Another Day of Pretending for the Wealthy Couple - Chapter 35

After the three left, only Wen Yi’an, Ji Tanyuan, Zhou Yanyu, and the elderly Jiang Qiufen remained at the dining table.

The old lady, having calmed down, felt somewhat tired. She waved her hand and rose to leave.

Ji Tanyuan couldn’t resist teasing, “Not a single one with the surname Zhong.”

Zhou Yanyu set down her chopsticks. “Ji Tanyuan, I’ve noticed you have quite the rebellious streak.”

Ji Tanyuan put down her water glass and smiled. “Wasn’t Zhong Yan like this before I married into the family?”

Zhou Yanyu froze. Before the marriage, Zhong Yan had indeed been the same. Suddenly, she realized that what she couldn’t accept was Zhong Yan treating the family this way for the sake of an outsider.

Ji Tanyuan said, “So, even though Mother keeps saying I’m part of the Zhong family, deep down, she’s never truly accepted me.”

Zhou Yanyu was left speechless and promptly fell silent. How could she possibly accept someone who had joined the family midway as a true member of the Zhong family?

Ji Tanyuan picked up a shrimp, one that Zhong Yan had peeled for her earlier, and said leisurely, “That’s fine, then. Let’s just maintain a superficial peace. There’s no need to interfere too much in other matters, and let’s not force any genuine affection. I already have a mother I’m closer to.”

Ji Tanyuan remained smiling, her eyes curved, as if the earlier tension had not affected her mood in the slightest.

Zhou Yanyu turned her head away, not wanting to look. Her face stiff, she said, “But you are the daughter-in-law of the Zhong family.”

“But she is also a daughter of the Ji family.” Upstairs, Zhong Yan responded to the old master’s warning with these words.

Compared to the atmosphere downstairs, the mood upstairs was even more suffocating.

Zhong Yan sat on the sofa, facing the stern old master. “Grandfather, you’ve forgotten the foundation of this marriage, it’s about interests. Ji Tanyuan is connected to over a dozen enterprises, some with indirect shareholdings, others with direct holdings. Most of these are related to the upstream and downstream production capacity of chips in our two collaborating companies, forming a complete industrial chain.”

The old master fell silent, then said, “None of that justifies her acting willfully in the Zhong family. It’s just one conglomerate, do you think I can’t find a replacement?”

“The Zhong family isn’t just the few of us. There are other elders too, Zhong Yan. Even if you want to be willful, you must know your limits. Is it right for you to confront your grandmother and mother for her sake?”

“This is my final warning to you. If this alliance with the Ji family doesn’t go smoothly, we’ll find another path.”

Zhong Yan fell silent, closed his eyes for a moment, then let out a short laugh. “Another path?”

He looked up. “Grandfather, do you think the Ji family is something we can lead by the nose?”

Zhong Fangqi lit a cigarette, for the first time refraining from scolding his son at such a moment. “When we arranged the marriage, it was to quickly enter the semiconductor market. Ji Corporation’s chip technology could bring tangible benefits to our company. That was the purpose of Zhong Yan’s marriage. As for the rest, it’s unnecessary.”

“Zhong Yan, as long as you understand the nature of your marriage to Tanyuan, that’s enough. Don’t let irrelevant emotions influence your decisions. Soon, state-owned assets will be entering and acquiring some companies in the southern semiconductor industry. Be prepared. Also, make sure the Ji family doesn’t get too close to the Shen faction. Since they’ve aligned with the Zhong family, they shouldn’t try to please both sides.”

“As for disciplining the daughter-in-law or imposing rules, handle it as the situation demands.”

The old man snorted coldly, “Do you all think we’re too old? But everything your grandmother and I do is for the sake of the Zhong family’s dignity.”

“If we don’t teach them now, there will be unrest in the household later.” he said.

Zhong Fangqi was also troubled. He had thought the Zhong family would never experience such trivial matters as conflicts between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, yet it had happened anyway, and now three generations of women were all involved.

“Zhong Yan, you too, just a trip to the orphanage to get some sun. Was it really necessary?”

“Your grandmother is right. You’re not a child anymore; she’s a daughter-in-law of the Zhong family. Isn’t it fair to pay the price for the benefits she’ve enjoyed?”

Zhong Yan lowered his eyes and remained silent. He had acted this way simply because he couldn’t stand the elders’ mindset. Years ago, he had stood up for his mother in the same way, but no one paid any attention, and his mother had scolded him for being unreasonable.

But Ji Tanyuan would stand by his side. He had finally received a sense of validation in the Zhong family, something that had been missing for 20 years. That was the difference.

The old man and Zhong Yan’s father were long accustomed to his aloofness. When he didn’t want to speak, it didn’t matter who you were, he wouldn’t engage. When he did speak, it didn’t matter who you were, he would still be sharp-tongued.

“None of you give me any peace,” the old man grumbled angrily. “From childhood to adulthood, have I raised a grandson or an ancestor?”

As Zhong Yan went downstairs, she saw Ji Tanyuan sitting alone on the sofa, playing on her phone. Ji Tanyuan seemed to be in a rather cheerful mood.

He ambled over and stood behind her. No wonder she was so happy, her sales associate had just sent her photos of the latest handbag.

“Let’s go.”

Ji Tanyuan looked up, smiling. “Finished with the meeting?”

Zhong Yan gave a noncommittal hum.

“What was it about?”

Zhong Yan replied indifferently, “Constructive discussions centered on the Zhong family’s interests, along with critical suggestions on how to mediate family conflicts.”

“Tell me about it?”

“No need. You’d just agree to my face and then complain behind my back anyway.”

Ji Tanyuan closed her phone. “Fine, I won’t ask then.”

As Zhong Yan walked toward the door, he remarked, “Another new bag?”

Ji Tanyuan followed, “Yes, but this one only cost two million. I also bought you a tie and cufflinks.”

Zhong Yan chuckled, “The tie was just to meet the purchase quota.”

Ji Tanyuan pouted, “Even the quota items cost money.”

Wen Yi’an, seated in the dining room, had overheard their entire conversation.

Under the table, her hands clenched tightly. She closed her eyes briefly. They could casually discuss a two-million-yuan handbag, and Zhong Yan could unhesitatingly stand up for Ji Tanyuan, experiences she had never had.

It wouldn’t have hurt so much if it were anyone else, but it had to be her brother-in-law’s family.

The contrast was just too stark.

But Zhong Jing’s profession meant she couldn’t too flamboyant or willful.

Wen Yi’an ran a hand through her hair. She knew she was stuck in a negative spiral but had no idea how to break free.

Zhong Jing came downstairs and entered the dining room, finding Wen Yi’an sitting there, lost in thought.

Her features were striking, deep-set eyes and lush, stunning beauty, but her gaze lacked its usual sparkle, as if a layer of gray had settled over her vibrant face.

He approached and placed a hand on her shoulder. “Shall we go home?”

Wen Yi’an snapped out of her reverie, looking up at her husband, who was gazing down at her. She offered a somewhat strained smile. It was still better than her previous home.

She could only comfort herself by comparing her current situation to the misery she had endured in her parents’ house. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to endure it, fearing that complaints would only annoy him.

The sweetness she had shared with Zhong Jing during their courtship had gradually worn thin amid the friction of married life. The love hadn’t vanished, it had simply transformed into something else.

Relying on inertia and mutual blame twisted together like a braid, binding the two of them tightly.

Wen Yi’an watched Ji Tanyuan as she walked outside, wondering if she still held any hope for how things would unfold between the couple later.

On the way back,

Ji Tanyuan unlocked her phone and glanced at the message Zhang Zhang had sent.

Casually, she asked, “What’s the relationship between Mr. Cheng and Miss Xin?”

Zhong Yan tapped the steering wheel. “You should be familiar with this in the entertainment industry, it’s that kind of relationship.”

A sugar daddy and his mistress.

Ji Tanyuan remarked, “It’s not that simple, is it? Miss Xin doesn’t seem willing.”

Zhong Yan hummed in agreement. “Not sure about that.”

Then he turned to look at her. “What’s wrong?”

Ji Tanyuan set her phone down. “Xin Gan went to Shanghai for a cover shoot, and it seems she had a fight with Cheng Gengxu.”

“Cheng Gengxu took her away, but the cover still needs to be shot. The promotions and investments are already set, so they asked if I could release Xin Gan temporarily to finish the shoot.”

Zhong Yan: “…”

Zhong Yan chuckled. “I can’t interfere in this. It’s their private matter.”

Then Ji Tanyuan lowered her head and fiddled with her phone. “Then let’s talk about something you can control. Don’t agree if Rong Xi asks for your help later.”

Zhong Yan: “Reason?”

Ji Tanyuan said, “Oh,” then added, “If she wants to take advantage of the Ji family’s turmoil, she’ll have to rely on her own skills.”

Zhong Yan’s heart tightened. “You know everything? Have you been playing dumb all along?”

Ji Tanyuan found it somewhat amusing. “Is it that hard to guess? When have I ever played dumb?”

Suddenly, Zhong Yan wanted to ask if she knew about the Zhong family’s intentions.

If she did, then Ji Tanyuan was the true master of maintaining appearances, perhaps she had long been prepared to tear off the mask at any moment.

Zhong Yan gritted his teeth, a sudden surge of frustration rising within him.

This marriage of his, half-real and half-fake, felt like a fishbone stuck in his throat, too painful to spit out, yet too dangerous to swallow.