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◎ Whether she is good or not does not require anyone’s judgment. ◎
By the end, Yu Yanqing’s voice had changed—hoarse, pleading, and humble.
Fu Jiaxi instinctively felt like she was a bad person.
The hot pot broth boiled over, steam rising to form a barrier, thoughtfully creating some space between them.
Yu Yanqing broke the silence first. He didn’t press her for an answer, didn’t need her response, and didn’t deliberately exploit any cracks in her expression as leverage to win her over.
It was as if he had completed his professional analysis, and the final decision-making power lay elsewhere—it had nothing to do with him.
Yu Yanqing calmly continued eating the hot pot. A piece of bamboo shoot splattered soup onto his collar.
Fu Jiaxi said, “You got your clothes dirty.”
Yu Yanqing grunted, “I’ll wash it when I get home.”
Both maintained their silence without mentioning what had just transpired.
Yue Jincheng, having just finished his tasks, sent her a message asking where she was.
Fu Jiaxi replied: “Having hot pot.”
“Send me the address. I’ll come pick you up.”
“No need. I drove here.”
“Another time, let’s treat Yu Yanqing to dinner together.”
To be fair, Yu Yanqing had done her a huge favor at last night’s board meeting, performing exceptionally well.
Fu Jiaxi could have come up with a hundred excuses to brush him off.
But she didn’t.
She replied: “I’m treating him to hot pot today.”
Not long after, Yue Jincheng responded with a single word: “Okay.”
—
Using the operational points provided by Yu Yanqing, Liu Yun and Fu Jiaxi completed Bofeng’s six-month inventory hedging.
With more than 200 million in margin leverage, once the trade was executed, there was no turning back.
As soon as the commodity market opened, numbers would flash, profits and losses would change—intuitive, brutal, and openly displayed for everyone to see.
Money wasn’t money anymore; it was just a string of symbols and codes.
Sometimes Liu Yun would stare silently at the screen for half the morning.
Fu Jiaxi understood the pressure he was under, and more importantly, this wasn’t just a decision—it was also a gamble between Yue Jincheng and Yue Yunzong.
Fu Jiaxi didn’t want him to be too tense. “Group Leader Liu, the sun is nice today. Go soak up some sunlight.”
On the rooftop,
the afternoon sun carried the warmth of spring, no longer biting cold. The wind was still, and there was a soft, fuzzy warmth on their faces.
Liu Yun said, “Look over there.”
In the direction he pointed, the outlines of buildings were faintly visible. Though far away, they were still clear, showing their massive scale.
“That’s a piece of land Bofeng acquired. Half of it will be used as a new research center. In the near future, a modern, globally aligned, cutting-edge technology building will rise from the ground. It will undoubtedly become a landmark in the city, benefiting generations.”
Liu Yun spoke with boundless anticipation.
Fu Jiaxi felt peaceful inside. She wasn’t surprised—this was exactly the kind of thing Yue Jincheng would do.
What intrigued her was, “What about the other half of the land?”
“It hasn’t been disclosed. No one knows,” Liu Yun said. “But I believe in President Yue. He’s a man with long-term vision.”
This piqued Fu Jiaxi’s interest, and she brought it up casually when leaving work with Yue Jincheng that evening.
Yue Jincheng was evasive, not giving a straight answer.
Fu Jiaxi didn’t press further. “There are some gift boxes and fruit in the trunk. I asked the driver to put them in earlier.”
Yue Jincheng raised an eyebrow. “So formal?”
“This dinner was arranged by Grandma. For her sake, I have to observe proper etiquette.”
The Yue family banquet was crowded, with two tables set up.
Zhou Xiaojun invited Fu Jiaxi to join, without giving a reason.
Yue Jincheng’s thoughts stirred, and he asked, “If Grandma hadn’t mentioned it, and I wanted you to come home with me for this meal, would you have come?”
“Yes, why not?”
“Because of me?”
“Because your chef’s cooking is delicious.”
Yue Jincheng paused, then laughed aloud, taking her hand. “Tomorrow I’ll have the chef start working at Bofeng’s employee cafeteria so you can eat like this every day.”
When the car stopped, Yue Jincheng held her hand as they got out.
Once inside the villa, everyone’s eyes fell on their intertwined hands.
Yue Mingxin greeted them warmly, playfully calling out, “Big Brother, Sister-in-law!”
Yue Jincheng said, “Don’t call her that randomly.”
Yue Mingxin winked. “It’s not my fault. You need to step up your game, don’t you think, Sister Jiaxi?”
Fu Jiaxi still felt uncomfortable and instinctively stepped behind Yue Jincheng.
“Sister Jiaxi, come on. Let’s go see Grandma.”
Yue Mingxin affectionately linked arms with her, walking through the gazes of others, holding her head high.
Someone whispered, “Are they already remarried?”
“It’s only a matter of time.”
“Just look at how Mingxin treats her. Whether before or after the divorce, they’ve always been close.”
“Exactly. There’s no comparison with Wan Yu.”
The relatives of the Yue family were all opportunistic. Wan Yu was standing not far behind, but no one thought to avoid offending her.
Wan Yu pretended to be unaffected, her fingers trembling as she clenched them behind her back.
“Xiao Yu, come here,” Guan Yeqin handed her a glass of fruit juice. “Some things, just hear them without letting them affect you.”
Wan Yu feigned calmness. “I’m fine, thank you, Sister Yeqin.”
“Tolerance grows with experience. You’re Yue Yunzong’s lawful wife, the rightful second lady of the Yue family. So many people envy you. Don’t let idle chatter ruin your mood.”
Unable to hold back, Wan Yu hugged Guan Yeqin tightly. “You’re so kind, Sister Yeqin. I wish you were my sister.”
Guan Yeqin smiled. “Silly talk. I’d love that too, but you already have Jiaxi. She’s your sister-in-law, and you can treat her as a sister.”
Reluctantly, Wan Yu sighed, “They always compare me to her, making me seem worthless, inferior in every way. If she’s so great, why did Big Brother divorce her?”
Guan Yeqin chuckled. “She’ll soon be your sister-in-law again.”
Wan Yu pursed her lips. “Then my life will be even harder. Sister Yeqin, wouldn’t it be better if you were my sister-in-law?”
“Whether or not that happens, you can always come to me when you’re unhappy.” Guan Yeqin consoled her.
________________________________________
In the study,
Yue Pu was sensitive to the cold, so the floor heating was turned up high. Even after taking off his coat, Yue Jincheng still felt a bit sweaty.
Yue Yunzong was worse. His shirt buttons undone, he looked frustrated and suffocated.
Yue Pu had heard about the conflict between the two brothers and was furious. “Brothers should unite and collaborate for the group and the family. Even if opinions differ, you shouldn’t fight openly at the board meeting! Yunzong, have you forgotten everything I’ve taught you? I told you to unconditionally support and obey your older brother, not to stir up trouble!”
Though all the criticism was directed at them, the tone varied greatly.
The blame was squarely aimed at Yue Yunzong, with every word carrying a sense of judgment.
Yue Yunzong humbly accepted it, as he had always known how to cater to his father’s temperament.
After most of his anger subsided, Yue Pu shifted the conversation, asking for details about what happened.
Yue Yunzong sighed. “Sister-in-law has really changed. She’s decisive, visionary, and stays true to herself. If it weren’t for her this time, I wouldn’t have been convinced. You’re right, Father. My lack of pioneering spirit is indeed a flaw.”
Yue Pu immediately frowned. “What kind of tune is this woman singing?”
Yue Yunzong chuckled. “Father, you really should meet Jiaxi. Who knows, maybe you’ll be convinced too. Right, Big Brother?”
Yue Jincheng sat relaxed on a single sofa, legs crossed, smoking a cigar as if oblivious to everything around him.
Yue Pu’s lung condition hadn’t fully recovered, and the pungent smell made him cough twice, but he didn’t stop him.
“Yeqin is still here. Don’t neglect her,” he hinted.
Yue Jincheng remained calm. “Whoever invited her is responsible for her.”
“You!” Yue Pu scolded. “Foolish. Uncle Guan has asked me multiple times. What am I supposed to tell him?”
Yue Jincheng exhaled a ring of smoke, which dissipated into the air. “I don’t know a single word of what you said to him. If you truly don’t know how to phrase it, just say—I’ll throw a grand banquet when I remarry and make sure Uncle Guan sits at the head table.”
Yue Pu slammed the table in anger. “You… you! What’s so good about that woman?!”
Yue Jincheng replied coolly, “Whether she is good or not doesn’t require anyone’s judgment.”
“As the eldest son of the Yue family and the president of Bofeng, every decision you make must not be reckless!”
Yue Jincheng sneered. “Otherwise, should I learn from your opportunism and self-sacrifice, Father? Marrying someone you don’t love just because it benefits you?”
“You ungrateful brat!!” Yue Pu, enraged and humiliated, raised his hand and stumbled toward him.
Yue Jincheng stood firm like a pine tree, neither humble nor arrogant, his eyes icy as he stared at Yue Pu.
For a moment, Yue Pu hesitated, calculating the pros and cons in his mind. Finally, his raised arm slowly dropped.
Seeing an opportunity, Yue Yunzong added fuel to the fire. “Brother, no matter how dissatisfied you are with Father, he is still your father.”
Yue Jincheng shot him a disdainful glance. “Speaking of which, I owe it to your mother—if it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t even be his son.”
Yue Yunzong and Yue Shaoheng shared the same mother.
Yue Jincheng was their half-brother, sharing the same father but a different mother.
This was all part of the dirty secrets of the wealthy. Back then, to consolidate the family’s power and open up trade routes, Yue Pu decisively broke up with his lover at the time and pursued Yin Yunhan, Yue Jincheng’s mother. The Yin family had deep roots in coastal City A and unparalleled connections in shipping. After marrying into the family, Yue Pu’s business empire flourished.
Yue Pu was a man of deep schemes, never settling on anything. Even after marriage, he secretly maintained ties with his former lover. After Yin Yunhan’s parents passed away, he became even more brazen, neglecting his responsibilities as a husband entirely.
Yin Yunhan suffered from chronic depression and was diagnosed with breast cancer—the most malignant type—at the age of 30. She couldn’t endure it for more than a year and succumbed to her despair.
At the time, Yue Jincheng was only three years old.
Three months later, Yue Pu married his former lover, who was already pregnant, in a grand and lavish ceremony.
This was why, when Yue Jincheng targeted Yue Yunzong’s mother, Yue Yunzong didn’t dare to defend her too much.
Yue Jincheng bit down on his cigar, squinted slightly, took a deep drag, then removed it, pinching it between his fingers.
Yue Pu couldn’t withstand his piercing gaze, panting heavily as he staggered backward.
Yue Jincheng sneered. “Your so-called noble family traditions—I’m not interested. Ask Yunzong or Shaoheng if they’d like to inherit them.”
Outside the study, guests laughed and chatted, the atmosphere lively and prosperous.
Inside the study, tensions were high, and grievances had long since driven hearts apart.
It was time for dinner.
Yue Jincheng pulled Yue Pu to the wheelchair, pressing his palm firmly on his shoulder, half-forcing, half-guiding him to sit down.
“Father, smile,” Yue Jincheng said gently. “Cooperate a little.”
Opening the study door, everyone turned to look.
Yue Jincheng pushed Yue Pu out slowly, bending down attentively to adjust his scarf. His handsome profile radiated warmth, presenting a picture of filial piety and harmony to all who saw it.
Only Fu Jiaxi, through the layers of people, kept her eyes fixed on Yue Jincheng.
Behind his seemingly flawless mask, the warmth in his eyes flickered in and out. Every time he looked at Yue Pu, there was always a fleeting coldness that couldn’t be hidden.
Guan Yeqin approached gracefully, greeting Yue Mingxin and pretending to be surprised. “Oh, Jiaxi is here too.”
Fu Jiaxi smiled and replied lightly, “I brought my son to keep Grandma company. I didn’t expect to run into you every time.”
Her words subtly highlighted the boundary between their roles.
Childhood sweethearts or not, what mattered was who stood as the leading lady by Yue Jincheng’s side.
Meanwhile, Yue Mingxin chimed in cheerfully, “Sister-in-law, let’s go shopping tonight. Sister Yeqin, would you like to join us?”
Guan Yeqin’s face reddened awkwardly, feeling unwelcome.
After she left, Yue Mingxin exclaimed happily, “Sister Jiaxi, you’re standing up for yourself.”
Fu Jiaxi smiled. “Did I offend someone?”
“It’s fine even if you did. My brother will back you up.”
Fu Jiaxi didn’t gloat. Instead, she softly said, “He has it hard in this family too.”
Yue Mingxin said, “Do you know why Grandma insisted on inviting you?”
“Hmm?”
“She wanted to remind Uncle Yue: don’t even think about arranging a marriage alliance with the Guan family.”
After the family banquet ended, Yue Jincheng and Fu Jiaxi accompanied Zhou Xiaojun back to Man Yuan.
A torrential rain began to pour as they arrived. Butler Liu waited at the entrance with an umbrella, smiling. “This weather is perfect for keeping guests.”
Man Yuan had a dedicated guest room for them. Yue Jiayi accompanied their grandmother inside.
Yue Jincheng was exhausted. As soon as he entered the room, he collapsed onto the bed without removing his coat, closing his eyes.
Fu Jiaxi moved quietly, draping a blanket over him.
Just as she was about to leave, her hand was gently pulled.
Fu Jiaxi turned back. “I thought you were asleep.”
Yue Jincheng’s eyes were clear as the moon, though fatigue lingered on his brow. He didn’t say a word, just gazed at her silently. Only his unyielding grip revealed a hint of vulnerability.
Fu Jiaxi sat back beside him.
Yue Jincheng held her hand tighter.
Fu Jiaxi obediently lay down next to him. They faced each other, holding hands.
“Aren’t you going to ask me what happened in the study today?” Yue Jincheng’s voice was hoarse.
“It must have been something that upset you.” Fu Jiaxi freed her hand, tracing the outline of his brows with the tip of her finger.
“In hindsight, I shouldn’t have lost control,” Yue Jincheng rationally analyzed the situation. “Tonight, I failed to maintain composure and let my emotions get the better of me. Yue Pu still holds some influence in the group.”
“There’s no such thing as losing or regaining control,” Fu Jiaxi said. “Both emotionally and logically, he owes you. It’s him who should feel guilty and condemned by morality. You’ve done nothing wrong.”
Yue Jincheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed, and his eyes grew slightly moist. “But I still made you suffer so many injustices in this family. Every time I think about how I’ve already lost you, my hatred for Yue Pu, for this family, and for every single one of them grows stronger… including my hatred for myself. Even if I hadn’t returned to the Yue family, I could have lived well.”
If he hadn’t resolved to fight for power and position, if he hadn’t returned to the Yue family, he wouldn’t have lost her.
Fu Jiaxi remained noncommittal. “How could that be the same? You’ve already endured enough unfairness—your mother, your maternal grandfather’s family. Why should they become sacrifices for the Yue family? Even flipping a coin makes a sound. He hasn’t shown a shred of gratitude. Why should you bear this burden? You’ve done what’s right, and you deserve to act accordingly.”
Yue Jincheng listened, stunned, then chuckled wryly. “I suddenly regret it.”
“What do you regret?”
“Perhaps I should have changed my approach. All my efforts to protect you may have actually constrained you. You never needed anyone’s protection.”
“I’ve always been capable of standing on my own. I just haven’t had the chance to prove it.” Fu Jiaxi said. “If you don’t believe me, give me a small position to manage.”
Yue Jincheng replied, “Even the president reports to you. How is that a small position?”
“I manage the father of my son, not the president.” Fu Jiaxi teased with a smile. “Pick one.”
“I won’t take either.” Yue Jincheng didn’t hesitate.
He leaned closer to Fu Jiaxi, lowering his head and slightly bowing his waist, resting his face against her chest. His vulnerabilities, weaknesses, and scars had worn him down into a soft mess. Only in the quiet of the night could he find a brief moment of relief.
Yue Jincheng whispered, “I just want to be the person you love.”
Fu Jiaxi gently scratched the ends of his short, stiff hair. “I don’t regret any decision I’ve made in my life, whether good or bad. I’m grateful for all of them. Especially you.”
Yue Jincheng asked, “When I acted poorly and was utterly despicable, shouldn’t you have hated me?”
“No,” Fu Jiaxi replied. “I could never hate anyone. Life is so long, and there’s so much to do and experience. We shouldn’t waste our emotions on pure love or hate.”
Yue Jincheng understood. “You’re trying to comfort me in your own way.”
“No,” Fu Jiaxi lowered her head, brushing her nose against his. “I’m telling you that I love you.”
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