Falling After Marriage - Chapter 89

Chapter 89: Even Her Breath Holds Memories of Her

After enduring a stormy internal conflict, Cheng Sangluo peacefully accepted the fact that she had fallen for Lin Jin.

Even though this unspoken love had come on strong, she chose to keep a cool head. After all, besides missing the “madwoman” she currently couldn’t kiss or hold, she had a very important matter to handle immediately.

Sitting on the steps, she hurriedly gulped down a few bites of cold Eight-Treasure Porridge before rushing into the study. She hadn’t checked the USB drive she found at Xu Songheng’s house the previous night; since it had been hidden so deeply, it was bound to contain scandalous secrets.

She burst into the study with the metal box, turning on the computer while shaking the USB drive out. During the boot-up sequence, she flipped through the empty diary again, trying to find more information, but the notebook revealed nothing.

Predictably, Lin Jin’s computer required a password.

The “puppy” sat in the chair, scratching her head in frustration, only to realize she didn’t even know when Lin Jin’s birthday was. She wouldn’t dream of calling Lin Jin for the password; the woman was paranoid, and asking would only invite trouble.

Unable to guess it, she turned to the AI. “Cheng Sangluo, do you know the login password for the computer?”

“Master, you really are a blockhead. You don’t even know your own password?”

“I’m asking you for the password, why are you criticizing me?” Cheng Sangluo rolled her eyes, thinking this thing was too smart. “Do you know it or not? If you do, tell me. If not, shut up.”

“Hmph, you’re asking me for a favor. Can’t your attitude be a little better?”

“You!” Cheng Sangluo was speechless. “I’ve never seen AI with more nonsense than a human. Tell me!”

She suddenly realized the AI’s temper was remarkably similar to her own. How had Lin Jin programmed it? Could a personality be replicated like this?

The smart butler paused for a few seconds before three words floated out: “Beg… me… then…”

Cheng Sangluo gnashed her teeth, forcing the words out: “I. Beg. You.”

“That’s not how you beg. You have to have a better attitude. You have to praise me, compliment me.”

Great. The temper is identical—lawlessly annoying!

“You are the smartest, the guardian of our home. You protect our safety and keep the appliances running. It’s hard work; I’ll give you a big red flower.” Cheng Sangluo gritted her teeth through the praise, thinking: A red flower for your big head. When the ‘Wife’ comes back, I’m uninstalling you.

“Hmph, you must be cursing me in your heart!”

What! It can even guess that?! Is this AI or is there a real person hiding in the gutter operating it?

Cheng Sangluo widened her eyes and spoke sweetly: “Oh, please, I beg of you~ please~”

“Fine. The computer password is the same as the house door lock. You’re so stupid for not knowing that!” The butler answered truthfully, not forgetting a final insult.

“What a nightmare of an AI,” Cheng Sangluo grumbled, quickly typing the code.

As the screen unlocked, she held her breath, her expression tense. But as she opened the USB drive’s folder, she deflated like a punctured balloon. There wasn’t a single clickable icon.

“Impossible!” she hissed, exiting and re-entering the folder. Still nothing. “Hidden like a treasure and it’s empty? Are you kidding me?”

She slumped back, resting her chin on her hand. She couldn’t go to Ji Nanxing; this was trespassing and theft. Seeking out a rule-following cop would only lead to unnecessary trouble. She examined the metal box and the empty notebook again but found no hidden compartments.

Frustrated by the dead end, she threw the items onto the desk. She’d hide them for now and give them to Lin Jin later. That woman had many tricks; maybe she could find something subtle.

After adjusting her emotions, she resumed the seemingly endless task of engraving.

Strange as it was, while the lack of clues made her restless, the moment the carving knife touched the stone, she felt a sense of peace. She didn’t empty her mind; instead, she recalled the madwoman’s words about the seals. She didn’t understand the deep meaning or the value of a small stamp.

She figured Lin Jin just liked to mess with her. But that devious woman had indeed achieved her goal: by making her do the same thing over and over, how could she ever forget?

Lin Jin’s name was being carved into the stone, but inadvertently, it was being etched into Cheng Sangluo’s heart. The strokes were no longer just “carved”—they were branded.

As the brand went deeper, that peerless face became branded into her memory as well. She saw her when her eyes were open, when they were closed; even her breath seemed to hold her.

Dammit! The madwoman was so annoying, always finding ways to bully her, always seeking to humiliate her for “fun,” always using “education” as an excuse for her twisted logic.

Yet, now, thinking of her, Cheng Sangluo couldn’t conjure a single ounce of resentment. Her arrogance, her malice, her unpredictability—all of it had turned into a soft, melting tenderness that permeated Cheng Sangluo’s senses.

“Lin Jin,” she murmured while carving, satisfied as her technique grew more skillful. She flicked away the dust and whispered with more certainty: “Mhm, Lin Jin.”

The study was silent. The person carving was focused and sincere. Cheng Sangluo didn’t realize she was already lost in the entanglement of engraving and longing. To an outsider, it might look boring, but she was oblivious to everything else.

Because her heart was pleased, she lost herself. Every stroke became an act of yearning. Lin Jin wasn’t there, yet she existed in every detail.

Zhongyao Technology

In the center of Zehai City, Zhongyao Technology occupied a five-story independent office building. As a tech R&D company, it was thriving, backed by the massive Senyao Capital.

The legal representative was Jin Manni, but Lin Jin was the boss behind the scenes, using layer upon layer of shell companies to keep Lin Sheng from noticing. Lin Jin was keeping Zhongyao hidden as her “ace in the hole.”

She hadn’t planned on merging Zhongyao into Senyao so soon, but with the Lin Group preparing to go public and the pressure of the gambling agreement, she had to push several major projects forward.

Today’s meeting was small due to the sensitivity of the content. Besides Lin Jin and Jin Manni, a rare visitor was expected.

Lin Jin sat at Jin Manni’s desk, looking at the mountain of documents with a headache. She wasn’t paying much attention to the paperwork; she was waiting for the guest.

A rhythmic knock sounded at the door.

“Come in.” Lin Jin leaned back in the executive chair, watching the woman enter. She offered a polite, hollow smile. “Long time no see.”

Wei Yun entered, followed by two guards. Before coming in, she signaled them to stay and watch the door. This was an official visit; Wei Yun was in full military uniform, indicating she was here for state business. She took off her cap, tucked it under her arm, and walked to the desk. “President Lin, we meet again after many years. How have you been?”

Lin Jin leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. “Thanks to you, Colonel Wei, I couldn’t be better.”

Wei Yun’s gaze dropped to Lin Jin’s bandaged ankle. She raised an eyebrow. “I suspect President Lin isn’t doing quite as well as she claims.”

“Sit.” Lin Jin pointed to the guest chair. “Colonel Wei is a busy person and likely doesn’t care for tea. Our time is tight—shall we get straight to the point?”

Jin Manni glanced at Lin Jin helplessly before placing a cup of hot tea in front of Wei Yun. “Please, have some.”

“Thank you,” Wei Yun said politely, then turned to Lin Jin. She cut to the chase: “I assume Engineer Jin has reported our intent to you? The following is classified. There will be a large-scale joint exercise early next year. My district hopes to deploy new combat technology. Given how useful the ‘combat data collection’ was last time, the leadership wants to invest in newer, more effective drone warfare that integrates those data sets.

While drone exercises aren’t new, your company’s R&D is cutting-edge, especially in AI. We want a new system for reconnaissance, offense, and defense. If your solution works in the field, we will provide massive funding, buy out the technology, and potentially merge Zhongyao Technology into the defense industry for long-term R&D. This is a mission for the country; it is the right choice.”

“Colonel Wei, I appreciate the trust,” Lin Jin replied, her face taking on the calculating look of a merchant. “But we have difficulties. R&D needs more than money; it needs time for design and testing. There’s only half a year left. I can’t guarantee a satisfactory product by then. If I’m not mistaken, no other company has given you such a guarantee, and we aren’t the only ones you’ve approached.”

Lin Jin was desperate for this second collaboration—it was her trump card for the gambling agreement—but as an investor, she had to discuss every hidden risk.

“I understand the difficulty, but time is of the essence. Put other projects on hold. The combat data from years ago was brilliant; that’s why we trust you.” Wei Yun threw out an olive branch. “There are other options, but I prefer the partner to be you. A win-win situation is what we both want. You have no reason to refuse me.”

Wei Yun’s words held a deeper meaning. She took a sip of tea, smiling significantly.

Lin Jin understood the subtext. she glanced at Jin Manni. “Engineer Jin, please step out for a moment. I have some private matters to discuss with Colonel Wei.”

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