Chapter 28: Celebrating Miss Jiang’s Return to the Light
Yan Feng’s expression grew dark. As expected, Jiang Zhiyou hadn’t truly wanted to break up. He hadn’t even told his family yet about Xia Ling’s pregnancy. By revealing it at such a critical moment, wasn’t she just making everyone think Xia Ling was using the pregnancy to force her out? How could they possibly accept Xia Ling after this?
Sure enough, when Yan’s mother found out, she flew into a rage.
“Yan Feng, are you and that little tramp bullying Zhiyou like this? I’m telling you, I don’t care if she’s pregnant or not, I will never let her through the Yan family’s doors. And that child—we will never accept it.”
“Mom, the baby Xia Ling is carrying is my flesh and blood—your grandchild.”
Yan Feng was equally furious.
“Our family doesn’t need such tainted blood. Do you remember how Zhiyou treated Xia Ling over the years? When Xia Ling was kidnapped by thugs, it was Zhiyou who rescued her—she took the knife for her and nearly lost her life. The scar on her shoulder is still there. And what did Xia Ling do? In Zhiyou’s darkest, most vulnerable moment, she stole her boyfriend. Does she have any conscience at all?”
Back then, Jiang Zhiyou suffered betrayal in family, friendship, and love. Overwhelmed, she attempted suicide. Someone who had always been so cheerful had actually tried to take her own life. Just thinking about it made Yan’s mother ache inside.
Yan Feng’s gaze was cold and stormy. “I pursued Xia Ling. This has nothing to do with her. If anyone is at fault, it’s me—I’m the one who let her down.”
“Fine, keep defending her. You’re so bewitched, you won’t listen to reason. One day you’ll regret this.”
Jiang Zhiyou gently took her mother’s arm. “Mom, it’s over. I’ve let go, and you all should, too. If I can’t be your daughter-in-law, let me be your daughter. I’ll care for you in your old age.”
Yan’s mother burst into tears, clutching Jiang Zhiyou’s hand.
The old patriarch sighed heavily beside them. “Enough. Each generation has its own fate. If they want to part, let them part.” He stepped in front of Yan Feng. “But remember what I said: you can renounce your status as Zhiyou’s husband, but you also forfeit your right as the Yan family heir. As for the company shares…”
“Grandfather, I don’t want the company shares or any of the Yan family’s estate.”
Jiang Zhiyou’s tone was resolute. “This is the fruit of your life’s labor. It shouldn’t be used to compensate for anyone’s feelings. I don’t know how to run a company—I’d only let you down. I won’t take the shares. And as for the properties you bought for me, I’ll return them to the family. They were never mine to begin with.”
Yan’s mother’s heart broke. “Zhiyou, that’s just your anger talking. Those homes were bought for you little by little since you were born. Even if you’re no longer our daughter-in-law, they’re still yours.”
Jiang Zhiyou smiled softly. “I lack for nothing, truly. If you insist on giving me something, let it be the Greenfield Villa. The rest, save them for Ayin’s dowry.”
No matter how Yan’s mother pleaded, Jiang Zhiyou still moved out.
Yan’s father comforted his sobbing wife. “Perhaps this separation is for the best. Some space might help them mend their relationship.”
Yan’s mother nodded through her tears. “No matter what, in this life, I’ll only ever accept Zhiyou as my daughter-in-law.”
Jiang Zhiyou loaded her luggage into her car. After bidding farewell to Yan’s parents and the old patriarch, she prepared to leave.
For once, Yan Feng followed her outside.
She opened the car door, but Yan Feng grabbed her arm. “Jiang Zhiyou, have you made enough of a scene?”
Jiang Zhiyou looked at him in mild confusion. “You think I’m making a scene?”
“You deliberately told everyone about Xia Ling’s pregnancy to put her in a bad light. You still care about this, don’t you? You don’t really want to break up. You just want to force the family’s hand, make Xia Ling get rid of the child. Jiang Zhiyou, you’re truly malicious.”
Jiang Zhiyou shook her head, helpless but calm. “Yan Feng, I did hate you and Xia Ling, but I never wished harm on your child. No matter how I explain, you wouldn’t believe me. So let time prove it.”
She shook off his hand and got into her car. After starting the engine, she rolled down the window, looked up, and gave Yan Feng a gentle smile.
“Yan Feng, this time I’m truly letting you go. I wish you and Xia Ling happiness.”
With that, she sped away from the old Yan family residence.
Yan Feng stood in the courtyard for a long time. When she used to cling to him, he had despised it. Now that she was really gone, it felt as if something was missing inside him. Especially her final smile—so free, neither sad nor joyful, as if she had let go of every grievance. The sight unsettled him more than he cared to admit.
Jiang Zhiyou, can you really let go? Or is this just an act for everyone to see?
Leaving the old Yan household, Jiang Zhiyou drove straight to the Greenfield Villa. The car stopped in the courtyard. Night had already fallen, but every light in the house was on.
Before long, a tall figure emerged from within.
At the sight, Jiang Zhiyou couldn’t help but laugh. “The esteemed young prince—what are you doing?”
Bo Jin Xiu saw exactly what amused her and glanced down at the apron he was wearing. “I made dinner, waiting for you to eat.”
She was surprised. “You can cook? Wait—how did you know I’d be coming tonight?”
He smiled faintly, a rare warmth flickering in his cool eyes. “A man’s intuition.”
Jiang Zhiyou didn’t press further. She opened the trunk. “Could you help me bring in my luggage?”
Once everything was inside, she didn’t bother unpacking. Instead, she followed Bo Jin Xiu to the dining room.
The table was covered with a lavish spread of dishes.
She was genuinely astonished. “You made all of this?”
He nodded. “It took three hours. There’s chicken soup too—I’ll bring some.”
She hadn’t eaten much at the Yan house that evening. The sight and scent of so much delicious food made her realize how hungry she was.
They sat on opposite sides of the table and began their meal.
She tried a piece of braised pork ribs and was visibly amazed. “This is delicious! How did you learn to cook?”
“I was sent to study in England at thirteen and spent seven years there.” That was all he said.
She understood immediately. England—the global desert of cuisine. British food was notoriously unpalatable. If a student wanted authentic Chinese food, they had to cook it themselves. Most students ended up mastering the culinary arts.
“Do you usually cook for yourself?”
He shook his head. “Rarely. Tonight is a celebration.”
“A celebration?”
He replied coolly, “Celebrating Miss Jiang choosing the light over the dark.”
After dinner, Bo Jin Xiu took the initiative to clean up the kitchen. Jiang Zhiyou, holding a cup of coffee, stood at the doorway and watched him wash the dishes.
With his model-like proportions and perfect build, even his back could make hearts race. In public, he was always reserved and untouchable, as if standing above the crowd. But with Jiang Zhiyou, he seemed a different person altogether.
She recalled the past three years. Here, she had never so much as dipped her fingers in water. This man handled the housework, did the laundry, and after their nights together, would gently bathe her. She used to think he was like some exquisitely trained siren, born to captivate. Yet, he occupied such a distinguished place in the world.
Even now, she felt a sense of surrealism.
After he finished tidying up, he came out of the kitchen and saw her sipping coffee.
“Coffee this late? You don’t plan on sleeping tonight?”
She smiled. “I suffer from insomnia. It makes no difference.”
He knew about her insomnia—three hours of sleep a night was a luxury. Sharing a bed for three years, he’d seen it for himself. She often turned restlessly in the middle of the night, and sometimes, unable to sleep, she’d get up. Many nights, when he opened his eyes, he’d see her out on the balcony, gazing at the stars from a lounge chair.
His brows lifted slightly, his eyes deep and dark.
“If you can’t sleep, that’s fine. There are other things we could do.”