Chapter 45: The Bonus Part 2

She asked, “Can I give it?”

Jiang Ruoning had left in a rush earlier and forgotten. She nodded, and a WeChat request came through. She accepted it right away.

Shi Sui said, “Actually, they went to Shangjing once.”

Jiang Ruoning looked up. “When?”

Shi Sui said, “A year ago, when they bought the house. They said it was a trip to Shangjing.”

It turned out that they had learned Jiang Qin’s address from Qin Guilan and secretly went to see her. That day, Jiang Ruoning wasn’t home—she was abroad—and Jiang Qin was carrying groceries from the supermarket, chatting and laughing with the person beside her.

Jiang Ruoning spaced out. “My mom never mentioned it.”

“Auntie didn’t know.” Shi Sui said, “Your Little Aunt told me when she got back. They didn’t say hello.”

Jiang Ruoning lowered her head. “Why?”

Shi Sui thought for a moment. “Before your mom came back on her own, they were afraid of disturbing her.”

After all, everything related to Linping was a nightmare.

They feared appearing in front of Jiang Qin and triggering her, so they didn’t dare show up rashly. They just caught a quick glimpse before leaving, then came back and told Shi Sui about it. Shi Sui had even less standing to say anything.

Jiang Ruoning fell silent.

Even Little Aunt knew that suddenly appearing would upset Jiang Qin.

So why was she still hanging around with Shi Sui?

Seeing her go quiet, Shi Sui reached out to place her hand on the back of Jiang Ruoning’s, but Jiang Ruoning pulled away. Her tone was flat. “Let’s go.”

In an instant, she had put up her walls again.

Shi Sui thought that understanding someone too well wasn’t always a good thing. She could tell exactly what Jiang Ruoning was thinking from her subtle expressions—whether to get closer or pull away was crystal clear.

In the past, even when Shi Sui pushed hard to do something, she knew Jiang Ruoning didn’t mind. She even anticipated it and went along.

Not this time.

Jiang Ruoning’s cold rejection hurt more than any words could.

They entered the elevator, and Shi Sui swayed a little. Jiang Ruoning, standing next to her, asked, “What’s wrong?”

Shi Sui leaned on her shoulder, her voice hoarse from the fever. “Nothing, just a bit dizzy.”

She was a little tempted to play it up, to act weak.

Jiang Ruoning placed one hand on her forehead, suspicious. “Burning up again?”

Shi Sui lowered her eyes. “Maybe.”

Jiang Ruoning half-supported her on the way home, poured her some water, watched her take her medicine, and asked, “What do you need to pack?”

Seeing her bustling around the room, Shi Sui recalled how, on every business trip, Jiang Ruoning would help her organize her clothes while nagging, “It’s cold out—I packed some thicker ones for you. Don’t just go for looks; what if you catch a cold?”

Or, “I put some cold medicine in the side pocket.”

It was so warm.

Shi Sui’s eyes reddened a bit. She rubbed the corner of her eye and heard Jiang Ruoning call her. “Shi Sui? What do you need to bring?”

She pointed to a few outfits. “Just these.”

Jiang Ruoning folded them neatly and stuffed them into the suitcase in no time. Shi Sui watched as she went out to the balcony to grab some clothes and change. Then they sat on the sofa, staring at each other. On a whim, Shi Sui suggested, “Want to play a game?”

“Play a game?” Jiang Ruoning turned to look at her. “Can you even play right now?”

Shi Sui said, “Should be fine.”

Jiang Ruoning declined politely. “You should rest instead.”

Shi Sui: …

Five minutes later, she tried again. “How about watching a movie?”

Jiang Ruoning stared at the pitch-black TV, not even plugged in. Too lazy to move, she just pulled out her phone. “I’ll scroll through some videos.”

Shi Sui finally nodded. The living room filled only with the sounds from Jiang Ruoning’s videos—various short revenge dramas. Shi Sui listened until she grew drowsy, leaning on the sofa with her head tilted. The light from the phone screen illuminated Jiang Ruoning’s face, making her features stand out sharply.

She didn’t know how much time passed before the doorbell rang.

Jiang Ruoning shot upright, instantly on guard.

Shi Sui watched her tense, straight-backed figure pass by and patted her shoulder. “It’s Jiang Nuan.”

Jiang Ruoning relaxed then, though her eyes stayed fixed on the door.

The door opened, and Jiang Nuan grinned. “Not interrupting, am I?”

Shi Sui shot her a glance.

Jiang Nuan spotted Jiang Ruoning on the sofa and greeted her familiarly. “Miss Jiang, good evening.”

Jiang Ruoning, never able to stay cold with overly friendly people, nodded. “Good evening.”

Jiang Nuan was hauling a suitcase and squeezed inside. “Car’s booked—arriving at seven, half an hour from now. Have you eaten? If not, I’ll order something.”

Jiang Ruoning raised her hand, but Shi Sui spoke up. “We ate.”

Jiang Nuan was a bit surprised.

She’d thought Shi Sui would seize every moment to cozy up with Jiang Ruoning.

Eating wouldn’t have crossed her mind.

Shi Sui ignored her dirty thoughts and nestled back into the sofa. Jiang Nuan sat next to Jiang Ruoning and, sensing the awkward vibe, struck up a conversation. “Did you shoot for Fengshang last week?”

Jiang Ruoning’s voice was soft. “Yeah, why?”

“No reason. Photos out yet? Who was the photographer?” She probed, and Jiang Ruoning replied, “Zhao Sui. She’s great at it.”

Jiang Nuan nodded. “I know her—really good work. Our company hired her before.”

Jiang Ruoning hadn’t known. “You know her too?”

“Yeah.” Jiang Nuan said, “Same circle and all.”

Then Jiang Ruoning remembered they also knew Fengshang—and had lost a store because of the thing with Ai Wen. Glancing sidelong at Shi Sui, she saw her staring at her phone with a sour expression.

Jiang Ruoning lowered her eyes. Her phone screen suddenly popped up with an incoming call, making her heart skip two beats. She told Jiang Nuan, “Gonna take this.”

Jiang Nuan waved her off enthusiastically. “Go ahead!”

As Jiang Ruoning stood from the sofa, Shi Sui kicked at her. Jiang Nuan dodged. “What was that for!”

“You’re so noisy,” Shi Sui said.

Jiang Nuan swatted her foot away. “If you’re jealous, just say so—instead of ‘you’re so noisy~'” She mimicked Shi Sui’s weak tone. Shi Sui glared, then smirked. “Your year-end bonus…”

“Sis!” Jiang Nuan instantly straightened up. “My dear sister.” She even placed Shi Sui’s kicked leg on her knee and massaged it obsequiously. Shi Sui couldn’t stand it and pulled back, lifting her gaze toward the window.

On the phone, Jiang Ruoning said, “Mom, what’s up?”

Jiang Qin asked, “When are you coming back? Wasn’t it supposed to be this afternoon?”

Jiang Ruoning made an excuse. “Zhengzheng kept me for dinner. I’ll be late.”

She had looped in Qin Zheng beforehand to cover for her, so she wasn’t too worried about Jiang Qin calling her directly. Still, lying to her mom like this left Jiang Ruoning uneasy.

Especially since she was in Linping right now—in Shi Sui’s room.

Jiang Ruoning bit her lip; it stung but didn’t break the skin.

Jiang Qin didn’t think much of it. “Okay then. Xiao Man should be here soon—I thought you might make it back.”

“Sister Xiao Man?” Jiang Ruoning said. “Why’s she coming?”

“She’s nearby shopping with the kid and stopping by.” Jiang Qin said, “Come back early if you can.”

“Got it, Mom,” Jiang Ruoning replied.

Jiang Qin hung up. Zhou Man had said half an hour ago she was almost there—no need to prepare anything. They’d already eaten dinner; they were just shopping nearby with the child and dropping in to visit. Jiang Qin knew it was because she’d recently asked Jiang Ruoning to send over some food, so Zhou Man probably felt bad and decided to stop by now.

Sure enough, when Zhou Man arrived at the door, she carried bags big and small. The moment she saw Jiang Qin, she prompted Xiao Guai, “Call Grandma.”

Xiao Guai called out sweetly, “Grandma!”

Jiang Qin scooped her up at once—like a soft, white steamed bun, fragrant and sweet, utterly adorable. Jiang Qin had once dreamed of Jiang Ruoning having a daughter just like her, maybe even looking like her, or with the same fiery temper. But alas…

Zhou Man said, “Auntie, these are fresh fruits from the supermarket, plus some wind-dried goose and tea that Xiao Guai’s dad brought back from his trip. No one at home drinks it, so I brought it all for you.”

“You!” Jiang Qin said. “I told you to take it home to your parents.”

“We have plenty there already.” Zhou Man insisted. “If you make me take it back, it’ll just go to waste—no one to eat or drink it.”

Dealing with elders, Zhou Man’s go-to tactic: don’t want it to go to waste.

Eighty percent of seniors couldn’t bear that and would accept.

Jiang Qin was one of them.

It never failed her.

Jiang Qin felt awkward and gave her a mock glare. Zhou Man peered inside. “Ruoning’s not home?”

“She went to Zhengzheng’s.” Jiang Qin said. “Yun An just got back—probably out with her friends.”

Ye Yu had returned to the country for once.

Jiang Qin was used to it.

Zhou Man’s heart skipped a beat, but she just smiled and changed the subject. “Last time she came to my place with Lawyer Zou—just the two of them?”

Jiang Qin sighed. “No spark. Ruoning’s standards are sky-high. Zou Nian is so great, but she said no feelings.”

Zhou Man smiled along. “Love’s like that. Don’t worry too much about Ruoning—she’ll find a good match.”

Jiang Qin smiled at the standard reassurance.

She’d imagined the best outcome was something like Zhou Man.

But life rarely went perfectly.

Seeing Jiang Qin’s expression soften, Zhou Man breathed a sigh of relief.

Before, mentioning Jiang Ruoning’s marriage prospects left Jiang Qin either frowning or silent. Now it was progress—she could even discuss her orientation and set her up.

Maybe…

Zhou Man sat on the sofa, lowering her head and clasping her hands.

Jiang Qin said, “Have some apple. These are from my last trip—yours are gone, so take some back later.”

“No, we’re good.” Zhou Man took a bite and gave a piece to Xiao Guai, who sat nibbling it daintily on the sofa. Jiang Qin grew fonder the more she watched, her expression tender. She let out an “oh,” stood, and went into the bedroom. Two minutes later, she emerged with a card and handed it to Zhou Man.

Zhou Man froze.

Jiang Qin said, “Xiao Deng told me everything. If she hadn’t, were you never going to mention it?”

Zhou Man came back to herself. “Mention what?”

“The salary thing.” Jiang Qin said. “I know all about it.”

Her previous job had been arranged by Zhou Man at the law firm. With no real position, it was just base pay, but mid-month bonuses came every time. Xiao Deng said it was from firm commissions for everyone, but Jiang Qin had recently learned otherwise—those mid-month bonuses were Zhou Man paying out of pocket.

All these years, Zhou Man had never breathed a word.

Back then, she’d even covered Jiang Ruoning’s medical bills during that long hospital stay. Though the hospital fees had long been repaid, the salary revelation was new, so Jiang Qin had prepared this.

Zhou Man said, “How did Xiao Deng tell you…”

“How?” Jiang Qin looked at her. “If not me, who? That money was never yours to pay. Back when I had no job, you got me one—that was gratitude enough. Without it, how could I have raised Ruoning through college on my own? Now that we’re better off, it’s time to settle up. What’s yours is yours—don’t refuse.” She pushed the bank card forward. “Be good and take it. It’s not a small sum; how could I live with myself keeping it? What kind of person would that make me?”

Zhou Man bowed her head, eyeing the brand-new bank card—probably just issued.

Seeing her hesitate, Jiang Qin stuffed it firmly into her hand. “Take it.”

Zhou Man gritted her teeth, clutched the card, and said to Jiang Qin, “Auntie, I really can’t accept this card. The money for those bonuses back then… it wasn’t from me. It was from Shi Sui.”