Chapter 43
Jin Zijin reached out again and stroked Wen Yan’s face, the tips of her fingers warm and tender as they kneaded that delicate skin until it flushed a faint pink.
The smile in her eyes hadn’t faded. Her tone was casual, intimate. “So, what do you want to do later?”
“I want to go climbing for a bit,” Wen Yan said, letting her fingers do whatever they pleased to her face.
Jin Zijin lifted a brow, the end of her sentence rising with a teasing lilt. “That hardworking? You just finished ‘serving’ me, and now you’re going to temper your body again?”
Wen Yan’s brows curved at the joke, and she explained, “I haven’t touched it in a while. I’m a little itchy for it.”
That was just how she was. When her emotions ran high, she liked to work them out through exercise, letting the heat in her body answer the stir in her heart.
Jin Zijin nodded in understanding, let go of her face, and said indulgently, “All right, then go.”
But Wen Yan caught the faintest hint of attachment in the calm of her eyes.
Something in her softened. Her smile deepened, and she leaned in a little closer, her voice gentling. “Actually, you do want me to stay with you a little, don’t you?”
Caught red-handed, Jin Zijin didn’t even bother to be coy. She admitted it outright. “A little.”
After a pause, she glanced at the meeting waiting to be opened on her computer and sighed lightly. “But I really am still a bit busy right now. If I just make you sit here with me, then only I’m getting anything out of it. That would be kind of boring.”
She lifted a hand and patted Wen Yan’s cheek, her fingertips brushing the curve of her upturned lips. “Might as well let you go have your fun.”
Jin Zijin smiled, teasing her like she was coaxing a pet. “When you’re done, wash up and go wait on the bed for me.”
Wen Yan’s eyes widened at once, her pupils clearly reflecting Jin Zijin’s face; amused, expectant, and full of mischief.
Her shocked expression pleased Jin Zijin greatly, and a low laugh slipped out of her.
Wen Yan blinked, then imitated the cadence of a costume drama and asked solemnly, “Your Majesty, do you mean for me to attend you in bed?”
“Correct.” Jin Zijin leaned in with satisfaction and gave her a loud kiss on the lips. “You’re rewarded.”
Wen Yan smiled, playing along as she nodded. “As you command. Then Your Majesty should work hard at overtime and get your ‘state affairs’ handled early.”
“Go on, go on, my imperial consort...”
Jin Zijin stroked her face, the tenderness in her eyes nearly spilling over.
Wen Yan held back her laughter and turned to leave.
After taking just two steps, she paused, as though she’d suddenly remembered something important, and looked back at Jin Zijin. “Oh, right.”
The easy smile on Wen Yan’s face faded. A trace of hesitation crept into her voice. “Even though I refused my mom, I don’t think she’ll let it go that easily.”
She looked at Jin Zijin and chose her words carefully. “If she, or anyone from the Wang family or the Wen family, comes to you later and asks for anything...”
“Whether it’s invitations, business, or anything else...”
“You don’t need to worry too much about my face. Just handle it according to your own rules and preferences.”
Jin Zijin looked up at her, watching the flicker of struggle appear in that usually gentle face.
She didn’t interrupt. She simply listened in silence.
Perhaps that patience made Wen Yan feel even steadier.
Or perhaps, after today, after confirming Jin Zijin’s feelings were sincere and pure, she had finally found the courage.
For some reason, she was beginning to be willing to lift a corner of the place she had always hidden beneath her calm exterior and show it to this person.
Wen Yan paused, then simply said everything she had kept buried in her heart. “She’s always been like this.”
“For my uncle’s family, she’d go to any lengths. If necessary, she could even sacrifice my brother... her most valued son... to get benefits.”
Her voice turned even softer, but each word remained clear. “Let alone me.”
“Besides this house,” she went on, her gaze calm and untroubled, “which my grandfather had my mom transfer into my name when I got into a doctoral program because he thought I’d finally made something of myself... as for everything else...”
She shook her head slightly and gave a quiet laugh. “I don’t really have anything that truly belongs to the Wang family or the Wen family.”
“Not emotionally, and materially, barely anything.”
“So,” she said, looking at Jin Zijin with an openness she had never shown before, “whether it’s in business or in private social dealings later on, you really don’t need to tolerate them or give them special treatment because of me.”
“Better yet...” Wen Yan paused, her tone especially clear-headed and calm, “just let them survive on the half-dead business they have now. Give them something to do so they’re not too idle and causing trouble. That’s enough.”
Running themselves ragged for a living was the price they should have paid for all those repeated bad decisions in the first place.
Wen Yan felt she had already made one exception for this family.
She had traded a marriage for a chance to give the Wang family group a breath of life.
If the person she had met then had not been Jin Zijin, Wen Yan’s actions would have been no different in essence from Nezha cutting flesh from his body to return it to his parents and peeling off bone to give back to his father.
Either way, it was sacrificing herself to repay the debt of being raised.
Of course, she admitted she had been selfish.
Perhaps it was precisely because the other party was Jin Zijin that she had ultimately nodded and turned that “sacrifice” into a willing journey.
But the starting point of the sacrifice would not disappear just because the ending was beautiful.
A sacrifice was a sacrifice; a reward was a reward.
The two could not be lumped together.
That had been true before, and it would be even less possible in the future.
So she absolutely did not want to see Jin Zijin, out of consideration for her feelings, being latched onto by her family like leeches, constrained in this marriage, and drained again and again.
Jin Zijin listened quietly to everything she said. From beginning to end, she gave no advice and no reaction.
Because she understood perfectly: this wasn’t what Wen Yan needed right now.
She needed to be heard.
Jin Zijin could clearly feel Wen Yan changing in this moment.
She was actively dissecting her own origins, drawing a line, handing over both her softest weakness and her hardest armor.
This was probably the first time Wen Yan had ever taken the initiative to show an outsider her inner self.
After the surprise came a stronger, surging tenderness; and with it, a heavy, overwhelming joy at being trusted so completely.
Jin Zijin nodded. She didn’t ask any more, and she didn’t offer any unnecessary comfort. She only promised in the same solemn tone, “All right. I understand.”
“Don’t worry,” she said, looking up at Wen Yan with a faint smile in her eyes, “I’ll handle it properly.”
Wen Yan’s brow relaxed too; her eyes curved gently, carrying the last trace of confirmation. “I can trust you, right?”
“Of course.” Jin Zijin answered without the slightest hesitation, her gaze firm as rock. “You can always trust me.”
Wen Yan looked at her and finally revealed a completely relaxed, relieved smile.
She said nothing more, only looked at her once again before turning and leaving the study with light, easy steps.
Jin Zijin watched her disappear beyond the doorway. It was a long while before she finally withdrew her gaze and fell into thought.
Only when the meeting started again did she gather herself, put her earphones back on, and throw herself into the unfinished work.
————————
Sure enough.
Less than half an hour after Wen Yan left the study, Jin Zijin received a call on her internal line from her assistant, Xu Ming.
“President Jin, Ms. Wang Manyu called and hopes to speak with you. It seems to be something fairly urgent.” Xu Ming’s voice was as steady and professional as ever.
Jin Zijin’s gaze shifted away from the computer screen, her eyes turning slightly cold; her voice, however, remained flat and even. “Tell her I’m in a meeting. I’ll call back once it’s over.”
“Yes, President Jin.” Xu Ming responded crisply.
She was made to wait more than an hour.
Jin Zijin methodically chaired two international video conferences and handled several urgent emails before finally removing her earphones and standing up from the office chair. She rolled her shoulders and neck a little, showing a trace of fatigue.
Then she picked up her phone and walked to the balcony, pushing open the glass door.
The winter night air hit her instantly, dry and biting, sweeping the indoor warmth away in a breath.
The balcony lights were off; only the bright neon glow of the city in the distance outlined her sharp profile.
She found Wang Manyu’s number and called directly.
The phone was answered almost instantly.
“Zi Jin, ah.” Wang Manyu’s voice came through at once, warm on the surface, but with a clearly ingratiating edge. “I’m so sorry to disturb you so late while you’re still working!”
“It’s not late. I just finished,” Jin Zijin said through the cold air, her voice even clearer and cooler than usual, carrying a distinctly businesslike distance. “Mom, just say what you need.”
Wang Manyu seemed not to notice the chill underneath those words; or perhaps she deliberately ignored it and only smiled more eagerly. “Oh, it’s like this. Your mother’s birthday is in a couple of days, right? I was thinking that the more people there are, the livelier it’ll be, and it’ll bring some good luck...”
“So I wanted to ask whether it would be convenient for you to give one more invitation? I want to bring your cousin and her fiancé’s family over too, so they can all get acquainted. After all, we’re family...”
Jin Zijin did not answer immediately.
Only faint electrical static and a hint of wind from outside remained in the receiver.
That silence seemed to gain weight, pressing down heavily on the other end of the line.
Wang Manyu’s speech slowed unconsciously, her voice dropping lower and lower, uncertain. “You see... Zi Jin, would that be convenient? Th-these are all close relatives, and we’ll be seeing each other often in the future...”
Jin Zijin’s gaze settled on the glittering but frigid river of lights in the distance, and what flashed through her mind was Wen Yan’s calm confession from earlier.
It was the way Wang Jinyu and his wife had openly belittled Wen Yan at the return banquet; it was the way Wang Manyu had not only failed to defend her, but had joined in and criticized her too.
A sharp ache for Wen Yan, mixed with cold fury, surged up inside her.
On the other end, Wang Manyu grew increasingly uneasy and tried again, her tone nearly pleading. “Zi Jin... th-this is just one sentence from you, isn’t it? You tell me, isn’t it...”
“Wen Yan just mentioned this to me,” Jin Zijin said at last, her voice not loud, but sharp enough to fall like an ice spike to the floor.
Wang Manyu was overjoyed and hurried to say, “Good, good! That’s good! That child finally understands some things...”
“I’ll be direct, then.” Jin Zijin cut off her false delight. Her tone remained flat, but the edge of it was razor-sharp. “I dislike Mr. Wang Jinyu very much, and I also dislike Ms. Wang Chenyu.”
Wang Manyu’s breathing suddenly caught.
“I’ve looked into the business conditions of the companies they’re attached to, the debt disputes, and some of the less presentable corporate culture.”
Every word Jin Zijin spoke was exceptionally clear, ensuring the other side understood exactly how heavy they were. “Maintaining long-term contact with companies and people like that will only damage Hengxing Group’s reputation, and it will also make the Jin family lose the dignity it should have.”
Those words were merciless, ripping away the fig leaf of family ties completely.
Wang Manyu could only chuckle awkwardly on the other end of the phone; it was easy to imagine how embarrassed and flushed she had become, yet she couldn’t say a single word in rebuttal.
Jin Zijin’s tone shifted slightly, but it did not soften. “However, for Wen Yan’s sake, and because you are my mother-in-law, I can make an exception and add one invitation under the name of ‘relatives.’”
Wang Manyu was instantly delighted. “Good, good, good...”
Jin Zijin’s eyes darkened, and her voice turned colder. “I hope you’re a person with some sense of propriety.”
“At the banquet, you and your relatives should mind your words and behavior. Don’t say things I don’t want to hear, and don’t do anything inappropriate.”
“Otherwise,” she said, enunciating each word clearly, “next time, not only the Wang family, but also all current cooperation between you, the Wen family, and Hengxing, I will reassess.”
“The Jin family will not provide any further convenience of any kind.”
Wang Manyu was frightened by the undisguised threat and hurriedly agreed, her voice even trembling a little. “Yes... yes... Zi Jin, don’t worry, I’ll make sure they understand, I will...”
Jin Zijin didn’t listen to the rest of her assurances and hung up directly.
The cold electronic busy tone sounded.
She stood on the balcony with the phone in hand for a while longer.
The cold seeped through her clothes, but it couldn’t compare to the fire burning in her chest.
How could there be such a mother in this world?
Throwing her own child into a corner like wild grass and calling it “free-range independence,” while pouring all her energy and resources, and even her distorted so-called “love,” into someone else’s children?
A child, at an age when values were still forming and guidance and protection were needed most, was forced to lose every support and stumble alone through the cold world, finding their way with no one to rely on...
The more Jin Zijin thought about it, the angrier she became; her nails dug into her palm.
Wen Yan had been able to grow into who she was now by relying on herself in that kind of environment, and still keep such a pure, untainted heart inside; aside from the fact that she was already clever and resilient to begin with, Jin Zijin could not think of any other explanation.
It was a miracle.
A fierce impulse surged up in her, and for a moment she even wanted to call her assistant immediately and use every means available to make the Wang family disappear without a sound.
But she couldn’t.
A fair number of people in the industry knew the two families were married by alliance.
If she were to kick her “in-laws” while they were down, and do it too ruthlessly, then even if it didn’t affect core interests, it would still leave her with a reputation for being cold and ungrateful in official and public opinion.
It would also make people think she didn’t respect Wen Yan.
Not worth it.
However...
Making them suffer a few small and medium setbacks, giving them a taste of hardship, and letting them grind along slowly within the rules—that was not impossible.
Jin Zijin narrowed her eyes, her expression deep and unreadable in the darkness.
After a long moment, she slowly exhaled the pent-up anger in her chest and turned back inside to the warmth.
Her irritation still hadn’t settled, and she suddenly wanted very much to see Wen Yan right away.
Jin Zijin turned and went downstairs, heading straight for the family gym on the first floor.
She pushed open the heavy soundproof glass door; a warm wave of heat mixed with the faint scent of sweat hit her face.
Bright lights illuminated every corner of the space.
She spotted the figure beneath the pull-up frame at a glance.
Wen Yan had her back to the door and was doing weighted pull-ups.
She was wearing a dark gray quick-dry athletic tank and shorts; the fabric, darkened slightly with sweat, clung tightly to her skin and outlined the powerful lines of her back.
Her shoulder blades spread and drew in like butterfly wings with each movement; the groove of her spine was deep, and her waist, contrasted against her broad shoulders, was taut and lean.
Beautiful muscles covered her bones; with every exertion, their defined curves rose and fell, while sweat slid down her taut skin, catching the light in tiny glimmers.
It was breathtakingly sexy.
The fury knotting in Jin Zijin’s chest seemed to be washed away in an instant by the sight of that vivid, living body.
She folded her arms and leaned casually against the doorframe, openly admiring her from head to toe.
Wen Yan finished her last set, let go of the bar, and landed lightly.
When she turned around, she saw the woman by the door, arms folded, watching her with an easy, unhurried look.
A little surprised, she grabbed the towel hanging on the rack and wiped the sweat from her temples and neck. “Why did you come down? Are you done with work?”
Jin Zijin’s eyes drifted from Wen Yan’s slightly flushed neck to her abdomen, where the muscles were especially distinct from the blood pumping through them.
Those neatly arranged abs rose and fell softly with her breathing, full of tightly held power.
“Yeah,” Jin Zijin said with a smile as she walked closer, her gaze still lingering on her, her tone full of undisguised praise. “So I came down to inspect my territory first thing.”
She stopped in front of Wen Yan and looked up at her. The light reflected in her eyes, bright and sparkling. “My wife’s figure is really too good.”
“It’s like a sculpture; every inch is just right, full of the beauty of strength.”
Wen Yan was a little embarrassed by her direct gaze and praise. She wiped her face with the towel and smiled helplessly. “It’s not that exaggerated.”
“It is,” Jin Zijin said firmly, then crooked a finger at her, signaling her to come closer. “Come here.”
Wen Yan shook her head and took half a step back, pointing at her own sweaty body. “No. I’m dirty right now; I’m all sweat.”
“Where’s the dirt?” Jin Zijin didn’t care. Instead, she stepped in closer. “It’s your own smell.”
“It’s just sweat. What smell is there?” Wen Yan insisted, though the tips of her ears had already turned a little red.
“I can smell it even if you can’t,” Jin Zijin said. She was already very close, close enough to feel the heat coming off the other woman.
She drew in a faint breath, as if confirming something, then said with certainty, “It’s light, like wax apples; fresh and crisp. It smells good.”
Before she even finished speaking, she had already spread her arms and, without giving Wen Yan room to refuse, wrapped them around her sweat-damp waist.
Wen Yan’s entire body tensed instantly. Like a startled cat, she reflexively pressed a hand against Jin Zijin’s shoulder, but didn’t push her away hard. “Hey... I’m really all sweat...”
“I say there isn’t, so there isn’t.” Jin Zijin pressed her face into the damp warmth of her shoulder, took a deep breath, and rubbed against her with obvious satisfaction. “So fragrant, wife.”
Wen Yan: “...”
She was completely helpless now; the hand braced on Jin Zijin’s shoulder lost its strength and turned into a resigned sigh.
Jin Zijin held her by the waist, feeling the tight, springy muscles under her palm, and suddenly remembered what she had just seen. “I saw you were doing weighted training just now. How much can you carry?”
Wen Yan thought about it. “When I’m in a full training cycle, my max is probably around 40 kilograms.”
“But to keep in shape normally, it’s only about 20 to 25 kilograms.”
“Wow...” Jin Zijin made a tiny sound of amazement and lifted her head from Wen Yan’s shoulder. Her eyes were round, bright with childlike curiosity and excitement. “Then if you keep training, wouldn’t you be able to carry me with weight on too?”
Wen Yan lowered her head and seriously sized Jin Zijin up.
The woman was tall and well-proportioned, but her frame was slender; she really didn’t weigh much.
She estimated it, then nodded honestly. “You probably could now. You’re not heavy.”
Jin Zijin’s eyes lit up at once, as if stars had fallen into them, full of anticipation. “Really? Can we try?”
Wen Yan looked at how excited she was and couldn’t help laughing.
Sweat slid along her jawline as she nodded, her tone relaxed and carrying the steady confidence of someone strong. “Shouldn’t be a problem. Come on.”
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[grabbing popcorn] I’ve written too much plot-driven stuff lately. When I went back to relationship-focused scenes, I realized the style is completely different from before.
It’s basically just the two of them, tangled up in the small details of daily life, sticky and clingy, sticky and clingy... occasionally teaming up to beat up a monster together (meaning work and relatives).
The rest of the time, everything revolves entirely around the two of them [panda head]
Sigh, why does Wen Chen say Jin Zijin is the big bad boss? Just look at how she is with other people: she doesn’t even bother being tactful. She goes straight to the point, speaks bluntly, and doesn’t care about the other person’s feelings.
She’s the same way at work too; none of that flashy nonsense, I’m not here for it. Do the job well and you get a bonus; do it badly and get lost [crying-laughing]
Right now Wen Yan still hasn’t seen this side of her.
She’s hidden it really well.
All those bad habits of hers are being kept under wraps (actually not really).
To win over her wife, President Jin is working very hard indeed [grabbing popcorn]