During the previous three-day May Day holiday, Jiang Shiyan had been preparing various dishes for Yang Yang at home. Tang Yang, well-fed and content, not only had her skin condition improved, but the small pimple that had appeared due to the change in environment in B City also subsided.
Upon reaching the top floor, Tang Yang effortlessly touched up her makeup with a cushion compact. Her high heels clicked as she made her way to Zhou Zisheng’s office.
While the three-day May Day holiday was a pleasant experience for some, Gan Yiming spent it in constant anxiety.
In mid-April, Qianqian had broken up with Gan Yiming, demanding a hundred thousand yuan as a breakup fee. At that time, Gan Yiming was in the throes of a passionate relationship with Fan Linlang. When he received Qianqian’s call, he didn’t think twice and promptly transferred the money, cutting off all contact afterward.
What he hadn’t anticipated was that half a month later, at the beginning of May, Qianqian would submit her story to gossip accounts.
Even more unexpected was that the detailed account of their “sugar daddy” relationship would be reposted by various gossip accounts, riding the wave of traffic during the year’s only long holiday after spring, and going viral.
During those three days, Gan Yiming could hardly check the trending topics without seeing discussions related to the issue:
“If a man in his early thirties, decent in most aspects, offers you a monthly allowance of 20,000 yuan, and buys you bags and cosmetics, would you agree to be his sugar baby?”
“The original poster is a student from a well-known university. Have female college students become accustomed to getting things without effort?”
“Isn’t spreading your legs considered work? Besides, this is just one case. Let’s not overgeneralize. Many people are still independent and ambitious. A senior of mine, while doing her master’s, would go to the library at 6 AM every day. Once, a rich second-generation drove up in a Lamborghini with a car full of roses to pick her up from the library. She didn’t even spare him a glance. She went on to get her doctorate and is now a high achiever with an equally successful boyfriend.”
“Waking up at 6 AM every day? That level of self-discipline is incredible… Someone with that kind of determination can achieve anything. But looking at the original post’s description, the sugar daddy is a middle manager at a major bank that used to be state-owned and is now a joint-stock company. It’s either Hui Shang or Pu Xi Bank. You could probably find the guy by checking their official websites for someone in his early thirties.”
“…”
This comment narrowed down the target to about a dozen people, but Gan Yiming wasn’t concerned about that.
What worried him were the photos Qianqian had included in her post. Many of the gifts he had given her were high-end, limited edition pieces with less than ten available in A City. Gan Yiming had used Wei Changqiu’s secondary card, and if Wei Changqiu became suspicious and investigated, everything would be exposed.
Even more damning was one photo where his hand was visible, wearing the watch Wei Changqiu had given him – a custom-made piece with his initials engraved on the side of the dial.
Gan Yiming tried contacting friends who knew these gossip account owners, but none of them were willing to help in this matter.
The more Gan Yiming prayed for the heat to die down, the more that photo seemed to hang over his head like a death sentence.
During the three-day holiday, Gan Yiming spent every day with Wei Changqiu, claiming it was out of longing.
On the 4th, when work resumed, even though there was only a two-hour lunch break, Gan Yiming hurriedly brought lunch to see Wei Changqiu.
At Jiujiang Real Estate, on the top floor.
The CEO’s office was luxuriously decorated with gold and jade. Behind the heavy sandalwood desk, an elegant woman was reviewing documents. On the small sofa in front of the desk, a man was sprawled out, tapping on his phone. In the corner, an antique clock ticked away, its “tick-tock” the only sound breaking the silence.
“Is your phone really that interesting?” the woman asked, capping her pen and looking up at the man after finishing a batch of documents.
“I saw you were still working, didn’t want to disturb you,” Gan Yiming sat up straight.
“I chatted with Tang Yang for a while this morning, which delayed things,” Wei Changqiu frowned, recalling something. “You’ve been glued to your phone these past few days. I wonder when you’ll be able to quit.”
Gan Yiming casually suggested: “Qiuqiu, why don’t you quit with me?”
Wei Changqiu didn’t understand his meaning.
Gan Yiming got up and went over to her, demonstrating by deleting apps from his phone: “I’ll delete all the games, browsers, and Weibo from my phone. You do the same, and we can spend more time with each other.”
Gan Yiming’s gaze was sincere. Wei Changqiu stared at him for a moment before saying, “Alright,” and handing him her phone.
Gan Yiming’s throat bobbed as he took Wei Changqiu’s phone. His hands trembled slightly as he deleted the apps, occasionally glancing at Wei Changqiu.
Wei Changqiu’s lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
Beneath the stack of documents she had just reviewed lay a tablet displaying one of the photos Qianqian had posted online. In the image, Gan Yiming’s watch was visible.
————
At 2 PM, as Gan Yiming was leaving the Jiujiang CEO’s office, he encountered Zhou Mo going in.
Feeling somewhat relieved, Gan Yiming even managed a smile at Zhou Mo.
Zhou Mo’s expression remained neutral as he entered and closed the door.
“You mentioned this morning that Deputy Tang’s attitude was ambiguous and asked me to try to arrange a dinner,” Zhou Mo said. “Deputy Tang said she doesn’t have much to do this afternoon and could treat you to afternoon tea. Zhou Xing happens to be there too. I see your schedule is also clear,” Zhou Mo inquired, “Shall we head to Hui Shang Bank?”
“Didn’t Deputy Tang just finish her training? She’s back to work so quickly?” Wei Changqiu asked.
Zhou Mo replied calmly, “She’s always been a workaholic.”
Wei Changqiu nodded, “Prepare the car. I’ll be down in half an hour.”
Inside the Jiujiang Real Estate office building, Zhou Mo notified the staff to get ready, confirming the materials to bring and the estimated duration of the meeting. The relevant personnel operated like well-oiled gears, efficient and rule-abiding.
At the other end of the city, in the Jiang family villa, in the dining room.
CEO No. 1, Mama Jiang, was eagerly ladling Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup into a thermos. CEO No. 2, Jiang Shiyan, leaned against the wall, his legs stretched out into the corridor. With his arms crossed and lips curved in a sarcastic smile, he spoke with a hint of mockery: “I wonder who it was that said they’d knit me a sweater out of love when I was in second grade, only to finish it when I was in high school. When I tried it on, I couldn’t even fit half an arm in.”
Mama Jiang ignored him, humming a tune.
“I wonder who it was that said they’d learn to bake when I was in high school. Even now,” Jiang Shiyan glanced at the storage room, “I bet that box of baking tools hasn’t even been opened.”
Mama Jiang packed the thermos into a cloth bag, meticulously tying a pink satin ribbon into a butterfly knot on the soup ladle.
Jiang Shiyan continued absentmindedly: “And then think about how you treat Yang Yang. How come when you said you’d make Buddha Jumps Over the Wall for her last December, you’ve become an expert in just half a year?”
Mama Jiang finished tying the bag and glanced at Jiang Shiyan: “Are you going or not? If not, send me there,” she said disapprovingly. “All this grumbling and muttering, you’re like a little old lady in her seventies or eighties.”
Jiang Shiyan protested: “The weather was so nice at noon. I could have had lunch with Yang Yang and enjoyed some dessert. But you had to call me back here, spending an hour round trip just to deliver this to Yang Yang?” Jiang Shiyan sneered and said with particular irritation, “Really, Ms. Yi, whatever mischief you want to get up to, could you consider the feelings of us young people? One moment I’m holding my girlfriend, the next I’m standing here all alone. Do you think I won’t dare refuse whatever errand you send me on—”
Mama Jiang looked at Jiang Shiyan with slightly widened eyes, gesturing for him to continue.
Meeting Mama Jiang’s gaze head-on, Jiang Shiyan quickly changed his tune: “That’s right, I don’t dare refuse.”
Mama Jiang let out a small “hmph” and handed him the bag of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup. Jiang Shiyan took it reluctantly, feeling quite weary.
Jiang Shiyan had once helped Mama Jiang deliver a necklace to Tang Yang. Just before Tang Yang was to leave for B City for her studies, he had casually presented it. Tang Yang had been genuinely amazed, praising its beauty profusely, and then spent nearly half an hour on the phone with Mama Jiang, chatting about everything from fashion to bags to skincare.
So, regarding this Buddha Jumps Over the Wall soup…
Jiang Shiyan had just caught a whiff of the aroma. He knew that when he delivered it, Yang Yang would praise Ms. Yi’s cooking, and Ms. Yi would chat affectionately with Yang Yang. At best, he was just a local delivery service. It’s not like Yang Yang would fawn over him for his quick and careful delivery, praising how well he preserved the food.
How childish.
But then, thinking about how happy it would make Yang Yang, a warm breeze seemed to blow through Jiang Shiyan’s heart.
Before, his life and work revolved only around himself, drifting here and there, living solely for himself. Now Yang Yang was his girlfriend, and he was bringing her a special meal.
It felt both strange and wonderful as if all his previously aimless explorations had found a foundation in Tang Yang.
The afternoon sunlight filtered through the dense leaves of the phoenix trees, casting circular shadows. As the wind blew, bright spots danced on the ground.
The driver brought the car around and opened the door for Jiang Shiyan. Sitting in the back seat with the cloth bag on his lap, Jiang Shiyan gently stroked it, his dark eyes filled with tender light.
The assistant, sitting in the front passenger seat, was startled: Could the bag contain a Jiang family heirloom? Was he about to learn another wealthy family secret, just like when he first learned about Deputy Tang and President Jiang’s underground romance?
Jiang Shiyan smiled with a sense of accomplishment, while the assistant nervously fidgeted with his fingers, stealing glances at his boss, his legs trembling.
Two Lincoln cars set off for Hui Shang Bank, one from Jiujiang and one from the Jiang family villa.
Meanwhile, inside the Hui Shang building, Gan Yiming was getting off the elevator just as Fan Linlang was getting on.
Gan Yiming blocked the elevator sensor: “Is Tang Yang back? Did she tell you about her New Thunder exam results?”
“She hasn’t mentioned it. I think Zhou Xing called her upstairs. All the colleagues are attending a lecture in the second-floor hall, so there’s no one on the office floor,” Fan Linlang said in a low voice as she passed Gan Yiming. “I accidentally saw her unlock her computer once. The password is 0901.”
————
Earlier, when Gan Yiming learned that the New Thunder project would be factored into the year-end performance review, his first reaction was to silently curse Zhou Zisheng. No wonder Zhou had agreed so readily when Gan said he wouldn’t go. It seemed all the good opportunities were falling into Tang Yang’s lap.
He didn’t care about the bonus from the performance review, but he minded that Tang Yang had gained an advantage over him. Only the individual and the leadership knew the New Thunder results. He thought if he could see that Tang Yang hadn’t passed or hadn’t achieved excellence, he might feel a bit better.
The office was empty. Gan Yiming grabbed a file from his own office and walked to Tang Yang’s office door, knocking three times for show: “Deputy Tang.”
When no one answered, he casually pushed the door open and sat at Tang Yang’s desk.
He turned on the computer and unlocked it.
The screensaver was a photo of a high school boy in a No. 1 Middle School uniform, round as a ball. In the photo, he was holding an enormous, golden, crispy chicken leg, his eyes crinkled into slits from smiling, looking like a soft white bun with a drawn-on anime smile.
Tang Yang’s first love? Was her taste so bizarre back then? Did Jiang Shiyan know about this? How could someone with a boyfriend use another man as her screensaver? She looked so proper, but who knew what she was really like behind closed doors?
Gan Yiming snorted inwardly and clicked on the folder with Tang Yang’s name on the desktop.
Out of eight courses, Tang Yang had achieved perfect scores in six, near-perfect in one, and had passed physical education.
With each PDF scan Gan Yiming opened, his expression darkened. By the last one, his teeth were slightly clenched, his gaze unfocused, lost in thought.
Suddenly, his eyes stopped.
The mouse hovered over “Chen Qiang” under “Recently Viewed Files.”
Gan Yiming rubbed his temples and clicked it open. As he saw the contents, his facial expression slowly froze.
Several floors up, on the top floor of Hui Shang Bank.
Zhou Zisheng asked Tang Yang about the New Thunder project, and Tang Yang answered each question.
Zhou Zisheng told Tang Yang that the New Thunder project would count towards her performance review and that her scores were good. Tang Yang accepted this without being overly modest or proud.
Zhou Zisheng and President Fan were of similar seniority and position, and both spoke as if they had Tang Yang’s best interests at heart. Perhaps due to first impressions, Tang Yang felt that President Fan was more straightforward and likable, while Zhou Zisheng, like Zhou Mo, seemed to have a layer of cling film over him. He appeared sincere and kind and said all the right things, but you couldn’t quite reach him or figure him out.
Tang Yang didn’t show this, patiently nodding and responding throughout.
Zhou Zisheng observed Tang Yang’s reactions the entire time, also pretending not to notice the fluctuations in her eyes.
Finally, Zhou Zisheng casually asked, “I heard Deputy Tang is in a relationship. When do you plan to get married? When do you plan to have children?”
Tang Yang was cautious but honest: “We’re considering getting married this year, but haven’t discussed the specifics with my boyfriend yet. As for children,” she paused, then answered softly, “we probably won’t consider it this year.”
This year was too short a timeframe.
Zhou Zisheng tapped his pen on the desk twice, then looked at Tang Yang again, saying meaningfully, “According to company policy, late pregnancy and nursing recovery add up to about five months of leave. But your position can’t be left vacant for five months. Countless people would want to take your place. You should consider what might happen if you try to return after five months…”
Tang Yang pressed her lips together without speaking.
Zhou Zisheng continued, “Last month when evaluating candidates for the quarterly excellence award, Deputy Tang was among them. At that time, there were rumors about you and President Jiang. Given that President Jiang isn’t an ordinary salaried employee, the upper management considered various factors and ultimately gave the award to Gan Yiming…”
While in Zhou Zisheng’s office, Tang Yang maintained a calm and restrained demeanor, answering with utmost rationality.
After leaving the office, perhaps due to her uncomfortable high heels, she took a few steps down the brightly lit corridor and felt a dull pain rising from the soles of her feet. She reached out to steady herself against the snow-white painted wall, her knees trembling slightly despite her efforts to control them.
Zhou Zisheng’s words echoed in her ears.
“In any organization, there are far fewer female executives than male ones. Deputy Tang should consider why that is.”
“Long-term relationships inevitably lead to marriage and children. The child-rearing period is indeed too long, and we can’t hold positions open indefinitely outside of the civil service system.”
“Deputy Tang, you’ve studied for so many years and come this far. I’m not saying marriage and children are bad, and I know this is cruel, but I still hope Deputy Tang will carefully consider her priorities. After the branch reorganization, many plans will take this factor into account when selecting leaders…”
Stripped to its essence, Zhou Zisheng’s meaning was clear—it didn’t matter if she got married this year, but if she planned to have a child within two years, her path at Hui Shang Bank would likely come to an end. For everyone’s peace of mind, should she not even get married?
When Tang Yang signed her three-party contract with Hui Shang Bank after graduation, HR mentioned this point, stating it was a common issue.
At the time, Tang Yang was single and thought it didn’t matter. But now, having it brought up so bluntly by Zhou Zisheng…
She couldn’t say she felt upset, but she couldn’t say she didn’t. It felt as if she had swallowed a damp ball of cotton, cool and astringent, stuck in her throat.
Tang Yang leaned against the wall for a moment.
A secretary from the secretarial office passed by: “Deputy Tang, are you feeling unwell? A wellness expert is giving a lecture on spinal health in the second-floor hall. Everyone’s there. Would you like to go?”
Tang Yang straightened up: “No, thank you. You go ahead.”
“Would you like to take the elevator together, Deputy Tang?”
“No need,” Tang Yang smiled faintly. “I’ll take the stairs to help digestion.”
The secretary left first.
In the stairwell, Tang Yang held onto the railing and slowly made her way down.
In the Credit Review Department, Gan Yiming was systematically deleting the hotel records Chen Qiang had given to Tang Yang from her computer.
In the stairwell, Jiang Shiyan called Tang Yang, jokingly saying “The delivery guy is 793 meters away from you,” making Tang Yang chuckle.
In the Credit Review Department, the page footer on Tang Yang’s computer changed from “10” to “1”.
In the stairwell, Tang Yang reached the Credit Review Department floor and pushed the door open.
Gan Yiming deleted the last entry, quickly restored Tang Yang’s desk to its original state, and stood up to leave.
At that moment, Tang Yang entered the Credit Review Department, and they came face to face, their gazes colliding in mid-air.