The Spring Festival flew by, and Wen Yi, now nearly four months along, was starting to show. Her chest had also grown a bit, but fortunately, winter clothing hid these changes well.

On the seventh day, work resumed. Professor Qin, having winter break, comfortably tinkered with his research at home. As Wen Yi prepared to leave, he thoughtfully asked if she wanted a ride. While she was tempted to accept her husband’s caring gesture, she declined—her work involved running between her office and hospitals, and without a car, it would be inconvenient.

As soon as she entered the office, Song Qingqing leaned over to greet her. “Happy New Year, Master! Wishing you great success!”

Wen Yi playfully nudged her head away and pulled a red envelope out of her bag. “Here’s a lucky start for the new year. But no slacking this year! I’ve mentioned to the manager that I want to boost your team’s performance ratings. If you don’t do well, you’ll be kicked out of the ‘master’s circle’!”

Song Qingqing raised four fingers and pledged, “I’ll finish all tasks, no question!”

The first day back was predictably packed with meetings, led by Wei Yuan. The meeting agenda revolved around past reviews and future goals, sprinkled with promises of rewards—quarterly, monthly, team, and personal. There was so much “pie in the sky” that Wen Yi joked there’d be no need for lunch.

Near the end, Wei Yuan touched upon some potential position adjustments, assuring that since their department had scored zero incidents in self-assessments and upper-level inspections, major changes weren’t expected. Wen Yi felt a bit more at ease until Wei Yuan asked her to stay after the meeting. It was like being asked to stay after class—rarely a good sign.

Once her colleagues left, Wei Yuan shut the door and gave her a scrutinizing look, especially at her abdomen. Wen Yi’s heart sank.

“Are you pregnant?” he asked.

Unlike the “friendly” figure he presented at the hotpot gathering, he was now all business. Wen Yi thought it over and decided not to hide it. “Yes, Mr. Wei.”

Wei Yuan took a sip of his tea, a cryptic smile on his face. “I thought it was unusual for you to get married so quickly—not like you. Did you really like this man that much? Enough to marry him, go against your principles, and even have his child?”

Clearly, he had some misconceptions, but Wen Yi wasn’t about to explain. “Mr. Wei, if you have something to say, just say it.”

“What does he have that I don’t? Is he good-looking? What career advantages can he offer you? I hear he’s just a university math professor? Is that really all the ambition you have, Wen Yi?”

Her head throbbed.

Wei Yuan’s smile faded, and he leaned forward, fixing her with a serious stare. “You know the nature of this role. It can’t wait for a year or two.”

It was the conversation she’d dreaded. She took a deep breath. “Mr. Wei, I believe this doesn’t impact my work. My commitment and output for the company remain unchanged. I plan to handle my responsibilities meticulously and will manage my team closely.”

“I believe you,” Wei Yuan replied with a smile. “But those above us don’t see it that way. I’ll try to put in a good word for you, but whatever the outcome, be prepared.”

As Wei Yuan left, Wen Yi sat alone, lost in thought. The situation was worse than she’d feared. Though Wei Yuan’s words were vague, the implication was clear—he was prepared to let her go.

Unable to make sense of it, she went to find Tian Jia.

Tian Jia had heard rumors and whispered two words to her: “Yan Fu.”

Wen Yi asked, “Has the candidate list for the Strategic Innovation Department been submitted?”

“It has. Wei Yuan’s name is on it,” Tian Jia whispered in her ear. “The deputy director overseeing this has connections with Yan Fu’s family. Yan Fu’s aunt is close friends with the deputy director’s wife.”

A chill ran through Wen Yi. Her pregnancy wasn’t the issue at all; she was in her probation period, meaning that if her performance ratings from higher-ups and colleagues dropped, she couldn’t be confirmed in her role. And Wei Yuan and Yan Fu held the majority of influence.

What Wen Yi had once thought would be her shield—an internal promotion—was turning into her downfall. Even without the pregnancy, Wei Yuan would likely sacrifice her to curry favor with Yan Fu.

Seeing her distress, Tian Jia tried to comfort her. “You’re talented, Wen Yi. Even if you take a break, you’ll bounce back. And if you’re reassigned to administration, you’ll have more time to rest, focus on your baby, and make connections. That department is the easiest way to reach leadership. With your experience, they’re sure to value you.”

Wen Yi shook her head. “It’s not that simple, Jia Jia. None of our senior managers came from administration.”

Tian Jia froze. Wen Yi’s words were true.

“And have you thought that Wei Yuan might not be planning to reassign me at all? He may just want to demote me back to sales, giving the whole eastern region to Yan Fu.”

Tian Jia was left speechless.

That evening, Wen Yi felt too distracted to work and reached out to her former mentor, planning to visit her after hours.

Her mentor, Chen Mingyue, had left the company due to family issues—her child had suffered a serious illness, making it impossible to balance both. Even after she left, Wen Yi frequently visited, and they remained close.

When she arrived, Chen Mingyue’s four-year-old, Lele, ran up, sweetly saying, “Auntie Wen Yi, it’s been so long since you visited!”

Wen Yi scooped him up. “Did you miss me?”

“Of course!”

Chen Mingyue reminded her, “You’re pregnant. Be careful he doesn’t kick your belly.”

“No worries, Lele’s a good boy.”

Lele happily agreed, “Yes! Lele is very good!”

After playing with him for a bit, Wen Yi joined her mentor in the kitchen. “Your husband isn’t back yet?”

“He’s working late. When he’s at work, he forgets he even has a family.”

Wen Yi sympathized. “It must be hard, Mingyue.”

Chen Mingyue, cooking, asked, “We missed your wedding because we were back in our hometown. What happened? Did you really marry in such a rush?”

Wen Yi leaned against the counter. “It’s more like a shotgun wedding.”

“Basically the same,” Chen Mingyue, speaking from experience, said. “But you knew marriage would mean sacrifices for your career. So, what’s your plan with what’s happening at work?”

Wen Yi playfully gave her a thumbs up. “Even after leaving, you’re still in the loop.”

“The medical sales industry is tiny. You’re a rising star in this field, impossible not to notice.”

Wen Yi had always drawn attention—her looks, charm, and success were notable among doctors and peers alike. She’d faced envy and obstacles before, but her clean reputation had kept her safe, allowing her to reach this point.

Chen Mingyue said, “I advised you back then not to get close to Wei Yuan. And you didn’t listen.”

Wen Yi lowered her head. “I was too young back then. But today’s issue has nothing to do with that.”

“Oh, really?” said Chen Mingyue. “Then why stand by him? Everyone outside thinks you’re his ‘person.’ No one else cares what happens to you.”

“… Mingyue.” Wen Yi almost wanted to cry. How was she to know Yan Fu had an influential aunt?

Chen Mingyue gave her a stern look. “Now grab a plate for this dish.”

Wen Yi grabbed a plate and took the food to the table, picking up Lele on the way back to the kitchen.

“It’ll be hard to resolve this. Unless you have better connections than Yan Fu.”

Wen Yi sighed heavily. If she had those connections, she wouldn’t have had to struggle for six years just to become a manager.

Chen Mingyue asked, “Does your husband have any connections?”

Wen Yi shook her head. She wasn’t sure. Qin Nanshan’s uncle was in business—hospital-related business, no less. But she knew how Qin Nanshan’s family felt about her; reaching out now would mean facing judgment. She couldn’t bring herself to do it.