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Zou Lexiao was nearly choked into returning to Beijing. She had been extremely drowsy, but now she was wide awake.
“Second Brother, can’t you be a little nicer to me? Can’t you help me out? Am I still your sister or not?”
Fu Jichen looked at her. “I hope you always are.”
Zou Lexiao felt offended again. Her sleep deprivation had allowed him to gain the upper hand.
She didn’t want to remain his sister forever—her goal was to be with Yu Jingze.
Though it was a distant dream.
But over the past year, this dream was what kept her going.
Zou Lexiao quickened her pace and caught up with Fu Jichen.
She tugged on his arm. “Second Brother, I’m seriously asking you—do you think there’s any chance I could win over Yu Jingze? I really like him.”
Fu Jichen paused and met her gaze for a moment.
He didn’t want to discourage her, but there was no point in weaving lies for her either—she would only end up hurting herself. “Lexiao, when you ask me, deep down, you’ve already lost confidence. So why deceive yourself?”
Zou Lexiao blinked. “Because I like him. Every day, I fantasize about being with him. About him falling in love with me, us having a family, and then two kids—one like him, one like me.”
This scene, Fu Jichen had also fantasized about—but with Yu Qing. He was lucky; their home was halfway complete. But Yu Jingze seemed even less invested in relationships than Yu Qing.
“Lexiao, you’re still young...”
Zou Lexiao interrupted him. “Yes, precisely because I’m young, I have the energy to chase after him. Even if I get rejected someday, no matter how hurt I am, I’ll recover quickly and keep moving forward. After a few more years, when I’m not as young, I won’t dare to chase him anymore—I won’t have the strength.”
Fu Jischen suddenly didn’t know what to say.
Zou Lexiao: “When I go back, I’ll do my best to pursue him once. Even if I get rejected, I won’t regret it.”
________________________________________
On the day of the cocktail party, Fu Jichen still hadn’t returned—it was the sixth day of his business trip. Yu Qing, worried she might forget which day he left, had specially marked it on the calendar.
During this time, Fu Jichen had contacted her once to ask if her morning sickness had worsened.
She was perfectly fine, except for excessive sleepiness.
By today, she finally understood why Fu Jichen said he couldn’t stop contacting her—whether they were in touch or not, she wouldn’t miss him much.
At that time, he would surely feel disappointed.
Indeed, she hadn’t thought much about him.
Because she was too sleepy.
Whenever she had some free time, she used it to sleep.
Her longing was filled with drowsiness.
When she wasn’t sleepy, all her time was consumed by work.
Yesterday, Yu Fei had contacted her to discuss the details of the legal opinion for the “All-Star Concert.” Later, they talked about the SZ acquisition case.
Shuoyu Law Firm had joined the project. Yu Fei had pulled strings to secure the case source and partnered with Qin Yu.
In the next couple of days, the law firm team would join the project group. Afterward, Yu Fei wouldn’t have any rest time—she and Qin Yu would start reviewing the project situation.
Yu Fei sighed. The internal workings of SZ were even more complicated than she had imagined.
Exactly how complex it was, Yu Fei didn’t specify, and Yu Qing didn’t ask—it involved confidentiality.
Yu Qing finished work on time today and went home to prepare for the banquet.
She didn’t hire a makeup artist, planning to apply simple everyday makeup herself.
The evening event would last until around 10:30 PM. Yu Qing didn’t plan to watch the performances live but would directly attend the cocktail party at 11 PM.
After carefully dressing up, she left at 10 PM.
In the courtyard, Yu Shaohong’s car returned.
It was rare to see his daughter dressed so formally. Her luxurious evening gown shimmered with countless stars, dazzling and radiant. He didn’t know what event she was attending. “Where are you going?”
Yu Qing mentioned which group’s anniversary celebration it was.
Yu Shaohong had also received an invitation, but he rarely attended such lively cocktail parties—they were usually handled by Yu Jingze. He added, “Your sister is going too.”
Yu Qing took over the conversation. “That’s why I decided to go.”
Although Yu Shaohong didn’t know the ups and downs between his eldest daughter and her husband, he understood Yu Qing’s intentions. He patted her shoulder. “Dad truly needs to thank you.”
“It’s nothing.” Yu Qing always remembered what her father had said to her and her sister that night: ‘Let’s try our best, okay? Let’s experience the life we’ve never lived before. Maybe we can make life better, right?’
________________________________________
When Yu Qing arrived at the hotel, the evening show had already ended, and the guests had moved to the banquet hall.
Inside the hall, fragrant scents filled the air, glasses clinked, and luxury mingled with festivity.
Tonight, Yu Jingxin and Ji Qingyuan became one of the focal points. This was the first time they appeared together at a social event in the four years since their marriage.
Even in small private gatherings, Yu Jingxin’s presence was never seen.
Rumors about their marital troubles had circulated for eighteen versions from their wedding until before the birth of their child.
Their appearance tonight, holding hands, shocked everyone.
Some teased them, saying that if there were financial media present, photos of their hand-holding would definitely appear on the front page of the news tomorrow, and Jiashi Group’s stock price might soar.
Ji Qingyuan leaned down and whispered in Yu Jingxin’s ear, “Many people want to invest in Jiashi Group but worry that if you divorce me, half of my personal assets or shares will be divided, ultimately affecting Jiashi Group’s strategic direction and stock price.”
Yu Jingxin raised her eyes and quietly asked him, “So that’s why you don’t want a divorce?”
Ji Qingyuan was much more patient today than usual. “Have you ever thought about why I submitted documents to the exchange when we got married, making you a co-owner of all my assets?”
Yu Jingxin: “Because I’m not poor either—I have some wealth of my own.”
Ji Qingyuan: “...”
He smiled helplessly.
At this moment, no one came to disturb them. Taking advantage of her inattention, he kissed her.
Not far away, “What’s going on with Yu Jingxin and Ji Qingyuan?” Zhou Siyuan retracted her gaze, asked the nearby Yu Jingze, and handed him a glass of red wine.
Yu Jingze: “Just what you see.”
Family matters—he didn’t need to say much to outsiders.
His phone vibrated in his pocket. Yu Jingze took it out—it was Yu Qing.
“Brother, I’m downstairs.”
“I’ll come down to pick you up.”
Yu Jingze hung up the call and drained his glass of wine in one gulp.
Zhou Siyuan grabbed a few desserts. From noon till now, she hadn’t eaten anything and her stomach was hurting. She knew she’d have to drink later, so she ate something first.
Turning to look at Yu Jingze, she asked, “Who are you picking up?”
“Yu Qing.”
Zhou Siyuan was slightly startled. “Why is she here too?”
Yu Jingze: “I’m introducing her to the world.”
Zhou Siyuan smiled. “You really treat her like a child—why doesn’t she just take the elevator up?”
Yu Jingze didn’t say much, put down his wine glass, and left.
Zhou Siyuan suddenly lost her appetite but still carried her plate to the lounge area.
Many people were eating—everyone knew that tonight’s drinking session could last until who-knows-when, so they couldn’t drink on an empty stomach.
Leng Wenning was also in the lounge, chatting and eating with a friend.
She saw Zhou Siyuan, gave a fake smile, and greeted her.
Zhou Siyuan also smiled and sat down. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”
Between her and Leng Wenning was the thinnest form of plastic friendship—superficial harmony on the surface, but privately, both were waiting to see the other’s downfall.
Neither admitted defeat.
The love-hate entanglement among Leng Wenning, Ji Qingyuan, and Yu Jingxin was a topic discussed endlessly among their circle of friends. Each gathering, from pre-dinner to post-meal, the gossip continued for hours without end.
Even after hours of chatter, they were still unsatisfied, ready to continue the gossip the next time they met.
For four years, this “TV series” maintained high “ratings.”
Although Zhou Siyuan and Yu Jingxin were, in a sense, still considered family, they had no interactions. Zhou Siyuan disliked Yu Jingxin’s pretentious demeanor.
As for Leng Wenning, no one in their small circle liked her either.
Tonight brought another high-energy preview: Ji Qingyuan actually brought Yu Jingxin to the cocktail party. Leng Wenning was publicly humiliated. Tonight’s gossip would likely last until dawn.
“So, why are you alone today?” Leng Wenning asked slowly.
Zhou Siyuan knew what Leng Wenning was implying—Yu Jingze had gone to pick up Yu Qing and wasn’t accompanying her. Pretending to sigh, she said, “When am I not alone? I should find someone to date. What about you?”
Leng Wenning didn’t respond. She saw Yu Jingze and Yu Qing together in the crowd. Previously, she hadn’t noticed how much Yu Qing resembled Yu Jingze. Seeing them side by side, it was clear they were siblings.
“Hey, your brother brought his dear little sister,” she emphasized the word “dear.”
Zhou Siyuan knew Leng Wenning was subtly mocking her. She didn’t back down. “Mm, both his dear little sisters are here tonight.”
Pretending ignorance, she added, “Oh, did you happen to see Yu Jingxin earlier?”
Leng Wenning glanced at Zhou Siyuan, her faint smile still lingering. “I’ve been chatting with friends here—I didn’t notice.”
Zhou Siyuan thought to herself, even if blind, she must have seen.
She smirked. “No need to pay attention. Even if she’s holding Ji Qingyuan’s hand, even if he kissed her, maybe it’s just for show.”
Leng Wenning: “...”
Her appetite vanished completely.
Zhou Siyuan had a loose tongue, deliberately bringing up whether they held hands or kissed.
Even if she couldn’t eat, she pretended to enjoy her food.
Tonight, Ji Qingyuan bringing Yu Jingxin caught her off guard.
If she had known in advance, she would have definitely brought a date to avoid being laughed at.
She didn’t know what had gotten into Ji Qingyuan lately—moving back into Yu’s house, signing a nominee investment agreement with her, and now openly bringing Yu Jingxin to the cocktail party.
“By the way, I heard your media company is raising funds. How’s that going?” Zhou Siyuan feigned concern while mocking her again.
Leng Wenning: “It’s going well. A friend found a channel.”
Due to the confidentiality agreement signed with Ji Qingyuan, she couldn’t reveal who it was.
Zhou Siyuan: “If I were you, I’d have asked my family for help. Impressive.” She raised her glass to Leng Wenning. After her sarcastic remarks, she salvaged their plastic friendship, saving it for the next time they met to mock her again.
“I don’t want to bother my family.” Leng Wenning took a light sip. This time, she only sought help from her uncle, not her parents or family.
Because Fu Jichen had connections through his maternal grandfather’s background, even if she had asked her family for help, she might still lose to Fu Jichen in the end. Why bother?
“By the way,” she pretended to just remember, “I heard Zou Hang’s daughter is pursuing your brother. Is that true? Let me indulge in some gossip too.”
Without retaliating against Zhou Siyuan, she felt uneasy.
Zhou Siyuan: “My brother looks down on her.”
________________________________________
Yu Qing’s worries were unnecessary. Yu Jingxin remained inseparable from Ji Qingyuan. Wherever Ji Qingyuan went, she held onto his arm.
Yu Jingze told Yu Qing, “Are you reassured now?”
Yu Qing covered her face with her hand and yawned.
She wasn’t worried that Yu Jingxin and Leng Wenning would clash in public—they were sensible enough not to lose composure in such a setting.
However, even if Leng Wenning made a few veiled remarks, it would be enough to upset Yu Jingxin.
Now, Yu Jingxin was slowly learning how to use men as her armor instead of solely focusing on Leng Wenning.
“Brother.” Zhou Siyuan approached.
Hearing the voice, Yu Qing turned around. A seemingly gentle woman walked gracefully toward them. Based on the single word “Brother,” she guessed this woman must be Zhou Siyuan.
Her appearance was soft and non-threatening.
It was hard to associate her with the boss of Siyuan Holdings.
Yu Jingze briefly introduced them, and the two exchanged superficial pleasantries.
Yu Jingze didn’t detect the insincerity in their conversation and thought they were getting along.
“When you have time, let’s go shopping.” Zhou Siyuan apologized to Yu Qing. “Excuse me for a moment—I’ll go seek advice from a few seniors.”
She handed a glass of wine to Yu Jingze and linked arms with him. “Let’s go. Keep me company and help me deflect some drinks.”
Yu Jingze turned to give Yu Qing a few parting words. “Eat something first. I’ll come find you when I’m done.”
“You go ahead—I’m not a child.” Yu Qing watched Zhou Siyuan’s retreating figure. At this moment, she suddenly understood why Yu Jingxin disliked Zhou Siyuan.
Too lazy to bother with Yu Jingze and Zhou Siyuan, she was here to protect Yu Jingxin.
Yu Jingxin was accompanying Ji Qingyuan in socializing, feeling a persistent gaze from behind.
She turned and saw Yu Qing in the distance.
This was her first time accompanying Ji Qingyuan to a social event. Yu Qing must have been afraid she would suffer some indignity at the cocktail party.
Turning around, the presence of family—something she had never experienced growing up—was felt for the first time.
In her other hand, Yu Jingxin still held a glass. She released Ji Qingyuan’s hand and sent a heart sign to Yu Qing across the room.
Ji Qingyuan was talking to a friend when he suddenly felt his hand empty. He quickly turned and grasped her hand, feeling reassured before continuing his conversation.
Over there, Yu Qing smiled gently at Yu Jingxin, then raised her eyebrows.
Then, she sent another heart sign to Yu Jingxin, launching a cute attack.
Yu Jingxin smiled faintly.
Tonight, she played the role of a younger sister, becoming a protected child.
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