Her Imperfection for Wifehood - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Two nights later, Bai Yang drove to pick up An Jing and Wei Yinxia to take them back to their respective homes in the prosperous district.

Wei Yinxia looked at the empty alley entrance of the old house. An Jing comforted her: “Aunt Hong will be fine. Lord Qiang sent people to handle the Qiao Gang. There will be Lu Gang brothers secretly protecting her; they won’t dare to cause trouble.”

Wei Yinxia withdrew her gaze: “After Wei Zhengqing cut off her means of survival, to live peacefully in the Old Town, she disguised herself as an ugly woman during the day and occasionally set up a street stall to sell soy milk and scallion pancakes, just to scrape by.”

It was true. Aunt Hong was attractive. A woman in this area with no one to rely on would easily be preyed upon by bad people.

Both mother and daughter were blessed with beauty by God, yet they had to hide it and make a living by pretending to be ugly.

It was truly ironic.

“Don’t go to Xianle Gate anymore. From now on, I will send someone to deliver the money to the Qiao Gang every month,” An Jing said, referring to the protection fee.

Wei Yinxia naturally understood her meaning and asked, “How do you want me to repay Boss Jing’s great kindness?”

For some reason, Wei Yinxia’s question reminded An Jing of what Xu Weiqiang had angrily said to her about repaying her life debt during their “escape” the night of the gunfight.

Should she copy him?

Better not.

“I certainly have an ulterior motive. Let’s make a deal: whether you’re Wei Yinxia or Hongying, you will only sing and play music for me from now on.”

Yinyin, will that make you feel better?

Wei Yinxia nodded: “Thank you, Boss Jing.”

She was smiling, yet An Jing couldn’t detect any genuine happiness in that smile.

Bai Yang drove Wei Yinxia home first. An Jing watched her enter the courtyard from a distance before telling Bai Yang to start the car again.

As soon as An Jing arrived home, she saw An Xi sitting in front of a piano that had appeared at some point: “As soon as Flower Before Moon is over, you’re back to tinkering with the piano?”

She vaguely recalled An Xi saying that Qi Ruyue was forced by her parents to learn the piano.

“Sis!” An Xi hurried over. The still-visible swelling and redness on An Jing’s face caught his attention: “Did you get into a fight while doing business? Tell me who did it. I’ll go settle the score!”

An Jing didn’t want any further complications: “I was practicing boxing with a friend and slipped up. While I was gone these past few days, did anyone come looking for me?”

An Xi knew An Jing occasionally practiced boxing, so he half-believed her and didn’t press the matter further.

“No one came to the An house, but a couple of people called. Factory Manager He from the Second Factory said he had something to report to you. And Boss Qi asked how you were considering the advertising proposal.”

“You’ll come with me to the cotton mill tomorrow. An Xi, you are the rightful heir to the An enterprise. The company will be handed over to you sooner or later.”

“Sis, you’re also part of our An family.” Whenever this topic came up, An Xi backed away: “Dad gave the company to you. If you don’t want to run it, go talk to him.”

“Fine. The day I die in a hail of bullets, I’ll definitely go find him in the underworld and reason with him. I’ll tell him how unfilial his son is. Always neglecting his proper duties…”

“Sis, Sis, I’m wrong! I admit it, okay! Don’t keep mentioning death.” An Xi put his palms together and bowed toward the sky: “My sister speaks without thinking. Please, don’t take her words to heart, God!”

“An Xi, a major reason I don’t get married is that I don’t want outsiders to interfere with the An enterprise. Think about it. Once I marry, or even have children… what will the An family members think?”

“I’m sorry, Sis. It’s my fault for being useless.” An Xi, knowing he had failed An Jing, compromised: “I’ll go to the factory with you tomorrow.”

An Jing’s status as an adopted daughter had never been a secret.

She stood firm in the An’s through her own abilities, neither blaming fate for not being of the An family’s direct bloodline nor becoming overbearing despite holding power.

Moreover, since An Xi was still at home, the An family uncles and elders treated her with courtesy.

No matter what, her surname was An.

But if she married, the traditional notion of a woman marrying and obeying her husband—that the husband is supreme—had not yet completely disappeared. Her name would always be preceded by her husband’s surname.

Not only would the An family not accept it, but An Jing herself was very resistant.

She was grateful for the surname “An”. The issue of marriage was never in her life plan since she came to the An family, received widespread care, and took over the “family business” from An’s father.

She didn’t need a man.

Using the business talk with Boss Qi as an excuse, An Xi and Qi Ruyue had indeed grown closer.

“Oh, right, Sis. I’ve scheduled to see the play Thunderstorm with Ruyue the day after tomorrow. Let’s try to finish tomorrow’s work tomorrow and not delay my play.”

Now he’s interested in plays?

An Jing slowed her ascent up the stairs and turned back to ask him: “Is it good?”

“It’s a classic. Can’t be bad.”

Her brother was a man of culture. Looking at herself, she hadn’t read much and reeked of money. For the first time, An Jing found fault with herself.

Yinyin was about their age. She should also like the things they liked, right?

She was struggling for a good reason to invite Wei Yinxia out. If she let An Xi do the inviting, the success rate was guaranteed to be 100%.

“Qi family and Wei family aren’t close. How did this Qi Ruyue and Wei Yinxia get to know each other?”

Her silly brother was oblivious to the fact that he was about to become a useful tool: “Ruyue studied at the same school as her, but Ruyue told me that the Second Miss Wei only studied for a little over a year and then left.”

That’s right. Yinyin said she went to the girls’ academy, but what they taught there was not as good as… the dance hall…

An Jing’s pity for Wei Yinxia deepened.

Wei Yinxia and Qi Ruyue shared the same age, lived in similar wealthy merchant families, and attended the same academy, yet their fates were worlds apart.

“A classic, Thunderstorm. I’ll clear my schedule and go with you young people to see what the fuss is about the day after tomorrow.”

An Xi looked at An Jing with extreme surprise: “Did I hear that right? Are you really my sister? My sister never watches these pretentious things. Are you sure you’re not going to the theater to sleep?”

An Jing tapped An Xi’s head: “You little brat, why so much nonsense! Buy two more tickets and invite the Wei family’s Second Miss. Get to it.”

“Invite her? Should I do it in your name or mine?”

“What do you think!”

An Xi couldn’t argue: “Fine, I’ll invite her. Sister is right. Whatever Sister says is right. I’m going to call now.”

After walking downstairs, An Xi suddenly realized and shouted back up: “Wait, Sis! Doesn’t this mean you’re openly asking me to openly date two women at once?”

An Jing shouted back: “Marriage is no laughing matter! Let bygones be bygones. If you’re going to marry, marry someone you like, who is gentle and virtuous, and who can manage the household, so you don’t end up with a chaotic mess.”

An Xi was speechless at what he heard from upstairs. His sister was describing no one but Wei Yinxia! The turning point came too quickly.

Wei’s Residence.

When Wei Yinxia answered An Xi’s call, Wei Zhengqing and his wife were in the living room.

After hanging up, Wei Zhengqing asked: “An Xi invited you to the theater?”

“Yes.”

“Although the partnership with An Jing didn’t work out, the marriage alliance with An Xi is still viable.” Wei Zhengqing had already turned down Sixth Master Ma. “He studied abroad. He has a broad perspective and open mind. Dress smartly tomorrow. Change your clothes. Wear a Western dress for the date. In a couple of days, I’ll have Madam take you out to buy a few new outfits in different styles.”

“Yes.” Wei Yinxia’s situation in this house could be described as nothing short of subservience.

But what else could she do? Her life and her mother’s life were entirely controlled by Wei Zhengqing. There was no turning back, no regretting the past.

She could only steel herself and go against her conscience to do what Wei Zhengqing told her to do. Even if it went against her true wishes.

Every path, every choice, required a corresponding price. There were gains and losses. No free lunch would ever fall from the sky, and no feast was entirely without cost.

She warned herself again and again not to daydream.

Because once the dream ended, what awaited her was a bottomless abyss.

Outside the theater entrance, An Jing stood straight. She spotted Wei Yinxia walking toward them from a distance in the crowd.

Wei Yinxia also saw An Jing first, feeling an inexplicable surge of joy within.

But she didn’t show it. She told the maid Xuer beside her, “This is far enough. You and the driver go back first.”

Xuer was confused: “Second Miss, I should wait for you outside the theater.”

“No need.”

“But, Miss…”

“I said no need.” Wei Yinxia was a little impatient, eager to see the person she missed.

“Oh. Alright then. Don’t be too late coming back, or Madam will scold you again.” Xuer’s worry was not unfounded.

Because the Second Miss she served was often scolded mercilessly by the Madam, just like she was.

That day, An Jing wore a khaki riding outfit with black boots and tied her hair in a small ponytail. Wei Yinxia wore a small Western dress with a white ruffled blouse and a red and white checkered skirt.

The two of them, standing together, were a perfect match.

“Boss Jing, Young Master Xi, I apologize for making you wait.” Wei Yinxia offered her apology.

“We didn’t wait long. You’re not late. Ruyue is even later than you.” An Xi stealthily took a few steps to the side, found a good angle with his new camera, and called out, “Sis, Little Sister Yinxia, look this way, beautiful ladies!”

Behind them was the largest, most magnificent, and most famous Pearl Grand Theater in Shanghai. Their faces were especially bright in the light of the setting sun.

An Jing swallowed hard, wanting to compliment Wei Yinxia’s beauty and her outfit, but worried about looking like a lecher.

She didn’t know why she was so nervous.

“Boss Jing?”

Wei Yinxia’s face showed a slight blush as she gently called out. She loved seeing An Jing so captivated by her yet trying to remain composed.

An Jing heard Wei Yinxia’s voice and looked up. Their eyes met directly.

A subtle smile spread across both their faces. Neither spoke again. They just gazed at each other quietly, the blush and nervousness melting away in the warmth of the other’s smile.

Peace in the present, tranquility in the years. A moment becomes an eternity.

Qi Ruyue, wearing a high ponytail, arrived last, smiling and giving An Xi a high-five.

Then she grabbed Wei Yinxia’s hand: “Yinxia, long time no see. Is everything alright? I didn’t get a chance to talk to you at your father’s birthday banquet.”

Wei Yinxia maintained a polite smile: “Everything is fine.”

Ruyue then turned to An Jing and bowed respectfully: “I’ve heard so much about Boss Jing! At Uncle Wei’s birthday banquet, my parents kept a tight leash on me. I was too stressed to even speak to you. Sis, can I call you ‘Sister,’ like An Xi does?”

An Jing smiled: “You already called me that, why ask? An Xi often praises your good nature, character, and lively personality. Seeing you today, it’s certainly true.”

“He didn’t say anything bad?”

“No.”

“Then he’s a decent gentleman who speaks no evil.”

An Xi flicked Qi Ruyue’s head: “You’re late and made the three of us wait. You still haven’t apologized!”

“Hitting my head again!” Qi Ruyue glared at An Xi, then apologized three times in a row: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. Is that enough?”

“Yes, yes, yes. You’re the best.” An Xi raised his camera again and directed Qi Ruyue: “Go stand over there. I’ll take a photo of you. Yes, that spot. Stand tall, legs straight. Say cheese.”

Since the tickets were purchased on different dates, the four people’s seats were not together. An Xi and Qi Ruyue sat next to each other, and An Jing and Wei Yinxia sat together, two rows behind them.

Upon entering, An Jing had initially intended to let Wei Yinxia sit with An Xi, but Wei Yinxia proactively pulled An Jing’s sleeve and said: “I want to sit next to you.”

This was unexpected for An Jing.

“Sis, Ruyue and I are going to find our seats. Yours are two rows back, with seat numbers.”

“Okay,” An Jing nodded.

It had only been one day since they last saw each other, yet An Jing and Wei Yinxia seemed a little distant. After finding their seats, they sat in silence. No one spoke to break the slightly strange atmosphere.

They had missed each other and wanted to meet, but now that they had, they were at a loss for words.

Just before the play started, An Jing squeezed out a line that might have been better left unsaid: “Wei… Yinyin, you can also call me ‘Sister,’ like Ruyue does. It’s more affectionate.”

Wei Yinxia couldn’t bring herself to say the word “Sister.” She knew this “date,” from the moment An Xi called, was orchestrated by An Jing.

She asked, “How is your injury… getting better?”

“Mmm, it’s healing.”

“You shouldn’t exercise vigorously, or drink alcohol, or eat spicy food. Be extra careful when bathing.” These were things she should have said the day they parted.

“Okay, I know.” An Jing smiled and covered Wei Yinxia’s hand: “I will cherish my life.”

Her hand was held. Wei Yinxia’s face felt hot from the nervousness, and her heart rate sped up. Before this, she had never had this reaction to anyone else’s touch.

Thunderstorm was a tragedy. Both the deserving and undeserving of death perished.

After watching it, Wei Yinxia felt a heavy heart. She stared blankly at the curtain falling on the stage, her fingers digging marks into her palm.

An Jing turned to look at her. Her warm hand held Wei Yinxia’s, soothing her anxiety. She whispered, “It’s a story concocted by writers. You don’t have to take it seriously.”

This time, Wei Yinxia held An Jing’s hand back, gripping it tightly. The warmth from An Jing’s palm spread throughout her body.

She pursed her lips and looked back at An Jing: “If I hadn’t stepped through the Wei family’s door back then, would I be living an easier life now? But if I weren’t Wei Zhengqing’s daughter, I would never have had the chance to meet you in this lifetime.”

The play ended and the audience began to leave.

When most people had gone, An Jing stood up and drew the seated Wei Yinxia into her embrace, gently stroking her soft hair.

“I wish I had known this play was so miserable and full of shouting. I wouldn’t have brought you.”

If you had known, you wouldn’t have just stopped at not bringing me to the play.

Wei Yinxia felt profound sorrow—for the tragic story, for herself, and for the irony of fate: “Boss Jing, please don’t be too good to me.”

“I’ll be good to whoever I want to be good to. Yinyin, we’ve shared trials and tribulations. Setting An Xi aside, I sincerely see you as a sister. So you…”

“But I don’t want a sister,” Wei Yinxia said, gathering her emotions and pulling away from An Jing’s embrace.

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