Chapter 86
A major reason why people feel anxious is that they realize they have lost control over their lives or things, and have lost their sense of social order.
Yu Jinyang has read many books on psychology and consulted with psychologists recently. The psychologists advised him to:
Help the other person regain a sense of order in the world through small things or concrete objects. However, if the other person does not clearly express a need for help, try not to show too much attention to their emotions, as this will only exacerbate their anxiety and fear of the illness.
For example, plant a potted plant in the corner of the balcony, and occasionally ask the other person to water it for you. You can take the opportunity to share with them the whole process of the seed sprouting, germinating, pruning, and flowering.
This slow and sequential growth allows them to unconsciously rebuild their concept of time and regain a sense of order in life. Of course, if possible, cultivating a plot of land in the countryside to grow some vegetables and fruits would be even more direct.
Or like it is now...
Of course, this wasn't advice from a psychologist, but rather something that Yu Jinyang, an outstanding student since childhood, came up with by drawing inferences from a single example.
He let her sit on top of him, holding onto his shoulders, like a lone boat bobbing on the crest of a wave, letting it rock and sway, the rhythm and force entirely in her control.
Li Yingqiao was initially very excited, her fingertips taut, gripping his shoulder tightly, as if she were controlling the advance and retreat and the depth of their relationship, like a spirited young helmsman.
However, she soon got tired, her breathing weakened, and she couldn't help but start paddling, lying on his chest and letting him plant on his own for a while.
Yu Jinyang then smiled and leaned against the headboard, placing his hands on her waist and gently thrusting a few times.
Then she laughed and scolded:
"Are you crazy, Yu Jinyang?"
Yu Jinyang looked at her calmly and indifferently.
After a moment of silence, seeing the urgency in her eyes, he lazily uttered a "Hmm?"
She knew what he was asking: Did he want it faster? Or did he want it to be more focused? She nodded firmly: "Mmm-hmm."
He laughed out loud, then suddenly grabbed the back of her neck and pulled her close, whispering something in her ear.
Li Yingqiao immediately perked up again, as if she had discovered a new world: "Hmm? Is it possible? How do I control it?"
So, in this room where he had lived since childhood, Yu Jinyang truly taught her how to control herself. For example, his sensitive spots, where they were heavy and light, how to make her manipulate him at will. Until his breathing became heavy, he peeled himself away layer by layer like an onion, revealing his tender innermost self without reservation.
The room was dark, a solidified and unsettling darkness. Every subtle rise and fall, every tremor between the lovers, was a clumsy yet devout exploration.
Li Yingqiao listened intently, her expression inscrutable, yet she awkwardly tried to imitate him, probing and groping, "Is this how it is? Should I emphasize it? Or should I go softer? Hmm? Yu Jinyang, you have to watch me."
He lay back on the headboard, his breathing unsteady. His usually calm and composed eyes were now staring at her blankly, which was maddening.
The student's heart was as clear as the bright moon, open and uninhibited, while the instructor was defeated step by step, utterly routed, his ears turning bright red.
Li Yingqiao became truly addicted to it, as if she had obtained a handy toy. She couldn't put it down amidst Yu Jinyang's suppressed gasps and trembling, and tried it repeatedly.
Until a pale light appeared on the horizon.
Yu Jinyang, unable to bear it any longer, threw off the covers, glared at her wearily and helplessly, and warned, "Li Yingqiao, are you even going to work today?!"
My voice is completely hoarse.
"What's wrong with your voice? How did it get so hoarse? You've only been home for a few days. Don't ruin it, okay?" You Xiaofan said to him earnestly on the phone.
"...What do you want?" The person had just opened their eyes, their voice cold.
"Xiao Ai's schedule is out. The final episode will probably be next month, and it will definitely be recorded before the Spring Festival. You should prepare well. I went to the editing room yesterday to see the initial cut. I estimate that your show will gain a lot of fans. Don't forget me when you become rich, brother."
Yu Jinyang had just woken up, and the side of the bed was already empty. She was still full of energy and went to work, draping her arm over her forehead and grunting "hmm".
You Xiaofan suddenly asked, "Do you want to sign with a talent agency?"
Yu Jinyang covered his eyes with his arm and couldn't help but laugh out loud, "No."
"You look down on my little dilapidated temple," You Xiaofan said. "Or do you want to start your own business?"
"What?" Yu Jinyang said, "Are you afraid I'll start my own business and take your job?"
"You also need to have that ability."
"No, I didn't."
After a moment of silence, You Xiaofan tugged at his shirt collar and said into the phone, "Fine, you've got it. I know you chose breaking purely because you like it. Those slogans about 'promoting the international influence of Chinese street dance' are laughable even to myself. The spirit of b-boying is only on the competition floor; the real skill is the moves honed on the floor. To be honest, empty talk about these ideologies is pointless. 10% equity, a partner position, how about it, join WG?"
The New Year's Day activities were conducted in different areas, with Li Yingqiao in charge of the overall planning. After reporting the special approval for this event to each department, she returned to her office in the afternoon. She had only slept for three hours the night before, but she did not feel tired at all and was full of energy. She even had time to send a message to a certain cat that had been tormenting her half to death.
"I'm almost done with my work, shall we continue tonight?"
They didn't get back until the afternoon, so they must have just woken up.
"not good."
Li Yingqiao looked at her phone and smiled, replying with a kissing emoji.
"Don't pretend. I accomplished a great job today, shouldn't I get a reward?"
Their attitude seems to have softened:
"What big job?"
Li Yingqiao replied expressionlessly:
"Send an important PowerPoint presentation from WeChat to your computer."
There seemed to be silence on the other end:
"It's really big."
"Then why not you?"
The person on the other end was speechless and didn't reply at all.
I only replied with an emoji: an emoji of a dog crying and shouting, "I'm going to complain to the central government!!"
Li Yingqiao burst into laughter, collapsing into the boss's chair. Okay, that's the end of the daily joke. Time to get back to work.
Just as she hung up her phone, Zhang Zongxie called. Li Yingqiao answered and asked him politely, "Did you receive the red envelope?"
She was met with a barrage of insults: "Are you sick? After all these years, don't you know what the biggest taboo in the workplace is? Giving red envelopes? And in the hospital? If you have money, you should transfer it to my account, Li Yingqiao."
“Zhang Zongxie, this is Xiaohua City, not Beijing. No one will report you. Stop bluffing. If you want to say thank you, say it properly.” Li Yingqiao saw through his embarrassment behind his flustered opening remarks.
"..."
After a moment of silence, his voice suddenly faded: "I'll be discharged from the hospital later and return to Beijing the day after tomorrow."
Li Yingqiao was taken aback, and her tone softened: "So soon? Why not stay a couple more days?"
Zhang Zongxie remained silent, leaning against the hospital bed. The hospital gown softened his sharp features, but his features were still deep-set. His slightly raised chin seemed to have regained its former unapproachable and harshness. Lilith, dressed in a professional suit, stood gently by the bedside, taking his temperature with an ear thermometer. "Your temperature is normal. We'll take you for your pre-discharge check-up later."
Li Yingqiao heard a familiar female voice, "She's here?"
Zhang Zongxie hummed in agreement. Lilith draped a coat over him, a gesture he was quite accustomed to. “Lilith said the higher-ups are looking for CMO candidates, so I have to go back to Beijing. Things are almost finished here in Xiaohua City. I’ll hand over the rest to someone else to handle things with you. That’s all settled here, and I have to move on to my own path.”
“Of course,” Li Yingqiao thought for a moment, “Do you need any help?”
Zhang Zongxie chuckled inexplicably, "What, are you going back to Beijing with me?"
Li Yingqiao did not speak.
Zhang Zongxie said, "I feel like you're sympathizing with me."
“It’s not about pity, you don’t need to downplay yourself,” Li Yingqiao said calmly. “I just want to ask you, does Convey still have any of your confidants? You’ve been here for more than half a year, do you think I don’t know? If the higher-ups trusted you, would they have sent you out for so long? Before I left, there were rumors within the company that the higher-ups wanted to choose between you and Villy for the CMO candidate? Why not you or Villy? Did you think about the higher-ups having to find a candidate from outside?”
Zhang Zongxie knew this perfectly well, even without Li Yingqiao's reminder. Villy was a veteran, and although her performance was outstanding and she was decisive and efficient, her methods were endless. The higher-ups didn't trust her enough, but she had one advantage: she always sided with the right person during every high-level reshuffle or personnel change.
Zhang Zongxie is different from her; his methods are only for external use, while Villy's gun is always pointed at her own people. Last year, Rainbow Youli, under Zhang Zongxie's command, was involved in a scandal that caused a huge uproar. If Villy had stood on the company's side at the time, she should have immediately taken on the responsibility, just like Li Yingqiao in the past, bearing the consequences herself, even if she would be held accountable by the higher-ups.
However, she refused to take responsibility and insisted on waiting for Zhang Zongxie to return from abroad before dealing with the matter, which caused her to miss the golden period for handling the situation.
Because of this incident, Zhang Zongxie was unable to get promoted, and Villy's shortcomings were exposed. That's why the higher-ups decided to recruit a new CMO candidate from outside.
Zhang Zongxie told Lilith to go out first, then put on his coat and said into the phone, "To be honest with you, when I brought this money here, I planned to resign as soon as I got back, no matter what the outcome was on your end. So I didn't let Lilith come; I told her to find another job."
There was silence on the other end.
He continued:
“Villi is more senior than me, but not much older. We are practically direct competitors in Convey’s career development. She always knows better than me how to manage upwards. People like us without background or connections might be able to intimidate people in Fengtan by relying on Convey’s 300 million yuan capital, but in Beijing… you know, it’s very difficult.”
"..."
“Ms. Xu Quyu was about to take over the position of Chairman Xu. I knew the outcome of the infighting between the siblings at that time, and I was basically certain that my career was over. The CMO position should be Villy’s. Do you remember when I told you about the ESG scoring criteria? That was proposed by Ms. Xu Quyu at the board meeting.”
The fact that the higher-ups didn't immediately promote Villy shows that they were still considering things from the company's perspective. Xu Quyu is clearly ambitious, which makes Zhang Zongxie feel that he still has a chance to go.
"Do you have time tonight?" Li Yingqiao suddenly asked on the other end of the phone.
Zhang Zongxie raised an eyebrow: "You want to invite me to dinner? You'll have to keep my brother tied down first."
Li Yingqiao, dragging Yu Jinyang by the hand with his scarf, reluctantly led him to a barbecue stall by the river, looking like a big dog that absolutely refused to go to the vet for a bath. Along the way, they ran into Yu Jinyang's father, who was taking a walk and asked Li Yingqiao why she was out walking the dog at this hour.
Yu Jinyang glanced coldly at his father, who walked away expressionlessly, swinging his cane. He hadn't gone two steps when he ran into Zhong Su and Zheng Miaojia arguing by the river. Zhong Su, caught up in the argument, stopped and calmly greeted them, but then resumed his barrage of words as soon as he turned away.
“Zheng Miaojia, please be reasonable. Who is being unreasonable here?”
"You're being unreasonable! I didn't find a boyfriend behind your back, so why are you talking to me like that? Can't we just have normal social interactions? Don't be so annoying."
"Is this normal? Would you put your hand on someone's shoulder in normal social interactions? Can't you see what he's thinking? Why are you still clinging to him? Who's really in the wrong here?"
...
Yu Jinyang's scarf was dragging on for a long time. She put her hands in the pockets of her down jacket and walked slowly, stopping every two steps to look at her and say, "Did you water the cactus? No, I'll go back and water it."
Do we have a cactus at home?
Yu Jinyang got even angrier, "You've been resting for days. Do you believe I'll slap you in the face when I get back?"
As soon as he finished speaking, an elegant CEO and his secretary were leaning against the railing on the riverbank. Amidst the damp fog, they were talking in hushed tones against the biting river wind. Both of them had a cigarette lit between their fingers, slowly inhaling and flicking it.
"That's the wonderful Ms. Lilith. She's the one who scanned the 'Dedication' card for me every year at the 'Equality and Friendliness' center in Beijing," Li Yingqiao said patiently, raising his eyebrows at him.
.
Yu Jinyang stood there, his scarf still being held by her, his neck about to be broken. Even his handsome features seemed to have swelled up because of the sour smell.
He glanced down at her with the coldest look he'd ever had, wondering what kind of show he was going to put on tonight, but he felt a bit annoyed just looking at Zhang Zongxie.
"Meow, you have a tough task for you tonight. You need to train Mr. Zhang on how to wholeheartedly serve women, since he's about to return to Beijing to work for another great lady."
“…Li Yingqiao, I want to slap a cactus on your face right now.”
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