Scumbag Forcing Me to Divorce? Watch Me Turn Around and Marry a Powerful Capital Tycoon! - Chapter 88

After replying to Yun Haotian’s message, Shen Jingnian quickly set his phone down.

No more checking his phone.

That book had said it clearly—

When eating with a girl, the biggest taboo was constantly looking at your phone.

And Shen Jingnian… had always been a model student.

Whatever he did, he did perfectly.

Meanwhile, after reading Shen Jingnian’s reply, Yun Haotian felt utterly speechless.

“Meeting, meeting—does he ever do anything besides holding meetings?! What a workaholic!”

Not giving a single cent for Jiang Dad’s birthday was already bad enough, but now he was in a meeting again?!

Little did Yun Haotian know—

The man who claimed to be “in a meeting” was currently eating at a Cantonese restaurant with Jiang Ning.

And he even called himself “not picky.”

If only he knew.

In the entire Shen family, no one was pickier than Shen Jingnian.

He didn’t eat this, didn’t eat that.

Cantonese portions were small and refined.

So Jiang Ning ordered several more dishes. When she spotted “Spicy Blood Stew” on the menu, she was surprised. Curious what a Cantonese version of it would taste like, she looked up at Shen Jingnian.

“Do you eat Spicy Blood Stew?”

Many people didn’t eat blood dishes, nor spicy food. And the portion was quite large. She had to ask first.

“I do.” Shen Jingnian nodded slightly.

“Alright.” Jiang Ning handed the menu to the waiter. “Add one Spicy Blood Stew.”

“Yes, miss.”

When they finished eating, the waiter brought out a delicate white-swan birthday cake.

“Happy birthday, Miss Jiang.”

Jiang Ning blinked. “Your restaurant provides complimentary birthday cakes?”

A white-swan cake.

Not cheap.

A tiny one cost over five thousand.

The waiter smiled. “You misunderstand, Miss Jiang. This gentleman purchased it in advance and stored it with us.”

Jiang Ning turned toward Shen Jingnian. “You bought it?”

“Yes.” Shen Jingnian lit the candle. “Ningning, make a wish.”

“Alright.”

Jiang Ning clasped her hands together and closed her eyes, making her birthday wish with a sincerity that quieted the room.

Candlelight flickered, weaving with the neon glow beyond the window. The breeze lifted strands of her hair. She looked like a portrait of serenity—quiet, timeless, breathtaking.

Shen Jingnian found himself momentarily lost.

He didn’t know what she wished for. A few seconds later, she exhaled softly and blew out the candle.

Shen Jingnian asked, “Ningning, shall I take a picture for you?”

“Sure.”

He lifted his phone and opened the camera.

Jiang Ning posed with a classic peace sign—effortlessly photogenic, needing no angles or filters. One snapshot could become a magazine spread.

Shen Jingnian took several shots in a row.

“I’ll send them to you on WeChat.”

“Okay.” Jiang Ning nodded.

After dinner, Jiang Ning headed to the cashier.

“The gentleman at your table already paid,” the cashier said.

“He paid?” Jiang Ning blinked.

He only went to the restroom once. How did he manage to settle the bill?

“Yes,” the cashier confirmed.

“How much was it?”

“1,200.”

“Alright, thank you.”

Back at the table, Jiang Ning eyed him. “We agreed I’d treat. Why did you pay first?”

“I happened to have one of their discount vouchers, so I used it.”

Jiang Ning said, “Then I’ll transfer it to you. Make sure you accept.”

“No need. We have plenty of time. You can treat me next time.” His low, magnetic voice rolled gently.

Jiang Ning felt slightly embarrassed.

With this logic… how many meals did she owe him now?

“Fine. Then what do you want next time?” she asked.

“You decide.”

“Alright.” She nodded.

After dinner, Shen Jingnian drove her home.

It was late, so Jiang Ning didn’t invite him in for tea.

As soon as she pushed her door open, Xiaobai pounced into her arms.

“Meow meow meow!”

“My adorable baby, you’re here again~” Jiang Ning scooped Xiaobai up and showered him with kisses.

Moments like this always made her sigh in her heart—

Humans cannot live without cats!!!

Across town—

Back at Shen Garden, Shen Jingnian searched everywhere for Xiaobai.

But after a long while, there was no sign of the cat.

Strange.

Where had that little menace run off to again?

He hadn’t seen Xiaobai in days!

Unable to cuddle the cat, Shen Jingnian was visibly disappointed.

Old Madam Shen reclined on the sofa, eyes half-closed. Noticing something odd about her son, she asked, “Jingnian, why have you been coming home more frequently these days?”

Before, he complained Shen Garden was too noisy. He could go ten days or half a month without returning.

What shocked Old Madam Shen even more was—

Every time he stepped through the door, the first thing he did was look for Xiaobai.

As if he were addicted to cats.

So strange.

Shen Jingnian’s face remained unreadable. “Nothing. I just find it more comfortable living at home.”

“Is that so?” Old Madam Shen raised a brow, clearly unconvinced.

“Yes.” He nodded calmly.

Then she suddenly remembered something. “Right, Haotian messaged me just now. He said today is Ningning’s birthday. Did you prepare a gift for her?”

“No.”

Old Madam Shen shot to her feet. “You brat! Who is Ningning? She not only saved your life—she’s my precious future daughter-in-law! And you didn’t even get her a birthday present? Do you NOT want to pursue her?!”

Shen Jingnian sighed helplessly. “Mom, I never planned to pursue her. And I’m not getting married.”

“Marry my foot!”

Old Madam Shen grabbed her philtrum dramatically. “Ah! Ahhh! I’m going to faint from anger! Old Liu! Call an ambulance!”

Shen Jingnian was clearly used to this routine. “Mom, I’m heading upstairs.”

“You unfilial son! I’m about to pass out and you’re going upstairs?! How did I give birth to such a heartless child?!”

The next day — Saturday.

The day Shen Jingnian and phyllis had agreed to meet.

After leaving the conference room, he canceled all his afternoon meetings and prepared to head to Yipinge Teahouse.

Yun Haotian followed. “Little uncle, where are you going this afternoon?”

“A meeting.”

“With who?”

“A net friend.”

A net friend?!

Yun Haotian’s eyes bulged.

Was the sky raining red?!

His little uncle was… meeting someone from online?!

“Uncle, are you in an online romance? Oh—I get it! You’re going offline to meet your internet lover!”

The more he spoke, the more excited he got.

Shen Jingnian shot him a cold look. “Can you think about something other than nonsense for once?”

“If it’s not online dating, then what is it?”

“Do you know Assassination?” Shen Jingnian asked.

Yun Haotian froze, then nodded. “Isn’t Assassination that Go puzzle you created? The one even the last Go champion couldn’t solve?”

Among professionals, there was a saying:

No Go without Assassination.

Shen Jingnian explained, “A few days ago, I met a player named ‘phyllis’ at Splendid Peak’s Adventure Villa. They solved Assassination with ease. So I’m meeting them.”

“Phyllis?” Yun Haotian’s memory snapped into place. “Little uncle—that’s the player who entered Adventure Villa before you!”

“Yes.”

“My god! They’re that strong? Not only faster than you, but they also cracked your puzzle?!”

Shen Jingnian’s intelligence was already monstrous.

And now someone surpassed even that?!

Now both of them were dying to know who this phyllis was.

“Uncle, can I come too?”

“No.” Shen Jingnian refused instantly. “I never said I’d bring anyone. Showing up with you would be rude.”

“That’s true…” Yun Haotian scratched his head. “Then when you two get familiar, introduce us?”

“Sure.”

Yun Haotian began fantasizing. “What if phyllis is a great beauty?”

Shen Jingnian flicked his head. “Stop thinking trash. From their game style, phyllis doesn’t seem like a girl.”

Phyllis played boldly, killing gods, crushing Buddhas—domineering and wild.

Even Shen Jingnian felt inferior.

Yun Haotian rubbed his chin. “That’s not certain. What if she really is a beauty? Uncle, since you’re a romance-blind bachelor anyway, if phyllis is a beautiful girl, introduce her to me!”

“Fine. If phyllis is a girl, I’ll introduce you.” Shen Jingnian put on his watch. “I’m leaving.”

“Okay!”

Thirty minutes later, Shen Jingnian arrived at the private box and logged on to leave phyllis a message:

【I’m waiting in the Penglai Immortal Pavilion box.】

Jiang Ning was already in a taxi. Just as she planned to message S, she saw his notification.

She replied:

【Alright, I’ll be there in thirty minutes.】

Shen Jingnian responded with a simple “Okay.” Then locked his phone.

On the tea table, aside from tea and exquisite snacks, sat a Go board.

He picked up a stone, playing left hand versus right hand—tea vapor drifting around his cold, defined features, making him look like a mist-shrouded immortal.

The server who delivered more tea blushed crimson at the sight.

Half an hour later.

Knock knock knock—

Phyllis had arrived.

At the same moment, Shen Jingnian placed the final stone on the board.

An intense battle—

Ending in a draw.

That was exactly why he wanted to meet phyllis so badly.

He needed a real opponent.

Not just playing himself every day.

He stood and walked to the door, hand resting on the handle.

To say he wasn’t anticipating this… would be a lie.

Click.

The door opened—