As one of the benchmarks in China’s photovoltaic industry, Jiang Yun, the head of Guangyu Photovoltaic, always had her time scheduled down to the minute by Special Assistant Yin. This particular morning, she had just finished hosting an important official inspection in Suzhou, and immediately rushed non-stop to Wuxi in the afternoon to discuss establishing a branch factory with local leaders.

The negotiations went unexpectedly smoothly, finishing an hour ahead of schedule. With over two hours before the evening banquet, Jiang Yun checked the time and remembered that her old friend Ding Hong lived nearby. She called her to ask if she was home and if it would be convenient to drop by for tea.

Ding Hong was thrilled to receive the call and repeatedly said, “Yes, yes, yes… wait a moment.”

After a pause, as if she had moved to a different location, she lowered her voice and said, “Why didn’t you give me advance notice? Wang Liyun is here. She just arrived a while ago. I’ll find a way to send her off immediately.”

Before Jiang Yun could react to this statement, she immediately added, “Don’t you dare say you’re not coming. I’ve tried to meet with you so many times, and since you rarely have free time, we must see each other. Wang Liyun has also asked me out several times, and I felt too embarrassed to keep refusing, so I finally invited her over for tea. What a coincidence, right?”

With her words stuck at the tip of her tongue, Jiang Yun laughed and said, “I came here for business today. I didn’t expect things to go so smoothly, freeing up some time, so I quickly called you. You don’t need to send her away. We’re all old acquaintances. Just add a teacup for me.”

Ding Hong hesitated, “You don’t mind?”

Jiang Yun laughed heartily, “Why would I mind her?”

Ding Hong’s concern about Jiang Yun meeting Wang Liyun naturally had its reasons.

Wang Liyun was the wife of the owner of a famous local enterprise. Years ago, she had always been at odds with Jiang Yun. It started when Nie Chengyuan and her husband were both at a drinking gathering, and another businessman, after having too much to drink, inexplicably remarked, “Between these two ‘Yuns’ in your families, Jiang Yun is more capable in business.”

The next day, this comment spread.

Being suddenly evaluated by a man in such a manner out of nowhere, Jiang Yun was extremely annoyed. She first gave Nie Chengyuan a scolding, and later, at a public occasion, she sarcastically mocked that businessman with veiled barbs, barely venting her anger.

Originally, the matter should have ended there, but unexpectedly, Wang Liyun took offense at this comment and began speaking ill of her behind her back. At first, she picked on her appearance, saying she didn’t match Director Nie and so on. Later, when Nie Chengyuan had an affair, she became even more animated, making all sorts of comments about her personality issues—too strong-willed, too fond of being in the spotlight, and so forth.

Jiang Yun had always been quite polite to her before, but after this incident, she found her muddled in her conduct and stopped taking her seriously. In recent years, she had been in Suzhou, somewhat distanced from the Wuxi circle, and with her own career flourishing like the rising sun, she cared even less.

However, Jiang Yun still prepared herself for possible passive-aggressive remarks, but unexpectedly, when she arrived at Ding Hong’s house, Wang Liyun’s attitude was even more enthusiastic than Ding Hong’s. She immediately launched into lavish praise of how well her company was doing. That was one thing, but afterward, she even started complimenting her appearance.

Even allowing for two-faced behavior, this performance was too bizarre. Jiang Yun became vigilant, mentally reviewing the situation of Wang Liyun’s company, always feeling she had an ulterior motive. However, her family made automotive parts—there really wasn’t any business overlap.

When Wang Liyun went to use the restroom, Jiang Yun quickly asked Ding Hong, “What’s gotten into her? How can she even say things like I’m looking younger and more beautiful?”

That certainly wasn’t how she used to be.

Ding Hong was even more bewildered than her, “How would I know? But she’s not wrong. You do look dignified and spirited now, with an especially good complexion.”

“Really?” Jiang Yun touched her face. After the divorce, she had focused on beauty treatments and skincare for a while, but after moving to Suzhou, busy with work, she had neglected this aspect considerably. She didn’t expect to be complimented for it instead.

“Of course, when have I ever lied? This isn’t strange though—your company’s performance is like it’s been strapped to a rocket. Naturally, you’re in good spirits. They say women need the nourishment of love, but I think the nourishment of money might work even better.” Ding Hong joked.

“Hey, it’s not about the money.” Jiang Yun waved her hand, her face radiant with spirit. “I’ve just hit my stride in work. Just before coming here today, I received good news from the R&D center. We’ve made another breakthrough in photoelectric conversion rate. Of course, it’s currently limited to the laboratory. Converting it to production…”

She talked endlessly about work matters, and Ding Hong didn’t interrupt her, listening with a smile. After a while, Jiang Yun snapped back to herself, quite embarrassed. “Oh my, once I start talking about this, I never stop. You should have interrupted me.”

“Why would I interrupt you? Seeing you like this makes me especially happy.” Ding Hong said sincerely.

At this moment, Wang Liyun returned from the restroom. Jiang Yun stopped talking about work. The three chatted idly over tea for a while when Wang Liyun suddenly glanced at Jiang Yun several times, her expression hinting she wanted to speak but hesitated.

Jiang Yun’s spirits lifted, thinking, “Finally, here it comes.”

Sure enough, shortly after, Wang Liyun asked her, “Something happened a few days ago. Jiang Yun, have you heard about it?”

What kind of question was this? “Definitely haven’t heard.”

Wang Liyun was momentarily taken aback, but by now she had lost patience for playing coy and spilled it out like beans from a bag, “I heard that woman surnamed Qian went to Yuancheng headquarters and caused a huge scene, crying and making a fuss.”

Jiang Yun was immediately shocked by this explosive news. After digesting it for a second, she stared at Wang Liyun with piercing eyes, thinking, “Do tell me the details—leaving me hanging like this is really anxiety-inducing.”

Of course, her anxiety wasn’t about caring for Nie Chengyuan—purely about eagerly consuming this gossip.

A career woman’s life also needs some spice, and ex-husband gossip was particularly suitable.

However, since Wang Liyun had just praised her so highly, Jiang Yun wanted to maintain some image and felt it wouldn’t be good to eagerly press for details. Fortunately, Ding Hong was even more anxious than her and directly fired off three questions in a row, “Really? This happened? How come I haven’t heard about it?”

“Of course it’s true!” Wang Liyun emphasized her tone, unable to tolerate any doubt. “It’s not strange you haven’t heard. Nie Chengyuan doesn’t care about face? He would definitely try to cover it up, but how can such things be hidden? It’ll probably spread around soon enough.”

Ding Hong grew more urgent, “Then explain it clearly—what was the fuss about? Demanding marriage?”

Yes, yes, explain clearly, Jiang Yun echoed internally repeatedly.

“What are you talking about? It was for medical expenses.” Wang Liyun said, “She went to Yuancheng demanding medical expenses, saying Nie Chengyuan wasn’t taking care of her and she could no longer afford imported medication.”

“Is the information wrong?” At this point, Jiang Yun spoke up. She placed her hands folded on her lap, saying elegantly, “She only had some minor ailments before, which could be cured with surgery. She should have recovered long ago. How has it gotten to the point where she can’t afford medication?”

“I heard she developed another illness.” Wang Liyun’s gossip spirit was strong—she had already investigated thoroughly. “I have a relative whose relative is her attending physician. They said her illness is hard to treat and requires very expensive imported medication. Previously, the doctors here suggested she go to Beijing for treatment, where there would be more hope, but she looked down on that, saying she wanted to go to America for treatment. In the end, she didn’t even make it to Beijing, and now she’s making a scene at the company over medical expenses.”

Ding Hong found this unreasonable, “Yuancheng isn’t what it used to be—I heard they have some cash flow problems—but Nie Chengyuan shouldn’t be unable to come up with even this much. Why make such an ugly scene?”

“Who knows.” Wang Liyun said with a dismissive expression. “But that woman is also stupid. Making such a scene at the company only makes people more disgusted and cuts off her own retreat, doesn’t it?”

Jiang Yun said with calm detachment as she took a sip of tea, “She probably has path dependency.”

Ding Hong was startled, then suddenly understood, “Right, didn’t she go directly to Yuancheng headquarters years ago and faint in Nie Chengyuan’s office?”

Jiang Yun nodded.

Back then, Qian Fangping had successfully won over Nie Chengyuan with this tactic, so she probably thought it would still work now. However, times had changed—people’s hearts and circumstances were vastly different. How could the same trick be applied?

Years ago, when Qian Fangping appeared, she and Nie Chengyuan actually had many conflicts over the company’s development direction. Although she always yielded in the end, looking back now, Nie Chengyuan clearly harbored resentment. At that time, there was considerable external praise for her, and these voices likely intensified Nie Chengyuan’s dissatisfaction with her.

So he brought in a third party—partly because of old feelings that were hard to forget, and partly perhaps to use this to control her. He wanted to make her one of his options, elevating himself above her from then on.

What a fantasy.

However, Jiang Yun hadn’t understood these dark corners of human nature from the beginning.

There was a time when she also wanted to save her marriage. Whether for emotions, career, or Xiguang, divorce wasn’t the best choice.

She had heart-to-heart talks with Nie Chengyuan more than once, but while his mouth said everything was innocent, his behavior showed no restraint whatsoever. Didn’t he know how much pain and suffering she was in?

Of course he knew, but he was confident she had no way to deal with him. He was certain she couldn’t bear to let go and could only endure.

At that time, everyone around her indeed advised her to be patient. She knew most people were even well-intentioned, because once divorced, she would hand over half her assets and her husband to someone else—all those years of hard work would have made a wedding dress for another.

But the sense of humiliation in her heart was unbearable.

She resolutely divorced.

But she never told anyone that right after the divorce, she actually had regrets. After all, twenty years of companionship—how could there be no feelings, no dependency?

She felt as if something had been torn away from her, alive.

During that period, she appeared carefree in front of others during the day, but in the middle of the night when she woke from dreams and shed tears, she even questioned herself—had she given up too easily?

However, she understood more clearly in her heart that the more it was like this, the more decisively she needed to sever the ties. Swallowing humiliation and drinking poison to quench thirst for the sake of past feelings and assets would only make her numb and unrecognizable.

Over these years, through a combination of circumstances, Guangyu had soared to great heights, while Yuancheng’s performance had seriously declined due to changes in the broader environment. The dynamic between her and Nie Chengyuan had suddenly reversed.

Her last trace of unwillingness was completely released because of this. Facts proved that even though she divorced, it didn’t mean handing everything from the past over to others. Past experiences ultimately belonged to oneself, and as for whose future loss would be greater, it simply depended on who was stronger and more successful today.

As long as the strong one was her, the unwilling one would be Nie Chengyuan.

Ding Hong still couldn’t understand that question, “No matter how expensive imported medication is, Nie Chengyuan shouldn’t be unable to afford it. With his connections, getting Beijing’s medical resources would be a piece of cake. How could it get to such an ugly scene?”

Unless…

Ding Hong had some guesses in her heart but didn’t want to say them in front of Jiang Yun. She felt Nie Chengyuan probably had someone new again.

“What else could it be?” Wang Liyun’s thoughts were similar to hers.

Jiang Yun said lightly, “In the past, one part illness and nine parts acting was charming. Now that she’s truly ill, she’s become a burden.”

Both Ding Hong and Wang Liyun were startled, savoring this carefully—indeed, that was the truth. Ding Hong patted her shoulder, “You see through it all.”

Jiang Yun smiled, “Who’s born understanding these things? One only becomes enlightened after encountering such matters.”

Ding Hong asked, “He hasn’t been trying to reconcile with you lately, has he?”

“That’s ancient history. We haven’t been in contact for over half a year.” The better Guangyu developed, the less Nie Chengyuan contacted her. Jiang Yun sometimes really felt Nie Chengyuan was quite interesting—how had she not noticed this when she was young?

“Now that your company is so big, with a market value far exceeding Yuancheng, how could Nie Chengyuan have the face to contact you? He must be dying of regret inside. Everyone laughs at his foolishness behind his back. Let him regret himself to death!” Wang Liyun seemed to recall something and said bitterly.

Jiang Yun had a moment of understanding, glancing at Ding Hong, who gently shook her head, indicating she didn’t know what it was about. Jiang Yun let it go, having no interest in probing further.

Wang Liyun continued with unfinished enthusiasm, “If I were you, I’d find another partner with good conditions who’s young. You’re not even sixty yet. I think finding someone in their forties would work too. Men can find younger partners—you can too!”

Jiang Yun was startled, feeling as if Wang Liyun had projected her own wishes onto her, and quickly said, “That’s not necessary. I can’t create such trouble for my daughter.”

Even with a prenuptial agreement, it would still be very troublesome. She now had her career, her daughter, and a son-in-law to order around—why find an outsider to disturb her life and add variables?

Wang Liyun’s face was full of regret, as if frustrated that iron wouldn’t become steel.

Jiang Yun found this inwardly amusing. After another cup of tea, checking the time, Jiang Yun stood up to take her leave, “I need to go. I have a dinner engagement tonight.”

Drinking tea and hearing gossip was delightful, but sitting in the car on the way to the dinner, Jiang Yun gradually felt somewhat uncomfortable.

Yin Jie, who had been waiting for her in the car, keenly caught this emotional change and asked with concern, “Director Jiang, what’s wrong?”

Yin Jie was now Jiang Yun’s special assistant. She had been with her since Jiang Yun first joined the company. Over time, she knew about all the big and small matters of both the company and home. She was discreet and was also Xiguang’s good friend, so Jiang Yun didn’t avoid her. She sighed and said, “It’s about Xiguang’s father.”

She recounted the rumor she had just heard and sighed, “Hearing it made me feel somewhat satisfied, but… also a bit sad about the fate of those like her.” Saying “sad about the fate of those like her” wasn’t quite right, but Jiang Yun herself couldn’t quite describe that feeling in her heart.

Yin Jie was alarmed and quickly said, “No way, Director Jiang, you can’t use that phrase like that. That person didn’t consider ‘those like her’ at all back then.”

“Besides, we’re all human beings anyway. Our ‘kind’ should be the good people among humanity. You absolutely must not have thoughts like ‘she’s very pitiful’ or anything. There’s a popular saying online now: respect others’ choices and destinies—everything has its causes and consequences.”

Yin Jie rattled off a string of words, looking as if she was afraid Jiang Yun might get confused. Jiang Yun laughed and explained, “That’s not what I meant. Never mind, I said it wrong.”

She paused, “What I’m thinking is that people must still rely on themselves and not place their hopes for life on others. What enormous luck would it take to not stumble throughout an entire lifetime?”

Yin Jie nodded in agreement, “Absolutely. Earning your own money and spending it yourself is so satisfying, and you get respect too. Now I have the highest annual salary in my whole extended family. I feel like my family status has increased. Every time I go home for New Year, it’s like everyone is holding up Little Moon.”

“Why ‘holding up Little Moon’?” Jiang Yun was curious.

Yin Jie said with animated expressions, “Well, I have to be modest and leave some room for improvement.”

Jiang Yun burst into hearty laughter.

Soon the business vehicle arrived at the destination. Several people were already waiting at the grand hotel entrance and immediately surrounded her as soon as Jiang Yun got out of the car.

Jiang Yun was used to such scenes, smiling as she exchanged pleasantries with each of them, cordial yet humble.

Everyone walked into the hotel together.

Crystal chandeliers hung high in the luxurious lobby, and the marble floor was polished to a mirror shine.

Perhaps because she had heard news about Nie Chengyuan today, amid this crowd of people surrounding her, Jiang Yun suddenly remembered the past for a moment. Back then, she was still Nie Chengyuan’s wife, often accompanying him to similar occasions. Although she wasn’t at the very center, she was treated with courtesy and was quite prominent.

She had once been proud of this, content and satisfied.

But now that she herself had become the center, she realized that the sense of achievement and pleasure she gained back then was not even one ten-thousandth of being the center of attention, the focus of all eyes, by her own merit.

She was Jiang Yun, head of Guangyu Photovoltaic. She had once willingly been an appendage, had divorced in middle age, had fallen into a trough—but all of this had become the past, and no one cared anymore.

Because she now stood at the peak, and this time, it was her own peak.

——End of Rising Clouds