Chapter 008 – Who Would Dare Mess with the Jiang Family’s Crown Prince?

Today’s public lecture—Jiang Junwen didn’t show up.

In fact, he reportedly didn’t attend any of his major classes either.

Qian Xiqiao added Shen Qingli to their A University’s gossip group chat.

And truly, college students always have too much time on their hands. They might skip 8 a.m. classes, ignore guest lectures, but gossip? That they never miss.

Take Qian Xiqiao for example—school had only been in session for two weeks and she was already up to date on every juicy story. Not only did she know Jiang Junwen was in a relationship, she even found out where he and Luo Shuyao had stayed the night before.

Qian Xiqiao scrolled through the group chat photos and whispered, “They just started college, barely turned 18, and they already couldn’t wait to get a hotel room? Looks like Young Master Jiang really likes Luo Shuyao.”

Shen Qingli, however, showed zero interest.

She was far more concerned about whether the succulent plant in front of her—the Neon Haworthia—was actually worth five figures.

After a long time searching online, she realized this type of succulent truly wasn’t cheap.

In her past life, her entire focus had been on Jiang Junwen. He had given her plenty of plants and flowers, so she never paid much attention to the exact species or their value.

But Qian Xiqiao hadn’t exaggerated.

This Neon Haworthia was stunning. Under sunlight, it shimmered in shades of pink, purple, green, and white…

It looked just like a sparkling, multicolored crystal lotus.

A plant with such form and quality must have taken Pei Songjiang a lot of time and care to grow.

Qian Xiqiao whispered again, “Young Master Jiang skipped class today. I heard he went to class with Luo Shuyao instead. Honestly, these rich kids only treat school like a hobby.”

Shen Qingli responded half-heartedly, “I guess so.”

Then she took out her phone and opened WeChat, searching for Pei Songjiang.

His profile picture was a side shot of himself in a dark setting, wearing a baseball cap and holding a round orange tabby cat in his arms.

Shen Qingli stared at the cat for a few seconds before snapping a picture of the Neon Haworthia and sending it to him:
[Senior, what time do you finish class this afternoon? I want to return this plant to you 😅]

After a while, Pei Songjiang replied:
[?]

Then quickly followed with:
[Didn’t you say you liked it? I already gave it to you—why return it?]

Shen Qingli replied:
[It’s too expensive. And I’m worried I won’t be able to take care of it properly. Better if I return it to you.]

It took a while before he responded again:
[No.]

Shen Qingli: “…”

What a man of principle. Once he gave something away, there was no taking it back.

Soon, Pei Songjiang forwarded her a detailed guide titled 《Neon Haworthia Care Instructions》.

He added:
[Just follow this to care for it.]

Then another message followed:
[Ask me if you don’t understand something.]

Shen Qingli: “…”

She turned off her phone and stared at the Neon Haworthia before her. Her expression had changed—not one of simple appreciation anymore, but the kind of reverence one gives to an ancestral idol.

But it didn’t end there.

After Qian Xiqiao was done with gossip, she looked again at the Neon Haworthia and suddenly said, “Wait a second, Ali—this flower pot… why does it look like green agate?”

Shen Qingli: “…”

She clutched her chest. “Stop. Please don’t say any more…”

She was ready to fight these rich people with everything she had.

—

On the bus ride home that afternoon, Shen Qingli didn’t see Pei Songjiang.

She held the plant as if it were a sacred object and carefully carried it all the way back to her room.

Only when she placed it on her desk by the window did she finally breathe a sigh of relief.

She had safely brought the ancestral idol—no, the plant—home.

Then she picked up a soft brush (a repurposed blush brush) and gently began dusting off its leaves. On the way home, she had passed a construction site and suspected the plant had picked up dust.

Just a few strokes in, Liu Lifen—her neighbor—came calling, standing outside the window.
“Ali, the Madam wants to speak with you.”

At the time, Shen Guiqi wasn’t home, because Madam Jiang had sent him to pick up Jiang Junwen.

After a full day of skipping classes and staying out all night, the Jiang family finally tracked him down and planned to bring him home.

Shen Qingli grew irritated at the mere mention of Madam Jiang.

In her past life, during the five years she was with Jiang Junwen, she had endured endless criticism and humiliation from Madam Jiang—even though they rarely lived in the old house.

Madam Jiang always seemed to show up when Jiang Junwen wasn’t around, just to give Shen Qingli a hard time.

Earlier today, she had checked with the dorm office and was told her assigned room wouldn’t be available for another week. It happened to be next to Qian Xiqiao’s.

So, she’d have to stay here for another week.

Leaning on the windowsill, Shen Qingli asked Liu Lifen, who was in the courtyard, “Aunt Fen, what does Madam Jiang want with me?”

Liu Lifen shook her head but then lowered her voice, “She’s pretty mad because of the young master. Whatever she says, just go along with it. Madam Jiang is well-mannered—she won’t take it out on you.”

That was true—as long as it wasn’t about her son.

When Shen Qingli wasn’t involved with Jiang Junwen, Madam Jiang treated her like she was invisible.

But once they were together, she became a thorn in Madam Jiang’s side.

Shen Qingli gave Liu Lifen a doubtful look as she recalled her past life. She replied hesitantly, “Got it. I’ll be careful.”

Then she gently placed the ancestral idol—no, the succulent—into a drawer to keep it hidden.

Only then did she leave her room, head out of the courtyard, and follow Liu Lifen through the open side gate into the main family villa’s garden. After passing through the garden, they reached the front of the villa.

Inside, Madam Jiang was pacing in the spacious main hall, wearing her loungewear and radiating icy frustration.

In Shen Qingli’s past life, because she was with Jiang Junwen, Madam Jiang hadn’t even cared about Luo Shuyao.

Thinking back now, she realized she had unknowingly played the role of a decoy between them.

When they entered, Liu Lifen gave her a gentle tug and smiled at Madam Jiang. “Madam, I brought Ali here.”

Madam Jiang looked up and saw Shen Qingli standing beside the plump Liu Lifen. The girl was plainly dressed and thin, with her head slightly bowed and a modest, obedient posture.

Madam Jiang’s tone softened. “Oh, Ali, come in and have some tea. Don’t be nervous—I’m not here to question you. I just need your help with something.”

Shen Qingli didn’t sit, nor did she drink the tea. She politely asked, “What would you like me to do, Madam? If it’s within my ability, I won’t refuse.”

Madam Jiang sighed, then sat down and said, “That rascal son of mine skipped class again. His advisor called me today to say he hasn’t been to class in two days. School just started, and he’s already skipping! He chose this school himself, even picked the acting major. I only agreed because he said he liked performing. And now look how he repays me!”

Madam Jiang looked absolutely distraught.

But Shen Qingli wasn’t moved at all.

Because she knew—no school advisor would dare call Madam Jiang to report Jiang Junwen for skipping class.

Who would dare mess with the Jiang family’s crown prince?

Whether he attended class or not, no one dared interfere.