Chapter Fifty-Two

Chapter Fifty-Two

Jiang Yiyan was unaware that Wen Mochuan was intentionally teasing her; she was still striving to argue her point with reason.

"Love is mutual, you can't always be accommodating me. My habit is a very bad one, and if it's bad, it needs to be changed. Since I've decided to change, I must start right now. So... Meimei, listen to your mother, quickly sleep in the middle."

Wen Mochuan: "Of course you can change if you wish, but there's no rush at this moment. First, follow the old routine and have a good afternoon nap today, and there will be plenty of opportunities to make changes when you return home."

Meimei was originally lying down, but now she simply sat up. With her legs crossed, she raised her small face with a look of drowsiness and looked at her parents with a sense of grievance: "Whose side should I take? On one side is my father, and on the other side is my mother; I'm really in a dilemma."

Jiang Yiyan knew that continuing to reason was futile. Instead of persisting, she decided to take a more assertive approach and claim her spot on the edge. So, catching everyone off guard, she quickly kicked off her shoes, hopped onto the bed, then pulled her daughter to the center and lay down in her usual place.

Then, pretending as if nothing had happened, she held her daughter and said, "Meimei is sleepy, let's go to sleep now. Come on, Mommy will hold you while you sleep." After speaking, she closed her eyes, regardless of Wen Mochuan who was still standing there.

Wen Mochuan originally didn't insist on arguing about right and wrong, it was just a momentary whim, teasing her for fun. Since she had already lain down, the situation was settled, Wen Mochuan simply went to the other side and lay down as well.

Meimei was indeed tired, falling asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow. But Jiang Yiyan, on the other hand, was pretending to sleep with his eyes closed. After sensing that he had also gotten into bed, she quietly opened her eyes a bit to sneak a peek, and indeed saw that he had already lain down on the other side of their daughter. Only then did a smug smile appear at the corners of Jiang Yiyan's mouth.

.

Perhaps it was the busy workdays before, or perhaps dealing with Cai Wenqing and a few others during the trip home was truly exhausting. In any case, Jiang Yiyan slept a long and deep sleep.

When I awoke, it was already four in the afternoon.

She was left alone in the room, with her husband and daughter nowhere to be seen.

Jiang Yiyan stretched languidly and went downstairs. Downstairs, Wen Mochuan was playing chess with his father, while the family's young nanny was playing with Meimei. There was no sign of Jiang Xu, nor of the mother and daughter of Cai Wenqing.

Only after Jiang Yiyan descended the stairs did Cai Wenqing emerge with a tray of juice and freshly sliced fruit.

Upon seeing Jiang Yiyan, Cai Wenqing, as always, was humble and ingratiating: "Yiyan, you're awake. Come and have some fruit."

Jiang Yiyan responded with the same tactic, taking the fruit plate from her hand and saying, "Aunt Cai, let Zhang and the others handle these tasks; you shouldn't work so hard." She then inquired, "Where is Yao Yao?"

Cai Wenqing: "Yao Yao was invited out by a classmate for some urgent matter. She shouldn't have left today since you were here, but she really couldn't refuse her classmate's invitation. So..."

"What's the big deal?" Jiang Yiyan thought she was making a mountain out of a molehill, "We are all family, I'm not a guest, there's no need for Yao Yao to accompany me just because I'm back. If she has things to do, let her be busy, her absence doesn't affect anything."

"Oh, right, I heard before that Shu Yao was planning to take up a position at a university. How is that going? Has she finally decided which university she's going to?" Jiang Yiyan wasn't particularly interested in Shu Yao's personal affairs, but since the conversation had come to this point, she thought it wouldn't hurt to show some concern.

In the book, Shu Yao is portrayed as an intellectual university professor, and Jiang Yiyan never anticipated that Shu Yao would waver in her career choices. After all, the original novel emphasized that becoming a teacher in a school was a dream of Shu Yao's since childhood.

Observing the hesitation and evasive words from Cai Wenqing, Jiang Yiyan sensed that something might have changed, and instinctively, she lightly furrowed her brows.

"Hmm? Has Yao Yao not yet decided which school to choose?" Now she was interested, so she pursued the question further.

Cai Wenqing knew that the truth would eventually come to light, so she thought it might as well take this opportunity to just come out and say it.

At this moment, Xu should already be aware of Yao Yao's thoughts. When he comes back, Ah Cheng will inevitably find out sooner or later. Once Ah Cheng knows, it will certainly be impossible to keep it from Jiang Yiyan.

Rather than waiting for Jiang Yiyan to whisper any winds in Ah Cheng's ear at that time, it would be better for her to take the initiative now and speak openly in front of everyone. If Jiang Yiyan objects, she can also speak well of Yao Yao in Ah Cheng's presence.

So, Cai Wenqing walked around to sit on the sofa. She chose a spot closer to Jiang Cheng, intending for him to hear what she was about to say.

"Yao Yao has always wanted to work at a university, but after coming back, she reconsidered her options and became somewhat hesitant. Teaching at a university is great—educating students, earning respect, and having a prestigious position... yet it's also quite leisurely. She's still young and shouldn't settle into a comfortable life just yet. Especially after reconnecting with some classmates recently, she feels a bit reluctant to confine herself to being just a teacher. She has the qualifications and the drive to achieve something significant. So... Ah Cheng, could you arrange for her to intern at the company?"

Although Jiang Cheng was playing chess with Wen Mochuan, he listened carefully to every word his wife said. Jiang Cheng didn't really care where Shu Yao worked, whether as a teacher or in the company, as long as it was her own choice.

"There's no reason why not. If she wants to work in a company, where else would she go if not our own? However, she needs to think it through; these are two very different paths."

Cai Wenqing replied, "We've been considering this for a while now. Since I've brought it up, it means we've thought it through. Ah Cheng, thank you on Yao Yao's behalf."

Jiang Yiyan smiled and spoke gracefully, "Yao Yao is a talented returnee from abroad. Many companies are vying for her. Her choosing Jiang Corporation should be a sign of gratitude from us."

Cai Wenqing's smile stiffened slightly, but she continued modestly, "Returnees aren't as valued as they used to be. Besides, Jiang Corporation is such a large enterprise that countless graduates from prestigious universities vie for positions here. Yao Yao wouldn't have had an easy time getting in without this connection, so she naturally feels grateful."

Cai Wenqing feared that Jiang Yiyan might see through their intentions and voice them bluntly. But Jiang Yiyan was thinking about how changing Shu Yao's career path might alter the plot of the story. After all, Shu Yao met the protagonist while teaching at a university. If she doesn't teach there, wouldn't she miss meeting him?

Could the novel's plot be changing because of her sudden appearance? Would that mean Shu Yao and Wen Mochuan, the tragic couple, might have a chance?

After all, Jiang Xu is Shu Yao's nominal brother. Even if she harbors feelings for him, overcoming the familial relationship would be difficult. Moreover, Jiang Cheng wouldn't approve.

Wen Mochuan, on the other hand, was meant to be with Shu Yao. If she chooses to step aside and part ways with Wen Mochuan amicably, they might have a chance to reunite.

As a fan of the book, if ignoring the protagonist, Jiang Yiyan would side with Wen Mochuan over Jiang Xu.

Just thinking about it made Jiang Yiyan feel excited. She wasn't the Jiang Yiyan from the book and had no emotional entanglements with these characters. As an outsider, she looked forward to seeing how the story unfolds.

On the drive home that evening, Jiang Yiyan kept thinking about Shu Yao giving up her teaching position to join Jiang Corporation. She kept glancing at Wen Mochuan in the rearview mirror, hoping to catch any change in his expression.

But Wen Mochuan, despite appearing polite and composed, had a hidden depth. He was like a smiling tiger, and someone experienced in business wouldn't easily reveal his thoughts.

Thus, Jiang Yiyan decided to bring up the topic directly.

Smiling, she tried to keep an eye on the rearview mirror while driving steadily. "I never expected Yao Yao to give up her chance at a university and choose to work in a company."

She watched the rearview mirror for a few seconds. Wen Mochuan had been silent until then, but upon hearing his wife speak, he turned his gaze towards the front seat.

"Whether at a university or a company, as long as one has a clear career plan and knows what they want, they won't do poorly. Shu Yao isn't impulsive. Since she made this choice, she must have thought it through." This was the first time Wen Mochuan spoke calmly and objectively about Shu Yao, without any personal emotions.

After saying this, Wen Mochuan himself was surprised.

Many things had subtly changed over time.

He adapted to the people around him that he needed to adapt to, and adapted to his current life, gradually letting go of his past obsessions.

At the very least, the couple can now discuss Shu Yao calmly and rationally, which is a significant step forward.

Jiang Yiyan was unaware of Wen Mochuan's thoughts at that moment; she simply continued, "I just didn't expect that Yao Yao would eventually join the company. Aunt Cai had just spoken modestly, saying that she was giving Yao Yao an opportunity to intern, but in reality, with her status and educational background, she would surely start as a middle-level leader not long after entering the company." Suddenly, she realized, perhaps this was the true intention of Ms. Cai Wenqing? Could it be that she harbored some covetous intentions towards the Jiang family?

What does she hope to achieve by doing this, and what does Shu Yao hope to gain?