When Jiang Nan arrived at Xiao Xiao’s place, she saw a middle-aged couple blocking the entrance to the rental unit. The man was smoking with his head down, saying nothing, while the woman was shouting at the door, “Do you think hiding in there will solve anything? If you don’t come up with the money, are you really okay with your brother being a bachelor for life?”
Seeing this, Jiang Nan frowned and stared coldly at the couple. “What’s going on here? You’re disrupting the residents. Do you want me to call the police? Get out of here and stop causing trouble.”
“What do you mean? Can’t we look for our own daughter?” The man finally spoke up after hearing the word “police” his tone aggressive and his eyes filled with malice.
Jiang Nan wasn’t intimidated. She pulled out her phone and said, “You’re disturbing the peace. This isn’t your home. If you want to argue, go do it at your own place.”
“My daughter is in there!” the man shouted, and the woman made a move as if to rush forward.
But Jiang Nan was ready. She pulled out her pepper spray and pointed it at the woman. “What do you think you’re doing? Don’t say I didn’t warn you—this is self-defense.”
“Who do you think you’re scaring? I’ll beat you up for sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong!” The woman took a step back, then charged forward again.
Jiang Nan didn’t hesitate and sprayed the woman in the face with the pepper spray. The woman screamed, clutching her face. Jiang Nan took two steps back and aimed the spray at the man, shouting, “You! Take her and leave now, or I’ll call the police and have you both arrested.” The man, seeing no other choice, helped the woman up, cursing under his breath as they left.
Jiang Nan then approached Xiao Xiao’s door and knocked, but there was no response. Puzzled, she suddenly received a call.
“It’s Jiang Nan, right? I saw your car. Don’t make a scene. Turn left after you exit the complex—I’m waiting for you by the roadside.” said Xiao Xiao.
“Xiao Xiao, be careful. Your parents just left; don’t run into them.” Jiang Nan quickly advised.
“I know, I saw them coming, so I hid outside.” Xiao Xiao replied.
Jiang Nan went downstairs, drove out of the complex, and picked up Xiao Xiao at the roadside.
She couldn’t help but ask, “How do they always manage to find you, no matter where you hide?”
Xiao Xiao nodded, her face showing a hint of confusion. “I find it strange too.”
Jiang Nan thought for a moment and then asked, “Who have you told about where you’ve been living these past years? This city is huge—finding someone should be like searching for a needle in a haystack. How could they always find you so quickly?”
Xiao Xiao’s expression changed as if she suddenly realized something. She shook her head and said, “Forget it. Even if I find out, what’s the point? I always thought I was clever and capable, but now I see I didn’t understand anything at all.”
Sitting in the passenger seat, Xiao Xiao stared blankly out the window. The recent events had hit her hard. She had just realized that the person she trusted most had been betraying her all along. Even though she said she wanted to let it go, how could she truly get over it?
Family wasn’t trustworthy, and even the sister she thought was closest to her had betrayed her. In the end, the people who were helping her were Jiang Nan, who should have been a stranger, and Zeng Yu, her ex-boyfriend whom she had deceived repeatedly.
“Xiao Xiao, you’re overthinking it. The world is like this—there’s only so much one person can do. But you have us, your friends. Even if we weren’t friends, anyone with a sense of justice would stand by you.” Jiang Nan said, trying to comfort her.
“Us? Friends?” Xiao Xiao looked at her, puzzled.
Jiang Nan smiled warmly and replied, “Yes, friends.”
“Thank you.” There was a renewed light in Xiao Xiao’s eyes.
Jiang Nan smiled back. “We’re friends.”
The best law firm in the city was also Jianghan Group’s legal counsel, so when the heir of the Jiang family showed up, she was given top priority.
“Based on what Ms. Jiang has described, we’ve selected our most experienced lawyer. If what you’ve said is accurate and there’s clear evidence, this case should be straightforward.” said the office manager of the law firm after giving a brief overview. He then introduced them to Zhu Hao, the lawyer.
Zhu Hao, around forty years old, had a clean, scholarly look, with glasses and a calm demeanor. For him, this case posed no significant challenge.
“I need to speak with the client alone for a bit. Is that alright?” Zhu Hao asked, seeking Jiang Nan’s consent.
Jiang Nan smiled and stood up. “I’ll wait outside. Xiao Xiao, don’t worry; everything will be fine.”
She left the office and sat outside to wait. Suddenly, she felt a wave of dizziness. She rubbed her temples and muttered to herself, “I must be too tired lately, not getting enough rest.”
With Jiang Nan occupied and Yuan Lei not around, Zeng Yu, the vice president, was the highest authority in the company.
He started the day with a routine meeting.
“It’s the beginning of a new week, and I hope everyone gets into work mode. Don’t worry, the company hasn’t set any rigid targets for individuals yet. I want you all to familiarize yourselves with the market as quickly as possible. Li Geng will handle the area divisions. I’ve already printed out the relevant client information—each of you has a copy in front of you. How you approach the market is up to you. My only suggestion is to get a map of the city and plan your routes carefully to avoid unnecessary detours. Lastly, you have one week. Starting next Monday, performance-based pay will be in effect. That’s all I have to say. Li Geng, the floor is yours.” Zeng Yu concluded and took a seat.
Li Geng, an experienced salesman, had already reviewed the potential client list and divided the city into two large zones. The sales team was then split into two groups to cover each zone.
Zeng Yu remained silent, taking notes on the side.
When Li Geng finished, he looked over at Zeng Yu. “Anything else, Mr. Zeng?”
Zeng Yu stood up and said, “No, your plan is comprehensive. Let’s stick with it. Meeting adjourned.”
At that moment, a woman in her thirties wearing black-rimmed glasses entered the room.
Zeng Yu approached her. “Hello, how can I help you?”
The woman adjusted her glasses. “My name is Lü Qin, the new accountant. Where’s Ms. Jiang?”
“Wait a minute, I thought Ms. Jiang hired a cashier, not an accountant?” Zeng Yu was momentarily confused.
Lü Qin smiled. “The cashier’s job is much simpler. You could train someone quickly to handle it. I could do it if you want, but I recommend that Ms. Jiang take on the cashier role herself or find someone else. Considering the company’s future development, I suggest fully staffing the finance department.”
“I can’t make that decision. How about this—you can consider today your first day, and when Ms. Jiang comes in tomorrow, you can discuss it with her.” Zeng Yu decided after some thought.
Since Jiang Nan wasn’t available today, Zeng Yu didn’t want to meddle in personnel issues. After all, Jiang Nan had recruited this person herself, and she might have her own plans.
Xiao Xiao emerged from Lawyer Zhu’s office to find Jiang Nan asleep in her chair. Xiao Xiao’s heart stirred with a pang of guilt. Jiang Nan had no obligation to help her, yet instead of being hostile because Zeng Yu was her ex-boyfriend, Jiang Nan had extended a helping hand. How could she possibly compete with or resent someone like that?
Xiao Xiao quietly sat down and waited. Jiang Nan’s head bobbed, and she woke up. Seeing Xiao Xiao, she quickly shook her head to clear it. “Sorry, I fell asleep. Did I keep you waiting long?”
Xiao Xiao’s eyes welled up, and she shook her head vigorously. “It’s fine. I’m the one who should apologize.”
“How did it go? Smoothly, I hope?” Jiang Nan noticed her red eyes and quickly changed the subject.
Xiao Xiao sniffed and wiped her eyes with a tissue before speaking softly. “We can draft a support agreement. As a daughter, I have an obligation to support my parents. If we negotiate a lump-sum payment, there’s a good chance we can reach an agreement. The specifics will be handled by the lawyer; I just need to cooperate.”
“That’s good. See? Things can be resolved.” Jiang Nan said with a smile, standing up. Suddenly, she felt dizzy again, and her body wobbled. Xiao Xiao quickly reached out to steady her.
“Sigh, I haven’t been resting well lately. I think I need to take a few days off.” Jiang Nan said, a bit helpless.
Although she said that, she couldn’t really take a break. She could leave Xiao Xiao’s case to the lawyer, but she still needed to continue visiting Zeng Zhanhao at the hospital. She decided to adjust her schedule, visiting him in the evenings while continuing her work during the day.
“Oh, by the way, you’re not going back to Ah Ying’s place, are you?” Jiang Nan suddenly remembered.
Xiao Xiao hesitated for a moment. “No, I can’t go back there. It’s okay, I’ll just find a hotel to stay at. I have my wallet, bank card, and phone with me.”
“Alright, I’ll take you there.” Jiang Nan offered.
Xiao Xiao insisted, “No, I’ll just take a taxi. You should go home. I really don’t want to trouble you any further.”
After all, Xiao Xiao was Zeng Yu’s ex-girlfriend. Even if Jiang Nan wanted to drive her, Xiao Xiao couldn’t accept more of her kindness. She had already received too much help; asking for more would be ungrateful.
After parting ways with Xiao Xiao, Jiang Nan got stuck in traffic.
She called Zeng Yu and started talking. “Everything’s taken care of. What happens next is out of our hands.”
Zeng Yu was silent for a long time before he finally spoke. “I’m not good with words, but I know that if I missed out on you, I’d be lonely for the rest of my life.”
Jiang Nan also fell silent, leaving the phone connected with neither of them speaking.
Looking at his phone, Zeng Yu smiled and couldn’t help but type out a message: “To hold your hand and grow old together.”
Jiang Nan, who was driving, didn’t reply.
Yuan Lei called her. “Come out, let’s hang out.”
“I’m driving. Give me a reason.” Jiang Nan responded.
Yuan Lei said, “I’m getting the marriage certificate tomorrow. Tonight’s my last night of freedom, and I want to introduce you to a new friend.”
Jiang Nan replied, “Send me the address. I’ll be there.”
Yuan Lei sent back, “Lanmei.”
Jiang Nan opened her GPS and headed to the location Yuan Lei mentioned.
When she parked at the bar, Yuan Lei’s car also pulled up.
Jiang Nan grabbed her phone and bag, got out of the car, and stood by, waiting for Yuan Lei. Leng Qing was the first to step out of Yuan Lei’s car, and she and Jiang Nan exchanged a glance.
“Starting tomorrow, I’ll be a married woman.” Yuan Lei announced loudly. When she saw Jiang Nan looking down at her phone, she snatched it away. “What are you looking at? How dare you ignore me?”
Seeing the message from Zeng Yu, Yuan Lei burst into laughter, covering her face. “Oh my gosh, my teeth, my teeth, they’re gonna fall out from the sweetness!” She even showed the message to Leng Qing.
The three women then started playfully bickering.
Meanwhile, the three men of the Wang family were gathered, drinking together.
Wang Zheng remained quiet, while Wang Chenghan and Wang Chengfu chatted a lot.
“Looking back, you were right back then, but why did you leave without a word?” Wang Chenghan wasn’t trying to blame his brother; he just wanted to understand.
Wang Chengfu gave a bitter smile. “Big Brother, back then, the Wang family was heavily impacted by the international market. Our foreign trade plummeted, and the business became unsustainable. I tried to persuade you to downsize and pivot. But all you talked about were the workers who had been with you for years and the hardships we went through to build the business. We couldn’t reach an agreement, so what was the point of me staying?”
Wang Chenghan’s eyes widened. “But that’s better than going to Africa and almost losing your life!”
Wang Chengfu retorted, “Why can’t I take the same risks for wealth? I made it, didn’t I?”
“That was just luck!” Wang Chenghan wasn’t willing to concede.
Wang Zheng suddenly stood up, interrupting their conversation.
“Where are you going?” Wang Chengfu asked, puzzled.
Wang Zheng replied expressionlessly, “Tomorrow, I’m going back. There are some things I need to figure out, or I won’t be at peace.”
Wang Chengfu sighed. “What could be more important than staying with your dad?”
“My dad’s in your care, so I’m not worried.” Wang Zheng replied calmly.
Wang Chenghan smiled and waved his hand. “Go ahead. Don’t leave any regrets.”
Wang Chenghan could tell that his son was dealing with a personal issue. He didn’t plan to interfere, trusting that Wang Zheng could handle it.
Wang Zheng returned to his rental apartment late at night. He looked up at the window, but the familiar light wasn’t on.
Even though Ye Xiyan had deceived him, Wang Zheng had calmed down and thought about it for a long time. He still wanted a reasonable explanation.
He opened the door and entered. Nothing had changed except for the absence of a smiling Ye Xiyan.
Did she not leave? Or…
Wang Zheng couldn’t feel any life in the apartment. He walked to the wardrobe and saw that her clothes were gone. In the bathroom, her makeup was also missing.
Only then did Wang Zheng realize that she had truly left.
He stood at the doorway, lost in thought, forgetting time and everything else.
How could she just leave? Without even giving me an explanation?
At that moment, Wang Zheng began to recall every little moment he had shared with Ye Xiyan. The woman who had always been so accommodating had really left without a word.
Be my Patron ~ Buy me Ko-Fi
✨Be a part of the story – support my translations✨
✨Buy me some Ko-FI | Paypal to support my effort✨
✨✨Advance chapter at Patreon✨✨
