After Being Forced Into Marriage, I Became Very Successful - Chapter 37

37:

After getting her mother’s approval, Xia Yining moved out quickly. Not long after the show officially aired, she had basically moved all her and Jiang Yan’s things to their new house.

The house had been renovated long ago, with the original plan being to move in after their honeymoon, so the staff like maids weren’t fully assigned yet.

Seeing her daughter’s eagerness to move in, Xia Yining’s mother had a rough idea of the reason, but she couldn’t help but want her to stay for a few more days. “Ningning, they’re a little shorthanded over there. Why don’t you and Xiao Jiang stay for a while before moving over?”

“That’s okay. Jiang Yan and I don’t really need help with anything anyway. Just have them come over regularly to clean the house, and we’ll handle the rest ourselves.”

Upon hearing this, Xia’s mother realized that they wouldn’t even keep maids overnight there which made her feel even more reluctant.

“You’ve never done housework since you were little. What if you want a midnight snack or something and can’t find anyone at night?”

Xia Yining was helpless but still patiently soothed her mother’s worries with a good temper: “I’m not a kid anymore. If others can do it, why can’t I? Besides, Jiang Yan’s at home too, she can help me.”

“I know you two want your own space. Young people nowadays don’t like being disturbed, but I need to discuss this with your father. Stay there for a few days first, and if you find it uncomfortable, come back.”

Xia’s mother finally relented, and Xia Yining and Jiang Yan officially moved to the new house on a nice-weather weekend.

The house had been tidied up in advance, every room was spotlessly clean, whether master bedroom, guest room, or study, all ready for immediate occupancy. Once the luggage was settled, the staff returned to the main residence.

Per Xia Yining’s request, no maids stayed overnight at the new house during this period. The chef prepared dinner for them and then left.

With no one else around, Xia Yining and Jiang Yan both let out a big sigh of relief.

While sorting their luggages in the afternoon, their things had still been placed together in the master bedroom. Now with no one else, there was no need to hide it anymore.

“Someone will come clean every day, so you’ll have to trouble yourself a bit, only keep a few things in your own room.”

This was way better than sleeping on the sofa, at least there was a comfy big bed and a bathroom they didn’t have to share. Jiang Yan didn’t find it troublesome at all and was just as happy about moving to the new house.

“I’ll hide my stuff well.”

Compared to the relaxed pleasure of the two in their new environment, the moods back at the main residence were varied. This was the first time in a while without Xia Yining and Jiang Yan at the dinner table, making the atmosphere inevitably a bit lonely.

Xia’s mother ate a little and returned to her room soon after without lingering. Xia Langyan advised her: “Ningning’s grown up, it’s normal for her to have her own independent life. Didn’t we talk about this ages ago?”

“I get the logic, but thinking of her leaving my side still makes me uneasy.” Xia’s mother thought it over, her worries not diminishing much. “Young people wanting freedom is normal, but she’s already so busy, who knows if she can take care of herself. These days at home, I saw Xiao Jiang was still pretty reserved. Not sure if it will get better later.”

Xia Langyan was rarely home; most of the time, Yining’s mother told him these things after he got back from work.

“With our big family always watching, it’s normal for Xiao Jiang to feel reserved. But you’ve seen it, she treats Ningning well and doesn’t mind when elders say things. Moving out is perfect for them to bond more. We parents shouldn’t keep inserting ourselves between the young ones.”

Xia’s mother gave him a half-resentful, half-playful glance: “Of course I know all that, I just wanted to vent to you!”

No matter how worried she was, reality had to be faced. Xia Yining and Jiang Yan would come back to the main residence for weekend dinners, which became Yining’s mother’s new anticipation. Luckily, the new house wasn’t far, they could help if anything came up. Even so, Xia’s mother still considered building a few maid rooms outside the new house.

Jiang Yan finished her shower and lay on the big bed, sprawling out like a starfish. This was the comfort she hadn’t felt in ages, after being married so long, she finally had a proper bed.

The room had been decorated to her original preferences, making it way more comfortable than at the main residence. After dinner, she’d said goodnight to Xia Yining, and it was clear both were looking forward to reclaiming their private space.

No comparison, no realization, after moving out, even Jiang Yan’s scalp felt looser. At dinner, she even chatted a lot with Xia Yining; the atmosphere was worlds apart from the main residence. Trading the honeymoon for moving out was totally worth it, and from what Xia Yining said, she actually owed her a favor, which was great.

In high spirits, Jiang Yan lay there checking group messages. Too lazy to type sometimes, she could freely send voice notes without worry.

But unexpectedly, this freedom made her sleep even later than usual. The next day, she looked sleepy. After washing up and going downstairs, she saw Xia Yining looking about the same.

The chef had delivered breakfast early, and Xia Yining was already ready to eat.

“Did you sleep well last night?”

Jiang Yan let out a tiny yawn, popped her breakfast into the microwave, and leaned against the counter.

“Pretty good.”

Xia Yining glanced at her: “But you still look tired.”

Jiang Yan shrugged candidly: “Went wild last night, I was online till it was super late. I slept well, just not enough.”

Xia Yining’s lips curved up slightly, clearly in a great mood too.

Jiang Yan took out her breakfast and sat across from her: “What were you up to last night?”

“Reviewing AG project materials.”

“That big project you mentioned before?”

“Yeah, this opportunity is rare, I fought hard for it.”

Jiang Yan bit into her bread, tomato sauce smearing her lips; she instinctively licked it off. She couldn’t be this casual at the main residence—with elders around, she had to perk up from the moment she went downstairs.

“There’s something I’ve never quite understood. If you want to join a project, why not just tell your dad directly?”

After some time at Xia Corporation, she heard plenty about Xia Yining. As Xia Langyan’s only daughter, she should logically be in upper management by now, why was she still just a department manager in promotions?

Xia Yining furrowed her brows, pausing before saying: “The company isn’t like home. Besides, I don’t want to get projects through connections.”

Jiang Yan caught the reservation in her words but saw she wasn’t happy, so she didn’t pry.

“What are your plans today?”

Jiang Yan thought, aside from heading to the old shop in the afternoon, nothing special.

“Good, then we’ll leave right after lunch.”

They had just moved out yesterday, and Xia’s mother was already looking forward to them coming back for lunch today.

“It’s already 11, and you’re just arriving. How was staying there yesterday?”

Xia Yining linked arms with her mother as they walked in, her face full of smiles: “Jiang Yan and I slept in, got ready, and came right over. Everything’s great, Mom, don’t worry.”

Seeing the genuine happiness on her daughter’s face, Xia’s mother, though reluctant, admitted she seemed happier after moving out. Hearing they’d slept in, as someone who had been through it, those long-ago memories suddenly felt vivid.

Newlyweds in their own world were so wrapped up in sweetness that getting out of bed was impossible. Looking closely, both indeed had lingering fatigue on their faces. Clearly, they’d stayed up late last night, Xia’s mother felt heartache one moment and relief the next.

Young people had vigorous energy; being enthusiastic about such things was understandable, and it really did help bond them. So, they were treating moving out like a honeymoon. But Xia’s mother still had to remind them, to keep moderation in all things.

Saying it directly to Xia Yining was awkward, so she turned to Jiang Yan.

“Xiao Jiang, now that you and Ningning are living out there, it will be hard on you to take extra care and be understanding. She’s been spoiled at home since little, her dad and I indulge her in everything, so she can be willful sometimes.”

Xia Yining didn’t know why her mother suddenly said this, thinking she was scolding Jiang Yan again, and wanted to stop her.

Xia’s mother gently patted the back of her hand and whispered: “Don’t rush, I just want to say a few words to Xiao Jiang.”

Then she continued to Jiang Yan: “You’re younger than Ningning, so I can’t expect you to handle it all. But between two people, someone has to be the one who knows restraint and calm. Some things are great, but you can’t rush them all at once.”

The words were vague and foggy, hard to fully grasp. Jiang Yan tried to understand Xia’s mother’s meaning but couldn’t quite figure it out.

She instinctively looked at Xia Yining for a hint, only to see her equally puzzled.

Seeing Jiang Yan not responding for a while, Xia’s mother wasn’t upset, and she just earnestly repeated: “Young people, emotions matter, but so does health. I didn’t let you move out to go overboard. I’ll have the kitchen make some tonics.”

Jiang Yan could only nod, saying she understood. Anyway, love from elders—just agree, whether you get it or not. Once Xia’s mother got up to go to the kitchen, Jiang Yan and Xia Yining started discussing.

“Did Mom’s words just say what I think?”

Xia Yining only realized “restraint” and “tonics,” but explaining such things would only make it worse, so she stayed silent.

Hearing Jiang Yan ask now, she probably guessed too.

Xia Yining steadied herself and said calmly: “Probably. I think Mom misunderstood.”

Jiang Yan laughed wryly, this was 100% a misunderstanding. Even if they weren’t restrained, it was each on their own, not involving the other at all.

“Don’t take those words to heart.”

Jiang Yan waved generously, saying she was fine.

Sure enough, at lunch, there was an extra bowl of stew just in front of Jiang Yan and Xia Yining.

After lunch, Xia Yining said they had to go back. Xia’s mother was puzzled: “You just ate, why leave so soon?”

“Mom, we have stuff to do back home.”

“More overtime?”

“No overtime, but we just moved, still some odds and ends to sort.”

Xia’s mother was even more puzzled, for her daughter’s comfort, the maids had already arranged everything; there was basically nothing left to tidy.

But Xia Yining insisted on going back and seemed quite urgent. Xia’s mother couldn’t help thinking of that again.

She glanced at Jiang Yan a few more times, thinking she’d be the more eager one. Who knew Jiang Yan seemed totally relaxed, without a trace of impatience or urging, as if going now or later made no difference.

So, did that mean Ningning was the one who wanted to go back for more?

Xia’s mother looked tragic, her heart a mix of emotions.

But she couldn’t say those words to her daughter. After a deep look, she let go.

“If you really have things, go ahead. Come back often for meals, not just on weekends.”

Xia Yining smiled brightly: “Got it, bye Mom.”

Watching them get in the car, Xia’s mother sighed heavily before heading back inside.

After dropping Xia Yining home, Jiang Yan went straight to the old shop, this time, she didn’t have to go back with her.

“Don’t come back too late.” Xia Yining didn’t ask what she was doing at the shop, just a simple reminder.

“Okay, don’t wait for me for dinner.”

Without that forced sense of being tied together, they actually got along much more naturally now.

Jiang Yan arrived at the shop, where Boss Qian and the others were in a meeting.

“Xiao Jiang, perfect timing. The Li family really wants to register those snacks as trademarks, how shady is that?”

Jiang Yan had gotten the gist from the group chat already and thought of a plan on the way.

“Whether their registration succeeds or not, we strike first and get the upper hand.”

“How?”

“The old shops already have some fame and are getting more attention. Ride this wave, make each shop’s signature dishes crystal clear, so people recognize the shop, not just the item.”

The bosses mulled over Jiang Yan’s words. It wasn’t a bad idea, things used to be like that. Lots of people stuck to one shop, no substitutes. But as catering shifted to convenience and speed, people gradually lost that pickiness and loyalty.

“That’s the way, I’m just not sure if customers will buy it.”

“As long as the stuff’s good enough, no one won’t appreciate the quality.”

They already had the real goods, no need for long preparation. After discussing to avoid overlap, each picked unique signature dishes.

Boss Qian naturally took crab shell pastry and scallion pancakes. Tian Sheng didn’t fight, pan-fried buns with soy milk. Boss Ding grinned and said pork chop noodles and eight-treasure spicy sauce noodles. The others contributed grass-head cakes, rice cake, and big wonton soup.

Once decided, they got even more pumped and went back to their shops to bring out the real things. Jiang Yan had a feast, eating her fill. On leaving, they stuffed her with extras to take back for Miss Xia.