Chapter 41.1

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Qiao Ziman went to the restroom to clean up.

Ten minutes later, she returned to her workstation with two wads of tissue stuffed in her nostrils, her face even paler than before. Weak and exhausted, she slumped onto her desk. Just then, her phone buzzed, breaking the silence.

She fished it out and glanced at the screen. The name displayed was one she hadn’t seen in ages: Fang Jing, her university professor.

Back in her university days, Qiao Ziman had juggled part-time jobs and studies to pay off her debts. Fang Jing, upon learning about her difficult family situation, had offered tremendous support. From something as small as buying her a meal or a piece of clothing to helping her apply for various scholarships, Fang Jing had been a crucial lifeline.

Qiao Ziman had always remembered that kindness. 

However, after starting her job, their contact had gradually faded. Thinking about it now, it had probably been two years since they last saw each other. Tears welled up in her eyes as she stared at the screen. Slowly, her finger moved to the “answer” button.

“Hello, Professor Fang.”

A gentle and kind female voice came through the phone. 

“Xiao Qiao, how have you been lately?”

Qiao Ziman walked to the window, waving her hand to clear the mist in her eyes. “I’m doing well. How about you, Professor?”

“I’m in the city for a business trip these past couple of days. Shall we catch up?”

“Xiao Qi is hosting a small gathering. She mentioned it to you briefly on your birthday last time but was worried you wouldn’t want to join. So, she asked me to personally invite you.”

Qiao Ziman chuckled. “Am I really that important that you’d come all the way to call me yourself?”

She wasn’t particularly fond of such events, but this time was different. With a bright smile, she readily agreed, “I’ll be there on time.”

Before hanging up, Qiao Ziman briefly considered asking if she could bring someone but dismissed the thought—this wasn’t the kind of event for that. She wasn’t worried about gossip, but Chi Yin’s stunning beauty might attract unwanted attention. She had no interest in creating potential rivals. It’d be better to introduce Chi Yin to Professor Fang in a more private setting later.

After jotting down the time and place, she returned to her desk. Tang Xiaoxiao leaned over with a grin. “Qiaoqiao, cheer up! Guess who’s coming today?”

Before Qiao Ziman could respond, Tang Xiaoxiao continued excitedly, “Chi Qilan, the company’s biggest shareholder—Chairwoman Chi.”

Chairwoman Chi? The same surname?

As the thought crossed her mind, Tang Xiaoxiao added, “Word is, she’s Chi Yin’s mother.”

Mother? As in mother-in-law?

Qiao Ziman shot up from her seat, staring intently at the closed door of Chi Yin’s office.

“Qiaoqiao, why are you so excited?” Tang Xiaoxiao asked, puzzled.

“Not excited, not at all,” Qiao Ziman muttered, though her nerves told a different story. Beneath the surface, a subtle worry gnawed at her. The last time Chi Yin had gone home, it ended in an argument. And now, Chi Qilan was here—what could she possibly want?

Inside the office, tension hung thick in the air as Chi Yin and Chi Qilan faced each other, their gazes sharp and unyielding. “There’s a rumor going around the company,” Chi Qilan began coldly. “People are saying you and that Qiao Ziman are actually together. Is it true?”

Chi Yin walked to the window, staring at the endless stream of traffic outside. She took a deep breath and replied coolly, “Looks like you’re feeling better, Chairwoman Chi. You’ve got the energy to meddle in my private life again.”

Chi Qilan slammed her cup onto the coffee table with a loud thud, her voice rising. “You’re working in my company, and so is Qiao Ziman. Why wouldn’t I ask? Do we have some kind of irreconcilable hatred between us? Why can’t you just talk to me normally for once?”

Chi Yin crossed her arms, her expression unreadable. “Soon, I won’t be here.”

Chi Qilan froze, her shock breaking through the stormy tension. “What did you just say?”

“Since you’re feeling better, I’ll spend the next few days handing over my responsibilities,” Chi Yin stated calmly.

Chi Qilan’s hand, resting at her side, clenched into a fist as anger radiated off her. “I’ve already agreed to let her handle the company’s new project, and you still want to leave? What about Qiao Ziman if you go? Aren’t you afraid—”

Chi Yin’s cold gaze cut her off. “Yes, that’s exactly why I came here—for Qiao Ziman. Nothing more, nothing less.”

She continued, her tone sharp and unyielding. “As for the fear you’re talking about, let me clarify two things. First, Qiao Ziman’s capabilities speak for themselves. She’ll thrive anywhere; that’s not your concern. Second, she’s already earned Shi Qiansui’s approval. Unless Shi Qiansui agrees to a replacement, you won’t be able to change her role. Oh, and by the way, that’s a clause in her contract. If you breach it, the penalty is tenfold compensation. So, you’d better treat her well.”

“You… you’ve planned this all out, haven’t you?” Chi Qilan’s voice trembled with both frustration and astonishment. A thought crept into her mind. “Are you leaving because of the recent rumors about your relationship with her? Are you worried about how they’ll affect Qiao Ziman?”

Chi Yin didn’t answer directly. Instead, she replied evenly, “Didn’t we agree from the start? No more than six months.”

Chi Qilan’s heart sank as clarity settled in. For a moment, she didn’t know whether to feel proud or heartbroken. Her daughter was capable, even brilliant—but all her cunning seemed directed at keeping her own mother at bay.

A bitter smile tugged at her lips.

She stood there for a long while before silently pushing the door open and walking out. Once outside, it was as if all the strength drained from her body. The irreparable rift in their mother-daughter relationship filled her with a deep, hollow sadness.

Leaning against the wall, she stood there for what felt like forever until her assistant approached to support her. With their help, she slowly straightened up, her usual commanding demeanor snapping back into place. By the time she walked through the company’s front doors, she was every bit the imposing Chairwoman once more.

Qiao Ziman watched her leave the building, a complex expression crossing her face. Only after Chi Qilan disappeared from view did she hurry into Chi Yin’s office.

Pushing the door open, she poked her head in. Chi Yin was seated at her desk, her fingers massaging her temples, her face clouded with worry.

Quietly, Qiao Ziman tiptoed over and wrapped her arms around Chi Yin from behind. “Your mom’s gone?”

The words were barely out of her mouth when Qiao Ziman froze. Did I just call her “mom”?!

Why was she in such a hurry to upgrade their relationship? Flustered, she quickly tried to correct herself. “I mean—your mom left, right?”

Chi Yin, still lost in thought over her mother’s parting words, only caught the latter half of what Qiao Ziman said. She nodded, “Yes, she’s gone.”

Mortified, Qiao Ziman felt her cheeks burn. Unable to stay in the room a second longer, she spun around and bolted out of the office.

But just seconds later, she burst back in, her face still red. “Just letting you know, I’m going to a class reunion tonight. I’ll be home late!”

Before Chi Yin could respond, she darted out again like a whirlwind, leaving Chi Yin staring after her retreating figure, her thoughts swirling.

After work, Qiao Ziman grabbed a cab and headed to the reunion. The venue was Fenghua Restaurant, located in the bustling city center, about twenty kilometers from her place.

As soon as she stepped into the private room, she was nearly overwhelmed by the thick smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke wafting in the air. Good thing I didn’t bring Chi Yin, she thought, stifling a cough.

One of her close university friends waved enthusiastically. “Qiaoqiao, over here! Sit next to me!”

Qiao Ziman walked over and took a seat. “Where’s Professor Fang?”

“She’ll be a little late—stuck in traffic,” her classmate explained.

“Oh, alright.”

Her classmates tried to engage her in conversation, but Qiao Ziman wasn’t particularly interested. Her mind kept wandering to Chi Yin and the comfort of home. She was already regretting coming out and wanted to leave.

At a nearby table, a few male classmates—whose names she couldn’t even recall—came over, offering her drinks. Qiao Ziman quickly waved them off. She had no intention of returning home smelling like alcohol and facing Chi Yin in that state.

Bored, she pulled out her phone and sent a message to Chi Yin. [What are you doing?]

Chi Yin’s reply came almost instantly. [Thinking about you.]

A small smile crept onto Qiao Ziman’s lips as she typed her response. [I’m at Fenghua Restaurant. Do you want to come pick me up?]

Before she could check the two follow-up vibrations from her phone, the door opened, and Professor Fang appeared. Walking beside her was a man who looked vaguely familiar—suited up and exuding a professional, polished air.

Qiao Ziman tried to place his face but couldn’t quite recall. Deciding to let it go, she ran up to greet Professor Fang.

“Xiao Qiao, it’s been so long!” Professor Fang said warmly, holding her hand. She turned to the man beside her. “This is Wu Jianqiang. Do you remember him?”

He did look familiar, but Qiao Ziman couldn’t quite place him. She offered a polite smile in response.

Professor Fang took her seat and gestured for Qiao Ziman and Wu Jianqiang to sit on either side of her. “Oh, it’s been such a long time! Out of all the students I taught, you two have done the best—one’s a top designer, and the other has become a successful entrepreneur,” she said warmly, her pride evident.

Qiao Ziman poured a cup of tea for Professor Fang and replied modestly, “Not at all, I’m just another office worker.” Professor Fang glanced between the two of them with a fond smile. “Both of you are such good kids. Xiao Qiao, didn’t you and Wu Jianqiang get along really well in college? Why does it seem like you’ve grown distant now?”

The comment gave Qiao Ziman pause. She turned to study Wu Jianqiang’s face more carefully, and suddenly, a long-forgotten memory resurfaced. This was the guy who had pursued her during college. They had barely dated because she wasn’t interested and didn’t want to waste time that could be spent earning money. The relationship had ended so quickly they hadn’t even held hands.

Wu Jianqiang seemed to remember, too. He nodded politely and said, “Long time no see.”