Scumbag Forcing Me to Divorce? Watch Me Turn Around and Marry a Powerful Capital Tycoon! - Chapter 53

Perhaps no one could truly understand the heaviness in Old Madam Shi’s heart at this moment.

She was sad.

Utterly, crushingly sad.

At her age, all she had ever wished for was to see her children and grandchildren gathered around her, to enjoy the peace and warmth of family in her twilight years.

But what about her?

Her son lay paralyzed in bed, trapped in a body that could no longer move, no better than a living ghost.
Her daughter-in-law was missing without a trace.
And her only granddaughter’s life and death remained unknown.

How many nights had she awakened in the dark, her pillow soaked with tears, her eyes swollen from crying?

Seeing her old friend like this, Chen Yin’s eyes also reddened. She held Madam Shi’s trembling hand tightly.
“We’ll find her. No matter what, we will bring Shengbao back.”

Madam Shi nodded slowly. “I hope so.”

After wiping the tears from her face, she forced a smile.
“Enough of this, A-Yin. Let’s not speak of sad things. Since you’ve come all the way to the capital this time, you must stay with me for a while.”

“I wish I could,” Chen Yin smiled gently. “But the research institute has been very busy lately. I can only stay for three days. Once things settle down, I’ll come again and keep you company.”

“You’d better keep your word.” Madam Shi gave her a knowing look.

“When have I ever lied to you?” Chen Yin chuckled. “Besides, you haven’t been to City A in years. Next time, why don’t you come with me? I’ve met a remarkable young lady there. She’s gifted, bright, and—most importantly—a healer. A descendant of the ancient medical arts. Perhaps she could help with your headaches. I’m certain you’ll like her the moment you see her.”

“Really?” Madam Shi asked with cautious hope.

Chen Yin nodded earnestly. “Yes. In fact, I owe her my life. Just last Wednesday, I collapsed on the street from a sudden heart attack. If it hadn’t been for that young girl, I wouldn’t be sitting here with you today—I’d already be ashes in an urn.”

Hearing that her old friend had brushed so close to death, Madam Shi grew even more concerned.
“In that case, she’s your lifesaver. I must meet her myself!”

She wanted to see for herself whether Jiang Ning was truly as extraordinary as Chen Yin described.

…

In the main hall.

Shi Nanyue had carefully arranged a tray of delicate pastries.
“An’an, take these to your grandmother’s room later.”

Tang An glanced at her mother, then around the hall. Her brows knitted slightly.
“Mom, it’s pointless.”

“What do you mean, pointless?” Shi Nanyue asked, confused.

“I mean, trying to win Grandma’s favor is useless. No matter how good I am to her, I’ll never compare to her precious Shengbao.” Tang An rubbed her temple with a weary sigh. “Why make me keep slapping a warm smile onto a cold face?”

She hated pandering to Old Madam Shi.

Despised it.

And she hated even more hearing that name—Shengbao.

In Grandma’s heart, Tang An was nothing but an outsider. The true treasure had always been Shi Sheng.

“Don’t speak such nonsense!” Shi Nanyue’s tone turned sharp, her brows drawing tight. “If your grandmother heard you, she’d be heartbroken. No matter what, you are still her granddaughter. Her blood flows in your veins. Whether she favors you or not, you must respect her and show her filial piety. Never defy her!”

“That’s blind obedience,” Tang An muttered, unconvinced.

If she were in her mother’s place, she would never waste ten years bowing and scraping before a woman who clearly didn’t care.

But Shi Nanyue only sighed.
“She’s my mother. It’s only right I honor her. And you’re the future heir of the Shi Group. You cannot afford even the slightest blemish on your reputation, especially not the stain of being called unfilial.”

Her words softened, but her gaze remained firm.
“Truthfully, your grandmother does care for you. The year you turned eighteen, didn’t she give you fifty million as seed money to start your business? And when she went to M-Country, she even brought back a pair of earrings once worn by Princess Anna, just for you…”

In truth, Old Madam Shi had never neglected Tang An.

The Tang family’s background was modest at best. Her father, Tang Gaoyi, was an orphan with nothing to his name. It was not so much that Shi Nanyue married him, but rather that he had married into the Shi family.

Over the years, not only had Madam Shi funded Tang An’s ventures, she had also supported Tang Gaoyi’s business. Without the Shi family, the Tang Group might not even exist today.

But Tang An only sneered.
“Fifty million? For the Shi family, that’s pocket change. Mom, don’t you see? If Shi Sheng were still here, do you think Grandma would only give her fifty million? And those earrings—do you know what else she brought back from M-Country? A gemstone necklace once worn by Princess Anna herself. Where is it now? Obviously kept aside for her precious granddaughter!”

Compared to that necklace, what were a pair of earrings?

The earrings couldn’t even match half the necklace’s value.

“All these years I’ve been dutiful by her side, and what did I get? Crumbs. And Shi Sheng, without even showing her face, gets the best of everything!”

Her voice cracked, her eyes filling with unshed tears.
“Let’s be honest. I’m nothing but a substitute. A placeholder. If Shi Sheng returns, Grandma won’t hesitate for a second before handing her the Shi Group. And me? I’ll be left waiting for her will like some beggar!”

The more Tang An spoke, the more aggrieved she felt, until the tears spilled over.

“Enough, enough,” Shi Nanyue’s heart ached at the sight, and she hurried to wipe her daughter’s tears with a tissue. “I know it’s hard for you. But your grandmother is old—don’t waste your energy resenting her. All that matters is this: as long as you inherit the Shi Group in the end, the process doesn’t matter.”

After much coaxing, Tang An finally calmed down.

Shi Nanyue pushed the pastry tray toward her again.
“Go now, take this to your grandmother.”

Though she wanted nothing less than to face Madam Shi, Tang An could only swallow her pride. She nodded reluctantly.
“…Fine. I know.”

Seeing her daughter yield, Shi Nanyue’s lips curved in relief.
“That’s my good girl. Remember, only by knowing when to hold on and when to let go will you one day manage the Shi Group.”

…

Eight o’clock that night.

The engagement banquet of Cheng Zijun and Zhang Shuyi was about to begin.

The venue: A-City’s most opulent six-star hotel, The Royal.

The Royal had two wings, A and B. Tonight was a day of double celebration: Zijun had booked the entire A-wing for his engagement, while the Yue family had reserved the B-wing for their daughter’s grand 18th birthday debut.

Cheng Zijun was the city’s rising star, and with Cheng Group’s new game launch on the horizon, reporters swarmed the hotel long before the banquet began, eager to seize headlines.

At the entrance, Zijun and his mother Wang Yuan stood side by side to greet their guests.

Dressed in a custom limited-edition suit, Zijun leaned slightly toward his mother.
“Mom, watch yourself today. The press is everywhere—we can’t afford a single mistake.”

“I know, I know.” Wang Yuan nodded, then frowned as her eyes searched the crowd.
“Strange… Zijun, why hasn’t Jiang Ning shown up yet?”

With her past temperament, she should’ve already been here.

But today—

Not a trace of her.

Zijun’s lips curved into a cold, knowing smile.
“Don’t worry. What must come, will come.”

Another half hour slipped by. Most of the guests had already arrived. Still, there was no sign of Jiang Ning. A faint crease formed between Zijun’s brows.

What was going on with her today?
Could it be she’d truly changed?

“Brother! She’s here!” Wang Qingke’s excited voice suddenly cut through the chatter. “Jiang Ning’s here!”

Zijun’s head snapped up instantly.

And there she stood tall and striking amidst the crowd.

A figure like a swan among sparrows.

Her figure was graceful, her skin like porcelain, her beauty sharp and unforgettable. Even from afar, no one could mistake her presence.

The corner of Zijun’s mouth lifted, his eyes brimming with disdainful triumph.

“Yuze, do you see? She came.” He smirked.
“I told you—Jiang Ning can’t live without me. Everything she’s done until now was just to play hard to get.”