Jiang Xingxing had gentle and kind features, but the scar on her forehead made her imperfect. Her soft appearance made it easy for people to lower their guard around her.
That was exactly what happened to Song Jifei. Without realizing it, she had completely revealed her thoughts in front of Jiang Xingxing.
Now, the situation was truly awkward. However, what made Song Jifei even more uncomfortable wasn’t just that she had exposed herself—it was the fact that…
Shang Jie hadn’t even introduced her to Jiang Xingxing.
They had been university classmates, and Song Jifei had always considered herself different from other women. At the very least, she thought she could be counted as Shang Jie’s friend.
But Shang Jie didn’t introduce her. That meant, in his eyes, she was just like any other subordinate—completely insignificant.
Song Jifei felt a sharp sting in her chest. She couldn’t accept it.
After taking the document from her, Shang Jie didn’t spare her another glance. He simply said, “In the future, just hand these reports directly to my assistant. There’s no need to deliver them to my office personally, and certainly no need to wait here. It’s a waste of work hours.”
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Ylydobkzl, Fbydt Kkl’p yvvldvksd bye yzalyeu pbkqvle yoyu qasx Fsdt Kkqlk. Tl pyv esod kd bkp pokhlz nbyka, pvalvnble bkp oakpv pzktbvzu, yde clnjsdle vs Kkydt Dkdtmkdt. “Usxl blal.”
Kkydt Dkdtmkdt oyzjle shla, yde Fbydt Kkl dyvwayzzu rwzzle bla sdvs bkp zyr, bkp hsknl tldvzl. “Zsw’al blal lyazu vseyu?”
“R qkdkpble osaj lyazu.” Kkydt Dkdtmkdt alrzkle. “Zsw’al pvkzz yp cwpu yp lhla.”
“Uyd’v blzr kv. Gp zsdt yp R’x kd vbl sqqknl, vblal’p yzoyup psxlvbkdt elxydekdt xu yvvldvksd.”
“Are you getting used to Lin Chuan not being around?”
Shang Jie paused for a moment, then lightly patted her waist. “Do you want the truth or a lie?”
“You? Telling lies?”
He chuckled slightly. “Not used to it at all. Lin Chuan is better at handling things than most people.”
“He just understands you better than others.”
“But he’s worked with me for so many years. Giving him a few days off is only reasonable. His life shouldn’t revolve around me forever. He’s a grown man—it’s time for him to… try spending some time with a woman.”
Jiang Xingxing smiled and praised him. “Wow, President Shang, how understanding and considerate you are.”
“Reward me.”
Shang Jie tilted his face up to kiss her, but just as he did, he caught a glimpse of Song Jifei still standing there in a daze, not having left.
His expression darkened. “Are you still waiting for me to praise you?”
His tone was that of a superior speaking to a subordinate—completely different from the way he spoke to Jiang Xingxing.
Song Jifei stared at him in disbelief. It was hard to reconcile this man—the one who used to be the cold and untouchable figure in their university days—with the one now going out of his way to please a woman.
It was as if she didn’t know him at all anymore.
“Shang Jie, I was thinking… we haven’t seen each other in years. Why don’t we have a meal together and catch up?” Song Jifei forced a polite smile. “We can invite Lawrence too.”
Back in university, Song Jifei had been close to both Shang Jie and Lawrence. More accurately, she had been good friends with Lawrence, and since Lawrence often hung out with Shang Jie, she had gradually become familiar with him as well.
Every time she invited Lawrence out, she could use that opportunity to bring Shang Jie along, which always gave her a sense of pride. After all, Shang Jie had never had many female friends, and any woman who tried to invite him out alone was always rejected. Because of this, many people envied her.
Song Jifei had always carried that sense of superiority. After returning to the country, she specifically chose to work at Shang Corporation, hoping to create more chances to interact with him. After all, they were university alumni, equally well-educated, and belonged to the same social tier.
At least, that was what Song Jifei believed.
Now, she eagerly invited Shang Jie to dinner, making sure to bring up Lawrence—subtly reminding Jiang Xingxing that she and Shang Jie had been good friends for years, far longer than Jiang Xingxing had known him.
But she never expected Shang Jie to reject her so directly:
“Sorry, I’m quite busy these days. I don’t have time.”
Shang Jie was speaking the truth—he truly didn’t have time for meals or gatherings. He worked during the day and went home in the evenings to accompany his wife. Where would he find the time to dine with her?
As for Lawrence, he often showed up at Shang Jie’s house for dinner. He liked Chinese food, and Jiang Xingxing was an excellent cook.
After being rejected by Shang Jie, Song Jifei’s face turned red, but she still managed to maintain a polite smile: “Well, I’ll leave now. When you have time, we can arrange something.”
“By the way,” Shang Jie called after her.
“Hmm?” Song Jifei stopped in her tracks, hoping there might be room for negotiation.
But instead, Shang Jie gave her a direct reprimand: “Don’t talk about personal matters at the company.”
Song Jifei was stunned. “I…”
“Shang Corporation has rules for team management. Even if they’re family members, once they enter my company, no one is above the others. We all work towards the same goal, which is to make the company better. So, please stop telling everyone that you’re my university classmate. Can you do that?”
Song Jifei glanced at Jiang Xingxing, feeling utterly humiliated in front of her.
She stomped her foot, gritted her teeth, and turned to leave the office.
After Song Jifei left, Jiang Xingxing pulled on Shang Jie’s tie, looking closely at his handsome features. “Business is business, no room for mercy. President Shang, your methods are impressive.”
“Without rules, there can be no order.” Shang Jie replied calmly. “I don’t want to hear any more gossip about my subordinates saying I have an unusual relationship with them.”
Jiang Xingxing reached out and gently touched his jaw, asking softly, “So, do you have one?”
“A classmate relationship, is that unusual?”
“A classmate relationship doesn’t count.” Jiang Xingxing looked at him with a playful smile. “Then, do you have any other relationship?”
“Like this one?”
He took her hand, brushing it across his firm chest and abs, slowly trailing downward until it rested on his belt buckle.
…
In any case, Shang Jie was really trying his best.
Ever since Jiang Xingxing had said she was willing to have a baby with him, his mind had been consumed with that thought. It wasn’t that he wanted a child per se, but it acted as a kind of catalyst for his desires. He couldn’t control himself, wanting to see her and be with her all the time.
After stopping using protection, Shang Jie discovered a whole new world. The kind of closeness without barriers, the intimacy it created, was unparalleled and multiplied the joy.
Shang Jie felt like he had become an animal.
Of course, self-reflection was one thing; whether he could correct his mistakes was another matter altogether.
…
At the company’s evening banquet, Jiang Xingxing stayed by Shang Jie’s side the entire time. She was graceful, poised, and confident.
Song Jifei sat at the dinner table, glaring at her, feeling a deep sense of discomfort.
When she first heard that Shang Jie had married a famous movie star, she had been dismissive.
After all, she was just an actress. Even if she was prettier than other women, how long could beauty alone sustain her? A man like Shang Jie needed a woman who understood him, his dreams, and his ambitions, someone who could support his career, and only such a woman would truly deserve to be by his side for the long term.
Song Jifei believed she was that kind of woman. Her plan was to become Shang Jie’s business partner and work alongside him. Even if he had a pretty but superficial wife, it wouldn’t matter. Successful men were often like that.
However, after meeting Jiang Xingxing in person, she gradually realized that despite her high education and strong work abilities, her mindset couldn’t compare to Jiang Xingxing’s.
For instance, Jiang Xingxing could stand by Shang Jie’s side and handle any situation with calmness, gentleness, and grace.
And in the office earlier, their conversation had left Song Jifei with an awful feeling. If their roles had been reversed and another woman had been so bold in expressing her desire to be with her husband as a mistress, Song Jifei would have probably torn her apart right then and there!
Jiang Xingxing remained calm, composed, and graceful. She didn’t even get angry. When she looked at Shang Jie, her gaze was filled with tenderness.
Song Jifei felt increasingly bitter. She drank more than usual and was now sitting on the couch, her eyes red, slightly out of sorts.
Jiang Xingxing sat beside her and gently tapped her wine glass.
Song Jifei glanced at her, straightened her posture, and put on a fake but graceful smile. This smile was like armor for women, as if wearing it made them invincible.
“Shang Jie speaks directly. You don’t need to take it to heart.” Jiang Xingxing told her. “But when it comes to work, he’s always serious.”
“I know.”
Song Jifei thought to herself, I probably know better than you.
“You’re very capable, and Shang Jie values talent. He hopes you’ll focus all your energy on your work and help him. I believe he’ll offer more opportunities for your career to flourish.”
Song Jifei had thought Jiang Xingxing was coming to assert her dominance and mock her, but instead, Jiang Xingxing was trying to recruit talent for Shang Jie.
What was this woman’s heart made of?
Wasn’t her meaning clear enough? She wasn’t just trying to be Shang Jie’s business partner; she wanted to be his lover too.
Jiang Xingxing had come over to comfort her? A woman who could do that was either not in love with the man and didn’t care, or… she trusted him so much that she knew he would never betray her.
In fact, Shang Jie was that kind of man.
Song Jifei still clung to a small hope and looked at her. “Do you like his money?”
Women who only cared about money wouldn’t care whether their husbands had mistresses.
Jiang Xingxing was surprised by the question and replied, “A handsome, considerate man with a six-pack stands before me, and you think I should like a bunch of cash that smells like greasy fingerprints?”
For a moment, Song Jifei was speechless. Even she couldn’t remain indifferent to a man like that.
“So you’re not going to leave him?”
“Miss Song, you speak very interestingly. May I ask why I should leave him?”
Song Jifei was clearly drunk, her words lacking discretion but revealing her true thoughts: “You don’t deserve him. Apart from being beautiful, you have nothing. You can’t help him with his career, and you don’t understand his dreams. You’re just a pretty vase standing next to him. He needs you to embellish his career now, but when you grow old, will he even spare you a second glance?”
Jiang Xingxing smiled calmly: “You say I’m beautiful, but the look you gave me at first, I’m very familiar with. I often encountered it before. I think… you didn’t really consider me as a particularly beautiful girl. And now, you’re saying this, simply because you are very confused inside.”
Song Jifei looked at Jiang Xingxing in surprise, not expecting her to see through her so clearly. Indeed, at first, she never took her seriously. Even though she was beautiful, she had scars on her face—what kind of threat could she pose?
Right now, she was confused. She couldn’t understand what kind of ability this woman had to become Shang Jie’s wife—the young mistress of the Shang Group. She could only use “beauty” as an excuse to convince herself, and that was it.
“Miss Song, you might not be aware of my relationship with Mr. Shang. We’ve known each other since we were very young. Back then, he even had to call me ‘little sister.’”
Song Jifei looked at her in surprise. “You knew each other as children?”
Jiang Xingxing’s lips curled into a faint, indifferent smile. Since Song Jifei was confused, she might as well clear things up for her.
“I am the daughter of the Shen family. Due to certain circumstances, I was separated from my parents at a young age. Fortunately, Shang Jie found me. If it weren’t for him recognizing me, I might never have had the chance to reunite with my biological parents in this lifetime.”
“The Shen family you’re talking about—is it the Shen Group?”
“The Shen family that has been close family friends with the Shang family—other than the Shen Group, what other Shen family could there be in a city as big as Jiangcheng?”
Song Jifei was completely stunned. “You’re the daughter of the Shen family?”
How could this be? She had just looked up information on her—this actress had no significant family background at all. In Song Jifei’s understanding, Jiang Xingxing was nothing more than a gold digger, using her fame to climb up the social ladder and attach herself to Shang Jie.
But now, the so-called “gold digger” had suddenly transformed into the heiress of the prestigious Shen family. And hardly anyone even knew about it. Such discretion showed her class.
Song Jifei’s emotions were incredibly complicated.
She was outstanding in every way—except for one shortcoming: her family background was too ordinary. She was particularly sensitive about her origins, and her ambition was strong, making her highly driven by gains and losses.
She never believed in the idea of “marrying within one’s social class.” She loved watching inspirational workplace dramas, where a rookie employee works hard, earns the admiration of the CEO, and ends up achieving both career success and love. She believed she could be like Du Lala—becoming a powerful career woman while also securing a love that transcended social status.
But today, Jiang Xingxing shattered the dream she had woven for herself.
“I’ve said all I needed to, Miss Song. I hope you focus on your work and refrain from making embarrassing attempts. That is my advice to you.”
Although Jiang Xingxing had a good temperament and rarely argued with others, even after she won the Golden Palm Award for Best Actress, she was still very respectful on set, always listening to the director, treating people kindly, and having good relationships.
She could let go of everything, even the fact that Shen Nian Nian had replaced her as the Shen family’s young lady, but one thing she couldn’t tolerate was anyone eyeing Shang Jie. On this matter, she would firmly defend her territory and show her sharp claws.
……
Ming Jin went back to his hometown to handle some matters and entrusted Ming Jue to Jiang Xingxing, asking her to look after her.
That day, Jiang Xingxing finished work early and passed by Ming Jue’s school, calling her out to take her for steak.
Ming Jue had just finished rehearsing for a school play and ran out, sweating. Jiang Xingxing reached out to wipe the sweat from her forehead and said, “You, stop acting like a child. You’re already 19, almost an adult.”
Ming Jue made a hand gesture and said, “Twenty.”
“Already twenty.”
She nodded, her small oval face glowing with a rosy hue, looking fresh and beautiful.
Jiang Xingxing took her to a Western restaurant, sat down, and ordered food. Ming Jue asked Jiang Xingxing, “What’s my sister going back home for?”
“That house your dad left behind, she plans to sell it. She’s going back to handle this matter.”
Ming Jue showed a hint of worry on her face. “Do you think she can manage it?”
“Your sister is a capable person, why wouldn’t she manage?” Jiang Xingxing sliced her steak and replied.
“Can our relatives let her sell the house?”
“Your sister has her plans. Don’t worry, she’s not alone.”
Hearing this, Ming Jue raised her head, looking curious. “Who else?”
“Your little Lu brother.”
“Lu Wuque? He needs someone to look after him, how can he take care of my sister?”
Jiang Xingxing smiled. “No, it’s Lu Linchuan.”
Ming Jue widened her eyes, her expression turning somewhat strange. She let out a long “Wow.”
Jiang Xingxing tapped her on the head, smiling. “What’s with the ‘wow’?”
“I think that Assistant Lu is pretty good,” Ming Jue said with a very satisfied look. “Really, better than Lu Wuque.”
“Then tell me, what’s wrong with Lu Wuque?”
Ming Jue frowned. “Well… don’t be fooled by how attentive he was when pursuing my sister. Actually, he loves giving orders. Even to pour water, he makes me do it. Every time he came over for dinner, he never liked washing dishes, always pretending to, and making me wash them. If he ended up with my sister, I’d be miserable.”
It seems Ming Jue had a lot of resentment toward Lu Wuque, but no wonder, since he was the young master of the Lu family, spoiled and pampered growing up. He had that “little master” attitude in everything he did, even in his pursuit of women. He thought that being persistent would win over Ming Jin eventually.
Ming Jin was the type who preferred quality over quantity. If she wasn’t interested, no matter how much someone pursued, it wouldn’t work. Even though she had rejected Lu Wuque many times, she didn’t dare speak too harshly, fearing that offending him would cause trouble later on.
It was mentally exhausting dealing with his persistent attempts all these years.
“What do you think of Lu Linchuan?” Jiang Xingxing asked Ming Jue. “Would you be happy if he becomes your brother-in-law?”
“I don’t know him that well, but he seems pretty good. Every time I’ve seen him, he’s been quiet, very composed.”
Jiang Xingxing smiled and said, “So you like it when people are silent, huh?”
“Silence is good. I don’t like talking to people I’m not familiar with.”
It seemed like she and Lin Chuan had some similarities in this regard. However, Lin Chuan wasn’t silent because he was introverted; it was just that after so many years of being around Shang Jie, he had developed a steady, calm temperament—unassuming and not flashy.
The two were eating their meal when they seemed to hear a dispute coming from the other side of the restaurant. As soon as the sharp female voice reached her ears, Jiang Xingxing felt goosebumps rise on her skin.
She looked in the direction of the noise and, sure enough, spotted Shen Nian Nian—no, she should be called Qin Xiaoli.
Qin Xiaoli, dressed in a waitress uniform, was arguing with a table of guests: “Who do you think you are, eating at such a cheap restaurant! Do you want VIP service too?!”
“How dare you speak like that! Get your manager!”
A manager in a suit hurriedly approached: “Sorry, sorry, if you need anything, just let me know.”
The customer, furious, said, “What kind of staff are you training here? The attitude is terrible!”
Qin Xiaoli crossed her arms and coldly mocked, “Someone like him, I would never even glance at before. Now I have to serve him—what a joke!”
“How dare you insult us!” The man exclaimed. “My son aced his math exam this semester and wanted to eat steak, so I brought him here. He’s not used to using forks and knives. I asked for chopsticks, and you said you didn’t have any. You insulted us—what’s wrong with you?!”
Qin Xiaoli rolled her eyes, “Open your eyes and look around. Do you even know where you are? You want chopsticks? You people are low-class, you lower the tone of our restaurant just by being here.”
A woman standing nearby trying to mediate couldn’t hold back anymore: “You may be young, but where’s your manners? We might be from out of town, but you can’t treat people like this!”
“I do look down on you!” Qin Xiaoli glared at them coldly. “I used to be the daughter of a rich family. Serving people like you just lowers my standards!”
“Forget it, we’re leaving. We don’t need this kind of treatment.” The woman pulled her husband and child to leave.
The manager quickly stopped them and repeatedly apologized, offering to waive their bill and set them up in a private room with new dishes.
After calming the guests, the manager turned to Qin Xiaoli, his once gentle face now twisted with anger. He pointed at her and said sharply, “Go back to being a rich girl if that’s what you want. We can’t afford you here. What a disgrace!”
“Fine, I’ll leave. I only came to your restaurant because you were barely a three-star. I thought it might be worth it. But now I see, your place is going downhill!” Qin Xiaoli shot back.
“Get out! Don’t ever show your face here again! What kind of ‘rich girl’ are you? Keep dreaming!”
Jiang Xingxing turned her attention back to Ming Jue, who had been watching the scene. “None of this is your concern, just keep eating.”
“Xingxing Jie, is she the one… the girl who caused you to lose your home before?”
“Yes.”
“Wow, eye-opening. She’s so foolish!”
Jiang Xingxing smiled, “You’re calling her weird, but you’re just like her, a little immature.”
“I’m not like her. She’s from a lower class but looks down on people from the same background. She’s obsessed with wealth, it’s ridiculous.”
“Just eat your meal.”
Qin Xiaoli was thrown out of the restaurant, her clothes and belongings tossed out along with her. Now she had nowhere to stay.
Her uncle, Qin Zaolin, had hoped she would rely on the Shen family, continue being the Shen family’s young lady, and help the Qin family. But now, the Shen family didn’t even acknowledge her. All her cards had been canceled, and she was out of money.
Her uncle and aunt didn’t want to support someone who did nothing but eat and had a bad temper, so they kicked her out.
Desperate, Qin Xiaoli went to ask Shen Chuyan for help. After helping her a few times, Shen Chuyan finally gave her the cold shoulder when it seemed like she’ll ask for help endlessly.
Unable to even feed herself, Qin Xiaoli had to humble herself and look for a job. But she had no skills, and big companies wouldn’t hire her. Fortunately, her appearance was decent. After years of high-end skincare, her skin was supple, and she passed the interview for a high-end restaurant. But she didn’t even make it through the trial period before being fired.
Standing by the window of the restaurant, Qin Xiaoli saw Jiang Xingxing. Through the glass, Jiang Xingxing noticed her as well.
She had changed out of her uniform and was wearing the same white princess dress she had worn earlier. The dress was dirty, as she didn’t know how to wash clothes, so she never did. All her branded clothes had been sold off by her uncle and aunt to pay off debts, leaving her with barely anything.
Down and out, Jiang Xingxing felt no sympathy for her. This was all her own doing—no one else was to blame.
Ming Jue said, “Xingxing Jie, it feels a bit uncomfortable with her staring at me while I eat.”
Jiang Xingxing called over the waiter, closed the curtains, and blocked the face that resembled hers but was filled with resentment.
Shang Jie arranged for the best plastic surgery hospital in the country to help Jiang Xingxing repair the scar on her forehead. Two months later, when the bandages were removed, the scar that had troubled her for over twenty years was gone.
Jiang Xingxing looked at the nearly perfect smooth skin on her forehead, a smile spreading across her face.
Shang Jie, sitting at his desk, casually remarked, “Do you look in the mirror every half hour? How many times do you check yourself daily? Isn’t it tiring?”
Jiang Xingxing snorted coldly, “You really mind your own business.”
Shang Jie put down the document in his hands and looked up. “Come here and let me see.”
Jiang Xingxing walked over to him with a small mirror. Shang Jie lifted her up, placed her on his lap, and then gently cupped her face to study it closely.
“How is it? Did I become more beautiful?”
“Mm…”
“Mm what? Say something.”
He raised his beautiful peach blossom eyes, smiling as he asked, “What do you want me to say?”
Jiang Xingxing adjusted his tie and collar. “Can I ask for anything?”
“Of course.”
“Then you say, ‘Our Xingxing is so beautiful, so beautiful!'”
Shang Jie’s lips curled into a smile. “Our Xingxing is so foolish, so foolish.”
“Tch.” Jiang Xingxing released his collar and tried to pull away.
But unexpectedly, Shang Jie held her slender waist, not wanting to let her leave so easily.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, the sunset painted the sky with large fiery clouds. The twilight enveloped them both in a soft halo of light. In the sunlight, his brown eyes were incredibly beautiful, like translucent glass marbles.
His long lashes gently swept down, dark and thick, as he gazed at her affectionately, his fingers gently tracing her chin.
“The luckiest thing in Shang Jie’s life is finding Jiang Xingxing.”
“Eh…”
Jiang Xingxing looked at him, caught off guard by his sudden confession.
“The second luckiest thing is, by some twist of fate, marrying Jiang Xingxing.”
A smile bloomed at the corners of Jiang Xingxing’s eyes, and she reached out to wrap her arms around his neck. “Then, what’s the third luckiest thing?”
“The third luckiest thing…”
Shang Jie gently bit her lower lip, his voice soft as he said, “Is that all my luck in life is tied to you.”
The end.
Sansukini: The end of the main text. 10 more chapters for the EXTRAS. Personally, I feel like this is a satisfying ending. It’s so sweet.
The extras will feature the side character CPs of Lin Chuan and Shang Jie’s cousin, Shang Huaizheng.
Thanks for visiting. If you like this story, then I’m shamelessly asking you to visit NovelUpdates and give a 5⭐ review. (人❛ᴗ❛)♪тнайк чоц♪(❛ᴗ❛*人)
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