After Divorcing the Beautiful Richest Woman, She Fell in Love (GL) - Chapter 28

Lin Feiruo had just returned from the hotel lobby with her takeout.

The chefs at a five-star hotel were certainly skilled, but having just enjoyed the superb culinary standards at Jian Xiyan’s home that morning, Lin Feiruo noticed a distinct gap during lunch.

A small gap is a gap, but a huge gap makes it hard to even compare. Lin Feiruo opened her delivery app and, with a flurry of rapid taps, ordered the go-to meal set from her intense exam-prep days.

A burger and Coke—it wasn’t healthy by any stretch of the imagination.

But Dr. Yu’s book said that satisfying emotional needs is paramount; when you crave something intensely, there’s no need for excessive restraint.

Tonight, she planned to organize her notes from the previous evening and finish Yu Qingci’s published books as quickly as possible. Unlike the comic-book adaptation she’d read first, her other works were more academic and weren’t exactly light reading.

In the past, Lin Feiruo called reading this type of material “gnawing on a book,” implying she had to use her brain to digest it bit by bit. It was mentally taxing and no small challenge. Since it was a challenge, drinking some Coke felt perfectly normal.

Lin Feiruo returned to her room happily clutching her takeout, only then discovering a message from Jian Xiyan.

[The afternoon tea was very unique and effective. Thank you for your thoughtfulness.]

Lin Feiruo checked the time; it was sent ten minutes ago. She wondered if Jian Xiyan was already busy again. Ten minutes for an ordinary person might be enough for a quick slumping on the sofa, but for Jian Xiyan, it might be enough to finalize a contract.

She didn’t expect a busy person like Jian Xiyan to have the heart for small talk; being able to find time specifically to say thank you was purely a reflection of her upbringing. After replying, Lin Feiruo put her phone down, busy unpacking her food.

[Sorry, I just saw this after getting my takeout. I’m glad you liked it.]

Besides the burger and Coke, she had also ordered Malatang. It was a bizarre pairing, but that was exactly how she ate during her academic battles.

“The reviews seem honest; it smells okay.” Opening the lid, the aroma was quite natural, without that cheap, low-quality spice scent. Lin Feiruo’s consumption level had risen; she chose the “gourmet” version of Malatang from the most expensive shop on the platform. High prices had their perks; she wasn’t short on money for meals now, so she didn’t mind a little luxury here.

As she sat back down with her Malatang, she was surprised to find that Jian Xiyan had actually replied! Looking at the timestamp, the response had come shortly after her own. She had basically made Jian Xiyan wait for seven or eight minutes.

[You’re eating takeout at the hotel?]

Faced with this reply, Lin Feiruo held her phone, wondering if Jian Xiyan was asking out of polite small talk or genuine curiosity.

[Could you share what you’re eating?]

“???”

Lin Feiruo was truly confused. Xiaomin said her sister was busy to the point of a breakdown, yet the “Iron Woman” was now using her precious time to ask what she was having for takeout?

She decided to just take a photo of the food and sent it over: [Just a casual meal, please don’t laugh.]

Subconsciously, Lin Feiruo knew her meal couldn’t compare to the meticulously prepared dishes of the Jian family’s chef.

This time, Jian Xiyan’s reply was noticeably slower. Lin Feiruo waited a minute and decided to start eating.

Jian Xiyan couldn’t finish work yet. Having meetings all day meant she had a full day’s worth of routine tasks piled up. Xu Liqing had already categorized them for her, but she still had to work overtime.

In the transition before diving into her next stretch of focused work, Jian Xiyan wanted to talk to Lin Feiruo. She had underestimated Xiaomin’s enthusiasm and her sharp observation. Today, Xiaomin had casually asked about the ring, and combined with the afternoon tea, Jian Xiyan felt it necessary to communicate with Lin Feiruo.

However, small talk wasn’t her forte. After some hesitation, she decided to force a conversation: [It looks good.]

By the time she received this message, Lin Feiruo was eating with such gusto that she was constantly wiping her nose from the spice, her mind too occupied to think of a witty reply.

Realizing the “hook” she’d thrown wasn’t enough, Jian Xiyan finally decided to be direct: [I’d like to talk to you, is it a good time?]

Lin Feiruo wiped her mouth: “That’s more like it. I thought her sudden interest in takeout was weird.”

[It’s fine, we can talk now.]

The moment the message was sent, Jian Xiyan’s call came through. Whether it was because Xiaomin’s descriptions were too vivid or Jian Xiyan was truly exhausted, Lin Feiruo could sense the weariness in her voice the moment she answered.

“Sorry to disturb your meal. I… have some things I need to discuss with you.”

Seeing her so solemn, Lin Feiruo got a bit nervous: “What is it?”

Jian Xiyan stood up, looking out the window, her free hand resting on the desk. “Xiaomin asked me today why I wasn’t wearing my wedding ring…”

Lin Feiruo glanced at her own hand; she had taken hers off the day she left the Main Residence. She wasn’t used to wearing it, and it got in the way of doing things. “I’ve put the ring away. If you want it back, I’ll bring it to you next time.”

Jian Xiyan was speechless. Does this person really think I’m calling to collect a ring?

“I don’t have time to arrange these things properly right now because of the project…”

“I understand, three months, right?” Lin Feiruo knew things hadn’t gone well at Tara Island and the internal pressure at the company must be immense.

“Xiaomin is starting school soon. I’ll try my best to keep her busy and reduce her disturbances to you,” Jian Xiyan’s hand pressed onto a thick stack of documents. “So if she asks, I hope you can help cover and stall for a bit.”

It was Lin Feiruo’s duty not to help, but helping was a gesture of goodwill; Jian Xiyan was slightly apprehensive.

“Sure, I’ll just babble and fudge my way through,” Lin Feiruo had already managed to bluff her way through once in the car; Xiaomin seemed quite easy to fool.

She agreed so readily, without using it as leverage or adding any conditions. Beyond being surprised, Jian Xiyan felt for the first time that Lin Feiruo truly had changed. She no longer revolved everything around Yan Shan.

Having secured Lin Feiruo’s agreement, Jian Xiyan relaxed a bit. she offered another chance for a reward: “Is there anything you want?”

Lin Feiruo laughed: “The fact that you reserved all those tickets has already left me overwhelmed. I can’t be greedy.”

Jian Xiyan heard the sincerity in her satisfaction. This was the second time Lin Feiruo hadn’t tried to score benefits for Yan Shan.

In fact, Lin Feiruo wanted to ask how she felt after the afternoon tea, but hearing a knock on the door in the background and fearing she was interrupting work, she proactively said she needed to continue eating and hung up.

Jian Xiaomin brought Jian Shenyao to the door, wanting to call her back to the Main Residence for dinner. “Sis, Mom said she made soup today and wants you back early.”

Jian Xiyan glanced at the files she’d just been pressing and shook her head. “I still have many reports to approve. I won’t be going over today.”

Jian Shenyao said meaningfully, “Xiyan, work is never-ending. You’ve had a long day; give yourself some space.”

Jian Xiyan still shook her head. “The issues with the Qinghe project must be resolved as soon as possible. I’m racing against time.”

Jian Shenyao narrowed his eyes but quickly switched back to a concerned elder’s tone: “I can’t persuade you, but you really must take care of your body. Don’t worry us like you did last night.”

“I know.”

Xiaomin reluctantly said goodbye to her sister. Just as she reached the door, she heard Jian Xiyan’s voice from behind: “Xiaomin, remember to be at the office on time tomorrow.”

“Ah? The internship continues tomorrow?”

Jian Xiyan curved her lips slightly. “Your vacation balance is low; you should make the most of your internship time.”

Jian Shenyao chimed in: “Xiyan is right. You should put in some heart so you don’t become a joke when you join the company next year.”

Xiaomin thought to herself that resolving her sister’s marriage crisis required being around her more. Although interning was boring, luckily it wasn’t exhausting. “Fine, I’ll be here at nine.”

“Eight-thirty,” Jian Xiyan corrected calmly.

“Why?”

“To finish the reports you didn’t finish today.”

Xiaomin had already looked at many reports today. Although the types were basically the same—once you understood one, it was just repetition—it wasn’t difficult. “Sis…”

Jian Xiyan looked at her as usual: “It’s for your own good.”

Jian Shenyao was about to speak, but Xiaomin beat him to it: “Understood, I’ll be here at eight-thirty.”

On the way home, Xiaomin was puzzled: “How strange. Why did my sister become so strict after the meeting?” That morning she said she could accept a lower quality of internship, and it hadn’t even been a day!

Jian Shenyao thought it was good: “A strict teacher makes a fine student. It’s a good thing Xiyan is willing to manage you.”

Xiaomin sulked alone, not wanting to discuss it with her father. In her mind, there was a generational gap between her and Jian Shenyao; the older generation didn’t understand the thoughts of young people, and talking too much would only lead to a fight.

Lin Feiruo persisted until nearly 1:00 AM before stopping. She hadn’t finished the book but was tired. She wouldn’t force herself if she couldn’t stay up; she was kinder to herself now. In the past, suffering was to earn more money in the future; now that she had money, there was no need to force the suffering. She was satisfied with her progress and her full stomach.

After showering, she thought about the ring and planned to find a chance to return it. It was bought with someone else’s money; she didn’t want it.

Lying in bed, her only regret was not receiving a reply from Dr. Yu. But she quickly comforted herself—it hadn’t been that long, and someone so busy might not have seen it yet. Even sending a paper to a supervisor could take two or three days; she had to have more patience with Dr. Yu.

When Lin Feiruo entered dreamland, Jian Xiyan had just returned to He Garden. Aunt Shu met her and immediately asked, “Would the Young Mistress like something to eat?”

Jian Xiyan shook her head, handing her bag over. “I had a full dinner, I won’t eat.”

Shu Wanxia didn’t push, but just as she was about to leave, she was called back. Jian Xiyan pondered for a moment: “Make a cup of cactus juice.”

Shu Wanxia was surprised but didn’t ask why; her job was to comply. In the kitchen, Xiao Xuan was pulling out spines, confused: “Has the Young Mistress suddenly fallen in love with this?”

Shu Wanxia remembered the way Lin Feiruo had coaxed Jian Xiyan to try it last night and said gratifiedly: “It might not be the juice she wants.”

“Huh?” Xiao Xuan looked at the nearly bald cactus and then at the table. “Could she like the spines?”

Shu Wanxia gave her an irritated look. “You really don’t have a romantic bone in your body.” She successfully passed on the remark Xiaomin had made to her the night before.

Previously, the Young Mistress’s attitude toward floral tea was quite flat, but tonight she actively requested cactus juice. Shu Wanxia attributed the reason to the person who gave it. The effect of her serving tea was far different from Miss Feiruo coaxing her to drink.

Sigh, a pity Miss Feiruo didn’t come tonight. Wondering how they were doing, Shu Wanxia carried the cup upstairs.

Jian Xiyan was drying her hair after a shower. Seeing Aunt Shu, she curved her lips: “Put it down, you should get some rest early too.”

Shu Wanxia thought she was embarrassed and hiding her feelings, so she smiled knowingly and gently closed the door.

Jian Xiyan looked at the half-cup of emerald green, feeling it was a bit incredible herself. She didn’t know why she suddenly wanted to drink this; likely because her sleep quality had been excellent after drinking it last night, which was a rare luxury for her. The feeling after drinking it was a bit different from yesterday, and the effect wasn’t as obvious as she expected, but it was better than usual.

The next day at the office, Xiaomin found a mountain of files on her desk, and Xu Liqing was still having people bring more.

“Sister Liqing… it feels like I’m being set up to live at the office.”

Xu Liqing was powerless to help. “Read faster, and you might make it home for a late-night snack.”

“Is this allowed?” Xiaomin flipped a folder open, shook it a few times, and closed it, pretending she’d finished one.

“What do you think?”

Xiaomin and Xu Liqing looked over together to see Jian Xiyan walking in, dressed in a black suit skirt. Her hair was pinned up perfectly today, paired with pearl earrings—noble yet gentle.

She walked over to Xiaomin. “Take your time. It’s okay if you don’t finish today.”

Xiaomin looked up and smiled, only to hear her sister add: “Continue tomorrow.”

After saying that, Jian Xiyan went straight into her office. Xiaomin honestly pulled out a report and began reading slowly. Xu Liqing sensed something and was sure it was intentional on Jian Xiyan’s part. However, she didn’t want to expose it, so she just patted Xiaomin’s shoulder: “Good luck.”

Jian Xiyan went to another meeting in the morning—this time an internal one—taking Xu Liqing with her. Xiaomin was left unsupervised again and, being truly tired, decided to slack off.

[Sister Feiruo, are you free tomorrow? Let’s go out for a meal.]

Lin Feiruo happened to be resting after reading for over two hours; her eyes were sore. Seeing Xiaomin’s message, she was confused: Didn’t Jian Xiyan say she would keep her busy?

[Aren’t you busy?]

[No matter how busy I am, I still have to eat. And I’m starting school soon; I won’t have a chance to eat with you then.]

It was a heartfelt plea, sounding full of expectation for the meal. Since Lin Feiruo owed her a favor, she naturally didn’t refuse.

[Then let me know the time and place once they’re set.]

Xiaomin sent an OK emoji, clutching her phone and giggling. Next, she would wait for her sister to return from her meeting and invite her to lunch tomorrow.

No matter how busy she was, she was going to save her sister and Sister Feiruo’s relationship!