After Being Forced Into Marriage, I Became Very Successful - Chapter 26

26:

Jiang Yan was polite to Qin Yishan, not minding her presence, and even offered her food.

“I figured you’d be hungry from work, so I brought some. Is Manager Qin on a diet?”

Qin Yishan instinctively shook her head, pausing her urge to leave.

Xia Yining didn’t reach for the food, but when Jiang Yan placed the still-warm treats in front of her, she took them without hesitation.

Seeing her eat, and with their work discussion unfinished, Qin Yishan felt it would be awkward to leave. Besides, she wanted to observe how the two interacted normally.

Smiling, she took a crab shell pastry from Jiang Yan. “I couldn’t forget these from the wedding. I didn’t expect to taste them again today.”

“They might not be as good as the wedding’s. I hope you don’t mind.”

Xia Yining took a bite, noting a slight difference but nothing off-putting. It was about eighty percent similar, only a meticulous taster would notice much discrepancy.

Jiang Yan pulled up a chair, sitting with a faint smile.

Seeing her just sitting there after sharing the food, Xia Yining asked, “Are you not eating?”

“I ate at the shop. These are for you.”

Her casual tone made it sound like no big deal, and Xia Yining responded with a light hum, acknowledging it. Qin Yishan, however, felt a faint bitterness spread in her heart.

Silently nibbling her pastry, the sesame aroma failed to hold her attention as fragmented memories surfaced.

Those moments from over a decade ago, buried deep, were her secret. She had nearly confessed several times but feared ruining their friendship.

Having known Xia Yining for years, Qin Yishan had seen too many suitors get coldly rejected, barely able to exchange words afterward. Valuing their rare bond, and with Xia Yining’s warmth toward her, Qin Yishan’s fear of rejection led her to delay.

When Jiang Yan first appeared, Qin Yishan dismissed her. Though initially rattled by Jiang Yan’s fervent pursuit, Xia Yining’s persistent indifference reassured her.

Years passed, and Qin Yishan stopped seeing Jiang Yan as a threat. Then the wedding news hit her like a bolt while she was away on business, nearly fainting. A call to Xia Yining confirmed it with a brief, firm affirmation.

Qin Yishan couldn’t fathom when Xia Yining had embraced same-s3x love, let alone accepted Jiang Yan.

Finishing her pastry, Xia Yining wiped her hands with a wet wipe. Jiang Yan gestured. “There’s scallion pancakes in the other bag and some pan-fried buns in the small box.”

“That’s enough. If I eat more, I won’t have room for dinner.”

Her words reminded Jiang Yan.

“Right, Mom said we need to be back early for dinner.”

Their mundane domestic talk made Qin Yishan ache with envy. Every shared moment stung.

She’d been too slow to speak, and losing to Jiang Yan left her unwilling to accept defeat.

Jiang Yan started packing the remaining food to avoid disrupting their work. Noticing Qin Yishan’s half-eaten pastry and slowing pace, she asked, “Manager Qin, you want to try something else?”

Her gentle question snapped Qin Yishan back. Forcing a smile, she said, “I was thinking about work.” Glancing at Xia Yining, she added, “Give me a few minutes to finish.”

She sped up, and Xia Yining, worried she’d choke, said, “No rush, take your time.”

With little work left, they finalized key points, and Qin Yishan stood up.

“I’ll organize the files. I don’t want to keep you from heading home.”

After she left, Jiang Yan approached from the sofa, noticing Xia Yining wasn’t hurrying to pack.

“You got more work?”

“No, just something I’d like your opinion on.”

Jiang Yan figured it was something sensitive, unfit for home or meant to be kept from the family.

“Go ahead.”

Xia Yining’s slender finger tapped the desk edge, pausing before meeting Jiang Yan’s calm gaze.

“I heard the Jiangs’ are struggling lately. Do you know the details?”

Mention of the Jiang’s brought Jiang Daming’s words to mind, and Jiang Yan’s expression grew serious.

“I don’t know much about the company. Dad and Brother rarely discuss it in front of me.” She gave a wry smile. “But it’s no secret they’re having trouble.”

“Besides the agreed resources, is there anything else you want?”

Jiang Yan couldn’t grasp why Xia Yining asked. Their initial agreement was clear, and during the families’ talks, Xia Langyan had added more.

As far as she knew, most promises were fulfilled. Was Xia Yining feeling generous, wanting to save the Jiangs’?

After weighing it, Jiang Yan refused to seek more. Though she didn’t know the full extent of the Jiangs’ issues, Jiang Daming’s persistent urging annoyed her.

“Nothing extra for now. The agreed terms are enough.”

Xia Yining noticed Jiang Yan’s brief internal struggle but was surprised by her response.

“Actually, Big Brother mentioned a couple of days ago that the Jiangs’ problems are worse than expected. He asked if you needed more help.”

The news came through Xia Chenyong? Jiang Yan figured the Jiangs’ were desperate, tapping every channel.

She shook her head, sticking to her stance. “Business isn’t like shopping, and it has wide impacts. Let professionals handle further cooperation.”

Despite her refusal, Xia Yining couldn’t quite read her intentions.

“Alright, we’ll stay out of future business matters.”

Hearing about the Jiangs’ struggles through her cousin, combined with Jiang Daming’s wedding-night conversation, Xia Yining had wanted to test Jiang Yan’s stance. She hadn’t spoken up at the wedding, and even now, after some time, she still didn’t. Xia Yining wondered how long she’d wait.

Since Jiang Yan claimed disinterest, Xia Yining wouldn’t push to help the Jiangs’ further. Their predicament was tough, and when she’d probed her father, Xia Langyan advised her to stay out of it.

The Xia’s honored their commitments, but business was business, they wouldn’t throw money away blindly.

Back home, the family was gathered. Ye Chenchen, eagerly awaiting food from Jiang Yan, rushed to the door at the sound of the car.

Xia Yining and Jiang Yan entered, and Ye Chenchen greeted her cousin politely before fixing her gaze on Jiang Yan.

“You didn’t forget your promise, right?”

Xia Yining glanced at them, puzzled, as Jiang Yan handed Ye Chenchen a small kraft paper bag. “I didn’t, but save it for after dinner.”

Ye Chenchen peeked inside, sniffing excitedly. “Why not now?”

“You’ll want to take photos, edit captions, add garnishes, it will delay dinner.”

Ye Chenchen: …

Xia Yining, seeing their casual food talk, went upstairs to change.

Watching her go, Ye Chenchen asked Jiang Yan, “Did you two argue today?”

“No.”

“Then why does Cousin seem upset?”

Jiang Yan looked skeptical. “Is she? I didn’t notice.”

“From what I know of her, she’s definitely off. But why? I have no clue.”

Jiang Yan reflected, their interactions today were limited. The only potential friction was about the Jiangs’, but they’d agreed, and Xia Yining hadn’t objected.

“Don’t overthink it. She’s probably just tired from overtime.”

Near the end of dinner, Yan Zi suddenly asked Xia Yining, “Ningning, have you finalized your honeymoon dates?”

“Not yet. I need to wait until the current project launches.”

“I see.”

Yan Zi hesitated, clearly wanting to say more. Xia Yining knew she wouldn’t bring it up at the table without reason.

“Second Sister-in-Law, what’s on your mind?”

“Well, I got an invitation from a charity foundation to join a reality show about married life, with Chenxu.” Yan Zi broached the topic cautiously.

Everyone waited for her to continue, but Xia Chenxu seemed reluctant, trying to stop her.

“Second Brother, let her finish. Charity shows are meaningful,” Xia Yining said.

Encouraged, Yan Zi continued. “The show follows the daily lives of different couples—varied backgrounds, professions, ages. They’ve done similar shows before, but this year they want something new. They’re wondering if you and Xiao Jiang could be guest stars for two episodes.”

Jiang Yan, who’d been quiet, hadn’t expected to be brought up and gave Yan Zi a wry smile.

Xia Yining was puzzled. “Guest stars? You and Second Brother are already participating. Why us?”

One couple per type was enough, and one elite marriage would suffice.

Xia Chenxu’s face darkened. Yan Zi glanced at him, mustering courage. “Because you and Xiao Jiang are the most high-profile same-s3x couple since the law passed…”

The producers wanted their presence for more attention.

Xia’s mother wasn’t keen but wouldn’t block the younger generation’s choices, curious about her daughter’s stance.

Xia Yining pondered, then asked, “What does the show want to convey through our marriage?”

Charity programs, unlike sensationalist entertainment shows, held weight for elite families who valued philanthropy.

“Probably to show how same-s3x marriages compare to traditional ones.”