Chapter 41: Ye Jiayuan

“Who exactly is in Gangcheng?”

Shen Guannan’s teasing voice lingered in her ears. Fu Chaoying’s fingertips brushed lightly over the screen, and Ye Jiayuan’s cool, deep eyes surfaced in her mind, along with those ambiguous scenes that were impossible to put into words.

Fu Chaoying pulled herself together and chatted with her for a few more lines before lowering the privacy screen again and looking out at the vast sky in the distance.

It still wasn’t time for takeoff. Ye Jiayuan was still breathing the same city’s air as she was.

But Fu Chaoying had already started missing her, even if she refused to admit it.

Lowering her eyes, the corners of her lips lifted faintly. Then she sent Ye Jiayuan a voice message: “Does wife miss me——”

Even though Ye Jiayuan had been the one to bring up that form of address first, Fu Chaoying still felt embarrassed saying it out loud now. And yet a sweetness still rose in her heart.

Did Ye Jiayuan call her that because she already liked her? And what about her?

Fu Chaoying didn’t want to think any further, but then her phone vibrated. When she saw Ye Jiayuan’s reply, it turned out to be only a one-second voice message.

Fu Chaoying tapped it, and a quiet “Mm.” came through her earphones.

It was easy to imagine her cool, composed expression.

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help pouting. Then she long-pressed the screen and sent, “So perfunctory.”

But the next second, the other side replied instantly: “Mm, I know you miss me.”

Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together lightly, then sent another message: “I don’t.”

After that, she turned off her phone screen. Looking out at the sky, the corners of her brows and eyes curved slightly.

Two minutes later, a ringtone sounded inside the car.

It was a call from her aunt, and Fu Chaoying couldn’t help tensing up.

Two seconds later, she answered and asked casually, “Aunt, what’s up?”

Fu Anyun’s voice sounded a little probing. “Xiaoying, have you finished what you were doing?”

“On the way back now,” Fu Chaoying answered flawlessly, while quietly tightening her grip on the steering wheel. “By the way, Aunt, what did you need me for?”

Fu Anyun paused, then her tone grew more subtle. “Aunt Chu said your sister seems to have some kind of situation lately...”

She didn’t finish, but the meaning was already crystal clear.

She must have heard about what happened in Gangcheng as some amusing gossip from Aunt Chu...

Fu Chaoying had previously asked Fu Chaohua not to mention her and Ye Jiayuan to her aunt. Now that her aunt was asking about her cousin’s love life, there was naturally no way she could lay everything out without first asking for permission.

Fu Chaoying’s heart gave a sudden lurch. She hurried to change the subject. “Ah, I’m still driving. How about we talk later?”

Fu Anyun quickly reminded her to drive safely, then said, “Come back to the old residence tonight. I’ve called Xiaohua back too.”

Thinking there was probably also the matter of Grandma’s memorial day to discuss, Fu Chaoying obediently agreed, then immediately hung up.

Right after the call ended, Fu Chaoying quickly made a WeChat call to Fu Chaohua and briefly explained what had happened.

On the other end, Fu Chaohua seemed entirely unconcerned. “It’s fine. After my mom hears about it, she might be too happy to care.”

After all, Fu Chaohua had been single since birth. Back when she was busy with school, Fu Anyun hadn’t dared to push her. Now that she was about to graduate with her doctorate and could find a partner, her mother should be thrilled, right?

But Fu Chaoying had a vague feeling it wasn’t that simple, so she asked, “Then, sis, are you on your way back too? Or...?”

“We’re still at the cafe.”

Fu Chaoying lowered the privacy screen and decisively told the driver to turn back to the cafe.

Since the people involved weren’t there, going back alone might make it hard for her to judge the situation properly.

When Fu Chaoying arrived at the cafe, she just happened to catch the two of them huddled together reading a book. A trace of laughter crept into her eyes, but then she inevitably thought of Ye Jiayuan... and missed her all over again.

“Ahem.” Fu Chaoying let out a playful cough. The two of them looked up in surprise. “Why did you come back?”

Fu Chaoying sat opposite them, relaxed and unhurried, and teased with a smile, “Aren’t you afraid I’ll go back first and tell tales about Senior Dong?”

Dong Muyu smiled lazily. “How could that be? With our relationship, of course we trust you unconditionally.”

Fu Chaohua also smiled. “I didn’t mention a single word about you in front of my mom.”

Fu Chaoying shook her head with a smile, but then saw Dong Muyu stand up. “How about I drive you two back?”

Fu Chaoying politely declined. “Jiayuan-jie lent me her car.”

Dong Muyu gave a slight nod, then chuckled. “Teacher Fu, put in a good word for me, and I’ll owe you one.”

Fu Chaohua bumped her arm lightly. “What kind of relationship is that? Put in what kind of good word?”

Dong Muyu hooked her arm and acted spoiled. “Jiejie——”

Fu Chaoying immediately turned her head. “No, Senior Dong, you...”

It was the first time Fu Chaoying had ever seen Dong Muyu act spoiled... She helplessly turned away at once. “I’ll wait for you in the parking lot, sis.”

Fu Chaohua was laughing like a flower in full bloom. She waved. “Be right there.”

The awkward-flirting phase really was the most fun to ship, Fu Chaoying thought.

Five minutes later, there was a knock on the car door. Fu Chaohua couldn’t hide her smile as she got into the back seat.

Fu Chaoying’s gossip radar instantly went into overdrive. “You two aren’t already together, are you...?”

Fu Chaohua shook her head. “We’re still in the maximum-entanglement stage. I’m planning to find a good time to confess to her.”

Fu Chaoying couldn’t agree more. “After all, she’s waited for you for so long.”

“Not really. She said she used to date someone.”

Fu Chaoying thought for a moment. “That makes sense too.”

The two of them discussed what to eat that night and sent a message ahead to the auntie at home.

Only then did Fu Chaoying ask casually, “Aunt didn’t ask you about me, did she?”

Fu Chaohua shook her head. “Nope.”

Fu Chaohua and Fu Anyun weren’t the kind of mother and daughter who shared everything, and with both of them busy in daily life, they didn’t keep in close contact either.

Fu Chaoying gave a slight nod, then thought of something. “By the way, the excuse I used this morning to slip out of the Ye family place was that I was staying overtime for Senior Dong’s project.”

“Got it, got it. I didn’t see Muyu, and I didn’t see you and Jiayuan-jie either; I just ate lunch at school by myself.”

Fu Chaohua was laughing so hard she could barely breathe, then added, “You and Jiayuan-jie barely know each other, and Jiayuan-jie doesn’t really pay attention to people, so we didn’t dare talk to her either...”

As she spoke, Fu Chaohua grew more earnest. “But Jiayuan-jie is really serious. I really don’t dare talk to her.”

Fu Chaoying smiled faintly, thinking of how, before leaving, Ye Jiayuan had kissed the side of her ear, calling her “little one” one moment and “wife” the next.

She cleared Ye Jiayuan’s image from her mind and only said with a smile, “Jiayuan-jie is very nice to all of us. Just treat her like your own older sister.”

Fu Chaohua tilted her head and smiled at her. “No, no; she’s only your ‘sister.’”

Fu Chaoying smiled too. They both understood what was left unsaid, and Fu Chaohua didn’t expose her.

The car stopped steadily in the courtyard of Fu Chaoying’s home, and the two sisters switched cars.

Fu Chaoying drove Fu Chaohua back to the Fu family old residence.

The car moved steadily up the mountain, and only then did Fu Chaohua ask, “You didn’t forget about Grandma’s memorial on Thursday, did you?”

“Five years,” Fu Chaoying said, pressing her lips together.

Even now, just those few words were enough to bring back her regret and grief over Grandma’s passing.

“Will Jiayuan-jie come back?” Fu Chaohua asked casually.

Fu Chaoying smiled. “She’s busy with work.”

But she didn’t say whether she would come back or not.

Because Fu Chaoying herself wasn’t sure either. Yesterday, when they discussed it at the Ye family home, Ye Jiayuan hadn’t voiced an opinion either; mostly it had been Chu Yiyun and Fu Anyun, the older generation, doing the discussing.

Even if Ye Jiayuan didn’t attend, no one would say anything bad about her. Even several blood relatives from the Fu family had already apologized to Fu Anyun, saying they were too busy recently to make it.

Fu Chaoying quietly changed the subject.

By the time the two of them got back to the old residence, the sun was just about to set, and the glow in the distance was gorgeous and brilliant.

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help taking a few photos and posting them to her Moments.

The two sisters went in together.

“Why are you two so late?” Fu Anyun looked up at them, a glint of suspicion flashing in her eyes.

Fu Chaoying obediently explained, “There was a bit of a traffic jam on the way.”

But that didn’t soften the atmosphere much.

Soon, the topic turned to Fu Chaohua’s love life.

“You’re dating the granddaughter of the Bai family?” Fu Anyun asked Fu Chaohua directly, her tone tinged with scrutiny.

Fu Chaohua shrugged and asked back with a smile, “That was Aunt Chu who told you, right? Mom, your information really is fast.”

Fu Anyun shot her a glance. “Stop talking nonsense. Answer the question properly.”

Facing her mother’s somewhat aggressive attitude, Fu Chaohua remained composed. “We haven’t confirmed our relationship yet.”

Fu Anyun glanced at Fu Chaoying without changing expression. “If I remember right, Xiaoying and Xiao Dong got along very well before, didn’t they?”

Fu Chaoying calmly cut in, “We were just working together.”

Fu Anyun thought for a moment, as if realizing something. “I remember now. That collaboration was introduced by Xiaoyuan.”

Hearing Ye Jiayuan’s name, Fu Chaoying’s alarm instantly went off. Then, sure enough, she heard her aunt say to her cousin, “Since you two haven’t confirmed anything yet, break it off quickly.”

Fu Chaohua’s eyes widened instantly. “Huh? Why?”

Fu Anyun sighed. “Isn’t your Jiayuan-jie good? Isn’t she a hundred times better than Xiao Dong?”

Fu Chaoying’s brow twitched. As expected, the inevitable had arrived.

Fu Chaohua was dumbfounded for a moment, then calmed down and said in a low voice, “Mom, you can’t force feelings. Besides, Jiayuan-jie already has a girlfriend.”

“You’ve seen her?” Fu Anyun asked with narrowed eyes.

Fu Chaohua pressed her lips together. “Not seeing her doesn’t mean she doesn’t exist.”

Fu Chaoying listened quietly as the two of them analyzed the situation and didn’t dare side with either of them, but from the corner of her eye she caught her aunt’s gaze turning toward her.

Fu Chaoying slowly lifted her eyes and met her aunt’s gaze at once. Then she heard her ask, “Xiaoying, you think so too, right? Xiaoyuan’s partner is so mysterious; maybe she just made it up as an excuse.”

The corners of Fu Chaoying’s mouth lifted slightly, and instead she changed the subject. “Aunt, actually Senior Dong is really excellent. Their company is developing very well right now; the prospects are broad.”

As she spoke, her gaze met Fu Chaohua’s in midair, and both of them saw helplessness and astonishment in each other’s eyes.

Fu Chaoying spoke again. “And... sis, you should say it yourself.”

Fu Anyun looked at Fu Chaoying for a long moment before turning her attention back to Fu Chaohua.

Fu Chaohua laid everything out herself. “She had a crush on me during undergrad. At graduation, she confessed to me; I wasn’t really thinking straight at the time, so I turned her down politely.”

“Later, I realized I liked her... It was also Xiaoying who created the opportunity for us, which let us pick up where we left off.”

Fu Anyun looked at Fu Chaoying again. “Xiaoying...”

She inconspicuously shifted her gaze back to Fu Chaoying, only to be caught off guard when Fu Chaoying met her eyes. There was only honesty and docility in her expression, and nothing out of place at all.

Only then did Fu Anyun smile. “How have things been for Xiaoying lately? Have you moved on?”

Fu Chaoying gave a slight nod, then answered obediently, “I found out a long time ago that she cheated on me. I’ve been building myself up mentally for a very long time.”

Fu Anyun turned to look at Fu Li’s portrait, as if murmuring to herself, “Your grandma and the old lady from the Ye family always hoped to see the Ye and Fu families marry into each other.”

“When Xiaoying was with Yian before, even though everyone opposed it at first, later... seeing how your relationship gradually stabilized, everyone became more and more at ease and even thought it would be a lovely story.”

“Who would have thought...?”

Fu Chaoying exchanged a subtle glance with her cousin, then smiled. “Auntie, it’s all in the past now.”

Fu Anyun shook her head. “It would be good if Xiaohua and Xiaoyuan married too. You’re not that far apart in age either.”

Then she turned to Fu Chaohua. “Xiaoyuan is good to you too; her character and ability are both top-notch. Why go looking for some girl outside? And one who’s younger than you.”

Fu Chaohua laughed and cried at the same time. “Mom, who can say for sure what happens with feelings? And age... Muyu and I are only one year apart.”

“She started her own company; in some ways, she’s more mature than I am.”

Fu Chaoying also smiled. “Jiayuan-jie even invested in Senior Dong. She thinks highly of Senior Dong too.”

Fu Anyun asked Fu Chaohua again, “Xiaoyuan knows about you and Dong Muyu?”

Fu Chaohua thought for a moment, then nodded. “We ate together a lot when we were in Gangcheng, and Aunt Chu often teased us too.”

Fu Anyun pressed a hand to her forehead and sighed. “Why don’t you understand the future I’m trying to plan for you?”

As Fu Chaoying listened, she suddenly felt it was... ridiculous, and enviable.

Ye Jiayuan was too outstanding, too dazzling. Even though she had personally said she already had someone, Aunt still wanted to plan out a future for her cousin that included her.

Her cousin stayed silent, and naturally Fu Chaoying couldn’t speak up.

After a long while, Fu Anyun finally brought up the matter of Fu Li’s fifth memorial ceremony.

As the current head of the Fu family, Fu Anyun had naturally prepared all the arrangements in advance.

“Xiaoying is in charge of receiving the representatives from the art museum. That’ll be a good chance to mend relations.”

“Xiaohua is in charge of the representatives from the art association.”

Fu Chaoying obediently agreed, and after hearing a few more reminders, she finally heard the auntie call them to dinner.

Fu Chaoying let out a barely perceptible breath of relief. Only after finishing dinner at the old residence did she speak up to take her leave.

Fu Anyun kept her for a few more words before letting her go.

Fu Chaoying stopped the car halfway up the mountain and looked at the countless lights of the city, unable to come back to herself for a long time.

Today, her aunt had made everything clear. She didn’t know how long she would keep persuading her cousin, or whether she would take action.

Fu Chaoying began to think again about her own feelings for Ye Jiayuan, and Ye Jiayuan’s feelings for her.

Today she had tentatively asked, and Ye Jiayuan had said the timing still wasn’t right.

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help rolling down the window, then taking a deep breath, wanting to feel the mountain air.

But instead she heard the faint sound of cicadas in her ears.

Fu Chaoying listened, entranced, when her phone suddenly rang.

It was Ye Jiayuan calling.

Fu Chaoying curved her lips slightly. “Jiejie?”

“I just got home.” Ye Jiayuan’s tone was as cool as ever, yet for some reason it made Fu Chaoying feel at ease.

“This afternoon I went to pick up my cousin and bring her back to the old residence, to discuss Grandma’s fifth memorial with my aunt.” Fu Chaoying paused there, then asked after a moment’s hesitation, “Jiejie, are you free on Thursday?”

The other end fell silent. Fu Chaoying couldn’t help holding her breath, but then she heard her speak: “Probably not.”

Fu Chaoying smiled at once. “It’s fine; I was just asking casually.”

Her tone was light and bright, trying hard to hide the faint disappointment in her heart.

Ye Jiayuan asked in a low voice, “Are both the art association and the art museum coming this time?”

“Mm. I’m responsible for receiving the art museum’s representatives.”

Ye Jiayuan gave a soft hum, then asked, “Will it be awkward?”

Fu Chaoying laughed softly. “As long as I’m not awkward, the awkward ones will be them.”

A laugh seemed to come from the other end of the line, very faint, but Fu Chaoying caught it clearly.

“I’m halfway up the mountain right now, listening to cicadas and looking at the night view.”

Ye Jiayuan paused slightly. “The sunset you posted was beautiful.”

Fu Chaoying quickly opened her Moments, then asked, “Why didn’t you like it, jiejie?”

“You only just noticed?” Ye Jiayuan said lightly, with a trace of grievance hidden in her tone.

Fu Chaoying’s lips curved. “It really is only now that I noticed.”

Ye Jiayuan said softly, “I wanted to like it in person.”

Fu Chaoying also smiled. “Received.”

Ye Jiayuan said, “Mm. Go back and rest early.”

Fu Chaoying obediently agreed, then rolled up the window and drove down the mountain.

After returning home, Fu Chaoying lit a stick of incense and placed it respectfully before Grandma’s portrait. She prayed silently for a moment, then stood in front of it for a long time.

Unable to help herself, she reached out to gently touch the face in the photo, only to feel a trace of coolness.

This photo had been taken when Grandma was much younger than when she passed away; her complexion had also been better. Aunt had chosen it from among many photos at the time.

Yet in Fu Chaoying’s mind, the image that surfaced was how she had looked before she died.

After a long while, Fu Chaoying lifted the corners of her lips at the portrait. “Grandma, I had a good day today too.”

There seemed to be an unspeakable sadness hidden in her tone.

In the next few days, Fu Chaoying went through the usual routine of washing up, sleeping, going to work, getting off work, and saying good morning, lunch, and good night to Ye Jiayuan.

Until Tuesday night, when she received another message from Shen Guannan: [I just ran into Ye Jiayuan eating with a beauty.]

Fu Chaoying’s hand tightened slightly around her phone. All kinds of possibilities flashed through her mind at once, and something seemed to suddenly surface in her head. She called Shen Guannan and asked, “Who?”

Shen Guannan sounded deliberately mysterious. “I don’t know her, but she’s so beautiful.”

Fu Chaoying pressed her lips together. “Big wavy curls? Really striking?”

Shen Guannan laughed. “Looks like you really know your love rival very well.”

Fu Chaoying let out a quiet breath. “I’ve run into her a few times before in Jiujiapo.”

Shen Guannan asked, “She’s that pretty, and you’re not jealous?”

Fu Chaoying’s eyes curved faintly. “They weren’t dining alone, were they?”

Shen Guannan was caught out and immediately burst out laughing. “Looks like you trust her a lot.”

Fu Chaoying pretended not to understand. “I trust you a lot too.”

Seeing that teasing her wasn’t fun anymore, Shen Guannan thought of something else. “I ran into that girl who looks a lot like you again today; what a coincidence.”

Fu Chaoying couldn’t help being stirred by curiosity. “How alike?”

Shen Guannan couldn’t really describe it. “Anyway, she’s really similar; at least five parts out of ten. If I didn’t trust your mom and dad, I’d suspect she was your biological sister who’d been lost outside.”

Fu Chaoying laughed. “How amazing. I’ll go to Gangcheng this weekend and see if I can run into her by fate.”

Shen Guannan teased her again. “Huh? Who exactly is in Gangcheng? You’re going again?”

Fu Chaoying sidestepped the question. “I already negotiated with the art museum there. I’m going over to sign the contract.”

“Ohhh~~”

Shen Guannan dragged the sound out a full eight hundred miles.

Fu Chaoying chatted casually with her for a couple more sentences, then hung up.

Less than two seconds later, another message came in: [I’m coming on Thursday too. What time are you setting off?]

Warmth spread through Fu Chaoying’s chest. She replied: [You’re busy with work; I appreciate the thought.]

Shen Guannan: [No way. No matter how busy I am, I have to go see Granny Fu. I haven’t seen her in a long time.]

Fu Chaoying’s eyes curved, and she set a time with her.

On Thursday morning, Shen Guannan drove to Fu Chaoying’s home on time.

Fu Chaoying had just come out through the front gate, and she asked her to get into her car so they could go together to pick up the art museum’s representatives.

Of course Shen Guannan knew about what had happened between her and the art museum before, and now she was surprised. “Why did your aunt let you go receive the art museum’s representatives?”

Fu Chaoying replied offhandedly, “She probably wants us to improve relations.”

Shen Guannan was blunt and hit the nail on the head. “Unless you hand over Granny Fu’s collection, don’t even think about really improving relations with them.”

She went on to complain, “Most of Granny Fu’s works were donated for free already. How can they still push their luck and be so greedy...”

Fu Chaoying smiled. “I’ve been wondering the same thing.”

They call it developing the south-school ink tradition, but in reality?

Fu Chaoying shook her head. “It’s fine. Let’s just leave it at that.”

Fu Chaoying personally picked up Director Qu, and there was no awkwardness or embarrassment like she had imagined.

The other party greeted her naturally and then politely shook hands with Shen Guannan.

Perhaps it was simply the decorum of people in the system; the whole scene was very harmonious.

Fu Chaoying was in charge of driving, while Shen Guannan handled the socializing with Director Qu.

They also picked up another unfamiliar director. That person didn’t talk much, so Fu Chaoying greeted her and then drove on to the old residence to meet the others; Fu Anyun had chartered a bus and was planning to take the whole group directly from Nanyan back to their hometown, about an hour’s drive.

When they arrived at the old residence, Fu Anyun and Chu Yiyun came out together to welcome them.

Fu Chaoying obediently went to Chu Yiyun’s side and heard her ask with concern, “Did Xiaoying and Guannan have breakfast yet? There’s some in the kitchen.”

Fu Chaoying turned to look at Shen Guannan for confirmation, then smiled at Chu Yiyun. “We already ate.”

Chu Yiyun smiled and nodded at her, then exchanged a few pleasantries with Shen Guannan, saying it had been a long time and she’d gotten even prettier, and so on.

Fu Chaoying listened from the side and chimed in from time to time, when suddenly her aunt Fu Anyun called her.

“Xiaoying, come talk to the two directors for a bit.”

Fu Chaoying walked over with a faint smile, but didn’t say much; she only followed her aunt’s lead with occasional nods.

“Our Xiaoying was a bit inconsiderate some time ago. I hope Director Qu won’t mind.”

Director Qu’s gaze fell on Fu Chaoying, and the corners of her lips lifted. “Xiaoying didn’t do anything inconsiderate. It was the people on the bidding side who failed to get things straight and made Xiaoying suffer.”

The other party was giving her a way out. Fu Chaoying smiled generously. “How could that be? I’m almost forgetting it already. It was my fault that night for not keeping you company over a few drinks, Director.”

Seeing Director Qu nod with a smile, Fu Chaoying felt reassured, but then one of the art museum’s other directors spoke up. “That really was your fault. Our Director Qu’s drinking capacity is well known. You didn’t take good care of the drinks and still want to talk about other things?”

Fu Chaoying’s heart sank. Looking at the other party, her brows furrowed slightly. Just as she was about to say something, a familiar cool voice sounded behind her——

“I must be ignorant. So now, if you want to get a project from the art museum, you have to get someone drunk first?”

Ye Jiayuan walked over with steady steps, her eyes fixed coldly on the director who had spoken out of turn.