Chapter 10: Bai Xiaoxiao's Little Notebook

Meanwhile, at Guanchao Manor. Shen Jingjue, whose call had been abruptly ended by his proud ex-wife, froze for several seconds, unable to process what had happened. So decisive and cold-hearted—where was the little wife who used to cry and beg him not to divorce her? For the past three years, she had felt nothing for him at all. She had merely endured, swallowed her pride, all for some unknown purpose. The thought ignited a furious blaze within Shen Jingjue. “Mr. Shen, your coffee.” Han Xian walked in, seeing his grim expression, and tentatively asked, “Have you… reached the Young Madam? Did you get her new number?” Shen Jingjue, his eyes filled with irritation, rubbed his forehead. He had been so consumed by anger that he hadn't accomplished his main task. He had thought that after Bai Xiaoxiao left, everything would go smoothly for him. Yet now, the thought of her being with Tang Yue choked him with anger and resentment. This was outrageous! How dare that woman manipulate his emotions? “I’ll find another opportunity. I don’t want to talk about that woman right now.” Shen Jingjue picked up his coffee cup and took a sip, then suddenly frowned. “What’s wrong with this coffee? It’s off.” “I… I made it exactly according to the recipe Young Madam gave me. How could it be?” Han Xian scratched his head in surprise. “Recipe?” “Before Young Madam left, she gave me a small notebook. It detailed your preferences, what you avoid, how you like your coffee prepared, even which year and month you ate an extra bite of a certain dish—everything was clearly written.” As he spoke, Han Xian pulled the small notebook from his pocket and handed it to Shen Jingjue. The man took it, hesitated for a moment, then slowly opened it. What met his eyes was neat, elegant handwriting, as meticulous as Bai Xiaoxiao herself used to be. —"Add a tiny pinch of salt to the coffee to enhance the flavor. Jingjue likes it." —"Jingjue ate two bowls of seafood and vegetable congee made with fresh scallops this morning. I can make it for him often in the future." —"Jingjue doesn't like overly sweet foods. Perhaps he would enjoy light, sweet desserts like steamed milk pudding with sugar or osmanthus cakes." —"Of the ties I bought for Jingjue last year, he never wore the ones with red elements. It seems Jingjue dislikes red…" Jingjue. Jingjue. Jingjue. Every word was about him, every sentence revolved around him. Shen Jingjue turned page after page, holding his breath, as if afraid to disturb the words. His eyes deepened, and the paper crumpled in his grip. “So willing to scrutinize people’s hearts—what else could it be but malicious intent and ulterior motives!” Though Shen Jingjue felt a complex mix of emotions regarding the contents of the notebook, he was still in a fit of pique. He flung the notebook into the wastebasket with a flick of his hand. “Oh, don’t throw it away! Mr. Shen, this is Young Madam’s effort from the past three years. If Young Madam didn’t care about you, why would she silently record all this? It shows how important you are to her!” Han Xian rushed to retrieve it, his face filled with distress. “Don’t call her Young Madam anymore. She doesn’t deserve it!” At that moment, chaotic noises came from outside the study. It sounded like it was coming from the right side of the hallway. And that room used to belong to Bai Xiaoxiao. “Go see what’s happening,” Shen Jingjue said, rubbing his temples wearily. Han Xian quickly left the study, only to return moments later, his expression complex. “Mr. Shen, the commotion is Miss Jin’s doing. She, she…” “What’s wrong with Rou’er?” “She’s throwing out everything from Young… no, from your ex-wife’s bedroom.” At that moment, Jin Enrou was in a frenzy, wreaking havoc in Bai Xiaoxiao’s bedroom. “Bitch… bitch! You country bumpkin, you’re only so arrogant because that old man dotes on you, aren’t you? What’s so great about getting a broken bracelet?! How dare you look down on me!” When the divorce agreement was signed, Tang Qiao’er left empty-handed, taking nothing. This gave Jin Enrou free rein. She threw Bai Xiaoxiao’s skincare products from the desk and the ornaments from the bedside table onto the floor like trash. By the time Shen Jingjue arrived, the room was a mess. “Rou’er! What are you doing?” He frowned sharply. “I hate that there are traces of your life together here, Bai Xiaoxiao’s scent!” Seeing Shen Jingjue, Jin Enrou burst into tears again. “If it weren’t for her… how could you and I have missed out on three whole years? She clearly stole my place… why does she have to act like I harmed her? It makes me look like a mistress!” “Rou’er, you’re not a mistress. Don’t overthink it.” Shen Jingjue’s eyes darkened. He bent down to pick up a battered jade toad. He suddenly paused, realizing that the small object actually had a wink, and its little paw was making a peace sign. A faint smile unconsciously touched the man’s thin lips. Jin Enrou then opened the wardrobe and began haphazardly throwing out Bai Xiaoxiao’s clothes. “What’s this?” She casually opened a large box, which contained a set of high-quality, exquisitely tailored men’s suits. “Heh heh… this must be a gift she prepared for Mr. Tang, right? She must have been planning ahead and found herself a new sugar daddy long ago!” Hearing this, Shen Jingjue’s dark eyes clouded over. He walked over and took the box. “Brother Jingjue, this woman is truly despicable! I thought she married you because she had feelings for you, and would genuinely take care of you. But it turns out she was just climbing the social ladder, treating you like a fool!” Jin Enrou’s eyes reddened. She picked up a fruit knife from the coffee table and lunged forward, intending to slash the suit. Shen Jingjue was quick. He shielded the box with his body. As a result, the knife sliced directly into his arm, and crimson blood soaked through his white shirt! “Ah! I’m, I’m sorry, Brother Jingjue!” Jin Enrou’s knife clattered to the floor. She clapped a hand over her mouth, terrified, her mind blank except for tears. “Oh my goodness! What’s going on here?!” Qin Shu rushed in, followed by servants. Seeing Shen Jingjue injured, with blood dripping onto the white carpet, she was also greatly alarmed. “Jingjue! What, what happened with a knife?” “Han Xian, arrange a car to send Miss Jin home,” Shen Jingjue said, enduring the pain and sighing helplessly. “Brother Jingjue, I don’t want to go back… I want to stay with you!” Jin Enrou anxiously hugged the man. “Yes, Jingjue, it’s so late, just let Rou’er stay here. She can take care of you if you’re injured,” Qin Shu chimed in, seizing the opportunity. From her perspective, she wished she could put Jin Enrou in Shen Jingjue’s bed tonight! “No need. Let her go back first.” But unexpectedly, the man’s attitude was unusually decisive. “Rou’er will marry you eventually…” “When she marries me, we’ll have plenty of time together. Before marriage, it’s better for her to stay at home. Firstly, she can spend more time with her family, and secondly, my divorce with Bai Xiaoxiao isn’t finalized yet. It’s not appropriate for Rou’er to stay here.” With that said, Qin Shu had no choice. After sending off the tearful Jin Enrou, Shen Jingjue sighed heavily, looking at the messy room, and instructed the servants to clean it up. “Mr. Shen, come look!” Han Xian exclaimed, standing in front of the wardrobe and pulling out an exquisite opera costume. Shen Jingjue walked over to examine the garment. It was made of soft, pink fabric, embroidered with intricate, lifelike peonies. One glance was enough to tell it was incredibly valuable. Only the peony is truly the national flower… His long eyelashes fluttered, his thoughts momentarily adrift. “Could it be… Young Madam can sing opera? That’s amazing!” Han Xian exclaimed sincerely. He had been impressed by the Young Madam several times that day. Such a spirited and beautiful woman—he couldn’t understand why Mr. Shen didn’t appreciate her. “Haven’t you heard the saying?” “Huh?” “A harlot is heartless, and an actress is faithless!” Shen Jingjue’s thin, slightly upturned lips pressed into a straight line, and an inexplicable irritation surged in his chest once more.