Chapter 92: The Fourth Card

Yao Jia accepted Meng Xingzhe’s kiss.

Her heart pounded as she thought about how she could be his salvation. But then she wondered, wasn’t he her salvation too? Without him, her relationship with her family would still be strained, and she would still be a rebellious and immature Yao Jia.

His lips gently caressed hers, sending shivers down her spine.

It seemed like ages since they last kissed. At some point, he had stopped being so forward with her. After such a long time, this kiss felt like their first, making her heart race and her blood surge.

He slipped his tongue in, tenderly tracing hers. She closed her eyes, slightly lost in the sensation.

The room was silent, save for the heavy beating of their hearts and the increasingly rapid sound of their breathing.

It was hard to tell if the air conditioner was heating the room or if it was just them getting hotter.

The kiss, in the rising warmth, gradually shifted from gentle to passionate, then intense. Soft pecks and slow kisses turned into deep embraces and fervent sucking. In the quiet room, their intertwined breaths grew hurried, and the sound of their kiss was moist and enchanting.

Yao Jia felt dizzy, almost breathless, with the pressure and warmth of his hands on her waist and back. She felt like she was being absorbed into him.

She subconsciously sensed that this kiss might lead to something uncontrollable. She hadn’t yet decided whether to embrace it or restrain it.

In the next moment, Meng Xingzhe suddenly pushed her away.

She opened her eyes, staring at him in a daze.

He held her shoulders, pulling her back, panting heavily, his eyes still filled with intense longing.

“Old Meng said I need to learn to respect you!”

Yao Jia was surprised that Meng Xingzhe would bring up his father at such a moment.

“Old Meng said we shouldn’t rush things until we’ve fully understood each other’s past and present.”

Yao Jia tilted her head, confused but amused. “If we’re not supposed to rush, why did you kiss me like that before?”

Meng Xingzhe immediately sold out his friend: “That was all Bei Luonan’s idea.”

Yao Jia: “…”

She could easily imagine how Ling Xiaoxin and Bei Luonan usually played around.

In the next instant, Meng Xingzhe released her shoulders and said, still panting, “Wait for me a moment. I’m going to get some cold water to calm down!”

“…”

Yao Jia watched as Meng Xingzhe actually ran to the fridge, grabbed a cold bottle of mineral water, twisted it open, and drank it down, his Adam’s apple moving up and down rapidly, looking both manly and alluring.

After drinking, he wiped his mouth and turned to her with a mischievous smile.

“…” Yao Jia’s heart skipped a beat with both tension and excitement.

She thought, with his seductive actions and smile, he might have changed his mind again, unable to resist teasing her. What should she do then? Accept or refuse?!

As her mind was spinning with thoughts, he smiled mischievously and said:

“Put on your coat, I’ll take you home!”

“…”

But why did he have to say it in such a suggestive tone?!

Meng Xingzhe held Yao Jia’s hand as they strolled slowly from the west district to the east, moving at a snail’s pace, making the distance between two streetlights feel like two streets. Yet, even at this pace, they soon arrived at their destination.

Meng Xingzhe gave Yao Jia a domineering nod. “You’re home, go on in.” His voice and tone were crisp and decisive.

“…” Yao Jia was speechless, “Can you let go of my hand?”

Who said that only women are contradictory? This skill fits this proud man perfectly.

Meng Xingzhe squeezed Yao Jia’s hand twice more before finally letting her go.

But after releasing her hand, he didn’t let her go inside right away. Blocking her path, he said playfully, “Hey, wait a minute. Are you just going to leave like that? That’s not polite. You should say something before we part!”

“…”

Yao Jia thought, her sympathy for him seemed to be fading away…

He suddenly raised his hand to ruffle her hair. “Just kidding, don’t force yourself to say something. Your eyes are almost crossing.”

“…” Her sympathy was really disappearing!

Fortunately, in the next moment, his voice and tone finally sounded somewhat normal. “Go inside, it’s cold out here.”

His voice was at its most gentle and soothing, making Yao Jia’s heart flutter.

She couldn’t help but tug at the lapels of his coat, pulling him down.

He leaned in, looking at her and asking, “What’s up, hmm?”

She leaned in close to his ear, her face reddening before she even spoke. She bit her lip before whispering, “Actually, I liked it when you kissed me that day; but I like your attitude now even more!”

After speaking, she quickly pecked his cheek, then slipped something into his coat pocket. With that, she turned and ran back home.

Meng Xingzhe stood there, dumbfounded, under the streetlight, touching his cheek with a silly grin.

It was her first time kissing him on her own.

After smiling for a while, he reached into his coat pocket and found a card.

As he looked at the card, he took out his phone and called the girl who had just returned home.

“What kind of card is this?” he asked, his voice filled with amusement.

“Guess,” she teased.

“A No-Flirting Heartfelt Card?” he guessed after a long pause.

But the person on the other end declared him wrong: “Nope!”

Meng Xingzhe guessed a few more random names, all declared incorrect.

“A Take-You-Home Heartfelt Card?”

“What’s so heartfelt about that? Wrong!”

“A Help-Huang-Dahuang-Transport-Huang-Xiaohuang Heartfelt Card?”

“Pfft! Wrong!”

“This-Guy-Is-Too-Handsome Heartfelt Card?”

“Hahaha, shameless! Wrong!”

Finally, Yao Jia said, “My mom’s calling me to eat fruit, bye!”

She hung up, leaving Meng Xingzhe anxious, pleading for her to come back and tell him the answer…

But the dial tone was all he heard.

He shook his head and sighed, holding his phone. If there were a mirror, he’d see his lips curling into a smile, feeling helpless yet thoroughly content.

Suddenly, a message popped up on his phone.

He quickly opened it.

It was from the girl he cherished, telling him—

[Dummy, this is a Sympathy Heartfelt Card. Little General Manager Yao will make sure your future is filled with happiness. Pat on the head!]

Meng Xingzhe held his phone, staring at the screen, feeling as if her words had struck him right in the heart, leaving him tingling from head to toe. He couldn’t stop grinning, even if he wanted to.

The next day, both Yao Jia and Meng Xingzhe received a hotpot invitation from Tian Huasheng.

Tian Huasheng created a group chat for the three of them and sent a message—

Tian Huasheng: [Hey, I heard you two made up?]

“…”

Yao Jia quickly asked: [Who told you that?]

Tian Huasheng: [Little Lawyer Ling!]

Yao Jia thought, well, Ling Xiaoxin has turned into a gossip too.

Tian Huasheng: [So if I put you two at the same table for dinner now, you won’t fight, right?]

“…”

Yao Jia thought, it seems Ling Xiaoxin isn’t too much of a gossip, since Tian Huasheng doesn’t seem to know that not only have she and Meng Xingzhe reconciled, but they’ve also developed an unusual relationship.

Just then, she saw Meng Xingzhe send a message in the group.

Meng Xingzhe: [How could you say that? Am I the type to use my fists?]

Yao Jia thought, are you trying to show off your gentlemanly demeanor? But in the next second—

Meng Xingzhe: [Why use fists when money can solve the problem?]

Tian Huasheng immediately countered: [Bro, aren’t you still in debt to Jia? Do you have money now?]

Meng Xingzhe: [……]

Yao Jia laughed heartily at her phone screen.

She saw Tian Huasheng send another message: [Bro, Jia, let’s have hotpot together at the dorm after work tonight!]

Tian Huasheng: [Great news today! Sister Lidan has won her divorce and property cases! Let’s celebrate together!]

Yao Jia was initially very busy. She had planned to review a case involving a refurbished phone she had handled while working in the Customer Service Department. But upon hearing that Hao Lidan had won her case, and realizing she hadn’t seen Tian Huasheng in a while, she quickly replied in the group chat:

Yao Jia: [Great! We’ll come over after work!]

She also tagged Meng Xingzhe: [@Meng Xingzhe, you’re in charge of buying groceries after work.]

She teasingly listed several dishes that Meng Xingzhe had previously sworn he wouldn’t eat, even if his life depended on it.

Surprisingly, Meng Xingzhe agreed without complaint, replying that there was no problem.

Yao Jia thought for a moment and added: [Don’t forget to buy chives.]

Meng Xingzhe: [I would have bought that even if you hadn’t mentioned it.]

Tian Huasheng sent a laughing emoji: [Oh my! I really want to screenshot this conversation and post it on the forum, so everyone can see how two Domineering CEOs are discussing buying chives in my group chat!]

Yao Jia laughed. Then she asked Tian Huasheng if he had invited Ling Xiaoxin as well.

Tian Huasheng replied: [I did, but Little Lawyer Ling said she was exhausted after Sister Lidan’s case, so she’s taken some vacation time and is currently enjoying herself abroad!]

Yao Jia thought to herself that this girl went on a trip without telling her. And with Ling Xiaoxin’s timid nature, did she really dare to travel abroad alone?

The next moment, she received a private message from Meng Xingzhe: [Bei Luonan also took a vacation and went abroad.]

Yao Jia immediately sensed a romantic elopement between a man and a woman.

After work, Yao Jia stopped by the market and bought a lot of lamb slices, then had her assistant help carry a case of wine to the dormitory.

When Tian Huasheng saw Yao Jia, he was so happy he almost jumped, wanting to hug her but hesitating because of the assistant’s presence. So he twisted himself into a pretzel of joy, giving Yao Jia an air hug.

Unable to stand his awkwardness, Yao Jia simply walked over and hugged him.

Tian Huasheng was so happy he almost cried.

“Oh, my dear third sister, you’re still my third sister! Oh, God, I’m so happy!”

…Yao Jia wanted to ask if Tian Huasheng had been watching some dubbed foreign films lately.

She let go of Tian Huasheng, thanked her assistant, and told him to be careful on the way back.

Tian Huasheng clapped his hands and said, “Our Little General Manager Yao is truly approachable, treating assistants like friends and me like family. I’ve never seen a ‘CEO’ who enjoys life with the people like this!”

As soon as he finished speaking, there was the sound of plastic bags rustling at the entrance, followed by a deep male voice: “Today, you’ll get the chance to enjoy life with two ‘CEOs’!”

Meng Xingzhe had arrived, carrying a bunch of groceries.

Ignoring his suit and tie, and his own not-so-clean apron, Tian Huasheng let out a cheer and rushed over to hug Meng Xingzhe.

“Bro, bro! I’ve missed you so much, bro!”

His excitement even made his voice tremble with a lilt.

Meng Xingzhe looked disdainful, complaining, “Get off, get off, isn’t it a bit much for two grown men to hug like this?” But he didn’t really resist the brotherly affection.

Yao Jia stood by, smiling with her eyes.

Just then, Hao Lidan came out of the kitchen, greeting them with a slightly awkward demeanor.

Yao Jia quickly told her to be as she always was, assuring her that no matter what her status was outside, in the dormitory, she was still the same Yao Jia from the Customer Service Department.

Hao Lidan smiled, her awkwardness fading away.

At that moment, Yao Jia noticed another person coming out of the kitchen. She had her sleeves rolled up and was carrying a basin, asking Tian Huasheng and Hao Lidan, “Sister Lidan, Xiao Tiantian, does this look clean enough?”

Yao Jia’s eyes widened, seeing Tong Yumo, who had integrated with everyone and was even helping out.

Yao Jia pulled Tian Huasheng into the kitchen to wash vegetables.

Under the guise of washing vegetables, she actually wanted to hear about Tong Yumo’s situation.

“Has Tong Yumo moved into the master bedroom with the private bathroom?” Yao Jia asked.

Tian Huasheng shook his head, “Nope.”

Yao Jia was surprised. She thought that after Meng Xingzhe and she moved out, Tong Yumo would immediately seize the opportunity to move into the master bedroom.

“That room is now occupied by Sister Luoxi and her daughter Shanshan. Tong Yumo said it would be more convenient for a single mom with a child to live there.” He paused and winked at Yao Jia, “Your old room is now occupied by Sister Lidan!”

Yao Jia casually remarked, “Do you two really need separate rooms?”

Tian Huasheng yelped, dropping the vegetables he was washing into the sink, “I didn’t, I don’t, don’t make things up! Until her divorce is finalized, we’re strictly platonic!”

Seeing Tian Huasheng’s face turn as red as a cooked lobster, Yao Jia quickly apologized for her slip of the tongue.

Then she steered the conversation back to Tong Yumo: “Seriously, Tong Yumo didn’t take the master bedroom?” She was genuinely surprised. Was this the same Tong Yumo she knew? The one who was selfish, spoiled, and downright peculiar?

“Why such a big change?” Yao Jia couldn’t help but ask Tian Huasheng.

Tian Huasheng thought for a moment and said, “After you left, Lu Fangfei’s mom came to make trouble several times. Each time, Tong Yumo transformed into a fierce tigress and drove that troublesome old lady away.”

Tian Huasheng mimicked Tong Yumo’s fierce demeanor, and Yao Jia could almost see Tong Yumo grabbing Lu Fangfei’s mom by the collar and tossing her out.

Tian Huasheng’s imitation was spot-on.

“Eventually, whenever that troublesome old lady showed up, Tong Yumo would turn into a warrior goddess and chase her off. Over time, Tong Yumo and Lu Fangfei grew really close and became good friends. Sister Lidan said Lu Fangfei is straightforward and says what’s on her mind, so she directly told Tong Yumo—”

Yao Jia listened as Tian Huasheng imitated Lu Fangfei’s straightforward tone: “Tong Yumo, you’re actually a good girl. Why do you always make yourself seem so pretentious? Look at your true self, strong and willing to help. It’s great! Why pretend to be weak and innocent? Honestly, your fake demeanor is something people dislike, even laugh at, though no one else is as blunt as I am to tell you.”

Yao Jia nodded vigorously, fully agreeing with Lu Fangfei’s words.

She heard Tian Huasheng continue in Lu Fangfei’s tone: “Yumo, why are you so stingy with money? It makes people think you’re only generous to yourself and stingy with others. But when you help me, I can see you’re actually selfless, helping without expecting anything in return. I find you contradictory, but I can’t figure out why you’re like this.”

Tian Huasheng then returned to his own voice.

“I learned all this from Sister Lidan. Anyway, ever since Lu Fangfei said that to Tong Yumo, Tong Yumo really started to change. The first change was when she voluntarily gave the room with a private bathroom to Chen Luoxi and Shanshan. After that, she even started contributing money to join us for dinner!”

Yao Jia couldn’t help but exclaim, “Oh, your dinner squad has recruited a new member!” She clicked her tongue twice in disbelief. “Tong Yumo is really not the same as before if she’s willing to spend money now!”

After washing the vegetables, everything was nearly ready.

With the hot pot on the table and all the ingredients prepared, everyone gathered around: Yao Jia, Meng Xingzhe, Tian Huasheng, Hao Lidan, Tong Yumo, Chen Luoxi, and Lu Fangfei.

When Yao Jia saw Lu Fangfei approach, Tong Yumo immediately went over to her. Yao Jia wondered what quality Lu Fangfei possessed that attracted Tong Yumo so much, prompting her to change.

But regardless, it’s good that she’s changing.

At first, when they sat down, everyone except Tian Huasheng and Hao Lidan seemed a bit reserved around Yao Jia.

Yao Jia quickly reassured them, “Don’t be like that. Once you’re through this door, I’m still the same Yao Jia from the Customer Service Department. Treat me the same way you always have!”

She smiled, a straightforward and carefree smile like before, which immediately put everyone at ease.

Seeing her smile, Meng Xingzhe was reminded of the three months they spent together in this dormitory, filled with playful banter and sweet moments.

His heart softened, and he reached under the table to hold Yao Jia’s hand.

She tried to dodge, but he caught her hand again. After that, she didn’t avoid him anymore.

He looked up, noticing her ears turning a faint shade of red, though she maintained a composed expression.

He found her both amusing and adorable.

As they ate and chatted, the drinks began to flow.

With the alcohol loosening tongues, barriers and awkwardness were washed away.

After another round of drinks, Yao Jia chatted with Chen Luoxi, “Sister Luoxi, where’s little Shanshan?”

Chen Luoxi replied, “Tang Minghui took her out to play. That child sticks to him like glue now!”

Yao Jia laughed, “Well, that’s because Tang Minghui doesn’t mind being clung to.”

Chen Luoxi chuckled, a hint of sweet embarrassment in her smile.

Yao Jia then turned to Lu Fangfei, “Fangfei, does your mom still bother you often?”

Lu Fangfei nodded, “But it doesn’t matter. I should thank you, Yao Jia, and your friend Little Lawyer Ling, and Meng Xingzhe. You’ve all helped me so much. Little Lawyer Ling has already started the legal process for me. I just need to pay my mom alimony according to the law each month. If she wants more, I won’t give it. As for her causing trouble,” she glanced at Tong Yumo with a smile, “Yumo will help me deal with her.”

Yao Jia turned to look at Tong Yumo. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

But Tong Yumo smiled at her first and surprisingly raised her glass, “Yao Jia, let me toast to you first!”

Yao Jia raised her glass and drank with her.

Tong Yumo set down her glass, her eyes glistening, blinking like before. She seemed like the innocent, gentle Tong Yumo of the past, yet not quite.

“Yao Jia,” Tong Yumo’s expression suddenly changed. The doe-eyed innocence vanished, and though her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, her eyes were clear. She was no longer the same Tong Yumo. “I might as well be honest with you. I’ve never liked you. I didn’t like you when I thought you were ordinary, and I liked you even less when I found out you weren’t. Why don’t I like you? Maybe it’s because no matter how hard I try to be nice or pitiful, it never wins people over like your straightforwardness and banter do.”

Yao Jia listened quietly to Tong Yumo’s confession. To her surprise, she felt a twinge of sympathy.

“You, or any of you here,” Tong Yumo gestured around the room, “probably can’t understand how I feel. If you don’t act a little weak, a little pitiful, a little obedient, you don’t get attention or care… But never mind, I’ve had too much to drink. Why am I even saying this?”

She laughed, a seemingly innocent and pitiful laugh, instantly reverting to the old Tong Yumo.

Watching her, Yao Jia felt she couldn’t get angry, no matter how much Tong Yumo acted today.

Tong Yumo clearly had her own struggles, unknown to others.

Just like Yao Jia once did, appearing as a well-off heiress, yet enduring the torment of familial conflicts.

She changed the subject, suggesting they all raise their glasses again to celebrate Hao Lidan’s victory in her lawsuit and her dignified return to freedom.

Meng Xingzhe teased Tian Huasheng, “Xiao Tiantian, it’s time to prepare for marriage.”

Tian Huasheng’s face, already red from the alcohol, turned even redder. He covered his face in surprise, “Oh, have you all noticed I’m with Sister Lidan?”

Everyone nodded.

Meng Xingzhe chuckled, “Did you think you hid it well? That no one knew you were dating? Did you feel accomplished thinking you were discreet?”

Tian Huasheng, embarrassed, almost wanted to hide, “Isn’t that the case?”

His reaction made everyone burst into laughter.

Hao Lidan, seeing him so flustered, felt sorry for him and turned to Meng Xingzhe, “Xiao Meng, aren’t you the same? Did you think no one noticed you like Yao Jia? Everyone’s known for a long time!”

Now it was Yao Jia’s turn to blush and want to hide, while Meng Xingzhe was surprised, “Was I that obvious?”

“How could you not be!” Tian Huasheng, now emboldened, straightened up and said, “You teased me, but you were even more obvious! Everyone guessed you liked Jia long ago!”

He paused, then in a playful tone, began counting on his fingers, “Thinking back over the past three months, you liked Jia early on! You never helped anyone but Jia; you didn’t like talking to anyone but loved arguing with Jia; you said no hot pot at home, but when Jia ate, you joined in; you were too lazy to peel shrimp, but you did it for Jia; you were so biased! And when we went picking, you kept saying the oranges were sour. They weren’t! They were sweet. You were just jealous of that Yue guy!”

Yao Jia, blushing, listened to others describe how Meng Xingzhe liked her.

It was more touching than hearing it directly from Meng Xingzhe.

She heard Meng Xingzhe still trying to argue, “Xiao Tiantian, here, eat this bunch of chives and shut up!”

**

After eating and drinking for a while, and teasing each other about personal matters, the conversation naturally shifted to work.

Yao Jia asked everyone if they had any discomforts or dissatisfactions in their positions, urging them to honestly report back so she could help improve their benefits.

As they talked, Chen Luoxi, who had been coordinating financial matters with Yao Jia, casually asked, “How’s the investigation on the refurbished machines going?”

Yao Jia looked around the room before saying, “I consider everyone here to be one of us, so I won’t hide anything. I’m still investigating the refurbished machines.”

She paused and said, “I recently went to the countryside, and someone sold refurbished Kunyu Electric machines as new ones to the villagers.” Her voice dropped, filled with barely contained anger and regret. “Do you know how hard life is for people in the countryside? They rely on the land and their labor to earn a living, and even after a year, they can’t save much. Yet someone deceives them with refurbished machines to make money off their hard-earned cash! Anyone with a conscience shouldn’t do such a thing!”

The alcohol amplified her emotions, and as she grew more agitated, she couldn’t help but slap the table.

Meng Xingzhe reached out to gently pat her back.

Yao Jia took a deep breath and began to describe the impoverished dirt roads of the countryside, the villagers’ simple and warm-hearted nature, and the difficulty they face in earning a living.

By the time she finished speaking, everyone was furious.

Hao Lidan said, “Selling refurbished machines as new ones to the countryside is truly heartless!”

Lu Fangfei added, “How can those who sell refurbished machines spend that money with a clear conscience? Aren’t they afraid of retribution?”

Chen Luoxi sighed heavily, speaking with a grave tone, “Refurbished machines are made of old parts. It’s one thing if they just break down, but if they cause a fire or an explosion and lead to loss of life… it’s truly a wicked act!”

Tong Yumo opened her mouth, but seemed too shocked to speak. After sighing, she asked, “If someone really dies because of this, shouldn’t those who sold the refurbished machines pay with their lives too?”

Tian Huasheng immediately responded with righteous indignation, “Absolutely! The problem is, even if those bastards who sold the refurbished machines pay with their lives, the lives of the innocent can’t be brought back!” He turned to Yao Jia and said, “Jia, for the sake of those innocent people, you have to do your best to get to the bottom of this!”

Yao Jia nodded vigorously.