A Different Approach
‘Bang—’
Cheng Jing slammed both hands on the dining table. The sound startled the busy servants, who all stopped what they were doing and quietly exited the main hall.
Losing her usual composure, Cheng Jing glared furiously at Fu Rongjun, who was dining at the table.
“Why did you have to do this? Why must you target her?”
“I thought I made the reason very clear to you last time.” Fu Rongjun put down her knife and fork, picking up her white wine again. “Besides, I didn’t actually do anything, not even really cooperate. Chengcheng being willing to see Qin Yufu shows she has her own ideas… However, as the person in power at the Cheng Corporation, that shouldn’t be what you’re concerned about right now, should it?”
As her words fell, Fu Rongjun’s indifferent expression suddenly darkened. She set the glass wine cup down heavily. “Cheng Jiqing’s willfulness this time hasn’t just ruined herself, but years of goodwill between the Cheng and Qin Corporations! We’ve completely offended Madam Qin—do you realize the severity of this problem?”
The Cheng Corporation was indeed head and shoulders above the rest1, the leader2 among the major players, but there was no such thing as an ever-victorious general in the business world. Cheng Jing needed strong external support.
Although the Qin family wasn’t as prosperous as a few years ago, their advantage was the lack of promising talent3 within the family. With such a large enterprise, the Qins also needed backing.
A marriage alliance was the best option for both families.
But in her eyes, none of the Qin family members were worthy of Cheng Jing. Cheng Jiqing, however, was different.
Cheng Jing sneered coldly. “Mom, this is the last time I’m saying this. If Chengcheng gets hurt because of you again, I will give her all the shares I hold. When that time comes… you can manage the Cheng Corporation yourself.”
Fu Rongjun’s expression changed. “Cheng Jing!” she exclaimed.
“This isn’t a discussion. It’s a warning.”
Cheng Jing lifted her reddened hands from the table. She stared intently at Fu Rongjun. “Stay away from her. If you make me lose her, you will lose me too.”
“Do you know what you’re saying?! Stop right there!” The anger Fu Rongjun had felt when Cheng Jiqing hung up on her an hour ago, which she had barely suppressed, now flared up again as her own beloved daughter treated her this way! She pointed at Cheng Jing’s retreating back. “Are you going to cut ties with me for Cheng Jiqing?!”
Cheng Jing’s steps faltered, pain flickering across her brow. It was precisely because she couldn’t bear to cut ties that things had reached this point.
“So don’t you dare push me again. Stay out of Chengcheng’s affairs.”
With that, Cheng Jing strode away.
Fu Rongjun’s hands trembled with rage. Only after Cheng Jing’s figure completely disappeared from the dining room did she bend down and sweep everything off the table, sending the exquisite delicacies crashing to the floor.
Leaving the main family house, Cheng Jing sank into the Rolls-Royce, her entire demeanor terrifyingly grim.
The driver didn’t know where to go and didn’t dare ask for a moment. Fortunately, after half a minute under the intense pressure, he heard Cheng Jing utter a location, her voice like frost.
Xiu Yuan4.
It was a moderately famous opera garden in Beicheng, and Tu Xiuxiu5 was its owner.
A single Jiangnan folk tune from her could make one feel both ecstasy and agony6, could leave one utterly soul-shattered7.
But she never performed on stage, except for the occasional couple of lines of heartfelt, heart-wrenching8 Kunqu opera9 heard backstage. Only when that person came would she sing.
Singing only for one person.
“Today isn’t a day we can meet. Why has CEO Cheng come?”
Tu Xiuxiu was still dressed in a qipao10. Her movements as she poured tea were slow and elegant, unhurried. Every nuance of her pronunciation seemed meticulously crafted.
Just listening was enough to stir one’s heart.
Except it couldn’t stir Cheng Jing’s heart.
Cheng Jing didn’t accept the tea. Tu Xiuxiu gently placed it down beside her. “Did something happen? Can you tell me about it?”
Cheng Jing’s gaze was sharp. “She still refuses to let Chengcheng go.”
Tu Xiuxiu’s eyes flickered slightly, subtly hiding a trace of melancholy. She guessed this ‘she’ referred to Fu Rongjun, Cheng Jing and Cheng Jiqing’s mother.
“Because of… the matter with the Qin family?”
“You’ve heard about it too?”
“Guests who’ve come here recently occasionally mention it.” Tu Xiuxiu sat down gracefully, her lips curving. “Perhaps Madam Fu simply loves deeply and hopes Little CEO Cheng will settle down. After all, those past incidents are indeed hard for a mother to accept…”
“Loves deeply? It’d be good enough if she didn’t hate her.”
Tu Xiuxiu didn’t understand this remark. Looking at Cheng Jing’s expression, she reached out to smooth her brow, but Cheng Jing avoided her touch. Her hand paused for a moment, unfazed. “But Madam Fu isn’t wrong either. Little CEO Cheng has to get married eventually. Even if it’s not Qin Yufu, it will be someone else. CEO Cheng dotes on her sister, but you can’t watch over her forever, can you?”
She could always easily dispel Cheng Jing’s worries.
But not today.
After hearing this, Cheng Jing abruptly smashed the teacup on the floor.
“If she doesn’t like it, no one can force her.”
Tu Xiuxiu gazed at the shattered cup on the floor. “Even if she did like it, would you be able to let her go? Those few nights after you agreed to let Little CEO Cheng marry Qin Yufu, did you sleep well, CEO Cheng? Was it because you didn’t want Little CEO Cheng to marry someone she doesn’t love, or was it because you—couldn’t bear to part with her?”
“Shut up!”
Cheng Jing’s expression changed, her eyes slightly bloodshot, devoid of any calmness.
Tu Xiuxiu felt a chill run through her veins, her heart astonishingly cold.
She wasn’t afraid in the slightest. When coaxing, her words were soft and gentle; now, when piercing, she was just the same. She stood up and walked closer to Cheng Jing.
The Alpha had brown, ear-length short hair, red lips, capable and refined.
But when those eyes looked at her, they looked like they wanted to devour her.
Tu Xiuxiu thought bitterly, Cheng Jing had never shown her any other expression, not even in bed. This woman was always so cold and ruthless.
But when it came to Cheng Jiqing’s matters, it was as if her life depended on it.
She should have guessed long ago, but she had been unwilling to believe it.
Tu Xiuxiu’s voice was soft, yet her eyes grew cold, though her tone remained unchanged. “CEO Cheng is angry already? Was I wrong? No matter what terrible things Cheng Jiqing has done, even forcing someone to divorce, even deliberately asking you for me knowing I was your woman… She’s willing to do any despicable thing, and you’re willing to forgive her for anything… Which part of that was wrong?”
Cheng Jing slapped Tu Xiuxiu’s hand away, then reached out and pinched her face. “It’s not your place to judge what kind of person she is! Tu Xiuxiu, know your place. Is she despicable, or are you? Don’t forget what you relied on, and who helped you get to where you are today.”
Cheng Jing released her, and red marks immediately appeared on the pale white cheeks.
Tu Xiuxiu’s eyes reddened slightly. She bit her lip, her expression still proud. “I am despicable. But what right do you have to talk, you who have feelings for your own sister?”
She knew Cheng Jing too well, which was why she knew this person’s weakness.
She knew this sentence would thoroughly infuriate Cheng Jing, but she was human too. Couldn’t she be allowed to lash out just once?
As her words fell, she felt herself thrown heavily onto the bed. A weight pressed down on her, and her jaw was seized. Then she heard Cheng Jing grit out through clenched teeth: “She’s not my biological sister!”
3:00 PM.
Cheng Jiqing pinched the red booklet in her hand. So this was marriage…
She glanced at the person beside her. Bai Xin had already put the red booklet11 into her bag. Seeing Cheng Jiqing looking at her, she asked very calmly, “What are you looking at?”
“…”
Cheng Jiqing said it was nothing and opened the armrest compartment, placing the booklet inside.
So what if it’s marriage? Don’t act like you’ve never seen the world, she thought.
“So, what now?” Cheng Jiqing asked.
Bai Xin replied, “Go back to my place, grab some things.”
They had also discussed living arrangements. Since Cheng Jiqing’s place had two rooms, Bai Xin would occasionally stay in the guest room during the agreed period.
The contract stated they needed to live together for no less than four days a week, roughly meaning every other day. This was mainly because Bai Xin’s physical symptoms were mixed and unstable.
Secondly, until Bai Xin’s condition improved, they needed ten minutes of contact daily.
Living together was definitely the most convenient option.
Later, when the symptoms weren’t severe, these two points could be renegotiated.
Cheng Jiqing suddenly thought of a problem. When she went out for filming, she might also have to travel for work. What would Bai Xin do alone at home then?
The next second, she shook her head. She was still unknown12, hadn’t even submitted her resume yet… Why think so far ahead?
It wouldn’t be too late to deal with it then.
Cheng Jiqing started the car. Bai Xin’s bag was on the seat to her right, her elbow brushing against the leather bag.
From last night until now, a whole day had passed without contact with Cheng Jiqing. The two inhibitors she took in the morning only served a defensive role when not in a heat cycle.
Her current state was purely due to the sensitivity of this heat cycle period.
Combined with the aftereffects of the inducer, it would be more pronounced.
Several times before, this had triggered her heat cycle.
But at this moment, although her body was restless, her arm was stinging, and the wound felt feverish, her mood was unusually good.
She glanced sideways slightly. The Alpha wore a sleeveless denim jumpsuit. Her smooth profile was striking and cool, exuding a sense of distance—Cheng Jiqing always gave off this feeling when silent.
Her gaze lowered. Five beautiful, slender fingers rested lightly on the black steering wheel. On her fair left wrist was a string of white jade bodhi beads.
Casual, sexy, ascetic…
Making one unable to resist breaking through it.
From now on.
This person was legally her wife.
Her person.
As for the one-year limit, that was something for a year later.
Bai Xin retracted her gaze, squinting slightly from the sunlight. She said, “Let’s hurry back.”
Car horns sounded from the traffic outside.
Cheng Jiqing didn’t notice the huskiness in Bai Xin’s voice, but the words resonated with her. Perhaps it was because of the marriage registration; even if it was fake, it created a mistaken sense of intimacy.
She nodded. It was still half an hour to Bai Xin’s place.
After a couple of seconds, she added, “Doesn’t your hand still need a dressing change?”
She didn’t know that under the long sleeve of the dark floral French dress Bai Xin had changed into, the gauze bandage was already showing traces of blood seepage.
Yet Bai Xin seemed completely unconcerned, her mind not focused on the pain at all.
Bai Xin said they should go back and get her things first; buying some gauze to change at home would be the same.
Seeing her insistence, Cheng Jiqing didn’t say anything more.
When they arrived, Cheng Jiqing followed Bai Xin inside. It didn’t take long; everything fit into one shopping bag.
However, as they headed towards Cheng Jiqing’s place, Cheng Jiqing wanted to stop at a pharmacy, but Bai Xin stopped her. “Let’s go back first.”
Bai Xin’s eyelashes fluttered. She turned her head, strands of hair slipping down, blocking her gaze from meeting Cheng Jiqing’s.
Bai Xin tucked her hair behind her ear and repeated herself.
Cheng Jiqing noticed her flushed face and suddenly remembered they hadn’t had any contact all day.
Her tone softened as she asked, “Can you still bear it? If not, I can find a place to stop for a while? Right here in the car…”
Cheng Jiqing asked earnestly, unaware of how suggestive her words sounded.
Bai Xin bit the inside of her cheek, trying to endure. A faint smile touched her lips. “In the car… what?”
How could Cheng Jiqing not understand the implication? “…Maybe you should drive.”
You seem pretty fast, she didn’t say aloud.
Having spent more time together, she knew Bai Xin’s multifaceted nature: quiet, easily angered, holds grudges, fickle, sharp-tongued, and rarely defeated in arguments.
But when in a good mood, she would also joke and smile… and the small dimple on her left cheek became the woman’s most formidable trump card13.
Cheng Jiqing’s tone was mostly teasing. But her cheeks were slightly flushed from the sun, making the observer feel a little itchy-hearted.
Bai Xin’s gaze shifted forward. Her knees were pressed together, the skin where they touched already sticky with sweat.
Red light.
The car stopped.
“Here, make do with this for a bit.”
Bai Xin lowered her head at the words. Cheng Jiqing’s hand rested above the armrest compartment.
She stared for a moment, then grasped it with her left hand.
The cool, soft touch temporarily suppressed her heat, but only for a fleeting moment.
She grew restless, finding a few fingers in the middle and kneading them intermittently.
Soon, Cheng Jiqing felt unsettled by the kneading and couldn’t bear it anymore, reminding her, “Hey, hey, don’t fidget! Doesn’t your hand hurt? I’m still driving here.”
Bai Xin didn’t speak, but her movements did indeed stop.
She quieted down.
Cheng Jiqing casually glanced down. Bai Xin’s hand was a shade paler than hers, a sickly cool white. Her bones were distinct, and her hand felt hotter than Cheng Jiqing’s.
On her wrist was a slender gold watch, the same one she had seen in the private room last time.
But Cheng Jiqing still slowed the car down.
This area had a long stretch of asphalt road with very few cars, only one passing occasionally. She reduced speed, maintaining a steady and safe pace. Fortunately, they weren’t too far from Nanjing anymore.
Bai Xin stared ahead, gradually feeling sweat forming on their clasped hands too.
The air conditioning was on full blast, but she still felt stuffy, especially since the leather seats weren’t breathable; her back was covered in sweat.
Bai Xin took several deep breaths. She should have dealt with it this morning before leaving. Her reliance on contact with Cheng Jiqing was greater than she had imagined.
Cheng Jiqing sensed Bai Xin’s discomfort. “Bai Xin, do you know what to watch out for when cashing out14 stocks?”
“Why ask?” Bai Xin looked at her, her brow furrowed in discomfort.
Cheng Jiqing didn’t intend to hide anything from Bai Xin and said openly, “I recently spotted a chip company15 that’s about to go bankrupt. I think it’s quite promising and want to invest some money. But the amount is significant, and I need funds now, so I plan to transfer my Cheng Corporation shares.”
Bai Xin felt slightly surprised inwardly. In her eyes, Cheng Jiqing wasn’t someone interested in these things.
“How much funding do you need?”
“What? Is CEO Bai planning to lend it to me?”
“Tell me.”
“Over a billion16.” Cheng Jiqing smiled. Of course, she didn’t think Bai Xin could lend her that much; Bai Xin might be able to manage a few million.
Bai Xin, however, was very calm. “What company?”
Cheng Jiqing carefully watched the road conditions. “Have you heard of Lan Qi?” she said slowly.
Bai Xin paused, surprised again inwardly. “Yes,” she said. “If you want it, I can find someone to help you.”
Such a large sum couldn’t conveniently come from her directly.
“No need. Why borrow money from others when I can cash out what I have?” Cheng Jiqing had originally just wanted to distract Bai Xin. “If you know how the process works, just tell me.”
Bai Xin watched her for a moment, then nodded, slowly explaining the rules for cashing out, what materials were needed, the requirement to go to the stock exchange, and other matters.
A share transfer was also possible; an internal transfer would be more convenient and wouldn’t require consent from other shareholders.
Cheng Jiqing noted everything down. Bai Xin’s voice was already quite hoarse. “I’ll help you with the specific operations later.”
With this assurance, Cheng Jiqing felt more confident.
She had no doubt about Bai Xin’s capabilities. In the middle stages of the book, Bai Xin had helped the female lead sweep through the Beicheng business world.
This was just a trivial matter for her.
“Is holding hands not working?” Cheng Jiqing glanced at Bai Xin, who seemed even more uncomfortable. She thought about pulling her hand back to drive faster.
But she couldn’t pull away. Bai Xin said, “It’s working.”
She didn’t want to let go.
Cheng Jiqing didn’t exert more force and let her be.
Bai Xin leaned her head against the seat and said no more, simply taking her phone out of her bag and sending a message to someone on WeChat.
A reply came quickly.
Shu: 【I just sent someone to contact Lan Qi today. Weren’t you very optimistic about it? Why suddenly give up?】
Bai Xin: 【Doing someone a favor.】
Shu: 【? Boss, may I remind you, this is over a billion?】
Due to her discomfort, the emotion deep in Bai Xin’s eyes wasn’t pleasant, revealing her inherent deep coldness.
How could she not know the value? Throwing it out now meant over a billion; the future return would be much more than that.
She had started paying attention to this company months ago. Unfortunately, the company leaned more towards the Cheng Corporation, but those people at Cheng lacked the foresight and actually gave up on it directly. Only then did she get the chance…
That’s why she was surprised when Cheng Jiqing mentioned it just now.
However—
【Don’t release it immediately. Stall for two days. Someone will naturally take it over.】
Shu: 【May I have the honor of knowing the reason?】
Bai Xin paused, rubbing the pad of her thumb against Cheng Jiqing’s finger: 【Because I feel like it.】
Shu: 【?】
Bai Xin didn’t reply further and turned off her phone.
She felt terrible and just wanted to get inside immediately, somewhere undisturbed.
Fu Rongjun had called her several times in between, but she eventually turned on Do Not Disturb.
Finally, after more than ten minutes, Cheng Jiqing and Bai Xin arrived downstairs at the Nanjing apartment building.
Just as Cheng Jiqing was about to get out of the car with Bai Xin, her gaze inadvertently swept aside, and her pupils contracted—Fu Rongjun.
The person seemed to have just come down from the apartment, accompanied by another woman whose identity was unclear.
Cheng Jiqing frowned. “Persistent ghost.”17
From this spot, whether driving forward or reversing, the car would inevitably come face-to-face with Fu Rongjun. Cheng Jiqing glanced at Bai Xin; the latter’s breathing was slightly rapid, her complexion terrible.
Especially after seeing Fu Rongjun, her peach-blossom eyes narrowed, filled with resentment and annoyance.
“Drive past, find a place to stop.”
Bai Xin’s speech wasn’t very steady.
“She probably doesn’t recognize my car.”
This wasn’t the one Yu Lan usually drove.
Just as Cheng Jiqing finished speaking, she saw Fu Rongjun suddenly glance towards her direction…
She tensed up. It would have been fine if Bai Xin wasn’t here, but she was mainly worried that Bai Xin’s current condition wasn’t suitable. Although she didn’t care about Fu Rongjun and could handle a direct confrontation,
it wouldn’t be good if Fu Rongjun’s attention shifted to Bai Xin.
Suddenly, Cheng Jiqing’s arm tightened, feeling a slight pain.
Bai Xin gripped her arm. “Go.”
Cheng Jiqing’s hand was actually already on the start button.
Just as she was about to start the car, Fu Rongjun ahead suddenly got into a car by the roadside. The car started quickly, looking like it was about to turn around in their direction.
Cheng Jiqing immediately retracted her hand, unbuckled her seatbelt, and leaned over, shielding Bai Xin with her body. From the outside, it looked like a young couple embracing.
Their faces were completely hidden.
This way, Fu Rongjun probably wouldn’t recognize them.
“Bear with it for a moment.” Cheng Jiqing pressed herself against the car seat, pulling Bai Xin’s shoulder closer, allowing her some temporary relief.
As she embraced her, the person in her arms trembled for an instant.
Half of Bai Xin’s face was buried in Cheng Jiqing’s hair. Cheng Jiqing’s shampoo also had a rose scent, very pleasant, but she still preferred Cheng Jiqing’s original scent.
Her breathing was short. “Hold me tighter.”
Cheng Jiqing’s eyes watched the outside through the car window, but for some reason, that car never came over.
She maintained the embrace. The temperature between them gradually rose. The closer they held each other, the more unsettled Cheng Jiqing felt. Hearing Bai Xin’s words abruptly, her face grew hot.
She tightened her grip slightly.
Finally, after two minutes, Cheng Jiqing saw the car gradually drive away.
When they got out of the car, Bai Xin could barely stand steady, her expression truly awful.
Cheng Jiqing thought for a moment, then reached out and took Bai Xin’s hand. At least the walk upstairs would be a bit easier.
And so, they walked side by side, holding hands as they went upstairs.
Cheng Jiqing found it hard to describe this feeling. Long afterwards, she still remembered this day of their marriage registration, how she and Bai Xin held hands and went home like newlywed wives.
Etched in bone and heart18.
The door opened, then closed again.
Cheng Jiqing hadn’t even changed out of her high heels when Bai Xin threw herself into her arms…
She froze for a moment, her hands slightly clumsy as she held the person, unlike her quick reactions the previous times.
So even a contractual marriage was still a marriage. It felt like the relationship was somehow different now.
—She wasn’t entirely unaffected either.
She murmured, “…Careful with your hand.”
The only response was Bai Xin holding her even tighter. Cheng Jiqing’s bones felt numb from the pressure. She resisted the urge to take a deep breath and tightened her hold slightly in return.
In contrast, Bai Xin’s breathing was very noticeable, each inhalation bringing them closer.
Bai Xin’s lips parted slightly, her hot breath brushing against Cheng Jiqing’s ear. She called her name hoarsely, “Cheng Jiqing.”
Cheng Jiqing’s throat felt as if wind had blown through it, exceptionally dry.
“What is it?”
Bai Xin: “Today… soothe me in a different way.”
The author has something to say:
Chengcheng: What way?
Shu: A project worth over a billion ah?
CEO Bai: Wifey likes it, I’m happy to do it.
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