Chapter 46

Shen Qingfeng didn’t even bother hanging up; she hurled her phone into the sink.

With a dull thud, water splashed everywhere as the screen shattered.

Behind her, the door clicked shut. Only then did she catch a glimpse of the newcomer in the mirror: Xu Zhiyi, clad in a flowing white dress, her hair elegantly pinned up, exuding a triumphant air.

Shen Qingfeng felt a surge of rage, wishing she could strangle her right then and there. Gritting her teeth at her reflection, she hissed, “How dare you show your face here!”

Xu Zhiyi strolled casually to the sink, turned on another faucet, and began washing her hands leisurely. “What’s there to be afraid of? If Shen is going crazy, how can there be no audience? If it gets wild enough, I might even get a tip.”

“You think I won’t kill you?” Shen Qingfeng spat, lunging toward Xu Zhiyi’s neck. But before she could make contact, Xu Zhiyi deftly caught her wrist, twisting it behind her back. Before she knew it, Xu Zhiyi slammed her down against the sink with brutal force, pressing her throat, forcing her head back.

Shen Qingfeng hadn’t anticipated such a quick and fierce response. Her back hung precariously over the sink, her waist nearly buckling under the pressure, while her skirt wrapped tightly around her legs, making it impossible to lift them.

For a moment, she felt the world dimming around her, struggling for breath.

Desperate for survival, she clutched at Xu Zhiyi’s wrist, trying to push her away.

Xu Zhiyi grimaced as her wrist was gripped painfully. “Let go! Keep moving, and I swear I’ll choke you out for real.”

With that, she tightened her grip on Shen Qingfeng’s throat even more.

The bodyguards had taught her how to apply pressure, and she was confident, but Shen Qingfeng didn’t understand that.

Fear flooded Shen Qingfeng as she realized Xu Zhiyi might actually kill her in a fit of rage. She stopped struggling, letting her hands drop.

Xu Zhiyi’s grip tightened further. “Let me tell you something: you can’t out-crazy me. You’ve swapped places with me for twenty years; every minute I’ve wanted to kill you!”

Breathless, Shen Qingfeng’s face twisted in agony.

Xu Zhiyi relaxed her grip slightly. “Next time you think of choking someone, maybe consider whether you can actually take them. I’ve been playing sports for over a decade; who has more strength, you or me?”

“Let her go,” Xu Zhiyi said, glancing toward the door.

The bathroom door swung open.

As Shen Qingfeng felt her grip release, it was as if she had just returned from the brink of death. Her chest tightened painfully as she leaned on the sink, gasping for breath. Suddenly, she froze at the sight of a man with a buzz cut stepping in, his sharp gaze so piercing it felt like a spotlight.

She recognized him: Xu Zhiyi’s driver and bodyguard, always hovering close.

The man didn’t approach; he merely stood quietly by the door.

Meanwhile, Xu Zhiyi was washing her hands under the faucet, lathering up with soap as she meticulously scrubbed away. “I’m not the old Jiang Ayi, nor am I Xu Ningwei, and I’m definitely not one of those women you’ve defeated. They’re afraid of your madness and retaliation. I’m not afraid; I’m afraid you won’t go mad and seek revenge.”

She caught Shen Qingfeng’s terrified reflection in the mirror. “You think that now that KEVE is in my hands, all is forgiven? KEVE is just the beginning.”

Once she rinsed her hands clean, she dried her wrists with a towel, then turned to signal the driver to hand her bag over.

As Shen Qingfeng gradually collected herself, she observed Xu Zhiyi in the mirror. The woman had come prepared, her hair neatly pinned up, her composure unshakeable despite the earlier confrontation.

Realization dawned on her: in her fury, she had underestimated her opponent. The humiliation of having her neck gripped and ultimately yielding crushed her spirit.

Never had she felt so defeated. Taking a deep breath, she turned off the faucet, retrieved her shattered phone from the sink, shook off the water, dried it with a towel, and began to retouch her makeup.

Her bright red lips and sleek black dress were unchanged, but the angry red mark on her neck would take time to fade.

Shen Qingfeng untied the silk scarf from her bag and tied it around her neck.

Meanwhile, at the door, Xu Zhiyi pulled out a pre-prepared wrist scarf from her bag and wrapped it around her right hand, layering two delicate bracelets that perfectly matched her outfit.

After a quick touch-up of her lipstick, she opened the door.

The two women emerged from the bathroom, side by side, their appearances pristine. No one in the dining room, including the old man, had any idea that they had just engaged in a fierce battle behind closed doors.

As they took their seats, Jiang Sixun grasped Shen Qingfeng’s hand, his fingers gently caressing the elegant silk scarf. “Didn’t you promise me no fighting? Leave the punching to me.”

Xu Zhiyi leaned in closer and whispered, “I couldn’t help myself. Just had to take her down a notch.”

“Is there anywhere else you got hurt?”

“Just the wrist.”

“Did you win?”

“Yep.”

Jiang Sixun found himself at a loss for words.

Meanwhile, across the table, Lu Jianliang leaned in, lowering his voice to interrogate Shen Qingfeng about why she hadn’t replied to his messages.

He had sent five texts and received no response.

Shen Qingfeng smiled, “Your fourth brother is right here. Should I be afraid of sneaking around with him?”

Lu Jianliang shot back, “After hearing about his sterilization, I bet your heart feels like it’s been punctured.”

“Not just a few times. More like dozens.”

Lu Jianliang felt defeated, wanting to strangle her for the mockery.

“Do you want to have a child with me?” Shen Qingfeng asked, leaning closer.

Lu Jianliang looked at her as if she were insane. He already had grandkids; why would he want to start over?

Without holding back, he retorted, “Even if I did, can you even have one?”

Shen Qingfeng chuckled, “No need for that. Isn’t there already one out there?”

Lu Jianliang scrutinized her, falling silent.

“Let’s get straight to the point: how old is that child out there?”

Lu Jianliang let out a low laugh, dodging the question. “You believe everything Lu Jianbo says?”

“It’s not about belief; it’s about knowing you have your share of indiscretions.”

“…”

“You’ve ignored that child for years, so it seems you have no feelings for the mother. Just acknowledge your illegitimate child. If that kid were mine, what reason would I have not to bring him back?”

Lu Jianliang’s smirk faded, and he regarded her with newfound seriousness.

Shen Qingfeng noted the wavering in his eyes. “I’d guess it’s a son, and he’s quite capable. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be conflicted about acknowledging him.”

Lu Jianliang didn’t deny it.

That son was even a year older than Xu Zhiyi, and in terms of ability, far surpassed his eldest.

“Here’s the deal: I’ll help you acknowledge that child. I don’t care how old he is or what he looks like; I’m not interested in being his mother. You recognize him, and in return, I want the project you’re collaborating on with Shang Ren. It’s not about responsibility; it’s about equity. Also, I want some pocket money—not less than nine figures.”

“To you, that’s pocket change.”

She glanced at her watch. “You have three minutes to think about it. After this family dinner, if you increase your offer, I won’t help you.”

Lu Jianliang lifted his glass and took a couple of swigs.

Shen Qingfeng leaned in closer. “Lu Jianliang, your fourth brother has essentially declared war. He’s aiming to help his son reclaim control of the Lu family. We’re in this together, so think carefully.”

To him, that project was just one among many, and while the pocket money wasn’t insignificant, it boiled down to whether he was willing to give it or not.

Lu Jianliang took another sip of his drink. “I’ll have my secretary handle it this afternoon.”

Shen Qingfeng was even more decisive, turning to the head of the table, Old Man Lu. “Dad, what my fourth brother said earlier is spot on: Jianliang has four children, and that means more blessings.”

The family dinner, which was about to wrap up, rippled with new tension at her words.

Publicly accusing her husband of having an illegitimate child? Shen Qingfeng’s audacity left the Lu family utterly stunned.

Old Man Lu paused, his expression thoughtful, urging her to continue.

“Dad, the child is mine and Jianliang’s. He insisted on marrying me against your wishes because of that child, but he has always hesitated…” She glanced briefly at Jianliang’s three children. “Over the past six years, we’ve had our fair share of arguments. He always promised to acknowledge the child soon, but nearly six years have passed, and the child is already twenty-seven. I just don’t see any hope anymore. The last time I went to London, I asked my fourth brother what we should do.”

“…”

The depth of Shen Qingfeng’s love for Lu Jianbo was matched only by her hatred for him—a hatred that felt uniquely personal. Revenge was never on her mind; all she could do was let a few harsh words slip.

Old Man Lu was unconcerned about whether the child was hers; as long as it was his son’s, that was enough.

“Dad, can you make the call? Can we bring the child home?”

“Grandpa!” shouted the eldest son of the Lu family. “If he comes, I won’t!”

Old Man Lu waved his hand, dismissing the rest. “Everyone else can leave. Eldest son’s family, come to my study.”

As the last piece of cake remained on the plate, Xu Zhiyi had intended to snag it for herself, but after the earlier altercation, she had barely eaten. Now, with Old Man Lu announcing the end of the meal, she had no choice but to set down her chopsticks.

Jiang Sixun, following her gaze, reached over to grab the dessert and stuffed it into her mouth.

“…”

Xu Zhiyi laughed, swallowing the piece whole.

Jiang Sixun turned to his butler. “Don’t forget to send dessert to my place tonight.”

The butler was left speechless; even now, he was thinking about food.

Once outside, Jiang Sixun asked his father, “Whose child is it?”

“I don’t know the mother. That’s not important,” Lu Jianbo replied briskly as they descended the stairs. “If you hadn’t come back to contest the family assets, your uncle might not have acknowledged the child.”

With no one else vying for it, the position of the next chairman naturally belonged to the eldest son’s family. However, because of Jiang Sixun’s return, there were now variables; acknowledging an outside son would give the eldest brother an edge.

“Don’t worry about your uncle for now; let them fight it out among themselves.”

As Lu Jianbo reached the bottom of the stairs, Secretary Cai opened the car door and nodded slightly to Jiang Sixun and Xu Zhiyi.

Once inside, the sleek black limousine rolled away from the old mansion.

Xu Zhiyi settled into Jiang Sixun’s car, headed for his seaside apartment on the island, which wasn’t far from the old home.

Once in the car, she could finally relax, slumping into her seat. Today’s family dinner had drained her energy.

“Shen Qingfeng is willing to help your uncle acknowledge that child. I wonder what her conditions are,” Jiang Sixun mused, removing the silk scarf from her wrist. It was already swollen, so he fetched a bottle of ice water from the car fridge to soothe it.

“She wants equity and cash. Right now, she has nothing, and those are what she needs most. The priority is the project she’s working on with Shang Ren. Since you and Shang Ren are rivals, partnering with him is the safest bet in her eyes.”

Xu Zhiyi replied, “She probably doesn’t realize that Shang Ren will be making money alongside me.”

Jiang Sixun raised an eyebrow. “Does Shang Ren really plan to overlook the formalities?”

“He’s just joking when he says that.”

“I don’t think he’s joking.”

“… Don’t get jealous for no reason.”

Xu Zhiyi pressed her wrist against the ice bottle, her fingers deftly tying the silk scarf around Jiang Sixun’s wrist, securing it with a neat knot.

He watched her playfully the whole way.

Back at the apartment, Xu Zhiyi poured herself a glass of red wine, carrying it to her room. Her bedroom was just a wall away from Jiang Sixun’s, with a view of the sea from her bed.

Jiang Sixun glanced at the wine glass in her hand. “Why not drink in the living room?”

“I’ll have some while I soak. I’m too tired.” Today’s confrontation with Shen Qingfeng had left her completely worn out.

Jiang Sixun removed his watch. “If you have nothing planned this afternoon, take a nap.”

“And you?”

“I’ll catch up on sleep too.” He had been in meetings until 4:30 a.m. last night, getting only a couple of hours of rest.

Xu Zhiyi soaked for just twenty minutes, the light scent of lime essential oil calming her.

One glass of wine wasn’t enough, so she slipped into her pajamas and poured another.

Passing by the next room, she noticed the door was tightly shut.

With no sleepiness in sight, she felt a burst of energy, reminiscent of the time she discovered the wrong child had been claimed.

Holding her wine glass, she stepped onto the terrace and sent a message to Secretary Cai: [I want to know what benefits Shen Qingfeng gets for helping Lu Jianliang acknowledge his child.]

After sending the message, she placed her phone on the table and leaned back in her chair.

Gazing at the mountains and sea, she couldn’t help but recall that the Yu family’s old mansion was also located on Deep Water Bay Road.

Xu Zhiyi quickly put a stop to the internal conflict and took a couple of sips of red wine to shift her focus.

“Why aren’t you asleep?”

In the living room, Jiang Sixun’s voice floated in.

Xu Zhiyi turned to see him, freshly bathed and clad in dark pajamas. Meeting his deep gaze, she replied, “Not tired yet; I’ll sleep when I am.”

Jiang Sixun grabbed a chair and sat next to her. “Don’t think about anything. Just play for a few days; otherwise, this long break will be a waste.”

Xu Zhiyi rested her feet on his lap. “With you here, how can it be a waste?”

Without warning, Jiang Sixun stood up and scooped her into his arms.

“Hey, what are you doing?” She clutched her wine glass, her balance wavering, and instinctively grabbed his collar, pulling it out of shape.

He sat back down, cradling her against him.

Leaning back in his embrace, she couldn’t see his face, only the surrounding mountains and sea.

As she gradually relaxed, she took a sip of her wine. “The first time I went to Yuanwei, how did you recognize me so quickly in the elevator?”

“I already told you, I saw your ID photo.”

“That’s not what I wanted to hear.”

“Because you’re smart, capable, you skip grades and manage dual degrees while still competing in equestrian events. You love F1 racing, and you’re beautiful—you’re special to me, so I recognized you at a glance.”

Satisfied, Xu Zhiyi handed him her glass. “You can drink it all.”

Jiang Sixun smiled, wrapping an arm around her as he took the glass and finished the wine.

Setting the empty glass down, he lifted her again, standing up with her.

Xu Zhiyi wrapped her arms around his neck. “Where are you taking me?”

“Let’s take a nap together; I’ll watch you sleep.”

Her heart raced. “I won’t be able to sleep in your bed!”

He looked at her, teasingly. “How do you know you won’t sleep if you haven’t tried?”

His room had the same gray-white tones as hers, even the sheets were a light gray.

He placed her down on the pillow, and Xu Zhiyi’s breathing became erratic. She didn’t need to try to know; she could clearly tell him now that she wouldn’t be able to sleep.

“How about this,” she proposed, “I’ll sleep in your bed, and you can take mine.”

“No need for that. Switching beds is a hassle. I’ll just hold you while you sleep.”

As he settled over her, Jiang Sixun kissed her lips, a wave of his strong, cool presence enveloping her.

Xu Zhiyi said, “Get up; I think I could actually sleep now, and I’m very tired.”

The two of them burst into laughter at the absurdity of it all.

She buried her face in his chest, feeling more embarrassed than ever.

Jiang Sixun stifled his laughter, aware that she had a knack for ruining the mood for kisses.

He tucked one arm under her head for support, encircling her in his embrace while intertwining their fingers with his other hand.

“I’m not going to do anything else; I don’t have any tools at home,” he murmured against her ear. “I still owe you a favor. Do you need it?”

Xu Zhiyi pretended not to hear, remaining silent.

His lips traveled from her chin downward.

She realized vividly that if this continued, it would lead somewhere she wasn’t prepared for in broad daylight. She needed some buffer and tightened her grip around his neck.

Their eyes locked for a moment before Jiang Sixun kissed her again, this time allowing her the time to adjust, not pressing further.

His voice was low and husky. “I won’t let you be at a disadvantage. You help me once, and I’ll owe you two.”

Xu Zhiyi leaned in to kiss him.

Receiving her silent agreement, Jiang Sixun kissed her softly, his hand exploring downward.

They had shared a moment on the plane, and she still remembered the electric feeling from that encounter.

Just like before, he wore black fabric.

Through the material, he gently teased.

The sounds she made were swallowed by him entirely.

His tongue slipped into her mouth, leaving her breathless.

His fingertips traced along the fabric, touching her skin.

He caressed her until she was thoroughly lost in the sensation.

Jiang Sixun’s kiss was as tender as his long fingers, gentle and fleeting, never going too deep.

Yet even so, Xu Zhiyi struggled to catch her breath, feeling utterly overwhelmed.

After a few minutes in his embrace, she felt like she’d run a marathon.

As she calmed down, she buried her face deeper in his chest, not wanting to meet his gaze.

Jiang Sixun quickly grabbed a few tissues, but she didn’t let him clean up. Instead, he kissed her again, soothing her as he gently wiped her face dry.

Feeling tired, Xu Zhiyi soon found her eyes growing heavy.

Jiang Sixun stood, using a tissue to clean his hands.

Xu Zhiyi couldn’t recall when she fell asleep, but when she opened her eyes again, it was past seven in the evening.

This might have been the longest nap she’d ever taken.

After a quick wash-up, she headed to the dining room for food; the pastries sent from the old house were still warm.

Jiang Sixun handed her a cup of warm water, his gaze glued to her face.

“Stop staring at me,” Xu Zhiyi said.

He continued to look at her. “When we’re really together, will I need to stay away from home for a couple of days?”

He offered her a piece of cake. “Where did your fighting spirit from lunch go?”

Xu Zhiyi couldn’t help but laugh in annoyance. “It’s not the same!”

She snatched the pastry from his hand, popping it into her mouth as she grabbed her phone and headed to the terrace.

Jiang Sixun chuckled softly at her retreating figure. “Alright, don’t be angry.”

“I don’t want to talk to you for three minutes!” She pointed at her phone, making a phone gesture.

Jiang Sixun remained silent as he took the pastries and water to the terrace.

Xu Zhiyi found her father’s number and called to update her parents about her lunch with Shen Qingfeng and the family gathering, conveniently skipping over the bathroom incident.

“Be careful,” her father Xu Xiangyi warned. “Watch out for Shen Qingfeng; she might go crazy.”

Xu Zhiyi thought to herself, You don’t know how crazy your daughter can be.

They chatted for over half an hour.

After hanging up, Xu Xiangyi noticed a message from Xu Ningwei that had come in twenty minutes earlier.

“Dad, Shen Qingfeng emailed me tonight. She said a lot, but I didn’t respond.”

“Shen Qingfeng reached out to Ningwei again,” he told his wife, who was busy working late.

He Yi’an looked up from her computer screen. “How do you know? Did Zhiyi tell you?”

“Ningwei said it herself.” Xu Xiangyi showed his wife the message.

“This girl only contacts you, never me. It’s because of you that Shen Qingfeng wants to switch kids. After talking to her that night, she’s still stuck in her stubbornness, too deep to pull out,” He Yi’an handed the phone back. “You don’t need to reply; I’ll take care of it.”

“Make sure to explain the history between Professor Shang and Shen Qingfeng, so she understands the stakes,” Xu Xiangyi added.

He Yi’an picked up her own phone, thinking for a moment before typing a long message—longer than any she had ever sent before.

After editing it, she read it over and hit send.

“Ningwei, good evening.

I want to talk to you about Shen Qingfeng switching kids. She has a grudge against your dad, Professor Shang. Twenty-eight years ago, he worked with her competitor, leading to Shen Qingfeng’s company going bankrupt. She lost everything and has held a grudge ever since, wanting revenge on your dad.

At this point, it’s pointless to determine how much blame falls on Professor Shang and your dad regarding the child switch.

For my part, I’ll consider it fifty-fifty—let’s call it even.

The truth is out, and we all need to return to our positions like we did six years ago.

This should be my last message to you.

If you keep being indecisive, you, your dad, and our families will all suffer for it. Treasure your loving family. If you can’t accept them wholeheartedly, they will be hurt.

If you continue to wallow in self-pity, Shen Qingfeng will have successfully avenged herself on Professor Shang.

And don’t hold too high an opinion of me and your dad; human hearts can’t withstand too much scrutiny.

The love I had for you was genuine because I believed you were my own. Naturally, I felt no reservations. My reluctance to let you go when I found out about the switch was just an instinctive emotional reaction.

Twenty years of love and sacrifice feel like cutting flesh; it’s too painful to face.

But once that pain subsides, all that matters is taking care of my own child—people are inherently selfish.

I’m no exception.

Your dad and I understand this aspect of human nature well, which is why when the paternity test results came out, we insisted you and Zhiyi go back to your respective families. It’s not that we can’t afford to raise two kids; it’s just human nature.

I know I wouldn’t be able to endure the tests of human nature; I couldn’t just let another family spend the fortune I’ve earned.

I think anyone in my position would feel the same.

After all, you have your own parents; you were switched at birth, not adopted.

Feelings are real, but they’re built on the belief that you are my own. The initial reluctance to let go will fade, and with time, everything will return to rationality.

When you returned that black card to your dad in Manhattan, he accepted it immediately—that’s the most genuine human response.

So even if you call Zhiyi and want to stay together at home, my resolve won’t waver. I’ll still insist you return to your biological parents because their love for you is more genuine than ours.

This decision comes from a human perspective.

Emotionally, I don’t want to shortchange my own daughter; I only want to love her well moving forward.

The love from the past was real, and so was my reluctance. Six years later, it’s true that I can no longer feel the same anxiety for you.

I think Professor Shang feels the same way about Zhiyi; all his love has been invested in you, and there’s none left to give elsewhere.

You see, the truth can be sharp, and human hearts are hard to face.

So when it’s absolutely necessary, no one will reveal their deepest thoughts.

As for the debt of raising you, there’s no need for repayment; that was our willing contribution in the past.

Work on building a relationship with your parents; it won’t be easy. Don’t give up at the first sign of difficulty. Zhiyi and I have been working at it for six years, and we’re still in the process.

Whatever the reason, I’m grateful for the twenty years you were part of your dad and my life.

The sea is vast enough for fish to leap, and the sky is high enough for birds to fly. Your dad and I wish you a bright future filled with happiness and joy.”