A few days later, news of Yuyao’s failure in bidding appeared on the hot search rankings.
The next day, Yuyao’s stock price hit its lowest limit at the opening bell. At that moment, Yuyao had yet to realize that this limit was just the beginning. At the same time that Yuyao’s stock price continued to plummet, several news emerged: the agency’s leading actress terminated her contract, another actress who was arrested before was confirmed to have taken drugs, and this year’s flagship film was shelved…
Each piece of news added to Yuyao’s worsening situation. The failure in the bidding seemed like a starting point, casting a heavy cloud over Yuyao.
Meanwhile, in the CEO’s office on the top floor…
“Have you found anything?” Yan Ye asked through gritted teeth.
Gu Baoshan sighed and shook his head. “Our company’s videos didn’t capture anything.”
“It’s impossible. There should be evidence if it was done. There must be someone who peeked at the price. Otherwise, they couldn’t have perfectly targeted us. A difference of a few hundred yuan? Who would believe that story?” Yan Ye grabbed a water glass and hurled it against the wall.
Seeing the glass shatter against the wall, leaving shards and water all over the place, he suddenly slumped into his chair.
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Yan Ye, who was used to evading problems, was faced with evidence right before his eyes. He couldn’t even find a way to deny it convincingly.
Yan Ye was filled with a mixture of sorrow and anger. How could he have been so fortunate to have the woman he couldn’t obtain divorce for him, and to have his long-cherished dream finally come true?
And the result? Was she actually a spy sent by her ex-husband?
Yan Ye burst into wild laughter, feeling as though he had entered into a bizarre dream. Everything seemed so unreal.
“Yan Ye, who are you living up to?” His older brother had once said this to him when he confirmed his relationship with Shang Qiwen.
Who was he living up to? Indeed, who was he living up to? He had just made up his mind to do everything right, to stop dwelling on those romantic entanglements, and then Shang Qiwen slapped him in the face.
See, it’s your romantic entanglements that have led to the current situation.
“Yan Ye, do you really know what you want?” His older brother’s words seemed like those of a prophet, each one coming true.
Yan Ye also recalled that day, the day at the shareholder meeting when his father had led him to open that door.
On that day, his older brother had left only a departing figure, but that figure alone had given him a sense of direction.
From then on, he took his older brother as a role model, doing the things his older brother had done before. Now he realized it wasn’t as easy as he thought. Now he understood that those closest to him were often the ones who hurt him the most.
On that day at the shareholder meeting, what had his older brother been feeling? Was he feeling the same way Yan Ye was now?
Trembling, Yan Ye picked up his phone. He wanted to send a message to Shang Qiwen. He wanted to ask her: “Where are you?”
The message was sent via electromagnetic waves2I don’t know what juju that is. Maybe it means he was still thinking about it but hasn’t done it yet, and suddenly Yan Ye snapped back to reality. He looked down at his phone and realized that he couldn’t act on impulse. He needed to uncover the person behind Shang Qiwen.
He lowered his head and looked, only to find that he hadn’t sent the message to Shang Qiwen after all. Unconsciously, he had sent it to Yan Wei. Like every time something happened, he instinctively reached out to his older brother first. Even at this moment, his unconscious action was to contact Yan Wei.
A beep sounded, and Yan Ye saw a message pop up on his phone: “I’m accompanying your sister-in-law for a prenatal check-up.”
In that moment, Yan Ye suddenly felt a sense of relief.
Yes, he needed to solve the problem first. He had to handle it himself.
Beep
Another message appeared, and Yan Ye looked at it. It was still from his older brother, Yan Wei. The message read: “Your sister-in-law is overweight, and the doctor is annoyed.”3Random messages like these from someone is the best way to release a person’s anxiety.
Yan Ye: “…” Brother, I’m busy. Figure it out yourself, it’s just a minor matter.
“Don’t go back and indulge in heavy foods!” The female doctor looked at Zhou Qiaoqiao and said, “You’ve gained an extra two pounds.”
Zhou Qiaoqiao rubbed her belly and said with a sense of grievance, “But I haven’t been eating much! I’ve just been having some soup.”
“Soup?” The female doctor gave Zhou Qiaoqiao a look and said, “Drinking soup is even easier to gain weight from! It’s better to eat meat. Drinking soup makes you gain weight, eating meat makes the baby gain weight.”
Zhou Qiaoqiao looked at her in shock and said, “Is that true? Isn’t drinking soup more nutritious?”
So, the doctor proceeded to educate Zhou Qiaoqiao once again.
Yan Wei was feeling a headache from listening on the side. After replying to Yan Ye’s message and leaving with Zhou Qiaoqiao, the doctor’s voice could still be heard from behind: “Don’t eat meat recklessly either, otherwise you might have trouble giving birth.”
Zhou Qiaoqiao was startled! On the way, she said to Yan Wei, “Wei Wei, let’s just eat porridge and get by!”
Yan Wei: “…”
With nothing else to do, Zhou Qiaoqiao started scrolling through her phone again, looking at the news on the trending topics. She asked Yan Wei, “Is Yuyao okay?”
Yan Wei thought of something and said happily, “I won’t let anything happen to it, not only that, I’ll help it too.”
Zhou Qiaoqiao frowned at him and said, “Why do you have such a cunning smile? Shouldn’t helping others come with a Bodhisattva smile?”
Yan Wei was speechless and asked her, “What do I look like when I smile?”
Zhou Qiaoqiao tilted her head and said, “Like a weasel?”
Yan Wei: “…Why don’t you go rest for a bit!” Did she really think that giving me a tilted head would mean I’d forgive her?
Yan Wei glanced at the round-bellied Zhou Qiaoqiao and realized it would indeed work!
Tsk!
When Zhou Qiaoqiao was seven months pregnant, she accompanied Yan Wei to attend Bai Huimin’s wedding. Because Zhou Qiaoqiao had a big belly, she hadn’t attended the bridal procession during the day and only rushed over in the evening to have the banquet.
And not to mention, Bai Huimin’s wedding was quite grand.
After all, the Huo family was considered well-off, and for their only son’s wedding, they naturally went all out. This wasn’t just for the bride’s family’s face, but also for the groom’s family.
Originally, Bai Shuren had bought a house in Xian’an City, and Bai Huimin later found work there as well. Huo Tianhao was also a native of Xian’an City.
Therefore, they chose a five-star hotel in Xian’an City for the banquet.
As Yan Wei and Zhou Qiaoqiao arrived at the entrance, someone took Yan Wei’s car to the garage. Yan Wei led Zhou Qiaoqiao into the hotel. The first floor was extravagantly decorated, with two welcoming posters displaying different wedding photos placed at the entrance.
Zhou Qiaoqiao pointed to one of them and said, “Wei Wei, look, the park in their photo is the same as ours.”
Yan Wei looked seriously and realized that the European-style outdoor table and chairs behind them were indeed the same set as theirs, and the big tree on the lawn was the same as well.
Tsk! So annoying.
The welcoming poster indicated the floor and room number for the banquet, so Yan Wei led Zhou Qiaoqiao in that direction.
Because there were two weddings today, the hotel was crowded. Zhou Qiaoqiao wasn’t particularly tall, and with her big belly, she looked like a small round ball. Yan Wei kept an eye on her at all times, afraid that she might tumble and roll away, and at the same time, he tried to prevent anyone from accidentally bumping into her.
Upon entering the elevator, Yan Wei pressed the button for Bai Huimin’s floor, and then he stood to the side with Zhou Qiaoqiao.
The elevator was quite crowded, and two women in front of Zhou Qiaoqiao were whispering, “Manager Huo actually married the White Fox.”
“Hush.”
“What are you afraid of?” Although the person said that, they didn’t continue.
When they got off the elevator, they realized that quite a few people were going to the same floor. The woman felt even more embarrassed and hurriedly ran ahead with her colleague, covering her face.
As Yan Wei led Zhou Qiaoqiao forward, he said to her, “As you can see, Manager Huo is quite popular.”
Zhou Qiaoqiao looked at him puzzledly. Yan Wei explained, “They call your cousin the Fox, but they still respectfully call Huo Tianhao Manager. This shows that they think your cousin isn’t up to his level.”
Zhou Qiaoqiao pursed her lips and said, “Their judgment is really off. Even if Bai Huimin isn’t great, she’s still much better than Huo Tianhao.”
Yan Wei could relate and said, “Huo Tianhao can only deceive young girls.”
The Huo family arranged for 15 tables at the banquet. When Yan Wei and Zhou Qiaoqiao entered, they were surprised by the warm welcome from the Huo family.
Huo Tianhao’s father and mother, along with a group of people, rushed to the entrance to greet them. Huo Tianhao’s father said to Yan Wei, “Mr. Yan, welcome, welcome! Come over here, this way, please take a seat.”
Yan Wei glanced at them and said, “No need, I’ll find a seat for Qiaoqiao.” Qiaoqiao even said I look like a weasel? I don’t even look at the face of the Huo family.
Huo’s father laughed and said, “Mr. Yan is joking. We’ve reserved a seat over here for you.”
Yan Wei didn’t delay any further and led Zhou Qiaoqiao to that area.
The Huo family was quite large. Even though Father Huo was nearly 50 years old, he still looked quite young. Mother Huo also appeared spirited, not showing any signs of aging. The main table was spacious, accommodating up to 30 people at once. The Huo family had reserved seats for Yan Wei and his wife that offered a clear view of the master of ceremonies’ podium, indicating how highly they regarded the couple.
Upon Zhou Qiaoqiao’s arrival, she noticed Bai Shuren welcoming guests at one of the tables. When Bai Shuren saw Zhou Qiaoqiao, he came over with a pleasant surprise. Zhou Qiaoqiao sat down beside Bai Shuren and greeted him.
“Uncle Bai.”
Bai Shuren saw Zhou Qiaoqiao’s happy expression and exclaimed, “Qiaoqiao, please sit.”
Zhou Qiaoqiao chuckled, and on the side, Li Li’s attitude towards Zhou Qiaoqiao had transformed. She now had a pleasing expression, saying to Zhou Qiaoqiao, “Qiaoqiao, please sit quickly. Huimin is changing inside and will come out soon.”
Zhou Qiaoqiao also smiled and nodded. The saying goes, “One’s personality adapts to their surroundings.” Spending time with Yan Wei had indeed brought a noticeable change in her aura. She wasn’t strict or efficient by nature. However, Zhou Qiaoqiao had become more comfortable to be around, or in other words, she had become more generous and open-minded.
Zhou Qiaoqiao had prepared a gift for Bai Huimin. When Bai Huimin came out, Zhou Qiaoqiao handed her the gift and offered her congratulations.
Bai Huimin wore a floor-length wedding gown specially designed for her pregnancy. It was loose from the chest area down to the ground, and it looked quite beautiful. She had a veil and a crown on her head, and her makeup was that of a vibrant bride.
She opened the jewelry box Zhou Qiaoqiao had given her and found a chunky gold necklace inside. The weight of it looked like it was worth at least 20,000 or 30,000!
Bai Huimin twitched the corner of her mouth. She wanted to say it was tacky, but who wouldn’t like such tackiness?
Li Li nudged her, and Bai Huimin could only force a smile, “Thank you, cousin.”
Zhou Qiaoqiao smiled and said, “You’re welcome.”
After the banquet, Bai Huimin personally accompanied Yan Wei and Zhou Qiaoqiao out of the restaurant’s entrance. Only after Zhou Qiaoqiao got into Yan Wei’s sports car and left did Bai Huimin and Huo Tianhao’s expressions twist.
They remembered the day they attended Zhou Qiaoqiao and Yan Wei’s wedding when Huo Tianhao had sworn not to bow down to Yan Wei. However, in reality, both sets of parents had requested that they treat Yan Wei and his wife well. They wanted to make a good impression and secure a position in the Fortune Global 500. Their parents were pleased and reassured as well.
Yes, they were now trying to please this couple, something they would never have done just a few months ago.
Zhou Qiaoqiao’s belly was growing day by day, and the baby’s movements were becoming stronger. Just at this time, news of Yan Ye and Shang Qiwen’s breakup reached them.
Yan Wei was walking with Zhou Qiaoqiao downstairs when he received a call from Yan Ye.
Yan Wei asked him what happened, and Yan Ye sighed, “Big brother, Shang Qiwen and I broke up.”
Yan Wei made a sound of acknowledgment, and Yan Ye continued, “Can you help Yuyao?”
Yan Wei chuckled lightly and asked, “What can you give us?”
Yan Ye froze for a moment, and after a while, he said, “As long as you’re willing to help Yuyao, the Yan family is willing to offer 15% of the shares.”
Yan Wei smiled and said, “15%? I’ll consider it.”
At present, Yuyao was as unstable as a floating duckweed on the sea. Without intervention, it would soon be devoured.
During Yuyao’s mid-year shareholder meeting, everyone analyzed its current situation and sought a way out.
Sitting below, Fei Yufei laughed and asked Yan Ye, “Mr. Yan, do you have any ideas now? We can’t attract investors anymore, and many investors are starting to withdraw.”
Yan Ye clenched his fist, and Yan Yifei patted him on the back, calming him down. Then Yan Yifei turned to Fei Yufei and asked, “Do you, Mr. Fei, have any ideas?”
Fei Yufei burst into laughter and said, “I’m just a vice president in this matter. How would I know what to do? Isn’t there still a true president above me? I’m just following Mr. Yan.”
Fei Yufei continued with a laugh, “Speaking of which, I heard that Mr. Yan sold quite a few shares?”
Fei Yufei clapped his hands and laughed. Some people on the office desks laughed too, while others maintained a serious expression.
Yan Ye sneered. When the wall falls, everyone will push. As for selling shares? Well, soon you won’t be laughing.
Yan Yifei looked at Fei Yufei and said, “Mr. Fei, do you think that if Yuyao falls, you can gain anything? Or perhaps, if Yuyao falls, can you really gain anything?”
Fei Yufei’s face stiffened, and he blurted out angrily, “What are you talking about? I, Fei Yufei, may not be a big shot, but Yuyao is not only Yan Yifei’s effort, but also half of my life’s work. I’m different from you all. Among the people present, who hasn’t considered selling shares? I, Fei Yufei, have never thought about it.”
Everyone knew that Yuyao’s stocks were plummeting. Whether people were selling to minimize losses or had other intentions remained unknown.
Just at that moment, the office door was pushed open, revealing a tall man standing outside. Following him was a bespectacled, refined-looking man carrying a stack of documents. It was evident that he was the secretary of the man in front.
Yan Wei scanned everyone in the room and said, “I’m sorry for being late.”
At first, Fei Yufei didn’t realize, but after Yan Wei finished speaking, it took him a while to understand. He stood up and exclaimed, “It’s you.”
Yan Wei walked in and took a seat opposite Fei Yufei. He looked at him calmly and said, “Yes, it’s me.”
Fei Yufei sat back down with a thud, then turned to look at Yan Ye. Yan Ye sold the shares; he sold them to Yan Wei.
Yan Ye ignored Fei Yufei and turned his gaze to Yan Wei. He saw Yan Wei sweeping his eyes across every shareholder at the table, and suddenly a smile appeared on Yan Wei’s face. “From now on… please advise me.”
The shareholders were confused until one of them realized and asked, “Did Mr. Yan buy the shares that were acquired from Yuyao recently? Was Mr. Yan the absent shareholder today?”
Yuyao’s shares were split, and it was said that the Yan family sold 15% of the shares. Shareholders were extremely surprised and inquired everywhere about the person who bought the shares, but no matter how hard they tried, they couldn’t find out.
Before long, even the scattered shares of Yuyao on the market were continuously acquired by someone, and soon a new shareholder emerged whom no one recognized.
Looking at Yan Wei in front of them, they finally understood what calculation the Yan family was making. They wanted to draw Yan Wei into their plan!
Yan Wei’s status was special. Once he entered this situation, no one could touch the Yan family. Yuyao would still remain part of the Yan family.
As long as Yan Wei was with Yuyao, there would be no fear of insufficient funds for financing.
At that moment, Fei Yufei gritted his teeth in anger. All his calculations had come to naught.
Across from them, Yan Wei didn’t care about the various thoughts of the people present. He sat there calmly and said, “Continue, I’m listening.”
For a moment, the office was incredibly quiet.
This was probably the aura, right? Yan Ye was unable to intimidate people, while Yan Wei could solve problems just by sitting down. Who had originally prepared to do what at the shareholder meeting?
No one knew anymore.
After the shareholder meeting, Fei Yufei approached Yan Wei and shook his hand, smiling through clenched teeth as he asked, “Mr. Yan, how could you be interested in small cakes like us?”
Yan Wei glanced at Yan Ye and said, “When someone is willing to bring the cake to me on their own, of course, I’d be interested.”
“Is it really like that?” Fei Yufei asked with a smile.
Yan Wei looked at Fei Yufei and revealed a smile that could be described as gentle. He earnestly and firmly replied, “Naturally, it’s true. I couldn’t possibly do these things for my wife’s sake. Mr. Fei, please don’t overthink it.”
Fei Yufei: “…” Alright, he got it. Yan Wei got involved because… of Zhou Qiaoqiao.
By the time Fei Yufei was lamenting why he had meddled in Zhou Qiaoqiao’s affair, Yan Yifei had already brought Yan Ye to Yan Wei’s side. With complex emotions, Yan Yifei said, “Thanks to you today.”
Yan Wei turned to look at them and said, “It’s just for mutual benefit. I’m heading back now. My wife is waiting for me at home for dinner.”
After Yan Wei left, Yan Yifei sighed and told Yan Ye, “Regardless of your brother’s intentions this time, we owe him this favor.”
Yan Ye nodded.
In early August, Zhou Qiaoqiao’s belly finally started moving. At first, Zhou Qiaoqiao didn’t feel like she was going into labor, but she noticed a bit of bloodstain on her underwear.
Zhou Qiaoqiao “hmm~” looked at the bloodstain, thought about it seriously for a while, then glanced at the time—it was 3:30 in the morning.
Oh well, she could sleep for another two hours, and it would be morning; she could decide then!
So, Zhou Qiaoqiao happily applied a sanitary pad to her underwear and then went back to sleep.
In his accustomed manner, Yan Wei cuddled the returning Zhou Qiaoqiao in his arms and continued sleeping. In his drowsy state, he sensed Zhou Qiaoqiao getting up and returning multiple times, but he just kept on dozing off.
When Zhou Qiaoqiao got up again to go to the restroom, Yan Wei asked her, “What are you doing?”
Zhou Qiaoqiao made a sound and turned to look at him, saying, “I’m going to the restroom.”
“How many times have you gone already?”
Zhou Qiaoqiao said, “My stomach hurts.”
Yan Wei initially just made a noise of acknowledgment, but suddenly he fully awakened and asked her, “What’s wrong with you?”
Zhou Qiaoqiao said, “I think I’m going into labor.”
After saying that, Zhou Qiaoqiao took out her phone and checked the time, “Ah, it’s 6 AM. Let’s go to the hospital!”
Yan Wei: “…” You’re so calm. What am I supposed to say?
Because the due date was approaching, Zhou Qiaoqiao went to take a shower while Yan Wei packed things into the car. He also called Tong Geng to make sure the room was ready.
When Zhou Qiaoqiao emerged with her large belly, they hurriedly set off.
Upon arriving at the hospital, they learned that Zhou Qiaoqiao had gone into labor in the middle of the night. This prompted Yan Wei to ask anxiously, “Why didn’t you call me?”
Zhou Qiaoqiao laughed and said, “I saw you sleeping so soundly. I thought labor wouldn’t come so soon!”
Saying this, Zhou Qiaoqiao, upon being informed by the doctor, “Your water broke, lie down and don’t get up.”
Zhou Qiaoqiao asked in a daze, “What about going to the bathroom?”
“You can’t get up, we’ll bring a bedpan for you,” the doctor said.
Zhou Qiaoqiao pouted and blushed, saying, “Isn’t that embarrassing?”
“It’s not embarrassing at all. If the amniotic fluid is gone, the baby will lack oxygen.”
So, Zhou Qiaoqiao obediently remained silent.
Since they had booked a VIP room, Yan Wei directly entered the delivery room to accompany her. He didn’t entrust anyone else with taking care of Zhou Qiaoqiao.
Lying in bed, Zhou Qiaoqiao stared at the ceiling with a somewhat melancholic expression and said, “The doctor said I can’t get up.”
Yan Wei nodded and said, “I know.” The doctor had already explained this to him outside.
“Ah!” Zhou Qiaoqiao sighed, “I’ve seen on TV that pregnant women get up and walk around all the time. If I don’t move, I don’t know if labor will go well. I’m so worried!”
Yan Wei: “…” Trust the real doctors in real life.
“Ah!”
As Zhou Qiaoqiao couldn’t get out of bed, nurses came to help with all the prenatal checks. Tong Geng quickly arrived at the company and brought the things Yan Wei had asked him to buy.
Then came Zhou Yingjie and Mao Jinghua.
The first time the in-laws met, they shook hands politely.
Mao Jinghua entered the delivery room, and Zhou Qiaoqiao was eating noodles that Yan Wei had bought for her. She was in good spirits and even asked how Mao Jinghua was doing when she came in.
Mao Jinghua approached Zhou Qiaoqiao and said, “You’ve been through a lot. Your dad and younger brother are on their way too.”
Zhou Qiaoqiao nodded, with beads of sweat on her forehead. She smiled and said, “It’s not tough. I’ll meet the baby soon.”
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TIL China has weird pregnancy beliefs. Soup makes you gain more weight compared to meat? You can’t move around after you water breaks? Yeah I’m pretty sure both are wrong lol.
But yay baby is here! I love how ZQQ is just eating noodles during it lol (which they don’t allow in here in Western hospitals that I know of in case a surgery is needed…. maybe the author didn’t do enough research on this lol).
Yes, I have given birth 5 times and they never allow you to eat or drink after being admitted… also, for some women, your water can break but you don’t give birth right away, not me though — I gave birth within 30 min of having my water break, but in the hospital, thank goodness! As for food – just left well and in moderation—that’s what I live by 🤷🏻♀️
Wow 30 minutes is fairly quick. What order of child is that? Is that the first child? All of my children were born c-section so I did not have labor pains but the post-op is so painful.
Haha, it was my 4th and he came shooting out. My last one was a c-section, but I attribute my quick recovery to having been very physically active before and after birth. And I must give much credit to my dr and her medical team who did an excellent job!