Chapter 26: Thank You for the Gift, Husband

For the next week, Li Jingyan seemed trapped in an endless vortex of busyness. Company affairs erupted like a flash flood, with meetings, social obligations, and document approvals consuming every second of his time. He would work back-to-back shifts at the office during the day, and by the time he returned home late at night, he was so physically and mentally exhausted that he would collapse into bed, lacking the energy to even exchange a few words with Liu Yanyan.

For the first day or two, Liu Yanyan was understanding, telling herself he was striving for the future of their child and herself. She even took secret pride in his "responsible" attitude. But by the third, fourth, and eventually the seventh day, Li Jingyan remained the same. Even when she tried to affectionately massage him to help him relax, he would merely pat her hand perfunctorily before turning away to sleep.

Once the seed of doubt is planted, it grows wildly in the soil of insecurity. The initial pride in Liu Yanyan’s heart had long since been replaced by a thickening suspicion: Had this man’s heart ceased to belong entirely to her and their baby? Had he... returned to Wen Yan?

Anxiety and fear mounted. She had sacrificed so much, and the pressure from her family was immense; she had to succeed, or she risked being cast aside by her own kin.

Just as Liu Yanyan’s suspicions reached a boiling point, Wen Yan received an electronic invitation from Li Jingyan for the Li Group’s anniversary celebration, to be held the following night at the group’s own five-star hotel ballroom. At the end of the email, Li Jingyan had added a curt note: "Seven o’clock tomorrow night, I will come to pick you up. This is an important occasion, remember to dress appropriately." He also sent a transfer of 3,000 yuan.

Looking at the invitation, a knowing smile curled the corners of Wen Yan’s lips. Everything was unfolding exactly as she had anticipated, moving right along with her script. Li Jingyan needed her, his "legitimate wife," to maintain a respectable facade in public, especially at such a significant corporate celebration.

"System, it seems the show is about to begin. Time to start stirring the pot," Wen Yan rose in high spirits, determined to purchase a 'battle robe' that would stun everyone at the event.

She had just finished dressing and was pulling open her front door when she unexpectedly saw Qiao Chenye leaning against the doorframe, hands behind his back, wearing that familiar, charming smile. "Sister, I was just about to knock," he said.

Wen Yan tilted her head, asking with slight surprise, "Oh? This is the first time you’ve come to see me during the day, isn't it?"

"Oh, this," Qiao Chenye brought his hands from behind his back, holding a large black velvet gift box. "I picked out a gift for you. See if you like it?" His expression held a vulnerability that didn't match his usual demeanor—like a puppy longing to be petted.

Wen Yan took the heavy box, a flicker of genuine surprise crossing her eyes. "Why the sudden gift?"

"For the anniversary celebration. I don’t want you wearing clothes he bought for you," Qiao Chenye smiled meaningfully. "You will definitely look beautiful in this."

Wen Yan felt a slight stir in her heart; he was so thoughtful, even considering these details. She cradled the box and stepped aside, inviting him in. "Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?"

Qiao Chenye shook his head, his tone carrying a trace of imperceptible regret. "Too many tasks today. Once the plan succeeds, we’ll go out and have a proper drink." He paused, his gaze lingering on her face for a moment. "I look forward to seeing you in it tomorrow night. I have things to do, I'm off." With that, he turned and left with a flourish.

Wen Yan returned to the living room and carefully opened the box. Resting inside was a vibrant red, off-the-shoulder evening gown. The tailoring was elegant and the fabric high-end, rippling with a delicate luster under the lights. Beside it was a shoebox containing a pair of matching satin heels, simple in design yet exquisitely luxurious.

Even the system couldn't help but exclaim in her mind: "Wow! This dress is stunning! Wait, host... how did he know your size? The shoes are a perfect fit, too! He knows you so well!"

Wen Yan’s warm fingers brushed the smooth satin. Her eyes lowered, and she remained silent for a moment before responding faintly in her heart: "We’ve slept together enough times, how could he not know?" Her tone gave away nothing.

She didn't hesitate to try it on. The gown clung perfectly to her curves, making her skin look like snow and her appearance impossibly radiant. The height of the heels was just right. Looking at herself in the mirror, Wen Yan took a photo, carefully omitting her face to highlight the stunning dress and shoes, and sent it to Qiao Chenye with the message: "Thank you, I love it."

Qiao Chenye replied almost instantly: "My taste is never wrong. I look forward to you shining tomorrow night. And I wish you success with your plan."

Wen Yan replied: "I’ll give you a surprise tomorrow~" She set her phone down, a calculating gleam in her eyes.

Immediately after, she cropped the photo to ensure no details could reveal the origin of the gift, then posted it to her social media moments with the caption: "The anniversary battle robe my husband bought me~ [Heart] Must attend looking beautiful, can't lose face for him~ [Cute]" She specifically set the privacy settings to ensure that mutual friends of Liu Yanyan and Li Jingyan would see it.

The post was like a precision-guided bomb, exploding instantly in Liu Yanyan’s world. She saw the update almost immediately! The glaring red, the boastful tone, and the words "bought by my husband" felt like a sharp blade stabbing into her heart!

Li Jingyan! He had told her he was too busy with work to come over! Yet he had time to take Wen Yan shopping for clothes? And such a beautiful, sexy gown at that? Had he forgotten that there was a woman who had just given birth to his child?

Rage and grievance shattered Liu Yanyan’s reason. She dialed Li Jingyan’s number immediately, her voice shrill with agitation: "Brother Jingyan, why is she going with you? You promised me you wouldn't see Wen Yan again!"

"Are you choosing me or her! Who are you choosing!"

Li Jingyan, on the other end, was clearly baffled by her sudden outburst. It took him a few seconds to react, and he explained with weary impatience: "Yanyan, calm down! It’s the company anniversary! With so many employees and partners watching, Wen Yan is my legal wife. If I don't take her, who do I take? You? What would people say?"

He tried to make his tone sound helpless yet reasonable: "It’s just a formality, a show to give her some face for the sake of the company image. Can you stop being so unreasonable?"

He managed to pacify her temporarily with promises and hints of future compensation. But after hanging up, Liu Yanyan looked at the child sleeping in the crib, then at her own body in the mirror—still not fully recovered from childbirth—and her weary face. The thorn in her heart drove deeper. She had sacrificed so much; how could it end like this?

The next evening, Wen Yan began dressing early. She donned the crimson off-the-shoulder gown, the hem trailing on the floor, accentuating her slender figure. Her long, meticulously styled hair fell in soft waves over her bare shoulders. Her makeup was vibrant and sophisticated, her red lips alluring; she looked like a rose in full bloom—dazzling, striking, and possessing a beauty that felt almost aggressive.

When Li Jingyan arrived to pick her up, he opened the car door and froze. Looking at Wen Yan, a flash of undeniable awe crossed his eyes, and he was momentarily speechless, simply staring at her.

Wen Yan was satisfied with his reaction and gracefully slid into the car. Inside, she intentionally adjusted her angle to take a selfie. In the photo, she was smiling radiantly, and in the background, she "accidentally" captured the side of Li Jingyan’s face in the driver's seat.

She posted this photo to her social media as well, with the caption: "Heading out~ Spending a wonderful night with my husband~ [Heart]" Again, it was precisely set to be visible to Liu Yanyan.

This photo, especially the clearly identifiable side profile of Li Jingyan, was the final straw for Liu Yanyan. All the previous reassurances and excuses now seemed pale and hollow! They looked like such a perfect match; he in his high-end suit, she in the gorgeous gown he "bought," heading to a grand celebration? And what of her? Only to hide in a corner like an invisible person, raising a child?

"Ah—!" Liu Yanyan looked at her phone and finally exploded! She threw the phone onto the bed, rushed to the closet, and began frantically rummaging through her clothes.

"I’m going! I must go! Li Jingyan! You want to hide me away? No way! I want everyone to see that I am the one who gave you a son!" Her eyes were bloodshot, and she scrambled to find her most provocative dress, quickly applying her makeup. She had to make Wen Yan pay the price and keep her away from Li Jingyan.

Meanwhile, Wen Yan, sitting in the car as it sped toward the hotel, watched the nightscape blur past the window with a cold smile.

The bait was cast, and the prey was rushing toward the scent. The show was about to begin.