Chapter 115

Chapter 115

By the riverside, Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian walked over the melting snow.

"Now that business is improving, Kangjie and I don’t have to travel as much."

As business picked up, Fu Xunian and Jiang Kangjie didn’t have to travel as often.

"Impressive, Fu Xunian! Your company hasn’t even been open a year, and it’s already on track."

Who would’ve thought—Fu Xunian had already been remarkable as an engineer at the Third Automobile Manufacturing Plant, yet in under a year of starting his own company, business was already stabilizing.

Was he born to be a businessman, or was it simply because he was clever?

Fu Xunian seemed to read Jiang Yiwei’s mind and smiled knowingly.

"My situation is better described as right place, right time, with the right people."

If Fu Xunian had to explain his company’s success, he’d attribute it to everything lining up just right—it was simply more fitting.

"So, you’re saying you got lucky."

"Luck is certainly important, but without capability, why would anyone want to work with you?"

Jiang Yiwei had to admit that luck played a crucial role in life. Without any luck, many things would never proceed smoothly, always facing obstacles.

With both luck and skill, it was hard not to succeed.

"You could say it’s luck, but it’s also because some people shoot themselves in the foot."

Describing it as luck did seem more accurate.

Fu Xunian hadn’t expected his company to stabilize so quickly—he had assumed it would take at least a year or two. But then again, some people just couldn’t help but mess things up for themselves.

"Who shot themselves in the foot?"

Jiang Yiwei was curious—who was Fu Xunian referring to?

"The current director of the Third Automobile Manufacturing Plant. If not for him, I wouldn’t have landed so many deals so easily."

Naturally, it was the current director of the Third Automobile Manufacturing Plant.

Thanks to him dropping the ball, the deals came easy.

Jiang Yiwei had heard Fu Xunian mention before that some new clients he’d landed were originally customers of the Third Automobile Manufacturing Plant. The reason Fu Xunian could steal their clients was entirely due to the director.

Because the director blew off their orders, didn’t prioritize them—even jacked up prices.

No surprise, the clients got pissed.

Wasn’t that just handing business to Fu Xunian? Of course, he jumped at the chance.

With many such cases and Fu Xunian’s proactive approach, the deals practically closed themselves.

"I heard from Sister Fang Miao before that Brother Minhua has less work these days."

Fang Miao had once come to Jiang Yiwei to have clothes made for her sister’s wedding. At the time, she mentioned that Liu Minhua was clocking out early recently because his workload had decreased. Many workers at the factory left early once their tasks were done.

"Of course the workload is lighter—I’m not the only one stealing their clients."

Here's the improved translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Not only was Fu Xunian eyeing the Third Automobile Manufacturing Plant's business, but several other auto factories were too—all thanks to its arrogant director with no business sense whatsoever.

Jiang Yiwei paused. "Then do you think the plant will eventually shut down?"

Fu Xunian stopped walking and looked at her, understanding her concern.

"Yes."

The plant's collapse was inevitable.

"Not sure if you've seen this year's papers, but I read about a factory in Shenyang making safety equipment and a melon seed factory in Suzhou that went under."

Fu Xunian always read the newspapers, so he'd noticed these developments.

If other factories could fail, the Third Auto Plant's current state meant certain closure.

"Minhua's clever. With the economy picking up, he'll land on his feet."

Fu Xunian knew Jiang Yiwei worried Liu Minhua would lose his job and income if the plant closed.

But to him, this might actually be a good opportunity.

"You've got a point there."

She'd been worrying too much about Liu Minhua.

Liu Minhua wasn't stupid.

And as Fu Xunian said, getting out could be his big break.

She knew Liu Minhua would grab the chance.

This was 1983, with factories already closing down. More would follow.

She just hoped it wouldn't hit Zhang Cuifen and the others.

"Seems opening my shop might have been the right move."

Now that she thought about it, her shop could be a blessing.

"If they lose jobs, where would they find extra cash for your dresses? Your profits would take a hit."

Her shop might stay afloat, but jobless workers meant no customers. Her business would still suffer.

"I understand, but I'm doing just fine as is."

Jiang Yiwei knew the risks, but she was satisfied. She didn't need mountains of money.

"No need to worry. I'll always be here."

With him beside her, she feared nothing unknown—he'd always support her.

Jiang Yiwei took his hand. "I'm not as fragile as you think. I can take whatever comes."

She was stronger than he imagined, unafraid of challenges.

"Right." Fu Xunian said yes, but privately resolved to have Jiang Yiwei's back no matter what.

"Yiwei, Auntie’s been talking about us getting married again," Fu Xunian brought up Zhang Cuifen out of nowhere.

Zhang Cuifen had long hinted at Fu Xunian in not-so-subtle ways. He did want to marry Jiang Yiwei, but he knew she couldn’t care less about marriage—she was more wrapped up in her shop.

Fu Xunian was itching to propose, but he didn’t want to pressure Jiang Yiwei.

Jiang Yiwei’s eyes gleamed playfully. "So you’re itching to tie the knot?"

"I want you as my wife."

He truly wanted to marry her, to imagine her as his wife.

Jiang Yiwei laced her fingers through his. "Then let’s get married!"

Fu Xunian went stock-still, gaping at her with shock and disbelief, as if wondering whether he’d misheard.

Seeing his deer-in-headlights look, Jiang Yiwei laughed even more joyfully.

Slowly and clearly, she said, "Fu Xunian, you heard right. Let’s get married!"

"I want to marry you."

She wanted to marry him.

"Really?" Fu Xunian still couldn’t believe she’d agreed.

"You dummy—cross my heart."

What a dork—this was the first time she’d seen him look so silly.

Unable to resist teasing him, she asked, "What, you don’t want to marry me?"

"I do. I’ve been waiting my whole life for this."

He’d been dreaming about it forever—marrying her, being with her, waking up to her face every morning.

Jiang Yiwei reached out. "Come on, let’s break the news to my folks."

Fu Xunian held her hand as they headed toward the Jiang family’s courtyard.

Zhang Cuifen was over the moon about the wedding.

She spread the news so widely that the entire Chao’an Alley knew Jiang Yiwei was about to walk down the aisle.

Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian watched as Zhang Cuifen gossiped away in the courtyard, already mapping out the wedding.

When Jiang Yiwei told Zhou Hongmin and Gu Xiaolei, they were floored—the two were actually getting married.

They hated to see her go but still wished her well.

On the wedding day, the Jiang family’s courtyard was buzzing with energy.

Everyone came to see the bride off.

Here’s the refined translation incorporating the expert suggestions:

Surrounded by Zhou Hongmin and Gu Xiaolei, Jiang Yiwei stepped out of the house in a beautiful white wedding dress and immediately spotted Fu Xunian standing in the crowd, dressed in a black suit.

Their eyes met, and they exchanged soft smiles.

Fu Xunian slowly walked toward Jiang Yiwei step by step until he stood before her, holding out his hand.

"Yiwei, I’m here to take you home."

Jiang Yiwei placed her hand on his warm palm, and Fu Xunian laced their fingers together.

"We’ve got our bride!"

Liu Shaochong cheerfully threw handfuls of wedding sweets into the crowd. The children gathered in the courtyard, spotting the treats, rushed forward eagerly to grab them.

"Xu Nian."

Jiang Sanjie and Zhang Cuifen approached the couple.

"Dad."

"Mom."

Fu Xunian used the familial terms.

Zhang Cuifen choked up.

"Xu Nian, Yiwei is entrusted to you now. You must treat her well. Remember the promises you made to me."

Jiang Sanjie earnestly told Fu Xunian.

He had no other demands for Fu Xunian—his only wish was for Fu Xunian to treat Jiang Yiwei well and ensure her happiness.

"Dad, you have my word. I swore to keep every promise I made to you."

Fu Xunian swore to keep his commitments to Jiang Sanjie.

Jiang Sanjie gave his shoulder an approving squeeze, confident that Fu Xunian would not disappoint him.

"Yiwei, starting today, you’re someone else’s wife. You can’t be as free-spirited as before—you need to be more composed."

Zhang Cuifen coached her daughter.

Now that Jiang Yiwei was married, she couldn’t do whatever she pleased as she did when she was single. She needed to be more mature.

Jiang Yiwei’s eyes grew misty. "Mom, don’t worry. I understand, okay?"

"Mom, don’t be sad. Today is my wedding day—please don’t cry," she added with a teary smile.

"It’s not like I’m moving away. You can drop by whenever."

Jiang Yiwei had expected her mother’s tears.

She wasn’t moving far from home, so Zhang Cuifen could come see her anytime.

"Why would I intrude on you lovebirds’ honeymoon?"

"When you’re expecting, I’ll definitely be over all the time." Fu Xunian had no relatives in Beijing, so once Jiang Yiwei became pregnant, Zhang Cuifen, as her mother, would be over all the time to look after her.

Let's not dwell on this time for now.

They are newlyweds, in that newlywed bliss where everything is honey-sweet.

Zhang Cuifen offered a few more reminders and, seeing that it was about time, urged them to get in the car.

Amid the cheers of the crowd, Jiang Yiwei and Fu Xunian got into the car.

Jiang Yiwei gazed at the Jiang family members and the small courtyard of the Jiang household, tears pricking at her eyes.

Fu Xunian held Jiang Yiwei, sensing her reluctance to leave Jiang Sanjie and Zhang Cuifen.

The wedding car slowly drove away from the Jiang family courtyard.

Nighttime.

Jiang Yiwei sat by the bed, her eyes tenderly watching Fu Xunian, who was making a show of being busy around the room but whose ears were burning red.

"Hehehe."

Jiang Yiwei covered her mouth and laughed.

Seeing her doubled over laughing into the quilt, Fu Xunian could only sit beside her.

Only when she'd caught her breath from laughing did Jiang Yiwei place her hands on his shoulders and meet Fu Xunian's gaze.

"Before, you were never this shy when you kissed me."

In the past, whenever Fu Xunian kissed her, she had never seen him this bashful.

"That was different. Tonight is our... our first time, our wedding night."

Fu Xunian’s cheeks flushed red, unlike him.

Seeing him so flustered, Jiang Yiwei was thrilled.

She didn’t tease him further.

"What exactly did you promise Dad?"

She had heard every word he said to Jiang Sanjie when he came for the wedding procession.

"I promised Dad that I would love you forever, cherish you, make you happy, and never let a single sorrow touch you."

"I will always stay by your side."

That was the promise he made to Jiang Sanjie.

Jiang Yiwei's smile softened.

Cradling his face, she said, "Fu Xunian, I love you."

Fu Xunian gently caressed Jiang Yiwei, a smile playing at his lips, his gaze never wavering in its devotion.

"Click!"

The room was swallowed by darkness, leaving only the glow of their passion—their ardor and commitment to each other.

Outside, the trees in the courtyard quietly put forth tender new shoots with spring's arrival.

These new beginnings symbolized life's unending renewal.

The End!

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