The Heroine Pays Me to Fall in Love (Quick Transmigration) - Chapter 51

From that day onward, Jiang Zhinan threw herself wholeheartedly into her work.

Although Zhou Ying’s company was large and had strong growth potential, internal and external factors had caused it to gradually decline over the past few years.

Jiang Zhinan therefore called a meeting with the senior management team to hear each of their insights, uncover potential problems, and formulate both short-term and long-term goals to tackle each challenge one by one.

She firmly believed that with enough effort, nothing was insurmountable.

At first, Chen Bin was taken aback when he saw Jiang Zhinan working late night after night. He wasn’t sure what had come over the CEO and even tried to casually inquire.

After all, sudden bursts of ambition rarely came without reason—perhaps something had triggered her.

“Boss,” he ruffled his hair, hesitating, “what’s going on with you lately?”

“What do you mean?” Jiang Zhinan asked, typing at her computer and momentarily confused by his question.

“Why are you suddenly working so hard? It makes me nervous,” he admitted. “Could it be, is the company going bankrupt?”

“Bankrupt? Don’t be ridiculous,” Jiang Zhinan said, looking up. “Relax, that won’t happen.”

“Not only that, things will get even better. I’ll raise your monthly salary twofold when the time comes.”

“Really?” Chen Bin chuckled, though he was still puzzled. “There must be a reason you’re putting in so much effort. Tell me—I’ll be on edge and won’t be able to sleep otherwise.”

“Because I’m saving up for a wife,” Jiang Zhinan said with a meaningful smile.

Chen Bin nodded knowingly this time.

“I guess I’ll have to work hard too,” he said. After bidding her goodbye, he returned to his desk. “Gotta help our boss earn money to get married!”

“Mm,” Jiang Zhinan murmured, watching his back. A faint smile curved her lips.

Though Su Jin wasn’t physically by her side, Jiang Zhinan was surrounded by teammates who genuinely cared about her. Being with these people easily dispersed her loneliness and made her feel she could trample every worry underfoot.

There was nothing to fear on the road ahead.

Although Su Jin was abroad, her Weibo remained active.

Jiang Zhinan had taken Su Jin’s management tips to heart. When she had free time, she would post selfies or short videos—sometimes sitting by a sparkling river, singing to the chirping birds, sharing her voice with the young fans.

Even though she wasn’t in the country, her fanbase remained solid and continued to grow.

Two years passed this way.

In those two years, many things changed. Jiang Zhinan’s company expanded steadily, its performance improved, and her net worth multiplied several times over. According to the system, she had become a bona fide wealthy woman.

Wealthy woman Jiang Zhinan, however, shook her head in disagreement. She still had a long way to go, and much more money to earn.

“I should set a small goal,” she smiled, teasing the system. “Let’s start by making one hundred million?”

System: “……”

While Jiang Zhinan stayed busy accumulating wealth, Su Jin had already decided to return—without telling her, planning a surprise.

That day, Jiang Zhinan had just finished working late. By the time she left the office, it was completely dark outside, the wind whipping fiercely around her ears.

Sitting in the car, she chatted with the system, saying that every time the wind blew strongly, she felt like something bad was about to happen and couldn’t help feeling uneasy.

The system chuckled softly, offering reassurance: “Don’t think the worst. Maybe it’s something good.”

“Mm, that’s true,” Jiang Zhinan nodded, not saying anything further.

The car turned several corners and finally arrived at the neighborhood gate. After saying goodbye to the driver, Jiang Zhinan hurried up the stairs, her head down as she fumbled for her keys in the elevator.

By the time she took them out, the elevator had already stopped. She looked up and was shocked to see her apartment door wide open.

“Oh no,” she muttered, her heart tightening. “I think someone’s broken in.”

“Maybe you just forgot to lock it this morning in your rush,” the system suggested. “Your neighborhood’s security is excellent; it’s unlikely anyone broke in.”

“What should I do?” Jiang Zhinan whispered. “Call the police or go in and check?”

“I’ll protect you,” the system assured her. “Go in without fear. If there’s danger, I’ll shield you.”

The system’s words were reassuring enough. Jiang Zhinan took a deep breath and pushed open the door.

Immediately, she was engulfed by the sweet aroma of freshly baked cake.

She froze at the doorway, stunned, unable to react for a long moment.

“Check the kitchen,” the system suggested in her mind. “Maybe there’s a little girl standing there, making a cake for you.”

“If I’m lucky, maybe her name’s Su Jin,” it giggled. “Go, go!”

“Oh, okay!” Jiang Zhinan’s mind was a blur, completely unable to process what was happening.

Yet she had instantly recognized the name—Su Jin.

Feeling a mix of panic and excitement, she stepped forward. Her heart pounded violently, almost leaping from her chest, her mind buzzing, and her legs felt unsteady, as if she was diving into water.

It wasn’t until she saw that familiar figure that everything suddenly became clear again.

“Su Jin,” she gasped, eyes wide, barely able to believe it, trembling as she spoke.

Su Jin turned her head, likely not expecting Jiang Zhinan to return so early. Her expression was equally stunned.

Time seemed to stop for a moment. They stared at each other, silent, though tears glimmered at the corners of their eyes.

After what felt like an eternity, Jiang Zhinan finally spoke again.

“You’re back,” she said, raising her arms, her voice husky, her almond-shaped eyes curved slightly with endless love shining within.

“Hold me.”

“Mm.” Su Jin nodded and quickened her pace toward where she was. The next moment, she wrapped her arms around her.

The collision wasn’t just physical—it was their heartbeats, echoing against each other.

Even though she had come back, Jiang Zhinan was still afraid she might leave again. So, she clung to Su Jin, repeatedly seeking reassurance.

“I won’t leave,” Su Jin said, looking down at her, leaning in to kiss her cheek. She held Jiang Zhinan in her arms as if she was a precious treasure, her voice soft as water. “This time, I’ll stay with you, always.”

“Mm.” Jiang Zhinan nodded, finally letting out a sigh of relief.

Su Jin had been away for two years. Not only had her physical fitness improved, but her skills had sharpened as well.

Jiang Zhinan saw that she hadn’t just made a cake—she’d prepared several other dishes too. Every plate smelled fragrant, steam rising in gentle waves, making her mouth water at just the sight of it.

“Try it,” Su Jin said, serving the rice and helping Jiang Zhinan with her chopsticks before sitting across from her. “You’ve suffered enough these past few days. From now on, I’ll cook for you every day.”

“Mm.” Jiang Zhinan nodded happily, picking up her chopsticks to grab some food, her heart swelling with a quiet, growing happiness.

Su Jin smiled at her but didn’t start eating immediately. Instead, she lowered her head and began typing on her phone.

“Why aren’t you eating?” Jiang Zhinan asked after a while, noticing she hadn’t touched her food. “Is something urgent?”

“Mm, just discussing a show,” Su Jin said. “I’m going to participate in a program the day after tomorrow.”

“Really?” Jiang Zhinan’s eyes lit up with excitement. Then, a moment later, her expression dimmed. “You’re not tricking me again, are you? Two years ago, you tried using the same excuse when you were leaving.”

“That was my fault,” Su Jin said quickly, sincerely apologetic. “But this time, it’s really true.”

“I even have the tickets.” Su Jin lifted her brows teasingly. “The show gave them, and we’re allowed to bring family.”

“But my President Zhou seems pretty busy,” Su Jin said, deliberately teasing. “Not sure if she’ll bother to watch my performance.”

“What do you think?” Jiang Zhinan replied, lowering her voice deliberately and fixing her gaze on Su Jin, her tone mock-threatening yet playful. “Dare not?”

“I’m scared.” Su Jin surrendered at once, raising her hands in defeat. “When the tickets arrive, I’ll hand them over with both hands.”

“That’s better.” Jiang Zhinan laughed and picked up a piece of meat to feed Su Jin. “Ah!”

Su Jin quickly leaned forward and snatched it off her chopsticks.

After dinner, Su Jin washed the dishes while Jiang Zhinan settled on the sofa to watch TV.

The room was bathed in a soft, warm orange light, cozy enough to make one sleepy.

Within just a third of the movie, Jiang Zhinan had already yawned at least twenty times.

Once Su Jin finished cleaning, she went to wash her face and hands. Returning to the sofa, she found Jiang Zhinan curled up, half-asleep.

The TV blared with gunfire and shouting, a chaotic noise filling the room.

Su Jin walked over, turned off the TV, and bent down to lift Jiang Zhinan like a child, ready to take her to bed.

“You’re done tidying up?” Jiang Zhinan murmured softly in her arms, eyes barely open, voice husky with sleep. “Don’t go back today.”

“Nope,” Su Jin nodded. She carried her to the bedroom, gently placed her on the bed, and covered her with a blanket.

“Good luck in the competition the day after tomorrow.” Jiang Zhinan held her hand, not wanting her to leave. Despite still yawning, she forced herself to say a few more words. “I’ll definitely come to watch.”

“Mm.” Su Jin smiled, leaning down to kiss her cheek. “I’ll work hard and earn lots and lots of money to take care of you.”

“No need to overdo it. Take care of yourself too.” Jiang Zhinan looked up at her and nuzzled into her embrace. “I’m a little rich now, enough to support both of us.”

“What if one day we spend it all?” Su Jin whispered, patting her back slowly to lull her to sleep. “What will we do then?”

“Then I’ll steal an electric bike to take care of you,” Jiang Zhinan replied.

Though a joke, it warmed Su Jin’s heart.

“I wouldn’t let you.” Su Jin smiled, hugging Jiang Zhinan closer, resting her head against hers and inhaling her familiar scent. “I’ll do the stealing myself.”