CH 18

Seeing that the library would be closing in half an hour, Jiang Nian and Lin Xiaoyue packed up their books and left. They split up in front of the library- Lin Xiaoyue back to the room and Jiang Nian to wait for Boss Shen to pick her up.

Xue Hao saw that Lin Xiaoyue was gone and summed up the courage to approach Jiang Nian. He said he wanted to say a few words to her, but because he was nervous, he stuttered out, “Soon- really. I won’t delay you for too long, just a few minutes. I’ve been preparing to go abroad recently. From now on…maybe there will be no chance. I don’t want to leave regrets.”

Xue Hao’s feelings for Jiang Nian was an open secret in their class. Xue Hao himself is well known for his high abilities and good personality. A lot of people confessed to him, but he refused them all. Later, he learned he liked Jiang Nian but, unfortunately, Jiang Nian had already started dating Shen Ming at the time.

Jiang Nian could feel Xue Hao’s vague feelings. She had no extra thoughts on him and, therefore, maintained a certain degree of courtesy and distance with him. Even as classmates, they communicated very little, only occasionally speaking during group activities.

Last time, they only spoke because Li Mei slandered her.

Jiang Nian thought for a while before confirming the rumor that had been swirling around campus for a while.

“Have you already decided to study abroad?”

“I want to continue my studies, and my family also hopes that I will study abroad. I thought for a long time and decided to try it.”

The school he wanted to go was the same as Shen Ming. He didn’t intend to compare with Shen Ming; he just wanted to prove himself by going to the best school.

Jiang Nian: “Then I congratulate you in advance and hope you can return as soon as possible to serve the motherland.”

Xue Hao smiled.

“Thank you.” He paused, “In fact, I have always wanted to tell you something. I hesitated a long time ago, hesitated to approach you, hesitated to talk to you, and finally…”

It was too late to say this, but he wasn’t reconciled. He tried to talk himself out of liking Jiang Nian so much but still couldn’t resist standing in front of her.

He really likes her.

Jiang Nian keenly felt what he wanted to say and said, “Since it’s been a long time, you don’t have to think about it anymore. It’s all over, nothing to think about. People have to look forward.”

Xue Hao’s heart was bitter hearing Jiang Nian decline him so directly. He didn’t know whether to be happy she didn’t drag on or sad to be rejected. Fortunately, Jiang Nian was a decisive and direct woman who broke all his thoughts.

He nodded silently, looking at the girl whose height barely reached his shoulder, and whispered, “I see, thank you.”

Jiang Nian shook her head and said that it was alright.

Xue Hao was quiet for a long while before taking out a small, exquisite box from his pants pocket. It was originally used to confess to her, but he locked it in a drawer after he bought it and had been rejected when it was taken out.

“This is for you- a farewell gift.”

Jiang Nian glanced at the box and shook her head, “I’m sorry, I can’t accept this. It’s not suitable.”

Xue Hao: “…”

He smiled helplessly.

“How is it inappropriate? I don’t have any other meaning; it really is just a farewell gift.”

“No need. You and I are unfamiliar; I would feel guilty accepting your gift in vain.”

“………”

Xue Hao, whose heart was already bleeding, felt his heart had been shot with another arrow.

……They’ve been in the same class for four years. Are they still unfamiliar?

—

Shen Ming had been waiting outside the library for a while. This wasn’t his first time waiting here for Jiang Nian, but it is his first time encountering her being confessed to.

The boy was tall and handsome and full of vitality. He looked down at Jiang Nian with rare tension and shyness, which made Shen Ming’s heart burn with anger. The two stood together; the man was tall and handsome, the woman was petite and delicate. Looking at the picture, one would find it pleasing and beautiful.

Shen Ming looked at the picture and found it annoying.

He didn’t think the boy was better than him or that Jiang Nian would look at such an ordinary boy after him. He was quite confident in himself but…he was a little unhappy.

-His girl had been stared at by others1

Boss Shen, who always planned every step meticulously, felt a sense of crisis for the first time. It turned out he wasn’t the only one who saw how great Jiang Nian was. It turned out she was so well-liked by people he didn’t know.

Shen Ming frowned and, not wanting to wait any longer, took out his mobile phone to call Jiang Nian. The ringing of the phone finally took Jiang Nian’s attention from the young boy2 in front of her. Her soft voice passed through the phone with a happy tone as she answered, “Shen Ming, have you arrived yet?”

Shen Ming responded low, “I’m here.”

As soon as the words came out, Jiang Nian turned her head and looked at him. She waved her hand, calling out, “Wait a minute, I have something to finish up here. I’ll be over soon.”

Shen Ming didn’t finish his faint, “Hmm,” before Jiang Nian hung up the phone happily.

“…”

He squinted his eyes, put away his cell phone, and looked up to see what Jiang Nian was saying to the boy. He was too far away to hear what they were saying but, just looking at the atmosphere, it seemed like a good conversation?

Jiang Nian didn’t pay much attention to Shen Ming and couldn’t tell his careful thoughts. She put away her cell phone and said, “Xue Hao, sorry, I have to go first. Shen Ming came to pick me up.”

Xue Hao also saw Shen Ming in the distance and was barely able to smile as he said yes.

Jiang Nian didn’t seem to notice Xue Hao’s unnaturalness and trotted away after saying goodbye.

Xue Hao watched Jiang Nian’s cheerful appearance as she ran to Shen Ming and then looked at Shen Ming’s long figure standing indifferently under the streetlight. Although his figure was too vague to make out even the outline of his face, his entire person was still too strong to ignore.

Calm and restrained, but indifferent.

Looking at it, Xue Hao had a twinge of impulse and, who knew what possessed him, suddenly shouted, “Jiang Nian, I’m waiting for you at any time.”

Jiang Nian turned back in surprise and confusion, shocked that he’d say such things.

Shen Ming gave Xue Hao a cold look, and grabbed Jiang Nian’s hand.

“You won’t have such a chance.”

He stopped looking at Xue Hao and pulled Jiang Nian away quickly.

…Certainly a domineering president- everything he says is domineering!

—

However, on the way back, Shen Ming was extraordinarily quiet. Jiang Nian, who was used to his silence, didn’t find anything strange. Later, Lin Xiaoyue texted her saying Xue Hao must have confessed and been rejected again because he looked like a cat who’d been rained on.

Jiang Nian returned an eye roll.

Lin Xiaoyue messaged again, “Do you want to hear the ridiculous gossip I heard just now? About your Boss Shen?”

Jiang Nian was interested and asked her friend to elaborate.

“They say your mysterious boyfriend is really good to you; after knowing that his luxury car cause you trouble, he changed to something more low-key to pick you up; he’s so considerate, blah blah blah. Where do they know that Boss Shen is really low-key. So low-key that he’s driving a car that cost only a million!

“…” *cough*

…Why did she detect a bit of pity in those words?

Thinking it over, it did seem to be pitiful. It’s obvious he should be the rich heir casually riding in cars costing tens of millions, with thousands of villas scattered around the world he can live in whenever, with 24 hour bodyguard duty. Yet now, he can only drive a one million yuan car, live in a 200 square meter apartment, and sacrifice his bodyguards for two accompanying assistants. It’s really low-key and sad! QAQ

Jiang Nian was so upset. Clearly she had nailed a prayer to the God of Wealth to the bed; why hasn’t his fortune arrived yet? Company president with a more dismal life than his workers, she really has no face to see the God of Wealth…3

Shen Ming sneakily looked at her and finally saw her sigh, put away her phone, and lean on the window with a painful just-lost-several-millions expression on her face.

Shen Ming frowned.

FOOTNOTES

1. Not literally “stared at”- he’s not that chauvinistic. Basically liked/appreciated in a romantic light. 

When they got home, Jiang Nian went to take a bath while Shen Ming went to the study to work on some documents. After a while, Jiang Nian came to the office door. She wore a pink nightdress with a pure white cat hairband, fresh and clean and said with a smile that she was going to sleep.

“You should also rest early, don’t tire yourself too much. Good night.”

Shen Ming looked at her and nodded.

In fact, he was really busy. Even when he returned home, there were piles of documents he needed to go through. Jiang Nian wouldn’t bother him when she was over. Generally, she’d read a book in the study, or watch TV and play on her phone, and then come and tease him childishly when she was bored or sleepy.

Today is not much different from before but, perhaps because of what happened tonight, Shen Ming felt a bit uncomfortable. Ever few words, he couldn’t help but think about Jiang Nian.

In the end, he didn’t bother to continue working, and threw down his pen and went back to the bedroom.

Jiang Nian was tired after a long day and almost fell asleep as soon as she hit the pillow. Groggily, she felt a person lying next to her. Knowing it to be Shen Ming, she naturally rolled towards him.

The lighting in the room was dim. Shen Ming brushed away the hair on the girl’s cheek and bowed his head to kiss her.

Jiang Nian hugged his waist and murmured, “You’re early today.”

Shen Ming froze a bit.

“I’m resting today.”

“…Resting?”

“Mm.”

Jiang Nian finally opened her eyes and accused him, “You have been resting in the study for so long instead of being with me! Didn’t you say you would compensate me? Were you just humoring me?”

Shen Ming:”…”

“I mean I can rest earlier today.”

Jiang Nian wrinkled her nose.

“Whatever, you’re the boss- you have the final say.”

Shen Ming flicked her lower lip and kissed her nose. Jiang Nian finally expressed compassion for him, “Forget it, I’ll spare you this time. I’m going to sleep.”

He didn’t answer and the lips that fell on the tip of her nose had moved to her lips.

Warm and soft, completely incompatible with his cold and indifferent style.

He suddenly asked, “Nian Nian, who was that person today?”

“…Who?”

He was silent. Jiang Nian blinked and laughed.

“Are you talking about the guy from earlier, Xue Hao?”

Shen Ming narrowed his eyes, pinched her chin, and said, “Why did he say that last sentence?”

“I don’t know. Maybe hoping it’ll form a gap in our relationship and we break up? Why suddenly mention him?”

“Stay away from him.”

Jiang Nian couldn’t help but grin.

“Shen Ming, are you jealous? You…oh!”

Before she finished talking, he kissed her heavily.

—

Jiang Nian and Shen Ming had been together so long, certainly something had happened when she moved from the guest to the master bedroom. However, Jiang Nian was already used to Shen Ming’s routine: no matter how steamy things got, it never went past kissing.

However, this seemed a bit different this time. Jiang Nian was no longer sleepy. She opened her eyes and saw the man’s handsome face, the dark eyes deep and excitement. Too damn attractive!

“Nian Nian.”

Jiang Nian couldn’t help but pinch his sturdy chest and had to admit that the power of the six pack was truly extraordinary, but would soon know the meaning of “reaping what you sew”. Alas, the next day, Jiang Nian who didn’t wake up until noon, finally realized how being crushed by a cart felt. After being awake half an afternoon, the legs were still uncomfortable, the waist was sore and soft, and the whole body was unable to exert any force.

Excessive! You wait for her to be in good health and see if she’ll let him go!

She didn’t know when Boss Shen had gotten up; his silhouette was long gone by time she was awake. She didn’t want to move now so she simply played with her mobile phone on the bed. In the meantime, she also looked at her circle of friends1. As soon as she entered, she saw a carefully taken selfie of Yao Shuqin with the caption, “In a bad mood and went out to relax.”

Looking closely, the earrings and necklaces on her body were the best emerald, her hand held a limited edition bag, and her surroundings were a spacious and luxurious room with white clouds outside the window…private jet!

A flash of white went off in Jiang Nian’s head!

This pair of mother and child; one abuses her body, the other abuses her heart! Is this the legendary double-abuse-of-love???!!!

****

When Shen Ming came in, he saw Jiang Nian slumped on one side of the bed, sad and pitiful. He walked over to sit beside her and whispered, “Wake up and eat.”

Jiang Nian raised her eyelids and rolled her eyes.

Go away, you damn devil!

Thankfully the heroine aura, that had been stagnant for a long time, finally loosened and jumped a bit, becoming 61 points.

…But why wasn’t she happy at all? QAQ

****

Jiang Nian chose to continue her studies at the same university after graduating from university. Lin Xiaoyue and Xue Hao both went abroad.

By the end of the three years of graduate study, Shen Ming had gone from a small entrepreneur to a promising rookie in the business circle. The company, which was originally an office within a building, has developed into its very own building. After four years of silence, Shen Ming finally reappeared in financial magazines, becoming one of the 10 most promising young people and the fifth most eligible bachelor. The outside world praised him quite a bit, calling him a business genius with infinite future.

For Shen Ming to get this achievement, Shen family was the happiest. Even Shen Chongshan, who had always been impossible to please, had to admit Shen Ming was a son who made him proud. Mrs. Shen was also happy to wipe her tears and show off with her little sisters2, “All of the hardships my son suffered to get to today, it really wasn’t easy.”

The little sisters flattened their mouths, thinking of their sons’ scandals every three days. It’s difficult just to train them enough to inherit the family business; Shen Ming can start a business on his own…how many blessings did Yao Shuqin accumulate in the last life to give birth to such a son?

It’s a pity that, though Shen Ming’s ability and personality were good, his eyes were blind enough to choose an ordinary girl with nothing. He also took her home and asked his family to bless their marriage!

A little sister said: “This girl Shen Ming brought back, your father shouldn’t agree. After all, the girl doesn’t look like she can help Shen Ming even a bit.”

“Right?”

“Yeah. A girl from a small family, isn’t she likely to become a laughingstock? I don’t know how you feel about it?”

“I think Huiling is good. She’s talented and good looking, a perfect match with your family’s Shen Ming. No wonder Grandfather Shen likes her so much!”

“Yes, Huiling is much better than Jiang Nian.”

Yao Shuqin frowned and said, “With my son’s ability, why does he need a wife to help him? It’s best to marry someone he likes. Besides, with our family’s strength, he doesn’t need the support of in-laws. As a mother, I just hope he’s happy.”

Once this remark came out, it wasn’t easy for them to say anything else. They were a bit confused about Yao Shuqin’s thoughts on Jiang Nian; she had always been opposed to it, how could she defend her at this time?

Of course, Mrs. Shen didn’t feel that she defended Jiang Nian. Although she was not satisfied with Jiang Nian, it didn’t mean she wasn’t a good girl. After all, she never said a bad word in front of Shen Ming after being forced to accept the 5 million. Instead, she also helped to hide it from Shen Ming and returned the money.

From this, she can see Jiang Nian is not a girl who worships money. No matter how dissatisfied Yao Shuqin is, she cannot deny Jiang Nian’s character.

Since then, of course, she also made a point to take care of Jiang Nian’s self-esteem and, every time they went shopping, she had to force herself not to buy Jiang Nian Hermes or Prada or any branded goods she wanted to. Worried the young girl would think she was being insulted with money, Mrs. Shen could only resist.

Not to mention, Jiang Nian was most likely her daughter-in-law. Even if she fought with Jiang Nian, it would be at home and not outside, where others could see a joke. Of course, if Shen Ming changed his mind, she would agree 100%.

Every member of the Shen family now had this idea. Though, neither the Shen family nor Shen Ming expected the other party to change their minds. So it came as no surprise when Shen Ming brought Jiang Nian to meet his family members.

—

The Shen family is completely calm, and the Jiang family is about to turn upside down.

They knew that Shen Ming was an ambitious young man but where did they know he was ranked among the best in the country?! There was such a big gap between the two families. Could their daughter marry happily?

Their family wasn’t too rich, but Jiang Nian had always been spoiled by them. At least, she had never suffered. Imagining Jiang Nian marrying into such a big family and what might come with it…

No, they really couldn’t let their daughter suffer such sin.

Shen Ming calmed them, “Uncle, rest assured, my family agrees to the marriage. We have known each other for many years, and my family can see my determination, so they will not oppose it. As for after marriage, she can continue to do what she wants to do- our family has no rules. Not to mention, with me with her, Nian Nian will not be wronged.”

In recent years, Shen Ming had visited the Jiang family at least twice a year: once during summer vacation and again for a New Year’s visit. Due to the frequent visits, and Shen Ming’s filial personality, Father Jiang looked at Shen Ming like his own son. So, when Shen Ming said this, the Jiang parents had mostly believed, and just couldn’t help the unavoidable worry. Seeing their heartless daughter’s carefree attitude, however, they were angry! If they reject Shen Ming, will they keep her for a lifetime?

Thinking so, they naturally agreed.

So, the year after Jiang Nian received her master’s degree, Shen Ming brought Shen Chongshan and Yao Shuqin to the Jiang family to propose marriage.

Yao Shuqin was quite gifted with words, and mother Jiang as a language teacher didn’t back down. In this invisible battle of sword-like words, the wedding was finally set in the spring of the next year. At that time, the couple’s new house would be renovated and ready for move-in.

****

In the blink of an eye, it was Jiang Nian’s wedding day. Lin Xiaoyue, who had been living abroad, came back with her foreign boyfriend to be her bridesmaid.

Lin Xiaoyue seemed to be more enthusiastic after not seeing each other for a year and gave Jiang Nian a choke hold when they met.

“Jiang Nian, see how good your life is; this little face is moist and tender. Looks like Boss Shen has raised you well.”

Jiang Nian rolled her eyes.

“Go try on your dress.”

Lin Xiaoyue smiled and said, “Before, in the class group, everyone was shocked about you and Shen Ming saying you hid well enough. It took so long for you to admit your boyfriend was Shen Ming.”

“Unfamiliar with them, there’s no need to spread this kind of thing everywhere.”

“That’s true. By the way, how is your Boss Shen recently?”

How else can he be? Of course, he’s too good. The exercise has never stopped and the strength of the six pack is getting strong and stronger. She used to think he was an abstinent person- clearly she didn’t know him well enough. Now Jiang Nian is well aware that he and abstinence have nothing to do with each other.

The mother-child torture of her mind and body has also never stopped, and comes day after day. Devil is really the right title for him!

But, getting married, Jiang Nian was quite nervous. Mother Jiang was even more nervous and had to go see her daughter a few times every night before she could fall asleep. That night, Jiang Nian and Lin Xiaoyue reminisced about their college years. Mother Jiang came by again, this time holding a large cardboard box.

Jiang Nian was curious.

“This is for me? What is it?”

Mother Jiang handed her the box and said, “You’ll know if you open it yourself.”

Jiang Nian was very moved and hugged Mother Jiang for a minute before opening the box.

Lin Xiaoyue: “…………God, God of Wealth?”

Jiang Nian: “………!!!”

There, in front of her eyes, was the solemn, majestic God of Wealth sitting quietly in the box, holding a large golden ingot in his hand!

FOOTNOTES

1. Kind of like…twitter homepage maybe? 

2. Wealthy housewife circle.