Qing Yan Ci Chapter Fifteen

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Ye Jin waved to Tang Xiao, signaling him to head back quickly. Tang Xiao waved goodbye in return.

“Be careful on your way back! Send me a message when you arrive!” Tang Xiao was preparing to go to the parking lot to drive home.

“Got it!” Tang Xiao replied with a message to Ye Jin.

After walking just a few steps, he felt the need to use the restroom. After all, driving back and forth would take about two hours.

Near the train station, Tang Xiao found a restroom and hurried inside. Upon exiting, he felt a bit thirsty and decided to buy a bottle of water from a nearby convenience store.

“Xing Ruo, how’s your client viewing schedule this week?” Two young women sat outside the convenience store, holding promotional flyers for a housing development, distributing them around the train station area.

“What schedule? Do you think the manager is sane, making us hand out flyers at the train station in this scorching heat? It’s killing me! We have to show clients twice every week, but I haven't shown anyone this entire week. There was this Mr. Liu who promised to come see the development today and maybe sign, but when I called this morning, he didn’t even pick up. When I called again, he just hung up on me. So frustrating…” Xing Ruo sat on the convenience store steps, enjoying the air conditioning while sulking.

“Xing Ruo, I’m going to buy two bottles of water. Wait for me here.” Like Xing Ruo, Yang Yiyi hadn’t met her client-viewing targets either. The two young women had no choice but to distribute flyers as instructed by the store manager.

“Go ahead! I’ll wait here.” Xing Ruo felt like melting in the heat but was thinking about changing flyer distribution spots. Although the new development was near the train station, the likelihood of sales here wasn’t high.

“Boss, do you have Ruoshui brand mineral water?” Tang Xiao asked the store owner as he entered.

“Sorry, our little shop can’t afford big brands,” the owner said, eyeing Tang Xiao’s shirt and slacks, assuming he sold real estate or insurance, pretending to be rich, then rolled his eyes.

Tang Xiao glanced at his clothes and wondered what he’d done to offend the owner but decided to just grab a bottle.

“Ruoshui mineral water? That’s the aristocrat of waters. Looks like someone who can afford a house,” Yiyi entered to buy water and overheard Tang Xiao talking to the owner, quietly calculating something.

“Excuse me, sir! Can you take a look at this housing development flyer? The May Day holiday is coming up, and our development is having an event. There’s a kindergarten, primary school, CBD business center, large supermarket nearby, and it’s close to the train station…”

“Stop right there, miss. None of that interests me right now. I’m busy…” Tang Xiao interrupted.

“Ha! Real estate agents pushing insurance agents to sell property, that’s funny. You two should just close a deal between yourselves,” the store owner mocked them.

“So what if we sell houses or insurance? We don’t steal or rob; we earn our living honestly. You might need our help someday, so don’t judge people by their looks. Open your eyes wider,” Tang Xiao snapped back angrily.

“Alright then! I really don’t have time today. Give me your card, and if I ever need a house, I’ll come to you. You’re quite good—daring to promote your listings is the first step to a sale. I’ll buy you a bottle of water,” Tang Xiao comforted Yang Yiyi.

“Can I add you on social media? Don’t worry, I won’t bother you. When you want to see a house, I’ll just send you the location, and you can come find me.”

“Sure!” Tang Xiao didn’t want to refuse the earnest young agent and exchanged social media contacts with Yiyi.

“How much for two bottles?” Tang Xiao asked.

“Six yuan.”

“Wait, I have a colleague outside,” Yiyi said.

“Then three bottles it is!” Tang Xiao paid nine yuan and handed Yiyi two bottles.

“I’m off now, text me if needed,” Tang Xiao said, grabbing a bottle and quickly leaving the store. Xing Ruo sat on the convenience store steps, and as Tang Xiao passed by, he glanced at her. Xing Ruo lowered her head, pondering the flyer in her hand.

“Selling houses is really tough these days,” Tang Xiao muttered softly, then walked away without looking back. Xing Ruo heard a familiar male voice, looked up, but the figure was already fading into the distance, leaving her with a faint sense of déjà vu.

At 5 p.m., Ye Jin boarded the train, having purchased a regular lower berth ticket. She thought Tang Xiao should be close to home by now and stared at her phone, waiting for messages.

“Sweetheart, are you on the train?” Ding! A message from Ye Jin’s mother popped up, causing a slight pang of disappointment—she’d hoped it was from Tang Xiao.

“Mom, I’m on the train. I should arrive in Lianchi City around 9 a.m. tomorrow. Then I’ll take a bus home.”

“That’s good! Your dad will cook something delicious for you when you get back,” her mother replied.

“Awesome! I really miss Dad’s cooking!” Ye Jin said.

Though not wealthy, Ye Jin’s family of three lived harmoniously, without quarrels. Her childhood was carefree.

Her father was a primary school teacher, and her mother ran a small stall. Every noon, Dad came home to cook, always steaming rice with a few sweet potatoes inside. After school, Ye Jin’s first task was to open the pot and eat some sweet potatoes before Dad cooked the dishes. Evenings were spent together watching the news, weather, and dramas. Life passed smoothly, quietly content.

For Ye Jin, family meant everything.

“At 5:30 p.m.,” Tang Xiao sent another message, “Are you on the train? Eat something, keep your belongings safe, and rest.”

“Okay,” Ye Jin replied.

“Are you home yet?” Ye Jin asked.

“I’m home. Eat some fruit; fruits spoil fast!”

“Alright, I will. Are you still working on data tonight?”

“For a bit. I’ll cook dinner later—maybe I can cook for you someday.”

Ye Jin was surprised Tang Xiao could cook.

“Great, your cooking must be delicious…” They chatted back and forth like close confidants.

“Yiyi, why is this house so hard to sell?” Xing Ruo asked, taking the water Yiyi handed her.

“Just now when I bought water, I saw a handsome guy who looked well-off. I gave him my card and exchanged numbers. He said he’d come check out our development sometime. He really seemed rich,” Yang Yiyi said happily.

“You two like each other? Don’t get fooled. I’m telling you, these scammers target naive girls. Don’t trust appearances—they’re all a facade,” Xing Ruo was surprisingly clear-eyed about the harsh realities.

“Oh, I have a boyfriend, but I do want to sell more houses. Honestly, you might be a good match for him. You’re pretty, just not good at acting cute. That handsome guy is the sunny type—you’d definitely like him,” Yiyi teased Xing Ruo.

“You should change jobs and become a matchmaker; you’re better suited for that,” Xing Ruo rolled her eyes at Yiyi.

“I’m joking. So, do you like someone?” Yiyi asked, puzzled how a pretty girl like Xing Ruo had no boyfriend.

“Like someone? Let me think... I can’t remember. I’m under so much pressure. Mom and I still rent. Mom’s health is poor, Dad’s gambling left debts. No time for romance. My goal now is to earn money to give Mom a better life,” Xing Ruo said.

After high school, Xing Ruo learned her father had gotten addicted to stocks and futures trading. He knew nothing and followed others blindly, leading to losses and debts by her senior year. Her parents divorced; she moved with her mother to another city for university. Their home was sold to cover losses.

Unlike other grandmothers, Xing Ruo’s was strict, lamenting the lack of boys in the family, blaming her parents’ frequent fights on her absence. Her father was a mama’s boy with no backbone.

Young Xing Ruo understood it all but endured for her mother’s sake, who silently bore her husband’s abuses. Sometimes, she resented her grandmother and father. Why couldn’t the family be happy? Her grandmother seemed to favor sons over daughters.

Now divorced, her mother was finally free. Her grandmother knew about the stock troubles but sided with her son. He moved back to her grandmother’s hometown. Truly a case of a mother spoiling a son too much.

“Yiyi, which area do you think sells houses better? I want to earn a lot so Mom can live in a big house,” Xing Ruo mused, staring at the daydreaming Yiyi.

“Long’an City’s property is precious land, full of wealthy people. If I could have a house in Long’an in this lifetime, I’d die happy,” Yiyi joked.

“Pfft, don’t be ridiculous. To buy in Long’an, we’d at least need to be top sellers. Then maybe we’d have a chance,” Yiyi said realistically.

“You don’t get the meaning of ‘top seller.’ We haven’t even completed our showings this week, yet you talk about being top seller. If anyone could be, everyone would be in real estate, and there’d be no chance for us!” Yiyi thought Xing Ruo was overestimating herself.

“Our company’s top seller, Wang Mian, is quite a character. How long have you been here?” Xing Ruo had only been at the agency for half a month. Previously, she was an accountant, having studied accounting in college, but the steady paycheck wasn’t enough, so she switched to real estate.

“Two months. You’re right—Wang Mian’s been here over a year and is top seller almost every month. Even the manager dotes on him. He has clients lined up daily, with a high closing rate, especially with referrals. Same head, two shoulders—how come his results are so good?” Yiyi thought Wang Mian was like a top teammate in a game. Did he need support?

“Good idea! We should learn from him sometime,” Xing Ruo mused.

“Xing Ruo, he’s not in our group. Our manager is Li Yu, not Wang Mian. How would Li Yu feel if we did that?” Yiyi was puzzled.

“As long as it’s not in front of Li Yu. He’s not as good as Wang Mian anyway. Learning from Wang Mian won’t affect our group,” Xing Ruo said.

“But Li Yu treats us well. When we inspect developments, doesn’t he explain everything and care for us?” Yiyi argued.

“Alright, alright, I didn’t say Li Yu’s bad. My dear Yiyi, let’s go back now!” Xing Ruo urged as it was time to clock out.

By Thursday morning, Tang Xiao, A Mei, Sun Xu, and others were orderly at work.

“Hello! Is this Zhengxin Trading? I’m here to interview for the graphic designer position,” a female voice suddenly interrupted.

“Interview for graphic design?” Customer service Ni Ni was surprised. Had Ye Jin quit instead of taking leave?

“Follow me, the manager has been waiting for you,” Wu Nan quickly responded, leading the girl to the interview.

“Manager, a girl is here for the graphic design interview,” Wu Nan knocked on Shen Ping’s office door.

“Come in!” Shen Ping began the interview.

“Wu Nan, what’s going on? Don’t we already have a graphic designer?” Wu Nan hadn’t even sat down when Ni Ni chased after him.

“Yes! Ye Jin was doing fine. Why recruit another?” Customer service Su Wan chimed in.

Soon whispers spread among the staff.

“It’s a company decision. They plan to expand; one graphic designer isn’t enough. Focus on your conversion rates. If we fall behind competitors, we all get scolded. Mind your own work first!” Wu Nan wasn’t worried about hiring another designer.

“Boss, when did you decide to recruit another graphic designer? You should have told me; I need to inform Ye Jin,” A Mei asked Sun Xu, who was analyzing competitor data.

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“That’s company policy. Manager Shen told me to keep it confidential. Don’t tell Ye Jin yet. Don’t worry; she’s not being fired. Help me organize Fanxin’s data from yesterday,” Sun Xu said while analyzing data.

“Oh.” A Mei’s “oh” held some disappointment. She wanted to tell Ye Jin but thought better; Ye Jin still had to attend her cousin’s wedding.

Meanwhile, Tang Xiao seemed upset, silent and deep in thought, frowning or resting his chin on his hand.

At 9 a.m., Ye Jin’s hometown, Lianchi City, arrived. Her father had waited outside the station for an hour.

“Dad, you’ve been waiting here?” Ye Jin exclaimed as she got off the train.

“Your mom told me to come early to pick up her precious daughter. If I didn’t, she’d nag me,” he said with a smile.

“Dad, so I’m not your precious daughter?” Ye Jin teased.

“If you weren’t, why would I pick you up? Seriously…” Her father drove them home. They chatted happily, though beneath the surface was a deep longing for family.

“The day after tomorrow is cousin’s wedding. Tomorrow we’ll go shopping for new clothes,” Ye Jin happily told her father.

“Your earnings barely cover your own expenses. Your mom and I have clothes,” her father joked.

“Are you home?” Ding! Ye Jin received a message from Tang Xiao.

“Yes, didn’t expect you to remember. Thanks!” Ye Jin’s face lit up.

“Rest well at home and relax!” Tang Xiao replied.

“Okay.” Ye Jin was surprised Tang Xiao remembered her arrival time.

“Boyfriend?” Ye Jin’s father noticed her radiant smile.

“Dad, stop joking. Just a colleague,” Ye Jin blushed.

“Better find someone local; outsiders aren’t reliable. Your mom and I only have you. We worry! You’re growing up and will eventually marry—just giving you a heads-up,” her father sighed.

“Okay, I’ll listen,” Ye Jin replied, only half convinced.

After an hour’s drive, they reached Ye Jin’s small hometown.

“Mom, we’re home!” Ye Jin’s mother rushed out of the kitchen happily. She had prepared a big spread: hot dishes, cold dishes, and lotus root soup—their favorite.

“Mom, you cooked? It smells delicious! What time is it? Lunch or early breakfast?” Ye Jin chattered excitedly.

“Your dad drove you here, and I didn’t cook. You’d be hungry otherwise. Probably no breakfast on the train. Your dad washed and chopped the vegetables; I just stir-fried. Wash your hands and eat!” Wang Ying served the dishes as Ye Jin’s father put away her luggage.

“Tomorrow, I’ll take you and Dad shopping for clothes. The wedding’s the day after,” Ye Jin said.

“Why waste money? Our clothes aren’t disgraceful. Young people shouldn’t spend recklessly; when you marry and have kids, expenses multiply,” Wang Ying gently refused, knowing her daughter worked hard alone.

“Come on, can’t afford a few outfits? Let’s all go together…” Ye Jin pouted.

“Alright, alright. Just eat now and rest afterward,” Wang Ying said.

“Yes, ma’am!” Ye Jin was happy despite the years of modest living. Her parents had saved a bit but were always cautious with money.

“Brother Liu, we’ve met several times. Thanks for giving Xiao Li face today. How was the house? It’s a new development with square layouts, facing south, with a garden entrance and a supermarket downstairs. Subway Line 12 connects seamlessly to Long’an City. There are plans for kindergartens, primary and middle schools nearby, though not built yet. Imagine the price once completed—it’ll multiply. Your first house, with three layers down payment and seven layers loan, is manageable given your job. Why not sign the contract this afternoon?” Li Xingru called a client.

“Little sister, buying a house and signing contracts is a big deal. My wife and I just married and plan to have a baby. We’re tight on funds. We’ll discuss and call you later. Don’t worry, if I buy, I’ll find you first. You’re patient, so maybe you’ll get a good discount. Let’s stay in touch; there are other houses, no rush,” Mr. Liu said, then abruptly hung up.

“How was it?” Yiyi asked eagerly.

“Mr. Liu said no rush. After running around all day, it was a waste. I don’t get it. He smiled and praised the house when viewing, but once home, said he needed to discuss with his wife. Sigh, frustrating,” Li Xingru lamented, resting her head on the table.

“Xing Ruo, discouraged so easily? You should still follow up tonight. If he says no rush, he’s probably talking to other agents. You haven’t hit his heart yet. Maybe he’ll sign with someone else tomorrow while you wait for his call,” the manager said. Agents who don’t close deals within three months risk being fired, though Xing Ruo was new.

“I don’t know what to say. I called him and was politely rejected. Maybe I’m not cut out for this,” Xing Ruo thought about being blocked if she called again.

“Who’s your manager?” the manager asked suddenly.

“Li Yu. He’s out with clients, hasn’t returned,” Xing Ruo answered.

Zhao Jinlong, the store manager, glanced around.

“Hey! Wang Mian is quite unusual today—no clients?” he teased the top seller, who was quietly posting listings.

“Don’t I close the most deals? Just no showings today. What’s unusual?” Wang Mian replied, still diligently posting.

“Any clients tomorrow?” Zhao asked.

“Not yet. The day after, there’s a client from Long’an,” Wang Mian said confidently.

“No wonder he’s the top seller,” Zhao gave a flattering remark.

“Speak directly, please,” Wang Mian was straightforward but very skilled, though he’d never been in a relationship.

“Help Xing Ruo. I heard her call—client interest is 50%, but no contract. Trust is low. Our agency is top-ranked; clients should choose us,” Zhao asked Wang Mian to assist.

“I heard the call. She did well but didn’t close. The client wasn’t touched. There’s an 80% chance he’ll come tomorrow. I’ll try, but no promises,” Wang Mian said, easing Xing Ruo’s worries. With him involved, success seemed possible.

“Xing Ruo, call Mr. Liu again. I’ll talk to him,” Wang Mian offered to guide her call technique.

“Great! I’ll call now,” Xing Ruo was delighted.

The phone ringtone was “Rice Aroma,” a song about home’s warmth.

“Hello, Xiao Li, didn’t I say I’d call if needed? Why call again?” Mr. Liu’s tone was impatient.

“Hello, Mr. Liu, I’m Wang Mian, colleague of Xiao Li and project manager for Xingchen Dream Star development. Xiao Li only told half the story. I checked; only about ten units left. I have a client from Long’an coming the day after tomorrow to sign. The layouts are confirmed. I’ve helped hundreds find ideal homes with good prices and quality. The subway line connects to Long’an in two years, making it great for living and investment. Prices in Long’an are over a million, but our units are just over 200,000. If facilities complete, prices will rise. I heard you wanted to discuss with your spouse. I’m free tomorrow to show you both again, with good prices. Buying or not is up to you, but you’ll have a clear picture. Still there, Mr. Liu?” Wang Mian spoke for five minutes before pausing.

“Yes, my wife will talk to you,” Mr. Liu passed the phone to his wife, who was nearby.

“Hello... um...” Mrs. Liu sounded hesitant.

“Mrs. Liu, what hesitates you? Units are limited and may sell out soon,” Wang Mian encouraged.

“It’s not that we can’t afford it, but the location seems remote, like the suburbs. When will the plans start? It might be inconvenient for work and life, especially since we plan to have a baby,” Mrs. Liu explained.

Basically, the location felt too remote, and the price was high. If the location were better, clients would queue overnight without calls.

“It’s like this, Mrs. Liu. The development is about a kilometer from the subway, which is under construction. You can take a bus nearby. For those who exercise, a kilometer isn’t far. In two years, the subway will open, making it about an hour to Long’an City for shopping, entertainment, and dining. There’s also a Ruoshui supermarket planned below,” Wang Mian detailed for about an hour.

“Alright, after this call, send me your number. Tomorrow, take us to see the property and verify the subway construction. If as good as you say, we’ll book, and discounts must be in place,” Mrs. Liu seemed convinced.

“Of course! I’ll send my number shortly. We can arrange a viewing time,” Wang Mian said confidently.

“Pleasure talking to you. We trust you—don’t cheat us!” Mrs. Liu said.

“Don’t worry, I’ve been selling houses for years. If I lied, I’d be out of business. If your friends need help, tell them to find me,” Wang Mian reassured.

“Okay, send me a message,” Mrs. Liu said.

“Will do.” Wang Mian sent his number.

“Xiao Li, if clients come tomorrow, come with me to show them. Help with tea, errands, chatting,” Wang Mian handed his phone to Xing Ruo, encouraging her to learn.

“As expected, the top seller acts fast. So quick to convince clients,” Zhao praised Wang Mian.

“Boss, you owe us milk tea for all this calling. I’m thirsty,” Wang Mian teased.

“Alright, I’ll buy milk tea. You’re all VIPs!” Zhao went off to get drinks.

“Um, I’m a bit nervous about showing clients. I’m scared…” Xing Ruo confessed. No deals today and fearing scolding tomorrow.

“Don’t be. They’re your clients. I’ll lead, you follow. Talk with Mrs. Liu; women have more in common. Building trust is the start of closing deals. And don’t stray from the right path,” Wang Mian comforted.

Xing Ruo felt better but worried about splitting commissions. Still, success felt rewarding.

The next morning, Wang Mian, Xing Ruo, and the Liu couple set a viewing appointment. Wang Mian had his own car, making transport easy.

Around 9 a.m., Ye Jin woke naturally. Her father had prepared breakfast early: steamed buns, porridge, and two vegetable dishes.

“Wow, smells great!” Ye Jin beamed.

“Wash up and eat, don’t dawdle or the porridge will get cold,” her mother nagged lovingly.

After breakfast, Ye Jin lazily watched TV while her mother tidied her room.

“Ye Jin, what’s in this bag? The packaging looks fancy,” Wang Ying asked.

“Let me see,” Ye Jin hurried to her room.

It was a gift from Tang Xiao. He had told her to open it at home but had forgotten. Her mother was about to unwrap it.

“Mom, don’t touch! It’s a gift from a close friend. Let me open it,” Ye Jin said, revealing a square box containing a bear-shaped scented sachet for the wardrobe.

“What’s this? Looks like soap but smells like osmanthus—quite nice,” her mother was curious.

“It’s a fragrance sachet for the closet. I love osmanthus scent,” Ye Jin explained, placing it in her wardrobe.

She sent a photo to Tang Xiao.

“Gift received, thanks! It looks great, smells wonderful! I love it!” Tang Xiao replied promptly.

“Glad you like it! Just a small gift. Have fun at home!” Tang Xiao’s message.

But what did “just a small gift” mean?

“Thanks!” Ye Jin didn’t know what else to say.

That evening, Ye Jin’s parents were busy making dumplings. They all sat down to eat together. Ye Jin loved dumplings—fried, boiled, or steamed. Her father always made two kinds.

“Ye Jin, I have something to tell you,” her mother suddenly said, causing Ye Jin’s heart to skip a beat.

“What is it, Mom? Say it,” Ye Jin feigned indifference, continuing to eat.

“Our neighbor Aunt Wang has a nephew about your age. He’ll be back during the May Day holiday. You two should meet. I heard he’s honest and steady. If you marry locally, your dad and I will be more at ease. You’re not young anymore. If you wait too long, good men will be taken…” Her mother rambled about the boy’s qualities.

“When’s the blind date?” Ye Jin asked, eating.

“He’ll be back May 2nd, so the date is May 3rd. I’ll confirm with Aunt Wang,” her mother said cautiously, noticing no protest on Ye Jin’s face.

“Okay, you decide. You can go with me,” Ye Jin replied.

“You’ll have lunch together, not at their home. Aunt Wang suggested you young people eat out to get to know each other better,” her mother added.

“Sounds good. I’m full and a bit sleepy. I’ll go rest. Tomorrow I’ll take you shopping,” Ye Jin said.

“Alright, put the bowl here. You worked hard. Go rest!” Wang Ying sensed Ye Jin accepted the arrangement but was still hesitant.

That night, Wang Mian took Xing Ruo back to the agency after a long day. They had finally convinced Mr. Liu and his wife to sign.

“Great, Xing Ruo! The good news in our chat group is lively, especially yours and Wang Mian’s. Keep it up!” Manager Li Yu greeted cheerfully.

“You have the nerve to say that? Without our top seller’s help, I wouldn’t have closed this,” Xing Ruo feigned complaint.

“I’ve been showing clients too,” Li Yu sensed her annoyance.

Xing Ruo rolled her eyes.

“Everyone pause your work. Let our top seller share the signing details,” Manager Zhao Jinlong said happily.

“This client signed mostly because Xing Ruo laid good groundwork, built trust, understood needs, and analyzed the market well. She should share her success. Closing deals isn’t that hard—just take the first step. Let’s applaud our new colleague, Xing Ruo,” Wang Mian encouraged, hoping to boost her confidence.

“Xing Ruo, go! It’s your turn,” Yiyi urged, admiring and envying her.

“I’m scared to speak in front of so many,” Xing Ruo whispered.

“Come on, share your joy!” Even the manager encouraged her. Reluctantly, Xing Ruo walked up calmly.

“Hello, I’m new here, Xing Ruo. Thanks for the courage. Today’s deal was mostly thanks to our top seller Wang Mian. I couldn’t close with Mr. Liu earlier and got rejected on a call. I was scared and sad. Wang Mian’s professional answers helped rebuild trust. I learned a lot following him all day. Sometimes I couldn’t answer questions due to lack of knowledge about the property’s development and features. It’s hard to earn client trust when you’re unsure…”

“Great speech! You have top seller potential. Wang Mian, you have a rival,” Zhao Jinlong joked.

“This is good! Progress, Xing Ruo, keep it up!” Wang Mian encouraged her. He’d noticed she wasn’t whining or impatient, unlike others, and the Liu couple liked her.

That night, Xing Ruo dreamed she became the top seller, laughing aloud in her sleep.

April’s last day found some busy with work, others preparing blind dates, travels, or returning home. Everyone was engaged in their own life.

At 8 a.m., Ye Jin’s mother called her to breakfast.

“Mom, it’s too early! I want to sleep a bit more!” Ye Jin said, eyes half-closed.

“You must eat breakfast or you’ll get stomach problems. Don’t skip it at work either. Stomach pain is awful,” her mother nagged lovingly.

“Okay, Mom, I’m up. I’ll eat breakfast and shop for clothes for you and Dad today,” Ye Jin surrendered.

At the mall, she bought a dress for her mother, who looked elegant in it, and picked a branded casual shirt and trousers for her father. Though they complained about her spending, they smiled happily.

By month’s end, Xing Ruo had her first successful deal thanks to Wang Mian’s guidance. She believed hard work could improve her and her mother’s life.

At Zhengxin Trading, the two new graphic designers had worked two days. Tang Xiao had reviewed their work, which was on par with Ye Jin’s. Though Shen Ping said the probation was one month, these new designers might be kept. Their designs were innovative.

“Do you want to learn marketing?” Tang Xiao messaged Ye Jin in the afternoon while she was bored at home.

“You want to take me as your apprentice? That’s not my field!” Ye Jin found the message puzzling.

“Skills never hurt! Marketing pays better than graphic design, and it’ll help if you switch careers later,” Tang Xiao texted again.

“I’m fine with graphic design. If I learn marketing from you, won’t you fear I’ll take your job?” Ye Jin joked, sensing something unusual but not worrying too much.

“Think about it,” Tang Xiao said and stopped messaging.

“Okay, thanks,” Ye Jin thought back to her e-commerce studies in college, where she learned marketing and operations but hadn’t used it for years.

That evening, Ye Jin’s mother’s phone rang.

“Wang Ying, come early tomorrow. Has Ye Jin arrived? Let her help cousin Ye Jun pick up the bride. Other cousins are going too…” Ye Jin’s aunt arranged everything, and Wang Ying agreed without waiting for Ye Jin.

“Ye Jin, your aunt asked you to help pick up the bride. Get up early, wear light makeup, and go with Ye Jun. They’re all relatives. When you marry, you’ll understand…” her mother reminded her.

“Okay, Mom, you already said yes for me. I can’t refuse. I’ll do my best!” Ye Jin thought about facing many relatives alone at her cousin’s wedding and felt awkward.

The next morning, Ye Jin was awakened by knocking at six o’clock.

“Mom, so early! Let me sleep more. This is earlier than workdays,” she mumbled, opening the door.

“At 6:30, Ye Jun and the others will pick you up to fetch the bride. Hurry and get ready. Your aunt just called—the bride’s home is over two hours away, a four-hour round trip. They want to leave early to avoid traffic,” Wang Ying said while tidying the room. Ye Jin got up quickly.

She tried on several outfits before settling on a light purple dress. White, black, and red were vetoed by her mother. After washing and makeup, it was 6:40.

“Ye Jin, come down! Ye Jun is here,” her mother called outside the bathroom.

“Okay, okay,” Ye Jin hurried out, afraid of being late.

“Not bad! You look good. You and Ye Jun go pick up the bride. Your dad and I will go to the wedding hotel later,” Wang Ying said.

“Got it, Mom. I’m going down,” Ye Jin said, grabbing her bag and heading to the elevator.

Downstairs, Ye Jin looked at the cars waiting at the entrance, unsure which was hers. As she prepared to call Ye Jun, a white car with hazard lights flashing honked.

“Over here, sis,” Ye Jun leaned out, calling. Ye Jun was a year and a half younger. As a boy, he was mischievous and used to tease Ye Jin.

“Not long, right? Congrats on your wedding!” Ye Jin greeted.

“No worries, hurry up! You’re the last. Ye Lan, Ye He, Ye Min, and Ye Xuan are at the florist. My friend is driving,” Ye Jun said. The driver, Zhou Yan, glanced at Ye Jin through the rearview mirror, captivated by her.

“Looking at you now, you’re kind of handsome. I still remember your emo phase. How did you meet the bride?” Ye Jin and Ye Jun chatted as if back in childhood at their grandmother’s house. The grandmother favored boys, causing fights between parents. Ye Jun always shared snacks with Ye Jin despite her crying.

“Cough, cough… Send me the location!” the driver reminded Ye Jun.

“Oh right, almost forgot the task chatting with my sister!” Ye Jun sent the address to Zhou Yan.

“Don’t know if it’s your wedding or mine,” Zhou joked.

“Cut the crap, start driving. We can’t be late,” Ye Jun ordered.

“Now you’re panicking—what took you so long?” Ye Jin sat in the back, unable to join their banter.

Ye Jun was no longer the snot-nosed kid following his sister around. They were like siblings, though their mothers had some unspoken tension, yet kept up appearances.

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