just use the Audi you normally use for groceries—I’ll get you the keys.”

Father Jiang rarely came home, and both Madam Jiang and Jiang Junwen had their own luxury cars.

Since it wasn’t a workday and not a special trip for the young master, the butler didn’t dare let Shen Guiqi use one of the luxury vehicles—what if Jiang Junwen got mad?

Both Madam Jiang and the young master had rather difficult tempers.

But Shen Guiqi simply smiled and shook his head.
“No need, Butler. Ali called me around seven and said she was eating with classmates. She mentioned she’d be late and didn’t bring her phone, so she wouldn’t be able to contact us. She should be taking a cab back soon. No need for me to go.”

The butler sighed in relief and smiled.
“That’s good to hear. Ali really is such a well-behaved girl—whatever she does, she always reports to you first. She’s a good kid.”

Shen Guiqi sighed.
“Ali’s just too obedient… sometimes I feel like I owe her.”

Lately, something had felt off between Jiang Junwen and Shen Qingli.

Plus, Madam Jiang kept summoning Shen Qingli to ask about Jiang Junwen’s behavior at school.

That made Shen Guiqi uncomfortable.

Sure, he was a driver in the Jiang family.

But it was one thing for him to follow orders—his daughter was free. She shouldn’t have to suffer just because of his job.

In fact, Shen Guiqi was beginning to regret bringing his daughter to live at the Jiang home.

He should’ve let her stay in the dorms.

He’d listened to Liu Lifeng’s suggestion at the time—worried that Ali wouldn’t adjust to a new environment on her own. That’s why he thought living here would be better.

Looking back now, he never should’ve listened to her!

Shen Guiqi was now seriously considering resigning.

But he’d wait until his daughter came home and talk it over with her first.