My Gorgeous Wife Relies on Her Beauty to Commit Crimes - Chapter 7

Shen Jin remained calm, as if she had anticipated this. She asked Ge Xinqing, “Will production be affected without that batch of raw materials?”

Ge Xinqing frowned deeply. “The autumn and winter clothing samples are already being made. By the end of next month, most major brands will be holding their launch events. If we’re missing those materials now, our production capacity might not keep up after the launches. If we switch to lower-quality fabric, I’m afraid our competitors will expose it, which would reflect poorly on our clients.”

Shen Jin nodded. “I understand. I’ll contact Luo Jia.”

“That would be great!” Ge Xinqing sighed in relief.

Luo Jia had previously caused trouble for them by delaying raw material supplies, resulting in a late shipment. Fortunately, their clients were long-term partners who understood the situation. But if this happened a few more times, even those suppliers might raise objections. After all, for offline brand stores, early stock placement was crucial, the sooner a store received goods after a brand launch, the faster it could capture the market.

Shen Jin dialed Father Luo, Luo Demin’s number. It seemed he had been waiting for her call, as the line connected almost immediately.

“What’s the matter, Boss Shen? Didn’t we just meet today?” Luo Demin chuckled over the phone. “I haven’t even thanked you yet for gracing us with your presence at my father’s birthday celebration. He was overjoyed to see you.”

Shen Jin responded politely, “Elder Luo is in good health. It makes us juniors happy to see him like that.”

“Indeed. There’s not much we younger ones can do except follow his wishes and keep him happy. If he can live a few more years, it’s a blessing for us all.” Luo Demin spoke with deliberate weight.

His words carried an underlying meaning, and Shen Jin caught it. She replied, “I share your sentiment, Boss Luo. Respecting our elders’ wishes is the greatest filial piety. But the younger generation is still inexperienced, they don’t understand the intentions of us parents and act on their own impulses. I’ll have a serious talk with Shen Tuo.”

“Why bring the kids into this? I think Shen Tuo is just fine!” Luo Demin snorted. “He’s quite popular with the ladies!”

Shen Jin laughed heartily. “So, does that mean you don’t like him?”

“Does he need my approval? The number of girls who adore him could probably fill the banks of Hengyang River.” Luo Demin said irritably, “I only have one daughter, and she’s pining for your son to the point of misery. I can’t bear it, and her grandfather can’t either. What do you suggest, Boss Shen?”

At this point, both sides had laid their cards on the table, dropping the diplomatic pretense.

“It’s Shen Tuo’s fault.” Shen Jin admitted readily. “A wife should be virtuous, and the families should be well-matched. Our two families are a perfect fit.”

“Then what do you propose…?”

Shen Jin narrowed her eyes, calculating the timing. “By the end of the month, I’ll have Shen Tuo come to propose, formalizing the marriage between our families.”

“Excellent!” Luo Demin laughed heartily. “Boss Shen is a decisive woman!”

“What about this month’s raw material supply?” Shen Jin seized the opportunity to raise the issue.

Luo Demin replied cheerfully, “We’ve been partners for so long, of course, there’s no problem. Tomorrow, I’ll send someone to deliver the materials to Shen Corporation. Rest assured, the highest-quality supplies will be prioritized for your company!”

Shen Jin smiled. “Boss Luo is just as decisive.”

After hanging up, Ge Xinqing stared at her boss in shock. In just a few short sentences, Shen Jin had sold out Shen Tuo and seemingly at a good price, too.

Shen Jin turned to Ge Xinqing and said, “The raw material issue is resolved.”

Ge Xinqing hesitated for a moment but couldn’t resist gossiping: “Boss, are you really getting engaged to the Luo family?”

Shen Jin nodded, lowering her head to glance at the documents beside her before asking, “Is there anything else you need?”

Ge Xinqing shook her head. Shen Jin picked up the files her secretary had left on the desk and said, “If there’s nothing else, you can leave early today. I’m heading out too.”

By the time Ge Xinqing followed Shen Jin out, it was already past office hours. The workspace was empty except for the design department still working overtime. Shen Jin glanced at them and told Ge Xinqing, “After this product launch wraps up, give the team a long break. They deserve proper rest.”

Ge Xinqing smiled. “Understood, Boss.”

“Mhm.” Shen Jin gave her a nod, then took the elevator down to the parking garage with the files in hand. Her driver was waiting. She got into the car, and as they drove home, she studied the documents line by line. After a moment of contemplation, she closed the folder and gazed out the window.

This contract was a project Old Guan had personally selected for Shen Tuo’s new company, asking Shen Jin to oversee it, an attempt to steer Shen Tuo onto the right path.

Perhaps the elderly always doted on the youngest. When Shen Jin first joined the company, no one knew her identity. She started from the ground up, relying on no one but her own abilities, climbing to the position of project manager. Only then, after her parents and elder brother passed, was she able to step up and shoulder the Shen family’s responsibilities.

Crossing her legs and folding her hands, Shen Jin tilted her head slightly, watching as the city lights gradually dimmed outside. Night had fallen, but the streetlights hadn’t yet flickered on. The bustling streets were filled with people living their busy lives. Her gaze drifted aimlessly before she finally murmured under her breath, “It’s time.”

…

The car pulled through the gates of the Shen residence. Xie Jing, who had been sitting absentmindedly on the balcony with a stool, perked up at the sound and looked down toward the entrance. Shen Jin stepped out of the car holding a blue folder and said to the driver, “Uncle Xu, come pick me up later tomorrow.”

“Of course, Miss.” Uncle Xu was one of the Shen family’s longtime staff who had watched Shen Jin grow up. While others now addressed her as “Boss Shen” or “Madam Shen,” he still called her “Miss Shen,” just as he always had.

Shen Jin silently watched as Uncle Xu drove away. Just as she was about to enter the house, a few flower petals drifted down from above. She lowered her gaze to the delicate pink petals at her feet when a voice floated down from above: “Jiejie!”

Xie Jing waved from the balcony. Shen Jin instinctively looked up.

Leaning over the railing, Xie Jing blew gently at the petals cupped in her palm, sending a shower of pink blossoms fluttering down like rain. Shen Jin stood beneath the floral cascade, her forehead and shoulders dusted with pink. It was hard to tell whether the pink complemented her or she complemented the pink, but a smile tugged at her lips regardless.

Xie Jing grinned down at her from the railing. “Do you like it? A gift for you, Jiejie.”

Unable to suppress her smile, Shen Jin plucked a petal from her forehead and carefully tucked it into the folder before looking up. “I love it.”

Xie Jing beckoned for her to come upstairs.

Shen Jin quickened her steps. Under the glittering night sky, Xie Jing sat waiting. When Shen Jin arrived, she pointed to the small table in front of her and asked, “Aunt Ju brought this over because she thought I was bored. I rearranged the flowers, do they look nice?”

On the white table lay a bouquet of pink roses, the green vase and pink blossoms resembling the tranquil spring scenery of Jiangnan under a misty sky. The serene beauty of the garden seemed to flow quietly, with a few discarded trimmings scattered on the table. A gentle breeze stirred, lifting the hem of Xie Jing’s skirt was it Shen Jin’s heart that fluttered, or merely the wind?

Shen Jin felt a slight tightness in her chest as she smiled softly. “Beautiful.”

“Then I’ll give them to you, sister.”

Xie Jing stood up, cradling the vase to hand it to Shen Jin. Not wanting her to take unnecessary steps and risk twisting her ankle, Shen Jin quickly reached out. “Let me.”

The flowers obscured Shen Jin’s view, and Xie Jing squinted playfully. “They’ll look lovely by your bedside, sister. That way, the first thing you see when you wake will be my flowers.”

Shen Jin nodded, carrying the vase back to her room before returning shortly after. Xie Jing sat on the stool, gazing up at the starry sky.

Perched on high ground, Shen Manor was surrounded by verdant hills, all part of the Shen family’s estate. With no towering buildings or light pollution to obstruct the view, the night sky stretched clear and vast, constellations faintly discernible.

Xie Jing had never believed in fate before, but lately, she’d grown somewhat superstitious.

Hearing footsteps behind her, she didn’t turn, she knew it was Shen Jin. Only Shen Jin walked so lightly yet deliberately, her steps firming as she approached, as if politely announcing her presence.

Standing behind Xie Jing, Shen Jin followed her pointing finger to the sky. “Look, sister, that’s the Morning Star. They say it’s a guide. When you make an important decision, if the Morning Star shines brightly, it means you’ve chosen rightly.”

Shen Jin had never put stock in fate or astrology, yet as Xie Jing spoke, she found herself staring at the dazzling star overhead. Coincidentally, she had just made a decision, and now, under this sky, it felt as though the stars themselves endorsed it. She couldn’t help but chuckle.

Xie Jing turned just in time to catch the smile on Shen Jin’s lips.

“What’s so funny, sister?” she asked, tilting her head.

Shen Jin looked down at her, her expression more relaxed than Xie Jing had ever seen. “Just made a trivial decision, and lo and behold, the Morning Star shines.”

“Your decision?” Xie Jing’s amber eyes warmed with amusement. “Does it involve me?”

Her question pulled Shen Jin from her reverie. Their eyes met Shen Jin’s dark gaze locking onto Xie Jing’s gentle one, where a tiny reflection of herself stared back. Shen Jin froze.

When had Xie Jing’s eyes begun holding her image?

Her heart raced uncontrollably. Lowering her lashes, Shen Jin veiled the emotion in her eyes. “No, it doesn’t.”

“Oh.” Xie Jing’s tone was neither disappointed nor indifferent as she turned back to the night. The hour had grown late, distant mountains shrouded in mist, the once-beautiful scenery now devoid of its charm.

“I made a decision today too,” she murmured.

“And it does involve you, sister.”

Her lips curled into a sly, fox-like grin. “Want to know what it is?”

Before Shen Jin could respond, Xie Jing shook her head. “I won’t tell.”

Her mood dipped again. “I’m tired, sister. Will you walk me back?”

Shen Jin helped her up. Xie Jing seemed genuinely weary, her petite frame leaning into Shen Jin’s embrace. From this angle, Shen Jin could only see her pale chin and slightly chapped lips.

Like a fish out of water, yearning for moisture.

Shen Jin placed Xie Jing on the bed, then crouched down to help her remove her shoes. Xie Jing climbed into bed, pulled up the corner of the blanket, and turned her back to Shen Jin. Hesitating for a moment as she looked at Xie Jing’s retreating figure, Shen Jin said, “I’ll have Aunt Ju bring you a glass of water.”

“Mmm, thank you, sister,” Xie Jing murmured softly, sounding drowsy.

Shen Jin secured the doors and windows, then paused at the doorway to glance back into the room one last time before slowly closing the door.

The moment Shen Jin left, Xie Jing flipped over and stared blankly at the door until she heard a knock. “Miss Xie, I’ve brought you some water.”

“Come in.” Aunt Ju placed the glass on Xie Jing’s bedside table. After thanking her and waiting until the footsteps faded, Xie Jing slipped out of bed barefoot, locked the door, and limped to the wardrobe to retrieve her laptop before settling back onto the bed.

She gazed thoughtfully at the laptop resting on her knees for a long moment before finally opening it and launching a newly installed program. The screen flickered briefly due to unstable signal transmission before stabilizing revealing a familiar room where Shen Jin stood by the wardrobe changing into her nightclothes.

Xie Jing snapped the laptop shut abruptly, only to reopen it after a pause. The image had changed: Shen Jin was now seated in an armchair reviewing documents.

Narrowing her eyes, Xie Jing noted the safe placed conveniently nearby. This was perfect, if Shen Jin opened it, she’d have a clear view of the entire combination.

Exhaling deeply, Xie Jing acknowledged the risk she’d taken by planting the surveillance device in the flowers she’d given Shen Jin earlier.

Having just performed an elaborate act for Shen Jin’s benefit, Xie Jing leaned wearily against the headboard, watching as Shen Jin set aside the documents. Two slender, jade-like fingers plucked a pink petal from among the papers and carefully tucked it between the pages of a book on the side table.

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