Chapter 4: Sure Enough, Women Can’t Be Spoiled

Last night, he drank a little too much, and in the second half of the night, Cheng Zhou insisted on continuing. By the time Jiang Yihuai was dropped off at his villa by the driver, the sky was already beginning to brighten.

He had already collapsed onto his bed, drowsiness washing over him, but he still forced himself to take a quick shower. Now Mianmian wouldn’t scold him, right?

Half-conscious, Jiang Yihuai couldn’t help but think. When he opened his eyes again, it was due to pain. “Hiss…” He clutched his stomach and struggled to sit up.

“My stomach hurts! Mian—”

The name had barely left his lips before he abruptly stopped. Jiang Yihuai frowned. She is really something this time, more stubborn than before. Fine, let’s see how long she can keep this up.

But… where was the medicine?

Jiang Yihuai searched the living room, rummaging through every possible storage space, but the home’s first-aid kit was nowhere to be found. He called Aunt Wang.

“Oh, the stomach medicine? It’s in the first-aid kit.”

Jiang Yihuai’s temple throbbed. He took a deep breath. “Where’s the first-aid kit?”

“In the bedroom closet drawer. Miss Su put several boxes in there, saying you always get stomach aches after drinking, so she kept them nearby for easy access…”

“Hello? Young Master, are you still there? Why did he hang up…”

Jiang Yihuai walked to the closet and, sure enough, found the first-aid kit in the drawer. Inside were all his usual stomach medicine—five full boxes. After taking the medicine, the pain subsided, and his tense nerves began to relax. He casually pushed the drawer shut, but suddenly, his movements froze.

Jewelry, luxury handbags—everything was still there. But all of Su Yumian’s important documents—her ID card, passport, degree certificate, graduation diploma—were gone.

He glanced at the corner where their luggage was usually stacked. Sure enough, one suitcase was missing. Standing in place, Jiang Yihuai felt a wave of anger surge straight to his head.

“Good… good… very good…”

He said “good” three times in a row, nodding as he spoke. Sure enough, women shouldn’t be spoiled. The more you spoil them, the worse their temper gets.

Just then, the sound of the front door opening echoed from downstairs. Jiang Yihuai immediately went down.

“…Why is it you?”

Jiang Qiting was changing her shoes and looked surprised. “Who else would it be?”

Jiang Yihuai sat on the sofa, uninterested. “Why are you here? What do you want?”

“Aunt Wang said your stomach was acting up, so I came on Mom’s orders to check on you.”

As she spoke, she headed toward the kitchen. “I haven’t had lunch yet. Perfect timing to grab a bite here.”

One reason she had a good impression of Su Yumian was because her cooking was amazing.

But half a minute later—

“Bro! Why is your kitchen completely cold and untouched?”

“Where’s Su Yumian? She’s not home today? That’s weird…”

At this time, she should have already prepared lunch, waiting for her brother to come down and eat. If she was lucky, she could even grab a meal too.

Su Yumian, again…

Jiang Yihuai massaged his temple, unwilling to respond.

Jiang Qiting came out of the kitchen, looking disappointed. “Is she sick? Yesterday at the hospital, I thought she looked a little pale…”

“…You saw her at the hospital?” Jiang Yihuai unconsciously straightened up.

“Yeah, I was visiting Professor Ouyang at Xijing Hospital and ran into Su Yumian at the inpatient building entrance. Oh, by the way, Bro, guess what? Professor Ouyang agreed to give me a direct PhD placement!”

Jiang Yihuai frowned. “Why was she at the hospital?”

“You’re asking me? If even you don’t know, how could I?”

Jiang Yihuai stayed silent.

“Maybe she wasn’t sick? Maybe she was visiting someone? But I don’t think she has many friends… her life basically revolves around you and… you.”

“You done talking?”

Jiang Qiting blinked.

“If you’re done, leave. I haven’t woken up yet.” Jiang Yihuai stood up.

“What the— are you really trying to kick me out? Fine, I’m going.” Jiang Qiting grumbled as she put her shoes back on. “Oh, right, I actually came here with a task.”

Jiang Yihuai wasn’t interested and started heading upstairs.

“Tomorrow at 2 PM, West Coast Restaurant. Mom set up a blind date for you—don’t be late!”

“You talk too much.”

Jiang Qiting made a face at his back before finally leaving.

She wasn’t surprised. After all, being with Su Yumian didn’t mean their mother would stop setting up suitable marriage prospects. Her brother had been to plenty of these arranged dates over the years—most of the time, just to put on a show and appease their mom.

Once Jiang Qiting was gone, Jiang Yihuai went to his study to deal with business.

Years ago, he had left home to start his own business, refusing any financial help from his family. The first three years were brutal—his only support was Su Yumian. It wasn’t until the last two years that he finally built a name for himself, established his own company, and shed the label of “rich second-generation playboy.”

Now, his family’s attitude had softened. Instead of opposing his relationship with Su Yumian, they chose to turn a blind eye.

—

By the time he finished his work, the sun had set. The city lights flickered to life outside his window. Only then did Jiang Yihuai realize he was hungry. He took out his phone and called his girlfriend. “…What are you doing?”

A ringtone played before a soft voice, lowered as if in class, responded, “Babe, sorry! I have a lecture. I’ll come see you after, okay?”

That “babe” made Jiang Yihuai uncomfortable all over. “…It’s okay, you’re busy.”

Then he hung up and tossed his phone aside. Half a minute later, someone called. He didn’t check, just continued working. His stomach’s protests finally forced him out of the study. He made plans to eat with Cheng Zhou’s group, changed clothes, and was about to leave.

At the door, a girl sat waiting. When she heard movement, she jumped up and turned around, smiling brightly yet shyly. “Xixi?”

“Sorry! I knocked, but you probably didn’t hear, so I just waited here.” She glanced at the jacket draped over his arm. “Are you going out?”

Jiang Yihuai didn’t answer. He just frowned and asked, “How did you find this place?”

Shi Muxi looked guilty. “I asked your friend…”

“Cheng Zhou?”

“No, no! It was Gu Yizhou.”

Jiang Yihuai: “Come inside.”

Her eyes lit up, and she practically bounced in, scanning the place while pouting. “You ignored my calls after hanging up. I was worried…”

“You weren’t in class?”

“I skipped! My boyfriend is more important.”

Su Yumian would never do this.

Back when he pursued her, she was a freshman with a packed schedule but never skipped class for him. Later, once they were together and her senior-year workload eased, she finally had more time for him.

“Babe, you haven’t eaten yet, right? I—”

“Do you know how to make stomach-soothing porridge?” Jiang Yihuai asked without thinking.

“…Huh?”

“Stomach-soothing porridge.”

“Uh… no, but I can learn.”

…

After rejecting Shi Muxi’s obvious hints to stay the night, Jiang Yihuai ate the takeout she brought and then drove her back to campus. Then, he went to meet Cheng Zhou.

While waiting at a red light, he glanced at his phone, remembering Jiang Qiting’s words about Su Yumian being at the hospital. Even if they’d broken up, they had years of history. Even as just friends, he should at least check in.

He opened WeChat—

【Are you sick?】

【sym has enabled friend verification. You are not their friend. Please send a request first…】