Chapter 38.2

Lu Yi had expected the worst—termination—so she was surprised to hear it was merely a reassignment. Sister Wei had likely advocated for her behind the scenes.

“I know your abilities, and I hope this won’t affect your confidence. Keep up the good work,” Sister Wei encouraged.

“Thank you, Sister Wei.”

“Alright, back to work.”

When Lu Yi left the office, her colleagues surrounded her to ask what had happened. She relayed the news truthfully.

“Wow, I can’t decide if that’s a punishment or a reward,” one colleague remarked. “But honestly, stepping back is probably for the best. No need to deal with that jerk anymore.”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief on her behalf, some even feeling envious.

Working on this project drained life from anyone who touched it.

Lu Yi had no complaints about the company’s decision—it was likely the best possible outcome.

But strangely, she felt a sudden lack of interest.

She had once enjoyed curating exhibitions, brainstorming creative ideas with colleagues, and dedicating herself to meaningful work. But it seemed that, more often than not, her energy was consumed by distractions outside of her actual job.

Meanwhile, Song Zhixing confirmed that Yi Xing had taken action. Although he wasn’t entirely satisfied with simply removing her from the project team, it was enough to placate him. He responded to their message with a request for future professionalism in handling such matters.

[You can rest assured, we will. This incident serves as a wake-up call, and we’ll ensure our staff maintain a professional attitude.]

Satisfied, Song Zhixing closed the chat.

Later that afternoon, he received a call from home, asking him to come back.

After work, Song Zhixing drove straight to his family home. His eldest and second brothers, along with their wives, were already there. He casually grabbed a drink from the fridge and asked, “What’s the occasion? Why’s everyone here?”

The Song family was involved in both business and politics. His two brothers ran successful ventures with annual profits in the hundreds of millions. While Song Zhixing himself wasn’t particularly accomplished, he’d always relied on their support to live comfortably.

“What’s with the long faces? What happened?” he asked.

His mother was the first to speak. “Your brothers’ factories were inspected today.”

“Isn’t that routine? Doesn’t Uncle usually give a heads-up so they can prepare and get through it?” That was how it always worked.

His mother’s face darkened. “The problem is that this time it was a surprise inspection. Even your uncle didn’t know about it. And they actually found issues—serious ones. The factories might have to shut down for rectification.”

The bottle cap in Song Zhixing’s hand froze. “That serious?”

“What’s worse is that your brothers just signed a major contract. If production halts, they won’t be able to deliver and will face astronomical penalties for breach of contract,” his mother continued. She fixed him with a sharp gaze. “Zhixing, have you offended someone recently?”

All eyes turned to him.

“You all know my job. Who could I possibly offend?” Song Zhixing replied, though his voice lacked confidence. He thought of Lu Yi but quickly dismissed the idea. She was just an employee, after all.

Her husband might have some money, but not the kind of power to orchestrate this.

It couldn’t be. Surely not.

His second brother wasn’t convinced. His sharp gaze bore into him. “Zhixing, I’m telling you, this isn’t just bad luck. Someone is targeting our family. Are you certain you haven’t crossed the wrong person?”

Song Zhixing slumped into a chair, dazed. “I don’t know. It might not even be me.”

“Zhixing, understand this: if we can’t figure out who’s behind this and what they want, the entire Song family might go down.”

This wasn’t the end.

It was just the beginning.

—

As the wedding approached, Mrs. Xu became increasingly emotional. She triple-checked every detail daily and retrieved the family heirloom bracelet from the bank’s safe deposit box, explaining that it had been passed down from Lu Yi’s grandmother. She teared up as she spoke.

Mrs. Xu was sentimental, and the reality of her daughter truly leaving home hit her hard.

Lu Yi decided to stay with her parents for a few days. She mentioned it to Lin Jinshen, who didn’t object.

She also brought Puff with her—everything the cat needed was already there, so all she had to bring was the cat itself.

Returning home, the unease from work dissipated entirely for Lu Yi. The first thing she did was head to her bedroom, which was spotless, exactly as she had left it.

“I didn’t touch your stuff. I’m the one who cleans your room,” Mrs. Xu leaned against the doorframe and motioned for her to come out for some sweet soup.

The family of three sat neatly at the dining table, sipping soup.

Lu Kangcheng jokingly reported to Lu Yi, “Ever since you moved out, your mom checks your room three times a day.”

“That’s odd. When I was here, she hardly looked at me,” Lu Yi grinned as she teased, spoon in hand, looking at Mrs. Xu.

“What’s there to look at? Don’t you know the saying: absence makes the heart grow fonder?” Mrs. Xu retorted without missing a beat. “You’re only staying a few days this time. Stay one day too long, and I’ll start resenting you.”

“Then I’ll stay until you’re sick of me and kick me out.”

Lu Kangcheng chuckled over his soup, “Guess you’ll never leave, then.”

Faced with the playful banter of the father and daughter duo, Mrs. Xu had to put on a show of irritation, pretending to shoo both of them away in mock annoyance.

After their sweet soup, they went for a walk. Lu Yi fastened a leash onto Puff. The little cat initially resisted leaving the house, seemingly scared of the outside world. However, once out of the elevator and into the open, it darted around, sniffing enthusiastically like a little dog.

Mrs. Xu brought up the wedding venue, an island castle chosen by the Lin family.

She admitted she initially thought it unnecessary to be so extravagant. The wedding budget, to her, seemed ridiculously over the top, but the Lin family insisted, wanting only the best.

“I didn’t agree with you marrying into the Lin family at first, but now I see you made the right choice,” Mrs. Xu said, then asked, “How are things between you and Jinshen?”

Lu Yi gave her usual answer: “We’re doing well.”

“Don’t just say ‘doing well.’ You’ve been living together for two months now. Surely, you’ve formed an opinion about him.”

“He’s good.”

“Very good.”

Mrs. Xu shot her a warning look, prompting Lu Yi to laugh. Though serious in her response, Lu Yi struggled to articulate specifics about Lin Jinshen’s qualities.

Finally, she provided an example: “He actually doesn’t like Puff—more accurately, he doesn’t like cats. On the first day, he even wanted to toss her out.”

Lu Yi vividly recalled his initial reaction to Puff—disgust and shock, as if the cat were some alien creature. He had even asked if it was alive, overdramatically threatening to throw her out wrapped in a blanket.

Hearing her name, Puff stopped in her tracks, looked back with a confused meow as if to ask, What’s up?

“But now,” Lu Yi continued, “he pets her. They get along pretty well.”

Mrs. Xu nodded in understanding.

In the world, there aren’t many perfect matches. Most relationships involve adjustments and compromises. People change for love.

“Maybe it’s not perfect yet,” Lu Yi added. “But I think it’ll get better.”

That summed up her feelings. They still had a long journey to walk together.

As if summoned by her thoughts, something unexpected happened.

Returning home from the walk, the leash suddenly tightened as Puff darted forward. Following the pull, Lu Yi looked up to see a familiar tall figure standing a few steps away.

“Jinshen’s here? Didn’t you say you’d stay here for a few days?” Mrs. Xu assumed Lin Jinshen had come to pick Lu Yi up.

Lu Yi also misunderstood, thinking she had failed to communicate her plans clearly.

“Mom,” Lin Jinshen greeted politely.

Freshly out of his car, he held his jacket draped over one arm. The soft glow of the streetlights highlighted his sharp features, making him look like a dignified professor.

Puff rubbed against his pant leg, welcoming him warmly.

Meanwhile, the driver unloaded luggage from the car.

Both Mrs. Xu and Lu Yi froze briefly. Was this a sign that he planned to stay?

Mrs. Xu chuckled and teased, “I thought you were here to take our little princess back home.”

Lu Yi, however, felt her face heat at her mother’s mention of “little princess.” While this nickname was occasionally used privately, it had never been brought up in front of others.

Lin Jinshen replied calmly, “No, I might trouble you both for a few days.”

“Come in quickly; it’s hot outside,” Mrs. Xu ushered him in. Lu Kangcheng emerged from the study upon hearing the noise.

“Jinshen, when did you arrive?”

“Just now. I ran into Mom and Lu Yi outside.”

“…”

“Lu Yi didn’t even mention you were coming,” Lu Kangcheng said, clearly unprepared.

Lin Jinshen replied gracefully, “That’s my fault for not making it clear to her.”

In truth, he hadn’t mentioned it at all.

As they changed into indoor slippers, their shoulders brushed. Lu Yi shot him a questioning look, which he met with a composed smile.

“Didn’t I tell you before?” he said quietly. “If you wanted to come back, I’d stay with you.”

“…”

She had no recollection of that whatsoever. Even if he had said it, she hadn’t taken it seriously.

“Have you eaten? Would you like some sweet soup?” Mrs. Xu asked, calling for the housekeeper to prepare some. Then, she turned to Lu Yi. “Take Jinshen upstairs, show him where to put his things, and wash up before coming down for dinner.”

“…Okay.”

The second floor was Lu Yi’s territory, apart from the study. It was decorated in her preferred style—minimalist yet romantic, with a hint of girlish charm.

“This way,” she said, leading the way.

Lin Jinshen followed with his luggage in hand. It wasn’t much, and he carried it upstairs effortlessly.

At the door to her room, Lu Yi reached for the doorknob when Lin Jinshen casually asked, “Anything I should know before entering the princess’s room?”

“Like, any rules about what I can’t touch?”

“…”

She froze, closing her eyes. He had clearly latched onto that “little princess” comment.

Not only that—he had perfectly mirrored the teasing tone she had used when visiting his room previously.

Releasing the doorknob, she turned around, her face already warm. Masking her embarrassment with a serious expression, she said, “Yes. Nothing stinky allowed.”

Lin Jinshen gazed at her, his deep eyes like whirlpools drawing her in.

He leaned closer, his voice low. “Then smell me. Do I pass?”

The sudden proximity and his question left her flustered. Her cheeks burned, and the air felt stifling.

From downstairs, Mrs. Xu called out, “Done yet? Should I send up some soup?”

“!?”

“No, we’re coming down now!” Lu Yi responded, her voice betraying her embarrassment.

She looked as though she had been teased, and Lin Jinshen sealed the moment with a light kiss on her lips.

As composed as ever, he corrected her just like he had before at the banquet:

“We’re a proper married couple, not some secret affair.”

“No need to be so nervous.”