Chapter 28

Chapter 28: Gu Zechuan Can No Longer Sit Still Ruan Chutang glanced at Xu Jingxuan, then turned to look at Jiang Shixu, her eyes devoid of emotion. "What if I said Xu Jingxuan is lying? Would you believe me?" Jiang Shixu was stunned for a moment and didn't answer immediately. Chu Tang curled her lips in self-mockery. Why had she been so stupid as to ask such a question just now? One was a girl who had grown up with him since childhood, the other was a marriage partner he hadn't seen in three years and had no emotional foundation with. Any fool would know who Jiang Shixu would choose. However, Jiang Shixu only froze for a brief moment before replying firmly, "I believe you." Chu Tang was stunned. She could hardly believe her ears. Jiang Shixu actually chose to believe her? Then Xu Jingxuan... Chu Tang saw Xu Jingxuan's entire face turn white in an instant. "Brother, she's talking nonsense! How can you believe her and not me?" "That's enough." Jiang Shixu's cold gaze swept over. "From the very first time you met Tangtang, you've had an inexplicable hostility toward her. Just now when you said she kicked the horse when you weren't looking, I could already tell you were lying." Jiang Shixu's face was covered in frost. "Tangtang isn't that kind of person. I'm very clear about that. You also said it yourself—she has no grudge against you. Why would she harm you?" Ruan Chutang watched Jiang Shixu quietly. Her heart was filled with mixed emotions. Why would Jiang Shixu so firmly choose to believe her? Why would he trust her unconditionally? She had thought that between her and Xu Jingxuan, Jiang Shixu would choose Xu Jingxuan without hesitation. Chu Tang's nose tingled with acidity, and a bitter sensation welled up in her eyes. At this moment, the gratitude in her heart was beyond words. Jiang Shixu's gaze at Xu Jingxuan was as cold as ice and snow. "Xu Jingxuan, don't forget, your surname is Xu." The implication was clear—you are not a member of the Jiang family. Don't presume to act recklessly on the strength of your status as the Jiang family's adopted daughter. At these words, Xu Jingxuan's already pale face lost even more color. Her lips trembled, and tears streamed down uncontrollably. She opened her mouth, but not a single sound came out. "Get some rest. I'm leaving." Jiang Shixu dropped those words and turned to walk away. Chu Tang stood by the hospital bed, coldly glancing at Xu Jingxuan who was crying uncontrollably. She let out a sigh and said, "Why put yourself through this?" Outside the hospital, in the open-air parking lot. Jiang Shixu walked beside Ruan Chutang, apology evident in his eyes. "Tangtang, I'm sorry." Chu Tang turned to look at him. "What are you apologizing to me for?" "It's because my family failed to raise Jingxuan properly." Jiang Shixu sighed. "I don't know why she would slander you like this. Don't worry, I'll get to the bottom of this." Chu Tang let out a light laugh. "No need to ask. I know why." "Hm?" Jiang Shixu looked puzzled. Chu Tang parted her red lips. "Jiang Shixu, can you really not see Xu Jingxuan's intentions?" Jiang Shixu: "What do you mean?" Chu Tang said slowly, "She's targeting me because of you." Jiang Shixu frowned and said nothing. Chu Tang gazed into his eyes and spoke word by word, "Xu Jingxuan likes you. That's why she sees me as a rival. Everything she did was to drive a wedge between us." Jiang Shixu furrowed his brows in silence, looking deep in thought. Chu Tang continued walking forward. Jiang Shixu caught up. "Tangtang, wait for me." Chu Tang opened the car door and sat in the driver's seat. Jiang Shixu sat in the passenger seat. As he fastened his seatbelt, he said, "I understand now. From now on, I'll keep my distance from her." Ruan Chutang paused mid-motion. "Why?" Jiang Shixu: "Didn't you say she likes me? I never knew her feelings before—I only ever saw her as a sister. Now that I know, of course I need to keep my distance." He said solemnly, "Tangtang, I want to give you a sense of security." Chu Tang said, "What I'm asking is, why would you trust me unconditionally? Xu Jingxuan grew up with you. Shouldn't you trust her more? Why would you believe me?" Jiang Shixu looked at her, tenderness filling his eyes. "I already said it in the hospital room just now—you're not that kind of person." "Is it only because of that?" Only because she believed in her character? The streetlights were dim, and warm yellow light filtered through the windshield into the car. The love in Jiang Shixu's eyes was clearly visible. He spoke word by word, each one weighty and resolute, "And because I love you. Love means unconditional trust." Chu Tang's heart trembled violently. She turned her head away in a fluster, her face red and unable to speak. Was this... a confession? Watching the girl's ears turn completely red, a smile rippled at the corners of Jiang Shixu's lips. His Tangtang was shy. ... The next day, Xuebao's test results also came out. All indicators were normal. However, a wound was found on the horse's neck, initially determined to be a needle scratch. That spot on the wound could only have been reached by someone sitting on the horse's back. After Jiang Shixu learned of this result, he never went to the hospital to see Xu Jingxuan again. The Jiang family arranged for a top-tier caregiver for Xu Jingxuan, and the nanny delivered meals on time three times a day. Jiang Shixu stayed by Ruan Chutang's side every day, accompanying her to try on engagement dresses, pick out jewelry, and discuss the arrangements for the engagement banquet with her. No matter how much Xu Jingxuan made a fuss, he never went back to that hospital. The moment Xu Jingxuan fell from the horse, Chu Tang thought that her engagement with Jiang Shixu might be put on hold. Chu Tang never expected that Xu Jingxuan, for all her scheming, would end up outsmarting herself and becoming an unexpected ally instead—not only failing to make Jiang Shixu resent her, but actually accelerating his confession. After that night, Chu Tang began to develop feelings for Jiang Shixu. Though it wasn't quite affection, let alone love. After going through that failed relationship with Gu Zechuan, Chu Tang couldn't fall in love with someone else so quickly. But being unconditionally believed in and unconditionally favored—it was impossible not to be moved. ... The date for the engagement banquet was set. It would be on the fifteenth of next month. It was now early October, so there was still over a month to go. ... That day, Jiang Shixu accompanied Ruan Chutang to a high-end luxury brand boutique to buy clothes. In the VIP room. Ruan Chutang and Jiang Shixu sat on the sofa, watching several models with figures similar to Ruan Chutang's walk in front of them wearing the latest seasonal styles. "That light blue dress is nice," Jiang Shixu leaned in and whispered close to Chu Tang's ear. "I quite like that one too," Chu Tang nodded. "And that cream-colored jacket looks good as well." Just as she was speaking, Chu Tang's phone buzzed twice. She took out her phone and opened it. Jiang Shixu turned his head away, not looking at her phone, fully respecting her privacy. A few photos came through as text messages. Chu Tang flipped through them one by one. They were photos of Chen Wan and Gu Zechuan together. Judging by the background, it seemed to be in Xinjiang. A moment later, Chen Wan sent another text message. 【The places he wouldn't go with you, I've come in your place. Xinjiang is beautiful—too bad you'll never get to see it.】 Chu Tang rolled her eyes. She wasn't dead, so how could she never get to see it? During those three years with Gu Zechuan, she was a nine-to-six office worker, counting on those few holidays to travel. She was afraid to go alone for safety reasons, so she wanted Gu Zechuan to accompany her. The reason she wanted to go to Xinjiang was that her previous trips had all been abroad, and she hadn't yet visited the major domestic attractions that had become popular in recent years, so she'd been longing to go. Now, wherever she wanted to go for fun was as simple as saying the word. Chu Tang didn't reply. She thought about blocking Chen Wan, but after a moment's consideration, she changed her mind. This whole series of antics from Chen Wan was rather entertaining. She wanted to see what other tricks Chen Wan could pull. She'd keep her around as a virtual pet. With that thought, she put her phone away. ... Chen Wan leaned against Gu Zechuan's chest and sent out those carefully selected, heavily edited photos. Gu Zechuan held her, watching as she sent them to Ruan Chutang. He was anticipating Ruan Chutang's reaction when she saw those photos. Would she be angry? Would she be jealous? And then she wouldn't be able to resist contacting him, arguing with him, making a scene? He hadn't been in touch with Ruan Chutang for many days now. So when Chen Wan sent those photos right in front of him, he didn't stop her. He also wanted to see Ruan Chutang jealous over him, wanted Ruan Chutang to take the initiative to reach out and make up. However, after Chen Wan's message was sent, a long time passed and Ruan Chutang still hadn't replied. "Do you think she blocked me?" Chen Wan murmured in Gu Zechuan's arms. "That can't be—if she'd blocked me, the message wouldn't have gone through." Gu Zechuan made excuses for Ruan Chutang. "Maybe she hasn't seen it yet." Yes, that must be it—she just hadn't seen it yet. If she had seen it, there was no way she would remain indifferent. By the evening of the next day, Ruan Chutang still hadn't replied. Gu Zechuan couldn't sit still any longer. Taking advantage of Chen Wan's absence, he pulled out his phone and, with a grim expression, called his assistant. "Find out Ruan Chutang's hometown address."