The afternoon sunlight filtered through the office blinds, casting broken patterns across Shu Jin’s desk. She sat staring at the computer screen, her fingers tapping unconsciously against the keyboard. The cursor blinked again and again, yet not a single new word appeared.
The vibration of her phone snapped her out of her daze. When she saw the word “Mom” flashing on the screen, her heart dropped heavily. It was how she had saved Jiang Yi’s mother’s contact. Ever since her marriage, that name had never changed.
She took a deep breath, forced her expression into place, and answered the call, “Mom, why are you calling?”
On the other end, Jiang Yi’s mother spoke gently, “Xiao Jin, I made your favorite lotus root and pork rib soup. Come home for dinner tonight with Jiang Yi. I went to the market this morning and picked the freshest ribs, and the lotus root is the most tender I could find.”
Shu Jin’s fingertips trembled slightly. She remembered how every time she visited her in-laws, Jiang Yi’s mother would prepare this dish just for her. The older woman always said she was too thin and needed proper nourishment. Even last month, when Shu Jin casually mentioned craving soup, Jiang Yi’s mother had braved heavy rain the very next day to deliver a pot of freshly made soup to her office.
“Mom, I…” Shu Jin’s voice turned dry, “I have to work overtime tonight. I probably won’t be able to make it.”
There was a brief silence. Jiang Yi’s mother’s voice carried a clear note of disappointment, “Overtime again? You’ve already worked late several days this week. Should I ask Jiang Yi to pick you up? No matter how busy work is, you still need to take care of your health.”
Shu Jin felt as if something tightened painfully around her heart. She remembered the last time she visited them… Jiang Yi’s mother had quietly slipped a red envelope into her hand, telling her to buy some clothes she liked instead of always saving money for Jiang Yi.
“No need, Mom,” she replied quickly, “This project is urgent. I might be busy until very late. I’ll come visit you and Dad with Jiang Yi another day.”
After hanging up, Shu Jin remained still for a long time. Her gaze drifted to the photo on her phone… a picture taken on her in-laws’ balcony during last year’s Spring Festival. In it, Jiang Yi’s mother held her shoulders affectionately, smiling with warmth and kindness, while Shu Jin leaned close beside her, looking every bit like a loving daughter.
But now, she was deceiving this woman… a woman who treated her like her own child… with one lie after another.
When the end-of-work bell rang, Shu Jin quickly packed her belongings. She went to the restroom first and carefully touched up her makeup in front of the mirror. Foundation concealed the dark circles beneath her eyes, lipstick brightened her pale complexion, and she added a light spray of perfume before finally feeling satisfied enough to leave the office.
Gu Chen was already waiting at the street corner. He was wearing a brand-new shirt today, his hair carefully styled. The moment he saw Shu Jin, he naturally reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist.
“Today I’ll take you somewhere nice,” Gu Chen said with a smile. “I heard several new boutique stores just opened in Wanxiang City, including that brand you like.”
Shu Jin forced a faint smile, her thoughts still lingering on the phone call. Jiang Yi’s mother’s disappointed tone lingered like a thorn in her chest, pricking uncomfortably.
At the mall, Gu Chen headed straight into a high-end menswear store. He moved with ease, picking out clothes while occasionally asking for Shu Jin’s opinion. This story is hosted at g.com.
“How about this one?” Gu Chen held up a dark blue shirt against himself, “I remember Jiang Yi has something similar.”
Shu Jin’s expression changed slightly, but she said nothing.
The sales assistant approached enthusiastically, “Sir, you have great taste. This is one of our newest arrivals, made with imported Italian fabric…”
Gu Chen turned and smiled at Shu Jin, “Let’s take this one. Then we’ll look at suits.”
Shu Jin followed quietly behind him, watching as he moved through the store, skillfully selecting ties, belts, and leather shoes. Every single item was an expensive luxury brand.
“This tie suits you well,” Gu Chen picked up a subtly patterned tie and waved it in front of her, “Want to buy it for me?”
Shu Jin hesitated for a moment… then still took out the supplementary card. Under the sales assistant’s envious gaze, she signed her name. At that moment, she felt as if she had regained that sense of being cherished.
After shopping, Gu Chen carried several bags, clearly in a great mood, “Come on, I’ll take you to eat French cuisine. Let’s celebrate me getting a new job.”
Shu Jin looked at his cheerful expression and suddenly asked, “You found a job? When did that happen?”
Gu Chen’s smile stiffened briefly, then returned to normal, “It was just confirmed today. I’ll be working as a project manager at an investment company. If it weren’t for your constant encouragement, I might have given up long ago.”
Those words pleased Shu Jin, and for the moment, she pushed aside the unease in her heart.
In the restaurant, Gu Chen ordered smoothly and even requested a bottle of red wine. He raised his glass and looked at Shu Jin with deep affection, “Thank you for always being by my side. Once my job is stable, I’ll definitely make it up to you.” Visit NovelPing for the full chapter.
Shu Jin took a sip of wine. The bitter liquid slid down her throat. She remembered how Jiang Yi never allowed her to drink, saying her stomach wasn’t good and needed care. Yet Gu Chen always brought her to places like this, ordering the most expensive wine and the most refined dishes.
“What’s wrong? Not happy?” Gu Chen noticed her distraction.
Shu Jin shook her head and forced a smile, “No… I’m just a little tired.”
After dinner, Gu Chen suggested watching a movie, but Shu Jin declined, saying she had work the next day. On the way back to the hotel, Gu Chen held her hand the entire time, talking about his plans for the future.
“When I get my salary this month, we’ll move to a better place,” Gu Chen said, “You can’t keep staying in a hotel forever.”
Shu Jin didn’t tell him that the hotel expenses were also being paid with Jiang Yi’s supplementary card.
Back in the hotel room, Shu Jin collapsed onto the bed in exhaustion. There was an unread message on her phone… it was from Jiang Yi’s mother.
“I saved the soup for you. Tomorrow I’ll have Jiang Yi bring it to you. No matter how busy work is, remember to eat.”
Shu Jin stared at the message for a long time… then suddenly threw the phone aside and buried her head under the pillow.
Meanwhile, at the Jiang household, Jiang Yi’s mother looked at the untouched dishes on the table and let out a soft sigh. Jiang Yi’s father set down his newspaper and asked with concern, “The kids aren’t coming back again?”
“Xiao Jin said she’s working overtime,” Jiang Yi’s mother frowned, “But her voice didn’t sound right… it felt like she had been crying.”
Jiang Yi’s father comforted her, “Young people have a lot of pressure from work. It’s normal. If you’re worried, I’ll call Jiang Yi tomorrow.”
Jiang Yi’s mother nodded, but her gaze remained troubled. As a mother, her instincts told her things were not that simple.
At this moment, back in the hotel, Shu Jin was trying on the new dress she had bought today. Gu Chen stood beside her, full of praise, “It looks beautiful. This dress suits you perfectly.”
Shu Jin spun lightly in front of the mirror, the hem of the dress fluttering. She tried to fill the emptiness inside her heart with these dazzling things… yet she didn’t realize that step by step, she was walking toward a point of no return.