Chaрtеr 17: Наrd Тimes Are Соming.
The strеetweаr stоrе wаs саlled S-ОNЕ, lосated оn Central Avеnuе in Yan Сitу, whеrе lаnd was wоrth its wеight in gоld.
The аtmоsphеre in the cаr was hеavy. Hе Yang wаs not оnе for cоnversation, аnd Jiаng Siуе remainеd silеnt thе еntire waу.
Onе interseсtion awаy from Сentral Avеnuе, Нe Yаng snаpped оut of hеr thоughts and said, “Just stоp herе.”
Jiang Siуе сontinuеd driving inward, his tonе indifferent. “I’ll drор уou off right at the store entranсе.”
“No need,” Hе Yаng replied. “I аrrаnged to meet a colleague here first. We’re doing some street research.”
The car pulled over to the curb.
As He Yang pushed the door open, a click echoed beside her ear—the door locks engaged from inside.
Jiang Siye sat unmoving, steady as a mountain. “Did you say goodbye to your husband?”
He Yang: “Goodbye.”
“…” Jiang Siye showed no expression, tapping his fingertip against his cheek, clearly dissatisfied with her perfunctory response.
He Yang took a breath. “Close your eyes.”
Jiang Siye curled his lips, obligingly shutting his eyes.
A familiar, delicate fragrance drew near. Jiang Siye tilted his head, angling his mouth toward it.
Click—
Instead of warm lips meeting his, the sound of the car door unlocking reached his ears.
Jiang Siye opened his eyes.
He Yang had already pushed the door open, stepping onto the pavement, her expression unchanged as she bid him farewell once more.
Jiang Siye: “…”
Central Avenue was bustling with crowds.
He Yang didn’t linger for even a moment, completely unlike what she had claimed—waiting for a colleague or conducting street research.
Jiang Siye watched her disappear into the inner street.
He didn’t doubt for a second that she would head straight to the streetwear store.
He Yang did indeed go directly to the streetwear store.
Her colleague Nini was already there.
He Yang tied on her S-ONE apron and casually asked, “Where’s Manager Shen?”
“Got scratched by his cat,” Nini said, exasperated. “That precious Persian cat of his—usually so well-behaved, but lately, I don’t know what’s gotten into it. It suddenly attacks anyone it sees…”
He Yang’s hand paused.
Nini continued, “Scratching his hands during playtime was one thing, but yesterday it clawed his face until it bled. It’s just not worth keeping anymore.”
“…” He Yang pressed her lips together. “Did he abandon it?”
“Constantly scratching people is no joke,” Nini shook her head. “Pets are supposed to provide emotional value.”
He Yang’s throat suddenly felt dry.
Just then, Shen Yishu arrived.
Several distinct bloody scratches were visible on his left cheek.
Nini asked anxiously, “What about the cat?”
Shen Yishu gently touched the marks on his cheek. “I gave it away.”
He Yang: “Really gave it away?”
“I’ve already had three rounds of rabies shots,” Shen Yishu sighed in frustration. “All because of its scratches. I can’t keep it anymore. Better to let someone else take care of it.”
Nini remarked, “I still remember your grand declaration back then, saying you’d definitely tame it…”
Shen Yishu retorted irritably, “Can’t afford it, can’t handle it. Am I supposed to dedicate my life to a mere animal?”
“Sis,” Nini clicked her tongue. “See? Rich people switch targets fast.”
He Yang remained silent.
No matter the situation, she had always been a good student.
She was best at drawing inferences from one example.
If a pet cat could make Shen Yishu tolerate it for over half a year, how much more so for her, a person?
The trouble she had caused wasn’t big enough.
The trouble she had brought Jiang Siye wasn’t big enough.
It couldn’t even compare to a Persian cat.
After all, she had always been too well-behaved—causing trouble wasn’t really her forte.
Central Avenue was bustling with activities from various brands. The first floor of the mall was hosting an anniversary celebration for a comic convention, and cosplayers were everywhere along the street.
He Yang held a stack of 3D paper cards for her research.
When propped up, the paper cards took the shape of clothing. All one had to do was complete a few questions, tear along the dotted lines, and the beautifully crafted 3D paper card could be taken home as a souvenir.This research method was planned by He Yang. Although the cost was slightly higher, the results were remarkably effective.
The survey required selecting a target audience, and it just so happened that the audience attending the comic convention largely overlapped with the target demographic of the trendy brand store.
This was the reason for choosing today for the survey.
It saved time and effort, easily recouping the additional costs.
Shen Yishu couldn’t stop praising it.
A “Judy” cheerfully ran over, eyes sparkling: “I absolutely love your store! Can I take one of the little skirts?”
He Yang nodded gently.
Before she could speak, another familiar voice suddenly rang out: “Sister-in-law?”
It was Xi Shang.
“Judy” looked puzzled: “Brother, you know her?”
“Your fourth sister-in-law, Jiang Siye’s wife,” Xi Shang reminded her. “Don’t tell me you haven’t met her?”
“…”
“Don’t blame her,” He Yang stepped in to smooth things over. “We only met once at the wedding. You know how it is—the makeup was heavy.”
Actually, it shouldn’t have been this way.
Madam Jiang had kept her confined at the Jiang residence to learn the rules but had never taken her to social events, let alone introduced her to the ladies in their social circle.
As for Jiang Siye, he had his own circle.
Xi Shang felt awkward: “This is my cousin, Xi Le.”
“Hello, Fourth Sister-in-law,” Xi Le said, her cute rabbit ears perking up. “Are you a shareholder of S-ONE?”
He Yang: “No, I work for this company.”
Xi Le stared in surprise, unable to help glancing at Xi Shang.
He Yang knew what she was shocked about. The Jiang family was a noble and prestigious household, and even if women worked, they usually invested as bosses or shareholders.
No one would lower their status to work for someone else.
Especially not the wife of Jiang Siye.
Although the Jiang family business had passed to the eldest brother, the financial group under Jiang Siye’s name was not to be underestimated.
Xi Shang remained calmer than Xi Le and skillfully steered the conversation back: “Do we need to fill in any information?”
“Yes,” He Yang handed him a pen. “Just fill it out according to the requirements.”
While Xi Le filled out the answers, He Yang hesitated for a moment before speaking with difficulty: “Um… about Young Master Cao’s robot…”
“It’s with me,” Xi Shang immediately understood. “Do you want it?”
He Yang: “Is that okay?”
Xi Shang: “Of course, it was originally meant as a gift for you when we met.”
He Yang: “Thank you.”
Xi Shang coughed lightly: “Don’t let Xiao Si know.”
He Yang nodded.
“About the new company I’m starting with Junjun,” Xi Shang suddenly mentioned, “do you want to join?”
He Yang paused: “Is Jiang Siye joining?”
Xi Shang: “His family has vast wealth and influence; he wouldn’t be interested in something this small.”
He Yang shook her head: “Forget it. If he finds out, he’d probably wipe out nine generations of my family.”
“…”
Sigh.
His brother’s image was truly in danger.
“Can you share the stock code?” He Yang joked. “I want to be your public shareholder. I’m optimistic about the prospects of intelligent companionship.”
Xi Shang laughed.
After taking the paper card and giving the robot to He Yang, Xi Shang led Xi Le to the comic convention.
The two siblings whispered to each other.
“I don’t think Fourth Sister-in-law is like what Aunt Jiang said—someone who clings to power and wealth, petty and tacky…”
“Shut up,” Xi Shang scolded. “Don’t judge someone based on what others say.”
Xi Le: “But Fourth Sister-in-law really seems too soft. You don’t know about their wedding—Fourth Brother’s friends deliberately provoked her, saying they’d definitely divorce within three years, and Fourth Sister-in-law didn’t even walk out on the spot.”
Xi Shang fell silent for a few seconds: “She might not be as soft as she seems.”
Xi Le didn’t understand.
“Maybe she really loves Xiao Si,” Xi Shang sighed. “Love can make people gentle.”
It can also make them humble.Xi Le seemed to understand yet not fully: “I really like Fourth Sister-in-law. Can I invite her out to play?”
“Not recently,” Xi Shang patted her head. “I think Fourth Brother’s hard days are coming. Don’t let his temper affect us.”