After Being Forced Into Marriage, I Became Very Successful - Chapter 21

21:

Jiang Yan knew full well that tonight held no romantic moments or joyous celebration. After a long exhausting day, hearing such a question felt like Xia Yining was eager to send her away, which would sour anyone’s mood.

She turned to face Xia Yining. In the dim light, her expression was hard to read, but her tone was unmistakably cold and guarded, making Jiang Yan uneasy.

“I’ll sleep wherever you arrange for me. This isn’t my home, after all.”

Her reply was blunt, as if she had no intention of staying. Xia Yining’s heart skipped a beat, this wasn’t the response she had expected.

She had assumed that Jiang Yan would seize the chance to stay, given the perfect excuse of their wedding night. If only she had not overheard Jiang Daming’s words, she might have admired Jiang Yan’s attitude. But now, it feels hypocritical.

“It’s good you know where you stand,” Xia Yining said, pointing to the room across the hall. “That room’s been reserved for you. You’ll sleep there for now.”

Jiang Yan glanced where she pointed—directly opposite, clearly planned in advance. Since it was settled, she had no desire to linger and be a nuisance. After a day of socializing, she was desperate for a hot shower.

As she turned to leave, Xia Yining stopped her. “Wait.”

Jiang Yan looked back, waiting for further instructions, her impatience barely concealed.

“You can’t go yet. Wait until everyone’s asleep.”

There were no Xia family members in this wing tonight; “everyone” meant the staff assigned to look after them. Jiang Yan shook her head helplessly, lamenting how tough this “arranged marriage” was, she even had to sneak around to sleep.

She sat on a small sofa near the door, checking the time. “I’ll wait half an hour then.”

Seeing Jiang Yan truly had no intention of staying, Xia Yining relaxed slightly. She didn’t want a confrontation tonight, as they still had to keep up appearances. But Jiang Daming’s words lingered, and she wanted to test the depth of Jiang Yan’s facade.

“Have you thought about what role you’d like at Xia Corporation?”

Jiang Yan rubbed her temples, fighting exhaustion, and said casually, “Whatever works.”

She wasn’t counting on Xia Yining for favors, but since it was part of the deal, she didn’t want to dismiss her outright.

“You haven’t considered your career plans or future at all?”

Jiang Yan looked up, finding Xia Yining’s sudden interest odd. She never cared about such things before, so why bring it up now?

“I don’t know much about Xia Corporation, and I don’t have much experience. It’s better for you to arrange it.”

“Would you be okay with an administrative role?”

Administrative? That sounded like a cushy job, no office politics, plenty of time for side projects. It didn’t sound bad at all.

“Sure, I think that’s fine.”

Xia Yining was taken aback. Jiang Yan’s quick acceptance, without hesitation, surprised her.

Administrative roles were essentially nominal, with little real responsibilities, completely at odds with Jiang Daming’s instructions to “join Xia Corporation’s core management and secure resources for the Jiang family.”

Unsure if Jiang Yan was playing a long game or being disingenuous, Xia Yining seized the moment. “Then I’ll tell Dad tomorrow. You can start next week.”

“That soon?”

Jiang Yan had hoped to have some time to herself after the wedding, but now she was being sent to work.

“Too soon? Or do you want to wait until after the honeymoon?”

Their honeymoon had been postponed due to a major project Xia Yining had been working on for a while, which she didn’t want to miss at its critical stage.

Starting sooner or later didn’t seem to matter much. Jiang Yan figured if she delayed, the Jiang family would likely hound her.

“Alright, I’ll start next week.”

Her reluctant tone made Xia Yining admire her composure, despite suspecting ulterior motives. If Jiang Yan were truly guileless, her calm demeanor could be a real asset.

What a pity.

Xia Yining asked more about work, but Jiang Yan seemed distracted, her responses perfunctory. To Xia Yining, this felt like evasion, a sign of guilt.

She looked at Jiang Yan coldly. “Besides eating, drinking, and hanging out with your friends, are you interested in anything else?”

Sensing the underlying jab, Jiang Yan perked up, meeting her gaze.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Just a reminder: once you’re at Xia Corporation, don’t let people look down on you.”

Jiang Yan found it absurd and tedious to argue with someone who didn’t understand her, but Xia Yining’s condescension stung.

“You’re jumping into conclusions too soon. I haven’t even started, so how can you say I won’t measure up?” Her tone remained calm, but the rising inflection in her final words betrayed her frustration.

“How others judge you depends on your performance.”

Continuing would likely spark an argument. Noticing the time was nearly up, Jiang Yan didn’t want to cause a scene and delay her rest.

She stood up, smoothed her dress, and looked at Xia Yining. “One day, you’ll regret what happened tonight.”

She meant Xia Yining would regret her hasty, shallow judgment, but Xia Yining thought she referred to being sent to the guest room. Recalling Jiang Daming’s advice to “handle Xia Yining quickly,” she felt a surge of discomfort.

Jiang Yan had pursued her devotedly for four years without stirring her heart. This marriage, at most a three-year arrangement, wouldn’t sway her either. Knowing the Jiangs’ schemes, she’d never give Jiang Yan an opening.

Confident in her resolve, she met Jiang Yan’s self-assurance with equal certainty. “Don’t worry, I won’t regret it even if the world ends.”

Her words were absolute. Jiang Yan wasn’t confrontational and wouldn’t demand a vow, but inwardly, she was determined to prove Xia Yining wrong. Arguing now was pointless; results would speak louder later.

After enduring the half-hour wait, Jiang Yan left for the opposite room without looking back.

The sound of the door closing brought relief to both.

—

The next morning, they rose early and went downstairs for breakfast. Entering the dining room, they found the entire family waiting, seemingly for the newlyweds.

Most wore joyful expressions, except Xia’s mother, who seemed reserved. Jiang Yan, not well-acquainted with the Xia’s, greeted them, sat beside Xia Yining, and ate quietly.

That afternoon, she planned to visit the old shop to personally thank Boss Qian for his efforts. Though each guest received only one portion of the snacks, the total was substantial, and Boss Qian had refused extra payment. She owed him a debt of gratitude.

Compared to the wedding banquet, the Xia family’s attitude today was cooler. Jiang Yan had no intention of currying favor, so after breakfast, everyone dispersed.

Xia’s mother called them back, asking questions and offering advice. Hearing Jiang Yan was visiting the shop, she nodded. “You should thank him. Take some gifts from home, Xiao Jiang. If we don’t have anything suitable, buy some. It’s the Xia family’s way to be thorough.”

After Jiang Yan left, Xia Yining planned to catch up on sleep. The wedding had been exhausting, and she had slept poorly, her head faintly throbbing.

“Ningning, don’t rush off. I have something to ask you.”

Alone with her daughter, Xia’s mother dropped her usual tact. Xia Yining had noticed her mother’s subtle demeanor earlier and sat beside her, waiting.

“You and Xiao Jiang didn’t sleep together last night?”

Xia Yining snapped awake, her mind racing to figure out who had leaked the news. She’d taken every precaution, how did her mother find out so quickly?

Her silence was taken as confirmation.

“You’re married now. Why sleep apart?”

She couldn’t understand. If Xia Yining didn’t want to marry Jiang Yan, why go through with it?

Steadying herself, Xia Yining explained, “We were both exhausted yesterday and aren’t used to sharing a bed. We thought there was no rush…”

“What kind of talk is that? Newlyweds sleeping apart? It will be a laughingstock if a word gets out.” Holding her daughter’s hand, Xia’s mother spoke earnestly. “Ningning, marriage isn’t trivial. It means someone new in your life to share and experience things with. You and Xiao Jiang need to learn to adapt to each other, not indulge your whims like before.”

Xia Yining knew her mother was worried about her marriage, especially since Jiang Yan wasn’t someone who inspired confidence.

Before she could respond, Xia’s mother insisted, “Tonight, have Xiao Jiang sleep in your room. Whether you’re used to it or not, you need to adjust.”