Crossing the Line – Chapter 39
by Little PandaCan You Come In and Help Me?
Jiang Siyi and the others rode in the car as it entered the grounds of Lin Xuebo’s suburban villa.
Duan Ning pressed close to the window, looking out.
“Whoa, there’s actually a lake here. The landscaping is amazing — feels several degrees cooler than downtown. And it’s so huge. Siyi, is it going to take forever to drive to Auntie Lin’s house?”
Jiang Siyi said, “We’re already on her property.”
Huh?
A giant exclamation mark flashed through Duan Ning’s mind.
The whole lake is hers?
Poverty really does limit my imagination.
The car drove along the lakeside path, reaching the main house a minute later.
While Duan Ning was still counting how many rooms the Lin villa had, Manager Wu and Jiang Siyi had already unloaded the safe from the car.
Manager Wu handed Duan Ning her case, rarely showing the seriousness of a superior, and reminded her: “Focus up. Don’t let the client think we’re unprofessional.”
Duan Ning saw Lin Xuebo, wearing a long skirt, walking out from the courtyard. She immediately gripped the safe tightly and snapped back to professional mode.
No wonder Manager Wu was on high alert today.
Having expensive auction pieces in hand was one reason. Another was the prospect of facing Lin Xuebo up close.
Lin Xuebo was their department’s biggest patron lately, yet Manager Wu had never had the chance to interact with her directly.
Lin Xuebo also had another identity — Jiang Siyi’s mother-in-law — something Manager Wu didn’t know. Nor did she know how gentle Lin Xuebo was toward Jiang Siyi.
In Manager Wu’s mind, Lin Xuebo was simply a formidable, decisive entrepreneur.
Manager Wu had read the story of how Lin Xuebo single-handedly conquered the domestic high-end furniture market countless times.
She admired her, but also knew she was extremely strict and not easy to get along with.
Now that Lin Xuebo had also become the department’s most generous client recently, arriving at the woman’s home put Manager Wu on her best behavior, praying only that she wouldn’t do or say anything wrong.
Manager Wu, bracing for what felt like the ultimate test of her career, watched the mistress of the luxurious villa approaching from afar, her breathing slowing.
Lin Xuebo’s mature, cool face suddenly blossomed into a radiant smile the instant she saw Jiang Siyi.
“Siyi—”
The trailing note practically brimmed with affection.
Manager Wu: .
Lin Xuebo happily reached out to Jiang Siyi.
Such open warmth in front of everyone made Jiang Siyi a bit shy. She was half a beat late stepping forward, extending her hand to be held.
Lin Xuebo, as always, held on and didn’t let go. She turned to look at Siyi’s colleagues, smiling warmly: “Making you kids come all this way in this heat — are you tired? I’ve got fruit and drinks ready. Come inside and cool off.”
Manager Wu wore a complicated smile. “Okay…”
Something felt off.
Wasn’t the legendary Lin Xuebo a female devil who absorbed competitors without batting an eye?
How was the woman before her more amiable than her own grandma back home?
Lin Xuebo led Jiang Siyi inside. Duan Ning followed behind, elbowing the dazed Manager Wu: “Focus up. Don’t let the client think we’re unprofessional.”
Manager Wu: …
As they walked inside, Jiang Siyi explained to Lin Xuebo that having security personnel accompany them was a company regulation.
Lin Xuebo expressed understanding and graciously invited them all inside as well.
Manager Wu was getting increasingly confused. No matter how she looked at it, the way Jiang Siyi and Lin Xuebo couldn’t seem to let go of each other’s hands felt strange.
Walking side by side with Duan Ning through the courtyard toward the front hall, she whispered: “What exactly is the relationship between Xiao Jiang and Auntie Lin?”
Duan Ning, struggling to keep the secret all to herself, feigned deep thought: “Right, what relationship indeed. Even long-lost mother and daughter reunited wouldn’t be this close.”
As they whispered, they noticed Jiang Siyi ahead had suddenly stopped, looking stunned.
Following her gaze toward the living room, they instantly wore the same expression.
What — this many people?
Lin Xuebo’s eldest cousin, second cousin, third uncle — aunts, younger cousins, nieces… The foremost ladies and heiresses of J City, people who couldn’t be booked even with an appointment, were all gathered in Lin Xuebo’s living room at this very moment.
Lin Xuebo pulled Jiang Siyi toward the crowd and said, “No need for introductions, right? You all know her.”
Everyone’s gaze seemed to casually sweep over their intimately clasped hands, then smiled at Jiang Siyi with varying degrees of politeness and eagerness.
“How could we not know her — the Jiang Family’s younger daughter, Siyi. She’s grown so much.”
“Prettier every year.”
“Siyi, you remember Auntie, right? We met at the gala last time.”
Most of these people knew Jiang Siyi because of her previous engagement to Song Ti.
But not a single person mentioned Song Ti — tactfully, not even the word “Song” crossed anyone’s lips.
So many people greeted her that Jiang Siyi didn’t know how to respond. She could only maintain her professional smile.
Lin Xuebo didn’t want Jiang Siyi to be swarmed. A round of greetings was enough. She then smoothly took control of the room: “Haven’t you all been looking forward to the jewelry? Go take a look.”
Manager Wu and Duan Ning briskly opened the safes. The ladies chatted and sipped drinks while picking up jewelry that caught their fancy.
A short-haired socialite asked Manager Wu, “How much is this yellow diamond jewelry set?”
Manager Wu saw she’d picked up the most expensive set from Case 2. Afraid that quoting too high would dampen the mood, she didn’t lead with the high price. After professionally introducing the set’s collectible value, she quoted the estimate: 5 million.
“5 million?” The socialite paused at the quote.
Oh no.
Manager Wu thought, Should I have recommended something cheaper first?
Too high a price would scare people off, making it harder to promote other pieces.
The socialite beamed. “A whole set, 5 million — that cheap?”
Manager Wu: .
Turns out she was the one making a big deal out of nothing. She just hadn’t seen enough of the world.
The group browsed jewelry as casually as picking cabbages at a market. Duan Ning was busy introducing pieces and recording orders, while Manager Wu introduced items and rapidly calculated in her head.
5 million, 8 million, 13 million…
After a while, she couldn’t keep calculating.
Her heart was racing, her blood pressure climbing. She couldn’t take it.
With this, the department’s quarterly performance would absolutely crush Oliver’s Chinese Painting and Calligraphy Department.
The triumphant thought flashed through Manager Wu’s mind before she quickly suppressed it.
Don’t be so shallow, comparing yourself to that jinx.
If you’re going to compare, compare with yourself.
Lin Xuebo didn’t say anything else for now. She just let them shop to their hearts’ content — boosting her daughter-in-law’s performance figures first.
She wasn’t naturally sociable — quite like her daughter, in fact. Most of the time, she preferred the company of just one or two lifelong friends.
Inviting so many people today served two purposes.
The fact that Song Ti had cheated first and been broken off with by Jiang Siyi was already widely known, thanks to Qiao Jin’s efforts.
Meanwhile, Lin Xuebo had been showing up at auctions from time to time, and her friendship with Jiang Siyi had deepened. Now, with friends and family all present, she was using their many eyes to witness Jiang Siyi’s connection to the Lin family — a crucial step in laying the groundwork.
As for conveniently buying some jewelry — everyone present had relied on her favors over the years. Each spending a few million to return the favor was a bargain.
But there was also one iron rooster.
Lin Xuebo’s uncle sat in an armchair, the corners of his mouth turned down, eyebrows raised high, layers of wrinkles creasing his forehead. He wore reading glasses and was scrutinizing the jadeite bangle in his hand, as if determined to find a flaw before he’d be satisfied.
When the private sale item list was being coordinated earlier, he’d said he wanted to buy this jadeite bangle as a birthday gift for his daughter.
Now that they’d brought the bangle, he heard the minimum was 3 million with no discounts. His pained expression nearly swallowed his entire face. He kept haggling with Jiang Siyi, saying he’d buy it for 1.5 million.
1.5 million was below the reserve price. It was impossible to sell.
Jiang Siyi didn’t refuse outright. She tactfully explained that she couldn’t decide on the price herself — she’d need to go back and negotiate with the consigning collector.
The uncle gave an aiyo and said, “Aren’t you an auctioneer? You can’t even decide?”
Jiang Siyi patiently explained that an auction house was essentially an intermediary — prices had to align with both market valuation and the owner’s expectations.
The uncle persisted: “These things are all overpriced. Even at half off, they’d still be expensive.”
Jiang Siyi was about to speak again when Lin Xuebo quietly patted the back of her hand.
She immediately understood and just smiled without saying more.
Lin Xuebo knew that her uncle had done business with Song Ti’s father, Song Liming, and they had some history.
He couldn’t say much on the surface, but he was somewhat displeased about Jiang Siyi breaking off the engagement with Song Ti.
But when Lin Xuebo summoned him, he didn’t dare not come — after all, his children still needed Lin Xuebo’s patronage.
He came, but this iron rooster was trying to get a bargain while not offending either side.
Anyway, the others were buying happily. All three cases of jewelry and jade were nearly spoken for — one piece more or less from him wouldn’t make a difference. Lin Xuebo couldn’t bear to let Jiang Siyi suffer his attitude, so she’d just ignore him.
Watching piece after piece of jewelry and jade get claimed, Lin Xuebo had already arranged the next step of her plan.
Advance-season haute couture gowns and various qipao had been delivered to Lin Ji’s dressing room upstairs.
They were just waiting for Lin Ji to come back.
Lin Xuebo had called Fan Qing earlier to ask about her daughter’s schedule.
She had free time after this morning’s meeting.
When Jiang Siyi arrived, Lin Xuebo had sent Lin Ji a message.
Telling her her wife was here and she should come home.
By her calculations, she should be arriving soon.
It used to be hard to get her daughter to come home.
Now, using Xiao Jiang as bait, she never missed.
Just as she was thinking this, the front door opened, and a tall figure stepped through.
Not long ago, this was someone she barely knew. Now, Jiang Siyi could identify her as Lin Ji with just her peripheral vision. It was a strange, wonderful feeling.
The moment Lin Ji entered, everyone immediately stopped what they were doing.
“Xiaoyou’s back?”
“Has Xiaoyou lost weight? Work is work, but you need to take care of yourself.”
Lin Ji maintained basic politeness, but without any delay, her purpose clear — she went straight to Jiang Siyi’s side.
Meeting under the gaze of so many eyes, Jiang Siyi had been pretending she hadn’t noticed her right away.
As the other woman drew closer, her forced composure made her lashes flutter faster and faster.
She was already beside her. Pretending not to notice would be too fake.
Jiang Siyi could only turn and greet her politely. “Lin Ji-jie.”
Lin Xuebo heard her use “Lin Ji-jie” instead of “Xiaoyou” and knew the girl was thin-skinned. With so many friends and family present today, she probably had her own reservations, so Lin Xuebo didn’t tease her aloud.
Lin Ji, who had spent the entire morning waiting for Jiang Siyi to reply to her WeChat message, finally saw her at her mother’s house and breathed a sigh of relief.
Remembering how easily she could make Jiang Siyi mistake her for being cold and intimidating, Lin Ji carefully considered her tone before speaking this time. She softened her voice and said slowly: “You didn’t reply to my WeChat.”
Jiang Siyi gave a small start.
That look, that tone — for a moment, she wondered if she hadn’t merely failed to reply to a WeChat message, but had seduced and abandoned her.
Jiang Siyi immediately pulled out her phone and opened WeChat.
In front of everyone, she saw Lin Ji’s WeChat message: “Want to see you.”
Those three heart-stirring words made Jiang Siyi’s breathing quicken uncontrollably. She blinked, quickly locking the screen.
Lin Ji’s expression hadn’t changed at all, yet Jiang Siyi felt there was a faint hint of grievance in her tone, something unspoken lingering in her eyes.
She couldn’t bear to let her down. She wanted to reassure her immediately.
Jiang Siyi patiently explained in a low voice, “I’m sorry, I was busy earlier and didn’t get a chance to check my phone.”
The people present watched the two of them whispering as if no one else existed. Such intimacy made it hard not to think of Lin Ji’s wedding banquet in October.
They’d never known who the marriage partner was. Now, seeing Lin Ji — who had always been cold to the point of fastidiousness — show such attention and initiative toward Jiang Siyi…
No wonder Lin Xuebo had suddenly invited them over.
None of them were fools. Just from Lin Xuebo’s affectionate attitude toward Jiang Siyi alone, they could easily guess the gist.
Seeing the knowing looks in everyone’s eyes, Lin Xuebo knew she’d achieved the effect she wanted.
Today, Jiang Siyi had worn gloves for work, so no one could see the wedding ring she wore — the same one as Lin Ji’s.
It wasn’t a deliberate concealment, but the timing worked out perfectly.
This way, the groundwork could be laid over a longer, more natural period.
Lin Xuebo seemed to suddenly remember. She said to Lin Ji and Jiang Siyi: “Oh right, Xiaoyou — those dresses and qipao you said would suit Siyi have arrived. They’re in the dressing room. Since you happen to be here, take Siyi to try them on. You have good taste — help her pick.”
Lin Ji had never mentioned dresses or qipao, and she certainly hadn’t come by chance.
But that didn’t stop her from taking Jiang Siyi away from the crowd for some time alone.
Jiang Siyi sensed Lin Ji might have something to discuss with her, so she told Manager Wu she’d be right back.
The somewhat dazed Manager Wu said, “Go, go.”
Duan Ning had exceeded today’s work target — all the jewelry in her charge was sold. Relaxed and carefree, she was enjoying the pastries the housekeeper brought out.
These pastries were too good.
One piece after another, Duan Ning completely forgot her lifelong mission of calorie control.
Manager Wu sidled up to Duan Ning and said, eyes glazed: “That person was Chairman Ji, right? I’m not mistaken, am I?”
“Yep, your eyes are pretty sharp.”
Manager Wu: .
Both surnamed Lin, and they looked alike — so Lin Ji and Lin Xuebo were mother and daughter.
She suddenly felt like she’d lived in vain all these years, only learning such important news today.
Recalling the interaction between Lin Ji and Jiang Siyi just now, a thought suddenly flashed through Manager Wu’s mind. She drew a sharp breath and said: “Xiao Jiang mentioned before that she’s married — could the person she married be…”
Duan Ning immediately shoved a slice of Oreo cheesecake into Manager Wu’s mouth — that mouth of a hundred thousand whys — cutting off the words about to spill out.
Duan Ning said, “Try it, it’s so good.”
Were the pastries not good enough? Had she not counted enough money? Why so many questions?
Manager Wu, mouth full: …
The relatives and friends watched Lin Ji’s and Jiang Siyi’s retreating figures for a moment, their imaginations running wild.
Lin Ji was famously cold. The younger generation in the family were all afraid of her, and relatives rarely dared to trouble her with anything — let alone something as trivial as picking out clothes.
The fact that she was being so good-tempered, accompanying Jiang Siyi upstairs to try on clothes…
The Second Cousin smiled and probed, “Those two seem to get along so well.”
Lin Xuebo said, “Yes, they hit it off. They’ve always gotten along, even as children.”
Everyone smiled knowingly. In tacit agreement, no one mentioned the Song Family. Certain things were already clear as day in their minds.
The uncle, who had been silent all this time, looked around, gauging the atmosphere. Then he called Manager Wu over.
“Manager, let me see that jadeite bangle again.”
Manager Wu said, “I’m afraid the price Xiao Jiang quoted can’t go any lower.”
The uncle put on a smile and said, “Where else could you find a bangle this fine for 3 million? The price is already very reasonable. And you can’t put a price on something you love.”
A garment rack stood in the center of the dressing room, a full row of clothes hanging from it.
Jiang Siyi had thought it was a pretext Lin Ji and Lin Xuebo had agreed on — an excuse to get her alone to discuss something. She hadn’t expected there to actually be clothes.
Lin Ji, on the other hand, knew her mother wanted to demonstrate her unusual relationship with Jiang Siyi in front of everyone, and also genuinely wanted to treat Siyi well. If you were putting on a show, you did it properly — the clothes had certainly been prepared well in advance.
Jiang Siyi said, “So which one am I trying on?”
Lin Ji said, “All of them.”
Jiang Siyi: .
Lin Ji looked over the rack. “They’re all your size. Ms. Lin Xuebo’s intention, I believe, is for you to take your pick.”
Jiang Siyi had some familiarity with luxury brands. “I usually wear work clothes. These are too precious. I don’t have occasions to wear them.”
“Qipao would work for auctions. As for evening gowns…” Lin Ji noticed Jiang Siyi’s gaze drifting involuntarily toward the dresses — she probably did like them. After a moment’s thought, she said, “Next week is Huanwei’s fifth anniversary banquet. You could wear one then.”
“The fifth anniversary banquet? Next week? You’ve never mentioned it before.”
“Mm, just decided.”
Jiang Siyi assumed she meant it had just been finalized with company colleagues.
In reality, Lin Ji had decided it a few seconds ago.
Lin Ji hadn’t been interested in hosting a banquet — she hadn’t held one in years.
But Jiang Siyi said she had no occasion to wear a beautiful gown — so she’d create one.
Besides, there was another matter she could take care of at the banquet.
Jiang Siyi thought, So she wants me to attend the anniversary banquet.
She wasn’t sure in what capacity she’d attend. After all, they weren’t public yet — even having a meal together required a private room.
Would she still be the one-day girlfriend to ward off suitors?
Would she have to take off her ring then?
Countless thoughts flitted through her mind. Distracted, she randomly picked a long dress.
Lin Ji’s gaze fell on the dress, slightly hesitant. “This one?”
Jiang Siyi casually gave an mm to confirm.
Looking at the style of the dress, she was somewhat displeased, but Lin Ji didn’t want to interfere with her freedom to dress as she pleased.
Besides, the dress would probably look beautiful on her.
She took it down and had Jiang Siyi change inside while she waited outside.
Ten minutes later, Jiang Siyi still hadn’t come out.
Summer clothes were all lightweight — it shouldn’t take this long.
Lin Ji stepped closer and asked tentatively, “Siyi?”
After a brief silence from the fitting room, Jiang Siyi’s anxious voice came through: “Lin Ji-jie, can you come in and help me?”
How could Jiang Siyi have known that the dress she’d randomly picked was unremarkable in the front but had a criss-cross strap backless design in the back?
The straps had somehow gotten tangled. Jiang Siyi tried several times but couldn’t loosen them. She couldn’t get it on properly, and she couldn’t get it off. Since they were in the back, she couldn’t even see them in the mirror.
Her plea for Lin Ji’s help was completely genuine — a desperate patient grabbing any doctor. It hadn’t occurred to her that, from Lin Ji’s perspective, it might look like yet another suspicious attempt at flirtation.
Lin Ji pushed the door open and immediately saw Jiang Siyi’s dazzling bare back and the glimpse of delicate butterfly shoulder blades, wrapped in black straps — creating an effect that invited the imagination.
The alluring curves of her lower back were forcibly on display, winding down into the black velvet fabric.
Jiang Siyi didn’t dare look at the person who’d come in. She said weakly, “I didn’t realize it was this kind of design.”
Lin Ji withdrew her overheated gaze. Only after confirming her voice wouldn’t betray her did she speak: “It looks great.”
Jiang Siyi had been about to suggest changing into something else, but after Lin Ji’s compliment, she found she couldn’t bear to.
Lin Ji said, “I’ll help untangle them.”
Jiang Siyi lowered her eyes and gave a soft mm.
The warmth and the woman’s fragrance drew close behind her. Where she couldn’t see, slender fingertips curved, loosening and untangling near her lower back.
Jiang Siyi felt as though Lin Ji’s fingers had brushed her skin — and as though they hadn’t.
That almost-but-not-quite touch was more agonizing than actual contact.
Her skin kept shivering under the restraint. Only now did Jiang Siyi realize that her lower back was also a sensitive spot.
Lin Ji’s movements were so slow, nothing like her usual sharp, decisive manner.
Tormented as she was, Jiang Siyi didn’t know that the woman behind her was gazing at her ears, the back of her neck, and the snow-white skin of her back, which was flushing pink against her will under those feather-light touches.
Nor did she know that this very scene had been forbidden territory in Lin Ji’s dreams — the chief culprit that tortured her.
Recalling Cen Lu’s words on the phone, Lin Ji truly didn’t want to wait politely anymore.
Most of all, she didn’t want Jiang Siyi to endure gossip and whispers — even if those words might not have reached her ears directly.
Lin Ji said, “What else are you worried about?”
Jiang Siyi looked up in confusion, facing the full-length mirror before her. “Hmm?”
The restraining straps were all undone. Lin Ji leaned forward, as if to enfold Jiang Siyi in her arms.
“About going public with our marriage.”
The author has something to say:
Lin Ji: Wife-pampering Step 11 — sometimes you need patience, like when helping your wife undo her clothes. Other times, you don’t — like when announcing that your wife belongs to you.
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