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Yu Qing had no idea about Yu Jingze’s feelings for her—not that she hadn’t asked. Every time, Yu Jingze dismissed her with “You’re still young.”
As it turned out, he had entangled himself with a girl even younger than her.
She didn’t inquire about Yu Jingze from Zou Lexiao—it seemed that Zou Lexiao didn’t hold much sway over him, otherwise Zou Lexiao wouldn’t have resorted to such roundabout tactics to win favor.
Fu Jichen wasn’t optimistic about Zou Lexiao and estimated that he couldn’t fill this gap because Zou Lexiao was even more pitiful than him and Ji Qingyuan.
At least Ji Qingyuan was married, and there were real emotions between him and Yu Qing. It was just that Yu Qing didn’t want to get married or be tied down by marriage.
Zou Lexiao, on the other hand, had nothing.
After the dinner party dispersed, Ye Jinhua accompanied Yu Qing walking ahead of everyone else, chatting about pregnancy symptoms.
Zou Lexiao tugged at Fu Jichen, walking behind everyone.
“Second Brother, are you resistant to helping me because deep down you’re afraid that if I end up with Yu Jingze, I’d technically become your sister-in-law, making you uncomfortable?”
Fu Jichen glanced at her. “Am I really so narrow-minded in your eyes?”
“Hmph. Hard to say. If I became your sister-in-law along with Ji Qingyuan, that wouldn’t be bad either.” Zou Lexiao fantasized, feeling quite satisfied.
Fu Jichen grew serious. “Yu Qing isn’t idle all day with nothing to do—she doesn’t have time to be your advisor. She’s already exhausted herself, juggling many things at the company.”
And she still had to worry about Ji Qingyuan and Yu Jingxin.
Her time for him was becoming increasingly scarce.
If another Zou Lexiao came into the picture, Yu Qing wouldn’t have any personal time left, and her body wouldn’t be able to handle it.
“Hey, Second Brother, slow down a bit.”
Zou Lexiao quickly grabbed his arm. “I know Yu Qing is busy. I’m not just seeking her out to learn about Yu Jingze. I genuinely plan to study under her. I can also protect her—wherever she points, I’ll strike. I’m more useful than you.”
“...” Fu Jichen pulled his arm away. “Don’t mistake me for Yu Jingze.”
Zou Lexiao snorted.
She cast a wide net hoping to reel in Yu Jingze, only to discover that Yu Jingze wasn’t swimming in her waters.
By the time they reached the restaurant entrance, each family’s car was already waiting.
After exchanging a few words, they said their goodbyes.
Zou Lexiao gave Ye Jinhua a polite hug. “My beautiful Ye, good night.”
Her target was Yu Qing. With that, she let go of Ye Jinhua and hugged Yu Qing next to her. “When I graduate, I’ll come visit you, and we’ll eat together again.”
If she couldn’t hug her brother, hugging his sister would do—making do with what she had.
Fu Jichen pulled her away. “That’s enough.”
Zou Lexiao glared at Fu Jichen, finding him an annoying man who was also an obstacle to her happiness.
________________________________________
In mid-March, Lemong’s collaboration with Wenning Planning ended, and they switched to a new planning company.
Lemong’s couple-themed drink series, after being repackaged and relaunched, received positive market feedback.
The feud with Leng Wenning seemed to have settled.
It was rare to enjoy a few peaceful and smooth days.
Yu Qing took some time in the afternoon to go to the hospital for a checkup. After all the test results came back showing normal fetal development, she finally breathed a sigh of relief and informed Fu Jichen that she was at the hospital.
Fu Jichen: [Why didn’t you let me accompany you? Wait for me at the hospital—I’m coming to pick you up.]
Sitting on a bench in the hospital corridor, all the surrounding noise seemed to fade away. Yu Qing immersed herself in her own world, staring at the ultrasound report once more and casually snapping a photo of it.
Suddenly, Yu Qing thought of her mother. She wondered what kind of joy her mother must have felt holding the first ultrasound image of her twenty-five years ago.
But that joy was completely shattered a few months later.
She hesitated, wondering whether to tell her mother.
Her last indirect contact with her mother was when she posted a picture of soy sauce noodles on her social media, and her mother liked it.
Yu Qing sent the ultrasound photo she had just taken to her mother, [Mom, I want to share with you the joy of becoming a mother, though I’m also a bit apprehensive.]
More than ten minutes passed, and her mother still hadn’t replied.
Yu Qing put the test reports back into her bag and went to wait for Fu Jichen at the hospital entrance.
Her phone vibrated—it was a message from her mother, simply two words: [Congratulations.]
With nothing more to discuss, Yu Qing exited the chat.
Her mother then sent a picture, saying: [I have one too.]
Yu Qing didn’t understand what “I have one too” meant, so she quickly opened it. To her surprise, it was an ultrasound image of her as a fetus, taken twenty-five years ago.
The edges of the sheet were torn, and it had creases.
Immediately afterward, her mother sent another photo—a yellow wristband with blurry writing. This must have been the wristband she wore at the hospital when she was born.
She never expected her mother to still keep these things.
Mother: [That’s all for now—I’m going for a morning run with Pang Shuai.]
Yu Qing had been so excited that she forgot the time difference—it was 5:30 AM where her mother was.
________________________________________
On the way home, Fu Jichen collected all of her medical reports and carefully folded them one by one.
Yu Qing had been feeling increasingly sleepy lately. She yawned and leaned her head against Fu Jichen’s shoulder.
Fu Jichen lowered his gaze, his lips brushing against her forehead. “Are you feeling unwell?”
Yu Qing shook her head. “Aside from being sleepy, I don’t have any other symptoms.”
Fu Jichen’s phone vibrated—it was Zou Lexiao. She didn’t have anything urgent; she was just sending him posts on how to care for a pregnant woman’s emotions.
She checked in every day like clockwork, more punctual than an alarm.
“Yu Jingze should be back from his business trip soon, right?”
Yu Qing didn’t know. “Why don’t you ask him yourself?”
“I won’t approach him.” Fu Jichen put away his phone. “What’s going on between him and Zou Lexiao?”
“Who knows? Probably bumpy and full of twists.”
Fu Jichen adjusted his sitting position and pulled her into his arms. He continued talking about Zou Lexiao. “She dreams every day that Ji Qingyuan and I will call her ‘sister-in-law.’”
Yu Qing reassured him. “Don’t worry—her little schemes will fail with you because I’m not marrying you. Are you feeling a tiny bit envious that Ji Qingyuan has the chance to call someone ‘sister-in-law’?”
Fu Jichen: “...”
He didn’t respond for a long while, gazing out the car window.
Yu Qing gestured to him. “Fu Jichen, turn your face and look at me.”
“No face left to turn,” he deadpanned.
Yu Qing burst out laughing. “Such a petty man—let me kiss you.”
Fu Jichen rested his chin on his hand, still facing the window. “If you want to kiss me, figure it out yourself. Today, I’ll be stubborn for once.”
Yu Qing laughed uncontrollably. It had been a while since they had teased each other like this. The previous period had been exhausting, dealing with Leng Wenning and strategizing for her sister, leaving her neglecting him.
She forcefully turned his face toward hers, and their eyes met.
Yu Qing pulled his neck down and kissed him tenderly on the lips. She nestled close to him, inhaling his crisp scent, feeling serene.
Fu Jichen wrapped one arm around her waist and cupped her cheek with the other, deepening the kiss.
The evening commute was painfully slow, with cars barely moving. Such a pace was perfect for kissing.
Fu Jichen’s kisses trailed to her ear. “Once Ji Qingyuan reconciles with your sister, he’ll have his marriage certificate, completely beating me. Lawyer Yu, you’ll need to help me turn the tables then.”
Yu Qing: “President Fu, here’s your chance—organize your words better.”
Fu Jichen looked into her eyes, thinking for a moment. “With you, I’ve already won the whole world. What’s a marriage certificate compared to that?”
Yu Qing nodded. “That’s more like it.”
Fu Jichen: “Right or wrong, you know in your heart—that sentence was forced out of me by you.”
Yu Qing laughed and hugged him tightly.
Fu Jichen caressed her cheek. “I’m not in a rush to get the certificate—we’d have to queue up at the civil affairs office, and I don’t have the time for that anyway.”
Yu Qing covered his lips, tears of laughter almost spilling from her eyes.
After the laughter subsided, Fu Jichen had her sit at the other end. “Put your feet on my lap—I’ll massage them for you.”
Yu Qing lay down, placing a cushion under her head, and looked at him. “Were you cheering me up earlier to make up for not accompanying me to the prenatal checkup?”
Fu Jichen: “Next time you go to the hospital, call me in advance. As long as I’m not on a business trip, no matter how busy I am, I’ll find time to accompany you for the checkup.”
Before Yu Qing could respond, her phone rang. A special contact name appeared: “Sky Eye.”
She answered, and the voice on the other end delivered a simple sentence: “Leng Wenning has arranged a meeting with President Ji.”
“Got it. Thank you.”
Fu Jichen raised an eyebrow. “What did you do now?”
Yu Qing sent a message to Yu Jingxin: [Don’t work overtime tonight—go home early.] Then she turned to Fu Jichen. “Leng Wenning went to Ji Qingyuan for funding. I’m using this opportunity to hit her hard.”
________________________________________
Leng Wenning hadn’t visited Jiashi Group in four years. In the past, she had free access here—no need to register or make appointments. She even knew the password to Ji Qingyuan’s private elevator.
Now, she had scheduled a meeting with him in advance.
His high-level meeting in the afternoon had just concluded.
She didn’t take the private elevator—she didn’t know if the password had changed.
When she arrived at his office floor, his secretary was already waiting.
This personal assistant had been hired after her breakup with Ji Qingyuan and was acquainted with her best friend.
At the company, the secretary maintained professionalism, offering a polite smile. “President Ji is in the office—you may enter directly.”
She swiped her access card for Leng Wenning.
Leng Wenning nodded in gratitude.
This was like revisiting old grounds—but while the scenery remained the same, people had changed.
The door to Ji Qingyuan’s office was open. Leng Wenning was slightly surprised but knocked lightly. “President Ji.”
“Come in.” Ji Qingyuan added immediately, “Leave the door open.”
Her hand had already touched the doorknob, but she awkwardly withdrew it, smiling faintly.
She understood his intention—to avoid suspicion.
Outside was the secretary’s workspace.
After all, he was married, and she was his ex-girlfriend. She understood him.
The fact that he was willing to see her was enough for her.
She didn’t demand anything more.
Leng Wenning sat across from his desk and handed him the financing proposal. “Take a look.”
Ji Qingyuan accepted it without saying much, flipping through the document seriously.
Leng Wenning picked up her coffee, occasionally glancing at him. Her gaze always unconsciously landed on his slender fingers—the ring on his ring finger was too glaring.
If they hadn’t broken up back then, if she had been willing to return to him, the person wearing a matching couple ring with him now would have been her.
And they would have had children by now.
Later, after they both got married, whenever she encountered him, she wanted to ask: Ji Qingyuan, have you ever regretted it?
Ji Qingyuan didn’t flip through page by page. The document was thick, but he only focused on the clauses related to profit returns. “The condition for Jiashi Group’s investment is that you must sign a wager agreement.”
Leng Wenning nodded. “Mm, I know.” He had mentioned it on the phone before, and she agreed, which led to today’s meeting.
She hadn’t played the emotional card when seeking funding from him, and she had set the financing terms very low.
His investment conditions were even harsher.
She understood why.
If he were to funnel benefits to her, rumors would spread, and he wouldn’t be able to explain himself to the Yu family. And the investment she sought might end up falling through.
Ji Qingyuan outlined the requirements of the wager agreement. “The agreement lasts for three years. Wenning Media’s compound annual growth rate must not fall below 40%. During this period, there shall be no equity transfers. If the 40% growth rate isn’t achieved, after three years, your company must redeem Jiashi Group’s shares in cash. Specific redemption terms will be handled by a dedicated person from the investment department when the time comes.”
Leng Wenning was momentarily stunned. A compound annual growth rate of no less than 40%?
The investment terms were harsher than she had imagined.
She briefly discussed the current state of her company, the industry’s prospects, and potential bottlenecks, hoping Ji Qingyuan would relax the conditions somewhat.
Ji Qingyuan: “There’s no negotiation here.”
Leng Wenning: “...” He had always been like this during investment discussions—only talking about interests, not emotions. Now that it involved her personally, it felt a bit cruel. Still, she expressed her understanding of his situation.
She was his ex-girlfriend—he couldn’t funnel benefits to her.
As long as he invested, her purpose would be fulfilled.
Ji Qingyuan closed the financing proposal. “Whether or not we invest, and how much, will depend on the risk department’s evaluation. If we invest, it will be under the conditions I just mentioned.”
Leng Wenning took a sip of her coffee. “Alright.” Her tone carried a hint of complaint. “I’m at my wit’s end—I have no choice but to let others take advantage of me.”
By this point, the discussion was nearly over, and she began to speak off-topic.
“At the club before, when I said that my conflict with Yu Qing was purely due to interests, I was just trying to shut those people up and avoid causing trouble for you. Deep down, you know that Yu Qing has been ruthless toward me, leaving me no room to maneuver—and part of it is because of you.”
She seized the opportunity to elaborate. “I haven’t done anything, yet I’m misunderstood and suppressed like this. Am I not wronged?”
“If I had ruined your relationship with Yu Jingxin, I’d accept responsibility.”
She looked at him. “But I didn’t. After you got married, have I ever approached you? Have I called you? Have I bothered you? Have I acted desperately?”
“Ji Qingyuan, can you answer me honestly? Can you?”
She exhaled deeply.
“Just because I’m your ex, do I deserve to be treated like this?”
“Yu Qing has been merciless. Over the past month, you can ask anyone about the state of my company. If you’re too lazy to ask others, just ask Fu Jichen—he hasn’t given me any chance to survive. Otherwise...”
She calmed herself. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had the audacity to come to you. I didn’t beg you even when we broke up... She treats me like this, and you act as if you don’t see it. I’m not asking you to treat me in any particular way, but at least try to stop such behavior.”
Ji Qingyuan responded, “Your issues with Yu Qing are between the two of you—I have no standing. Not putting your company on Jiashi Group’s blacklist for investments was already a consideration. Because of me, Yu Qing might increase her pressure on your company from eight-tenths to nine-tenths. That extra tenth is the opportunity I give your company for investment. The premise of investment is to make money. That’s all.”
Leng Wenning knew when to stop. “I understand it’s awkward for you—I was just venting. I won’t disturb you anymore. You can get back to work.” She set down her coffee cup, picked up her bag, and left.
Downstairs, her best friend was waiting in the car.
She handed Leng Wenning a bottle of water. She hoped for good news—if Leng Wenning’s company collapsed entirely, she wouldn’t be able to rely on her for income anymore.
“Did you reach an agreement?”
Leng Wenning remained silent for a moment before saying, “I don’t know if it’s me who changed, or if it’s him.”
Best friend: “Don’t think too much about it. He’s married with kids now—what more can he do for you? Unless he gets divorced, he wouldn’t speak without reservations.”
Leng Wenning didn’t respond, turning her face to look out the window.
________________________________________
As darkness fell, Yu Qing had already written two pages of notes, marking the tone of each sentence.
After reading the first page, Yu Jingxin rubbed her forehead. “I can’t say this—it’s too mushy.”
“Leng Wenning is so skilled—you only have the option of being coquettish.” Yu Qing finished writing another sentence and even drew an emoji next to it.
“For four years, she privately didn’t contact Ji Qingyuan. Everything she did to you was subtle yet sharp. You never told Ji Qingyuan about it, so he has no reason to settle scores with her. Everyone has seen the state of her company over the past month—it’s clear that I’ve been suppressing her.”
Yu Qing handed the second page to Yu Jingxin. “Hurry up and memorize it. I worked hard to create this opportunity for you to vent, thoroughly disrupt Leng Wenning’s divisive intentions, and improve your marital relationship. Don’t waste it.”
“Alright, focus on memorizing. I’ll go downstairs to find Fu Jichen.”
At 8 PM, a car entered the courtyard—Ji Qingyuan was back.
Yu Jingxin fed the two sheets of paper into the shredder. Within seconds, they were reduced to scraps.
Ji Qingyuan’s footsteps grew closer. She realized she had forgotten everything she had memorized. She would have to improvise.
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