After Being Forced Into Marriage, I Became Very Successful - Chapter 40

40:

After the old shops’ delivery platform launched, nearly all the customers from the WeChat groups were willing to download and register. Though its features were far more basic than other market apps, the customers supported it exceptionally well.

Jiang Yan monitored the platform data even more closely than before. Seeing the clear growth trend, she felt happy like the bosses but also deeply gratified. Looking at the steadily increasing reviews below, nitpicks were rare, most were encouraging.

She realized that for these traditional snacks, customers’ affection came with a special sentiment. She called Qian Jin and shared her new ideas, hoping to add features.

“I’ll improve it gradually. I’ve noted all your requests.”

Qian Jin was serious and responsible. Though in a completely different industry from Boss Qian, the father and son shared nearly identical sincerity and diligence.

Xia Yining had a few calls with the AG specialist soon arriving. From the voice, they seemed about her age. But the other could fully represent AG in business talks, which left her somewhat in sorrow.

That evening, after dinner, she returned to her room early, saying she needed to review the final materials again. In half a month, the AG people would arrive. Jiang Yan knew she’d been all-in on the AG project lately and didn’t hold her back.

She’d been busy with the old shops recently and almost never asked about Jiang family matters proactively. She avoided Jiang Daming’s calls when possible, to the point that Jiang Chaohan later called her personally several times.

From their increasingly anxious tones, Jiang Yan sensed a trace of desperate last-stand hopelessness. But she knew the Jiang company’s ultimate fate even earlier than they did, so she remained utterly calm.

This made Jiang Daming feel she was cold and heartless: “Xiao Yan, even if you’re living with the Xia family now, you’re still a Jiang. Are you just going to watch the company collapse? This is decades of our family’s bl00d and sweat!”

Jiang Yan had to pause her work. This was the third call tonight, and it was late, Jiang Daming clearly wouldn’t stop without an answer.

“Brother, business always has risks, gains and losses. And those requests you made, I simply can’t fulfill them. Even if I wanted to, it doesn’t mean I can.”

“If you won’t speak to the Xia family, then let me. This weekend, bring Xia Yining back for dinner. You’ve been married for so long and she hasn’t even visited the Jiangs’, what’s that about?”

“She’s really busy with work lately, weekends might not be free. Dinner’s out.”

Hearing another refusal, Jiang Daming snorted coldly: “The Xia’s have stopped funding. If you don’t bring her this time, once the family’s done, you won’t even have a home to return to.”

The words carried clear warning.

Sure enough, at life-or-death moments, family ties were just as fragile.

Xia Yining had just showered and suddenly craved orange juice, so she planned to squeeze a glass in the kitchen. Passing Jiang Yan’s room, she heard her voice through the never-fully-closed door.

She didn’t know who she was talking to, but the tone was clearly displeased. Living together after marriage for so long, she’d rarely seen Jiang Yan refuse anything so stiffly.

Hearing “really busy with work,” Xia Yining seemed to understand. She could guess who it was and heard Jiang Yan’s attitude clearly. She left quietly without disturbing, and when passing again with her orange juice, the room was silent.

Xia Yining realized she understood Jiang Yan less and less, especially tonight’s crisp refusal didn’t seem like an act. If so, why hadn’t she rejected Jiang Daming directly at the wedding banquet? Or had Jiang Yan changed her mind later?

Small questions kept popping up, about Jiang Yan’s thoughts, choices, decisions. Xia Yining’s past judgments wavered. Snapping back, she found it was late. She picked up her materials again, forcing focus on work.

The next day, Jiang Yan still said nothing about the Jiangs’, as if last night’s call never happened. Xia Yining wasn’t rushing to her room today and proactively chatted.

“You’ve been busy with the new cafeteria preparation lately?”

Jiang Yan hadn’t expected Xia Yining to follow this: “Yeah, about to start bidding.”

“You seem unhappy?”

Jiang Yan touched her face: “Is it that obvious?”

Xia Yining pursed her lips in a faint smile, shaking her head: “No, very subtle, I just happened to catch it.”

“I recommended two suppliers for the bid, but I don’t think they’ll have much of a chance.”

Both were boss-recommended, reliable after multiple collaborations.

Jiang Yan had checked personally, qualifications all met. So after talks, she submitted the list.

“Bidding’s a relatively fair process. By ‘not much of a chance,’ you mean there’s a fierce competition?”

Seeing Xia Yining had guessed, Jiang Yan was blunt: “I think the list’s already fixed. The bid’s just a procedure.”

Xia Yining grew serious. Xia Corp rejected such tricks internally or externally. Prior cafeterias followed the same process, no irregularities heard.

“Evidence?”

“None yet.”

Xia Yining thought, then asked: “After submitting your list, are there other voices around?”

Jiang Yan was surprised, she’d thought Xia Yining wouldn’t know, or wouldn’t care.

Seeing her reaction, Xia Yining understood and comforted: “Inevitable. Often we can’t fully control others’ thoughts. You can’t change your identity, whatever you do, some will say you’re using connections.”

Jiang Yan saw it came so naturally, like Xia Yining had endured it many times.

“Guess I’m not suffering alone, it feels balanced now.”

Xia Yining’s smile faded slightly, pointedly: “Ignore what others say, don’t dwell on unchangeables. Do what you want well, results speak loudest.”

Exactly Jiang Yan’s thinking: “So I’m just occasionally helpless. Won’t withdraw the list over doubts. Just worried if it’s rigged, it will raise company costs.”

Xia Corp’s employee meals were free, varied, accommodating regional tastes, an industry-famous perk. Four cafeterias now, fifth underway—if all shady, not minor.

But the office always handled this, with departments checking. Couldn’t conclude lightly on Jiang Yan’s words alone.

“Better be cautious. Without solid evidence, you can’t say rashly.”

At the company, they were tied together. If Jiang Yan was caught out, anyone could easily link it to Xia Yining.

Qin Yishan took the flyer from her drawer last time. The snacks still didn’t move her much. But since Xia Yining liked them, she planned afternoon tea there, to chat more.

With AG nearing, they were busy again; their time together were mostly work talk. Xia Yining’s free time seemed all family-focused, with her several invites failing on scheduling.

But once that fire ignited, it was hard to extinguish. Especially seeing Xia Yining daily up close made restraint impossible, she wanted to get closer, closer.

Qin Yishan ordered the contact info, only to be told she was outside the delivery range.

Unbelievable—nowadays, shops delivering just a tiny palm-sized area, daring to call it an “alliance”?

Worse than a noodle stand.

She opened her usual app, picked a homepage-recommended shop, ordered everything from the flyer.

Placing it before Xia Yining, she saw her eyes light up.

“How did you suddenly think of these?”

Qin Yishan arranged and opened the boxes one by one. Seeing Xia Yining’s tempted face lifted her mood: “Last time you said you liked classic snacks, even kept the flyer. I think it’s perfect to try it today.”

“From the flyer’s shop?” Xia Yining remembered the listed range, and it didn’t qualify, or she’d have ordered.

“Not that one, but stuff’s similar.”

Expectation dimmed in Xia Yining’s eyes, subtly. She bit into a pan-fried bun, frowned, ate slowly, barely finishing one after ages.

“You don’t like it?”

“Not very hungry. Set it aside, I’ll eat later.”

Xia Yining set down chopsticks, pushed the box away, resuming work.

Seeing this, Qin Yishan knew it didn’t suit her taste. Disappointed, but couldn’t force.

“Heard AG’s coming person is the group boss’s youngest daughter, a princess type. Tough to handle.”

Xia Yining recalled their calls, the other showed no spoiling, rather strong-willed.

“Shows how much AG values this partnership—otherwise, no last-minute rep change.”

“You’re optimistic. But your cousin’s got a headache.”

“He already told me key points, no big issue.”

Qin Yishan knew she didn’t want to discuss Xia Chenyong, so she stopped: “Anyway, I’ll always be on your side.”

After she left, Xia Yining’s expression changed. She wasn’t sure if Qin Yishan guessed something or if she’d revealed too much, that last line didn’t warm her, but got her alerted instead.

After work, Xia Yining went to the main residence alone, Xia Langyan specially called her back. At home, her mother’s expression was off, making her more curious.

“Mom, what’s wrong?”

If just family matters, her mother usually handled, but this seemed bigger.

Xia’s mother glanced several times, finally sighing: “Go to the study. Your father has words for you.”

Is it similar to when she decided to marry Jiang Yan, even more helpless?

Xia Yining knocked on the study door. Xia Langyan was reading the paper.

“Ningning, come in.”

“Dad, did something happen?”

Xia Langyan weighed it, looking at her: “I called you back for mental preparation, and think how to soothe Xiao Jiang.”

Xia Yining frowned: “About Jiang Yan?”

“The Jiangs’ can’t hold on. There will be bankruptcy by the end of next month at the latest.”

She knew the Jiang’s were bad off, her cousins mentioned vaguely, but all tactfully spared details to not bother her. Didn’t expect bankruptcy on return.

“Is there no way to save them?”

“We helped all we could, we did extra favors too. But their model’s flawed, a bottomless pit. No one can save them.”

Seeing her silent, Xia Langyan asked: “Xiao Jiang said nothing lately?”

Xia Yining shook head. Jiang Yan acted normal recently, even shared old shops’ updates proactively, but never mentioned Jiangs.

Xia Langyan’s gaze deepened: “She probably knows it’s hopeless, and she doesn’t know how to broach.”

Initially, they thought she’d beg. But so long, not a word. Even more unexpected: she hadn’t told Xia Yining either, she truly wanted no involvement.

“Ningning, Jiang bankruptcy will affect Xiao Jang, and maybe your relationship.” Xia Langyan spoke slower, each word weighed, forcing Xia Yining to look seriously.

In business, father was rarely so roundabout. What tangled him was family.

“If Xiao Jiang lashes out emotionally, don’t endure or fear, tell us immediately, got it?”

Hearing worry, Xia Yining almost denied such possibility.

Living with Jiang Yan so long, she’d grown used to her gentle temper. Compared to past clinginess, current Jiang Yan kept distance consciously, yet more present.

“Dad, she won’t. I believe she can control her emotions. And the Jiang family matters aren’t much hers anyway.”

“If she has share in Jiang assets, debt repayment will involve her later.”

Xia Yining furrowed brows, she hadn’t asked Jiang Yan details, she didn’t know asset splits.

Xia Langyan reminded: “Best persuade her to renounce inheritance. The Jiang’s are insolvent now.”

If their feelings were real, she could advise. But as barely qualified roommates, she had no right.

Facing father’s deep gaze, to ease parents’ worry, she nodded stiffly: “Okay, I’ll talk to her.”

Tonight Xia Yining at main residence, Jiang Yan was bombarded by Jiang Chaohan’s successive calls on the way to the old shop, forcing her home. Oddly, the long-absent Jiang mother was there too. The room’s low atmosphere oppressed her on entry.

Seeing her, Jiang Chaohan glared; Jiang Daming smoked by the window. Only her mother smiled.

“You finally know to come back? I thought marriage meant only the Xia’s, forgot your surname?”

Jiang Chaohan vented recent frustrations on her, drawing her mother’s strong displeasure.

“Blame my daughter for what? You forced her out to marry, now blame her unfilial? Your words twist every way, bullying makes no sense!”

Jiang Chaohan raged, raising a hand to hit, Jiang Yan stepped quickly, blocking.

“If calling me back’s for this, I’m leaving now.” Saying it, she held mother’s arm, they’d leave together.

Jiang Chaohan panted heavily, hand down, showing fatigue: “The company’s done, accounts nearly empty. I called you to divide family assets.”

His words surprised even her mother. Years together, this was his first time being so generous.

“I’ve been out for so long, used to self-living, there’s no need for assets. Just hurry the procedures.”

Jiang Chaohan slammed the table: “Don’t stir at this time! The company’s rumors are bad enough—you want a divorce, unhappy without headlines?”

Divorce wasn’t the kids’ place to intervene; Jiang Yan and Daming were silent.

Their mother turned away, communication impossible; few words sparked fights.

Jiang Chaohan looked at Jiang Yan, face softened: “Xiao Yan, don’t worry about the company, me and your brother will handle it. But you’re Jiang’s daughter, assets won’t short you.”

He sounded tragic, aged years instantly. Past vigor erased by years’ struggles, now near destitute.

Her mother recalled Jiangs’ growth, expansions’ efforts and hardships, inevitable sigh.

“Mine goes to Yanyan too. She’s with the Xia’s, it’s not easy. If the Jiang’s fall later, her days there will be harder.”

She couldn’t help much, but she can just give her daughter more money. Life’s confidence often comes from wealth.

Jiang Chaohan unusually agreed readily.

Now, awaiting Jiang Yan’s stance.

But she didn’t think much, no hesitation, she flatly refused: “No need. I can support myself.”