Chapter 2 carries a completely different weight of destiny.
Tuesday night a month ago.
The office clock pointed to 11:17, and most of the lights on the 28th floor of the Shang Group building were already off.
Yan Shuang rubbed her sore neck and sent the last completed data sheet to the project group.
"Secretary Yan, I'm so sorry to have kept you up so late." The junior assistant from the finance department stood at the door holding documents, her voice hoarse from staying up all night.
Yan Shuang shut down her computer, smiled, and shook her head: "The acquisition is time-sensitive, so it's understandable." She glanced at the thick stack of documents in the girl's hand, "Do these need to be scanned? Give me half."
As Yan Shuang was helping her colleague sort the documents, a bolt of lightning suddenly flashed across the window, followed by the sound of rumbling thunder.
The early summer downpour came unexpectedly.
"Oh no, I didn't bring an umbrella!" The assistant looked out the window in distress.
Yan Shuang took out a folding umbrella she always kept in the drawer and handed it to her: "Take it, I've called a car."
Actually, an Audi was waiting in the garage, but seeing the grateful look in the other person's eyes, this little lie seemed harmless.
Yan Shuang turned off the corridor light only after the last colleague who was working overtime left. As the elevator descended, she gazed at her blurry reflection in the mirrored wall. The collar of her silk shirt was slightly open, a few strands of her hair, which had been styled in a bun, had come loose, and her lipstick had been wiped off when she drank her fifth cup of coffee.
If I, as someone who had just started this job, saw myself looking like this, I'd probably be so shocked I'd immediately touch up my makeup.
The underground parking garage was eerily empty. A car in the distance suddenly turned on its headlights, and Yan Shuang reflexively tensed up, then laughed at herself for being overly sensitive; it was just a motion-sensor light.
After three years in the workforce, she had long been used to picking up her car alone late at night, but she still felt a little scared every time she walked through this dark passage.
The wipers sliced through the water on the windshield, and Yan Shuang turned on the jazz music on the stereo.
The intense drumbeats and unrestrained saxophone almost lifted the roof off the car.
Yan Shuang gripped the steering wheel, her long hair whipping wildly in the wind blowing in from the window. The expression on her face was one of complete relaxation after a long day of work, as if all the tension had been released.
Completely immersed in her own world, she gently tapped the steering wheel to the rhythm of the drums, singing along with the saxophone, even cracking a little at the high notes, but she didn't care at all.
Just as she was singing enthusiastically, she caught a glimpse of a car approaching from the side lane in the corner of her headlights.
She subconsciously slowed down and glanced casually to the side.
The rear window of the sleek black Bentley next to them was lowered halfway, and Shang Qiuzhu's well-defined profile was clearly visible in the flowing light and shadow outside the window.
He seemed to have just left a banquet or meeting; his tie was slightly loose, and one hand was casually resting on the car window, a half-burnt cigarette between his fingers.
His deep gaze, unwavering, fell squarely on her.
There was no emotion in her eyes, but to Yan Shuang, they were like a searchlight, illuminating her current state of madness without any way to hide.
The instant their eyes met.
Yan Shuang's singing voice got stuck in her throat, and the smile on her face instantly froze, turning into a look that was a mixture of extreme shock, embarrassment, and a desire to disappear on the spot.
She strained every muscle in her face, trying to create the calm illusion that "I was just doing a very new kind of music appreciation," and then used all her strength to make her voice sound as steady as possible:
"Mr. Shang."
She even nodded very slightly, completing the greeting.
After doing all this, she didn't dare wait for any response from the other party, so she rolled up the car window and stepped on the gas.
"Aaaaaaah!"
Only when the car windows were completely closed did Yan Shuang dare to let out a silent scream in the completely private car. She pounded the steering wheel with both hands, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
The two cars parted ways at the next fork in the road.
The black Bentley drove steadily toward the hillside luxury residential area, while Yan Shuang sped away from the crime scene in a slightly flustered manner.
At 12:45 a.m., she pushed open the door of the Yan family villa.
The entryway was pitch black, so she fumbled to turn on the wall lamp.
The empty hunger in my stomach eventually overcame the embarrassment of being socially awkward.
Yan Shuang opened the refrigerator door. The crisper drawer was neatly filled with imported fruits and organic vegetables, and the food containers contained semi-finished ingredients prepared by the chef, but none of them were ready to eat.
She bent down and found a carton of milk in the bottom drawer, then tiptoed up the stairs.
The thick carpet in the second-floor corridor absorbed the sound of footsteps but amplified the laughter and chatter coming from Yan You's room.
"Mom, I really can't eat anymore. I have to try on dresses next week." Yan You's sweet voice carried a hint of coquetry. "Brother Qiu Zhu said I look good in everything, but I want to give him a surprise."
"You silly child, bird's nest won't make you fat." Mother Zhou Yaqin's voice was full of affection. "Look at you, you've lost weight while you've been busy with your engagement. Merchants are so particular, we can't let people look down on our Yan family's daughter."
Yan Shuang's footsteps unconsciously stopped outside Yan You's room.
Through the half-open door, she saw her mother holding a porcelain bowl, looking at her eldest daughter leaning against the headboard with a pained expression.
Yan You was wearing a pink silk robe, her long hair cascading down her shoulders like a waterfall.
She and Yan You have the exact same face, the same delicate features, and the same porcelain-white skin.
But Yan Shuang always felt that she and her sister under the lights seemed to come from two different worlds. Yan You was like a peach kissed by the sun, so fresh that you could almost smell her sweet fragrance.
As for her, Yan Shuang looked down at herself, always in a business suit, and even her lip color was the most conservative dusty rose because of work.
"Is Shuangshuang back? I think I heard her voice," Yan You suddenly asked.
"She's back so late, she must have been working overtime again." Zhou Yaqin's tone was slightly reproachful. "This child just doesn't know how to take care of herself. Youyou, don't worry about her, just drink this bowl of bird's nest soup first."
Yan Shuang quietly left through the door.
She didn't want to be seen standing there like a voyeur, and she didn't want to face her mother's "you've made your sister worry again" look.
She understands, she really understands.
When the Yan Group was teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, it was Yan You who appeared at a charity gala arm in arm with Shang Qiuzhu; when banks withdrew their loans one after another, it was the funds injected by the Shang family that brought the company back to life.
She remembers all of these.
What's wrong with parents doting on Yan You?
He was the hero who saved the whole family.
If it weren't for my sister's engagement to Shangqiu Zhu, this villa would have been sealed off long ago, and my father's proud title as a director would have become a shameful mark on the creditors' list.
It's not that she doesn't know how to be grateful.
Over the years, she has lived a life free from financial worries, was able to study abroad, pursue her favorite major, and has consistently received 100,000 yuan in pocket money every month.
Her parents weren't harsh on her; in fact, they were quite generous, though not as good as they were to Yan You.
But it's precisely that "that's all" that sometimes gets stuck in some corner of your heart.
For example, right now.
Yan Shuang gently pushed open the door. She didn't turn on the main light, but only turned on the desk lamp. Then she put the milk carton on the table and collapsed into the chair as if exhausted.
-
At 6:15, Yan Shuang had already opened her eyes before her alarm clock went off.
As usual, I got up without any delay.
The kitchen was silent.
Yan Shuang deftly took out coffee beans from the cupboard; they were Yirgacheffe beans that had been airlifted from Ethiopia last month.
Shangqiu Zhu only drinks this one kind, and when Yan You found out, she immediately asked her family to switch to the same one.
"Shuangshuang, I also want to try the flavor that will fascinate your boss." Yan You said coquettishly, linking her arm with hers. "And don't you think it's romantic? I'm drinking the same coffee as your future brother-in-law."
So Yan Shuang silently noted down the variety of beans and the degree of roasting.
Now, she skillfully pours the coffee beans into the grinder and sets the grind setting. While the beans are grinding, she takes fresh milk from the refrigerator. Shangqiu Zhu likes to add milk foam to her coffee with precise milliliter measurements, and the temperature must be controlled at 65 degrees Celsius—not too much, not too little.
Yan Shuang took a three-month barista course specifically for this purpose, until she could make milk foam that met the requirements with her eyes closed.
Hot water passed through the coffee grounds, and the aroma instantly filled the entire kitchen.
Yan Shuang unconsciously took a deep breath; this was one of the few moments of peace she experienced during the day.
"Shuangshuang, is the coffee ready?" Yan You's voice floated down the stairs.
"That's it." Yan Shuang quickened her pace.
She added a little extra vanilla syrup to Yan You's drink, as her sister prefers a sweeter taste.
When Yan Shuang carried two cups of coffee toward the restaurant, Yan You had already gracefully taken a seat by the window.
"Why are you so slow today?" Yan You took the coffee. "Oops, it's so hot."
"Oh dear, I forgot to bring the coaster." Yan Shuang smiled sheepishly and turned to get it.
"This is the taste, exactly the same as what Brother Qiu Zhu drank, right?" Yan You took a sip, her eyes slightly narrowed. She took another sip of coffee, then frowned. "But it seems sweeter than usual today?"
"I added a little extra vanilla syrup."
"Oh, I don't want it sweet today. I want the exact same one as Qiu Zhu-ge's." Yan You pouted. "Shuangshuang, can you make another one?"
Yan Shuang looked at the almost untouched cup of coffee, a faint hint of helplessness flashing in her eyes. "I really can't do anything with you. I'll make it again."
Yan You immediately smiled broadly, "Thank you, Shuangshuang! You're the best!"
Back in the kitchen, Yan Shuang repeated the previous steps.
This time, she strictly followed Shangqiu bamboo's standards and did not add sugar.
When she placed the freshly made coffee in front of Yan You, her sister finally showed a satisfied smile.
"That's more like it." Yan You picked up the cup, took a sip, and then frowned. "It's so bitter... Does Brother Qiu Zhu drink this every day?"
Yan Shuang nodded. "Yes."
"It's a really unique flavor." Yan You made a face, but still insisted on taking another sip. "But for Brother Qiu Zhu, I'm willing to try anything."
After brewing the coffee, Yan Shuang sat down in her usual spot.
"Youyou, I've had the chef revise the engagement banquet menu, removing a few greasy dishes." Her mother, Zhou Yaqin, pushed a plate of peeled and diced fruit in front of Yan You. "Didn't you say you wanted to control your weight lately?"
Yan You picked up a piece of melon with a silver fork and laughed, "Mom is the best! Brother Qiu Zhu said I look good in that Vera Wang fishtail dress, but it's a little tight around the waist."
“Then adjust the size again. Don’t force yourself to diet.” Father Yan Zhenye put down the Financial Times and looked at his eldest daughter with gentle eyes.
Yan Shuang lowered her head and cut the boiled egg, taking small bites. All she could hear was her family's meticulous care for Yan You, from the floral arrangements for the engagement banquet to the number of lace edges on the wedding dress, and even the private jet arrangements for the pre-wedding trip.
until...
Then Yan You suddenly turned to her and said, "Shuangshuang, has Brother Qiu Zhu been particularly busy lately? He always takes a long time to reply to my messages, and sometimes he doesn't reply at all."
In an instant, Yan Shuang felt all her family's eyes on her.
She gently put down her cutlery and said in a soft voice, "The company is currently preparing for an acquisition project, and the boss is indeed very busy. He even canceled the board meeting twice."
She deliberately used the title "boss" instead of "brother-in-law" as her family expected.
The difference of just one word acts like an invisible barrier, separating her professional identity from her family responsibilities.
"I knew it!" Yan You pouted and turned to her parents. "They must be too busy with work, they're not ignoring me on purpose."
"Shuangshuang," her father's voice turned serious, "you need to pay close attention to Shangqiu Zhu's movements. Is he... having any inappropriate interactions with people around him?"
Yan Shuang saw her mother secretly squeeze her father's arm, but the expectation in her eyes was exactly the same.
She was all too familiar with that expression. Three years ago, on that night, when her father first suggested that she apply for a job at the Shang Group, the whole family looked at her with those same eyes.
"Shuangshuang, your sister's marriage to Shangqiu Zhu is very important to the Yan family." Her father's words still echoed in her ears. "But a man like Shangqiu Zhu is bound to attract unwanted attention. Only if you work by his side can we feel at ease."
At that time, Yan Shuang had just graduated first in her class from a British business school and had offers from several investment banks.
But she simply nodded obediently.
“Lately, the boss has been dealing with mostly business matters.” Yan Shuang put down her fork.
"That's good." The father's expression relaxed. "You need to keep a close eye on things and report back promptly. Youyou's marriage cannot go wrong in any way."
Yan Shuang saw Yan You wink at her and mouth "thank you".
"By the way," Yan Zhenye put down his newspaper and adjusted his glasses, "the Lin family has replied, and Chairman Lin will attend in person."
Zhou Yaqin exclaimed in surprise, "The Lin family? The Lin family overseas?"
“Otherwise, which Lin family would it be?” Yan Zhenye frowned, but his eyes were also filled with confusion. “I just sent out invitations as usual, I didn’t expect them to actually accept.”
Yan Shuang was also a little puzzled. Why would the chairman of the Lin Group attend the engagement banquet of an ordinary business partner's daughter? This was indeed unusual. "Why did the Lin Group suddenly accept the invitation? As far as I know, they rarely attend these kinds of social events."
Yan Zhenye frowned even more: "I also find it strange. Chairman Lin has been keeping a low profile in recent years, and he rarely even appears at industry summits."
"Maybe they're optimistic about the Yan family's future!" Zhou Yaqin said optimistically, already starting to plan, "If we could connect with the Lin family's overseas channels..."
Yan Shuang couldn't help but frown. She understood the rules of the business world; there was no such thing as unwarranted favor, especially from a business giant like the Lin family.
"Is the Lin family very powerful?" Yan You asked, blinking her big eyes. "Is it as powerful as the Shang family?"
Yan Zhenye shook his head: "They're evenly matched. The Shang family mainly focuses on the domestic market and has only started expanding overseas in recent years. The Lin family, on the other hand, has always been deeply rooted overseas, with businesses spanning half the globe, from Southeast Asia to Europe." He paused, "Their family assets... are simply not to be underestimated."
“However,” Zhou Yaqin turned to Yan You, her tone earnest, “the Lin family’s only son is definitely not as good as Shang Qiuzhu. I heard that son studies painting and is an artist. How can he compare to a business prodigy like Shang Qiuzhu, who took over the family business at such a young age?” She patted Yan You’s hand meaningfully, “Our Youyou is so lucky.”
Yan You blushed immediately and lowered her head to stir the porridge in her bowl: "Mom... please stop talking..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
