Chapter 15.1

The Spring Festival passed in the blink of an eye. Wen Yi, nearing four months pregnant, was starting to show a small bump, and her breasts had swelled a full cup size. Fortunately, it was winter, and with layers of clothing, it was not noticeable.

The seventh day of the lunar new year marked the return to work.

Professor Qin had the winter break off and was comfortably tinkering with his research at home. When Wen Yi headed out, he thoughtfully asked if she needed a ride. Though she would have loved to enjoy her husband’s caring attention, she could not accept—she ran between the company and hospitals all day, and without a car, it would be inconvenient.

As soon as she entered the office, Song Qingqing sidled up to chat. “Master, Happy New Year! Good luck with the new start!”

Wen Yi pushed her head away playfully and pulled a red envelope from her bag. “Good luck indeed. No slacking this year. I already told the director I want to raise your performance targets. If you do not perform well, you are out of the apprenticeship.”

Song Qingqing raised four fingers in a solemn oath. “Guaranteed to complete the mission!”

The first day back inevitably meant meetings, hosted by Wei Yuan.

The meeting was the usual—reviewing the past year, looking ahead to the future, and painting big pies for everyone: quarterly pies, monthly pies, team pies, individual pies. No one needed lunch after that.

Toward the end, Wei Yuan mentioned position adjustments, saying nothing was finalized yet. Their department had zero incidents in last year’s self inspections and superior department audits, so there should not be major changes.

Wen Yi gradually relaxed. But after the meeting, Wei Yuan asked her to stay behind—like being kept after class by the homeroom teacher in school. Nothing good ever came of it.

Once all the colleagues left, Wei Yuan personally closed the door. When he returned, his gaze intentionally or not swept over her belly. Wen Yi’s heart sank.

Sure enough, he asked, “Pregnant?”

Wei Yuan had dropped the “approachable” facade from their hotpot encounter that day, adopting a strictly businesslike attitude.

Wen Yi thought for a moment and decided not to hide it. “Yes, Mr. Wei.”

Wei Yuan lifted his teacup for a sip, a meaningful smile curling his lips. “No wonder you got married so quickly. It is not like you. Do you like that guy that much? Willing to go against your own principles for him—marry him, have his child?”

Wei Yuan had clearly misunderstood something, but Wen Yi did not want to explain. “Mr. Wei, if you have something to say, please say it directly.”

“Where is he better than me? Better looking? What can he do for your career? I heard he is just a university math teacher? Wen Yi, is this all the ambition you have?”

Wen Yi’s head ached.

Wei Yuan’s smile faded. He leaned forward, staring at her. “Wen Yi, you know the nature of your position. It cannot wait for you for a year or two.”

The inevitable had come. Wen Yi took a deep breath. “Mr. Wei, I believe this will not affect my career. My energy and time remain the same. The value I bring to the company remains the same. For the month of delivery, I will arrange all work in advance and keep a close eye on my team.”

“Of course I trust you. I know your capabilities better than anyone. But Wen Yi, the higher ups do not think that way.” Wei Yuan smiled. Wen Yi was a strong performer, but a pregnant Wen Yi was worth half. He could not wait a year for her. “I will try to protect you in front of Director Li, but no matter the outcome, be prepared.”

After Wei Yuan left, Wen Yi sat in the meeting room in a daze for a long time.

Things were worse than imagined. Wei Yuan’s words were vague, but Wen Yi understood the implication—he was going to abandon her.

She could not figure out why and went to find Tian Jia.

Tian Jia had heard some rumors and only told her two words: Yan Fu.

Wen Yi asked, “Has the candidate list for the Strategic Innovation Department been submitted?”

“Yes, Wei Yuan is on it.” Tian Jia whispered in her ear, “The overseeing deputy general has some connections with Yan Fu. I heard Yan Fu’s aunt is the deputy general’s wife’s best friend.”

Wen Yi’s heart turned cold.

This had nothing to do with her pregnancy anymore. She was still in her six month probation period. If, at the end of probation, her superiors, colleagues, and subordinates gave her low scores, she would not pass and become permanent. And among superiors and colleagues, Wei Yuan and Yan Fu made up a large portion.

The competition she had intended to use as a shield had become the mountain crushing her. Even if she were not pregnant, Wei Yuan, eager to build connections, would still abandon her to win over Yan Fu.

Tian Jia understood there was no room for maneuver and comforted her. “Wen Yi, you have strong work abilities. Shelving things for two years is no big deal. If you really get transferred to administration, you can rest well, raise the baby, and nurture relationships. The administrative office is the easiest place to get close to leadership. With your marketing experience, who would the leaders value if not you?”

Wen Yi shook her head. “You are thinking too simply, Jia Jia. None of our current executives rose from administration or logistics.”

Tian Jia paused—it was true.

“And have you considered that Wei Yuan might not plan to transfer me at all? Just demote me back to sales manager and give the entire eastern region to Yan Fu.”

Tian Jia was stunned again.

Wen Yi had no mood to work the whole day. She contacted the mentor who had brought her into the industry and went straight to her home after work.

Chen Mingyue had left the company due to family reasons. Back then, her child had a serious illness, making it impossible to balance family and career. After resigning, Wen Yi often visited, and the two stayed in close touch.

As soon as she entered, four year old Lele ran over, speaking in a soft, cute voice. “Auntie Wen Yi, you haven’t come in so long.”

Wen Yi scooped him up. “Did Lele miss Auntie?”

“Yes!”

Chen Mingyue warned, “You are pregnant—be careful he does not kick your belly.”

“It’s fine. Our Lele is so well behaved.”

Lele happily agreed. “That’s right, Lele is very well behaved!”

After playing with the child for a while, Wen Yi went to the kitchen to help. “Brother in law not back yet?”

“Overtime. When men start working late, do they even remember they have a home?”

Chen Mingyue’s husband ran his own small company. Business had been tough these years, putting a lot of pressure on him. Wen Yi consoled, “It has been hard on you, Sister Mingyue.”

Chen Mingyue stirred the dishes and asked, “We went back to our hometown on your wedding day and did not get to meet your husband. What happened? Really a flash marriage?”

Wen Yi leaned against the cabinet. “Not exactly. Shotgun wedding.”

“Pretty much the same.” Chen Mingyue was experienced. “Since you chose to marry, you should have anticipated this path. I heard about the company situation. What are you planning to do?”

Wen Yi gave her a thumbs up. “As expected from an old hand—even after leaving, your information is still spot on.”

“The pharmaceutical circle is just that small. And you are a hot topic in our circle. Hard not to know.”

Wen Yi was beautiful, dressed well, and knew how to handle people. When doctors mentioned Nu’an, the first thing they often said was, “Oh, that beautiful rep—is she from your company?”

At colleague gatherings and dinners, she was always a topic. With so many eyes on her, she gained advantages but also faced plenty of interference. People jealous of her caused trouble. Luckily, Wen Yi never strayed, or she would not have achieved what she had today.

Chen Mingyue said, “I warned you back then that Wei Yuan had too many schemes and advised you not to get involved with him. But you did not listen.”

Wen Yi lowered her eyes. “I was too young then. But today’s issue has nothing to do with the past.”

“If it had nothing to do with the past, why did you side with him for no reason? Now everyone outside thinks you are his person. Who cares about your survival?”

“Sister…” Wen Yi really wanted to cry. Who knew Yan Fu had an aunt like that?

Chen Mingyue glared at her. “Bring the plate over.”

Wen Yi handed her a plate for the dishes and carried them to the table. When she returned to the kitchen, she had Lele in her arms.

“This matter probably is not easy to handle—unless you have a stronger connection than Yan Fu.”

Wen Yi felt even more dejected. If she had connections, she would have soared long ago. Why struggle for six years just for a manager position?

Chen Mingyue asked, “Does your husband have any connections?”

Wen Yi shook her head. She did not know. Qin Nanshan’s uncle was in business—related to hospitals, perhaps there were some. But she knew her reputation with Zhong Lan. Going to ask now would be like kneeling for criticism. She could not do it.

“Then it really is difficult.” Chen Mingyue sighed, then teased with a smile. “If you were not married, you could still use the beauty trap. It would definitely work.”

Wen Yi forced a bitter smile. “If I had known, I would not have gotten married.”

Lele could not stay still and ran out to play. Chen Mingyue finished another dish. “Wen Yi, you are me back then—thinking career always comes first, that a child would not affect much. But in reality, with a child, balancing family and career is impossible. One side has to give. I am your real life cautionary tale—be prepared.”

Wen Yi thought for a moment, somewhat lacking confidence. “Qin Nanshan… my husband—his family is well off. His parents and my mom can help with the child. I think I can be hands off.”

Chen Mingyue turned back, her gaze like looking at a naive child. She smiled softly. “Wen Yi, never fully trust anyone—especially men.”

After dinner, Chen Mingyue’s husband still was not back. She had to bathe the child. Wen Yi helped clear the table and kitchen. The living room had toys scattered from the child’s play, laundry waiting in the bathroom—all visible housework.

When Chen Mingyue came out after settling the child, she smiled and shrugged. “See? One overtime from the man, and I am exhausted all evening.”

Leaving Chen Mingyue’s home, Wen Yi pulled her coat tighter, looked up at the sky, and let out a soft sigh.

……