Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
“Transfer to the branch in Paris and take on the responsibility of communicating with the architects. Qilin is planning to build a large-scale theme park in the country. The masquerade party is based on the design from France. I’m going to pay a visit myself to communicate the vision. Plus, there is a general manager position that needs filling. The general manager left, so I would like to take the opportunity to fully understand the schematics.
“If it sits well with him, I can transfer Jian Yi there. If Jian Yi was to get a raise, I suppose it would be beneficial for the both of you. Given that both of you will be overseas, Jian Yi’s mom can no longer bother you, and Jian Yi will no longer be able to see Song Yu. Your worries would be all out the window.”
Qi Chengyue’s eyes lit up in delight, but, at the same time, she was dubious. She could not believe that Qi Chengzhi would be so kind.
Before he started dating Song Yu, he was cold and distant toward his family. However, as the two of them had not argued much, Qi Chengyue did not hold a negative opinion of him.
Since Song Yu had come into the picture, though, he had been willing to do everything for her; including embarrassing her in front of everyone to protect her.
Resultantly, Qi Chengyue did not believe there was any kinship between them. She would never have thought Qi Chengzhi to be considerate of her situation.
“Are you really so kind?” Qi Chengyue almost scoffed aloud, but she managed to keep her silence.
“I’m going to France this Friday. I’ll let you know the answer by then,” said Qi Chengzhi.
…
…
Song Yu turned on her mobile data to look for anime for Qi Youxuan.
Qi Youxuan took out a pack of Ganyuan Sunflower Seeds and began chomping down on them.
A car approached her direction. The glaring headlights made Song Yu squint. She saw it stop right in front of the mansion, its bonnet facing the Range Rover.
After a moment, two people got out of the car.
They were Jian Yi and Zhou Mingyan.
Jian Yi narrowed his eyes as he peered at the Range Rover in front of him. The windows of the Ranger Rover were tinted, unhelpful in the darkness of the night. The street lights, too, did nothing for his vision. He could see that someone was in the car, but could not ascertain who it was.
Still, he knew it to be Song Yu.
He stared for a while, until Zhou Mingyan called for him multiple times. Reluctantly, Jian Yi looked away and walked with Zhou Mingyan to the entrance. He pressed on the doorbell.
“Sir, Madam. Mister Jian and the in-law are here.” Aunt Chen said.
Jian Yi and Zhou Mingyan entered.
Guan Liya did not even spare Zhou Mingyan a kind glance, ignoring her completely. She was still in the task of comforting Qi Chengyue.
“Father-in-law, mother-in-law.” Jian Yi greeted.
Guan Liya nodded coldly. “You must be rather capable, sending Chengyue home crying after just a few days of marriage.”
“This…” Zhou Mingyan gave a wry, apologetic smile. Seeing Qi Chengyue begin to cry again, she could only say, “Chengyue, I crossed the line earlier. I hope you feel better soon, and find it in you not to begrudge me for it.
“It’s my first time being an in-law, and my first time interacting with a daughter-in-law, too. It’s hard for me to establish boundaries because I’ve only experienced being someone else’s daughter-in-law. Back then, my mother-in-law was very strict with me. I didn’t know the right way to treat you. Jian Yi is my only son, an, sometimes, I care for him a little too much; so much so that I go overboard.
“Mistress Qi,” Zhou Mingyan looked apologetically at Guan Liya, “I understand how you must feel. If Jian Yi were to suffer any injustice here, I would be furious. I will try to consider Chengyue’s perspective more often in the future, and behave more thoughtfully. I’m sorry.”
Guan Liya had not been expecting Zhou Mingyan to come in person to apologize. Given she was already married, she did not want her daughter to be stuck in a poor relationship with her husband. If things progressed down that path, while it might not be a tragedy, as was in Qi Chengze’s case, her marriage could be ruined.
Jian Yi walked to Qi Chengyue and knelt down so he was at her eye level. He cupped her face in both his hands and wiped away her tears tenderly.
“Don’t be sad anymore. After you left, I didn’t follow right after because I had to talk things through with Mom. I made her realize her mistakes. Come home, okay?” Jian Yi beseeched softly.
Qi Chengyue whimpered. Blinking her wet, bloodshot eyes, she nodded.
…
…
Song Yu watched as the mansion door opened and Jian Yi walked out, his hand on Qi Chengyue’s waist. Zhou Mingyan followed behind them closely.
Soon after, Qi Chengzhi and Qi Chenglin walked out, too, followed, lastly, by Guan Liya and Qi Zhongxun.
When he saw his dad, Qi Youxuan immediately returned the phone to Song Yu. He opened the car door and rushed down, the packet of sunflower seeds still in his small, chubby hand.
Song Yu quickly followed behind. Jian Yi heard a crisp shout. “Daddy!”
Everyone turned to the source of the voice. They saw a round little boy, who grew rounder with each passing day, running toward Qi Chenglin.
Naturally, they also saw Song Yu trailing behind.
Jian Yi grew tense all of a sudden. Without thinking, he yanked his hand away from Qi Chengyue.
Qi Chengyue went pale. She narrowed her eyes at Jian Yi, who jerked his head to the side. Jian Yi wore a blank expression, but his telltale gaze was fixated on Song Yu.
Beneath the silvery-white moonlight, Song Yu was fairer than ever. Her delicate beauty was ephemeral, like a fairytale nymph who belonged to the night, and not on this undeserving Earth.
Qi Chengyue flushed in anger. She grabbed ahold of the hand that had rested on her waist and clutched it unrelentingly.
She could feel Jian Yi stiffen in place. He even tried to struggle his way out.
Qi Chengyue ground her teeth. She squeezed it even tighter. She was not going to let go.
On her part, Song Yu was oblivious of Jian Yi’s actions. She had not spared him much of her attention.
She had merely glanced at Jian Yi and Qi Chengyue for a second, purely out of shock, before focusing on Qi Chengzhi. She had eyes for him and only him.
Qi Chenglin lifted Qi Youxuan, who was still happily eating his sunflower seeds. Qi Chengzhi walked over to Song Yu and ran his fingers through her windblown hair. Pushing strands of it behind her ear, he asked, “Why aren’t you waiting in the car?”
“Youxuan got down from the car. I was following him.” Song Yu said.
Jian Yi saw the way they were talking — as if the world was made of only the two of them. Their intimacy made him tense up.
“Time to go,” Guan Liya said, “When you guys are home, take time to communicate. Try to understand each other’s perspective.”
She turned to look at Zhou Mingyan and continued, “In-law, Chengyue is still young. She just got married and is relatively inexperienced. You’ve lived through half a century. When your mother-in-law was strict with you, surely you were displeased? If you can understand that, be kinder to Chengyue. She still has her family. I understand that you care deeply for Jian Yi, your son, but Chengyue is our daughter; the only daughter of the Qi family. Not only Grandfather and Grandmother Qi, but we all also love her to pieces.
“She got married because she loves Jian Yi. We hope she can be happy, and we don’t want her to feel aggrieved. Furthermore, we elders shouldn’t interfere too much with the lives of these younger people. We’re all very fond of Chengyue, hence, by extension, we’re kind to Jian Yi. As long as he’s still the son-in-law of the Qi family, he has a great future.
“In other words, when the two eventually break it off, Chengyue can come home and still be the daughter of the Qi family, but Jian Yi…” Guan Liya sneered, “I’m afraid, by then, Qilin will no longer be a place for him.”
Zhou Mingyan trembled a little. Underneath the white moonlight and the yellow street lights, her face seemed paler than usual.
“The Qi family adheres to the principle of returning kindness by the tenfold. We respect that you’re Jian Yi’s mother and our in-law. We will include you in good times and bad, but this doesn’t mean you can take advantage of us. We won’t let anyone override our authority. While we still respect you, know your limits. We will receive equal respect from you, and we will not be exploited.
“In-law, do you understand what I’m saying?” Guan Liya looked at Zhou Mingyan coldly. She did not hide her disdain.
Zhou Mingyan kept pushing her luck, as if she had forgotten her standing, and how the gap between the Jian family and the Qi family was unbridgeable.
Just because the Qi family was courteous to her, she thought she could do as she pleased.
“Heh heh.” Zhou Mingyan laughed dryly, her eye twitching. “I do.”
After Qi Chengzhi bade farewell to Qi Zhongxun and Guan Liya, he left with Song Yu.
Even after the Range Rover disappeared in the night, Qi Chengyue could still feel Jian Yi’s terseness.
When they boarded the car, Jian Yi immediately pulled his hand from Qi Chengyue’s grasp.
The sudden emptiness in her palm made it feel cold.
Qi Chengyue thought about Qi Chengzhi’s suggestion, then spoke up. “Jian Yi, Big Brother said that the branch in France is looking to hire a new general manager, and he wants you to go.”
“France?” Jian Yi turned sharply, studying Qi Chengyue’s agitated profile in the darkness.
“Yeah, you have to know that, if you stay in B City, you’ll never rise to the level of a general manager. This is not pleasant, but I have to be honest. There are many people within the Qi family. Forget my dad, even the current general manager position in Qilin Property is held by my second elder brother. He’s still young, and there are many more decades till he retires. Furthermore, he’s doing well, so there’s no reason to replace him. How long do you think it will be before the general manager position there becomes vacant?
“Besides, by the time my uncle and my dad retire, Big Brother will be in charge of Qilin Technology, and my second elder brother will be the director of Qilin Property. Even then, it’s still uncertain whether you can become the general manager because you’re relatively inexperienced. There are a lot of people in the company who would be against it.
“Even though it’s the Qi family’s operations, we still have to consider the feelings of the veterans. Otherwise, the company will be a mess. There will be an influx of noxious gossip going around, implying that you’re relying on the power of the Qi family to advance your career. Moreover, Big Brother always emphasizes the importance of choosing the best person for the job. He may not…” Qi Chengyue looked at Jian Yi hesitantly.
“It will be different if you go to France. You can be the general manager there for a few years and gather experience. You’d be more competent. It’s impossible for a departmental manager to be promoted to the position of general manager straightaway. It’s simply not realistic.”
“I’m not going.” Jian Yi replied frostily.
“Jian Yi, don’t fall under the impression that it’s just a branch and that the decisions there don’t have merit. Qilin’s branch in Franch is of a certain scale, and it’s important to Qilin’s operations. The reason for the vacancy is that another large-scale, local corporation headhunted the original general manager. If you transfer there, it’ll be akin to gold-plating your resume. Not only would you have the title of general manager, you’d also have gained valuable managerial experience, too.
“In the future, Qilin, and many other corporations will have their eye on you. And, if you wanted to start your own business instead, you’d be on the right track. Furthermore, with my family’s money, you wouldn’t be restricted to just Qilin: you could go anywhere you wanted.
“I know you don’t want to hear people talking about you behind your back; talking about how you used the Qi family’s status to rise to power.” Qi Chengyue placed her hand on top of Jian Yi’s on the gearshift. His fingers were long and slim, sinews and bones clearly visible beneath his pale skin. They looked lovely.
“Regardless, it’s a great opportunity. If the general manager in France didn’t leave, there wouldn’t be a vacancy. You’d still be a departmental manager in Qilin.” Qi Chengyue spoke patiently and gently, “Jian Yi, I hold no ill will. This is all for your own good.”
“I said, I’m not going!” Jian Yi snatched his hand from beneath her palm and planted it firmly on the steering wheel.
“Why? Can you at least give me a reason for not wanting to go?” Qi Chengyue’s face sank. Something sharp and venomous in her wanted to ask if it was because of Song Yu, but, as Zhou Mingyan was present, it would not be appropriate.
“Yes!” She had not expected Zhou Mingyan, seated at the back, to respond, and she started. “I think what Chengyue is proposing is reasonable. It’s a good opportunity. You can go to France for a few years, and then return. It’ll be of tremendous value to your career.”
Jian Yi sneered, “If I go to France, I’m not sure there’ll be a place for me to return to. I don’t think Qi Chengzhi is so kind. He wants to send me away so I won’t be an eyesore.”
“Jian Yi —” Qi Chengyue was determined to persuade him.
“It’s no use continuing this discussion. I’m not going!” Jian Yi snapped, frustrated. He spoke in a low voice, “If I can’t become the general manager of Qilin, I will start my own business.”
“I think…” Jian Yi glanced at Qi Chengyue, “you’d support me, right?”
“Of course, I’d do anything for your benefit, but —”
“Then this conversation is over.” Jian Yi was frigid, uncompromising. As though realizing his distance, he suddenly grabbed Qi Chengyue’s hand. “If I were to go to France, you’d have to follow. It’s not home, and everything would be confusing and inconvenient to you. You wouldn’t be able to adapt. Furthermore, you’d have to leave your parents and your family. Such is my reason, as well. My parents are getting older. I want to spend more time with them.
“Chengyue, the future is important, but our family is important too. My parents are here, and I can’t leave them on their own. I’m sure you’re not willing to leave your parents either.”
Zhou Mingyan teared up as she listened to what he had to say. She nodded vigorously. “I, too, would hate to part with you, but, for your future, I’m willing to make that sacrifice. Given you have no inclination to do so, however, I support your decision to stay. When you do start your own business, I believe it will grow to be as successful, if not more so, than Qilin!”
Jian Yi looked to Qi Chengyue again, unable to read her expression. She lowered her head and quietly said, “I understand.”
…
…
Qi Chengzhi sent her to the office the next day, parking his Range Rover right outside the office.
“I’m not busy today. I’ll pick you up tonight,” he said.
Song Yu unbuckled her seat belt as she hummed her acquiescence. As she was about to leave, she looked up and held Qi Chengzhi’s hand. His smooth palm was unusually warm.
The weather was growing warmer. He was not wearing a jacket, but his suit fitted nicely on his shoulders.
He looked lean and tall in a suit. It hid his sinewy, defined muscles.
His handsome face gave her sense of calm and rejuvenation, as if she had been graced by a morning zephyr.
Sometimes, Song Yu felt it a miracle for her to be dating a man like Qi Chengzhi. It was like a dream.
“Be careful when driving.” Song Yu pinched his arm and smiled up at his face. She felt she would never tire of it.
He dragged her back, as she placed one leg out the door. She toppled gracelessly on her back, almost landing on him. Instinctively, she tried to push herself up, and her hand accidentally landed on his groin.
She had not seen where she had placed her palm, only thinking that the sensation was peculiar, unlike what a leg should feel like.
So she looked down. Her hand was indeed on his private area, and, what was worse, she was pressing down on it. Her face exploded.
Her ears were burning with mortification and she was sure he could see them steaming. She heard Qi Chengzhi suppress a hoarse grunt above her.
Song Yu quickly removed her hand, but Qi Chengzhi caught it and held on tight.
“Do you care less for me?” Qi Chengzhi’s voice was deep and guttural, his words murmured into her hair. Her scalp tingled with electricity, his hot gaps of air making her mind go numb.
Song Yu looked up, still scarlet with embarrassment. He held her hand and brought it up to his soft lips. With his elegant hand still wrapped around hers, he began caressing her lips.
Song Yu’s lips quivered under his ministrations, until he intertwined their fingers. In his deep, low voice, he remarked, “Nowadays, you don’t even give me a goodbye kiss.”
Song Yu’s cheeks were aflame in red. She looked up at Qi Chengzhi’s delicate features. His lips curled into a small smile. His warm breath, and the intoxicating scent of him, fell across her face as he leaned in close.
Song Yu’s lips were still trembling. She looked up and kissed him, startled by the searing heat of his lips.
She had intended for it to be a simple goodbye kiss, brief and chaste. As she was about to pull away, however, Qi Chengzhi violently shoved her backwards.
His movements were like an agile leopard. He pressed her to the back of the seat, with the back of her head forced against the leather headrest. She felt as if she was about to sink into the chair.
“Oh!” Skillfully, he unbuckled the seat belt and crowded her.
His lips were jammed against hers. He found her other, soft hand and laced their fingers together. Pinning her hands by either side of her head, he invaded her mouth with his tongue, exploring every inch of her wet cavern, in a passionate kiss.
