After Being Forced Into Marriage, I Became Very Successful - Chapter 4

4:

Jiang Yan’s performance tonight caught everyone off guard, even Xia Yining, who found her detached, non-participatory demeanor a stark contrast to her past behavior. Though puzzled, Xia Yining was in a good mood. She didn’t enjoy being the center of attention at such events, nor did she care for the melodramatic gestures straight out of a soap opera.

In the past, Jiang Yan had made grand, public declarations of her feelings, often sending hundreds of roses to Xia Yining’s workplace. Every holiday, without fail, she’d shower her with gifts, even roping in Labor Day and Children’s Day for good measure—though, thankfully, she hadn’t gone so far as to include Tomb-Sweeping Day.

But Xia Yining wasn’t moved by these gestures; in fact, she found them tiresome. She had told Jiang Yan to stop multiple times, but Jiang Yan, undeterred, persisted in her fervent displays of affection.

Whenever Xia Yining posted on her social circle, Jiang Yan was always among the first three to like it. Every post had a comment from her, whether she had understood the content or not, her enthusiasm was undeniable.

The final item, a diamond necklace donated by Xie Zhiyun, sold for 5.5 million yuan. Jiang Yan silently counted: six bidders, twenty-one raises, a fiercely competitive auction.

Her entire net worth couldn’t cover it, so she had no intention of joining the fray. Charity should be within one’s means, she would donate, but not bankrupt herself just to make a splash.

That money was her seed fund, the foundation of her future.

Before the event ended, Xia Yining was called away by Xia family elders, and Jiang Yan waited nearby. They’d arrived together, so naturally, they would leave together after the event. Playing the part fully was a matter of professional integrity.

Suddenly, someone patted her shoulder. Turning, she saw Yu Ming.

“Did you take the wrong medicine today, Jiang Yan?” he said.

His blunt words could use a spritz of mouth freshener. Jiang Yan’s expression remained neutral. “I’m doing just fine.”

“Then why didn’t you bid all night? We thought you were saving up for a big move, and this is it?”

Jiang Yan knew he was talking about the auction. Even the auctioneer’s gaze had lingered on her a few times, as if expecting something. Apparently, everyone but her thought she’d go all out tonight.

“Things without cost-effectiveness aren’t worth doing repeatedly. Those items were beyond my means. What’s wrong with sitting it out?”

Yu Ming let out a low, incredulous gasp, staring at her in disbelief.

He’d sensed a change in Jiang Yan back at the equestrian club, and now he was certain. He’d initially thought her newfound confidence came from securing Xia Yining, but tonight was a prime chance to show off, and she’d stayed completely unfazed.

The person who never hesitated to splurge on Xia Yining was now calmly saying she wouldn’t buy something beyond her means? It was unthinkable.

“You’re not getting stingy now that you’ve won her over, are you? I’m telling you, you’re not married yet, you can’t slack off. You’ve got to keep investing.”

Jiang Yan looked at him like he was an idiot. These people squandered their families’ wealth without a hint of shame. Not content with spending their own money, they even meddled in how others spent theirs. Boring and annoying.

“It’s my money. I spend it how I want. Besides, spending millions on a necklace for her? I’d rather donate to a community library in her name.”

She said it to shut Yu Ming up, not expecting Xia Yining, who just walked over, to overhear.

Xia Yining had also found Jiang Yan’s behavior tonight odd, but she felt oddly pleased. She’d even considered hinting to Jiang Yan before the auction not to go overboard, but hadn’t expected her to be this restrained.

Good, very good. Xia Yining didn’t care for gifts born of such extravagance.

Still, she hadn’t expected Jiang Yan to mention donating to a library, a socially meaningful idea she had never heard from her in all the years they’d known each other. It was surprising, even pleasantly so.

“She’s right. Compared to jewelry, a library holds more meaning,” Xia Yining said, stopping beside Jiang Yan. “If she has to spend that kind of money, I think that gift’s pretty good.”

Yu Ming, seeing Xia Yining take her side, felt a bit embarrassed but couldn’t afford to offend her. He forced a smile. “My bad, I was shallow. If you’re donating to a library, count me in.”

With that, he slunk away.

Xia Yining gave Jiang Yan a thoughtful glance, noting her calm expression, seemingly unaffected by Yu Ming.

“You’re not mad?”

“Why would I be?”

“He was deliberately provoking you. Didn’t you feel it?”

Jiang Yan raised her arm, signaling for Xia Yining to take it, and they walked out side by side.

“I felt it, but knowing he’s just trying to stir things up, why would I play along and act crazy?”

Jiang Yan shook her head with a smile. “Not worth it.”

Before transmigrating, Jiang Yan was someone who loved taking on challenges. From college onward, she’d used her pocket money to seize every opportunity to grow her savings, diving into anything new and exciting, trying anything with potential.

She knew money should be spent wisely. Even though her current starting capital was far greater than before, that didn’t mean she could squander it.

Xia Yining paused, then said softly, “You’re quite the planner.”

Before parting, she reminded Jiang Yan again to build more rapport before the wedding, as they would have to attend many events together afterward.

Xia Yining wasn’t marrying just to have an extra person in the house.

Jiang Yan sighed inwardly. Got it. I’m just a tool, aren’t I?

—

Premarital counseling was mandatory, especially since same-s3x marriage was newly legalized, and they were among the first elite couples to formally choose this path. Their actions, in a way, made them trailblazers and role models.

Success or failure carried significant weight.

Filling out the questionnaire, Jiang Yan answered smoothly. The original owner, as a devoted simp, knew countless details about Xia Yining.

She breezed through the basic questions in under ten minutes, then glanced at Xia Yining, who was struggling to write.

Xia Yining barely knew anything about Jiang Yan, having to deduce answers for nearly every question. Surface-level ones she could guess; anything deeper stumped her.

“This one’s C. I like navy blue,” Jiang Yan offered.

Xia Yining looked up at her helper, slightly annoyed.

She marked C and moved to the next question, only to get stuck again. Feeling Jiang Yan’s gaze linger on her questionnaire, she kept her eyes down and asked casually, “ Are you finished answering your questions already?”

The subtext: Mind your own business.

Jiang Yan replied cheerfully, “All done, so I’m checking if you need help.”

Xia Yining’s pen wavered. “Did you just pick randomly?”

Otherwise, why was there such a huge difference in their speed?

Jiang Yan slid her questionnaire over. “I answered seriously. Want to check?”

Xia Yining glanced at a few questions—favorite foods, preferred colors, brands, and Jiang Yan had gotten them all right.

“I don’t know these. Tell me now.”

With over half the questions unanswered, Xia Yining gave up resisting and noted down Jiang Yan’s answers as she provided them. It was a chance to learn about her fiancée before the wedding, better than being caught off guard later in front of family.

After the questionnaire came the Q&A session. Having prepared in advance and with the questionnaire as a foundation, it went fairly smoothly. They lacked chemistry in some details, prompting the counselor to advise, “You both need to work on compatibility after marriage. Based on today’s performance, you have a foundation of mutual understanding, but your rapport isn’t ideal. Be prepared mentally.”

Xia Yining asked, “How do we prepare?”

The counselor adjusted their glasses, speaking earnestly. “Be patient and accept that your partner’s presence will change your lifestyle.”

Their marriage was contractual, with an agreement to live separately under the same roof without interference. Xia Yining didn’t see this as an issue.

“Got it. We’ll keep that in mind.”

The counselor turned to Jiang Yan. “Miss Jiang, the same applies to you. While you’ve been accommodating and compliant today, you’ll need to invest more effort after marriage to make it work.”

Investment and acceptance were key to sustaining a marriage.

Both nodded perfunctorily, relieved when it was over.

Xia Yining said she needed to use the restroom and asked Jiang Yan to wait. Bored, Jiang Yan browsed the news, only to run into Li Zifeng in the corridor.

Their last encounter at the equestrian club had been awkward, and the group chat had quieted down since, with Jiang Yan staying silent.

Li Zifeng hadn’t expected to see her here. With a forced smile, he greeted her. “Are you here for counseling?”

He glanced at the sign, realizing it was premarital counseling.

“A friend of mine is getting divorced and came here with his wife to see if they can salvage things.”

Jiang Yan gave a noncommittal “oh,” saying no more.

Li Zifeng looked around. “Just you? Where’s Xia Yining?”

“She’ll be here soon.”

He took it to mean Xia Yining had skipped the session. Seeing Jiang Yan’s indifferent expression, he couldn’t resist a jab laced with pity. “Get used to it. She’s an elite princess. You’ve already won her over, so don’t expect too much. Once she’s your wife, you can do whatever you want.”

The words sounded off. Jiang Yan looked up, catching the sleazy glint in his eyes, which made her skin crawl.

Her voice was cold. “How we live after marriage is our business, not yours.”

Li Zifeng, already irritated by her earlier defiance, found her growing boldness, backed by her engagement—infuriating.

Sneering, he said, “Did you forget what you used to say? That if you could marry Xia Yining, you’d live in a drunken dream with her for three months.”

Jiang Yan’s face darkened. Those were likely the original owner’s drunken ramblings, and of course, her so-called friends remembered every embarrassing word.

Footsteps approached from down the corridor, snapping the two out of their standoff.

“How Jiang Yan and I live after marriage is our plan. If you’re here to offer blessings, I’ll thank you in advance. If you’re trying to corrupt her, you’re not welcome.”

Before Jiang Yan could explain, Li Zifeng bolted, faster than Yu Ming had. Their circle both admired and feared Xia Yining. Now that Jiang Yan was under her protection, they wouldn’t dare stir trouble.