Chapter 86: Special Extra: Yu Qing

Even though she had promised Wen Yang to move forward… Moving forward — how hard it was.

So far, Yu Qing had only liked this one person.

Even now, she still didn’t know why her feelings for him had changed.

From friends to romantic interest — if she were to analyze it shallowly, perhaps it was from the moment she picked up her phone, opened WeChat, and the person she messaged most often was him.

His constant presence may have been the only thing that changed.

As for him —

Over time, Yu Qing saw him more clearly. Sharp-tongued, petty personality, but he had always been good to her.

When it came to the matter with Liu Yu, he had firmly stood on her side the entire time. Perhaps that was why she ended up liking him.

But because of this, she ignored everything else. Wen Yang had asked if Xu Xu ever said why. Yu Qing said he hadn’t — but in truth, how could he not have? He had already hinted at it.

Yu Qing returned to her place, took a shower, washed her face, but her eyes were still swollen. She sat down on the bed in her pajamas, moved her laptop over, leaned back against the headboard, and stared blankly at the screen.

Her hair was half-dry and a bit messy. After a while, she still picked up her phone and opened it. He had sent a message.

Xu Xu: “Are you home?”

He was still as caring as ever. Yu Qing stared at it for a while, didn’t reply. She exited the chat box. There was another message on the screen — it was from Secretary Jiang.

Jiang Yue Qingzhou Group): “Miss Yu, I saw you were quite drunk. I bought you some hangover medicine.

It’s already delivered — on the cabinet by the door. You can grab it when you’re ready.”

Yu Qing got out of bed in her slippers, opened the door, and saw a bag sitting on the cabinet. She reached out and took it inside, stood by the entryway, took a photo, and sent it to Jiang Yue.

Just earlier in the car, she had tears in her eyes, leaning against the window. Secretary Jiang quietly drove the entire way, and upon arriving at her residence, he silently escorted her upstairs.

Thinking about it — thank goodness she hadn’t put on makeup today.

Thanks to Wen Yang, Secretary Jiang had often picked her up and brought her home. Several times when she was drunk, it was always him who brought her back.

So by now, Yu Qing no longer stood on ceremony with Jiang Yue. It wasn’t the first time she’d troubled him, after all.

She sent the photo and replied:

“Thank you, Secretary Jiang~”

Jiang Yue quickly replied: “No problem, Miss Yu. Get some rest early.”

Yu Qing: “Alright, you too. Did you get home safely?”

Jiang Yue: “Yes, I’m currently sorting out Director Fu’s morning itinerary.”

Yu Qing: “Oh, okay. I won’t bother you then.”

She sent a cute bunny “cheer up” sticker🐰.

Jiang Yue replied with an “OK.”

Yu Qing brought the medicine to the kitchen island, poured a glass of water, and opened the bag. She found not only the hangover medicine but also a small pack of White Rabbit milk candy.

Yu Qing was stunned for a moment. Jiang Yue was really considerate. Her mouth had been feeling bitter. She had a quick meal at work tonight, and the food was so bland it seemed like they forgot to add salt. Even drinking alcohol didn’t help.

After swallowing the hangover pill, Yu Qing unwrapped a candy and ate it.

It was sweet.

She instantly felt a bit better.

She casually snapped a photo at the kitchen island and posted it on her Moments WeChat feed). Then she finished washing up and went to bed.

Anyway, she couldn’t draw anything tonight. Might as well leave the drawing for tomorrow.

As the night deepened.

Jiang Yue saw that Yu Qing had posted a photo of the milk candy wrapper. It really was just a picture of the wrapper — no caption, a bit abstract. He rubbed his neck while looking at it, but still gave it a like.

The next morning.

Yu Qing’s swelling went down first. Her under-eye bags were still obvious, eyelids puffy. She used her facial device and gently massaged under her eyes while scrolling on her phone.

She noticed Jiang Yue had liked her post, and saw Tao Li’s comment below it:

Xiao Lizi: “Eating candy late at night gives you cavities. You could at least share some with me!”

Other people from the studio also liked the post. Wen Yang liked it too and replied to Xiao Lizi’s comment with:

“Agreed.”

Yu Qing looked at it for a while, but didn’t see any response or like from Xu Xu. She hadn’t replied to his message last night, but then a few minutes later, she posted that candy wrapper in her Moments, and he didn’t even ask anything.

Yu Qing suddenly felt a pang in her teeth — annoyed.

He really was heartless.

She couldn’t help it and tapped into his Moments.

He had posted a photo of the bright moon and starry sky in the northwest — brilliant and beautiful.

He stood beneath the night sky, only his back was in the shot, his tall figure silhouetted.

Yu Qing stared at it.

Before she confessed her feelings to him,

she had been optimistic — always feeling like there was hope, like it was just a matter of time.

But now that she had confessed and been rejected,

all her hope had been crushed. There would never be another chance again.

Why must people always chase after a definitive answer?

Wouldn’t it be better to stay in that hazy uncertainty,

pretending there’s always a chance?

But as the years passed, and with more and more people pursuing him, she still wanted closure — a real answer.

Annoyed, Yu Qing put her phone down. She had pressed the facial device too hard and accidentally hurt the corner of her eye.

“Ow,” she hissed, putting it down and leaning closer to check. Fortunately, the injury wasn’t serious.

She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She thought to herself:

“Move forward, Yu Qing.”

She got herself together, did her makeup, put on her suit, stepped into high heels, grabbed her laptop, and headed downstairs to hail a cab.

Over the past year, Yu Qing had switched cars —

now she drove a BMW. Her little Mini was left in the garage, occasionally used — especially for studio gatherings.

But since she left the BMW at Wen Yang’s place last night, Yu Qing planned to pick it up after work — and while she was at it, mooch a meal from Wen Yang’s nanny.

The studio had expanded too. Yu Qing’s assistants grew from one to three. They added six new designers —

but many people still joined because of Yu Qing and Wen Yang, especially Yu Qing.

The new designers all called Yu Qing “Chief Designer.”

Yu Qing had just sat down and put her laptop away

when Tao Li came over asking for candy.

Yu Qing laughed and handed her a few milk candies:

“Seriously, it’s just a few candies and you still come begging? Can’t you buy some yourself?”

“It tastes better when it’s yours.” Tao Li leaned on the table, smiling. She turned and handed Yu Qing a stack of documents, saying: “Are you going to see Sister Wen Yang after work? Take this to her for me.”

Yu Qing took it and glanced at it — pricing adjustment documents for a certain brand.

Yu Qing frowned: “Shameless. Raising prices again. We’re not working with them anymore.”

Tao Li, chewing her candy: “Can’t do that. The marble—”

“They’re doing a great job, and with all the villas we have on hand now, it’s all thanks to their supply. But they’re offering a discount — you should discuss it with Sister Wen Yang.”

Yu Qing flipped through the file and said, “Sure, sounds good.”

Tao Li smiled at her and said, “Sister Yu Qing, your makeup looks so good today.”

Without even lifting her head, Yu Qing said, “Really? Thanks. But do you need something?”

Tao Li laughed, “I dropped a bunch of client files into your inbox. They’re all specifically asking for you,

so… you might be pretty busy for a while.”

Yu Qing looked up at her, a bit dizzy,

“I just wrapped up two property projects and was hoping to take a break. I even planned a trip. Why did you accept them for me?”

Tao Li cleared her throat awkwardly, “I forgot to come up with an excuse…”

Yu Qing: “…”

Tao Li quickly tried to make up for it, gently pounding Yu Qing’s shoulders and leaning in, “Sister, just get through this wave, then you can go on your trip. Good things are worth waiting for! The autumn scenery will be even more beautiful. By the way, did you stay up again last night?

Your under-eye bags are kinda heavy. Oh, and there’s a small scratch here — what happened?”

Yu Qing froze.

She picked up her phone. “Is it that bad?”

Tao Li leaned in for a closer look. “Not that bad — only noticeable up close.”

Yu Qing sighed in relief.

“That’s good.”

She was worried Tao Li would notice she had been crying last night. Though she didn’t think it was obvious — she’d worked on reducing the swelling all morning —

still, just in case.

She shrugged her shoulders, motioning for Tao Li to get back to work.

Tao Li, chewing her milk candy, obediently scampered off.

After work, Yu Qing went to Washington Residence to pick up her car.

While there, she went upstairs. Fu Xingzhou wasn’t home. Wen Yang, being close to her due date, had arranged to work from home. Yu Qing arrived late, and dinner was already prepared.

Wen Yang, dressed in a flowing long dress, tugged her over for a meal. Yu Qing quickly supported her — her belly looked even bigger than the night before.

Even while pregnant, Wen Yang’s waist remained slender.

They sat down together. Wen Yang looked at Yu Qing and served her food.

Yu Qing laughed, “What are you doing? I’m fine.”

Wen Yang, in her soft gentle voice: “Good, I’m glad you’re fine.”

“Your makeup looks lovely today,” Wen Yang leaned in to look.

Yu Qing chuckled, “Tao Li said the same thing.”

Wen Yang said, “Your features are so delicate — it’s hard to look away.”

Yu Qing pinched her cheek, “You sure know how to flatter.”

After dinner, they sat together for a while, discussing the issue of supplier price hikes.

Not long after, Fu Xingzhou came home. Yu Qing figured it was time to go and politely said her goodbyes.

Author’s Note

“The Second Year After Marriage ends here. This is truly the end of the story.

I am extremely grateful for all of your support along the way.

Sansukini: It’s almost a year now since this novel updated so I decided to continue to post all the extras here.

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