The Withered Tree Always Welcomes Spring chapter 54

In just a few months, their relationship had deteriorated so much that Jiang Ying felt she couldn’t even talk properly to Chen Xian anymore. Frustrated, she stepped forward and pulled Chen Xian away from Shen Jixue, pushing Shen Jixue forcefully.

Shen Jixue was caught off guard. If it weren’t for Wu Bie’s quick reflexes, he would have hit the wall. Even so, he stumbled back several steps, not knowing where he was hurt, only hearing himself inhaling sharply.

“Hiss…”

Chen Xian glared fiercely at Jiang Ying, quickly going to help Shen Jixue. “Xiao Shen?”

“He’s pretending! I just pushed him a little, why is he making such a fuss? He’s just trying to provoke me!”

Ignoring Jiang Ying’s shouting, Chen Xian bent down to check. Shen Jixue’s toes were swollen, blood seeping from under his nails—most likely from this morning, when he chased after him. Chen Xian felt guilty and regretful.

“Why didn’t you say you were hurt?”

This morning, Chen Xian had ignored him, causing Shen Jixue to suffer in silence. He was too preoccupied with his discomfort to mention his injury. “You walked so fast. You didn’t even want to talk to me.”

That struck a chord with Chen Xian. He had indeed been impulsive and confused at the time, but not to the extent of ignoring Shen Jixue completely.

Jiang Ying awkwardly stood by, while Chen Xian focused entirely on Shen Jixue. No matter what she said, he paid her no attention. Jiang Ying wanted to flip the table out of frustration but held back because she needed Chen Xian’s help for something.

“I want to talk to you about us,” Jiang Ying softened her tone, clearly trying to appeal to Chen Xian’s sympathy. She glanced at Shen Jixue and Wu Bie, signaling Chen Xian to give her some face, at least not in front of others.

Shen Jixue tightened his grip upon hearing this, firmly grasping onto Chen Xian. What did she mean by something between her and Chen Xian? She had already divorced him, so what more was there to discuss?

Despite Shen Jixue’s silent brooding, his grip was strong. Chen Xian had no intention of talking alone with Jiang Ying and could only think of ways to send her away. “Let’s talk in the room.”

Jiang Ying clearly was unwilling. Just as she was about to speak, Chen Xian didn’t give her a chance. His expression was serious. “If you don’t want to, then we won’t talk.”

Even if she didn’t want to, she had no choice but to obediently enter the bedroom.

Chen Xian patiently reassured Shen Jixue, “Xiao Shen, if you let go, I’ll stay home and won’t go anywhere.”

“Chen Xian, you’re already divorced from her.”

“I know, you can rest assured.”

How could Shen Jixue rest assured? If Jiang Ying dared to approach Chen Xian, she might stoop to anything just to get her way.

“No matter what she says, you can’t agree to her. She’s deceived you before; you can’t let your guard down.” Shen Jixue knew Chen Xian’s soft heart. Even if he no longer had feelings for Jiang Ying, out of sympathy, he might still agree to her requests. Shen Jixue was afraid—afraid that Jiang Ying would manipulate Chen Xian until he became confused.

“I never lied to you,” Chen Xian softened his tone. This wasn’t the time to talk about this. He patted Shen Jixue’s hand and helped him sit on the sofa. “You should go to the clinic with Wu Bie.”

“No.” Shen Jixue refused to say more, staring straight at Chen Xian’s direction.

Chen Xian couldn’t argue with him. “Then wait here for me and don’t move.”

After comforting Shen Jixue, Chen Xian gave Wu Bie a look before walking towards the bedroom. Once inside, he casually closed the door.

“Speak, what do you want to tell me?” Jiang Ying couldn’t bring herself to speak in front of Chen Xian, but seeing his straightforwardness, she abandoned her usual evasiveness. “I want to find a job. Can you lend me some money?”

Chen Xian stared at Jiang Ying for a while. Shen Jixue’s warnings echoed in his mind. He didn’t understand what Jiang Ying was thinking. Even Shen Jixue knew they were divorced. Why could she still come to him so boldly to borrow money?

Jiang Ying realized Chen Xian’s confusion and took a deep breath, closing her eyes. After exhaling slowly, she opened her eyes and spoke. “He said he went to Zhejiang to work, but there’s been no news since. He’s been unhappy ever since our daughter was born. He won’t admit it, but I know he doesn’t want to acknowledge her.”

Chen Xian finally understood. He was amazed at the irresponsibility of men but also reevaluated Jiang Ying. Amidst the confusion, he hadn’t noticed that Jiang Ying had already given birth.

“Where did you leave the child?”

Jiang Ying had no relatives or friends in the city. If the man had left, where could she leave the child?

“I sent her back to my hometown, where my parents are looking after her.”

Chen Xian felt that something was wrong. Considering Jiang Ying’s position at home, her parents didn’t care about her, so why would they care for their granddaughter?

“Chen Xian.” Jiang Ying grabbed his arm. “I know I’ve wronged you before, but for the sake of our past marriage, please help me. If you don’t help me, I really don’t know what to do. The child is so young and pitiful. Can you bear to see her suffer?”

Jiang Ying feared that she couldn’t move Chen Xian, pointing towards the living room where Shen Jixue was, “You’re letting him stay here even now, helping a stranger. Why won’t you help me? Just because we’re divorced? Have you forgotten all our years together?”

Chen Xian’s temples throbbed. He was not good with words. Even if he felt Jiang Ying was being unreasonable, he didn’t know how to argue back. He just felt that if he were in her shoes, he would never have the courage to ask his ex-partner for help.

“I’m really out of options, Chen Xian. Even if you can’t help me, at least help the child.” Jiang Ying understood Chen Xian too well. A man like him was not particularly useful, but he was easily moved by compassion and willing to help the vulnerable. Even if Chen Xian was angry with her, he wouldn’t be angry with the child. The child was innocent.

“I gave you money when we separated.” Chen Xian’s rejection was gentle.

That money was spent long before the child was born. The man’s failed investments and job losses had left Jiang Ying penniless. She hadn’t thought about the future when she spent the money, and now, after the child was born and medical expenses were paid, the man took the last bit of money and left. Jiang Ying had nothing left.

“Raising a child is expensive. Milk powder, diapers—these things aren’t cheap. I’m struggling to raise her alone.”

“Even if what you say is true,” Chen Xian paused, “I can’t help you. I don’t have money now.”

Jiang Ying couldn’t believe it. “How is that possible? You still have money, and your salary is high. Just lend me some. When I find a job, I’ll pay you back.”

“I’m not lying to you. If you want to go out to work, I can buy you a train ticket at most. The rest, you’ll have to figure out yourself.” Chen Xian had done all he could.

Before Jiang Ying could respond, the door was pushed open from outside. Shen Jixue’s voice was stern: “No.”

Not even a train ticket, not even a penny.

Chen Xian glanced at Wu Bie, who had followed Shen Jixue inside. Wu Bie shrugged, unable to stop Shen Jixue.

Shen Jixue couldn’t sit still. As long as Chen Xian wasn’t by his side, even if there was just a door separating them, he couldn’t rest assured.

“Chen Xian, have you forgotten? Initially, she left you with just a little money. Now you pity her, but why didn’t she pity you back then?” Shen Jixue limped in, unable to see clearly and now finding movement difficult.

Jiang Ying was itching with hatred. This Shen Jixue was too annoying, but she couldn’t say anything in front of Chen Xian. She was powerless to argue and could only rely on Chen Xian’s sympathy.

“Chen Xian, I owe you an apology. Even if you won’t help me, just help my daughter.”

Shen Jixue eavesdropped at the door for a while. He felt that Jiang Ying was very ruthless and her words were hard to distinguish between truth and lies. He grabbed Chen Xian’s hand, “Didn’t you say her family doesn’t care about her? That’s why she left her hometown? How could her parents help her take care of the child for free?”

It wasn’t Shen Jixue being biased; it was indeed the truth. If everything Chen Xian said was true, the possibility of Jiang Ying’s parents helping her raise the child was almost zero.

Chen Xian also realized something was wrong. If Jiang Ying’s parents didn’t care about her, why would they care about their granddaughter?

“Do her family members still not know about your divorce?” Shen Jixue asked.

When Chen Xian couldn’t find Jiang Ying, he had called her hometown. Her family indeed didn’t know about it. It wasn’t clear if Jiang Ying had confessed later, but considering Jiang Ying rarely contacted her family, there was no need to confess. Now, seeing Jiang Ying’s pale face, she probably had been exposed by Shen Jixue.

“What are you up to?” Chen Xian couldn’t figure it out, but he had a bad feeling about it.

Jiang Ying tried hard to calm herself down. “I really sent my daughter back to my hometown. I didn’t lie to you guys.”

“She probably wouldn’t dare to do something like human trafficking,” Shen Jixue was accustomed to thinking the worst of people; human hearts were inherently inscrutable. “She probably couldn’t bear to give her away, but also couldn’t support her. How could she convince her parents to help raise her? Saying the child is yours, Chen Xian, she wouldn’t dare to confess your divorce, so it all makes sense.”

“I did not!” Jiang Ying denied loudly, veins popping on her forehead, almost jumping with anger.

Shen Jixue wasn’t scared off by her sharp voice. He tightened his grip on Chen Xian’s hand and retorted, “You did! You must have told your parents that Chen Xian would pay for raising the child. When you disappear, they won’t get the money, so they’ll come looking for Chen Xian with the child. You think Chen Xian is soft-hearted. Even if it’s not his child, he would feel pity. He wouldn’t know how to argue with the elders and would end up paying. If you really didn’t do it, you wouldn’t have come here to borrow money. You just saw that Chen Xian is too kind and thought you could wear him down. He will always give in.”

Jiang Ying pursed her lips, her cheeks tensing. Her expression gradually turned fierce.

“Did you really do this?” Chen Xian found it unbelievable.

Only Chen Xian would lament and confront Jiang Ying like this. Shen Jixue coldly warned, “If you dare send the child here, we’ll call the police. Chen Xian might be soft-hearted, but I’m not.”

“What’s it to you? What does it have to do with you?” Jiang Ying yelled hysterically.

This Shen Jixue had been pestering Chen Xian all along. If it weren’t for him, Chen Xian would have been swayed long ago.

It was true that Shen Jixue had no standing to manage Chen Xian’s affairs. When he thought about it, he also felt a nameless anger burning in his heart.

“If you don’t leave, I’ll call the police.”

Shen Jixue’s icy attitude frightened Jiang Ying a bit. She wanted to seek help from Chen Xian, but he ignored her. She looked around and finally fled in dismay.

Hearing Jiang Ying run out, Shen Jixue let go of Chen Xian’s hand, turned, and slammed the bedroom door shut behind him. Finally, he heavily locked the bedroom door.

Wu Bie, who was shut out of the bedroom door, almost got his nose hit. He looked innocent. Why was this blind little guy so strong? Why take it out on him?

Author’s note:

Shen Jixue: A small storm