Chapter 11. Longing For You

Lin Xingzi’s maternal uncle, Li Yao, though just over forty, had a life story that could fill a book. His career had seen its ups and downs; during the hardest years, he was deeply in debt and dared not even go home.

Now, despite having wealth, status, and connections, he was still alone.

He often attended award ceremonies and banquets. In the past, he would bring his secretary, but after Lin Xingzi returned to China and joined the company, he would always tell her in advance to accompany him. On one hand, it was to give her experience—he had no children, and the company would eventually be hers. On the other hand, it was to refine her character.

It was the hottest part of summer, and Lin Xingzi stood beside Li Yao in high heels for over an hour. Her legs were stiff. Only when the old executives left could she finally breathe.

“You know how to speak with reserve; you’ve made some progress,” Li Yao praised with a smile.

“That’s because Uncle taught me well,” Lin Xingzi playfully blinked, readily agreeing, “So, should we make an appointment to talk with Director Wang separately, or wait for them to contact us first?”

“What do you think?”

“Director Wang’s attitude tonight clearly shows he’s playing hard to get. If we approach him directly, it’ll give him an opportunity to make exorbitant demands. My idea is to wait first, then find a chance to contact ‘Chenghua’ as a backup.”

“Good, you’ve really improved,” Li Yao was very satisfied.

An acquaintance approached, and he raised his champagne glass to clink with the other person. “Good evening, Director Zhan.”

Lin Xingzi also greeted him generously.

“Xingzi,” Director Zhan smiled, his gaze lingering on Lin Xingzi. From both a business and social standing perspective, Lin Xingzi was his ideal candidate for a daughter-in-law. “Zhan Yan plans to return to China soon. When he does, you young people should communicate more.”

“Sounds good,” Lin Xingzi replied obediently.

Li Yao understood Director Zhan’s intentions. Only their immediate family knew about Lin Xingzi’s marriage; there was no wedding or banquet, so outsiders were unaware. But she was indeed married. Director Zhan kept bringing up his son in front of Lin Xingzi. Seeing signs of Lin Xingzi’s impatience, Li Yao timely changed the subject.

Lin Xingzi sipped her champagne, silently musing that Ji Qiuchi was truly a competent mistress—she didn’t say much, content to be a mere ornament by the old man’s side.

Was Ji Qiuchi blind?

What was wrong with Jiang Yan? Why did she have to debase herself and Jiang Yan’s genuine feelings?

Chen Cheng navigated through the bustling hall, filled with clinking glasses and chatter, and found Lin Xingzi on a sofa in the corner. “General Manager Lin, General Manager Li asked me to take you home first.”

“Let’s go,” Lin Xingzi was tired too.

The car was in the parking lot. Lin Xingzi felt dizzy from the alcohol. Assistant Chen reminded her, and only then did she notice a pair of slippers at her feet.

He explained, “Several times, I’ve noticed you tiptoeing after wearing high heels for a long time, so I bought a pair to keep here, assuming they were uncomfortable.”

“You’re quite thoughtful,” Lin Xingzi took off her high heels and felt alive again.

In the rearview mirror, Assistant Chen shyly scratched behind his ear. “I don’t do it well; Mr. Jiang is much more thoughtful.”

Lin Xingzi leaned against the car window, the mottled light and shadows outside reflecting in her eyes. It was the second time tonight she had thought of Jiang Yan.

Assistant Chen was still talking about something. She opened WeChat on her phone, skillfully logged out of her original account, and logged into another account that had only one friend.

Her phone vibrated. Jiang Yan freed a hand to pick it up.

[j: Missing you.]

The person named [j] on WeChat had added him in his first month after being transferred. He had never deleted their chat history. There weren’t many messages; the last one was three weeks ago.

Jiang Yan: Been drinking?

A few minutes later, another message came.

[j: Only dared to miss you after drinking.]

Jiang Yan: Go home early. It’s not safe outside.

Lin Xingzi looked at the chat interface on her phone, feeling the effects of the alcohol. She had never said who “she” was, and he never asked, as if he knew who “she” was from the very beginning.

[j: He’s not good to me. He doesn’t love me.]

Jiang Yan: Wait for me to come back.

“Scoundrel!” Lin Xingzi suddenly cursed furiously, startling Assistant Chen.

[j: I heard the dessert shop by the high school gate is still open. I wonder if they still have their best mango mille-feuille cake.]

Jiang Yan: Got it.

“Scoundrel!” Lin Xingzi logged out of WeChat and threw her phone aside.

Assistant Chen slowed the car, cautiously asking, “General Manager Lin, are you upset with Mr. Jiang?”

“Mr. Jiang is an anti-drug police officer. His looks are the type many women like nowadays, and he’s a gentleman. Mr. Jiang lives alone in another city and comes into contact with all sorts of people. There must be many who offer themselves to him, but given Mr. Jiang’s character, he shouldn’t do anything to betray you.”

Lin Xingzi closed her eyes, offering a fake smile. “Who knows.”

“General Manager Lin is young and beautiful, from a good family, and has a good personality. How many men dream of a wife like you? Mr. Jiang really doesn’t appreciate what he has,” Assistant Chen joked, “If I had a wife like General Manager Lin, I’d probably wake up laughing in my sleep.”