My Gorgeous Wife Relies on Her Beauty to Commit Crimes - Chapter 19.1

Back then, both the Xie and Shen families were in the garment wholesale business, but unlike the Xie family, the Shen family had started midway. Xie Pan was a professor at a fashion design institute, talented and well-connected so his factory flourished as soon as it opened.

Guan Yuehua, Shen Jin’s adoptive mother, was a worker at Xie’s factory at the time. Seeing how successful the Xie family’s garment factory was, she teamed up with Shen Xingteng after meeting him, and the two ventured out to start their own garment factory.

However, the pair knew nothing about fabric and lacked connections. The products they manufactured were rejected by retailers. Just as they were despairing over the massive stockpile of unsold goods, they happened to run into Xie Pan, who was expanding his factory. Xie Pan, recognizing Guan Yuehua as a former employee of his, didn’t view them with suspicion. Instead, out of goodwill, he helped restructure the Shen family’s production line and opened doors for them, treating their factory as his second child. Soon, the garment market in Zhuoyang City was dominated by the Xie and Shen factories, earning them the reputation of “Xie in the South, Shen in the North,” as their factories were located on opposite ends of the city.

Xie Pan had a keen eye, and the Shen family prospered by following his lead. While Xie Pan decided against expanding beyond the province due to personal reasons, the Shen family aggressively grew their business and made a name for themselves. Xie Pan was genuinely happy for his old friend until the following year’s financial crisis and policy changes pushed Xie’s factory to the brink of collapse.

With the factory’s closure, a large number of employees faced unemployment. Xie Pan approached the Shen family, hoping they would take in these workers, but instead, he was met with humiliation.

Xie Jing was still in school at the time and didn’t fully understand her father’s business struggles. All she remembered was the tense atmosphere at home her father leaving early and returning late, her mother constantly preoccupied. Every time her father left, her mother would soon follow, leaving Xie Jing in the care of her aunt.

Her aunt, Xie Wanting, was the factory’s accountant. Whenever Xie Jing stayed with her, Xie Wanting was always poring over the account books with a troubled expression, sometimes sighing in distress.

Then came the factory’s collapse, the Xie family’s bankruptcy, and finally her mother driving off a mountain road with her father in the car…

Xie Jing parked in the underground garage and closed her eyes.

Xie Wanting claimed the Shen family were the murderers. According to her, Shen Xingteng had long harbored inappropriate feelings for Xie Jing’s mother, Xu An. When the family fell into financial trouble, Xu An sought Shen Xingteng’s help, incurring the resentment of Guan Yuehua, Shen Jin’s adoptive mother. Instead of aiding the Xie family, they took advantage of their downfall, hastening their bankruptcy and driving Xu An to such despair that she drove off the mountain road with Xie Pan.

The police questioned the couple, but they had alibis, and the case was eventually dismissed. The deaths of Xie Jing’s parents were ruled a suicide. In the chaos that followed, Xie Wanting took Xie Jing abroad.

For years, Xie Jing harbored hatred for the Shen family. Yet, when she learned of the Shen couple’s deaths, she was caught off guard, their demise had been too easy. For a moment, she even lost her will to live. It was Xie Wanting who reminded her, “They may be gone, but Shen Corporation remains. It’s the legacy they worked so hard to build. If you destroy it, they’ll never rest in peace.”

That reignited Xie Jing’s purpose.

Exhaling deeply, she stepped out of the garage and entered the lobby. The receptionist, noticing she was unfamiliar, politely asked, “Who are you here to see?”

Xie Jing wore a faint smile as she handed over the invitation, saying, “I’m here to see Boss Shen to deliver an invitation.”

The receptionist took it and glanced at it. “Do you have an appointment?”

Xie Jing shook her head. The receptionist pondered for a moment before saying, “Would you mind if I call the secretary’s desk to check?”

“Of course. You can tell her my name is Xie Jing.” Xie Jing made a gesture of permission, and the receptionist dialed the company’s internal line. The secretary responded quickly with a reply.

“Please send Miss Xie in.”

Xie Jing took the elevator to the thirtieth floor. The Shen Corporation building was impressive, situated along the banks of the Hengyang River. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, Xie Jing was drawn to the shimmering river, glistening like a silver ribbon exactly the same sight she had seen as a child. Only back then, the Xie family’s factory hadn’t been this tall.

Xie Jing lowered her gaze, the corners of her lips curling slightly, though her smile was pale.

Yes, this skyscraper had been built on the ruins of the Xie family’s factory. This area had once been barren land, but over a decade, it had transformed into the heart of the city. The towering buildings on both sides had turned this once-desolate place into a glittering star.

“Miss Xie, this way, please.”

The secretary led Xie Jing into the reception room and brought her a cup of tea. Xie Jing nodded in thanks.

The secretary discreetly observed Xie Jing. Given the boss’s orientation, women often threw themselves at her, but none had ever pursued her all the way to the corporate headquarters. This was the first time the secretary had seen such a beautiful woman come looking for the boss.

Xie Jing’s beauty radiated from within. She wasn’t the type to stun at first glance, but her skin was fair, her eyes bright, and her gaze gentle when she looked at people. The secretary was nearly intoxicated, how could there be such a lovely, soft-spoken girl? She seemed sweet and easy to get along with.

The secretary lingered a little longer, bringing Xie Jing a plate of fruit and pastries. Her voice unconsciously softened. “The boss is still in a meeting.”

Xie Jing smiled at her. “Thank you.”

The secretary’s heart fluttered. Xie Jing was just too sweet, completely different from the hardened professionals in the company, and her voice was so pleasant. But she still had work to do, and regrettably couldn’t stay with Xie Jing any longer, so she reluctantly returned to her post.

Xie Jing stood and looked around. The reception room had glass doors, with the company logo pasted around the middle to block the view, but standing up allowed her to see the entire thirtieth floor.

There were few employees here, and the space was vast, but those she could see were all hunched over their keyboards, typing away.

The secretary she had met earlier was also at her desk, looking busy.

She didn’t have to wait long before the elevator doors opened. Shen Jin emerged, leading a large group of people. She walked briskly, chastising those around her as she went. “What was that in the meeting just now? Didn’t I say the profit margin for this batch of goods must reach sixty percent? This proposal isn’t even as good as something an intern could come up with!”

People men and women crowded around her. Shen Jin was dressed in a white pantsuit, sleeves and trousers long, her presence formidable as she strode past Xie Jing and into her office. Before long, someone emerged, clutching a folder, looking utterly dejected. Once most of the people had left, the secretary seized the moment to enter with some documents. A short while later, the door opened again, and the secretary cheerfully came to fetch Xie Jing. “Miss Xie, sorry for the wait. The boss is free now.”

Xie Jing nodded at her with a smile. The secretary’s eyes lit up, looking even more delighted as she led Xie Jing to the door. Only after Xie Jing entered did she quietly leave.

When Xie Jing stepped inside, Shen Jin was still bent over her desk, busy with work. Her head was lowered as she reviewed documents, a slight frown between her brows. Behind her, dazzling sunlight pooled at her feet, the blackout curtains half-drawn, and a faint fragrance lingered in the air.

“You came?” Shen Jin only set down her pen when Xie Jing approached, studying her from behind the desk.

Xie Jing handed over the invitation. “It arrived this morning, delivered to the house.”

Shen Jin took it and saw it was sent by Lan Yiqing.

Her fingers brushed the edge of the envelope before she lifted her gaze to Xie Jing. “Just for this?”

“And my phone.” Xie Jing reached out. “Did you take it?”

Shen Jin set the invitation aside, her dark eyes unreadable. “Got any proof?”

Xie Jing pressed her lips together. “Last night, I went to your room, and afterward, my phone was gone.”

A faint smirk curled Shen Jin’s lips. “Should I call the police, then? A thief sneaked into my room without permission. I wonder if anything else was stolen.”

Verbal sparring was never Xie Jing’s strong suit against Shen Jin.

Her round almond eyes fixed on Shen Jin, a hint of grievance leaking into her gaze. “That phone is important to me.”

Shen Jin sighed. She pushed back from the desk, her chair sliding away to create space, then opened her arms. “Come here.”

Xie Jing sulked her way over, only to be pulled into Shen Jin’s embrace and settled onto her lap.

With a startled gasp, Xie Jing squirmed uncomfortably as Shen Jin playfully bounced her legs. Clutching Shen Jin’s neck for balance, she flushed when Shen Jin chuckled lowly. “How are you feeling today? Was I too rough last night?”

Xie Jing gritted her teeth. Discussing such private matters in this setting made her burn with shame.

But Shen Jin wasn’t about to let her off. Leaning close, she murmured by Xie Jing’s ear, “I thought you wouldn’t be able to get out of bed today. Didn’t expect you’d come looking for me.”

A small sound caught in Xie Jing’s throat, one Shen Jin didn’t miss. She dipped her head to steal a kiss, making Xie Jing jerk in alarm toward the door, nearly leaping up like a startled rabbit before Shen Jin pinned her back down.

“What are you scared of? Weren’t you bold enough to sneak into my room last night?”

Xie Jing bristled, though her retort came out barely above a whisper. “That was at home.”

Shen Jin laughed softly and finally relented, releasing her grip on Xie Jing’s slender waist. The moment she did, Xie Jing scrambled off her lap, shooting her a glare.

Shaking her head, Shen Jin said, “I didn’t take your phone. If it’s not in your room, it might still be in mine. I’ll call home and have them search properly.”

Xie Jing eyed her suspiciously, but Shen Jin remained unfazed as she dialed home, instructing a thorough search and asking Xie Jing to describe the phone details Xie Jing provided with a frown.

Hanging up, Shen Jin met Xie Jing’s gaze with utter nonchalance. “Still think I took it?”

Xie Jing let out a soft huff, cheeks puffing adorably.

Shen Jin tugged her close again, giving those cheeks a playful pinch before taking her hand to lead her out. Xie Jing resisted, whispering, “Where are we going?”

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