Volume One, Chapter Four: Addiction

Bai Ruoxi was the false heiress adopted by the Bai family.

Five years ago, shortly after the Bai family retrieved Bai Ruoyun, a poor couple from a remote mountainous village arrived with genetic test results and took Bai Ruoxi away.

The couple claimed to be Bai Ruoxi’s grandparents, explaining that her parents had an accident while working away, and the child had gone missing. Now that they had found her, they intended to make amends properly.

After Bai Ruoxi was taken away, no one heard from her again.

Until three years ago, when the Bai family arranged a marriage alliance with the Jiang family.

Following the wishes of the elderly patriarch of the Jiang family, a traditional Chinese wedding was held.

Throughout the ceremony, the bride’s face remained covered by a veil.

No one knew that Bai Ruoyun had been secretly replaced midway by Bai Ruoxi under the veil.

In the end, with the marriage consummated, Bai Ruoxi, despite all the controversy, shamelessly assumed the role of Mrs. Jiang.

Meanwhile, the true heiress Bai Ruoyun disappeared without a trace.

Recalling these events, Zhao Chen added, “She went through so much trouble to come back to Jiang City from the mountains—there’s no way she just wanted to borrow something from you...”

Caught by Jiang Jinglan’s icy, murderous glare, Zhao Chen suddenly felt a chill down his neck and swallowed the rest of his words.

“Is there some misunderstanding here?” he ventured.

“She said it herself.”

Jiang Jinglan clenched his back molars tightly, his prominent knuckles on the table balling into fists.

That night, after drinking, Bai Ruoxi not only said she would leave the Jiang family once she got pregnant but also uttered far worse things, too shameful to repeat...

Bai Ruoxi was a complete lunatic, yet like poison, strangely addictive.

Damn it, he must have been crazy that night to just let things slide.

Jiang Jinglan bit down hard, veins bulging faintly on the back of his hand.

Seeing Jiang Jinglan like this, Zhao Chen gasped inwardly.

Jiang Jinglan was always dignified and composed.

No one knew how Bai Ruoxi had managed to offend this stoic man to the point of such fury.

But if Jiang Jinglan could be both angry and loving toward Bai Ruoxi at the same time, wouldn’t that become a twisted obsession over time?

Zhao Chen forced a smile, laughing awkwardly, “I have something to do—let’s discuss the cooperation another day... heh heh heh, I’ll take my leave now.”

After Zhao Chen left, Jiang Jinglan’s lips tightened as he gazed deeply at the calm river outside the window.

After a long while, he dialed Chen Chunrong’s number.

Chen Chunrong had really gone too far this time…

———

Jia De Plaza was the largest shopping mall in Jiang City, catering exclusively to high-end brands, usually refusing ordinary tenants.

Jinzhi Coffee was an exception.

Rumor had it that Jinzhi Coffee was run by the treasured granddaughter of the unseen owner behind Jia De Plaza, which explained the special privilege.

As for who the true owner of Jia De Plaza was, or who the small boss behind Jinzhi Coffee was, no one knew.

At 1:50 PM, Bai Ruoxi arrived at Jia De Plaza wearing a white silk dress paired with silver low heels, carrying the bag Jiang Jinglan had sent that morning.

Jia De Plaza was circular in layout, with a square musical fountain at the center, symbolizing the harmony of heaven and earth.

Facing the fountain, in the mall’s prime spot, stood “Jinzhi Coffee.”

Seeing time running short, Bai Ruoxi hurriedly crossed the fountain, heading toward a revolving door.

She glanced up at the entrance sign, a golden fan-shaped plaque bearing the characters “Jinzhi.”

Before she could enter, the manager recognized her and hurried over. “The guests are already waiting inside. Are you sure you want to go in?”

Bai Ruoxi removed her sunglasses and handed them to the manager, her voice lowering.

“Yes, the usual—don’t tell grandpa.”

Though reluctant, the manager nodded in agreement.

Bai Ruoxi took a deep breath and made her way to a booth deep inside.

When she arrived, three people were already seated.

By the window sat a middle-aged woman in a rose-pink suit—Jiang Jinglan’s mother, Chen Chunrong.

Next to her was a young woman in a denim outfit with colorful dreadlocks—Jiang Jinglan’s sister, Jiang Yuhuai.

Bai Ruoxi’s gaze fell on the woman opposite Chen Chunrong, dressed in a black suit, whose eyes darkened with a tinge of gloom.

She was Jiang Jinglan’s first love—Qin Yu, recently divorced.

Qin Yu noticed Bai Ruoxi’s stare and smiled faintly.

“You must be Ruoxi, right? I’ve heard about you.”

She patted the seat beside her in a hostess-like manner.

“Sit down, don’t be shy.”

At the sight of Qin Yu, Bai Ruoxi’s spine stiffened involuntarily.

She had only seen Qin Yu’s school photos before.

Back then, Qin Yu was just a teenager with long black hair tied high, wearing a blue-and-white school uniform, smiling softly while standing two steps away from Jiang Jinglan, eyes filled with admiration.

Now, at twenty-six, Qin Yu wore her black hair in a low bun, dressed in a sharp black suit and trousers with a white chiffon blouse underneath.

The blouse’s neckline was low, revealing a subtle cleavage, with black lace edges of her lingerie barely visible.

Qin Yu exuded a mature aura, tinged with a hint of worldliness.

Bai Ruoxi pursed her lips slightly and deftly pulled over an iron chair to sit by the table.

———

She had expected Chen Chunrong to verbally humiliate her, but never imagined she would bring Qin Yu along.

Outside, rumors painted her as Jiang Jinglan’s sycophant, a wild country girl who had flown out of the mountains, shamelessly stealing the position that rightfully belonged to Qin Yu as Mrs. Jiang.

Utterly shameless...

Chen Chunrong clearly intended to shred Bai Ruoxi’s dignity by bringing Qin Yu.

Just endure it; this will be over soon...

Bai Ruoxi took a deep breath, turned her head away from Qin Yu, and spoke softly to Chen Chunrong, “Mom, why did you want to see me?”

Chen Chunrong lifted her chin, feigning poise as she sipped her coffee and said to Qin Yu, “Xiaoyu, Jinglan doesn’t know what he’s thinking, still keeping this unknown woman by his side.”

“In the past, you and Jinglan were young and impulsive, and didn’t understand much. Now that you’ve both been through marriage and grown up, you’re the perfect match.”

Though addressed to Qin Yu, these words were clearly aimed at Bai Ruoxi.

They implied Bai Ruoxi was unworthy of Jiang Jinglan and should be sensible enough to divorce and hand over the position of Mrs. Jiang to Qin Yu.

Over the past three years, Bai Ruoxi had heard such words many times.

Yet, despite knowing that she would eventually have to make way for Qin Yu, her heart still ached deeply.

Perhaps it was because Qin Yu was here today...

Bai Ruoxi lowered her head silently, feigning indifference, but her hands clenched tightly on her skirt.

Seeing this, Qin Yu stepped in to ease the tension. “Auntie, don’t speak nonsense. Ruoxi is beautiful and composed; she’s a good match for Jinglan.”

“From now on, Jinglan and I will only have a superior-subordinate relationship.”

Superior-subordinate relationship?

Bai Ruoxi glanced at Qin Yu warily.

Did she really have no feelings for Jiang Jinglan? Then why had she arranged a midnight meeting with him?

Qin Yu’s lips curved into a faint smile.

Yet beneath her rimless glasses, her dark eyes revealed no emotion at all.

If it weren’t for her other facial features, she might have seemed frightening.

Bai Ruoxi couldn’t read Qin Yu.

“Aren’t you being a bit too presumptuous, Xiaoyu?”

Chen Chunrong put down her coffee cup, her expression softening as she gently patted Qin Yu’s hand.

“In this lifetime, you’re my only daughter-in-law.”

Qin Yu smiled and shook her head, teasingly, “Auntie, you’re as childish as Jinglan.”

Then, resting her chin on her hand, she turned to Bai Ruoxi with concern.

“How did Jinglan do after he went home last night?”