Volume One, Chapter 73: Waiting for Her

Faced with Yan Yan’s suspicious gaze, Lin Hongguang smiled meaningfully and took the initiative to pick up his glass, signaling a toast to her across the table.

“In a while, it’ll be announced publicly. Mother-in-law, get ready with the gifts,” he said, drinking gleefully.

He was deliberately keeping them in suspense, but from the subtle changes in his expression, it was clear that this was an exceptionally good turn of events for the Lin family. His happiness was genuine, so much so that he was willing to sacrifice some of the company’s interests for it.

Yan Yan was momentarily stunned. She forced a smile and raised her glass in response, all the while casting a probing look at Jiang Wan.

She saw that Jiang Wan’s gaze was fixed on Lin Zhi. Those beautiful, almond-shaped eyes now held a deep and complicated expression. It seemed likely that Lu Wenzhou and Lin Zhi were indeed together.

The thought that the Lin family might actually become affiliated with the Lu family filled Yan Yan with intense reluctance. If that happened, the Gu family’s standing in Rongcheng would become even more precarious. Where once they stood as equals in competition, with the Lin family becoming relatives of the Lus, the Gu family would be left with nothing but scraps. They would be forced to follow behind, taking only what was left.

This plot of land was just the beginning.

Yan Yan could not hide her bitterness, and could only vent her frustration by drinking. Lin Hongguang’s pride was written all over his face. He turned the lazy Susan, inviting Shen Xinghe to help himself to food.

At that moment, a plate of fish stopped in front of Lin Zhi. She frowned reflexively, raised a hand to pinch her nose, her expression one of discomfort.

“I’m going to the restroom,” Lin Zhi said, standing up and leaving the private room in front of everyone.

Jiang Wan watched her every move, her eyes following Lin Zhi until the lazy Susan spun again.

“This fish looks good. Want to try some?” Shen Xinghe asked Jiang Wan, poised to serve her.

“No, thank you,” Jiang Wan declined politely.

Shen Xinghe shrugged and served himself some fish. Then he reached into the nearby basket and picked up an egg tart.

“You haven’t tried these yet, have you? They’re getting cold,” he said, offering the tart to Jiang Wan. “At least try this? I just had one—they’re really good.”

Jiang Wan couldn’t refuse again, so she reached out with both hands to accept it. “Thank you.”

“There’s no need to be so polite with me,” Shen Xinghe said breezily, acting as if he and Jiang Wan were really family.

While Jiang Wan felt both flattered and cautious, she glanced at Yan Yan to gauge her reaction.

Her expression remained indifferent, as though she didn’t care.

At that moment, all Yan Yan could think about was how to turn the situation around and restore the Gu family’s standing. Nothing else mattered to her.

Relieved, Jiang Wan took a bite of the egg tart. The smooth, delicate texture filled her mouth. Unlike regular egg tarts, there was something else in this one. She pressed her lips together, trying to distinguish the flavor—perhaps it was mango, though she wasn’t certain.

Frowning slightly, she hesitated, unsure whether to swallow or spit it out.

Shen Xinghe noticed her reaction and asked seriously, “You don’t like it?”

Jiang Wan didn’t get a chance to answer; her body responded instinctively, and she swallowed the tart.

“No, it’s very good,” she answered without thinking, but placed the remaining half back on her plate. She didn’t take another bite.

It was then that she felt the heavy, shadowed gaze of a man.

Lu Wenzhou, sitting diagonally across from her, rested his fingers on the base of his wine glass, his posture relaxed and casual—but his eyes bored into her as though he meant to devour her.

Throughout the meal, everyone harbored their own thoughts. Only Shen Xinghe and Lin Hongguang seemed to enjoy themselves fully.

When the dinner finally ended, Yan Yan, in a rare gesture, offered to take Jiang Wan home. The two of them rode together in her private car, sitting in the back seat.

As the luxury vehicle cruised down the road, the atmosphere was tense.

Yan Yan had drunk a great deal, her mood sour. Leaning against the door with one hand to her forehead, she looked both weary and troubled.

Sensing the tension, Jiang Wan kept silent the entire way.

Finally, Yan Yan asked with her eyes closed, “Do you know what happy news the Lin family has?”

Her voice was soft, but every word made Jiang Wan’s heart tremble. Sitting beside her, Jiang Wan’s hands, folded on her lap, involuntarily clenched tighter. In the dim light, her eyes grew even darker.

Lin Zhi was pregnant.

She was almost certain of it.

But after a moment’s thought, Jiang Wan realized she couldn’t reveal this to Yan Yan. After all, Lin Hongguang had said they would announce it later. Since they had decided to keep it secret for now, they must still be preparing, waiting for the right moment.

“I don’t know,” Jiang Wan replied.

Yan Yan had expected as much. “I knew I couldn’t count on you,” she said irritably. “Can’t manage the company, can’t control your husband, and now you can’t even find out anything from your own mother?”

Jiang Wan felt a tightness in her chest.

Yan Yan was using her as a punching bag.

“Ever since you two married, not a single good thing has happened to the Gu family,” Yan Yan said coldly, her eyes filled with disdain.

“Mom,” Jiang Wan took a deep breath, suppressing her emotions. “It was Huaixu who ran away from the wedding, and he’s the one who disappeared. I’ve been working hard on the land deal, and I’ve kept in touch with Daniel the whole time.”

“And the result?” Yan Yan snapped. “Isn’t it just the same?”

“But it wasn’t my fault,” Jiang Wan insisted. “I’ve done everything I could.”

Yan Yan was left speechless.

The anger that had been rising in her throat suddenly ebbed away.

The atmosphere in the car grew more strained after their exchange. The driver couldn’t help but glance at them in the rearview mirror. He hadn’t expected Jiang Wan, who had always seemed so meek and obedient to Yan Yan, to talk back.

Neither woman looked pleased.

“What’s Daniel’s attitude?” After a pause, Yan Yan broke the silence, her tone somewhat softened. “Is he still of the same mind, not caring who the partner is as long as the land is secured?”

“For now, yes,” Jiang Wan replied, trying to remain polite. She summarized her recent communications with Daniel, highlighting the key points for Yan Yan—including the dossiers she’d prepared for Gu Construction, Daniel’s satisfaction with their qualifications, and their discussions about the resort’s design and construction.

Daniel showed appreciation for Jiang Wan’s abilities as well.

With Jiang Wan’s reassurances, Yan Yan felt a little more at ease. Yet the thought of the land almost certainly falling into the Lin family’s hands left her both resentful and helpless.

“If it comes to it, we’ll have to take a roundabout approach—gain the Lin family’s trust and work with them for now, then see if we can find another way later. Prepare for both outcomes,” Yan Yan said just as the car pulled up to Royal Bay.

“Alright,” Jiang Wan agreed. After saying goodbye, she grabbed her coat and got out of the car.

Eager to be rid of Yan Yan, she closed the door behind her, not noticing that her phone had slipped from her coat pocket onto the seat as she exited.

She watched the car drive off a few meters, then turned and headed for the house.

But what she never expected was that, before she could reach her door, a tall figure was already standing by the elevator, waiting for her.