After Being Forced Into Marriage, I Became Very Successful - Chapter 42

42:

Jiang Yan didn’t lie this time; she went to her mother’s house two days later. When she received her daughter’s call, Xu Zhihui could hardly believe it. That day in the car, when Jiang Yan said she’d visit home next time she was free, she was overjoyed. But after returning home and calming down, she wondered if it was just a perfunctory remark.

Jiang Yan knew that after this bankruptcy, Jiang Chaohan would be down for the count, and he seemed to vanish for a while afterward, probably hiding from creditors. Her mother had been separated from her for years and hadn’t enjoyed much of the wealth and glory; she shouldn’t be inexplicably dragged into this.

Ever since receiving Jiang Yan’s call, Xu Zhihui had been busy. She’d bought Jiang Yan’s favorite treats, but when her daughter actually entered the house, she was so excited she didn’t know what to take out first.

After fussing for a while, Jiang Yan saw her mother keep circling nonstop, as if worried the food and drinks weren’t enough, and finally spoke up to get her to sit down.

“Don’t bother with all that. I’m not hungry or thirsty.”

Xu Zhihui sat down across from Jiang Yan with a slight awkwardness, still looking at her with eyes full of care. “I’d completely forgotten. You’re an adult now. You used to love eating constantly, but now your habits have changed.”

The “before” her mother meant was when she still lived with the Jiangs’. In the blink of an eye, it had been years.

Jiang Yan had come this time to persuade her to divorce. She’d thought about it for days; with the Jiang family’s bankruptcy looming, she couldn’t bear to let her mother remain in the dark. In the end, she decided to come.

“You also agree about divorcing your dad?”

Xu Zhihui was very surprised to hear Jiang Yan’s purpose. In the past, when their marriage soured, Jiang Yan always hoped her parents would stay together for her sake. Later, when she couldn’t stand it and moved out, Jiang Yan still refused to accept reality.

So why was she now actively urging divorce?

Xu Zhihui couldn’t help but wonder if Jiang Yan’s own marriage wasn’t going well, making her truly understand that you can’t force a sweet melon. In that case, she set aside her own regrets and started worrying about her daughter instead.

“Yanyan, what made you bring this up? You always hoped I’d change my mind before, but today you seem eager for me to get the procedures done quickly. Did something happen?”

Jiang Yan had no idea what she was thinking; she was considering how to tactfully explain the Jiang family’s situation.

“Since you’ve been separated from Dad for so many years, dragging it out is pointless. Better to end it early and avoid messy financial entanglements later.”

That was indeed the truth; divorce was the best outcome for two people with no room for reconciliation. In the past, because of Jiang Yan, her mother wasn’t able to bring herself to do it. This time, it was Jiang Yan urging her.

“If you understand, that’s better than I could hope. I’ve actually wanted to end this torturous marriage for a long time.” Xu Zhihui smiled bitterly. “Before, I was worried you were too young and it would leave a psychological scar. Later, when you were getting married, I feared it would make you lose faith in marriage.”

Jiang Yan said nothing; a mother’s good intentions were always hard for children to fully grasp.

“I’m doing great now and completely understand your choice, so don’t hold back because of my feelings anymore. With the company and home in such bad shape, it would be even worse if it drags you down later.”

Xu Zhihui’s face lit up with relief. She never imagined her daughter would come over unprompted, not only changing her previous stance but saying such thoughtful words. Years of loneliness and bitterness melted away in an instant.

After moving out of the Jiang family home, she’d struggled and hesitated too, missing her children while fretting over her future. But staying in that suffocating marriage, she might not even have the courage to keep living. She could only grit her teeth and be the “heartless” mother.

She didn’t choose to endure it because she’d seen the ending clearly.

“Alright, then I’ll go find him tomorrow.”

That evening, Xu Zhihui insisted Jiang Yan stay for dinner. Seeing her so excited for so long, Jiang Yan couldn’t bear to disappoint her and agreed.

She called Xia Yining to say she’d eat at her mother’s house and head back after. Just as she hung up and turned, she saw her mother beaming as she carried dishes out from the kitchen.

Jiang Yan stepped forward to help, but Xu Zhihui dodged: “You don’t know how to do this stuff, don’t burn yourself. Just sit and wait to eat.”

In front of a mother, no matter how old the child, they’re always a child.

Xu Zhihui made several homestyle dishes Jiang Yan loved. When they sat down, she was a bit nervous: “It’s been so long; I don’t know if you still like the taste.”

Jiang Yan took her chopsticks, tasted a bite, and nodded in satisfaction: “Just as delicious as before.”

Compared to the old shop’s craft or the Xia family’s head chef, it was actually quite ordinary, not even as good as Jiang Yan’s own. But with that special expectant question, Jiang Yan gave it full marks.

Over dinner, they ate and chatted, the atmosphere gradually warming up.

“Do you usually go home and eat with Xiao Yining in the evenings?”

“Most of the time.”

Xu Zhihui nodded reassuringly: “That’s good; it means you both keep your focus on home.”

Jiang Yan thought of Xia Yining eating then diving into work, and smiled: “Probably because there’s something at home she treasures.”

“Do you usually cook for her?”

Xu Zhihui had watched that variety show too, catching the bullet comments and online reviews. Some mocked Jiang Yan for only winning favor by cooking at home, sneering she had no other skills.

“We have a chef at home; I rarely cook.”

Only then did Xu Zhihui smile even wider: “Good, that’s good.”

Though she hoped her daughter’s marriage went smoothly, no mother wanted her child running off to serve someone else.

Jiang Yan saw her shift from worry to relief and guessed her thoughts, so she reassured: “Our relationship is pretty good.”

Xu Zhihui had seen the show; as someone who’d been through it, she always felt something off in how Jiang Yan and Xia Yining interacted on screen, but it was hard to judge from afar.

“Next time there’s a chance, bring her over. You’ve been married for so long, but I haven’t really talked to her properly.”

Unlike how Jiang Chaohan wanted to see Xia Yining in another matter, Jiang Yan knew she just wanted to learn more about her life.

But Xia Yining might not have time: “She has a big project lately; I’ll find an opportunity once it’s done.”

After dinner, Xu Zhihui stuffed Jiang Yan with a pot of soup to take back for Xia Yining.

“It’s not as good as the Xia family’s chef, but it’s my thought. You said she’s working late, it will nourish her.”

Xia Yining sipped the soup Jiang Yan brought back; it wasn’t up to the old shop’s level, but it was pretty tasty. Jiang Yan sat beside her, explaining her visit to her mother’s house.

“You urged your mom to divorce?”

Jiang Yan’s face was calmer than Xia Yining’s: “They’ve been separated for a long time.”

Everyone knew about it really; it was just face-saving no one said it to the Jiangs’ faces. Even at the wedding banquet, when Jiang Chaohan and Xu Zhihui appeared together, the guests pretended not to know and toasted joyfully.

Xia Yining said no more; her nominal in-laws’ feelings weren’t for her to judge. She just thought Jiang Yan’s changes lately were coming one after another, sometimes so clear-headed and rational even she had to look at her anew.

But this time, Xia Yining fully believed Jiang Yan wanted to stay out of it; otherwise, why push so hard for the divorce at this critical moment? Clearly, she’d wronged her that wedding night. Xia Yining slowed her sipping, wondering if she should explain sometime.

But bringing up that topic out of nowhere would be awkward; she’d make it up in other ways.

The next morning at breakfast, a card appeared in front of Jiang Yan.

“This is…”

Xia Yining looked a bit unnatural, but her gesture was firm: “That’s not much money; keep it as pocket cash.”

Giving her money out of the blue, and it wasn’t in their agreement, left Jiang Yan baffled by Xia Yining’s move.

“I have money.”

Jiang Yan had calculated carefully these past days: her investments, current savings, and salary from work added up; she wasn’t poor.

Plus, with no extra expenses, the old shop’s delivery platform launch had sales steadily growing, a nice income stream. All in all, she was purely profiting, with money coming in daily.

Xia Yining feared being too blunt would hurt her pride. Given Jiang Yan’s past spending habits, if the Jiangs’ truly went bankrupt, she wouldn’t last long.

But this card was mainly compensation for the wedding night misunderstanding, though Xia Yining couldn’t say it.

“Keep it as a backup, just in case. If you never need it, pay me back later.”

Seeing her insist, Jiang Yan took it temporarily. She checked the account: five million yuan.

The Jiang company didn’t hold out long. Soon after announcing several debts due and unpaid, they formally admitted bankruptcy proceedings had started. Jiang Yan never wavered in her decision and didn’t see Jiang Chaohan again.

Jiang Chaohan and Jiang Daming were overwhelmed by company chaos, too busy for Jiang Yan. Seeing her dead set against helping, they resented her deeply but were helpless.

But the Xia family’s attitude was subtle. At the weekend family dinner in the big house, not only did Xia Chenxu and Yan Zi come, but so did Xia Chenyong and his wife, whom they rarely saw.

Xia Langyan sized up Jiang Yan but said nothing about the Jiang’s; everyone tacitly avoided the topic. The meal was unusually quiet.

Normally, though talk was sparse, they’d chat about family matters. But today, even occasional topics skirted Jiang Yan entirely. Even Xia Yining-related ones only mentioned her, as if Jiang Yan weren’t there.

It got more obvious after. Usually, Xia Chenxu would chat symbolically with Jiang Yan about work or Xia Yining’s childhood antics, keeping up appearances.

But today, he barely spoke to her at first. Yan Zi was about the same as always, but the eerie atmosphere left no chance for more talk.

Xia Langyan and his wife were fine, aside from a few extra reminders for Jiang Yan and Xia Yining to look after each other, nothing much. Still, Jiang Yan felt off, like Xia Chenyong had been watching her all day.

But when she looked back, he’d avert his eyes, like it was her imagination.

Back home, Jiang Yan kept mulling Xia Chenyong, missing Xia Yining watching her.

“Don’t take today’s stuff to heart.”

Jiang Yan snapped back: “Hm?”

Xia Yining had noticed too but couldn’t say it outright.

Jiang Yan got it instantly, unconcerned: “I won’t.”

She really didn’t care; she didn’t need deep ties with them. The old shop’s business boomed; her plans matured. Naturally, she’d focus energy on boosting sales.

What excites her most is that Boss Ding will be teaching her to make noodles, an unexpected bonus. She loved the process: it made her focused, fully immersed in creation.

From nothing to something, crafting a stunning, satisfying dish with your own hands, that sense of achievement hooked her. And Jiang Yan’s culinary talent had the bosses praising her nonstop.

Xia Chenxu forbade Yan Zi from seeing Jiang Yan privately; they nearly argued over it.

“We’re all family, why act like we’re drawing lines all of a sudden?”

Xia Chenxu’s face was cold: “The Jiang’s are bankrupt; what good do you expect from her now?”

Yan Zi had warmed up to Jiang Yan since she raced for her and got first place last time.

“I’m not expecting benefits from her. We’re relatives; what’s wrong with casual chats?”

Xia Chenxu gave her a knowing look: “If you just like her noodles that much, I’ll have the housekeeper hire another chef.”

Yan Zi did crave Jiang Yan’s cooking, but that was totally different!

“Even if the Jiang’s go bankrupt, she’s still Ningning’s wife, still part of the Xia’s. If you and Big Brother distance her like this, aren’t you afraid Second Uncle and Ningning will get mad?”

Xia Chenxu had been observing quietly before; Jiang Daming sought Xia Chenyong several times, but he knew the Jiangs’ situation well.

Now dust settled, Jiang Yan had no backing, not even as good as Yan Zi.

“If she doesn’t serve Ningning well, she won’t last long in this house. Don’t think marriage fixes everything; Ningning’s so outstanding, admirers are always lining up.”

Yan Zi sensed something off, but Xia Chenxu shut down the topic.