After Being Forced Into Marriage, I Became Very Successful - Chapter 8

8:

Thankfully, Liu Xinyi didn’t linger long in the store. Her friends urged her to join them for dinner, and Jiang Yan, with a deadpan expression, saw her off before browsing the study section. As she prepared to drive home, her phone rang with a call from Xia Yining.

“Jiang Yan, it’s me.”

“I know.”

“Are you shopping in Kamo?”

Jiang Yan was surprised but didn’t hide it. “How’d you know?”

“I saw Liu Xinyi’s social media post. She mentioned running into you at a store and tagged the location.”

What a bunch of gossipers. Jiang Yan consoled herself that at least Liu Xinyi wasn’t as tactless as Li Zifeng.

But why would Xia Yining care what she was shopping for? That clearly wasn’t the real reason for the call. Jiang Yan cut to the chase. “Do you need me to do something?”

After a brief pause, Xia Yining’s voice carried a subtle hesitation. “Can you come to the Biyun Hotel? I’m here, and some uncles want to meet you.”

“Right now?”

The call was sudden, with no prior notice, and Jiang Yan could easily claim to be busy. But Xia Yining wouldn’t have asked unless she couldn’t get out of it.

“Wait a sec. I’m driving over now.”

Twenty minutes later, Jiang Yan met Xia Yining at the entrance of Biyun Hotel.

She hadn’t thought much of it initially, but up close, she noticed Xia Yining’s cheeks were slightly flushed, suggesting she’d had quite a bit to drink.

“You’re not drunk, are you?”

Xia Yining, cooled by the evening breeze, was much clear-headed. “I’m not drunk. I just drank a bit too fast earlier, but not much.”

Seeing her speak clearly with steady eyes, Jiang Yan relaxed. Xia Yining led her inside, explaining as they walked. “These are long-time business partners with close ties to my father. Tonight’s dinner was hosted by Xia Corporation, and they suddenly asked to meet you.”

She gave Jiang Yan an apologetic glance, indicating she had tried to deflect but failed.

Jiang Yan nodded understandingly, not blaming her and even offering comfort. “The closer we get to the wedding, the more people will want to see me. They’re just looking out for you. That’s normal.”

Xia Yining smiled, pleased with her response.

Following her into the private room, Jiang Yan saw a table full of people, several older men and a few around Xia Yining’s age.

Xia Yining’s two cousins were there, nodding at Jiang Yan as she entered.

“So this is the Jiang family’s youngest daughter? Come, let us take a look.”

Xia Yining half-jokingly intervened. “Uncle He, don’t scare Jiang Yan with your tipsy antics, or I’ll have a hard time getting her to come next time.”

“You cheeky girl, already protective even before the wedding! I’ve doted on you since you were little, you think I’d eat her up?”

Jiang Yan was a bit nervous but kept her composure. Xia Yining didn’t make her approach them, instead pulling up a chair beside her.

The uncles sized her up across the table. From their tone, they seemed familiar with her father.

“Old Li, next time you see Jiang Chaohan, tell him off for hiding such a capable daughter.”

“Old He, you always get complaints when you drink. Don’t actually scare Xiao Jiang.”

These were heavyweights in the business world, once close with Jiang Chaohan. But in recent years, as the Jiang’s chased capital ventures, they drifted apart, aligning more with the investment circle.

After Old Li spoke, he turned to Jiang Yan kindly. “Xiao Jiang, I heard you just returned from abroad. Are you helping at home or do you have other plans?”

Xia Yining answered for her. “Uncle Li, she was set to join Jiang Corporation, but after we decided to marry, I roped her in. After the wedding, she’ll officially join Xia Corporation.”

The slightly tipsy group exchanged glances, the situation is now clear. She is indeed getting married, even joining Xia Corporation.

“Xia Corporation offers more growth potential. Good choice.”

Xia Yining answered most of the questions, leaving Jiang Yan to simply show her face. Still, she felt uneasy. Fortunately, the dinner was nearing its end when she arrived, and after enduring half an hour, it wrapped up.

After seeing the uncles off, Xia Chenyong looked at them. “Ningning, are you heading back with us or having Jiang Yan drive you?”

“You and my brother go ahead. Jiang Yan and I have some things to discuss.”

Before leaving, Xia Chenyong reminded Jiang Yan, “Get Ningning home early and drive safely.”

Once they were gone, Xia Yining’s expression relaxed, a faint weariness in her eyes. The mix of alcohol and her perfume created a dizzying, almost intoxicating scent.

“You don’t want to go home?”

Xia Yining pulled her gaze from the distance. “No.”

Jiang Yan glanced at the two cars that had just left. “Don’t want to go with them?”

Xia Yining turned to her, her eyes flickering with unreadable emotions. Jiang Yan’s probe was light, so casual she didn’t seem to care about the answer.

After a moment, Xia Yining didn’t confirm or deny, perhaps unwilling to be direct. But tonight made her realize something: Jiang Yan would increasingly be part of her life.

Like tonight, unprepared and unavoidable, she had to call Jiang Yan over. A contractual marriage wasn’t as simple as she had thought. It wasn’t just signing a paper and coexisting as housemates. Their lives would intertwine, and to outsiders, they’d be a unit.

A sudden panic hit her. In a tipsy moment, she wondered if her decision had been too impulsive, too risky.

But she was too far in to turn back. The fleeting doubt passed quickly. Xia Yining knew her goals and was confident she’d succeed.

Jiang Yan’s voice broke through, this time with no probing, just genuine concern. “If you’re feeling off, head home early. Too much night breeze isn’t good.”

Xia Yining looked at her, feeling a strangeness. Tilting her head, she gave a half-smile. “Jiang Yan, why do I feel you’re different lately?”

“Did I gain weight or lost it?”

“It’s not your appearance. I feel like something’s different inside.”

Whether from nerves or guilt, Jiang Yan froze briefly. Thankfully, Xia Yining didn’t press further.

Allowing herself only a moment’s distraction, Xia Yining regained her composure and walked forward in her heels. “I’ll trouble you to take me home, then.”

At Jiang Yan’s car, she paused. “But I’d like to enjoy the scenery along the way.”

Jiang Yan smirked, humming in acknowledgment as she opened the door.

Just drive slowly and take a detour, she thought, amused by the polite phrasing.

After that, Xia Yining didn’t contact her much, giving Jiang Yan time to focus on her apartment. The designer sent a draft she liked, but work would wait until she returned from New Zealand.

At the airport, as expected, Ye Chenchen was there.

“Hey, cousin-in-law.”

“A bit early for that. Just call me Chenchen.”

Jiang Yan didn’t argue further. Even when Ye Chenchen insisted on sitting next to Xia Yining during check-in, she didn’t mind. She took a solo window seat, secretly relieved. With Ye Chenchen there, she wouldn’t have to sit shoulder-to-shoulder with Xia Yining for the long flight, it would be awkward.

The flight departed at 11 p.m. After a simple dinner and some wine, the cabin lights dimmed. Jiang Yan washed up, put on an eye mask, and settled in to sleep. Ye Chenchen, watching her, noticed she had secured her blanket and seatbelt, clearly ready to rest.

Turning to Xia Yining, she whispered, “Sister, is something off with Jiang Yan?”

“What’s wrong?”

“She didn’t say goodnight, was not all mushy-like, and didn’t wait for you to sleep first. Is she okay?”

Xia Yining, packing away her toiletries, paused. Jiang Yan’s old habits had annoyed her, but today’s behavior felt more normal.

“People change. I think she’s more normal now.”

Ye Chenchen agreed, her past pursuit was comical, but wasn’t she too distant now?

“I’m just worried she thinks she’s got you locked down, so she’s slacking. She has barely looked at you since we boarded.”

Xia Yining wasn’t too concerned but needed an excuse to brush it off. “You’re sitting between us. She can’t see me, so you can’t blame her.”

Realizing the implication, Ye Chenchen offered to switch seats. “Let’s swap. Tomorrow morning, you’ll wake up seeing each other.”

Xia Yining eyed the herringbone seats, silently exasperated. They’d only see plastic chairbacks anyway.

Jiang Yan slept soundly, waking just before breakfast. Removing her eye mask, she saw Xia Yining and Ye Chenchen already up.

“Morning.”

Xia Yining nodded. Ye Chenchen poked her head over, making a face. “You’re the last up. Not so ‘morning’ for you.”

Jiang Yan didn’t mind. After washing up, a flight attendant brought her a bowl of porridge.

“Don’t eat too much. We’ve got a connecting flight soon,” Xia Yining warned, likely recalling the original owner’s love for airplane food.

The flight from the North Island to the South Island could be bumpy.

Jiang Yan finished her porridge and stayed quiet through the transfer.

Ye Chenchen whispered, “Sister, is Jiang Yan mad at me? She’s so quiet. She used to seize any chance to read you lame jokes from her phone, even if they weren’t funny.”

“Maybe she’s just tired.”

During the layover, Jiang Yan bought a signature flat white at the airport café, perking up after drinking it.

Ye Chenchen stole a few glances. “She’s kinda good-looking when she’s quiet. Just by her face, she’s almost worthy of you.”

Back in the country, Ye Chenchen found Jiang Yan less irritating. She even noticed some merits, though she still couldn’t accept her marrying her perfect cousin.