After Being Forced Into Marriage, I Became Very Successful - Chapter 25

25:

Jiang Yan stood up, greeted Qin Yishan, and walked to Xia Yining’s desk. “Not too long. Are you ready to head out?”

“Yeah, just let me tidy up.”

As Xia Yining organized her files, she noticed Qin Yishan still lingering and asked, “Yishan, anything else you need to discuss?”

Jiang Yan glanced at her, her expression neutral.

Qin Yishan averted her gaze, unable to bear seeing them together. The kiss on stage at the wedding had already broken her heart. Despite her efforts to stay composed, moments like this still shattered her defenses.

“Nothing urgent. We can talk tomorrow at work.” She gave Jiang Yan a forced smile. “It’s Director Jiang’s first day. Don’t keep her too late, or she’ll dread it.”

Xia Corporation didn’t encourage excessive overtime, so department heads avoided staying late unnecessarily.

When Jiang Yan and Xia Yining got home, it was past dinnertime. Xia Langyan and his wife were at a banquet, and the others had already eaten. Ye Chenchen, about to start school, had been visiting often.

“Cousin, you guys are too intense. You just got married and already rushing to work, and even staying late?”

“Work doesn’t stop for marriage.”

Ye Chenchen looked at Jiang Yan. “How was your first day? Feeling overwhelmed or nervous under everyone’s scrutiny?”

“Why would they scrutinize me?”

“Because you married Xia Corporation’s untouchable flower! You were just a legend before, but now you’re real, in the company. They’re probably dying to size you up, maybe even touch you.”

Jiang Yan was speechless, thinking Ye Chenchen was exaggerating Xia Yining’s allure.

“Not that serious. Anyone can get married, and it’s not a big deal afterward.”

Seeing Jiang Yan’s nonchalant attitude, Ye Chenchen emphasized, “Your marriage to Cousin is different. Don’t neglect her or mistreat her. If I find out, I’ll fly back to settle the score.”

Xia Yining, already changed and coming downstairs, overheard their talk and shook her head. “Chenchen, Jiang Yan and I have our own way of getting along. Stop worrying.”

To appease the family, they had been acting close. Xia Yining was tired and didn’t want more attention on their marriage.

She headed to the dining room, asking the kitchen to prepare dinner. Jiang Yan stayed in the living room. Ye Chenchen seized the chance to whisper, “Don’t blame me for being harsh. It’s Mom’s orders. I helped you at the wedding, don’t let me down.”

Her earnest tone was like a kid in oversized adult clothes.

“How did you help me?”

“Getting you to kiss Cousin. She’s proud, you had to make the first move. Without that kiss, the wedding wouldn’t have been lively.”

Jiang Yan fell silent, managing only, “…Thanks.”

Thinking she was shy, Ye Chenchen gestured her closer and whispered, “Since I helped, can you get Boss Qian to make those wedding crab shell pastries again?”

Jiang Yan was speechless, but Ye Chenchen looked at her expectantly.

“I want to eat them before school starts, so I won’t crave them on the plane.”

She sounded pitiful. Jiang Yan considered it. “Boss Qian’s shop is busy lately. He might not have time for the wedding version.”

Ye Chenchen’s face fell, looking even more forlorn.

“But,” Jiang Yan added, “he has an assistant who might manage it.”

Ye Chenchen’s eyes lit up, hands clasped. “I’m counting on you, please!”

She planned to snap photos for Instagram to tease her foreign classmates. The wedding’s no-photo rule had limited her to text posts, which couldn’t convey Chinese cuisine’s charm.

Yes, she wanted them drooling at their screens.

From the dining room, Xia Yining noticed Jiang Yan hadn’t joined her. Looking closer, she saw them huddled close, whispering secrets.

Her voice sharpened. “Jiang Yan, Chenchen, come on.”

Ye Chenchen had already eaten but joined for a bowl of soup, as the Xia chef was excellent.

After dinner, she clung to Xia Yining, shooing Jiang Yan to go to the study.

“Lend me Cousin for a bit. I’ll give her back later.” She flashed Jiang Yan a placating smile.

Jiang Yan agreed without a hint of displeasure.

Ye Chenchen hadn’t always been so polite to her, but since dinner, she’d softened. Curious, Xia Yining asked, “What were you two talking about in the living room?”

Ye Chenchen, dodging her wedding meddling, fudged, “Nothing much, we were just chatting. Basically, I told her to treat you well.”

Though Ye Chenchen admired her, she wasn’t usually this nagging, clearly her mother’s influence. Xia Yining knew everyone thought her sudden marriage to Jiang Yan was rash, so they were extra attentive to her married life.

But to her, it felt like a burden.

Ye Chenchen’s explanation didn’t ring true. Xia Yining felt a pang, unsure why, but the image of them whispering head-to-head, hiding something, lingered.

Ye Chenchen wandered the room, plopping onto the sofa. “You shipped that old sofa from abroad. Why replace it?”

Xia Yining loved that handcrafted sofa she spotted during a trip. The shipping cost more than the sofa itself.

Opening her laptop to check for partner replies, she paused at the question but didn’t show it. “It was fine for one person, but it felt cramped sometimes now.”

Ye Chenchen processed this, then gasped, “Jiang Yan fought you for the sofa?”

How inconsiderate, not hugging Cousin or sitting on the floor! But then, if Cousin swapped it for Jiang Yan’s comfort, didn’t that mean their relationship was solid?

She could report back to Mom—task done, with sweet gossip to boot. More pocket money before school!

In high spirits, Ye Chenchen saw Xia Yining was busy and left her alone. Stopping by the study, she grinned at Jiang Yan. “Scallion pancakes, crab shell pastries—please!”

—

On Saturday, Xia Yining and Jiang Yan prepared to leave around their usual time. Xia’s mother stopped them. “Why are you out so early on a weekend?”

“Mom, I have some work to handle.”

Xia’s mother looked at Jiang Yan. “And Xiao Jiang?”

Xia Yining answered for her. “She’s coming with me.”

Hearing her daughter work on a weekend, Xia’s mother felt reluctant and wanted to urge them to relax. But learning Jiang Yan was joining Xia Yining at the company softened her, working together showed a strong bond.

“Don’t come back too late. Weekends are for family.”

Family dinners on weekends hadn’t been fully attended in ages.

Jiang Yan drove Xia Yining to the company. They had separate plans—Jiang Yan was heading to Boss Qian’s. Compared to her old, questionable friends, Xia Yining found Boss Qian a far better influence.

She saw Jiang Yan’s food obsession as harmless and didn’t interfere.

Before getting out, Jiang Yan said, “Call me early when you’re almost done. I’m worried about traffic.”

They had to arrive and leave together. Jiang Yan would pick her up after work.

The urgent proposal revisions needed final tweaks. Qin Yishan was already at the company, smiling unconsciously when Xia Yining arrived.

“The partner said last night someone offered a lower price with similar results.”

Xia Yining frowned. “We’ve cut costs and profits to the bone for market share. Who would take a loss to steal this deal?”

Qin Yishan shook her head, equally serious. “I asked around but don’t know yet. Rumor says it’s an offshore company, not legit.”

Xia Yining took a deep breath, steadying herself. “Focus on doing our best. Xia’s reputation carries weight, price isn’t everything.”

At Boss Qian’s, Jiang Yan showed off her scallion pancakes, already approved, and started learning crab shell pastries.

“You’ve got the basics down, so I won’t repeat those. But remember, some flavors linger because they’re unique. We need to highlight that uniqueness and make it consistent.”

Jiang Yan loved learning from Boss Qian, not just for the food but for his life lessons.

She had observed before, but today, using the wedding’s premium ingredients, she worked hands-on while Boss Qian guided her.

“Don’t mix up the order of salted meat, ham, and bamboo shoots. And when sprinkling, use your waist for control.”

Even sprinkling sesame seeds had its art. Boss Qian taught meticulously, and Jiang Yan learned earnestly, never showing impatience despite the complexity.

This was what Boss Qian admired most. Cooking demanded patience, and Jiang Yan’s dedication pleased and comforted him.

When the crab shell pastries emerged, their familiar aroma delighted Jiang Yan. She took a bite—still warm but slightly disappointing.

“It’s not quite the same as at the wedding.”

Boss Qian took a bite, unfazed. “You’re doing well for now. Improvement comes with time.”

“I know, haste makes waste.”

Quoting Boss Qian’s favorite saying, they both laughed.

“You’re enjoying the process, so learn to appreciate your efforts too. No one succeeds instantly, those who do are just lucky.”

With Boss Qian free, Jiang Yan tried again, improving noticeably.

Xia Yining texted, saying she’d be done around five. Not wanting to keep Boss Qian from his weekend, Jiang Yan took her creations to Xia Corporation.

Qin Yishan was about to order afternoon tea. They’d been busy, grabbing only quick bites at lunch, and were hungry.

“Yining, cheese or chestnut cake?”

Xia Yining considered but wasn’t interested in either.

“How about Hong Kong desserts, mango pomelo sago or red bean paste?”

She craved something savory but couldn’t pinpoint what, her mind still on the proposal.

A knock came, and with Jiang Yan appeared a faint, enticing aroma.

“I brought some food from Boss Qian’s. You want to try?”

Xia Yining’s previously indifferent eyes lit up. Qin Yishan quietly put away her phone, crestfallen.