Chapter 7 The Heirloom Jade Bangle

In the hospital room. The ailing Shen Nanhai immediately perked up at the sight of Tang Qiao'er, his eyes lighting up. “Xiao Xiao! Come here! Come to Grandpa!” Tang Qiao’er instantly changed her demeanor, sitting obediently beside Shen Nanhai. “Grandpa, how are you feeling? Is there anywhere else you’re uncomfortable?” “No matter how uncomfortable I was, seeing you makes all my ailments disappear!” Shen Nanhai took her hand, asking anxiously, “Xiao Xiao, that brat said you two divorced. Is that true?” “Yes, Grandpa, we divorced.” Tang Qiao’er’s long lashes fluttered, her heart feeling a sudden emptiness. “That pig-headed, blind fool! How could he not want such a wonderful wife? Does he plan to ascend to heaven and marry the Queen Mother of the West?!” Shen Nanhai strained to sit up, glaring and scolding. Shen Jingjue, concerned for his grandfather’s health, dared not speak. “Grandpa, don’t be angry with Jingjue. It was my decision not to continue this marriage. Jingjue and I… we were on the same page, in a way.” Tang Qiao’er gently comforted him, patting his back. Shen Jingjue’s dark pupils contracted. This woman actually didn’t complain or seek pity in front of his grandfather, nor did she use his grandfather to vent her anger or seek revenge. Could she be trying to use this unconventional method to win his heart and salvage a marriage that had already reached its end? Bai Xiao Xiao, where do you get the confidence to think I would be attracted to you? “Xiao Xiao, were you wronged in our family? Was Qin Shu unkind to you?” Shen Nanhai asked, his voice filled with concern. “No, Grandpa. Jingjue and I simply had incompatible values. We couldn’t truly understand each other, so separating is the best outcome for both of us.” A flicker of imperceptible sadness crossed Tang Qiao’er’s bright eyes. “Please don’t blame Jingjue. We shared beautiful memories over these three years, and that’s enough. We have no regrets.” Shen Jingjue’s handsome brows furrowed, a vague emotion stirring within him. He couldn’t recall any beautiful memories with Bai Xiao Xiao. He hadn’t even given her a formal wedding. It was just a hasty marriage registration under his grandfather’s pressure, and then she arrived at the Shen family with simple luggage, becoming his wife in name only. Did this woman truly find it beautiful? She must be speaking ironically. “Xiao Xiao… could it be… that I was wrong?” Shen Nanhai’s eyes welled up, and he sighed remorsefully. “Grandpa truly hoped you would be happy, which is why I brought you two together… I never expected that brat to disgrace me so much. Oh! Ultimately, Grandpa is the one who let you down.” “Don’t say that, Grandpa. Fate comes and goes freely. I’ve truly let go, truly.” Thirteen years of infatuation, now released. Heaven knew it felt like her skin had been peeled off. But Shen Jingjue had been so resolute; to cling on would mean losing even her dignity. She didn’t want to become a resentful woman, disfigured by her desperate pursuit of a man’s affection. “Old Xu, quickly bring the birthday gift I prepared for my granddaughter-in-law!” Secretary Xu quickly put on white gloves and retrieved an exquisite red velvet jewelry box. When the box opened, inside lay a collection-grade imperial green jade bangle with impeccable clarity and color! Tang Qiao’er understood appraisal; she could tell at a glance that it was an antique, at least a hundred years old! “Grandpa, isn’t this Grandma’s…” Shen Jingjue looked at the bangle, his expression startled. “Yes, this was the token of love I gave your grandmother back then. It’s our Shen family’s ancestral treasure, passed down from your great-grandfather.” Shen Nanhai said, picking up the bangle and holding it to the sunlight, his gaze softening. “Before your grandmother passed away, she told me that among all her jewelry, this jade bangle was her favorite. She hoped I would give it to a granddaughter-in-law I was pleased with.” “Now that your grandmother is gone, I want to give this to my dearest Xiao Xiao. Only she deserves something so fine.” “No, Grandpa, this… this is too precious. Besides, I’m no longer…” Tang Qiao’er declined, her heart flustered. “Even if you and Jingjue aren’t together, you are still the only granddaughter-in-law I acknowledge!” The old man, seeing her refusal, began to act stubborn. “If you don’t accept it, I’ll smash it!” “No, no!” Tang Qiao’er quickly grabbed his hand, her heart nearly stopping. “I’ll take it, I’ll take it. Thank you, Grandpa!” “Ah! Good girl!” Shen Nanhai contentedly placed it on her wrist himself. Tang Qiao’er was already fair-skinned, and with the translucent green of the bangle, her hands appeared even more luminous, like jade and snow. Shen Jingjue had never looked at her hands so closely before. Now, upon closer inspection, they were soft, white, and delicate, not at all overshadowed by the bangle’s brilliance. They were truly beautiful. “Brat, what did you give Xiao Xiao for her birthday?” Shen Nanhai asked grumpily. “Grandpa, Jingjue… already gave me a gift. It was a truly unforgettable one.” Shen Jingjue secretly clenched his fists, his thin lips pressed so tightly they turned white. On her birthday, he had indeed given her a “grand gift”—the divorce papers. Bai Xiao Xiao, your ability to wound is truly remarkable! “Xiao Xiao, is there truly… no room for discussion between you and Ajue?” Shen Nanhai still wouldn’t give up. “Grandpa…” Tang Qiao’er gently held Shen Nanhai’s weathered hand. “If you truly care for me, you should support me and let me live the life I want. Don’t you agree?” “Sigh! Since things have come to this, Grandpa can’t persuade you. Grandpa only asks if you can wait until after Grandpa’s eightieth birthday before you leave? It’s only a few more days.” Shen Nanhai pleaded, extremely reluctant. “Grandpa, that’s not appropriate.” Shen Jingjue frowned, his voice low and decisive. “What’s not appropriate? Would it be appropriate for you to bring that Jin family girl to my birthday celebration, forcing me to accept her as my granddaughter-in-law?! Do those two, aunt and niece, think they can control all the men in the Shen family and do as they please? Let them dream their crystal glass dreams!” Shen Nanhai angrily slapped the bed. “If you still acknowledge me as your grandfather, and if you want me to live a few more years, stay away from that Jin family girl! I’m telling you, I will never accept her, not even in death!” … Outside the door, Jin Enrou paced anxiously, gnashing her teeth and stamping her feet. “Stop pacing, you’re making my head spin.” Qin Shu rubbed her temples and shook her head. “You’re far too impatient. You know what the old man thinks of you; it’s not the first time. He’s got one foot in the grave; how much longer can he control Jingjue? You just need to firmly hold Jingjue’s heart, and that’s enough.” “That’s true, but as long as he’s alive, he won’t acknowledge my status, and I can’t openly marry Brother Jingjue!” As soon as the words left her mouth, Jin Enrou quickly covered her mouth, nervously looking around. “Back then, the old man also tried every way to prevent me from being accepted, but what happened? Didn’t I still marry your uncle splendidly?” Qin Shu admired her newly manicured nails. “Hearts are made of flesh. He’s still his grandson. As long as Jingjue insists on you, do you think the old man won’t eventually be worn down?” Jin Enrou thought the same, and her mood calmed considerably. Just then, the hospital room door finally opened. Secretary Xu escorted the young couple out. Jin Enrou quickly hid the calculation on her face, approaching them softly and weakly. Suddenly, her pupils constricted sharply! The jade bangle on Tang Qiao’er’s wrist was so beautiful it was impossible to look away. It was infinitely superior to the so-called heirloom on her own wrist! It hadn’t been there when she went in, but it was there when she came out. Who else could have given it to her but the old man?! Jin Enrou’s face twisted with jealousy, and a wicked scheme formed in her mind. As she approached them, she suddenly lunged towards Tang Qiao’er. “Ah!” Jin Enrou had intended to pretend to trip and fall onto her, pulling off her bangle and smashing it in the process. However, Tang Qiao’er narrowed her eyes slightly, and her graceful figure flashed aside. Jin Enrou fell directly in front of her, face-planting! Then, with a crisp snap— The bangle on Jin Enrou’s wrist broke into two pieces!