Chapter 37

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Shen Jingsong told Pei Jianxun, “I’ll give you an answer within the month. Go home and wait for my call.”

Pei Jianxun was overjoyed beyond expectation. He pressed down on Pei Ziying’s head, forcing her to bow to Shen Jingsong. “Quick, apologize to Jingsong!”

Pei Ziying bit her lip and jerked her head away. “Dad! Have you lost your mind? You said you came here to stand up for me—”

Pei Jianxun clamped his hand over her mouth and flashed an apologetic smile at Shen Jingsong. “Thank you, Jingsong. I’ll discipline her when we get home! We’ll be waiting for your news—please don’t forget!”

Security dragged them away. Everyone present fell silent as Betty warned them all to keep their mouths shut. She then shot a deep look at Shen Jingsong, who understood perfectly and nodded knowingly.

They climbed into the nanny car and raised the partition. Shen Jingsong and Ding Jia settled into the back seat.

Shen Jingsong closed her eyes to rest.

What a spectacular dogfight from the Pei family trio. She’d originally pegged them as a stubborn father, a melodramatic mother, and a scumbag sister—a rotten pot with a rotten lid, bound together by mutual understanding. But now that the company was bankrupt, their true colors had emerged.

There was no familial bond thicker than blood between parents and children—only demons and ghouls exposed under the revealing mirror of money, power, and self-interest.

For Shen Jingsong, the sole purpose those three “dogs” served was introducing her to Xia Zhuxi.

Healing Xia Zhuxi.

Possessing Xia Zhuxi.

“Jingsong, who were those two just now…?” In the enclosed space of the car, Ding Jia spoke up softly. She caught herself mid-sentence and changed tack. “Everyone in the industry says you’re close with Xia God from the Feilian Racing Team. Is that true?”

Ah, that.

Xia God is my wife.

Shen Jingsong, wearing an eye mask, pressed her lips together. “We’re mutual fans. That’s pretty good, right~?”

She and Ding Jia weren’t particularly close—just alumni from the same academy who’d kept in touch after entering the workforce. They were more familiar than her other colleagues, but only to that extent. Shen Jingsong saw no need to share too many private details.

Ding Jia wasn’t the outgoing type, nor overly reserved. She gave a faint smile. “A film star and a racing star following each other—sounds like a dream.”

Shen Jingsong had Xiao Chen drop Ding Jia off first, then head to Silver Moon Bay.

Xia Zhuxi was actually home.

Dressed in formal attire, no less.

A crisp light-colored suit accentuated her figure, her hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail, a rose-gold Vacheron Constantin coiled around her wrist.

Shen Jingsong kicked off her high heels. “No training today?”

Xia Zhuxi took her bag. “Did a session this morning. The Boss summoned me.”

Shen Jingsong’s eyebrows curved upward. “Oh~ Headquarters trip? No wonder you’re dressed so sharp.” If she walked into the opulent halls of Xuanyuan Group herself, she’d want to channel princess vibes too.

But Xia Zhuxi’s formal getup wasn’t for sprucing up at headquarters. It was for a shareholders’ meeting.

The shareholders’ meeting for acquiring Pei Corporation.

Chu Yun had snapped up Pei Corporation and needed to build a management structure. One phone call, and Xia Zhuxi was summoned.

A dozen directors sat in the conference room. Apart from Xuanyuan Holdings’ 51%, Chu Yun tossed the largest stake to Xia Zhuxi.

After signing the contracts, 25% went to Xia Zhuxi, 10% to Shen Jingsong, and the rest to Pei Corporation’s key contributors.

After the meeting adjourned, Chu Yun kept Xia Zhuxi behind for a private word.

She lit a cigar—no strong scent, just a faint tobacco aroma. “I’ve refunded the money you used to buy those shares.”

Xia Zhuxi handed her an ashtray. “Why?”

Chu Yun set down the cigar. “Consider it compensation for you and Shen Jingsong. You didn’t even get a good night’s sleep on your wedding night.”

“No, Chu Yun, you can’t just settle it like that.”

“That’s exactly how I’m settling it.”

Chu Yun lowered her voice, her gaze lifting. “Tomorrow, the general manager appointment letter will arrive at Pei Corporation. Don’t worry about operations—I’ll send in a professional management team.” She clapped Xia Zhuxi on the shoulder. “Head home early and keep your wife company. Treat her right, or by the time you’re my age, it’ll be too late for regrets.”

~~~

Xia Zhuxi told Shen Jingsong about her 10% stake and asked when she had time lately so they could head to Pei Corporation and sign the contracts together.

Shen Jingsong replied, “I’m free these next few days.” She added, “Pei Jianxun and Pei Ziying showed up at the TV station today to ambush me.”

Xia Zhuxi’s blood pressure spiked. “What did they do?”

Shen Jingsong stayed calm. “Pei Ziying threw a rotten egg at me.”

Xia Zhuxi nodded. “Leave it to me.”

She held back in front of Shen Jingsong, keeping her composure.

But this debt would be settled down to the last cent.

Harassing her was one thing. Harassing Shen Jingsong was entirely different.

If it had been just aimed at her, Xia Zhuxi could still afford the Pei family trio some civilized restraint.

But if that pack of scum dared to make Shen Jingsong so much as frown, she could cast aside all pretense of civility.

Xia Zhuxi was lost in thought when Shen Jingsong, having changed into comfortable loungewear, lifted her arms to tie back her hair. “Xiao Xi, arrange jobs for those three at Pei Corporation.”

Xia Zhuxi blinked in surprise. “Those three?” She meant the Pei family trio?

Shen Jingsong glided over gracefully. “I promised Pei Jianxun I’d give them an outcome. I’ve already decided on the specific positions.”

Leaning against her yoga ball, she stretched with elegant poise and turned her soft, watery gaze toward Xia Zhuxi. “As for who takes which job, that’s up to you, the president, to decide.”

~~~

On the day they signed the contracts, Xia Zhuxi held Shen Jingsong’s hand.

They wore matching casual suits, and the company executives—who were mostly in the know—greeted them respectfully as “President Xia” and “Madam.”

That morning, in the president’s office, Xia Zhuxi toyed with the Newton’s Cradle on her desk. The last time she remembered touching those balls here was probably junior high… or was it elementary school? They swung back and forth without cease, shuttling through seasons and years.

The Pei family had never dreamed of handing her so much as a dime, and yet now she controlled Pei Corporation’s decades of growth from nothing to a powerhouse.

But those “decades,” next to the woman at her side, were nothing more than soap bubbles.

Without a second thought, Xia Zhuxi wrapped her arms around Shen Jingsong from behind, pressing her cheek to the warmth of her back and breathing in quietly.

Only by holding Shen Jingsong’s body heat and listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat did Xia Zhuxi feel like there was truly someone there with her.

This woman had once been the beam of light piercing her life, the hope that upheld her convictions.

Now, she was Xia Zhuxi’s legal wife.

The center of her heart.

Shen Jingsong didn’t disturb her. Instead, she lifted a hand to cover the backs of Xia Zhuxi’s hands where they overlapped at her waist, patting them soothingly.

The Newton’s Cradle clacked on for who knew how many more cycles before Xia Zhuxi finally released her embrace. Smiling at Shen Jingsong, she said, “Let’s go check on the new hires.”

Holding a parasol aloft, Xia Zhuxi led Shen Jingsong first to the garbage processing station behind the company.

The sun beat down mercilessly. The recycling warehouse door stood slightly ajar, a sour, rotten stench seeping out. A man hunched over in rubber boots, clumsily navigating the brown sludge pooled on the tiles, swatting at stubborn flies with a gutter clamp.

A few employees wandered over to dump trash and did a double take. “Hey, isn’t that Director Pei? Chasing flies now?”

“Miss one and it’s coming out of your paycheck!”

“Hahaha!”

Pei Jianxun clutched his tongs and glared at them for a moment before retreating helplessly into the workroom. His sole act of defiance was slamming the door.

Next stop: the cafeteria.

After the lunch rush, the staff were cleaning up.

One female worker was clearly green at the job. She tripped while pushing the swill bucket, spilling the foul slop all over herself. Bursting into noisy sobs, she drew a torrent of abuse from the cafeteria manager. “Quit your blubbering! Get it cleaned up, pronto! Xia Jie, you still think you’re the chairman’s wife? Can’t wipe a table, can’t mop a floor, can’t even push a cart right—you’re a walking disaster!”

Shen Jingsong covered her mouth and nose. The swill reeked to high heaven; just the sight of those mashed-up food scraps bobbing in greasy red water turned her stomach.

Xia Zhuxi couldn’t stomach the stench either. She pulled Shen Jingsong away.

Back when Shen Jingsong had suggested the three positions, one had been sewer maintenance.

Xia Zhuxi had assigned Pei Ziying to unclog drains in the engineering department. She’d lasted less than three days before bolting.

Fine, let her run. The world outside was crawling with enemies—could it really be any better than snaking sewers at the company?

If life beyond the gates hadn’t turned into a living hell, Pei Jianxun and Xia Jie never would have settled for the company’s worst employee dorms, holing up at the dump and the cafeteria.

Still, Xia Zhuxi and Shen Jingsong both agreed: better to let them cling to a humiliated existence inside the company than grant them a quick death out in the cold.

They put it out of their minds.

A few days later, Xia Zhuxi attended a gathering with Chu Yun. At the club, she spotted a familiar figure retching outside a private room door.

Even in the raw chill of late autumn, the woman wore next to nothing. Xia Zhuxi wasn’t quite sure, so she crept closer. Recognizing the face, she called out softly, “Pei Ziying?”

The woman whipped her head away in panic and bolted down the dim corridor. Someone emerged from the room to give chase. Xia Zhuxi stepped aside and clocked the pursuer: Huangjia’s Boss Wu.

“…” Xia Zhuxi stared down the hallway in silence. Chu Yun had sidled up unnoticed, lounging against the wall and idly tossing a die with her right hand. “Pei Ziying bolts from your engineering gig and runs straight to Wu Jia? Total brain-dead move.”

Xia Zhuxi turned away with Chu Yun, a sardonic smirk tugging at her lips. “Pei Ziying used to be sharp. Guess she got too clever and sacrificed her brain for it.”

In the old days, catching Pei Ziying in such a pathetic state would have thrilled Xia Zhuxi.

Now? It was just an eyesore she wanted scrubbed clean.

Her world with Sister Jingsong was finally spotless.

~~~

Shengjing South Passenger Station bustled with people coming and going. Several ladies in their sixties, travel bags slung over their shoulders, chatted and laughed as they lined up for taxis.

“Peijun, are you feeling all right?” one of the ladies asked, steadying her companion with a concerned look.

Qi Peijun took a sip of water. Her face was a little pale, but her eyes shone brightly. “I’m fine. You all go ahead to the hotel. I’ll drop off this jar of pear paste for my daughter first, then join you to see Teacher Luo.”

The lady with the silk scarf and permed hair turned to her. “Peijun, when’s your Jing Girl planning to have a baby? My Sui Sui was pregnant after just a month of marriage. Oh, that chubby grandson of mine—he’s full of energy! Now we’re gearing up for number two.”

The lady supporting Qi Peijun nodded along. “Exactly, Peijun. Your health isn’t the best—no offense meant, but for folks like us who are halfway in the ground, every extra day we get to see a grandkid is a win.”

Qi Peijun smiled at her classmates of several decades. “Jingjing’s an actress—her job comes with all sorts of demands. These days, people have kids even at forty. We’re in no rush. Whatever she decides, I’ll back her all the way.”

She leaned on her cane as she spoke, bowing her head slightly. The shadow between her brows deepened.

~~~

Flashes popped relentlessly in the photography studio at Qifeng Building.

“Great, Teacher Shen—switch it up, a few more shots. Okay, okay, beautiful!”

“Teacher Shen, phone call for you.”

Xiao Chen handed over the phone. Shen Jingsong stood amid the set, brushing her hair back to free her ear. “Mom?”

Xiao Chen motioned for silence from those around them and ushered the photography team out of the room.

The moment they were gone, Shen Jingsong’s voice thundered. “What? You’re already in Shengjing!”

It took Xia Zhuxi less than an hour to pick Shen Jingsong up from Feilian in the car and get them back to Silver Moon Bay.

A true “flying” car.

The two of them scrambled to tidy the house, paying special attention to their bedrooms.

Yes, even after marriage, they’d kept up their pre-wedding habit—separate rooms.

As for why? Neither one had ever suggested sharing a bed.

Shen Jingsong gathered an armful of personal items and stashed them in the master bedroom. Xia Zhuxi cleared out most of one side of the closet, passing Shen Jingsong clothes to hang up.

Xia Zhuxi had just set a new pair of slippers by the door when the video intercom buzzed. She cleared her throat, smoothed her hair, and hit accept. “Mom.”

A short while later, Qi Peijun arrived upstairs, backpack on and two large bags in hand.

Xia Zhuxi rushed over to take the bags. “Mom, you came all this way—why didn’t you give us a heads-up? How’ve you been feeling? Trip go smoothly?”

Qi Peijun laughed. “I’m doing just fine, Xiao Xia—no need to fret. I’m here with my old classmates to visit our high school homeroom teacher. He’s turning ninety tomorrow.”

Shen Jingsong brought over a cup of hot water. “Oh, Grandpa Luo, right? Mom, we’ve got your room all set up. We’ll drive you over tomorrow morning.”

Qi Peijun took a couple of sips. “No need—I’m bunking with the classmates. Hotel’s already booked. I know you young folks don’t want elders cramping your style. I won’t impose.”

She opened the bamboo-woven tote and pulled out two jars. “I just wanted to see you two. Brought some pear paste and Yunying honey. Xiao Xia, you drink plenty. Jingjing loves the stuff.”

Xia Zhuxi nodded. “Got it. Thanks, Mom.”

Shen Jingsong handled the cooking, with Xia Zhuxi pitching in as sous-chef.

Qi Peijun wandered the living room, glancing around casually. Then, suddenly, she brushed aside the schedules and racing schematics pinned to the wool felt board and plucked off an A4 sheet tacked to the very bottom.

The old mother’s bewildered cry echoed through the room.

“What’s this trial marriage contract all about?!”

Shen Jingsong’s knife slipped, sending the half-peeled potato tumbling. Xia Zhuxi snatched it midair and dropped it into the basin.

Oh God.

How could they have forgotten about that?