Du Jiashu nodded, his tone gentle and concerned, saying,
"I remember. Is there any progress?"
On the other end of the phone, Tang Yinyao's voice lifted with excitement, "That's right! While studying abroad, I made some new friends. Their families also run pharmaceutical companies back home and can supply the equipment our lab needs."
"We've already signed the contract. The equipment will be delivered next week."
"Since it's quite important, I've decided to cut my study program short and come back next week."
Originally, Tang Yinyao was supposed to study abroad for a month. Now, for the sake of this batch of equipment, she's shortening it to half a month.
Hearing Du Jiashu fall silent, Tang Yinyao added,
"What's wrong, Brother Jiashu? Aren't you happy I can come back early?"
"Don't you want to see me sooner?"
If it were before, he would definitely have been happy about Yao Yao returning early.
But now, his tense relationship with Xia Liuyue had just begun to ease a little. (Or so he unilaterally believed.)
If Yao Yao returned, things might get complicated.
Du Jiashu felt conflicted, but still said,
"Yao Yao, of course I'm happy you can come back early."
"It's just that I'm worried cutting a one-month program down to half might affect your studies."
Tang Yinyao replied cheerfully,
"Don't worry, I've learned everything I needed to. My supervisor also thinks the lab equipment is more important and has allowed me to return early."
"Oh, by the way! I've only told you about this, not Hechuan yet. You have to keep it a secret."
"Don't tell anyone, okay? I want to give him a surprise."
Du Jiashu nodded, speaking into the phone,
"Don't worry, my lips are sealed."
Tang Yinyao sensed that his attitude seemed somewhat cold; her heart tightened with concern.
"Speaking of which, Brother Jiashu, have you and your wife made up?"
Du Jiashu fell silent, not wanting to answer that question.
Tang Yinyao continued, "When I called yesterday, you two sounded quite close on the phone. I thought you had reconciled?"
Du Jiashu said slowly, "Our relationship is... a bit complicated."
"How about this, when I return, I'll organize a get-together and definitely help you two patch things up."
"No need," Du Jiashu replied instinctively.
Because the refusal was too abrupt, the smile on Tang Yinyao's face on the other end of the line faltered, her pride slightly wounded,
"What? Brother Jiashu doesn't trust me that much?"
"Aren't we still good friends?"
"Or do you mind me meddling in your affairs..."
Du Jiashu shook his head, hesitating,
"No, Yao Yao, this is between me and Xia Liuyue. I don't want to drag you into it."
Tang Yinyao's tone turned sour.
"Right, you two are husband and wife, a family."
"I was overstepping. If there's nothing else, I'll hang up now."
Hearing this, Du Jiashu grew anxious and quickly said,
"Yao Yao, that's not what I meant. You've misunderstood me."
"You are, of course, my best friend."
But Tang Yinyao decisively hung up the phone.
It wasn't because she no longer wanted to string Du Jiashu along, but because she felt her devoted admirer was gradually slipping from her control. At this point, the cold shoulder was the best way to reel him back in.
As long as she cooled off, he would panic, feel guilty, and reflect on himself.
Then he would come back even more eagerly.
It had always worked that way.
Never failed.
...
Xia Liuyue, feeling refreshed and invigorated, met her best friend, who was on a business trip in Haishi, for tea.
Her friend was also the daughter of a listed company in Jiangshi.
Seeing Xia Liuyue's excellent complexion, Sun Xiang couldn't help but smile and say,
"What's up? Has our great beauty Xia finally got a handle on your husband's heart?"
Xia Liuyue patted her large envelope bag, saying,
"What's the use of getting a handle on his heart? Getting a handle on shares is what really matters."
Sun Xiang burst out laughing,
"Right! That's the real Xia Liuyue. Honestly, when you first married Du Jiashu, it really seemed like you were under a spell."
"Playing the devoted housewife, the virtuous woman behind the successful man."
"Quite a few people in our circle were whispering, saying it was just a business marriage, why were you taking it so seriously."
Xia Liuyue wasn't exactly a player, but she did tend to fall for different men at different stages of her life.
It was true that their marriage was a business alliance.
However, Du Jiashu was handsome, had a proud demeanor, was very presentable in public, and was, after all, her legitimate husband.
It was only natural for her to develop feelings for him.
Xia Liuyue took a sip of her coffee, her tone light,
"I got stuck in a rut for a while. I've figured it out now."
Sun Xiang said happily,
"That's more like it! My treat today. What else do you want to eat? I heard the little cakes here are all delicious. Should we order one of each?"
Xia Liuyue shook her head, "No, I have other things to do later. I can't stay long."
Sun Xiang looked suspicious.
"Other things? Could it be... a date?"
Xia Liuyue smiled, flashing a 'you know it, sister' grin.
The two shared a knowing smile.
Dating was fine, as long as you didn't tell your business-marriage husband.
Fifteen minutes later.
A low-key gray SUV appeared behind the café. Meng Xiang was driving, and Yan Hechuan, wearing sunglasses, sat in the back seat.
"Xiangxiang, I'm off."
Xia Liuyue picked up her bag and waved to her friend.
Sun Xiang nodded, stood up to see her out, and upon spotting the car outside, whispered, "Sis, you know how to play. Both of them are top-tier."
Xia Liuyue patted her shoulder.
"They've got nothing on your seven at home."
Thinking about the men she had to deal with back home, Sun Xiang shook her head in despair,
"Two is enough, really. Any more and you'll cry."
Xia Liuyue smiled.
"Let's meet up again when you have time."
"Sure."
She walked to the car. Before she could even speak, the rear window slowly rolled down.
Yan Hechuan was wearing a pair of black sunglasses today, hiding those misty pupils of his. He wore a simple gray shirt, the top two buttons undone, revealing his slender neck and collarbone.
His sword-like eyebrows were sharply defined, and his pale, thin lips were slightly pressed together.
Hearing footsteps, the corners of his lips curled up,
"Yueyue, you're here."
Xia Liuyue opened the car door and got in, not rushing to reply to Yan Hechuan.
Instead, she softly asked the driver, Meng Xiang, "Junior Brother, have you two had breakfast?"
Meng Xiang was pleasantly surprised.
He hadn't expected the first words from the wealthy older sister after getting in the car to be directed at him.
"Not yet."
Xia Liuyue gave an acknowledging hum, picked up her phone, sent a location, and said,
"Drive here. The morning tea at this place is excellent. I've booked a private room."
Meng Xiang nodded repeatedly, "You got it!"
In the back seat, Yan Hechuan, who had been ignored all along, frowned slightly and repeated,
"Yueyue, you're here."
Like a stubborn robot.
Not receiving a response, repeating the initial greeting protocol.
