Qin Xiaoye slid both his and Jiang Wei’s ID cards through the window.
A staff member had been waiting, bowing and scraping before Qin Xiaoye as he led the way: “President Qin, photos first.”
Qin Xiaoye gave a steady nod.
“Sir, ma’am, sit a little closer.”
Both Qin Xiaoye and Jiang Wei shifted toward the center.
Qin Xiaoye caught the woman’s sweet, clean scent drifting into his breath, tickling at the tip of his nose like a feather, stirring heat through his body. He reached out and wrapped an arm around the woman’s shoulder.
Jiang Wei felt the scorching arm lock firmly around her, the heat instantly seeping through her thin dress and sending a jolt through her.
“Sir, ma’am, smile.”
They both lifted the corners of their mouths.
“Perfect. You make a lovely couple.”
The man was extraordinarily handsome—sharp, deep-set features, tall and imposing, with broad, solid shoulders and a sleek, powerful build. Every gesture carried the restrained, commanding air of one born to lead—wild and dominant.
The woman had a pure, alluring face—innocent features, fair, delicate skin—yet her figure was a striking contrast: full, voluptuous, and provocatively curvy. Purity and seduction collided, creating an unintentionally irresistible charm.
Their wedding photo could rival that of top-tier celebrities.
Once the photo was taken, Qin Xiaoye’s arm immediately withdrew, and the two returned to a gap of one fist’s width between them.
They went through the motions, each walking out with a red booklet in hand.
The drizzle had stopped, leaving the ground damp, but the trees looked greener than ever.
At the entrance to the Civil Affairs Bureau, Qin Xiaoye handed Jiang Wei a business card.
Jiang Wei looked down. The card bore the name Xiang Dong, Vice President of Xiaosheng Group.
“If anything comes up, contact Xiang Dong.”
Jiang Wei nodded.
Qin Xiaoye looked at her. “Tonight, for the Soothing—is that alright?”
Polite and composed, his gaze calm as a deep pool, as if some unknown sea beast lurked beneath its surface.
Jiang Wei’s back broke out in a sweat under his stare. She clutched the card in her hand, nearly soaking it through, her heart pounding violently. “Alright…”
Qin Xiaoye: “Move in today.”
Polite but forceful—just like the man himself.
Jiang Wei lowered her gaze, and Qin Xiaoye could see her silky strands fall forward, revealing the pale, luminous nape of her neck.
His fingers rubbed together beneath his trousers, a slick sensation lingering.
He crooked a finger toward the car, and Xiang Dong, waiting by the vehicle, immediately came over.
“Xiang Dong will help you move.”
Jiang Wei was about to say no need—she didn’t have much—but Qin Xiaoye was already striding toward the car.
Xiang Dong stepped forward to guide her: “Ma’am, I’ll take you.”
Jiang Wei had originally planned to return to the hospital and neuter a few more cats, but adding the move meant there wasn’t enough time, so she had to give it up.
In truth, when Jiang Wei had received the marriage-arrangement call and heard Qin Xiaoye’s name, her scalpel had just been slicing open the base of a golden Chinchilla’s scrotum, cutting the incision as the blade pressed against the testicle.
At the pet hospital, there were always endless balls to cut.
She sat in the car, nervously thinking about tonight’s Soothing… relieving stress… The very words made her face flush and her heart race, a fine, lingering heat seeping from her palms.
Jiang Wei got out of the car, told Xiang Dong to wait outside, and entered the Jiang residence to pack her things. When she reached the door of the Jiang family villa, her steps halted.
Xu Mo’s voice drifted out, gentle and indulgent: “Wanwan, the Qin family only wanted this marriage because Jiang Wei’s Consolation Compatibility Value with Qin Xiaoye is high. At best, she’s just a dose of medicine—Qin Xiaoye doesn’t even like her.”
Jiang Wei stood at the door, biting down hard on her lower lip, nearly drawing blood.
Her fingertips were cold, cold all the way to her heart.
She had lived in the Jiang family for over twenty years, and only half a year ago did the Jiang family discover that Jiang Wei was not their biological child—the two families had swapped babies at the hospital.
The Jiang family immediately spent a great deal of money to bring their biological daughter Luo Wan back, changed her surname, and called her Jiang Wan.
Jiang Wei’s position became extremely awkward.
Jiang Wei’s father Jiang Che and mother Xu Mo, afraid of hurting Jiang Wan’s feelings, wanted Jiang Wei to leave the Jiang family and return to the Luo family.
But the Luo family—Luo father Luo Hao was a gambling addict, and Luo mother Li Yao was an alcoholic. When they found Jiang Wan, the Luo family had already sold Jiang Wan to a 45-year-old bachelor in the village for a 200,000 yuan bride price.
Luo Hao knew the adoptive daughter’s biological parents were rich and demanded an exorbitant price.
He even threatened that if they didn’t pay enough, he might as well not have raised someone else’s daughter for nothing—he wanted to try her out, saying he’d long had ideas about this fair-skinned daughter of his. His words were shameless and obscene.
It made the Jiang parents tremble with rage.
The Jiang family gave Luo Hao 5 million yuan before they could transfer Jiang Wan’s household registration back to the Jiang family.
Jiang Wei went from being the eldest daughter of the Jiang family to a fake heiress, and the news spread throughout the circle of wealthy second-generation elites.
Previously, Xu Mo had already been dissatisfied with Jiang Wei because she disobeyed and insisted on choosing a veterinary medicine major.
According to Xu Mo’s original plan, Jiang Wei should have studied finance or business administration, entered the wealthy business circle, and helped Jiang father manage the company.
Instead of dealing with cats, dogs, lizards, snakes, geckos, crocodiles, spiders, and gorillas all day…
And cutting off cats’ and dogs’ balls every day.
A woman’s education and career were ultimately a good dowry—she should use these to elevate herself and marry well.
A powerful alliance would also stabilize the Jiang family.
But Jiang Wei was stubborn and spoiled, and wouldn’t listen.
When the paternity test came out, everything was explained—she wasn’t biological, so naturally she didn’t take after her.
Now with a biological daughter, everything revolved around Jiang Wan, cultivating Jiang Wan.
The parents who had raised Jiang Wei for over twenty years no longer wanted her.
She couldn’t feel wronged—after all, she had occupied Jiang Wan’s position as a wealthy heiress for many years.
People teaching people doesn’t work; experiences teach people, and they learn instantly.
Jiang Wei matured in an instant, restrained her former Jiang family miss’s coquettishness, and became cautious and meticulous.
Her marriage to Qin Xiaoye could be considered her salvation, giving her somewhere to go.
And the Jiang family, because Jiang Wei was marrying into the Qin family through Qin Xiaoye, was willing to still treat her as a daughter.
She could still have a home, could still call them Dad and Mom.
Jiang Wei took a deep breath, exhaled, lifted the corners of her mouth, put on a smile, and pushed open the door.
When Xu Mo saw her, she looked up with concern: “Weiwei, how did the blind date go?”
Jiang Wei pressed her lips together: “We got the marriage certificate.”
Xu Mo was shocked: “You already got the certificate?”
She was instantly overjoyed, stood up, held Jiang Wei’s hand, and said earnestly: “Weiwei, once you’re married, you have to put your husband first. Don’t throw little tantrums.”
“I’ve signed you up for a class—learn well how to please your husband, and how to fight mistresses. These are more important than researching those bizarre pets. They don’t make money and lose money.”
“Find a way to have a child with Qin Xiaoye soon. Establish your position as the legitimate wife firmly.”
“Whatever you do, don’t get sent back.”
“Mom is doing this for your own good.”
Jiang Wan pursed her lips, glanced at Jiang Wei, her eyes full of dissatisfaction, her fingers messing up the tassels on the sofa.
She couldn’t help but mock: “Qin Xiaoye is known for being cold, strict, and rational. Being his wife is about the same as guarding an empty room.”
When the paternity test was done, Jiang Wan was also found to have a Guide Gene, Grade C.
When the Qin family proposed a marriage alliance, Jiang Wan begged Xu Mo to recommend her to Qin Xiaoye, but Qin Xiaoye politely declined.
Jiang Wan was filled with resentment, believing that Jiang Wei had once again stolen her place.
Shameless!
Jiang Wei let out a breath of pent-up frustration. She had wanted to refuse, but this was the last shred of maternal love remaining after Jiang Wan’s return. Her previous rebelliousness had always disgusted Xu Mo. She said softly, “Okay.”
Xu Mo smiled happily. “Once your marriage goes smoothly, the cooperation between the Jiang and Qin families will go smoothly too.”
Jiang Wei said, “Mom, I’m going to move in with Qin Xiaoye…”
Jiang Wan curled her lip in mockery. “No wedding, no ring, no proposal—and you call that a marriage?”
Xu Mo patted Jiang Wan’s hand and looked at Jiang Wei. “Mm. Is he… treating you well?”
Jiang Wei said, “Mm. Yes.”
Whether it was good or not didn’t matter. Qin Xiaoye was a good person.
Jiang Wei went upstairs to pack her things. She packed one box, carried it down.
She stood obediently and gently at the top of the stairs. “Mom, Wanwan, I’ll be going now.”
Hearing the word “Mom,” Jiang Wan rolled her eyes.
Xu Mo smiled and nodded.
Jiang Wei pushed the door open and went out, closing the door behind her.
Holding the suitcase, she stood frozen at the doorway for quite a while.
The dampness was hazy, rising endlessly, feeling empty and desolate.
A home—that was something she no longer had.
Scattered droplets of rain hit her face. When the wind blew, it was very cold.
From inside the house came Xu Mo’s voice speaking to Jiang Wan: “Wanwan, Jiang Wei is marrying into the Qin family as a marriage alliance. With her temperament, she won’t be able to hold onto Qin Xiaoye. She looks obedient, but she’s actually wild at heart and hard to tame. For now, whatever she can secure for the Jiang family is a gain. Won’t it all be yours in the end?”
Jiang Wan said in a delicate voice, “Mom, I’m just sad. Why does she have to take over everything that’s mine…”
Jiang Wei laboriously lifted the suitcase down the steps, grabbed the handle, and walked forward. The suitcase wheels rumbled as they rolled, and the voices from inside the house gradually faded into the distance.
Xiang Dong hurried over from far away. “Madam, let me take that.”
Jiang Wei said politely, “No need.”
Xiang Dong still insisted on taking it and put the luggage in the trunk.
Jiang Wei smiled softly and gently. “Thank you.”
Jiang Wei’s pure and beautiful eyes were clear with a hint of moisture. Though the drizzle had stopped, occasional raindrops fell, shimmering with multicolored light on her black hair.
Xiang Dong sighed. Not a single person from the Jiang family had come out to see her off.
Jiang Wei got into the car, and it drove away.
She held her phone, biting her lip, and searched…