Jiang Si was currently in the study sketching design drafts when the sound of knocking interrupted her. Instinctively, she assumed it was the old master and the others returning home.
Earlier that afternoon, after the two little ones had woken from their nap, they had clamored to go out for a stroll.
By her estimate, it was about time they came back.
To her surprise, when she opened the door, she was met with Zhang Yaqin and her daughter instead.
Zhang Yaqin seemed equally taken aback to see Jiang Si answering the door. A flicker of discomfort crossed her face at the sight of her.
In contrast to her unease, Yu Manli, standing beside her, appeared far more composed and self-assured after over a year of personal growth.
At first glance, Jiang Si almost didn’t recognize her.
The last time they’d met, Yu Manli had worn her hair long, cascading down to her waist.
Now, her hair was cropped short, her skin noticeably tanned, giving her a crisp and efficient demeanor.
Clearly, the incident from a year ago hadn’t left any lasting psychological scars on her.
Accompanying the mother and daughter was an unfamiliar man.
Judging by his attire, he was likely a military man as well.
Just as Jiang Si was puzzling over their unexpected visit, Yu Manli beamed at her. "Jiang Si, it’s been so long!"
Caught off guard by the outstretched hand, Jiang Si hesitated briefly.
But as the saying goes, one doesn’t strike a smiling face.
After a pause, she returned the handshake, though her tone remained as aloof as ever.
Setting aside past unpleasantness, they had only met a handful of times—hardly enough to claim any real friendship.
"Is there something you need?" Jiang Si asked, then added, "The old master and the others aren’t home right now. If it’s important, you might want to come back later."
"Actually, it’s nothing urgent," Yu Manli replied, pulling a few packets of wedding candies from her satchel.
Since moving out of the compound, their family had rarely returned.
This visit was mainly to distribute the candies to everyone.
As if worried Jiang Si might refuse, Yu Manli quickly explained, "We’ve given them to every household in the compound. It’s just a small gesture—we didn’t mean anything by it..."
Before she could finish, Jiang Si took the candies from her hand.
"Thank you," she said, glancing at the couple. "May you have a harmonious and lasting union."
No matter what had happened in the past, this blessing was sincere.
Yu Manli smiled. "Thank you."
Then she added, "We’ll be on our way now."
Jiang Si nodded.
Just as she was about to close the door, Zhang Yaqin, who had remained silent until then, suddenly paused.
After a visible internal struggle, she turned to Jiang Si and said, "Be careful with that one from the Ling family."
The remark came out of nowhere, leaving Jiang Si momentarily confused. "The Ling family?"
"Yes, the Ling family," Zhang Yaqin confirmed.
Seeing Jiang Si’s puzzled expression, she elaborated.
"That would be Ling Yunfei, the eldest son of the Ling family—the one who got into a fight with our family last time."
At this, Jiang Si understood.
Ah, the one with multiple marriages and divorces.
But she still didn’t grasp the warning.
Zhang Yaqin continued, "After the altercation last year, he was given a major demerit and demoted. Later, he left the military and now works at the First Engineering Bureau of the Construction Ministry."
She paused for emphasis. "They’re the contractors for the foreign affairs building."
It was only recently, after reading the newspapers, that Zhang Yaqin had learned Jiang Si was the chief designer of that very project.
In the past, blinded by prejudice, she had always looked down on others.
But ever since Old Yu withdrew from the election and his family moved out of the compound, she had begun to see things differently.
No longer did she need to rack her brains over how to please others.
Nor did she have to bother with maintaining social connections.
Now, she spent her days leisurely looking after her grandson, tending to her vegetable garden, and raising fish.
This past year had been remarkably peaceful for her.
Old Yu was the same.
After freeing himself from the burdens of the past, he no longer dwelled on what had been.
As he put it—
What had trapped him was never really a person.
Rather, it was the beautiful memories of his youth and the younger version of himself.
Now that he had let go, Zhang Yaqin no longer held onto the matter either.
Still, the darker thoughts she had harbored in the past were something she couldn’t bring herself to confess—she simply didn’t have the face to admit them.
But Jiang Si had once saved her daughter, and that debt of gratitude remained etched in her heart.
She might not be a good person herself,
but the one from the Ling family was undeniably rotten to the core.
If lust was a blade hanging over one’s head,
then this man must already be as bristly as a porcupine.
Lost in these thoughts, Zhang Yaqin’s expression grew unusually grave.
"You must be careful around that man. Don’t let him get too close to you—especially don’t give him any opportunity to approach you."
Having said what needed to be said, Zhang Yaqin and the others stood to leave.
Meanwhile, Jiang Si stared at the wedding candy in her hand, lost in thought.
Though she had never dealt with Ling Yunfei personally,
there was no denying his notorious private life and questionable work ethic.
Jiang Si seriously doubted whether entrusting such an important project to someone like him was wise.
But even as the project’s lead designer, she had no authority to replace the construction team.
The mere thought of having to interact with him daily made her skin crawl.
It was at this moment that Huo Tingzhou returned.
Noticing Jiang Si sitting on the sofa, absentmindedly gazing at the wedding candy, he frowned slightly. "What’s wrong?"
Catching a glimpse of Zhang Yaqin and her daughter near the doorway earlier, he added, "Did they say something unpleasant?"
"No." Jiang Si snapped out of her daze and plucked a piece of candy from the bag.
After unwrapping it, she popped it directly into his mouth. "Yu Manli got married. They came to deliver wedding candy."
Since it was someone else’s affair, Huo Tingzhou didn’t dwell on it.
Only one thing concerned him.
"Then why do you look so troubled?"
Jiang Si was about to answer
when an unexpected phone call interrupted her train of thought.
Huo Tingzhou, being closer, picked it up with a brief "Hello?" before handing it to her.
"It’s Professor Li."
Jiang Si nodded.
She guessed Professor Li was probably checking in on the progress of the design plan.
Sure enough, the moment she greeted him,
Professor Li got straight to the point.
Jiang Si chuckled. "It’s going well. The main framework adjustments are nearly done, and we’re currently refining the internal layout. It’s progressing more smoothly than expected."
"That’s good, that’s good!"
Professor Li audibly sighed in relief. "Are you free tomorrow morning? The construction team’s representative wants to meet with you."
Jiang Si instinctively wanted to refuse, but after a moment’s thought, avoiding the issue wouldn’t solve anything.
"Did he mention what it’s about?"
"Yes, mainly to discuss groundwork excavation and preliminary preparations for site entry. Some details need to be ironed out in person."
The reason was perfectly reasonable, so Jiang Si couldn’t refuse. "Alright, I’ll go there tomorrow morning."
That’s what she said, but after hanging up the phone,
she couldn’t help but sigh deeply.
Huo Tingzhou was puzzled. "What’s wrong?"
Jiang Si didn’t hold back this time and told him everything Zhang Yaqin had warned her about.
Huo Tingzhou had already been uneasy about leaving her alone in the capital.
Now, learning that the person in charge of the construction was actually that scoundrel from the Ling family, his expression darkened instantly.
