Crossing the Line – Chapter 35

Look How Gorgeous Your Wife Is Today

After a full day of meetings, Duan Ning practically crawled back to the hotel.

Lying in the hotel bathtub like a floating corpse, she scrolled through her phone while sipping a drink, and noticed a colleague had pulled her into a new group chat.

            

What kind of group was this? It didn’t look like anything serious.

Everyone had already been chatting in the group for ages, and there were messages tagging her. Duan Ning scrolled through the history while drinking yogurt.

The more she read, the more something felt off.

            

What was this?

Wearing a wedding ring? Married? Who? Siyi?

What had happened while she was away?

            

The group had been created by colleagues in the same department after they found out Jiang Siyi was married — a dedicated gossip group.

Jiang Siyi had only confirmed she was married, but hadn’t said who her partner was.

Someone asked if it was the person she’d been previously engaged to, and Jiang Siyi had actually denied it.

            

【So it’s not the previous fiancée. Then who on earth is it? Siyi’s really something — always so quiet, and she went and got married just like that.】

【I noticed she was wearing a ring before, didn’t think much of it — didn’t expect it to actually be a wedding ring!】

【@Duan Ning Where are you? The organization needs you most and you’re nowhere to be found?】

            

Duan Ning stared, dumbfounded, and replied: 【Married already?】

【What do you mean ‘already’? There’s a story here [not simple] [not simple]】

【You know who Xiao Jiang’s partner is, don’t you?】

            

Duan Ning did know. She knew all too well.

Who else could it be but Lin Ji-jie, who chauffeured her around and attended to her every need?

No wonder they’d been together early that morning. She’d thought they’d just started dating — before she could even marvel at how fast things were progressing, they’d already gotten married.

            

Who would’ve thought that the pairing she’d randomly shipped had turned out to be real?

She knew, but she couldn’t spill.

Siyi hadn’t gone public, so she must have her reasons. Duan Ning wasn’t about to make the announcement for her.

            

Duan Ning fired off a triple denial: 【Who? Me? I have no idea.】

【Keep playing dumb.】

【Waste of time pulling you in.】

            

【Could it be CEO Fang? He was at the salon last time.】

【No way, CEO Fang is way too old compared to Xiao Jiang.】

【What about Yu-jie? Didn’t Yu-jie ask about Xiao Jiang before?】

            

…

The group wasn’t malicious — just bursting with curiosity.

Duan Ning wouldn’t talk, so the group kept blindly guessing. They ran through nearly every client the department had ever interacted with, but not a single person mentioned Lin Ji.

            

Duan Ning understood the logic. The clients they were naming were at least within reach — on tiptoe, maybe, but reachable.

Lin Ji was different. No one dared to even dream of her.

But if they were going to gossip anyway, couldn’t they dream a little bigger?

            

Duan Ning clicked her tongue several times. She’d given them the opening, and they couldn’t step up.

She resisted the urge to chime in, shook her head, quit the group chat, and sent Jiang Siyi an “awesome” sticker.

Jiang Siyi was taking Xueqiu to the groomer and stared at the sticker in bewilderment.

            

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Jiashibi’s auctions fell into three tiers.

One was the major spring and autumn auctions, where essentially all blue-chip lots went. These two large-scale auctions employed the most top-tier, professional operations to drive lots to their highest prices.

Another was the quarterly select auctions, where premium pieces that didn’t make it into the spring and autumn auctions would be gathered.

            

Below those were the regular themed auctions organized by individual departments — some online, some in-person — generally held when enough lots were accumulated or when departments needed to boost their numbers.

Before the autumn auction, in addition to a few regular themed auctions, there would also be a select auction aimed at building momentum.

This year, the Gold, Stone, and Jade Department already had a rich and fully booked lineup for the autumn auction. Then Lin Xuebo consigned a batch of fine jewelry on top of that, and Manager Wu was thoroughly dazzled. She decided to quickly move a set of lots over to the select auction.

            

Jiang Siyi was once again the department’s lead auctioneer for the select auction.

Duan Ning would normally have been able to show her face at this auction, but after finally finishing her meetings, her younger sister was getting married. The two were close, so she took leave again to go back home for the wedding.

Sitting on the high-speed train, Duan Ning felt that her earlier comment about Jiang Siyi never going anywhere had been a curse on herself. She was the one running everywhere, never able to stay in J City during this period.

            

Manager Wu: 【You can’t blame me this time, right?】

Duan Ning: 【Please show mercy for the autumn auction, Manager Wu [pitiful] [pitiful]】

Manager Wu: 【Still thinking about the autumn auction? Let’s talk when you get back.】

            

The day of the select auction.

Auctions were generally held in the evening. The auction house would prepare an ample spread of drinks and refreshments for guests, and the venue, suffused with the scent of wine and sweets, was indistinguishable from a social salon.

While waiting backstage, Jiang Siyi snacked on some low-GI food to line her stomach.

            

Over the course of an auction, she’d be on the rostrum for at least three hours. She needed the stamina.

She ate while habitually reviewing the lot catalogs.

The phone on the table buzzed.

            

It was Lin Ji.

，: 【Wishing Miss Jiang a successful auction.】

Below it was a photo.

            

The photo showed a beautiful flower basket. Nestled among the blooms was a handwritten card in elegant, flowing calligraphy. The message was understated — the same line she’d sent on WeChat, but with her name signed at the bottom.

Lin Ji had left for an overseas business trip yesterday. Before departing, she’d told Jiang Siyi her itinerary — the time and place of departure, and her return in three days.

Like a wife reporting her schedule.

            

Wherever she went, she had a destination. Whenever Siyi thought of her, she’d know exactly where she was.

It was grounding.

Lin Ji was busy and dealing with a time difference. Siyi hadn’t expected her to remember the auction.

            

But not only did she remember — she’d sent a flower basket and a handwritten card.

Jiang Siyi hurried to the entrance and immediately spotted the flower basket from the photo.

She’d assumed it would be an ordinary flower basket, but it sat on a striking rose gold floor-standing tripod, a head taller than anything around it. The flowers were more than double in both quantity and variety — lavish yet tasteful. Everyone who passed stole a second glance.

            

Lin Ji was a valued client of Jiashibi and had once been Jiang Siyi’s customer. Sending a flower basket and openly signing her name wouldn’t raise any eyebrows.

After all, there was also a flower basket from Wang Tai Tai for Duan Ning next to it, even though Duan Ning herself wouldn’t get to see it.

Jiang Siyi’s lips curved slightly.

            

Lin Ji had already had someone send a photo, but Jiang Siyi took one herself, to keep as a memento.

The auction was about to begin. Before going on stage, Jiang Siyi headed to the green room for a sip of water, and her phone buzzed with another WeChat message.

It was Lin Xuebo.

            

Lin Xuebo’s WeChat profile picture was a photo of Lin Ji in her teens — the same one Siyi had seen at her house a few days ago.

The avatar cropped to Lin Ji’s cool, unsmiling face. Anyone who hadn’t seen the full photo would never guess that this cold, aloof girl was hugging an adorable plush toy.

Xuebo: 【Siyi, you look so beautiful today. I had no idea you’d suit a qipao this well.】

            

Jiang Siyi turned at the message and saw Lin Xuebo walking toward her from the far end of the corridor, smiling.

Surprised, Jiang Siyi hurried to meet her.

They stepped into Jiang Siyi’s green room. Lin Xuebo took her hand and looked her over with evident satisfaction:

            

“Look at that figure — you should wear things this gorgeous. I know a qipao designer. I’ll take you to his studio sometime.”

She smiled on the surface without a crack, but inwardly, Jiang Siyi was a little tense.

During her last visit to the house, Lin Xuebo had been genuinely kind to her. But the familiar face and similar warmth kept reminding Jiang Siyi of Song Ti’s mother, Lin Yunting.

            

At the beginning of the engagement to Song Ti, Lin Yunting’s warmth had seemed entirely genuine.

The selfishness and imperiousness that surfaced later, when she demanded Siyi give up her career, were still vivid in memory.

Lin Xuebo still felt somewhat different, but she was Lin Yunting’s biological older sister, after all. Jiang Siyi didn’t know if this sudden solo visit to her workplace meant there was something difficult to discuss.

            

Jiang Siyi’s heart was tight as she asked:

“Auntie, what brings you here?”

Lin Xuebo said, “Xiaoyou has work to do and couldn’t make it to your auction, so I thought I’d come keep you company on her behalf. And support the event while I’m at it.”

            

So that was it. It was really that simple…

Jiang Siyi’s long eyelashes fluttered. She was almost stunned.

She’d just wanted to come be with her.

            

The auction began.

When Jiang Siyi mounted the rostrum, she saw Lin Xuebo in formal attire seated prominently in the VIP section, waving at her with a smile.

Jiang Siyi had lost her mother a long time ago. Her father had long since started his own family, and her sister was often away. She’d almost forgotten what it felt like to have family present.

            

At this moment, she felt a long-absent warmth from Lin Xuebo.

Jiang Siyi smiled back, even wider.

Lin Xuebo seized the moment to snap several photos, sighing softly as she tapped the shutter.

            

“How is she so beautiful.”

Then she selected all of them and sent them to Lin Ji.

【Look how gorgeous your wife is today.】

            

The auction officially began, and Jiang Siyi focused her attention back on the rostrum.

Lin Xuebo hadn’t come alone today.

The striking, age-defying woman seated beside her was her closest friend.

            

Lin Xuebo’s best friend was named Qiao Jin — a famous J City heiress thirty years ago. She remained single to this day, with no family or children. She only liked keeping “pets” and constantly found new ways to amuse herself, living by the motto of enjoying today while it lasts.

Lin Xuebo had dragged her along today.

Qiao Jin had been seated for less than ten minutes and was already on her third glass of wine.

            

“I thought this was going to be some kind of fun. Turns out it’s an auction.”

Lin Xuebo casually raised her auction paddle and leaned to whisper in her ear.

“Not just an auction. Look at this auctioneer — isn’t she beautiful?”

            

Qiao Jin looked at Jiang Siyi on stage, then back at Lin Xuebo.

Recalling the scene in the corridor where Lin Xuebo had taken the young woman’s hand and led her into the green room, she gave her a sidelong glance:

“What’s going on? You haven’t divorced Lao Kong yet. Even if you want to mess around, this isn’t the time. And look at the age gap — you’re what, and she’s what? You’d be from different generations. This girl is twenty-five, twenty-six at most. That’s old enough to be your daughter. She’s younger than Xiaoyou — would Xiaoyou even agree?”

            

Qiao Jin’s words gave Lin Xuebo a moment of pause, but she kept raising her paddle and following the auction.

“Honestly, Qiao Jin, what are you thinking? I’m not that shameless at my age. I’m just saying — this Xiao Jiang is beautiful and capable, without any of those trust-fund-kid bad habits. Whoever marries her as a daughter-in-law would have a peaceful household and everything going smoothly.”

Qiao Jin knew her old friend too well. They’d known each other since kindergarten — over half a century, by her reckoning. Whatever scheme Lin Xuebo was cooking up, Qiao Jin could figure it out in a heartbeat.

            

Qiao Jin said, “What are you laying the groundwork for? Do you really need to be coy with me?”

Lin Xuebo was indeed laying the groundwork.

After Lin Xuebo explained her plan, Qiao Jin gave a long “Oh”:

            

“So she’s the younger daughter of the Jiang family. She’s grown up so much — I almost didn’t recognize her. Wasn’t she previously engaged to Stella? If you’re laying the groundwork, isn’t there still one thing missing?”

Lin Xuebo, of course, knew exactly what she meant.

It wasn’t just about laying the groundwork for both families’ contact before her daughter’s wedding, to make everything feel natural. Most importantly, everyone needed to know that the broken engagement was entirely Song Ti’s fault.

            

She had cheated first. Jiang Siyi was the victim, forced to end the engagement.

She needed Jiang Siyi to hold the absolute moral high ground, without a speck of blame.

But she was, after all, Song Ti’s aunt.

            

Lin Xuebo patted Qiao Jin’s thigh.

“Even if she did wrong, she’s still my niece. It’s not appropriate for me to go after her myself — it would be wicked. I’d be struck by lightning.”

Qiao Jin nodded.

            

Lin Xuebo said, “So you need to be the one to do it.”

Qiao Jin stared at her.

“You’re afraid of being struck by lightning, but I’m not?” Qiao Jin said.

            

Lin Xuebo said, “I’ll go to the temple for three days of vegetarian fasting. I’ll pray for you while I’m there.”

Qiao Jin fell silent.

They chatted on, and Lin Xuebo kept raising her paddle without even looking, leaving Jiang Siyi on the rostrum a little uncertain.

            

She couldn’t tell whether Lin Xuebo was genuinely bidding, or just raising her paddle absentmindedly while chatting, with no intention of actually winning a lot.

Fortunately, once Lin Xuebo finished talking with Qiao Jin, she raised her paddle in earnest, and Jiang Siyi confirmed she was actually bidding.

In the end, a diamond necklace was won by her at a high price.

            

People around them covertly glanced at Lin Xuebo.

This wealthy woman certainly spent freely — chatting away and casually walking off with a necklace for two million.

Over the next several lots, some that drew little interest were all swept up by Lin Xuebo.

            

Among them was a sapphire ring that Qiao Jin liked.

Lin Xuebo said to Qiao Jin, “The ring is yours.”

Qiao Jin said, “Four million to buy me a lightning strike?”

            

Lin Xuebo said, “Don’t you like Xiao Fan? I’ll have her take you out for fun sometime.”

Qiao Jin fell silent again.

And she claimed she wasn’t shameless at her age?

            

Far away in a foreign country with Lin Ji, Fan Qing sneezed twice for no apparent reason.

By the end of the auction, not a single lot in Jiang Siyi’s session had gone unsold. She had won the session’s “White Glove”¹ award.

Her monthly commission had also surged into Jiashibi’s top three thanks to this auction, surpassing many auctioneers in the Chinese Painting and Calligraphy and Oil Painting departments.

            

Before leaving, Lin Xuebo called Jiang Siyi over and gave her all the pieces she’d just won.

Jiang Siyi said, “Auntie, I can’t do this. I can’t accept such expensive gifts.”

“You can.”

            

Lin Xuebo linked arms with Qiao Jin, showing no intention of taking them back.

“Consider it a dowry.”

Jiang Siyi fell silent.

            

Jiang Siyi wanted to say more, but Lin Xuebo and her friend were already gone.

On the way back, Qiao Jin teased her: “Your daughter-in-law’s dowry, and you’re the mother-in-law preparing it? First time I’ve heard of such a thing.”

Lin Xuebo told her about Jiang Siyi’s family situation, then sighed:

            

“Siyi has had it hard. Everything she’s achieved today, she earned herself — her family didn’t help at all. These are just material things, but at least they’re a gesture from our Lin family. And… you saw what Xiaoyou looked like when she first came back. She had only half a life left. Back then, all I wanted was for her to survive. I never imagined she could be as healthy and outstanding as she is today. In all honesty, without Siyi, there would be no Xiaoyou today. I might never have seen Xiaoyou again in this lifetime — and whenever I think of that…”

Qiao Jin quietly pulled a tissue from the pack and handed it to her old friend.

Lin Xuebo gently dabbed the tears from the corners of her eyes, steadied herself, and said:

            

“Now Siyi has become part of our family. The most important thing is that Xiaoyou loves her. No matter how well I treat her, it could never be enough.”

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Jiang Siyi brought Lin Xuebo’s gifted fine jewelry home, stared at it for a long while, then rummaged through her closets to find a gift box and carefully stored it away.

A gift worth nearly ten million — far too valuable. She’d have to return it to Lin Ji when she came back.

            

With such a precious thing hidden in her tiny rented apartment, Jiang Siyi checked the door lock several times before taking Xueqiu out for a walk. The whole time she rushed, hurrying back home — she only felt at ease under her own roof.

Lin Ji was out of the country with a time difference, so they’d barely been in touch these past few days.

Lin Ji had been appearing unexpectedly — picking her up for meals, showing up at the auction house out of nowhere — and Jiang Siyi had started to grow accustomed to having her in her daily life.

            

With that habit suddenly pulled away, and with only that one WeChat message from the day of the auction, Jiang Siyi found she actually missed it.

Before bed, she scrolled through her phone to unwind. When she opened WeChat, she saw Lin Ji.

That little comma had already sunk to the bottom of a sea of contacts.

            

A little put out, Jiang Siyi thought for a moment, then sent Lin Ji the photo she’d taken with the flower basket, along with a photo of herself holding the “White Glove” trophy.

Along with a message.

Sanzhuang Tusi: 【Performed steadily today, won the “White Glove” award — all thanks to Auntie Lin’s support. Thank you, Lin Ji-jie, for the good wishes before the auction [spin] [spin]】

            

After sending it, she waited until her eyelids were drooping with exhaustion, but Lin Ji still hadn’t replied.

At this hour, it was morning on Lin Ji’s side. She should be awake by now.

Maybe she was too busy and didn’t have time to reply yet. After all, she was there for work, not a vacation. Meetings could go on for hours.

            

Stop waiting. Sleep.

There’d be a reply by morning.

Jiang Siyi drifted off in a state of restless anticipation. Before dawn the next day, she was already awake, reaching for her phone.

            

Lin Ji had indeed replied.

Still bleary-eyed, Jiang Siyi opened WeChat at once.

，: 【Good. Excellent.】

            

Jiang Siyi fell silent.

That was all?

She must be very, very busy.

            

Jiang Siyi understood the adult world — and besides, Lin Ji had always been the quiet type, and she was overseas on business.

Jiang Siyi sent back a “happy puppy thank you” sticker, then walked Xueqiu, fed Xueqiu, and headed out to work.

On the other side of the Pacific.

            

Inside a private hospital, the phone Lin Ji had been clutching buzzed.

Jiang Siyi had replied.

Fan Qing, on bedside duty, heard the sound and turned to see Lin Ji reading WeChat.

            

Forty-degree fever and eyes bloodshot from the heat, and she was still texting…

Fan Qing, a bandage wrapped around her forehead, thought to herself: that was a hundred percent for Jiang Siyi.

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The author has something to say:

            

Lin Ji: Wife-pampering Step 7 — always reply to your wife’s messages at any time.

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