Chapter 740 - 494: Chen Yuan and Jiang Yao’s Intimacy Maxed Out

And when he asked when this "evaluation" would be considered over, Jiang Zhengfeng simply told him, "When headquarters decides it is."

The answer was just vague, hollow corporate-speak.

Back in the study, the atmosphere gradually fell silent.

Jiang Zhengfeng suddenly said, "You have to go. This isn’t my idea, it’s a decision made by Jiang’s corporate headquarters. The papers are already prepared. Come and sign them."

"The headquarters’ idea? Please... Everyone knows you’re the one calling the shots there. You have veto power, just like the board of directors."

"This is a direct order from the company!" Jiang Zhengfeng’s expression turned severe in an instant. "Every official employee of the Jiang Corporation must obey company directives and assignments. It doesn’t matter if you’re the crown prince. Stop arguing with me. You’re not talking to your dad right now, you’re talking to the chairman."

This startled Chen Yuan.

With his father pulling rank as chairman, Chen Yuan had to brace himself and accept it. He had no other choice.

He knew full well that as an employee, no one could truly defy an order from headquarters.

Take Ji Hai, for example. He had just graduated from a top university, full of talent and ambition. Three months after joining the company, he was shipped off to a development project in South Africa...

Being stubborn was pointless.

As he watched Chen Yuan sign his name, stroke by stroke, a hint of gratification appeared in the corner of Jiang Zhengfeng’s eye.

"Alright. Go get Ningning and bring her up here."

"What for?"

"I have something to discuss."

Hearing this, Chen Yuan sighed in resignation, turned, opened the door, and went downstairs to get Jiangg Ning.

「In the living room.」

"Me?" Jiangg Ning pointed to herself, a little surprised.

She and Yaoyao had been eavesdropping on the father and son’s argument, and she never expected to be dragged into it. For a moment, she was completely baffled.

She glanced back at Jiangg Yao, then headed upstairs, her heart pounding with apprehension.

"I brought her," Chen Yuan said coolly, opening the study door.

"Alright, you can wait outside for a moment. I have a few things to discuss with her."

"What is there to say that I can’t hear?" Chen Yuan frowned.

"Business."

’So in Jiang Zhengfeng’s eyes, nothing is ever a private matter.’ He turned away, speechless, and closed the door.

「In the study.」

Jiangg Ning stood there, trembling nervously.

"Uncle, did you need me for something?"

"Ningning, come here," Jiang Zhengfeng said, pulling a document from his drawer. He got straight to the point in a gentle tone. "I know you signed a contract with Chen Yuan to be his personal secretary, following him from Bauhinia Company to Linzhou. That boy of mine certainly came up with a lot of schemes to keep you."

"Yes..."

"This document is a formal offer from the Jiang Corporation, hiring you as his assistant for his supervisory post in Mingzhu City. It’s a proper, full-time position. Take a look at the terms. It won’t conflict with the contract you signed with him."

"Uncle, I couldn’t possibly..." Jiangg Ning said, shocked, but before she could finish...

Jiang Zhengfeng held up a hand to stop her.

"Your talent and abilities are clear for all to see. I’m not making this arrangement just because of your relationship with Yuan. You’re meticulous and very capable. You can help me keep an eye on him, and at the same time, help him make decisions on matters he can’t resolve himself. Yuan is still young, after all. This is an official offer from headquarters... Any employee who completes a three-year contract has the opportunity to be promoted to the main office. What you do after that is up to you, but signing this will make things more convenient down the road."

"Is he... staying in Mingzhu City?"

"Yes. I’ve heard a little about what’s going on with your mother. She’s just recovered from a serious illness, so it’s natural for a daughter to want to be with her. Staying in Mingzhu City will be more convenient for everyone."

Jiangg Ning was stunned for a long moment, her heart filled with gratitude. She never thought Chen Yuan’s father would be so considerate. She and Chen Yuan had to manage things in Linzhou, which meant after Jiangg Ruxue was out of the hospital, she’d have to shuttle back and forth between the two cities, all while studying for her exams.

In fact, Jiangg Ning had already prepared herself for a long struggle, a war on two fronts. She was determined to get through this difficult period no matter what. After all, she couldn’t neglect her studies, and she absolutely couldn’t neglect her family.

She hadn’t had a chance to discuss this with Chen Yuan or her sister yet. Whether Yaoyao would even be willing to stay behind in Lanjing was a whole other issue. Yaoyao couldn’t stand being alone—she couldn’t even sleep by herself at night.

But signing this contract would make everything fall into place.

To be honest, ever since meeting Liu He and leaving Kyoto, Chen Yuan’s family had treated her and her sister impeccably. It was as if they were caring for their own daughters, and with such great tenderness.

She could certainly feel whether their kindness was genuine.

"I should probably discuss this with Chen Yuan. I need to know his thoughts on something like this."

"He’s already signed his."

"He has? In that case, I..." Jiangg Ning hesitated.

After a moment,

Jiangg Ning walked out of the study and immediately ran into Chen Yuan.

He had been waiting right outside.

"What did he talk to you about?" Chen Yuan asked, full of curiosity, tugging on her sleeve and pulling her aside.

"Your dad signed me to the Jiang Corporation. Since you’re staying in Mingzhu City, I’ll be staying here too. It’s actually perfect. I can take care of Mom for a while after she’s discharged," Jiangg Ning said, still a bit dazed as she held the document. She asked carefully, "How long will you have to stay in Mingzhu City?"

"It’s hard to say. Three months at a minimum, but it could be much longer. Who knows."

"Three months... Well, that’s definitely enough time for my exams."

The two of them headed downstairs as they talked. Jiang Zhengfeng had already gathered his things, ready to leave on a business trip. After bidding farewell to the three younger people, he left the house.

Suddenly, only Chen Yuan and the two sisters were left in the house.

The elders had all gone off to handle their own affairs.

Leaning against the sofa, Chen Yuan seemed completely drained of energy. Jiangg Ning was lost in thought, too. Seeing them both like this, Jiangg Yao grew anxious, wondering what on earth had happened.

"What’s wrong with you two? Say something! Did you get into a fight?" she asked worriedly, hugging a pillow.

"There’s been a change of plans..."

"What?"

"We might have to stay in Mingzhu City for a while, Yaoyao," Jiangg Ning said quietly. "Chen Yuan’s father transferred him here with a single order. We’ll have to put things in Linzhou on hold for now. We won’t be going back to Lanjing anytime soon."

"Huh?" Jiangg Yao froze.

She had been planning their return to Lanjing for ages. Hearing this news, her little face instantly soured. Life in Lanjing was carefree and happy, with no one to answer to. But in Mingzhu City, with Jiangg Ruxue watching over them like a hawk, how could she have any fun? She’d never be able to act as wild and unrestrained as before.

As if sensing her sister’s worries, Ningning offered, "It’s okay. We don’t have to live at home. If we need to, we can just rent a house for the three of us. You can still do whatever you want, and we can just visit home occasionally."

"I know, but... I don’t want to move," Yaoyao whined, flopping onto the sofa as if all her energy had drained away.

"What if you go back to Lanjing, Yaoyao? I can come back every week—"

"A week? No way, not a whole week! I need to see you every day. I’ll miss you like crazy if I don’t! Hubby... we just got engaged and you’re already trying to abandon me?" Hearing his suggestion, she became even more adamant.

"That’s true. It’s better for us all to be together. I wouldn’t feel right if even one of us were somewhere else," Jiangg Ning said, settling the matter.

"So we’re moving?"

"We’re moving!"

...

The air was thick with the scent of sun-baked asphalt. The sweltering heat grew more intense each day. Though there were no cicadas chirping, the roadsides were covered in water stains from the sprinkler trucks that passed back and forth several times daily, trying to cool the pavement that was hot enough to fry an egg on.

Having accomplished this major life milestone, as they drove back, Chen Yuan and the two sisters felt that even the wind had grown gentler. A deep sense of peace settled in their hearts.

Jiangg Ning watched the playfully bickering Yaoyao and Chen Yuan, a serene smile gracing her lips. It was a familiar sight.

She never would have guessed.

what Jiangg Yao and Chen Yuan had done on the night of the engagement.

That night, Yaoyao had deliberately picked a fight with Ningning. Chen Yuan had gone to "comfort" her and ended up not coming back for the rest of the night.

The two of them acted perfectly normal the next day.

But their actions grew more intimate by the day. Jiangg Yao became increasingly clingy with Chen Yuan. They would hug and share a quick kiss at a moment’s notice, and the number of their whispered conversations grew.

Jiangg Ning had no idea that the two of them had taken the final step behind her back, consummating their relationship.

Chen Yuan had become a true man.

That night, after the family dinner, Jiangg Yao, in her formal gown, had become Chen Yuan’s bride. It was the logical conclusion. With her official status as his fiancée secured, she had finally fulfilled her long-held desire.

If Jiangg Ning ever found out...

...she would probably be furious enough to explode.

For now, she hadn’t noticed anything amiss. She only felt that Jiangg Yao and Chen Yuan were exchanging more and more glances, and their whispered conversations seemed to be filled with endless little secrets...