After Being Forced Into Marriage, I Became Very Successful - Chapter 29

29:

Yan Zi, having secured the chance to join the reality show, communicated with the production team almost daily. When Xia Yining and Jiang Yan agreed to participate, she promptly shared the news, becoming a go-between for both sides.

That evening, she returned from Xia Yining with the script, marked with points needing further discussion with the producers. It was tedious, but she enjoyed it, diligently summarizing Xia Yining’s requests before messaging the assistant director.

Xia Chenxu watched coldly, noticing their script on the sofa. He flipped through it casually, barely reading.

“You’re an invited guest, yet you’re just running messages between Ningning and the crew. Are you planning to switch careers to become an agent?”

Yan Zi, glued to her phone for the assistant director’s reply, was irritated by his words. “Can you stop undermining me? Your mom subtly hints I lack ambition, staying home without contributing to the Xia family. I’m not like Sister-in-Law, with a strong family and local roots. Jiang Yan’s in the same boat, but the Jiang’s are struggling, and she’s not capable either. What’s wrong with wanting to outshine her?”

“Jiang Yan has Ningning’s protection, and it’s Second Uncle’s business. Why drag her into your rivalry with Sister-in-Law?”

Yan Zi sat beside him, her voice turning coy. “Honey, ever since Ningning’s marriage, I’ve felt a real sense of crisis.”

Xia Chenxu glanced at her, his eyes lacking warmth.

“You always tell me to stay home, not meddle outside, but I’m so idle I’m practically growing mold.”

Xia Chenxu found women fickle. When they dated, Yan Zi, who was still in the entertainment industry, often complained about grueling shoots and exhausting schedules.

Now, as an elite wife, she found it boring, and she was never satisfied.

“Even if you do the show, Mom and Dad won’t let you go back to acting. Give up that idea.”

A condition of their marriage was Yan Zi leaving showbiz, or at least not filming frequently or getting too close with male actors.

“I know, but doing charity and keeping some visibility isn’t bad. When I accompany you to banquets, you would want me to be someone recognizable, right?”

Nowadays, Yan Zi maintained her fading popularity through occasional social media interactions. What embarrassed her most was standing beside Xia Chenxu, her identity reduced to “Mrs. Xia,” as if she had no independent introduction without him.

She was adamant this time. Xia Chenxu couldn’t argue her down and wasn’t keen on too many activities. Xia Yining’s revisions suited him, someone else could handle offending the crew.

The producers, sincere, quickly sent revised plans with only two activities: a compatibility test and household role division.

Jiang Yan, holding the new script, watched Yan Zi clumsily stir-frying under the chef’s guidance and couldn’t help but smile.

Yan Zi’s fear of oil but forced proximity was comical. Jiang Yan kindly suggested, “Second Sister-in-Law, consider Western dishes or baking. It’s less hassle.”

Last-minute cramming was tough, her posture screamed that she rarely cooked.

“I checked, other guests already chose those. I don’t want to overlap, and if I’m outperformed in the same category, it would be worse.”

Jiang Yan hadn’t expected such thorough preparation, even scoping out other guests’ plans.

But Yan Zi insisted on Haicheng stir-fry, which was simple in theory, but her lack of culinary knack and fear of oil smoke stumped the chef.

After several tries, she managed passable fried noodles. Unusually, Yan Zi didn’t complain, calling Xia Yining, who was just downstairs, and Jiang Yan, who’d watched, to try them.

“They smell good. Come have a taste!”

Jiang Yan, near the counter, could have eaten right away but waited for Xia Yining.

“You made all these, Second Sister-in-Law?”

Xia Yining glanced at Jiang Yan, catching her subtle confirmation.

Yan Zi, thrilled at cooking something edible, beamed. “They look rough, but the taste should be fine. I got hungry just frying them.”

The vegetables were overcooked, the noodles clumped, likely not fully separated. Too much soy sauce made them dark, not exactly a dish to inspire joy.

Seeing Xia Yining stare without moving, Jiang Yan, to avoid awkwardness, said, “Ningning’s on a diet. I’ll try Second Sister-in-Law’s cooking.”

She picked up chopsticks, selecting a few decent noodles.

Yan Zi and Xia Yining watched, each with different expectations.

Jiang Yan swallowed slowly, nodding to Yan Zi. “Really good. Next time will be even better.”

She gave Xia Yining a discreet look, signaling she was fine. The noodles, though unappealing, were safe.

That night, back in their room, Xia Yining asked, “Second Sister-in-Law’s so serious this time. The other guests must be strong. Are you ready?”

“Do I need to show off cooking too?” Jiang Yan thought she was just a sidekick for Xia Yining’s appearance.

Xia Yining hesitated, softening her voice. “I’m… not great at that.”

Jiang Yan’s expression twitched. If you’re not good at it, why keep this activity? We could’ve swapped for swimming, running, or aerobics.

“I thought cooking feels homey, more representative than leisure activities. I didn’t expect it to be so intense.”

Xia Yining had planned to bake cookies, something she did often in school, but after Yan Zi’s intel, she realized her skills wouldn’t compete.

“I’m not great either. It would be bad if we mess up.”

Xia Yining’s face fell too. In the four years Jiang Yan pursued her, she had brought various foods and occasional fresh soup, but Xia Yining knew the soup was likely from the Jiangs’ chef.

Jiang Yan’s ingredient knowledge suggested she wasn’t a pro, but one of them had to step up. Worst case, they would bake cookies. Xia Yining didn’t aim to shine, just not to flop.

“No worries. Before filming, you can practice with the Second Sister-in-Law. If it’s hopeless, I’ll do it.”

Xia Yining knew quick mastery was unlikely and lowered her expectations. They would let Second Brother and Yan Zi draw attention with their affection.

She and Jiang Yan could eat cookies and still seem lovey-dovey.

The next day, Yan Zi was at it early. Spotting Jiang Yan, she called out, “Xiao Jiang, what are you and Ningning preparing?”

“She said cookies.”

Yan Zi, having heard earlier, thought Xia Yining was hiding her plan, she was not expecting the truth.

“Isn’t that too simple?”

Jiang Yan believed heartfelt food was never bad, simple or not. But she didn’t want to undermine Xia Yining, so she kept quiet.

“She likes it, so we’ll let her do it.”

Yan Zi paused, then muttered, “You really spoil her.”

—

Jiang Yan still visited Boss Qian when free, spending less time cooking and more listening to the owners discuss shop renovations and building a local food street.

Hearing she loved Haicheng cuisine, the owners brought their specialties whenever she visited. Ding, a noodle master, prompted Jiang Yan to ask, “Is there a trick to stir-fry noodles?”

“Of course. Soaking the noodles and rinsing them in cold water, timing’s critical. And the seasoning ratios need precision.”

Seeing her interest, Ding returned to his shop, soon bringing back a plate of noodles.

“See what’s different from others’?”

Jiang Yan, who hadn’t wanted to oversell Yan Zi’s noodles, found Ding’s dish in a league of its own, only sharing the name “noodles.”

Before picking up the chopsticks, the aroma captivated her. Finely sliced cabbage and springy meat strips, free of toughness or gaminess, were perfectly marinated, stir-fried with precise heat.

Chewing slowly, Jiang Yan savored the subtle ingredients’ brilliance. Mushroom bits enhanced without stealing the show; soy sauce didn’t overwhelm.

Tian Sheng grinned. “Why noodles today? If we knew, Old Ding would’ve prepared better. This isn’t his peak.”

Today’s noodles were just Ding’s standard fare, and were already irresistible.

With generous veggies and meat, a portion cost only 18 yuan, far cheaper than mall restaurants charging 38 or 48 yuan.

Ding promised, “Next time you want noodles, message me. I’ll make big rib noodles.”

The more Jiang Yan interacted with these owners, the more she admired their craft and dedication. They poured their hearts into authentic flavors, often neglecting shop upgrades to avoid price hikes.

Before resisting the Li’s monopoly, their common refrain was, “Why spend on that? Customers can’t eat paint.”

But now, they even started renovating to attract younger crowds and revitalize their shops, they funded it themselves, refusing to pass costs to customers immediately.

They aimed for lasting business, hoping simple dishes preserved the deep, honest trust of neighborhood ties.

Li Wannian, hearing about the holdout shops’ moves, grew pensive, probing their next steps.

Li Zien offered a new plan. “Since they won’t join our chain, let’s ensure they can’t recover.”

“Go on.”

“Get their recipes and let our signed shops use them. Register patents. If they keep selling, we charge them.”

It would force the old shops to work for them, a win-win situation.

Li Wannian’s eyes narrowed, intrigued. “The recipes are closely guarded. Can we get them?”

“Dad, money moves mountains. Anything’s possible with cash. If we can’t, we advertise our patented recipes as the authentic ones. With our chain stores rolling out, who’ll doubt us?”

The Li’s dominated Haicheng’s dining scene, making this feasible.

“Be careful. Don’t tarnish our reputation, or the capital markets won’t be happy.”

—

Xia Yining’s project launched successfully, passing tests smoothly. She and Qin Yishan monitored it for days, finally relaxing.

Before leaving, Qin Yishan knocked on Xia Yining’s office. “The team’s celebrating tonight. Do you want to join?”

Xia Yining, replying to Jiang Yan, tucked her phone away. “I can’t tonight. I’m preparing with Jiang Yan for tomorrow’s shoot.”

Qin Yishan, aware of the charity show, envied Jiang Yan, not just for marrying Xia Yining but for sharing the screen as her rightful partner.

“I won’t keep you then. Good luck.” She made a fist-pump gesture.

Jiang Yan arrived to pick up Xia Yining, spotting Qin Yishan at the door and smiling. “Manager Qin, why are you still here?”

“Oh, I was inviting Yining to the celebration, but she’s got to prep with you tonight.”

Jiang Yan nodded, breezing past to ask Xia Yining, “Where’s the stuff?”

Qin Yishan noticed a small box by the desk, likely for tomorrow’s shoot.

Jiang Yan picked it up, tilting her head. “Let’s go home.”