Chapter 1518 Living Together
Hearing Sun Xianjin's words, Li Ye laughed and said, "Awkward? What's wrong with you two? Is it that absence makes the heart grow fonder and you're not used to it yet?"
Sun Xianjin and Bian Jingjing's relationship over the past two years has not been one of "absence makes the heart grow fonder," but rather one of separation. Under such circumstances, misunderstandings are very likely to occur, which is why Li Ye pretended to be relaxed and teased Sun Xianjin.
But Sun Xianjin said speechlessly, "Brother Yi, don't joke with me. I've really felt awkward these past two days. For example, her mentioning buying a courtyard house just now was really awkward."
Sun Xianjin pointed to the ceiling of his house: "Actually, you know my family has some money. Before this house was allocated, I was planning to buy a house in Beijing so I wouldn't have to compete with my colleagues for this small apartment."
But Bian Jingjing disagreed. She insisted that I compete with everyone else for it, saying that after moving in, I would be neighbors with my colleagues and superiors, which would make it easier to manage relationships. Besides, buying a house elsewhere would be too conspicuous.
But I'm currently in a crucial evaluation period, and she wants to buy a big courtyard house. Wouldn't that make me stand out? Especially since she started making money, she's always bossing me around. I'm like a spinning top, constantly being whipped around by her, with no autonomy of my own.
Just now, it would have been so nice for the three of us to have a meal together, but she actually took her child out to eat KFC. Do you think she's giving me the cold shoulder? Or…?
"Stop, stop, stop! Don't say anything more."
Li Ye stopped Sun Xianjin, then stared at him seriously and asked, "Xianjin, are you lacking confidence in yourself, or are you worried about Bian Jingjing?"
Sun Xianjin was taken aback for a moment before awkwardly saying, "Brother Yi, what are you talking about? How could I lack confidence? How could I be worried?"
Li Ye shook his head and said, "But from the way you were looking just now, I felt that Bian Jingjing has become too capable and is no longer under your control, making you lose your manly dignity, which is why you feel uncomfortable."
Li Ye had seen similar situations to Bian Jingjing and Sun Xianjin in his previous life.
When the daughter-in-law first married into the family, she was well-behaved and obedient. However, after demonstrating her extraordinary abilities, she became very demanding and disruptive, leaving the men feeling frustrated but unable to vent their anger.
In reality, men could simply relax and lie down in this situation, but decades of education have made many men unable to let go of their sense of responsibility and pride.
"No, I'm not that petty."
Sun Xianjin rubbed his cheek and said, "Besides, Bian Jingjing isn't out of control. After she came back this time, she first gave me the accounts, letting me know how much money she had earned for the family up to last month."
"Hey, then what are you being so awkward about? They've practically handed you a free meal, and you're complaining about how hot or cold it is?"
Li Ye was shocked. He had just seen Sun Xianjin's troubled look and misunderstood that the guy was afraid that his wife would become too independent and fly away one day. He never expected that Bian Jingjing was just a girl who made money for him.
Once the money is in a woman's pocket, it's like it's locked up; you can't even take a peek.
It's extremely rare for Bian Jingjing to return from her work outside and immediately report her expenses to Sun Xianjin.
Even though Fu Guiru and Wen Leyu are always talking about building up the Li family's empire, they don't report their expenses to Li Ye as soon as they get home! They don't even say a word unless Li Ye asks them.
"Who's a gigolo? Brother, that's hurtful. Do you think I, Sun Xianjin, am a gigolo? I can't even spend all my salary each month."
Li Ye's words infuriated Sun Xianjin, who swore that he was a true man and would never be a kept man.
Li Ye was completely bewildered: "So what exactly is it that feels awkward to you? Bian Jingjing reported the expenses to you as soon as she got back, which was actually to put your mind at ease. Can't you even realize that?"
Sun Xianjin pursed his lips and said hesitantly, "I can understand. But I feel that we're just doing our own thing now, and the passion we used to have is gone."
"You two are an old married couple in your thirties, what kind of passion do you need? Isn't it just about living together? That's normal!"
Li Ye finally understood what was going on.
Because Bian Jingjing had a clear "purpose" in her approach to marriage, her union with Sun Xianjin was inherently somewhat "mutually beneficial."
Now that they're both older, they've naturally lost that sweet, romantic feeling that couples used to have; it's more like they're just living together as a couple.
In fact, living together as a couple is the common practice for middle-aged couples. This kind of relationship can be very stable, but the foundation of stability is mutual benefit.
Decades later, mutually beneficial marriages not only gained the approval of most people, but were even more recognized by both sets of parents than pure love.
"Yes, yes, yes, it's just about living together. Brother Yi, you've hit the nail on the head. You know, back when Bian Jingjing and I were together, we weren't exactly telepathic, but we were at least considerate and caring towards each other."
But now, after being separated for more than half a year, all she does after coming back is give me expense reports and ask about my son. She doesn't even ask me how I'm doing raising the child alone in Beijing, or if I have any grievances."
Sun Xianjin seemed to have been hit where it hurt by Li Ye, and he launched into a tirade against Li Ye, describing Bian Jingjing as a "stranger sharing a bed".
Sigh~
Li Ye couldn't help but sigh.
This is the drawback of a "mutually beneficial" marriage: both partners are too rational and too focused on interests, gradually neglecting the more precious feelings between them.
Love is always a scarce commodity, and what Sun Xianjin wants to pursue may be something he will never encounter in his lifetime.
Li Ye suddenly remembered the "tram couple" who were stopped by Officer Tan in his previous life.
The boy was riding a beat-up electric scooter that he had painstakingly assembled himself, happily carrying his girlfriend. Even when Officer Tan stopped him, he still had a big smile on his face.
At this moment, their unwavering devotion to love made them ignore their impoverished circumstances.
When many people see this video, they are amazed by the young couple's recklessness and ignorance of life, while at the same time they may also feel sad, wondering where their own love is now.
But when the young couple is still happily together 15 years later, countless people have gained a deeper understanding and a greater belief in this rare kind of love.
Li Ye pondered for a moment, then asked Sun Xianjin, "So you want Bian Jingjing to go out less and focus on her family as much as possible in the future, and as for business, it doesn't matter how much she earns, right?"
Sun Xianjin nodded vigorously: "Yes, yes, she has already made a lot of money, more than she could spend in three lifetimes. What would she do with so much money?"
"Heh~"
Li Ye was amused by Sun Xianjin's contented attitude and said with a smile, "When Bian Jingjing went to see Wen Leyu on Sunday, I asked Wen Leyu to talk to her and tell her to train her own agents as soon as possible and gradually step back from the limelight."
Sun Xianjin said with some concern, "Let Bian Jingjing step back from the spotlight? She might not be willing, she's full of energy right now!"
Li Ye said calmly, "Then you should tell her that there's a rumor coming from above that they don't encourage situations like yours, where one spouse works in a government agency and the other runs a private business."
"What?"
Sun Xianjin immediately became wary and asked, "Brother Yi, what rumors have you heard?"
Li Ye said casually, "I'm just guessing. Several years ago, there were explicit regulations prohibiting family members and relatives from reselling supplies, so it's normal for me to speculate a bit more!"
Sun Xianjin paused for a moment, then nodded and said, "Okay, that's a good reason. Let her come back quickly! Things are chaotic on Su'e's side; she, a woman, should have returned long ago."
“.”
Li Ye then realized that the "awkwardness" Sun Xianjin mentioned also stemmed from a concern about Bian Jingjing's safety.
"Alright, now that we've finished talking about you and Bian Jingjing, let's talk about me! You said some colleagues went to the Southwest and haven't come back. What exactly happened?"
"Look at me, I almost forgot the important thing."
Sun Xianjin put down his wine glass and said mysteriously, "This time, Director Qu led a delegation to Southwest Heavy Truck to inspect their new vehicle R&D project. Logically, it should mainly be a technical evaluation, right?"
But the few who didn't return this time were either experts in finance or adept at discipline; they gave the impression of an investigation team. What do you think they were investigating?
Li Ye's heart stirred, recalling the question he had raised with Qu Si a few days ago: where did Jin Hong get the money to purchase so many building materials at a "premium" price?
"You mean, the ministry is going to make a big move with Southwest Heavy Truck?"
I don't know if it's true or not, but I heard some rumors today.
Sun Xianjin said in a low voice, "Someone has suggested that you go to Southwest Heavy Truck to take charge of the work and resolve the current predicament of Southwest Heavy Truck."
"What? You want me to go to the southwest?"
Li Ye was truly shocked.
Everyone knows what a mess Southwest Heavy Truck is. If they transfer him there, it's like kicking him into a quagmire.
Sun Xianjin nodded and said, "Actually, I've been thinking all day about whether I just happened to overhear these rumors, or whether someone deliberately let me hear them."
I was thinking about it when you called me, and that's when I asked you to come over so we could discuss it further.
(End of this chapter)
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