Crossing the Line – Chapter 36
by Little PandaLooks Like She Knows How to Do Everything, Exceptionally Capable
At noon, Jiang Siyi went with Manager Wu and a few other colleagues to a restaurant for pizza.
When Manager Wu handed Jiang Siyi her gloves, she asked, “What’s wrong, tired? You look listless.”
Jiang Siyi hadn’t even noticed her mood seemed a bit low.
“Am I?”
“Still asking ‘am I?’ You have no idea how many times you’ve spaced out this morning. This kind of work state is rare for you.”
Manager Wu was the type with a sharp tongue but a soft heart. She kept a close eye on her subordinates’ well-being, and worried that Jiang Siyi was under too much pressure—which was why she’d found an excuse to treat everyone to lunch today, wanting to help Siyi relax.
Jiang Siyi: “Maybe I’m just a bit tired from the auction that just ended. It’s nothing—a free lunch will fix it.”
Manager Wu laughed heartily and snapped a photo of the lavish spread on the table, sending it to Duan Ning again.
Manager Wu: 【A certain someone can’t join us again [doge]】
Unexpectedly, Duan Ning fired back instantly, sending a photo of the feast she was having at home—a table laden with fowl and game that nearly blinded Manager Wu.
Duan Ning: 【A certain someone is eating wonderfully [doge][doge]】
Jiashibi’s lunch break was an hour and a half. With a little time left after eating, no one wanted to head back so soon, so the group wandered the mall downstairs to walk off their meal.
In a trendy toy shop, Jiang Siyi spotted a small persimmon pendant with a label that read “Shi Shi Ru Yi1.”
It was perfectly round, its rabbit-fur surface dense and impossibly soft to the touch. One stroke and you couldn’t bear to put it down.
Cute to look at, with a nice meaning behind it too.
Though they were everywhere on the street, a bit ordinary.
But Lin Ji, who loved collecting plush toys, would probably like it.
Jiang Siyi bought a brand-new, sealed one.
Thinking that Lin Ji would be back tomorrow, she’d return the jewelry that Auntie Lin had won at auction along with a little gift.
Since Song Liming had laid down the law with Song Ti last time, Song Ti had pulled some of her focus back to work. She’d managed to bluster her way through the shareholders’ meeting, and the noose around Song Liming’s neck had loosened a notch.
The conglomerate was still on a decline, and Song Liming was exhausted every day.
Today was no different—he came home physically and mentally drained.
As he took off his watch, he saw Lin Yunting sitting on the sofa, staring blankly.
Song Liming dropped onto the seat across from her.
“What’s the bad news this time? Just tell me. One more won’t make a difference.”
“Did you know my sister went to the auction? Just yesterday.”
“Is that news?”
“What if I told you she went specifically to the auction Jiang Siyi was hosting, and didn’t hold back on bidding?”
Song Liming thought for a moment. “Could it be that since Stella broke off the engagement, your sister felt our family owed Xiao Jiang an apology and went to make up for it on your behalf?”
Lin Yunting dismissed the idea. “No. I know my sister. She’s good to me, but she wouldn’t go this far out of her way. She doesn’t have the time.”
Song Liming was worn out from a full day, his brain already refusing to work.
“Then she was just going for fun, or liquidating some family assets. Why do you care?”
“Their family is at the height of their power—liquidate what? Have you heard about Xiaoyou planning a wedding banquet?”
“I heard. What, you think it’s real? Xiaoyou doesn’t even have a partner—who would she marry? You’re saying these two things are connected?”
“If they weren’t connected, do you think my sister would need to support anyone’s auction?”
“You’re saying Xiaoyou’s marrying Jiang Siyi?”
Lin Yunting nodded.
Song Liming laughed out loud, unfastening his top shirt button as he chuckled. “All right, that joke of yours is pretty refreshing.”
Even Lin Yunting found it laughable when she said it out loud—no matter how she thought about it, it seemed impossible.
No matter what the original arrangement had been, everyone now knew that Jiang Siyi was Stella’s ex-fiancée, and Lin Ji was the biaojie2. How could a biaojie take her biaomei3‘s broken-off ex-fiancée?
Sister wife-swapping—a scandal like that, wouldn’t they be laughed to death if it got out?
She cared about face, and her sister cared even more.
She told herself it was impossible, yet she couldn’t quite shake the unease.
On her way home from work, Jiang Siyi leaned in the corner of the subway, scrolling through her phone.
She came across more videos about her elder sister Jiang Siling on a social media app, and they were generating considerable buzz.
Some liked her paintings, some admired her personality, and there were even those obsessed with beautiful faces who were especially drawn to hers, making plenty of recommendation-style edits for her.
Emerging from the subway, the hot summer night breeze stirred the hair at Jiang Siyi’s forehead. On the walk home, she video-called her elder sister, Jiang Siling.
When she’d spoken to her sister a couple of days ago, Siling had said she was comparing several agencies and hadn’t decided which to sign with yet.
Worried something might go wrong again, Jiang Siyi had kept it in mind.
It rang for a long time before Jiang Siling picked up. Jiang Siyi was about to ask when Siling turned to someone beside her, said something in French, and then both of them appeared on screen.
Jiang Siling: 【Baby, look who’s here!】
The woman beside Jiang Siling had a head of dark brown, gently wavy long hair. Her oval face had the healthy flush of someone often in the sun, and below thick brown eyebrows were beautiful deep green eyes with visible laugh lines at the corners. She had the look of a Southern French woman, and appeared several years older than Jiang Siling.
Jiang Siyi had seen this person on her sister’s social media feed before.
Glenda—the painter her sister had admired since childhood, the one whose photo op had recently left Siling too excited to sleep.
Jiang Siyi greeted her with some surprise, already forming a guess.
After exchanging a few words with Glenda, Jiang Siling took the phone to another spot that looked like an interior corridor—quiet, with an echo.
Sharp-eyed Jiang Siyi had already noticed quite a few paintings hanging along the corridor.
Jiang Siyi: 【Did you sign with Glenda’s agency?】
Jiang Siling pressed one hand to her forehead, a smile spreading unbidden across her face.
【Yes, Glenda’s agency. I never expected an opportunity like this.】
If NEXT had been a young agency that scouted emerging artists, then ArtS—where Glenda was represented—was the most prestigious and best-run powerhouse in the West 5th District.
Jiang Siling said that after her painting-burning livestream, many agencies and agents had reached out, sending her contracts.
This time she refused to wait. She’d learned to read legal clauses herself, actively screened her options, and had spent the last few days comparing what each agency offered.
The agencies’ operating models were largely the same—many wanted to kill the goose that laid the golden egg, seeing her recent surge in buzz and wanting to package her as an internet celebrity artist for quick traffic money.
That didn’t align with her vision.
Jiang Siling hadn’t let her sudden fame go to her head. This time she was extremely cautious, unwilling to step into another quagmire.
She understood that only if she herself was doing well could she support her younger sister’s life.
She wanted to go far, and she wanted to go steady.
Having not rushed into a decision, she never expected that she’d ultimately receive a sincerely motivated visit from Glenda’s agent.
Jiang Siyi: 【So is your contract with ArtS finalized? You’re not going to change your mind at the last minute again, are you?】
Jiang Siling: 【It’s drafted. I’ve already read through it, and I hired a lawyer to review it for me. The lawyer said there are no traps—it’s actually an unusually generous contract. I’ll send it to you in a bit.】
Jiang Siyi: 【Okay, send it to me. I’ll have a lawyer I know take a look too.】
Jiang Siling: 【By the way, Song Hui is in legal trouble recently—did you know?】
Mentioning Song Ti’s aunt Song Hui, Jiang Siyi recalled the confrontation at the bank banquet that day.
Song Hui’s viciousness, the imperious way she’d crushed others’ lives without a second thought—all of it was still vivid in her mind.
Jiang Siyi: 【I didn’t know, but I’m not surprised. What happened to her?】
Jiang Siling: 【She’s being investigated by the FTC—the Federal Trade Commission. She’ll likely face astronomical fines, maybe even prison. And here’s the strange part—after Song Hui came under investigation, NEXT actually reached out to me, saying they wanted to sign me again. Of course, NEXT has zero credibility with me. There was no way I’d go back to them, so I refused.】
Song Hui had only recently been arrogantly trying to strangle Jiang Siling’s career, and now she was already suffering the backlash. But Jiang Siyi, who understood the full picture, didn’t think this was karma.
It was Lin Ji—busy enough to be flying all over the world—who had carved out time amid everything to protect her and her sister.
Jiang Siling spoke about Song Hui’s situation in detail, as though wanting to know whether this had anything to do with Jiang Siyi.
After all, as Song Hui herself had said, she hadn’t spent all those years in the West 5th District for nothing.
Her sudden downfall was one thing, but NEXT’s ambiguous attitude on top of that—Jiang Siling also found it too coincidental.
But Jiang Siyi didn’t spell it out for her sister.
The pressure from Song Hui had been one of the important reasons behind her flash marriage with Lin Ji.
For now, she didn’t want her sister to know about that tangled mess of “utilization and political marriage.”
She simply went along with what Siling said: “Song Hui must have done plenty of wicked things. It’s time for her to pay.”
After hanging up the video call, Jiang Siyi had just reached home. Her sister had already sent the contract over.
Before walking Xueqiu, Jiang Siyi contacted Lawyer Zhao, who had helped her sue the Yilan banquet manager last time. She transferred money, labeling it as a contract review consultation fee, and asked her to take a look at the contract.
Having worked with her before, Jiang Siyi knew her fee structure and deliberately paid a bit extra.
After walking Xueqiu and returning, Lawyer Zhao had already replied.
【No traps. Sign with confidence.】
【Boss, you overpaid the consultation fee. I’ll treat you to afternoon tea tomorrow.】
Jiang Siyi smiled, feeling much more reassured. She told her sister the contract looked fine but to keep an eye on things.
Jiang Siling replied quickly: 【Okay! Kisses, baby!】
The rapidly building positive publicity, the favor of a top-tier agency, a generous contract with no traps.
All of it combined reaffirmed Jiang Siyi’s suspicion.
Someone was orchestrating everything behind the scenes, helping Jiang Siling’s talent reach more people, using her own power to pave the way for her.
Other than Lin Ji, Jiang Siyi couldn’t think of anyone else.
A comfortable life, a fair existence, a loyal partner.
Dismantling the cover-ups, eliminating the malice—this was part of what made a “fair existence.”
Not just her—even her sister was being looked after.
The lights were off. Xueqiu lay on the soft mat beneath the bed, snoring steadily.
There was a quiet, not-yet-fulfilled joy in her heart, and even sleeping alone, Jiang Siyi felt wrapped in a certain sense of security—very much at peace.
Lin Ji was finally coming back. Jiang Siyi focused intensely today and finished all her work by clock-out time.
It was a bit tight, but today she wanted to see Lin Ji.
Sanzhuang Tusi: 【After you return to the country today, are you going home or to the office?】
Half an hour later, Lin Ji replied.
,: 【Going to the office first to handle some work.】
Jiang Siyi brought the jewelry and the “Shi Shi Ru Yi” pendant, planning to find her at Huanwei Headquarters.
Before leaving, she sent Lin Ji a WeChat message.
【Can I treat you to dinner tonight?】
She waited a while but didn’t get a reply. If she waited any longer, she’d miss dinner time.
Jiang Siyi could just search for Huanwei’s location—she decided to head out first.
Huanwei and Jiashibi were at opposite ends of J City—not close at all. She’d need to transfer between two subway lines.
An hour and a half later, Jiang Siyi emerged from the subway. As she caught sight of the Huanwei Technology Headquarters Building, the phone in her pocket vibrated.
It was a voice message from Lin Ji.
Jiang Siyi opened the voice message with a smile.
,: 【Don’t come. I have something to deal with. I’ll contact you later.】
A short sentence, with an utterly cold tone.
Jiang Siyi’s originally light footsteps halted abruptly at the subway exit.
Listening to the voice message, her quiet figure stood still for a moment, then slowly turned around and walked back the way she came.
At the same time, inside Huanwei Tower.
In Lin Ji’s office.
Lin Ji, seated in her chair, lowered her phone. Her gaze dropped, looking at the man groveling on the floor before her as though he were trash.
The sharp heel of her stiletto ground into the man’s right palm as he tried to reach forward. A small recording pen lay less than half a meter from his fingertips.
His other arm was wrenched behind his back by Fan Qing, nearly snapped. Sweat covered his head, a vein bulging on his neck, and he kept trying to resist.
But Fan Qing’s knee was pressed into his spine, firmly controlling his every movement. His struggles were all in vain.
The blinds were fully closed. Outside, Huanwei employees bustled about—no one had any idea what was happening inside the chairman’s office.
After receiving Jiang Siyi’s WeChat message, Lin Ji lost all patience. She pressed down, the sharp heel grinding harder.
The searing pain of bone cracking made the man cry out in agony.
Lin Ji sat with her long legs crossed. Anyone would think her elegant and stunningly striking—as long as they didn’t see the half-dead man pinned under her heel.
“This is your last chance.”
…
The office door opened.
Fan Qing dragged the man out and tossed him to the police, who had just arrived.
Lin Ji handed the recording pen over as well.
Fan Qing stayed behind to speak with the police about the events of the past few days, while Lin Ji headed to the garage alone.
Fan Qing: “BOSS, are you…”
Lin Ji: “I’m fine. The fever’s already broken.”
Duan Ning was finally back in J City, and the moment she returned, she dragged Jiang Siyi out for late-night snacks.
The two went to Auntie Liu’s food stall. Duan Ning immediately handed out wedding candy to Jiang Siyi and Auntie Liu and the others, making Auntie Liu think she was getting married.
Duan Ning: “No, my sister’s. I’m not even close to that yet.”
The wontons steamed hot. Auntie Liu turned the large electric fan toward them, blowing steadily to take the edge off the summer night’s heat.
Duan Ning pinched Jiang Siyi’s right-hand fingertips, turning them over and over to admire her wedding ring.
“You’re married? You’re actually married? How is it that in the few days I was gone, you went and got married? Oh my, our Siyi is a woman with a marriage certificate now—so surreal.”
Jiang Siyi looked at the ring too, her eyes slightly unfocused.
“I didn’t expect it either.”
“Is it Lin Ji-jie? Is it Lin Ji-jie? Hurry up and answer me ‘yes’ so I can sleep tonight!”
Duan Ning had been bombarding her on WeChat these past few days, but Jiang Siyi had deflected her every time with casual ease.
Now that she’d finally caught her in person, there was no way she’d let Siyi off the hook again.
Meeting her expectant gaze, Jiang Siyi slowly nodded.
Duan Ning stomped her feet in excitement, as though she herself had married into wealth.
“Such a happy occasion—how can we not drink? Auntie Liu? Bring us some beer, my treat.”
Auntie Liu: “Cold ones?”
Duan Ning: “Has to be cold.”
Jiang Siyi didn’t particularly enjoy drinking, but years of unavoidable work events had conditioned her to treat alcohol like water.
Duan Ning suggested a little drinking, and she had some feelings to process, so a little drinking it was.
Beer was low in alcohol—not enough to get drunk, but more than enough to make your head run hot.
Duan Ning belonged to the category of people with poor drinking behavior—once she drank, she was bold as brass and would say absolutely anything.
At first, she was especially curious about lesbian relationships.
She didn’t have many lesbian friends, so she found lesbian couples particularly mysterious. She asked about everything and anything, and before long the conversation turned risqué.
Thinking of Lin Ji’s face and figure—top-tier among the top-tier, the ultimate crush—the blush on Duan Ning’s cheeks could have been from the alcohol or something else, but either way it was red enough to direct traffic at an intersection.
“Our Lin Ji-jie… no, your Lin Ji-jie—she just looks like the type who can do anything, really knows how to do it.”
Lin Ji had finally found Jiang Siyi at the night market. She had just sat down diagonally behind them, and the first thing she heard was this line.
Do? Do what?
Lin Ji’s brow furrowed slightly.
Is it what I think it means?
Duan Ning: “Siyi… hic, tell me, have you two done it? Isn’t she especially brave and skillful in battle?”
Lin Ji: .
It was indeed what she thought it meant.
Jiang Siyi’s eyes already showed the glaze of three parts drunkenness. She lowered her head and swayed slightly.
Indicating denial.
Duan Ning continued with reckless abandon. “No way, you’re married and you still haven’t done it? Is it you or her who can’t perform? No… it must be you. I feel like there’s nothing in this world Lin Ji-jie can’t do.”
These vulgar words, falling on Lin Ji’s ears, were slightly crude.
Though not entirely wrong, either.
“Ha.”
Jiang Siyi’s short laugh interrupted Lin Ji’s thoughts.
The alcohol and Duan Ning’s goading drew out a daringly audacious Jiang Siyi.
All thoughts of the past were banished from her mind. Only the feeling of being given the cold shoulder these past few days rushed to the forefront.
Jiang Siyi: “Not necessarily. Someone this cold might not even date—the chances of being brave and skillful in battle are—”
She made a small circle with her thumb and index finger.
“Zero.”
Lin Ji: ?
Laughter drifted through the food stall, woven together with the smoke and fire of cooking.
The night was growing late. Duan Ning finished her last bottle of ice-cold beer, her whole person swaying dizzily.
Jiang Siyi wasn’t much better—her eyes were slightly unfocused, and even her voice had gone soft.
“Still drinking?”
Duan Ning let out a burp and shook her beer bottle. “Can’t drink anymore. Any more and my bladder’s going to burst.”
“Then let’s settle up.” Jiang Siyi said to Auntie Liu, “Auntie Liu, how much?”
Auntie Liu was wiping the next table over. With a mysterious smile, she jerked her chin toward the diagonal back and said:
“The great beauty already paid for you.”
Great beauty?
Jiang Siyi followed her gaze and looked back.
In her slightly doubled vision, why did it look like someone who resembled Lin Ji?
Meeting those clear, dustless eyes, Jiang Siyi’s mind suddenly snapped into focus.
Not “resembled”—it was Lin Ji herself.
Jiang Siyi’s throat tightened. Her vision stopped doubling, and she sobered up considerably.
Duan Ning grabbed Jiang Siyi’s hand. Her brain was still under alcohol’s control, and the thought in her heart slipped out before she could stop it:
“Oh no—she didn’t hear everything we just said, did she?”
Lin Ji, wearing a long dress, walked over slowly.
Even in the murk of a night market food stall, she seemed cloaked in an invisible barrier. Not a trace of foreign odor clung to her, and her cool fragrance drew closer with every step.
Jiang Siyi rose slowly. “Lin Ji-jie, when did you get here?”
Lin Ji raised her brow slightly and asked in a light, unhurried tone:
“Do you really want to know?”
Jiang Siyi, her judgment diluted by three parts drunkenness, let out a confused “Hmm?”
Lin Ji: “Since you started saying I can do anything, really know how to do it…”
The terrifyingly direct answer made Duan Ning gasp, nearly sliding under the table.
Jiang Siyi didn’t dare let her actually finish. She immediately clamped a hand over her mouth:
“Don’t—”
The gesture of covering her mouth brought their distance instantly close.
Lin Ji saw genuine panic and embarrassment in Jiang Siyi’s eyes.
And Jiang Siyi saw clear amusement in Lin Ji’s eyes.
She was doing it on purpose.
The author has something to say:
Lin Ji: Wife-pampering Step 8—for her wife’s happiness, her wife’s words can occasionally be wrong
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