Chapter 49

October passed by in their warm and affectionate days, and November arrived with cool weather.

Tomorrow, Zhou Qiaoqiao would be starting her new job, and she was very excited. In the evening, she grabbed Yan Wei and asked, “What is Yuyao like?”

Yan Wei had left Yuyao many years ago and couldn’t remember its appearance, let alone the changes it had undergone in recent years.

He lay on the bed, watching Zhou Qiaoqiao trying on clothes one by one, feeling a bit dissatisfied. Why had Qiaoqiao been ignoring him lately? And why did she need to wear such beautiful clothes to Yuyao? She had never dressed up so nicely for him.

They say women dress to please themselves, does Qiaoqiao… not like me?

Yan Wei was shaken by his own thoughts and started to feel pitiful.

However, he still maintained a mature and steady demeanor, giving a piece of advice to his beloved like an old man would, “The bigger the company, the more disputes there are. Yuyao probably won’t be as beautiful as you imagine.”

Zhou Qiaoqiao pursed her lips, turned to look at Yan Wei, and playfully acted coquettish, “Hmm~”

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Hbsw Ckysikys czkdjle, yde Zyd Elk nswzed’v alpkpv zsolakdt bkp blye vs jkpp bla zkrp.

Hbsw Ckysikys pnalyxle, “Zyd Elk, usw ytykd… xxx…”

Nktbvp sqq…

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Fbl pnalyxle, “Zyd Elk, eke usw es vbkp sd rwarspl?”

Zyd Elk cawpble bkp vllvb pzsozu, eldukdt kv, “Tso nswze R es pwnb y vbkdt? Ckysikys, usw’al ynnwpkdt xl oasdtzu.”

Nssjkdt yv vbl xkaasa, Hbsw Ckysikys qswde vbyv ds xyvvla bla byka sa y pnyaq, dsvbkdt nswze nshla vbl xyaj, xyjkdt bla eswcv Zyd Elk’p osaep lhld xsal.

“You must have done it on purpose,” Zhou Qiaoqiao said.

The bathroom in the single apartment was not spacious, and the two of them felt a bit cramped inside. Yan Wei spat out the water in his mouth and looked at Zhou Qiaoqiao, asking, “Why would I do that?”

Zhou Qiaoqiao was taken aback, tilting her head and thinking for a while before saying, “Then… why did you leave the strawberry mark here?”

Yan Wei turned around, facing away from Zhou Qiaoqiao, and pointed to the wound on his back, asking, “Then why did you scratch me?”

Blushing, Zhou Qiaoqiao softly said, “I didn’t mean to.”

Yan Wei turned around and smiled at Zhou Qiaoqiao, saying, “I didn’t do it on purpose. Can’t you give me the benefit of the doubt?”

Seeing Yan Wei’s calm expression, Zhou Qiaoqiao still felt that he must have done it intentionally, but she couldn’t figure out why. Moreover, Yan Wei’s words were reasonable, but her woman’s intuition told her that he was fooling her.

Sticking her tongue out at him, Zhou Qiaoqiao ran out of the bathroom and turned back to say, “I didn’t accuse you wrongly; you’re bullying me. Hmph, I’ll find evidence for sure.”

Yan Wei remained undaunted and walked out of the bathroom with an indifferent look. He went to the kitchen to pour milk and heat bread for both of them while saying, “If you can’t find evidence, you’ll have to compensate me.”

“You’re childish,” Zhou Qiaoqiao ran upstairs to cover the strawberry mark. Hearing Yan Wei’s words, she leaned out from upstairs and shouted, “Then… then hurry up, I’ll be late.”

Sitting at the table, Yan Wei drank milk and took a bite of the bread, still calmly saying to Zhou Qiaoqiao, “I can’t get up without you accompanying me to eat.”

Zhou Qiaoqiao replied, “Then… then eat slowly; I’ll leave first.” After all, their workplaces were not in the same direction, so it shouldn’t be a problem if she left first, right?

As she was thinking this, she saw Yan Wei from across the table looking at her in shock, then a desolate expression appeared on his face. He lowered his head slightly and said, “You go ahead! I’ll walk by myself later.” His voice was so pleasant, yet it made her heart ache.

Zhou Qiaoqiao: “…”

Yan Wei polished the cup and said softly, “I used to be alone too. What’s the big deal? I went to school alone in elementary school, middle school, and high school…”

“Yan Wei,” Zhou Qiaoqiao interrupted him, saying, “I’ll wait for you.” Don’t be so pitiful…

Seeing Yan Wei still eating leisurely, Zhou Qiaoqiao felt anxious! Considering Yan Wei’s words, she finally sighed, put on her slippers, and went back to the table.

Of course, Zhou Qiaoqiao knew that Yan Wei was looking out for her. Having three meals a day was not only about filling one’s stomach but also about taking care of one’s health. If she skipped breakfast, Yan Wei would worry. Zhou Qiaoqiao knew that, so she went back to the table and quickly finished the milk she hadn’t had time to drink before.

Putting down the cup with a white mustache around her mouth, she told Yan Wei, “I’m done.”

Yan Wei looked up and saw her sticking out her tongue to lick the milk off her lips. He reached for a tissue on the table and wiped her mouth. Yan Wei smiled in satisfaction. Then he stood up, leaned over the table to lightly kiss the milk foam left on her lips. Yan Wei tasted it carefully and smiled, saying, “Tastes good!”

Blushing, Zhou Qiaoqiao wiped her mouth with a tissue and asked softly, “Are you ready now?”

“Of course,” Yan Wei replied. After finishing his milk, he handed a bread to both of them and said, “Let’s go!”

Finally, Zhou Qiaoqiao happily nodded and followed Yan Wei in a hurry.

The two of them walked all the way to the bus stop, crossed the road together, and took the bus together. Zhou Qiaoqiao looked dazed.

“Yan Wei, where is your company?” Yuyao and her previous workplace at the supermarket are in the opposite direction! Yan Wei used to go to work in the same direction as her, but today it’s different?

Yan Wei was taken aback and then remembered that he usually accompanied Zhou Qiaoqiao to work. It wouldn’t be right to take the same bus again today. Although he could think of many reasons, Yan Wei decided to tell the truth, “It’s in the Central District.”

Zhou Qiaoqiao was his wife, and unless there were special reasons, he didn’t want to deceive her. Although he had deliberately misled her about some things before, she would eventually find out the truth about those matters.

After hearing Yan Wei’s words, Zhou Qiaoqiao was puzzled and said, “But you always go to Song’an City with me.”

Sighing, Yan Wei pulled her back and avoided the new passengers who had just boarded the bus. He whispered in Zhou Qiaoqiao’s ear, “Silly girl.”

Yan Wei’s voice was so deep, it seemed to carry a hint of allure. Zhou Qiaoqiao blushed and suddenly realized that they were not going in the same direction to work, yet they still traveled together every day. Naturally, it was because he was… accompanying her to work!

Thinking this, Zhou Qiaoqiao quickly covered her suddenly burning cheeks with both hands. Was she being presumptuous? But Yan Wei meant that, right?

Back then, he used to accompany her to work every day? And then pick her up after work? Weren’t all these because he happened to be going in the same direction?

A silly smile appeared on Zhou Qiaoqiao’s face. She leaned against Yan Wei’s arm and didn’t know how to respond for a moment. She just felt that Yan Wei loved her, and she would love him too.

When they reached Yuyao station, Zhou Qiaoqiao got off the bus, and Yan Wei got off with her.

Zhou Qiaoqiao exclaimed, looking at Yan Wei, “Aren’t you going to work?”

Yan Wei didn’t answer but said, “Let’s go in together!”

Zhou Qiaoqiao felt a little nervous too. Yuyao Tower across the street had 32 floors, with all reflective glass walls revealing the blue of the sky. Its imposing presence gave it a strong sense of pressure. Watching the fashionable people entering and leaving, exuding confidence, Zhou Qiaoqiao admired them but also felt intimidated. She didn’t know if she could handle what awaited her or if she was capable of facing the world ahead.

In front of Yuyao Tower was a spacious square, also named Yuyao Square. Yuyao had undergone reforms after Yan Ye took over, and now they were grooming popular young actors and actresses. Therefore, it was common to see fans with support boards gathering at the square.

Zhou Qiaoqiao turned to look at Yan Wei and wasn’t sure if she could be willful and let him accompany her.

Yan Wei held her hand and said, “Let’s go!”

Zhou Qiaoqiao didn’t say anything else and followed Yan Wei towards the entrance of Yuyao Tower. When the fans gathered in the square saw Yan Wei and Zhou Qiaoqiao together, they whispered to their companions, “Look over there, that guy is handsome.”

“Ah, really! There are so many good-looking people working here.”

“Wow! But his girlfriend looks quite ordinary!”

Many people were coming in and out of Yuyao Tower. There were two receptionists at the front desk registering visitors’ names. When Zhou Qiaoqiao entered, the two receptionists quickly noticed her as a stranger, but their attention was soon drawn to Yan Wei – the young master of the Yan family.

“Master Yan,” the two receptionists quickly stood up to greet him. They were old employees of Yuyao, and during Yan Wei’s tenure, they had seen him countless times here, often daydreaming about a prince and Cinderella story.

One of them was actually quite wealthy, but she worked as a receptionist here purely to see celebrities.

After acknowledging the greetings from the receptionists, Yan Wei nodded to them and led Zhou Qiaoqiao straight to the elevators, and they didn’t dare to stop him.

Since it was during working hours, there were many people waiting at the elevator. Zhou Qiaoqiao felt nervous as she noticed everyone looking at them. She tightly held Yan Wei’s hand, and he comforted her with a glance before taking her directly to a private elevator.

Those people waiting for the elevator looked surprised, some recognized Yan Wei, while others were new employees who had joined in the past two years. Until the elevator closed automatically, they started chattering among themselves, asking who the man was.

Ma Jinghua had arrived at Yan Ye’s office early in the morning, waiting for Zhou Qiaoqiao. She thought Zhou Qiaoqiao would call her when she arrived, and then she would go down to meet her. But as it was almost time for work, Zhou Qiaoqiao hadn’t called yet, making Ma Jinghua a bit nervous and worried. She asked Yan Ye, “Do you think your sister-in-law might not come?”

Yan Ye looked at the documents in his hand and said, “If she promised, she will come. And don’t keep walking around in front of me, it’s affecting my work.”

Ma Jinghua glared at him and said, “Can I not worry? You know your brother’s temper. If he doesn’t want to come to Yuyao, no matter how hard we try, he won’t come. But if your sister-in-law is willing to come, it’s different.”

Yan Ye sighed and said, “Back then, we treated him that way, he must have been very hurt.”

Ma Jinghua fell silent. In fact, the situation was so critical at that time that they didn’t have much time to think about it. The point when Shang Qiwen appeared, the expressions, tone, and meaning she revealed all tested their hearts.

How could narrow-minded people see others as broad-minded?

They treated Yan Wei unjustly, and that seed of animosity was sown when they drove him away at the shareholders’ meeting.

Even though Yan Wei didn’t make a fuss, didn’t say anything, and didn’t take any actions, they all probably felt that Yan Wei couldn’t possibly not be angry or resentful, he was just suppressing it.

If there was indeed such a contract, they put themselves in Yan Wei’s shoes and realized that what they did was indeed something they themselves could do.

So, could the resentful Yan Wei do it too?

The answer was evident.

Therefore, in that situation, they were full of rage and blamed him. But when Xiao Wei gave away his shares, when Xiao Wei left without looking back, and when Xiao Wei made no move to retaliate.

Ma Jinghua already guessed that they were wrong… It was them.

Yan Yifei might not be unaware, but he wanted Yan Wei to submit. At the same time, he did value the child in Shang Qiwen’s womb.

After the gathering, Ma Jinghua understood one thing. If they didn’t bring Xiao Wei back, the distance between them and their eldest son would only grow wider until their relationship faded, and they would no longer have any contact.

“So, treat your sister-in-law well and let her stay at Yuyao with peace of mind. As long as your sister-in-law is at Yuyao, your eldest brother will be too.” Ma Jinghua said with a serious expression, speaking earnestly.

Yan Ye looked at the documents in his hand for a while before speaking, “I know.”

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Zhou Qiaoqiao followed Yan Wei out of the elevator, and the sight before her was a deep green carpet that didn’t make any noise when stepped upon. Therefore, the first floor appeared serene yet luxurious.

As Zhou Qiaoqiao walked alongside Yan Wei, she suddenly thought that he might have walked this path a thousand times before. She wondered what emotions he must be feeling now.

Looking at Yan Wei’s broad back ahead of her, radiating strength and giving her a sense of security.

Perhaps, he’s also reminiscing, Zhou Qiaoqiao thought.

Yan Wei led Zhou Qiaoqiao to a tall and dark brown solid wood door. The door felt very heavy. Yan Wei knocked on it, gently pushed it open, and then turned to Zhou Qiaoqiao and said, “Let’s go in.”

Once the door opened, they were met with floor-to-ceiling windows and a wide and imposing CEO desk in front of the windows.

Yan Ye sat behind the desk and looked up, his face filled with astonishment. Ma Jinghua also looked over, her eyes first showing surprise, then delight.

Seeing her mother-in-law looking pleased, Zhou Qiaoqiao softly tugged at Yan Wei’s clothes and said in a low voice, “Yan Wei, it seems I’m quite popular here!”

Yan Wei smiled, turned back to look at her, and laughed.

Just as Yan Ye and Ma Jinghua finished speaking, they heard a knock on the door. Before Yan Ye could invite the person in, Yan Wei strode in with Zhou Qiaoqiao.

Yan Ye: “…”

Seeing Yan Wei’s arrival, Ma Jinghua’s lips slightly curled up as she stood up to greet them.

“Qiaoqiao, you’re here. Xiao Wei, you’re here too?” Ma Jinghua said with a smile.

Yan Wei smiled faintly and said, “You should know that I would come, right?”

Ma Jinghua smiled awkwardly, knowing that these were just minor means for Yan Wei. But the size of the means didn’t matter; what mattered was their effectiveness.

Thinking this way, Ma Jinghua became happy again. She called out, “Baoshan, bring coffee and snacks in.”

“Yes, Madam. Please wait a moment,” a male voice came from outside.

Yan Wei gestured to a corner for Zhou Qiaoqiao and said, “Sit there; I’ll talk to them first.”

Zhou Qiaoqiao nodded obediently and sat on the sofa. She looked around the room; it was quite spacious since it was Yan Ye’s personal office on the top floor. As they passed by another room just now, she even caught a glimpse of a gym.

The carpet inside the office was different from the lively-colored carpet outside; it was deep gray, giving a more stable feeling, unlike the light and casual environment outside, which was the secretary’s office, designed to be more lively.

However, Yan Ye liked his office to have a more serious atmosphere, so all his offices were decorated in this style.

In the guest area, there was also a wooden decoration, carefully chosen to complement the carpet in a brown hue. After Zhou Qiaoqiao sat down, a slightly chubby and fair-skinned male secretary came in, carrying a cup of coffee and placing it on the table in front of Zhou Qiaoqiao.

Zhou Qiaoqiao nodded in thanks, and the fair-skinned male secretary smiled and shook his head, saying there was no need to thank him.

On the other side, Yan Wei pulled out a chair and sat down across from the CEO’s desk. Ma Jinghua smiled at him.

Yan Wei, however, didn’t return the smile but looked at Yan Ye and asked, “Was the idea of letting Qiaoqiao work here yours, or Mom’s?”

Yan Ye defended himself, saying, “Of course, it wasn’t me.”

Ma Jinghua then smiled and admitted, “It was my idea to have Qiaoqiao come.”

Yan Wei nodded and said, “I understand. I also understand your reason for bringing Qiaoqiao here. I don’t object to her interacting with you all, but there’s one thing I hope you’ll take note of. Although she’s here to work, I can have her leave anytime.”

Ma Jinghua seemed reluctant to agree, but seeing her eldest son’s determination, she could only nod in agreement.

Yan Wei continued, “I’m bringing her here not to let her experience the hardships of starting from the bottom. She can start from the bottom, but she should have some privileges.”

Yan Ye furrowed his brow and said to his older brother, “Brother, you weren’t like this before…?” How could he openly use connections?

Yan Wei smiled faintly, “I didn’t have a wife before!”

Yan Ye: “…”

Ma Jinghua: “…”

Yan Wei asked, “Is there a problem? Are my demands too much?”

Yan Ye naturally compromised; it wasn’t an excessive request. He asked his brother, “What kind of privileges do you want your wife to have?”

Yan Wei lightly tapped the table with his index finger and said, “There’s no need for specific ones, but she’s the eldest wife of the Yan family, and that’s enough.”

Zhou Qiaoqiao sat behind, pursing her lips, blinking her eyes, wanting to say a few words.

Sensing something, Yan Wei turned back to look at her, and Zhou Qiaoqiao fell silent.

Yan Wei continued to speak with Yan Ye, “Yuyao is a big company, and learning from experience doesn’t necessarily mean being oppressed. I’ve worked in Yuyao before, and I know what it’s like. Qiaoqiao is here to learn.”

Yan Ye nodded, wanting to mend their relationship and restore harmony. If he agreed, there would naturally be a price to pay. He said, “Of course, Sister-in-law is the eldest wife of Yuyao. She’s here to learn.”

Only then did Yan Wei beckon Zhou Qiaoqiao, who walked over with excitement. Ma Jinghua was a bit puzzled, wondering why they were acting like this. If they didn’t agree, did that mean they wouldn’t allow her to work here?

Yan Wei pulled Zhou Qiaoqiao to sit in another chair, and she called out to Ma Jinghua in a low voice, “Mom!”

Ma Jinghua smiled kindly and nodded. Yan Wei asked Zhou Qiaoqiao, “Which department are you planning to join?”

Zhou Qiaoqiao tilted her head and looked at Yan Wei, asking, “Which department is there?”

Yan Wei looked at her cute appearance and turned back to Yan Ye with an expressionless face.

Yan Ye then said, “Human resources, legal, brand operations, production, public relations planning, marketing, film distribution, entertainment marketing, creative production, development, finance, auditing, quality control…”

“Okay, okay, I’ll go to finance!” Zhou Qiaoqiao said obediently, “I majored in accounting in college, and I have three years of accounting work experience. I’ll go to the finance department.”

Yan Ye picked up the phone and called the finance department. Soon, a woman came in. Zhou Qiaoqiao took a closer look and recognized her—it was Zhao Xinyue, the finance department manager who had reimbursed her 500,000 that day. Zhao Xinyue saw Yan Wei present and respectfully greeted, “Young Master.”

Yan Wei nodded, and only then did Zhao Xinyue exchange pleasantries with Yan Ye. “Manager Yan, did you call for me?”

Yan Ye pointed at Zhou Qiaoqiao and said, “She’s my sister-in-law, and she wants to come to our company to learn. Is there any suitable position for her in the finance department?”

Zhao Xinyue smiled on the surface but thought to herself, “Manager Yan, you call her your sister-in-law, yet you want to arrange her to work in my department. You ask if there’s a suitable position? I don’t dare to assign her work!”

Zhou Qiaoqiao smiled sweetly and said to Zhao Xinyue, “I have three years of accounting experience!”

Zhao Xinyue’s face showed relief. No matter what she thought inside, she had to keep her composure on the outside. She asked Zhou Qiaoqiao, “Madam, do you have any preferred position?” If she could choose her own position, that would be the best.

Zhou Qiaoqiao asked in return, “What positions are available?”

Zhao Xinyue was taken aback by the question. She found it strange that Zhou Qiaoqiao was about to start working here, yet she didn’t even know what she wanted to do? But, considering she was the Young Master’s wife, it wasn’t surprising if she didn’t know. Even though she heard that the Young Master had been expelled, Zhao Xinyue believed that a man like Yan Wei could soar to great heights even in his low point. Moreover, Old General Yan had never stated that there was a rift between him and Young Master Yan.

A woman like Yan Wei’s wife, even if she were like a worm on the ground now, would eventually soar like a dragon. So, it didn’t matter if the Young Madam didn’t know what she wanted to do or could do. After all, they were just employees.

Zhao Xinyue couldn’t help but feel envious of Zhou Qiaoqiao marrying into a wealthy family. She had some impression of Zhou Qiaoqiao as an ordinary person, and now she had risen from the ground to become a phoenix on the branch.

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