Chapter 29

Jiang Sixun carefully placed the coffee cups and saucers back into their box. The last time he had opened this box was on October 25, six years ago, the day before Zhiyi’s birthday.

That night, he had set the cups and saucers out in front of him and silently stared at them for nearly two hours.

After struggling all night, he had put the cups away.

On Zhiyi’s birthday, he had given her a necklace. She had said, “This gift isn’t special.”

“I told you, Xu’s mother personally chose the son-in-law. Why didn’t you say anything?” Qi Zhengchen scrutinized the silent figure before him.

Jiang Sixun retorted, “Wasn’t I listening to you?”

After finishing a glass of water, Qi Zhengchen went to refill it.

“Zhiyi doesn’t like matchmaking either, but she actually went today,” he said, staring at his glass thoughtfully. “Maybe she and Shang Yun could really work out.”

Jiang Sixun pushed the box with the Midsummer Night’s Dream designs toward the coffee table, not putting it back in the cabinet, and replied, “They won’t work out.”

Qi Zhengchen, distracted, didn’t catch his response.

Jiang Sixun looked at him and said, “You should be grateful that we grew up together.”

Qi Zhengchen suddenly smiled, bemused. “What should I be grateful for? For drinking a few glasses of your water?”

At that moment, the aunt came over to ask if they wanted anything to eat, interrupting their conversation.

“Aunt, you only need to cook for him,” Qi Zhengchen said, setting down his glass and preparing to leave.

Jiang Sixun asked, “Do you have other engagements?” His appearance didn’t seem to indicate it.

“No engagements.”

“Going to see a therapist?”

“Yeah, just going to chat for a couple of hours. Being here just adds to my frustration.”

“Don’t go. It hasn’t seemed to help much anyway.”

Qi Zhengchen stood up and put on his suit. “It’s not really a sickness, so what kind of effect could it have? When I’m feeling unsettled, I need to find an outlet. You know I don’t want advice; therapists don’t give me advice.”

Jiang Sixun tilted his chin slightly. “Sit down. I’ll handle it for you from now on.”

Qi Zhengchen looked at Jiang Sixun in disbelief. “Are you joking?”

Jiang Sixun replied with a straight face, “Do I look like I’m joking?”

“I didn’t know you had this talent,” Qi Zhengchen said, still astonished.

“I’m offering you desensitization therapy, not giving you advice.” Jiang Sixun rolled up his shirt sleeves and went to the wine cabinet to open a bottle of red wine.

Seeing how serious Jiang Sixun was, Qi Zhengchen took off his suit jacket and sat back down. “What kind of desensitization therapy?”

Jiang Sixun poured two glasses of red wine and handed one to Qi Zhengchen. “This therapy has quite a kick.”

Qi Zhengchen suddenly felt uneasy. “Are you sure this is going to work? Don’t mess things up.”

Jiang Sixun sat directly across from him. “Have you ever thought about what kind of person you’d like Zhiyi to marry?”

Of course, Qi Zhengchen had thought about it—he just couldn’t get past it.

“If she does get married, what kind of person would you want for her? Don’t beat around the bush.”

Qi Zhengchen took a sip of wine and replied, “Someone who loves her unconditionally.”

Jiang Sixun, holding his wine glass, revealed the veins on the back of his hand from the tension. He said slowly, “I’ve always loved her unconditionally. And there are plenty of people in our circle who do too.”

Qi Zhengchen nearly choked on his wine, startled by the response. He waved his hand, feeling anxious. “Alright, alright, your desensitization therapy might just kill me.”

Jiang Sixun replied, “I haven’t even started the real therapy yet.”

Qi Zhengchen was speechless.

“When Zhiyi was younger, my father had no thoughts about arranging a marriage. Now that she’s grown up, who knows?” Jiang Sixun continued. “If Zhiyi marries someone else, it will be like a knife in your heart. If she ends up with me, it’ll be like having two knives in your heart—one or two knives, it all feels the same.”

Qi Zhengchen’s heartbeat felt like it was out of his chest. He downed his wine quickly to calm his nerves and wiped his sweaty back.

It was cold sweat.

“That’s not desensitization therapy; it’s a life-threatening therapy! Good thing you’re not getting married.” He couldn’t bring himself to think further.

Jiang Sixun finished his glass of wine in one gulp. He wanted to say that his decision not to marry was already wavering but was concerned that pushing Qi Zhengchen too hard might push him over the edge.

He needed to give him some time to process.

“I’m leaving. If I stay here any longer, I might not make it through the night.” He picked up his suit jacket. “By the way, you…” Qi Zhengchen hesitated, wanting to ask about Jiang’s mother but then swallowed the question.

He had wanted to ask if Jiang Sixun knew that his mother frequently visited a therapist for conversations. Coincidentally, on the day he visited his therapist, he had received a call in his car, and when he looked up, he saw Jiang’s mother’s car slowly driving by.

The therapy office was in a villa area, so it wasn’t a place someone would visit casually.

---

After leaving Jiang Sixun’s apartment, Qi Zhengchen stood in the wind for a while, letting the sweat on his back dry. He called Jiang Yue Ru, who was home.

“Aunt, can I come over for dinner?”

“Of course, come on over. I just got home and haven’t eaten yet.”

On the way, Qi Zhengchen bought a bouquet of flowers. The arrangement was elegant, fresh, and delicate, though he didn’t know its name, so he just told the florist it was for an elder in the family.

Jiang Yue Ru, who had been hospitalized a few times in the past two years, was now on a light diet. Upon receiving Qi Zhengchen’s call, she had the maid prepare a few extra dishes.

When Qi Zhengchen arrived, the dining table was already set up in the yard, and the dishes were plentiful.

After greetings, he handed the flowers to the maid and washed his hands before sitting at the table. He had dined here enough times to feel at home, picking up chopsticks and chatting with Jiang Yue Ru as they ate.

“Aunt, how long have you been going there?” he asked, referring to the therapy.

Jiang Yue Ru responded, “It’s been a while. When work gets too stressful, I spend a couple of hours there. It’s a professional healing room, much more relaxing than being in my own yard.”

Qi Zhengchen smiled, “I thought you were going there for relationship counseling,” assuming she hadn’t moved on from her previous marriage.

So, he hadn’t dared to ask too much when he saw her outside the studio.

Jiang Yue Ru smiled lightly, “There’s nothing much to counsel about my relationship issues. It’s just that when I still loved Lu Jianbo, he fell for someone else.”

Her voice was very soft. “That’s long gone now.”

After a pause, she added, “But you, you got married without telling anyone.”

Qi Zhengchen looked down at his food, feeling it was tasteless. “My mom is probably furious with me.”

After the whirlwind marriage, he had only been home once. On that day, his mother didn’t see him and had Liu Yi inform him that she considered him as if he didn’t exist.

Jiang Yue Ru sighed inwardly, feeling sorry for him. It wasn’t right to scold him more when he was already struggling and needed therapy. “You should visit your mom sometime. Since you’re married now, you should make it work.”

“I never planned to make it work with Zhong Yan Yue,” Qi Zhengchen said.

“…Are you trying to drive your mother to her grave?” Jiang Yue Ru was baffled. “What was the point of getting married then?”

Qi Zhengchen was silent.

Jiang Yue Ru, who once thought Qi Zhengchen was less troublesome than her own rebellious child, now saw that he was just as challenging.

After finishing his meal, Qi Zhengchen spoke up. “I don’t want Zhiyi to feel guilty. Getting married is to show her that I’ve moved on and am doing well.”

Jiang Yue Ru, both speechless and heartbroken, didn’t say much and served him more food.

She was relieved that her rebellious child had resolutely avoided marriage and wouldn’t be troubled by emotional issues. And she wouldn’t be like Qi Zhengchen’s mother, unexpectedly enraged by a sudden marriage.

“Zhiyi went on a blind date today.”

“Who told you that?”

“I saw her with Shang Yun at the restaurant.”

Jiang Yue Ru’s expression softened as she realized why Zhiyi had come over to her place for dinner today—it seemed she had nowhere else to vent her frustration.

---

Jiang Sixun finished dinner alone. With the wine glass nearly empty, he refrained from pouring a third glass, recorked the bottle, and put the red wine back in the fridge.

His phone rang—his cousin, Jiang Shenghe, who was another shareholder in Yuanwei and had once mentored Xu Zhiyi.

Jiang Shenghe got straight to the point, asking if Jiang Sixun had seen Zhiyi’s email. “She’s resigned from all her positions in Manhattan and is coming to Beijing without worrying about her rank. It seems she doesn’t plan to stay at Yuanwei long-term.”

Jiang Sixun was aware that Zhiyi’s reason for staying was that all projects related to Shen Qingfeng were under her responsibility.

Jiang Shenghe continued, “If Zhiyi insists on resigning from her current position, you should approve it and reassign her responsibilities. Yuanwei Capital should be entrusted to her.”

He knew her business skills well from the time he personally trained her, though her management experience was still lacking due to her youth.

“Why not stay at Yuanwei for another two years? While she doesn’t need you for business, you could help her with management. You should continue with the Lu family matters; Yuanwei won’t demand too much of your attention.”

Jiang Sixun agreed, “Fine, the Lu family can wait. I have no real interest in them, but some things need to be addressed.”

After ending the call, Jiang Sixun didn’t check his email. Instead, he called his driver to meet him in the parking garage in ten minutes.

The driver had been to Xu Zhiyi’s place in Beijing before, so he knew the way well and didn’t need a navigation system.

The sky was clear, and a few stars were visible through the sunroof.

The car stopped outside the villa’s gate. The security recognized Jiang’s license plate and let him through.

Jiang Sixun got out with two file folders, using a project as an excuse to visit.

In the living room, only Xu Xiangyi and Xu Yian were present, with no sign of Xu Zhiyi.

“Si Xun, have a seat,” Xu Xiangyi greeted him warmly as usual. Noticing the files in Jiang’s hands, he asked, “Here to talk to Zhiyi about work?”

“Yes, regarding the project.”

Xu Yian was peeling lychees for her daughter and said, “I’ll go upstairs and see what Zhiyi is doing.” Her daughter had gone upstairs over an hour ago to take a shower and hadn’t come down yet.

The bedroom was on the second floor. Xu Yian knocked on the door but got no response.

The door wasn’t locked, so she pushed it open slightly and called, “Zhiyi?”

There was no sound of water in the bathroom. Looking over to the sofa, Xu Yian saw Zhiyi asleep, her hair still damp.

Xu Zhiyi was dreaming about a sports arena, but her partner had changed to Xu Heng, and the opposing team included her second brother and Jiang Sixun. Her second brother hadn’t confessed yet, but promised to always be with her on the court. At that moment, she collapsed on the court, crying uncontrollably.

Just as she was about to call out to her second brother, she woke up suddenly.

Opening her eyes, she realized it had been a dream.

In the past two years, she hadn’t played badminton, only golf with clients.

“Mom,” she said, seeing her mother and pulling up the towel that was slipping off her shoulder.

Xu Yian, with concern, said, “You must be exhausted from all the time spent in the hospital.”

It wasn’t just the hospital duties that had worn her out, but rather the sudden lack of the drive that had kept her going.

Xu Yian went to get a hairdryer from the bathroom. “Si Xun is here; he wants to discuss the project with you.”

Hearing his name, Xu Zhiyi automatically straightened up. “He’s downstairs?”

“Yes.” Xu Yian handed her the hairdryer. “Your dad is downstairs. Let him start talking; I’ll dry your hair.”

In the living room, Xu Xiangyi asked Jiang Sixun if he wanted to smoke.

It had been six years since they last smoked together, and time had flown by like a fleeting moment.

Jiang Sixun declined, “I don’t smoke, but I’ll join you for one.”

“Really? Quit smoking?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Zhiyi doesn’t want me smoking much; she can’t stand the smell.” Xu Xiangyi grabbed his cigarettes and lighter, and they went out to the garden.

Lighting a cigarette, Xu Xiangyi asked about his daughter’s recent work.

Jiang Sixun replied, “The latest project Zhiyi’s handling is still related to Shen Qingfeng.”

Xu Xiangyi nodded. Although he had never found direct evidence of Shen Qingfeng’s involvement in changing the child, he was sure it was her. Zhiyi wanted to handle it herself and didn’t want anyone else involved.

After six years, Shen Qingfeng had let down her guard. The peaceful years had made everyone forget the initial wariness.

Now, Shen Qingfeng was meticulously planning every step for KEVE Technology, which, in fact, benefited Zhiyi.

This approach seemed gentle, but when the time came to strike, it would be most damaging to Shen Qingfeng. He had complied with his daughter’s wishes and intervened a bit, but not excessively.

Xu Xiangyi put out his cigarette and brought up Zhiyi’s blind date from earlier that day. “What did you think of Shang Yun?”

“Not much.”

“…”

Xu Xiangyi was taken aback again, laughing as he scolded, “You and Xu Heng are truly impossible.”

Their responses were identical, making Xu Xiangyi suspect they had conspired together.

“I remember you used to say Shang Yun was someone worth building a close relationship with.”

Jiang Sixun replied, “Business is business, and personal feelings are separate. If there’s a chance to collaborate now, I’d still work with Shang Yun.”

His answer was flawless.

Xu Xiangyi pressed, “Tell me, why aren’t Shang Yun and Zhiyi a good match?”

Jiang Sixun replied, “Ask Xu Heng.”

“Si Xun.” At that moment, He Yian called from upstairs, “Why don’t you and Zhiyi continue your discussion in the study?”

“Sure, Auntie.”

Years of good behavior at Xu Xiangyi and He Yian’s home had earned Jiang Sixun their trust without question.

Carrying the file folder, Jiang Sixun went upstairs. In the hallway on the second floor, he ran into Xu Zhiyi coming out of her bedroom, now dressed in a professional suit.

There were no outsiders present, but she still greeted him with respect, “Mr. Jiang.”

Jiang Sixun handed her the folder, which contained important project documents, but he wasn’t planning to discuss work tonight.

Zhiyi took the folder and opened the study door. “Let’s talk in the study.”

Jiang Sixun said, “I didn’t come here to talk about work.”

“I know.”

He hadn’t discussed work all afternoon at the office, and he wasn’t planning to work late into the night at her home.

In the study, there was only plain drinking water. Zhiyi poured him a glass and said, “Make do with this. I’m too tired to make tea.”

Jiang Sixun handed her the glass of water. “Grandma’s health is stable now. You should take a long vacation. Let’s go to a concert, just the two of us.”

In the past, at the two concerts they attended, Xu Heng or Ning Yun and Ning Yin Qi had always been there.

“Why the sudden urge to accompany me to a concert?”

“Because I haven’t had the chance to do so just with you.”

Zhiyi’s eyes welled up with unshed tears, but her regrets were too numerous to count, and she didn’t want to dwell on them any longer. “Mr. Jiang, did you read the email I sent?”

Jiang Sixun replied, “No. We’ll discuss your future when you return from your vacation.”

Zhiyi smiled. “Discussing it now or after your vacation doesn’t make a difference.”

“Whether it makes a difference or not, we’ll decide when you come back, okay?” Jiang Sixun clarified, “Taking you out during your vacation has nothing to do with Shang Yun. I planned this before I even knew about your blind date.”

Zhiyi decided to go to the concert as a way to bid farewell to the past and to focus on her own life when she returned.

She looked at him. “I’m going to visit that jazz bar again.”

Jiang Sixun met her gaze and replied, “Go ahead.”