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Yu Qing had arrived today to pick up Pang Linbin with two cars—a modest yet noticeable display.
Pang Linbin already had his own car. The branch company’s head knew of his itinerary, so the assistant and their team took the company car back while he shared a ride with Yu Qing.
Calculating it out, it had been over four years since they last met.
The last time was during her graduation ceremony.
By then, he and Li Bing had already divorced, ending their seven-year marriage that had been as uneventful as still water.
He had been invited by the university to give a speech at the ceremony.
Knowing that Yu Qing attended the university and was part of that graduating class, he called to congratulate her.
That was when he learned no one would attend her graduation ceremony. She was one of the outstanding graduates chosen to speak on stage. At that moment, there was no one to share this once-in-a-lifetime joy with her.
Li Bing had been in the country at the time, but as for why Yu Shaohong hadn’t shown up, Pang Linbin didn’t press Yu Qing further. It was likely due to work commitments—business always came first.
His schedule that day had been packed, and he barely managed to squeeze out twenty minutes to meet with her.
He asked her what graduation gift she wanted, promising to make up for it later.
She replied indifferently, “No need. I don’t really want anything—I’ve already bought everything I needed.” The day before, she’d spent over thirty million celebrating her graduation on her own.
Throughout her life, money had never been absent, though most of the time, it was her only companion.
Including him—during those years of his marriage to Li Bing, every holiday, he simply transferred money to her.
Afterward, they lost touch entirely.
“Uncle Pang, try one of Yumeng’s new products this year,” Yu Qing said, handing him a bottle of drink.
Pang Linbin collected his thoughts and accepted it with a smile. “Young Miss, according to your instructions, I’ve successfully completed my task. How do we settle the reward?”
Yu Qing immediately shifted into work mode. “Have you been keeping an eye on that prime piece of land up for auction in Beijing?”
In truth, she already knew that Pang Linbin must have been paying attention. His asset management company in the country also dabbled in real estate.
Pang Linbin: “The land Fu Jichen and Qin Moling have been fighting over?”
“Yes,” Yu Qing explained the current situation to Pang Linbin. “Because the procedures involved are so complex and tedious, and the risks are high, the tug-of-war has dragged on without resolution.”
“If the three of you formed a strategic partnership to acquire the land together, the amount saved from cutting out so many middle steps would almost match the final profit. Plus, it would significantly lower the risk.”
Yu Qing went on to outline her confidence in facilitating this three-way collaboration.
“Neither Fu Jichen nor Qin Moling is willing to compromise with the other. But if you step in, it changes the dynamic. There’s no question of winning or losing—it’s about each side making concessions. Both of them could leverage your resources to expand into overseas markets, while you could benefit from their domestic connections and networks. A win-win-win.”
Pang Linbin nodded thoughtfully. Perhaps it was worth considering.
As for the project involving Leng Wenning’s uncle, he planned to withdraw.
“What’s the deal between you and Leng Wenning?”
“It’s not complicated. One word—money. She’s made so much off us, yet she’s still dissatisfied. When I proposed switching to another company, she started threatening me. Sure, she has connections and influence, but Yumeng doesn’t need her.”
Yu Qing twisted open a bottle of the drink herself, but just as she brought it to her lips, she remembered—she shouldn’t drink it.
Pang Linbin continued, “What’s interesting is that if you don’t cooperate with her, she’ll use those same connections to make life difficult for you. Later on, Yumeng’s advertising and promotions might face suppression.”
Yu Qing had considered this consequence: “It’s fine. I have contingency plans.”
Pang Linbin nodded. “That’s good. Try to keep things harmonious—it’s better for business.”
“I agree,” Yu Qing self-assessed. “I think I’m quite reasonable.”
After four years in the workforce, she had endured all sorts of unwritten rules, office politics, unfair treatment from superiors, and petty grievances. What she could tolerate, she tolerated; what she could endure, she endured.
After all, no one had it easy—they were all just trying to make a living.
“Leng Wenning is completely different from any colleagues or bosses I’ve worked with before.”
“She’s arrogant and entitled, acting like it’s her birthright. The key issue is that she profits from us—yet she refuses to cooperate, behaving as if she’s untouchable.”
Pang Linbin offered a metaphor: “Though all roads lead to Rome, both you and Leng Wenning were born directly in Rome—an endpoint most people can never reach in their lifetimes. She was born into an aristocratic family in Rome, while you were born into a wealthy family in Rome. You possess the vision and instincts of a merchant. Leng Wenning has the arrogance of nobility but lacks the grace.”
“That’s where the conflict lies.”
“Enough of this unpleasant talk.” He pulled a small, exquisitely wrapped gift box from his bag. “It’s an honor to once again become family with you, and I hope we’ll always remain so.”
Yu Qing accepted it. “You actually prepared perfume for me?”
Pang Linbin: “Your mother took care of it.”
Yu Qing was somewhat incredulous but didn’t say much. “Thank you.”
Pang Linbin stopped there—saying more would only dilute the effect.
Yu Qing had reserved a private room at the restaurant with Chen Yan’s help, ensuring the best view of the night scenery.
When they arrived, night had fallen.
Chen Yan had secured the best spot for viewing the city lights. Yu Qing dismissed the waitstaff and personally poured tea for Pang Linbin. “It was too rushed—I didn’t have time to prepare a gift. I’ll carefully select something later.”
“The thought is enough,” Pang Linbin said, bringing up his recent marriage registration with Li Bing. “It was a spur-of-the-moment decision. As of January, your mother and I weren’t even together.”
Yu Qing remarked, “I was quite surprised that you two decided to remarry.”
“It was I who reached out to your mother.”
“There must have been something that moved her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have easily reunited with the same person.”
Pang Linbin wasn’t sure what had moved Li Bing. He had intermittently contacted her over the past two years, always initiating the conversations.
It all started with a dream.
A nightmare, to be precise.
Two years after their divorce, he dreamed of Li Bing—she was gravely ill, suffering from an incurable disease.
The realism of the dream lingered long after he woke up, leaving him shaken even half an hour later.
That night, disregarding whether he might disturb her rest, he called her.
Li Bing was clearly surprised. She thanked him and assured him she was fine.
Still uneasy, he insisted she get a medical checkup.
Li Bing fell silent on the phone for a long while.
Later, when he calmed down, he wondered if she was inwardly cursing him as crazy.
Two days passed, and the unease in his heart persisted.
The scenes from the dream were too vivid—unforgettable.
That weekend, he flew to the city where she resided and took her for a checkup.
Li Bing stared at him silently for a long moment, saying nothing, but eventually agreed to go to the hospital.
After all her tests were done, she took him to see a psychiatrist.
He told her, “Li Bing, I’m not sick. I’m perfectly normal—I don’t need to see a doctor.”
As soon as he said it, he realized how suspicious it sounded.
Only then did he belatedly understand—her agreement to go to the hospital wasn’t for her own sake. She intended to take him to the doctor, thinking he had mental issues.
At this point, Yu Qing burst into laughter, quickly covering her face with her hand. “Uncle Pang, please continue.”
Pang Linbin: “… “
He couldn’t help but chuckle himself.
Taking a sip of tea, he resumed.
While waiting in line to see the doctor, Li Bing told him, “If there’s a problem, it’s okay. After being married, I’ll keep your secret and accompany you through treatment.”
Later, he picked up her test results, and she waited for his.
Both were perfectly healthy—no issues whatsoever.
Looking at her test report, Li Bing said, “Pang Linbin, after seven years of marriage and two years of divorce, this is the first time you’ve shown concern for me.”
Afterward, she drove away without seeing him off or giving him another glance.
From that point on, he began calling her occasionally. Whenever he traveled to her city for work, he would visit her. Sometimes, when he wasn’t busy, he’d even fly over just to see her.
“That’s pretty much it—nothing dramatic,” Pang Linbin said, looking at Yu Qing. “Anything else you want to know?”
Yu Qing asked, “What made you decide to enter the institution of marriage for the third time?”
Pang Linbin crossed his legs, leaning back into the sofa in a relaxed posture. After some thought, he replied, “My answer might not mean much to you. Another time, talk to your mother about it.”
Yu Qing gave a faint smile and didn’t press further.
After a light meal, Pang Linbin had to return to the branch office for a meeting that evening. Before parting, he gave Yu Qing the contact information of the branch manager.
Whether it was NewTech or the prime land project, he would seriously consider it.
Downstairs, Pang Linbin’s car was already waiting.
Before getting into the car, he turned back to Yu Qing. “Your mother posts on social media every day. Remember to like her posts.”
Yu Qing: “… “
She waved her hand. “Goodbye, Uncle Pang.”
The car disappeared into the night.
Instead of taking a car, Yu Qing walked home. Walking helped her stay alert and focus on work-related matters.
“So that’s Pang Linbin?” Another car started up.
Her friend asked Leng Wenning.
Leng Wenning gave a noncommittal “Mm,” her spirits low.
Returning from the airport, her mood had hit rock bottom. In front of Yu Qing, she had suffered a humiliating loss of face.
She had arranged to meet her friend for dinner, only to run into Yu Qing again—an unfortunate coincidence.
Her friend kept chattering. “A net worth of billions—her presence is truly unmatched.” She had only heard of her before, but tonight, she finally saw her in person.
“I heard countless women chase after him. Who would’ve thought he’d go back to his ex-wife, remarrying Yu Qing’s mother? It’s baffling.”
Leng Wenning found Pang Linbin increasingly perplexing. He was supposed to embody the essence of a businessman—profit above all else. His relationship with Li Bing hadn’t exactly been love-filled either.
Something, somewhere, had gone awry.
Pang Linbin’s return to the country this time was driven by business needs.
Her uncle had asked Pang Linbin to help persuade Yu Qing, hoping they could work together and share profits without damaging their relationship. In response, Pang Linbin had advanced his schedule by two days.
But things had spiraled into the current situation.
Pang Linbin hadn’t given her uncle an ounce of face, casually dismissing him with talk of coffee.
By rejecting her uncle’s request, it essentially meant that Pang Linbin was severing ties not only with her uncle but also with all connections involving the Leng family, including Leng Wenning herself.
Seeing Leng Wenning distracted and absent-minded, her friend consoled her: “It’s just one big client. Losing them isn’t the end of the world. It’s not like you only have Yumeng as a client.”
Leng Wenning muttered, “I just can’t stand how arrogant Yu Qing is.”
Though it was only one client, who would willingly turn down money?
No one ever complained about having too much money.
She certainly didn’t.
Tonight, Pang Linbin’s actions had completely disrupted her plans. She had no idea what Yu Qing’s next move would be.
Her friend handed her the phone. “Here, something to cheer you up.”
“What?” Leng Wenning took the phone.
It was a Weibo account named ‘Calm and Far-reaching.’ She knew this account—it was registered by her friend, who posted overly sentimental captions in her voice.
The account had been created four years ago, on the day of her wedding.
Her friend tilted her chin slightly. “When you’re feeling down, use words to heal. Whatever bad mood Yu Qing gave you, double it and throw it back at Yu Jingxin.”
Her friend had registered this Weibo account to cheer Leng Wenning up.
Since Leng Wenning couldn’t bring herself to lower her pride, her friend stepped in to do it for her.
There was mutual benefit between them. Her friend lacked connections entirely, relying on Leng Wenning to provide projects. Her advertising company solely handled subcontracted work from Leng Wenning.
Leng Wenning lacked nothing. To maintain the relationship, her friend gifted her this Weibo account to occasionally brighten her mood.
Her friend went out of her way, through one of Yu Jingxin’s friends, to make sure Yu Jingxin knew this secondary account belonged to Leng Wenning.
Based on her understanding of women, she was certain Yu Jingxin wouldn’t resist privately following this account.
Leng Wenning hadn’t paid attention to this Weibo account recently. She scrolled to see a post from two months ago: [Do you still remember our anniversary?]
Frowning, Leng Wenning couldn’t recall what this anniversary represented for her and Ji Qingyuan. She asked her friend, “Is this your own anniversary?”
Her friend glanced at it. “Oh, no. That day, I heard Ji Qingyuan’s personal secretary say she had ordered a bouquet of roses to be delivered to his house. It must’ve been some anniversary for him and Yu Jingxin. So I posted this. They’ve apparently been in a cold war for a while now—probably close to divorce.”
Leng Wenning stayed silent.
Her friend nudged her. “Tonight, post something yourself. You come up with the caption.”
Leng Wenning stared blankly at her phone. After a long while, she typed only three words: [I miss you.]
She handed the phone back to her friend and gazed out the window.
Her friend exited the Weibo app. “Occasionally posting something like this isn’t bad. Later, when you have the chance, show it to Ji Qingyuan. Let him see how you’ve felt about him these past four years. But him? What about him?”
Leng Wenning’s thoughts drifted far away.
Her friend continued, “Anyway, this Weibo account only records your longing for him—nothing provocative. When Yu Jingxin’s friend revealed this account to her, it was during casual conversation about ‘Calm and Far-reaching.’ Even Yu Jingxin herself wouldn’t suspect you deliberately wanted her to know.”
“As for the anniversary, just make one up later. Ji Qingyuan probably doesn’t remember either.”
“This account’s recorded moments are your ace in the hole. Men never tire of a woman’s love and admiration for them. I’ll keep it safe for you.”
Her friend turned to look at Leng Wenning. “Feeling better?”
Leng Wenning replied, “Let me buy you a drink.”
Her friend smiled. “Then tonight, I’m ordering the most expensive thing on the menu.”
________________________________________
Yu Qing wandered aimlessly, unfamiliar with the roads. Wherever there was a path, she walked.
Crossing the street, she entered a small alley.
Street-side shops lined the road, bustling with people and cars.
Buds were beginning to sprout on the trees lining both sides of the road.
On the old asphalt road, patches of repairs dotted the surface.
The streetlights weren’t very bright.
Under the moonlight, Yu Qing walked for over an hour.
Along the way, she planned the second wave of gifts she intended to deliver to Leng Wenning.
Yu Qing didn’t know which subway line to take to return to the villa or how to transfer. But she did know the route to Fu Jichen’s apartment.
After more than half an hour of navigating, she emerged from the familiar subway station.
Exiting the station, Yu Qing instinctively began counting her steps.
Fu Jichen was packing his belongings at his apartment tonight. As he glanced out the window at the sidewalk, a familiar figure caught his eye. For a moment, he thought he was mistaken.
He instructed the driver to pull over and lowered the car window, calling out to the sidewalk: “Attorney Yu.”
Yu Qing sharply turned her head, then broke into a smile, sending flirtatious glances his way.
Fu Jichen got out and quickly approached her. “Why are you back?”
Yu Qing teased playfully: “The kite flyer has returned home, so this kite obediently came back to find him.”
Fu Jichen stepped closer and took her hand. “There’s no wind today. How did you manage to soar?”
“So, I walked all the way here.”
“…”
Fu Jichen chuckled and couldn’t resist leaning down to kiss the corner of her lips.
At home, Yu Qing helped Fu Jichen pack his belongings.
She brought his shirts from the wardrobe to the sofa, folding each one carefully.
Fu Jichen glanced at them. “Don’t bother with the black ones—I won’t wear them.” He wouldn’t need them since he’d never feel down again; bringing them would just waste space.
Yu Qing folded one and placed it in the suitcase anyway. “Take it as a backup. I’m going to deal with Leng Wenning soon. If Ji Qingyuan doesn’t cooperate with me, I might kick him out. And if I do, he’ll definitely ask for your help. Then, I’ll kick you out too.”
Fu Jichen declared confidently: “That won’t happen to me.”
“Are you that confident?”
“It’s not confidence. I’ll team up with you to kick Ji Qingyuan out.”
Yu Qing burst into laughter.
After the joke passed, Fu Jichen added another black shirt to the suitcase.
Brand new, tags still attached.
Yu Qing finished organizing them. “Why are you taking one more?”
Fu Jichen had foresight: “Even if you don’t kick us out, I’ll still get dragged into trouble by him often. Unless absolutely necessary, I wouldn’t team up with him. He lowers the team’s average IQ.”
Yu Qing remarked, “Isn’t this team just you two?”
“Yeah. He drags my IQ down. A humble brag.”
Yu Qing rubbed her cheeks, laughing until her facial muscles tired.
She tapped his head. “You used to be just like Ji Qingyuan once. It’s all thanks to my excellent teaching.”
After finishing the packing, they turned off the lights and headed downstairs.
In the elevator, Yu Qing sat on the suitcase to rest her feet.
She held onto his arm to steady herself.
“President Fu, how do you feel right now?”
Fu Jichen looked down. “I’ve gained another home.”
Yu Qing responded: “Then I won’t kick you out. I won’t leave you homeless.”
The elevator arrived.
Fu Jichen pushed the suitcase with one hand and held hers with the other.
________________________________________
At the Yu family villa.
Ji Qingyuan had already unpacked his luggage, but Fu Jichen hadn’t arrived yet.
Yu Shaohong had a dinner appointment tonight. After the meal ended, he hurried home instead of joining them at the club.
Having someone waiting for him at home suddenly made him feel more anchored.
Yu Shaohong’s car followed closely behind Fu Jichen’s as they entered the villa. Hearing the sound of the cars, Ji Qingyuan quickly came out. He gestured to Yu Qing: “Your sister is over there. She’s been sitting there all night, saying she’s busy with work.” But he sensed she simply didn’t want to be in the same room as him.
Yu Qing nodded. They entered the house, and she followed the path to the lakeside viewing platform.
On the platform, there was a wooden table and chairs. Yu Jingxin was focused on her laptop.
Hearing footsteps, Yu Jingxin turned her head and smiled faintly.
Yu Qing sat across from her, wordlessly resting her head on the table.
The February night breeze was chilly.
It brushed across the lake, creating shimmering ripples.
After a while.
Yu Jingxin urged her, “Let’s go inside. It’s cold out here.”
Yu Qing shook her head, pulling her gaze away from the lake. Shifting her position, she continued resting her head on the table. “Sis, give me your hand.”
Confused, Yu Jingxin extended her hand anyway.
Yu Qing sat upright, her expression serious, and began taking her pulse.
Yu Jingxin: “… “ She gave a helpless smile and withdrew her hand.
Yu Qing rested her chin on her hand. “I’ve diagnosed where your problem lies. It’s Leng Wenning.”
Yu Jingxin’s expression shifted, but under the dim light, the fleeting stiffness on her face vanished quickly.
Yu Qing didn’t stare directly at her. “Whether you decide to divorce Ji Qingyuan or reconcile, you need to untangle this knot. The knot is Leng Wenning. Face it, and it’ll unravel.”
Yu Jingxin clicked her mouse, repeatedly refreshing the page.
“Sis, tell me about it.”
“I don’t even know where to start.”
“Then start here. Why are you sitting on the viewing platform tonight instead of going inside? Is Leng Wenning bothering you again?”
Yu Jingxin shook her head. “She’s never contacted me. It’s just that I’m causing myself trouble. I know it’s a trap, yet I keep jumping into it. Who can I blame?”
After a brief struggle.
She opened her phone, logged into Weibo, and pulled up the account ‘Calm and Far-reaching.’ “This is Leng Wenning’s secondary account.”
Yu Qing browsed through a few posts thoughtfully. “Does she know your Weibo handle?”
Yu Jingxin hesitated. “Probably. Hard to say.”
Yu Qing didn’t understand. “If you know she’s intentionally trying to upset you, why don’t you fight back?”
Yu Jingxin fell silent for a moment. “My marriage has always been a joke. Everyone is waiting to see the punchline of my divorce. I refused to give up, unwilling to divorce.”
“Ji Qingyuan was abroad for seven months and didn’t return. All his friends know our marriage exists in name only.”
“All those couple items, all the holidays they spent together—I have none of that. What do I have to retaliate with? Why should I humiliate myself further?”
Yu Qing squeezed her hand. “I’m starting your treatment.”
Yu Jingxin: “… “
Yu Qing stood up. “Come on. Hand over your Weibo account to me. I’ll manage it. I’ll start working on this project tonight.”
After a few seconds of hesitation, Yu Jingxin let Yu Qing do as she pleased. After all, her marriage was already in shambles, and people had laughed at her for four years. What did it matter anymore?
She closed her laptop and followed Yu Qing inside.
Yu Qing comforted her: “Couple items are just something women care about. Men lack the patience and don’t pay attention, especially someone like Ji Qingyuan. If you want couple items, just make a list and give it to Ji Qingyuan. How do you know those things Leng Wenning claims aren’t just things she bought and gave to him?”
In the villa’s kitchen, Yu Shaohong was teaching Fu Jichen and Ji Qingyuan how to cook.
He explained why scrambled eggs with tomatoes was called the “national dish.” “It requires no culinary skills. Tomatoes are red, eggs turn yellow when cooked. Before serving, sprinkle some green onions and bell peppers. Red, yellow, and green—doesn’t that satisfy the ‘color’ aspect of color, aroma, and taste?”
Fu Jichen and Ji Qingyuan nodded, finding it reasonable.
Yu Shaohong continued: “This dish doesn’t need soy sauce, vinegar, or seasoning—just salt. If you accidentally add too much salt, we can balance it with sugar.”
“…”
“If you accidentally add too much sugar, we can fix it with ketchup.”
“…”
“In short, this dish exists for men.”
“…”
Feeling he had said enough, Yu Shaohong concluded: “Start cooking. If tonight’s practice goes well, tomorrow’s lunch is on you two.”
Ji Qingyuan tied on an apron, and Fu Jichen mimicked him.
When Yu Qing and Yu Jingxin entered, the two were already hard at work.
“What’s going on?” Yu Qing asked Yu Jingze, puzzled.
Yu Jingze replied: “Dad’s running a free cooking class.”
“…”
Before Yu Qing could comment, she decided to seize the opportunity. She grabbed Yu Jingxin’s phone and prepared to capture Ji Qingyuan cooking, planning to post it on Weibo as a response to Leng Wenning.
She set down her bag and quickly moved to the kitchen, finding the perfect angle. However, Fu Jichen also appeared in the frame. “Fu Jichen, step aside. Let me take a photo of my brother-in-law.”
Fu Jichen turned his head and saw Yu Qing aiming her phone at Ji Qingyuan. He didn’t budge. “I don’t mind being his background.”
Yu Qing: “… “
Hearing the commotion, Ji Qingyuan turned around. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Brother-in-law, keep cooking.” Yu Qing gestured to him. “Move a bit farther from Fu Jichen. Slightly tilt eastward, about thirty degrees.”
Deeply immersed in the world of scrambled eggs with tomatoes, Ji Qingyuan blurted out without thinking, “Does cooking require proper posture now?”
“…”
Yu Qing burst into laughter.
Everyone else couldn’t hold it in and laughed too.
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