Chapter 14: I Want You and Bai Xiaoxiao Back Together

Shen Jingjue led Jin Enrou into his CEO's office, in full view of the entire staff. The moment the door closed, Jin Enrou, tears streaming down her face, threw herself into his arms, clutching his waist tightly. "My Jingjue, thank goodness you came for me. I was so scared just now..." Shen Jingjue's dark eyes were like impenetrable ink. He raised his hands, placed them on Jin Enrou's shoulders, and slowly pushed her away. "Jingjue..." Jin Enrou looked bewildered. "Why did you do it?" Shen Jingjue's voice was cool, his gaze intense. "Do what?" "Expose our engagement to *Shengjing Daily*. Why?" Jin Enrou secretly breathed a sigh of relief and tried to embrace him again. "Because I can't wait to marry you, Jingjue. Don't you want to marry me?" "I do, but this isn't appropriate." Shen Jingjue's expression was serious, devoid of his usual tenderness. "How is it not appropriate? You and Bai Xiaoxiao are already divorced!" "Our divorce procedures aren't finalized yet. And we promised Grandpa we'd wait until after his eightieth birthday to officially divorce." Shen Jingjue instinctively stepped back. "Until then, she's still my wife in name. Your public announcement of our engagement will affect all three parties, and Grandpa will be even more displeased with you." He was straightforward, always prioritizing practicality, and his emotional expression had always been somewhat lacking since childhood. The only tenderness he showed was to Jin Enrou, yet his words remained blunt, sometimes hurtful. He thought that as childhood sweethearts, Jin Enrou would understand him. But she completely missed the point, her eyes turning red with anger. "Affect all three parties? Jingjue, are you upset because people online are calling Bai Xiaoxiao a homewrecker? Are you feeling sorry for her?!" "I'm not feeling sorry for her. It's just that Bai Xiaoxiao isn't a homewrecker, and this situation shouldn't have escalated like this." Shen Jingjue pinched the bridge of his nose, a dull ache throbbing in his head. "How is she not? She clearly is!" Jin Enrou stomped her foot, her voice shrill and piercing, making Shen Jingjue's headache worse. "If it weren't for her, you and I would have been together ages ago! It's all her fault for interfering! She monopolized my place by your side for three whole years!" "It was Bai Xiaoxiao's three years as my wife in name only that earned Grandpa's concession. Without her, you and I would have had even less chance of being together." As Shen Jingjue spoke, his own heart gave a sharp pang. Yes, if Bai Xiaoxiao hadn't left him after her three-year term was up, how could Grandpa have allowed him to be with Jin Enrou? That woman, she always greeted him with a smile the moment he came home, helped him change, warmed his bathwater, and quietly managed everything without ever causing him any trouble. She never fought, never cried, and even when she signed the divorce papers and left the Shen family, she didn't utter a single word of complaint. Even if Bai Xiaoxiao ultimately chose Tang Yue without looking back, she had fulfilled her duties as a wife for three years. It was he who had only treated her as a tool, constantly wishing for the three years to pass so he could be with the person he truly desired. If there was any debt, he owed her far more. "Jingjue, are you... taking her side now?" Jin Enrou was stunned. She felt she could no longer grasp his thoughts. "No, I'm just stating the facts." Just then, his phone rang. Shen Jingjue saw it was Grandpa calling, and a look of irritation crossed his face. He opened the door, and Han Xian was waiting outside. "Han Xian, send more people to escort Miss Jin home." "Yes, Mr. Shen." Han Xian gestured for Jin Enrou to leave. "Jingjue! I don't want to go back... I'm so scared!" Jin Enrou's eyes were tearful, and she clutched his hand tightly. "Don't be afraid. Just don't accept any media interviews for the next few days. I'll handle the rest." Shen Jingjue firmly escorted her out, then closed the door. Enduring his headache, he answered Grandpa's call. "Grandpa." "Shen Jingjue! How dare you break your promise to me? Are you so desperate to marry that vixen?!" Shen Nanhai roared in anger. "If you marry that Jin girl, I, Shen Nanhai, will no longer have an unfilial grandson like you!" "Grandpa, the news was released by the media, it has nothing to do with me." "I think that Jin girl released it! She saw you hadn't proposed yet and got anxious, so she pulled this stunt!" "It wasn't Rou'er, please don't misunderstand her." Shen Jingjue's headache intensified. He tugged at his Windsor knot, slowly leaned against the wall, and sank onto the sofa. He felt guilty for lying to the grandfather who loved him most, his throat bitter, but he had no other choice. "I forbid you to marry Jin Enrou! I want you and Xiaoxiao to get back together!" Shen Nanhai was done with pleasantries and immediately championed the Shen-Bai reunion. "Grandpa, this was your promise to me: after three years, I could choose." Shen Jingjue's forehead was beaded with sweat, his breathing uneven. "Bai Xiaoxiao and I... there's no possibility anymore. My future wife can only be Rou'er." "Fine... fine! You blind, idiotic scoundrel, I, Shen Nanhai, will wait until the day you lose Xiaoxiao and cry with regret before I close my eyes!" With that, the old man slammed down the phone. Shen Jingjue sighed heavily, covering his head. He walked to his desk, fumbling for painkillers and swallowing them. Han Xian returned after escorting Jin Enrou and witnessed the scene. He hurried over, concerned, to help him. "Mr. Shen, are you alright? Is your headache acting up again?" "I'm fine." Shen Jingjue slowly sat down, closing his eyes and rubbing his throbbing temples. "Constantly taking painkillers isn't a solution. I remember for the past three years, with Madam's massages and acupuncture, your headaches significantly improved. Why is it flaring up again?" Han Xian sighed sympathetically. "If only Madam were here, you always slept soundly after her acupuncture sessions..." "Don't mention her." Shen Jingjue took a sharp breath, a knot of frustration tightening in his chest. "Oh, Mr. Shen, about what you asked me to investigate... I've found out." Han Xian's eyes flickered, hesitant. "Speak." "The two marketing accounts that spread negative rumors about Madam... the person who supplied them with information... was Miss Jin." Shen Jingjue's eyes snapped open, his heart suddenly constricting. "Are you sure? How is that possible?!" "Yes, I'm sure. I confirmed it multiple times." Han Xian spoke softly, bracing for the storm. "Otherwise, how could everything be such a coincidence? The engagement news was just released, and the negative rumors followed immediately. It looks like it was all prepared in advance." Shen Jingjue froze for a long moment, then his tall frame slumped, a wave of powerlessness washing over him. "Rou'er, how could she do such a thing..." He knew Jin Enrou loved and cared for him, and that she disliked Bai Xiaoxiao, but she shouldn't have vented her anger in such a way. "Handle it. Whatever method you use, I want those negative rumors to disappear from the internet before sunset!" * When Jin Enrou returned home, Mr. and Mrs. Jin and Jin Zeyu were all there, their faces beaming with joy at her arrival. "Oh, little sister! Your move was brilliant!" Jin Zeyu couldn't stop smiling. "The moment you announced your engagement with Mr. Shen, our Jin Corporation's difficulties were resolved! Now many hotels are placing orders with us again, we're going to make a fortune!" "My dear daughter! You're the hero of our family this time!" Mr. Jin praised her from the side. Previously, Tang Corporation's hotels had suddenly returned all bedding products from Jin Corporation's Aili brand and permanently canceled their partnership, causing the industry to question Jin Corporation. Many hotels that had placed orders also canceled them, leading to heavy losses for Jin Corporation, leaving the father and son frantic. That's why Jin Enrou thought of announcing the engagement—to save their struggling business. Indeed, the effect was significant. Relying on the Shen family's money tree truly brought in wealth. But Jin Enrou wasn't happy at all, her face drawn. "The business is saved, but do you know how much I sacrificed? Jingjue argued with me today, and that old man... he'll probably dislike me even more!" "What's there to be afraid of? How many more years can that old man Shen Nanhai, who's on his last legs, last? He'll die eventually!" Jin Zeyu smirked. "Once that old man passes away, Auntie will have Shen Guangjing under her thumb, and you'll have Shen Jingjue. The entire Shen family will be in our control!" "That's right, Rou'er." Mrs. Jin walked over and stroked Jin Enrou's hair, her eyes gleaming with ambition. "As long as Jingjue loves you, Shen Nanhai can't stop you from marrying into a wealthy family. Your aunt is the best example." Only then did Jin Enrou feel comforted, and she nodded with renewed confidence. This time, no matter what, she would marry into the Shen family and become the envied CEO's wife!