Chapter 8

Leaving the hospital, Wen Yi returned to the company. Unfortunately, just as she got out of the car, she ran into Wei Yuan again.

Wen Yi tucked the report into her bag, composed her expression, and greeted respectfully. “Director Wei.”

Wei Yuan’s gaze shifted from the departing car, his brows arching. “Boyfriend?”

“Yes.”

Wen Yi had matters to attend to and no time to explain her current partner to her ex, though strictly speaking, Qin Nanshan did not yet count as a boyfriend. She headed toward the building. Wei Yuan followed. “How come I didn’t know your standards have dropped so low?”

People always liked to judge others by their cars, dividing them into classes. For a refined upper-class egoist like Wei Yuan, a Volkswagen was probably something for the common folk.

The two had parted amicably. Wen Yi did not harbor such petty thoughts and did not want to offend her superior. She smiled politely. “When it comes to a marriage partner, it’s better to choose someone reliable.”

Wei Yuan’s brows sharpened. “Marriage?”

Wen Yi grinned. “That’s right. We’re planning to get married. I’ll invite Director Wei to the wedding banquet when the time comes.”

Wei Yuan stopped walking, his voice lowering. “Wen Yi, come with me!”

There was a chain coffee shop on the ground floor of the building, one that Tian Jia and others usually looked down on and would never offer to clients. Wei Yuan, who only drank hand-ground coffee, made an exception today and led her inside.

Wen Yi had not liked coffee before, but for clients and for Wei Yuan, who was her boyfriend at the time, she bought a full set of coffee equipment and taught herself. After half a month of practice, she could pull beautiful latte art. All the wasted coffee had been drunk by her.

After the breakup, Wen Yi did not touch the stuff for half a year. She packed the machine and listed it on a second-hand site. It sold in two days, at a net loss of three thousand yuan.

Wei Yuan ultimately disdained coffee of unknown origin and did not order. As soon as they sat, he said directly. “Wen Yi, don’t joke with me.”

Wen Yi dropped the facade of politeness. Her face darkened. “I’m not joking. Wei Yuan, we’ve been broken up for a long time. I’m not young anymore. Talking about marriage is normal, isn’t it?”

“I remember you once told me you would never marry or have children in this lifetime.”

Wen Yi suddenly felt thirsty. She asked the server for a cup of warm water, drank it, and held the cup in her palms to warm her hands.

Wei Yuan narrowed his eyes, his gaze direct and scrutinizing. “He likes you dressed like this?”

“……” Wen Yi was speechless. It was just no skirt or high heels. His tone made it sound as if she looked utterly shabby.

Wei Yuan recalled. “Do you remember our first meeting? You presented on stage, beautiful, confident, and poised, determined to carve out your own world. Later, I ran into you in the pantry. Your hands were shaking, yet you made me believe in you.”

He was no gentleman. He liked her pretty face, but more than that, he admired girls full of drive like her, appreciating her personality and thoughts.

Every moment together, Wen Yi surprised him like a treasure. She was the sun. She did not need light from others. She shone on her own, climbing step by step.

He had thought parting was for a better reunion. But the overseas assignment lasted longer than expected. In the blink of an eye, four years passed. Too many things had changed.

Wei Yuan felt disappointed inside. “Wen Yi, you just got promoted to regional manager. Choosing marriage and children at this time—you know what it means. This industry is far crueler than you imagine.”

“I don’t know what pressure you’re under, but I don’t want you to bow and compromise to reality. Even if we can’t be together again, you deserve better. Not a man who makes you come to work looking so disheveled today.”

Wen Yi fell silent.

She had been with Wei Yuan for a year. Now, all she could recall were similar lectures and judgments like this. But back then, Wen Yi was young, full of dreams for the future. She needed someone to guide her. At that time, Wei Yuan loomed large in her eyes.

Later, after the breakup, she gradually grew. She no longer needed external pressure. But she still thanked Wei Yuan for the journey they had shared.

Wen Yi set down her cup. Her starry eyes lifted. She said faintly, “Do you have anything else to say?”

“Wen Yi, don’t ruin everything you’ve worked so hard for with your own hands.”

Wen Yi nodded. Switching to subordinate mode, she said seriously, “Director Wei, this anti-corruption campaign is broad in scope and long in duration. It’s also the first major challenge since your return to take office. I will assist you in navigating it smoothly. Additionally, the promotion of the new HIV-1 drugs in the East District has been initially completed with good results. I’ll report the specific data to you next week.”

Wen Yi’s lips curved into a standard smile, still confident. “I heard the group upper management plans to issue a document soon to establish a Strategic Innovation Department to address the rapidly changing pharmaceutical market. The position will be open for competition. Director Wei, your abilities are obvious to everyone. I believe you will succeed. If you need my help, just say so.”

“As for other matters, I have my considerations. I hope you won’t harbor personal biases when making decisions.”

Wei Yuan had just returned to the country. To the restructured Nu’an, he was an airborne leader. While stabilizing performance, he needed to win people over.

Wen Yi never took sides. Wei Yuan’s repeated attempts to reminisce were not without reason. He needed a capable and loyal subordinate. A former girlfriend was both seen as “one of us” by outsiders and the mid-level manager easiest for him to pull in now.

From the proposed document to establishment and the full competition process for the Strategic Innovation Department, it would likely take half a year to a year. During that time, Wei Yuan would remain her superior. She only needed to safely pass through her maternity period.

She would use her birthday wish next year to bless his success in the competition and to stay far away from her.

Wei Yuan was no fool. He understood the implications in her words. After a moment’s thought, he smiled similarly. “Wen Yi, you overestimate me.”

Wen Yi lifted her water cup to drink. Her long lashes fluttered. A smile played at her lips. “You weren’t like this before.”

“Actually, returning to how things were wouldn’t be bad.” A glint flashed in Wei Yuan’s eyes as he stared at her.

“Director Wei, once the wedding date is set, I’ll send you an invitation.” Wen Yi stood up, smoothed the hem of her coat. “Also, I haven’t changed for anyone. I don’t feel disheveled at all. My relationship with my boyfriend is very good. Please don’t say such things again. It could cause misunderstandings.”

Wen Yi left the coffee shop. She looked up at the huge “Nu’an Pharmaceuticals” sign atop the building, then down at her still-flat belly. She sighed silently inside.

If only everything went as she hoped.

Before entering the office, she received a reply from Ms. Wen: [What is this?]

Wen Yi replied: [Your grandson’s heartbeat.]

……

Qin Nanshan said there was no need to bring anything. But Wen Yi could not possibly arrive empty-handed. She had given many gifts and knew what people of that age liked. After work, she went straight to the mall.

When she got home, she saw in the entrance mirror a woman laden with bags large and small, covered in sweat. Wen Yi slumped. She truly looked a bit disheveled now.

She put away the gifts and sat on the sofa, zoning out.

Friday. Normally, she should be socializing for work, or dining and drinking with friends, or sweating it out at the gym. Not shopping for gifts for future in-laws, then coming home with nowhere to go but to contemplate life here.

Why do women lose themselves once entering marriage and family? Wen Yi reflected deeply.

High heels might be out, but there were other beautiful flat shoes. Pregnancy did not mean no skirts or light makeup. She was naturally beautiful. With a little effort, she could always look good.

Thinking this, Wen Yi opened a shopping app and searched for maternity gear. After browsing, she found mass-market tastes lacking. She switched to her usual brands. Ten minutes later, gritting her teeth, she bought herself two pairs of shoes, four dresses, and a bag. New clothes naturally needed a new bag to match!

After the impulse purchase, Wen Yi’s mood brightened instantly. Then thinking about delivery and breastfeeding later… Wen Yi looked down at her chest, which seemed another size larger, and worried endlessly.

Then she touched her belly and muttered to herself. “Baby, you have to feel sorry for Mommy. Learn to drink formula early, okay? When you’re eighteen, you’ll still have a beautiful mommy. Your classmates will all envy you.”

After thinking of a few more, Wen Yi messaged Qin Nanshan: [I’ve thought about it. We need to set some agreements.]

[After my confinement, I have to work. We’ll hire a confinement nanny. When the child is older, hire a nanny to care for him. I’ll cover the costs.]

[Your work hours are fixed. Companionship and education can be up to you, okay? I’ll try not to work overtime. Rest assured.]

[Oh, and I won’t live with your parents. No other reason. I’m just used to living alone.]

[Forget it. Too many. We’ll talk tomorrow.]

Just as she put down the phone, a rapid doorbell rang. Wen Yi went to open it and saw Qiao En, back from her business trip.

Qiao En did not even put down her luggage. She grabbed Wen Yi’s shoulders and shook her. “What exactly is going on? How did you two end up together?”

Wen Yi was shaken until she felt nauseous. “Miss Qiao, I’m pregnant now!”

Only then did Qiao En stop. She carefully supported her like attending to an empress and helped her to the sofa, then asked again.

There was nothing to hide about this. Wen Yi recounted the events, of course omitting the bedroom details.

Yet Qiao En, freshly influenced by a few months of foreign culture, was curious about exactly that. “Wen Yi, how could you make a move on him?”

“What’s wrong with him? He’s handsome even if quiet. Good body too. For a one-night stand, aren’t those the two points?”

“You know that’s not what I mean.”

Wen Yi had a headache. Qiao En was not Zhao Ling. She could not be fooled easily.

Lately, everything tasted bland to her. She bent to take a preserved plum and popped it in her mouth. While sucking on it, she thought. After spitting the pit, she said seriously. “Brainy is the new sexy. Do you understand?”

Qiao En shook her head sincerely. “I don’t.”

“You’re right not to.” Wen Yi did not fully understand it herself either. Various factors intertwined that time. External: Yan Fu’s scheme, the wrong key card, the man’s tempting body. Internal…

Online explanations of sapiosexuality perfectly matched her state then. Intelligence and mind were the fatal attractions for her, even arousing desire. Wen Yi felt she must be sapiosexual. Yes. Because her favorite film character was Benedict Cumberbatch’s Sherlock in “Sherlock.”

Qin Nanshan differed from many men she had met later. Perhaps conquering a genius in the real sense brought a greater sense of achievement. With the intelligence boost, she had an innate filter for his brain, leading her to impulsively make a mistake.

Qiao En said, “But I think only someone handsome and smart can truly be called ‘Brainy is the new sexy.’”

Wen Yi gave her a thumbs up.

“What do you plan to do?”

Wen Yi lay down on the sofa, draping her legs over Qiao En’s knees, answering off-topic. “Check if my legs are swollen.”

Qiao En pinched them. “No.”

Wen Yi still felt a little bothered inside. Outfits could change, but people could not. “I think they are. My face, chest, and belly are all swollen too. Qiao En, am I really ugly now?”

“……That’s not the point right now.”

“It is…”

“No, no. You’re not ugly at all. You’ll always be our class beauty. Still gorgeous.”

“Just the class beauty?”

Qiao En felt that continuing this discussion would keep them up until dawn. She forcibly changed the subject. “Are you keeping it or aborting?”

“Can’t abort. Keeping it, of course.”

Wen Yi’s tone was like playing house, pointing at a cloth doll and saying this is our child, we’ll raise it together. But things were never that simple. Qiao En probed. “What about Qin Nanshan’s side?”

“Meeting the parents tomorrow.”

“What about your mom?”

Qiao En was not just her high school classmate but also from elementary and middle school. Their revolutionary friendship was pure and flawless. She knew Wen Yi’s family situation and had met her mother. She knew this hurdle would not be easy.

Wen Yi’s tone grew listless. “Don’t know. Still coaxing her.”

After sending that message at noon, Ms. Wen had not replied again. Wen Yi thought inwardly that her mom had a truly hard heart. Back then too. She said she would not use her money and truly did not. Soon after recovering from illness, she went to work. No matter how tired, she never uttered a word of complaint.

Wen Yi smiled softly. No wonder mother and daughter. Her heart was not soft either. Even if Ms. Wen threw a tantrum, she did not compromise. Back then, pharmaceutical representative was the fastest way for a marketing undergraduate like her to earn money after graduation. She needed the money.

Now too. She stubbornly wanted to keep this child, once again going against Ms. Wen’s wishes.

Qiao En worried. “What if Auntie really disagrees?”

“It’s fine. I’ll coax her slowly.”

Wen Yi looked at this friend who was like a sister. An idea gradually formed. She hugged her shoulders and wheedled coquettishly. “Qiao En, help me out, okay?”

“How?”

“Just make my mom believe we’re truly in love.”

Unmarried pregnancy and shotgun marriage were all excuses. Ms. Wen simply did not want her to repeat her old path. She hoped she would find someone who truly loved her and live happily. Wen Yi understood it all.

She had no way to fall in love with Qin Nanshan in a short time. She could only use the old tricks.

“What if Auntie finds out later?”

“She won’t. Qin Nanshan has few merits, but he’s quite cooperative.”

“Have you really thought this through?”

Wen Yi lifted her eyes and asked her. “What about you? Why did you break up with Chen Jiaryu back then?”

Qiao En fell silent.

Chen Jiaryu was also their high school classmate. But the two only got together in university. They dated for six years, ending only in breakup. Qiao En’s frequent travels between countries these past two years were nothing but to heal her emotional wounds.

Wen Yi naturally knew why. After dating so long without reaching marriage, reality, family reasons, mismatched paces. They could no longer reach the end together.

Wen Yi rested her head on her shoulder. “You know. I’ve never thought about marriage. I had no expectations for it. Now capsizing in the gutter, there’s nothing anyone can do. Compared to others, Qin Nanshan is a good marriage candidate, isn’t he?”

Though usually a bit dull, in their few days of contact, he never shirked the responsibilities he should bear. He respected her wishes. Handled things reliably. Stable career and family. Seemed no playboy tendencies. Wasn’t such a person the best husband material?

In casual talks with various doctors, family, marriage, and children always came up. They said after a few years of marriage, love turns to affection. Only trivial matters remain. So love was dispensable. When the child grows up, if you can get by, get by. If not, divorce.

Qiao En said, “Yiyi, don’t settle.”

Wen Yi zoned out a moment. A faint smile curved her lips. “It’s not settling.”

Qiao En used her own phone to call Ms. Wen. Ms. Wen answered. Knowing she was Wen Yi’s lobbyist but too polite to hang up, Qiao En relayed Wen Yi’s fabricated story of Qin Nanshan’s high school secret crush that went unrequited.

And added her own embellishments: Wen Yi felt the same. One-sided crush became mutual. Upon reuniting, sparks flew like dry wood in fierce flames, passionate and entwined.

Whether Ms. Wen believed it or not, by the end she invited Qiao En over for dinner when free. A concession.

After Qiao En left, Wen Yi zoned out for half an hour. While preparing to shower, she suddenly remembered something. She drove home. Waited a few minutes. Ms. Wen came to open the door. Her face still sour.

Once inside, Wen Yi first slipped the key from the entrance into her bag. Then facing Ms. Wen’s stubborn back, she said she was hungry. Ms. Wen was tough-mouthed but soft-hearted. She glared at her and went to cook noodles.

Noodles ready, Wen Yi also found a yellowed slip of paper in her dusty diary. She took it out and showed it to her.

On the paper was only one name: Qin Nanshan.

At the start of senior year one, during a mental health class, the teacher led a psychological activity called “Guardian Angel.” Now it seemed outdated, but ten years ago it was popular. Drawing the slip meant you were this person’s guardian angel. For the next three years, you needed to protect and help them. You could also send small gifts. After high school graduation in three years, reveal each other’s guardian angels.

Unfortunately, for three years, Wen Yi’s person to guard was Qin Nanshan. Seeing the name back then left her stunned. She could not bear a second look and tucked it straight into her book.

The activity was properly run for one semester. But later, with heavy studies, everyone scrambled for time to do extra problems. Who remembered their former guardian angel? After graduation, no one thought of it.

Now this slip, this story added much authenticity to Qiao En’s lies. Plus Wen Yi’s vivid descriptions, Ms. Wen’s stern gaze gradually softened.

Wen Yi hugged her from behind, softening her voice. “Mom, I’m sorry.”

Ms. Wen sighed deeply. “Yiyi, the one you need to convince is not me. It’s yourself.”

Ms. Wen was actually quite easy to coax.

Wen Yi said softly, “Mom, I’ve thought it through.”

Translator’s Note: Merry Christmas 🤶 !!! Buy me Christmas Kofi