Refusing Divorce After a Contract Marriage - Chapter 20

Chapter 20: Could You Really Be Falling for Her?

What Jiang Chumian wanted was never for Jiang Wenyan to hypocritically hand her a tiny fraction of shares.

From the day she chose to collaborate with Shen Qingye, her target was the entire Jiang Group. To some extent, what Jiang Xiaofan and her mother said was correct: Jiang Chumian had never given up on the Jiang family business.

Even if Jiang Xiaofan was truly wary of her, Jiang Chumian didn’t care. After all, neither Jiang Xiaofan nor Luo Wan could be an obstacle to her. Luo Wan didn’t have the capability, and neither did Jiang Xiaofan. As for Jiang Wenyan, what Jiang Chumian wanted was to see him driven to exasperation.

She didn’t possess the sunny cheerfulness of most female leads. Life had given her hardship; she would not respond with a song that was impossible. If Shen Qingye was the wolf king who controlled everything from the start, then Jiang Chumian could only be the lone wolf hiding in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

The only commonality between them, perhaps, was that they would not back down from what they wanted, and their methods were ruthless enough.

“So, what’s your plan now?” Shen Qingye asked curiously, looking at Jiang Chumian sitting beside her. She thought since Jiang Chumian had told her this much, she might have some idea for a proactive strike.

Jiang Chumian shook her head. She was still wearing her formal gala dress, her makeup still perfect. She turned to smile at Shen Qingye. “I’ll follow your arrangements. I don’t have a plan for the time being.”

Shen Qingye was somewhat skeptical. “Is that the truth, or do you just not trust me enough?”

Jiang Chumian suddenly became much more serious. “It’s not a lack of trust. It’s just that it’s not the right time yet. I want to train at the Shen Group first to prove my strength. Then, I’ll take advantage of the chaos to acquire some of the Jiang Group’s shares.” Jiang Chumian truly had no intention of hiding this from Shen Qingye.

“And this plan won’t be completed within a year or two,” Jiang Chumian said with a smile.

Shen Qingye was indeed a bit surprised to hear her speak so candidly, but she felt a sense of pleasure because of Jiang Chumian’s trust. “Do you need any help?”

Jiang Chumian shook her head. “Not for now.” Even without Shen Qingye, her plan would have proceeded. She originally intended to return with a different identity, but after Shen Qingye approached her, she changed her mind. After all, the platform offered by the Shen Group was higher than starting her own company.

However, Shen Qingye was quite curious. “I wonder if President Jiang can reveal what else you have behind you?”

Seeing her like this, Jiang Chumian suddenly didn’t want to tell her. The light inside the car was dim. Jiang Chumian gave Shen Qingye a mischievous smile. “It’s a secret.”

Shen Qingye couldn’t help but reach out and gently scratch her nose. “Chumian, are you being cheeky now?”

Jiang Chumian leaned back tightly against the seat, not daring to move. She instinctively gripped the seat cushion, her heart beating exceptionally fast. Shen Qingye’s gesture was full of doting and ambiguity, which made Jiang Chumian both happy and at a loss.

Their eyes met, and Shen Qingye’s gaze unconsciously fell on Jiang Chumian’s lips. Her fingertips slipped down. Jiang Chumian felt the pressure of those fingertips on her lips; her breath hitched, and for a moment, her mind went blank.

Shen Qingye could easily see the girl’s nervousness, but she couldn’t tell if it was from dislike or something else. Finally, she lowered her eyes and gently wiped the corner of her mouth. “Your lipstick is a bit smudged.”

“Oh… thank you.” Jiang Chumian couldn’t help but lightly bite her lower lip. Whether the lipstick was actually smudged didn’t matter; what mattered was that Shen Qingye had found a reason for her actions.

“I originally wanted to hand the entire AI development project over to you, but Zhao Kaiguo is making too many petty moves,” Shen Qingye said with a smile. “How about I hand the Shen Group’s short-video platform to you instead? Xiguang isn’t the core business, and it’s completely unrelated to the main operations. Staying at Xiguang indefinitely is a waste for you.”

Jiang Chumian felt a little less nervous. She wasn’t really absorbing what Shen Qingye was saying, but if they didn’t talk about something else, she felt she would only get more flustered. “I’ve actually always been curious—why did the Shen Group open a subsidiary like Xiguang in the first place?”

The Shen Group started in mobile phones. When Shen Qingye took over, she caught the wave of internet development, and the group evolved from simple smartphones to multi-line development. Because the phone business was initially held firmly by Zhao Kaiguo, Shen Qingye had no room to maneuver there and had to find other paths, which eventually created the group’s entire industry chain.

Shen Qingye let out a helpless laugh. “I told you, it’s for people with connections. The previous GM of Xiguang was Zhao Kaiguo’s nephew. He was unwilling to let his spendthrift nephews ruin his own company, so he threw them to the Shen Group to mess around with. The rest of the board didn’t stop him out of courtesy, as not much money was invested. But now you’ve brought Xiguang back to life and actually made it profitable.”

Jiang Chumian laughed. “So that’s how it is. I’ll follow your arrangements, though I might not know much about short videos.”

Shen Qingye smiled. “I think you can do it. Besides, if all else fails, you have me. Based on my guess, President Jiang’s current net worth isn’t actually low, is it?”

Before choosing to collaborate with her, Shen Qingye had investigated Jiang Chumian. Since her university days, she had made intermittent investments, and currently, those small projects had yielded good returns. Although she didn’t know what other hidden assets she had, Shen Qingye guessed she wasn’t short on money. And from her investigation, Jiang Chumian was a good judge of character—that was enough. Management doesn’t require knowing every detail of a project.

Jiang Chumian nodded. “Okay.”

Before they knew it, they had arrived home. Shen Qingye got out first and waited by the door for Jiang Chumian. As she came out, she reached out to give her a hand.

“Thank you.”

Once back inside, neither had the energy to move. After working in the morning and attending the gala and various social obligations in the afternoon, they were truly exhausted. After washing up, they said goodnight and went to rest.

Although Shen Qingye had shared her ideas in the car, the transition for Jiang Chumian wasn’t immediate. There was already a person in charge there; they had to wait for that person to be promoted before Jiang Chumian could fill the vacancy. So, for the short term, Jiang Chumian remained the GM of Xiguang. After a busy year, she had basically mastered the ropes, and suddenly she didn’t have as much on her plate.

Shen Qingye, on the other hand, was extremely busy because of Zhao Kaiguo’s constant maneuvers. Although Zhao Kaiguo’s Hesheng Company was collaborating with the Shen Group, he was making many moves behind the scenes. He wasn’t sincerely cooperating; he was covertly pulling the project partners to his side, clearly trying to use Shen Qingye’s network to eventually monopolize the project.

Shen Qingye had held a meeting that morning and scolded everyone; the pressure in the project team was quite low. Once Shen Qingye left, people began to whisper.

“President Shen is still too young, too eager for quick success. This kind of R&D isn’t something that happens overnight. President Zhao understands this much better.”

A young R&D supervisor, holding his laptop, pushed up his glasses. “President Shen indeed doesn’t understand these processes well.”

The person who spoke first, seeing his agreement, opened up the topic. “Right? Isn’t it exhausting working at the Shen Group?”

“Exhausting, for sure.”

“Sigh, we weren’t this tired before. Ever since joining this project, it’s overtime every day. I don’t even see my wife and kids.”

the young man turned to look at him. “However, the project bonuses are generous. One project I did last year was enough for a down payment. It’s okay.”

“Anyway, I have to go back to the department for a meeting. Doesn’t Supervisor Huang have to get back to the business department too?”

The young man walked away with his laptop and returned to his office to report the conversation to Assistant Lin. Shen Qingye, after hearing the report, spun her fountain pen. “Have him play along with the act. And tell the finance department to make the books look ‘good.'”

If Zhao Kaiguo wanted to play her, she’d see who came out on top. Her investment in this was not large; even if there were losses, Hesheng’s penalty fees would be enough to cover it. If the Shen Group suffered a loss, Zhao Kaiguo, as a shareholder, wouldn’t be able to escape the responsibility either.

Jiang Chumian wasn’t very busy lately, giving her time for other things. She sat in her office, taking a call while reviewing materials sent by another capable assistant.

“President Jiang, the Zhao Group is indeed not sincerely cooperating. They’ve made many moves behind the scenes. But I’m not sure if the Shen Group side really doesn’t know or is just pretending not to know—there hasn’t been any movement.”

Jiang Chumian gripped her phone, leaning forward with her arm on the desk. “Send a copy of the information to Shen Qingye’s assistant.”

“Understood. Should I send it anonymously?”

“Anonymously.” Jiang Chumian didn’t want Shen Qingye to know yet.

“Understood. Also, the plan to acquire the Jiang Group subsidiary is on schedule. Will you contact CEO Wen directly, or should I send you the current progress report?” the assistant asked.

“Send it to me in a bit.” Her partner would likely complain the moment she called. “Also, send me the financial statements for the past six months.”

“Yes, President Jiang.”

After hanging up, Jiang Chumian reviewed the materials carefully. The acquisition of the Jiang subsidiary was proceeding smoothly without major issues, and the person in charge was a partner she trusted.

After reviewing, she called her partner, Wen Chan. A charming female voice came through as soon as the call connected: “Rare indeed, you actually remembered to call me.”

“After all, CEO Wen has been working hard lately,” Jiang Chumian teased.

“Indeed. I wonder for whom,” Wen Chan said resentfully. Acquiring that Jiang subsidiary was no easy task.

“I wanted to ask: are you interested in joining forces with the Shen Group to swallow the Zhao Group?” Jiang Chumian toyed with her pen, her eyes darkening slightly.

“You have quite an appetite. Why didn’t I see that before, Jiang Chumian?” Wen Chan chuckled.

“My appetite has always been large. The Shen Group and the Zhao Group are at odds; I think you know that,” Jiang Chumian said in a low voice.

“I know, but you want to swallow the Jiang family and the Zhao family—aren’t you afraid of choking?” Wen Chan asked seriously.

“I don’t expect to become a ‘fat person’ in one bite. I’m just asking for your opinion so I can decide my next move.” Jiang Chumian laughed. “I don’t want to do everything at once. I’m just saying, if you’re interested, Shen Qingye will be more than happy to join forces with you.”

Jiang Chumian heard the sound of a lighter; Wen Chan was likely smoking again.

“Tsk, Jiang Chumian, you really know how to handle me. A few words and you’ve piqued my interest.” Wen Chan blew a smoke ring and answered with a smile.

“It’s your own thought. I’m just asking,” Jiang Chumian said plainly.

“Forget it, I can’t out-argue you. What do you want to do?” Wen Chan was curious.

“Mhm. Have someone from the Zhao family manipulate their own stocks.”

Wen Chan blew another smoke ring. “Dark heart indeed. I like it.” She then suddenly remembered something. “You wouldn’t be doing this just to vent for Shen Qingye, would you?”

“No,” Jiang Chumian replied without hesitation. “Venting is a separate matter.”

Wen Chan laughed. “Goodness. Jiang Chumian… you wouldn’t have really fallen for Shen Qingye, would you? I thought your marriage was just for interest.”

Jiang Chumian didn’t answer as quickly this time. After a pause, she said, “She’s a good person. Just repaying her.”

Wen Chan put out her cigarette. “If you trap yourself in this, I’ll be back to mock you.”

“I have things to do.” Jiang Chumian hung up, leaving Wen Chan fuming. After a moment, Wen Chan messaged her: “What’s the point of being devoted? Let me take you out to enjoy the world.”

Jiang Chumian replied ungenerously: “Watch your health. Wine and lust take a toll.”

Wen Chan laughed in anger. The kid isn’t cute at all.

Near the end of the workday, Shen Qingye asked Jiang Chumian if she wanted to go out for dinner. Jiang Chumian agreed. Just as Shen Qingye was about to leave, Assistant Lin knocked on the door.

“Come in. What is it?”

“President Shen, someone sent me an anonymous email containing dirt on the Zhao Group and evidence of them sabotaging the Shen Group.” Assistant Lin handed the information over.

Shen Qingye reviewed it carefully. It was indeed quite thorough. “I’ve sent people to investigate, but the tech department says it’s tricky to trace,” Assistant Lin added with a frown.

Shen Qingye flipped through the pages. “Do your best. What do you think the sender’s intention is?”

“To remind us.” Shen Qingye closed the file. “The Zhao Group has many enemies. But what I care about is that to investigate this clearly, the sender must be powerful and very smart.”

Unfortunately, she couldn’t pinpoint anyone for now.

“Investigate for now.” Shen Qingye stood up. “At least they’re a friend for now, so no need to worry too much. You should get off work early too.”

Shen Qingye took her bag and left. Jiang Chumian had already replied saying she was available. Assistant Lin watched Shen Qingye enter the elevator, feeling that her mood seemed quite good today.

Jiang Chumian asked what she wanted to eat, and Shen Qingye let her decide. After much internal debate, Jiang Chumian asked, “Interested in hotpot?”

“Sure.” Shen Qingye rarely ate such things, but it was nice occasionally.

The hotpot restaurant Jiang Chumian sent was not far, and Shen Qingye arrived quickly. Jiang Chumian hadn’t arrived yet; she told Shen Qingye to find a table and she would be there soon.

“Do you drink milk tea?” “Sure.”

Not long after, Jiang Chumian arrived carrying two cups of milk tea. She was wearing a simple chiffon blouse and her makeup was exquisite.

“Here, your milk tea.” Jiang Chumian handed it to her.

“Thank you.” Shen Qingye gave her a smile.

“Have you ordered?” Jiang Chumian asked softly, taking a sip of her tea.

“Ordered a few things. See if you want anything else.”

Shen Qingye rarely drank milk tea, but the taste seemed okay. Jiang Chumian looked at the menu while holding the tea and biting the straw.

Shen Qingye unconsciously let her lips curl up.

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