Please Marry Me (GL) - Chapter 4

Once Shen Siyun had talked herself through her annoyance, she rubbed her temples with one hand and picked up a contract to review. Suddenly, she let out a string of sneezes.

Her secretary came over to check on her. “President Shen, should I get you a jacket?”

Shen Siyun waved her off without looking up, her red lips parting slightly. “No need. Just bring me a cup of hot coffee. Also, set up a meeting with Mr. DeWald for tomorrow to discuss the musical instrument import partnership.”

“Understood,” the secretary replied.

“President Shen, this way please,” Secretary Ding Lanqi said, leading the way.

Mr. DeWald owned a line of instruments and was currently looking for experienced distributors capable of handling sales in multiple countries. This was the partnership Shen Siyun was fighting for. While Jiayu Trading Group had its own products, agency distribution was one of the company’s core pillars—especially when the exchange rate difference between the source and the sales region offered substantial profit margins.

“Mr. DeWald, Jiayu Trading has distribution branches in Japan, Spain, Singapore, and several Western European countries. Last year, we took over the agency for Kanal’s grand pianos; sales in the first quarter grew by 46% compared to their previous direct sales model. Regarding your SP-7800 nickel-silver tenor saxophone, we conducted an in-depth study on its tonal fullness, ease of play, and parts replacement. It is a superior product. I can say with confidence that even competing products from OEM factories in Taiwan cannot truly replace the SP-7800. Quality products deserve the favor of discerning customers. In our ten-plus years of operation, our database of instrument enthusiasts overlaps with your target market by at least 40%…”

“Finally, I know you are concerned about after-sales maintenance and parts replacement, which can hurt a brand’s reputation if mishandled. If Jiayu has the honor of partnering with you, we will staff every distribution region with professional technicians for dedicated after-sales service…”

After reading the entire bidding proposal, DeWald nodded in satisfaction. He stood up and shook Shen Siyun’s hand.

“A pleasure doing business with you!”

“The pleasure is mine.”

With the contract secured, the follow-up tasks and specific planning had to be implemented immediately. By the time Shen Siyun finally found a moment of free time, a week had already passed.

Haizhu City.

The banquet was held at a hotel, spanning over a dozen tables. Neither family had many relatives, totaling only a few dozen guests.

While Jiang Yi was having her makeup done, Song Rao called to ask if she regretted it.

“Song Rao, you know my personality. If I were going to regret it, I would have done so long ago.”

At this stage, there was no turning back.

After finishing the call, the stylist continued to pin her hair. Once the makeup and hair were set, it was time to put on the dress. The gown was massive, requiring two people to help her into it.

“Miss Jiang, your phone is vibrating.”

“Pass it to me, thank you.”

Jiang Yi knew exactly who was calling the moment she saw the screen. She caught her reflection in the mirror; she felt that this was the most beautiful moment of her life.

“Hello,” she answered, her voice devoid of emotion.

On Shen Siyun’s end, she seemed to be at a cocktail party. Beautiful music drifted through the line along with the clinking of glasses.

“Jiang Yi, I’ve been so busy these past few days that I forgot to call you.” Shen Siyun set down her glass and stepped out onto the balcony in her high heels to catch the breeze. “Are you going to blame me?”

When Shen Siyun lowered her guard like this, she had the vibe of a gentle older sister who knew exactly how to coax someone.

Jiang Yi lifted her left hand so a staff member could slide on a white lace glove. “I won’t.”

Shen Siyun got the answer she wanted, her red lips curving upward. “Then… do you miss me?”

Jiang Yi leaned forward slightly to let someone fasten an exquisite, high-end Van Cleef & Arpels diamond necklace around her neck. Her lips thinned slightly. “I do. Very much.”

“I miss you too.” Shen Siyun thought of the nights they spent whispered together, and even the starry sky above her seemed intoxicating. “Soon. I’ll be back to be with you in just a little while.”

“Miss Jiang, your figure completely fills out this dress. It’s stunning—you’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”

Suddenly, an unrelated voice drifted into the call. Shen Siyun’s smile froze. She wondered if she had misheard.

“What are you doing?”

However, Jiang Yi didn’t reply to her immediately. Instead, she addressed the person in the room.

“Thank you for the compliment. Please bring me those jade earrings; I’ll put them on myself.”

“Here you go. Miss Jiang, your taste in jewelry is excellent.”

Jiang Yi smiled and took them. As she was about to put them on, she seemed to realize she was still on the phone with Shen Siyun.

“Sorry, Shen Siyun. I forgot I was still on the line. I was just so happy just now.”

“…”

Shen Siyun’s brow furrowed. “What were you just doing?”

Jiang Yi clipped on the jade earrings, her long lashes lowering to hide the expression in her eyes. She smiled. “I’m putting on a wedding dress.”

“Trying it on for someone else?”

An inexplicable sense of unease rose in Shen Siyun’s heart. The other side of the phone went silent for a moment before a delayed “Mhm” came through.

Instead of clearing the unease, that “Mhm” made it grow more intense. Shen Siyun crossed her arm, intending to press further, but Secretary Ding Lanqi’s voice came from behind her.

“President Shen, the party is over. Shall we head back?”

Shen Siyun looked at the night sky and nodded. She told Jiang Yi, “Wait for me at home,” and hung up.

“Let’s go.” The two left the party.

Back at her residence, the more Shen Siyun thought about it, the more wrong it felt. She tried calling Jiang Yi’s cell phone again, but it remained busy and went unanswered. When the cell phone didn’t work, she tapped her fingers impatiently and called the apartment’s landline. Still no answer.

Finally, Shen Siyun took a deep breath and dialed another number. “Sun Zhi, find out what Jiang Yi is doing right now.”

Sun Zhi was an assistant secretary who hadn’t joined the business trip. She was well aware of the relationship between Jiang Yi and Shen Siyun.

“Oh, President Shen?” Sun Zhi was currently at the office clocking in and was startled by the call. “Alright, I understand. I’ll go look into it.”

By the time the groom’s procession—led by Song Rao—had picked up Jiang Yi from her home, Sun Zhi had rushed to the apartment and reported back: “President Shen, there’s no one in the apartment.”

Shen Siyun gave her the address to Jiang Yi’s parents’ house. Sun Zhi turned around and drove off. “President Shen, I’m driving and it’s not convenient to talk. I’ll call you when I get there. You go ahead with your work.”

Click. Sun Zhi hung up before she could reply.

While waiting, Shen Siyun checked the time. It was almost 1:00 AM local time. She decided to take a shower to clear her head.

The hot water sent up plumes of steam, cascading over her long, porcelain legs and a tall, proud figure. Usually, Shen Siyun would enjoy a glass of red wine and expensive essential oils during her bath to pamper her skin before bed.

But tonight, for the first time, she felt restless. She had no mood to enjoy herself.

What kind of game is Jiang Yi playing?

If something is wrong, why can’t she just say it?

Realizing that her foul mood was entirely due to Jiang Yi, Shen Siyun’s eyes turned cold. She stepped out in a bathrobe and reached for her phone to call Jiang Yi, but Sun Zhi beat her to it with a video call.

Shen Siyun’s heart gave a violent jolt. Her slender finger slowly tapped the “accept” button.

“President Shen… you need to be prepared.” Sun Zhi was standing in a corner, her face close to the lens. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and switched the camera to the rear view.

The moment the camera flipped, Shen Siyun saw a dazzling Jiang Yi standing on a stage in a wedding dress. And opposite her stood another beautiful woman, also dressed in white.

The emcee held a microphone, and the voice came through crystal clear: “Now, let the couple exchange rings.”

A round of applause erupted. Shen Siyun watched with icy eyes as Jiang Yi’s veil was lifted after the exchange. The woman opposite her suddenly leaned down, tilted her head, and kissed her passionately.

CRACK—

The phone was slammed onto the floor, shattering into pieces.

“Lanqi! Book me the fastest flight back home. NOW!”