ORCBRB – Chapter 93
Chapter 93
Sang Shi'an recently discovered that Jian Cenyu was a very worldly person.
This manifested in Jian Cenyu taking her to work every day. At first, she thought it was because they hadn't seen each other for a whole month and Jian Cenyu missed her too much, so the moment she arrived in Australia, Jian Cenyu didn't want to be separated from her for even a second.
Later, she discovered that wasn't the case at all.
For example, right now.
The conference room was filled with chemists holding master's degrees and doctorates, each wearing a standard white uniform they hadn't taken off after leaving the lab. Their mouths were full of specialized chemical reagent terms that Sang Shi'an couldn't understand. Sang Shi'an, wearing a little dress the same color as the flower fields outside, sat awkwardly beside Jian Cenyu, taking meeting minutes.
It wasn't that Sang Shi'an was unprofessional; it was because Jian Cenyu had bestowed this important task upon her just a few minutes before the meeting started.
A male researcher, who looked very serious but had been wearing women's clothing at the bar last time, was halfway through speaking when Jian Cenyu asked him to slow down: "My wife isn't familiar with many of the terms. If you speak too quickly, she won't be able to keep up with the notes."
Consequently, the researchers who hadn't known Sang Shi'an's identity all cast meaningful glances her way. Sang Shi'an could only force a smile: "The anti-cancer drug is about to be officially launched on the market. I need to understand some of the latest data."
The male researcher nodded understandingly, "I understand."
Sang Shi'an: ... No, you don't understand.
Another example: when the local Australian government approved the drug for the market and it was time for a group photo, Jian Cenyu would suddenly speak up, waving to Sang Shi'an outside the crowd, "Just a moment. My wife has also provided me with a lot of help. I'd like to invite her to join the photo."
Sang Shi'an's face was stiff from smiling so much.
By the fifth day, Sang Shi'an had developed a complete aversion to the word "wife." Every time she heard it, she knew she was about to be put on display like a giant panda again.
So Jian Cenyu changed her wording, switching to "honey."
Sang Shi'an had no doubt that if she objected again, it would likely become "baby."
In short, she was completely numb to it.
At the same time, Sang Shi'an was also troubled by another matter—their wedding gift to each other.
Jian Cenyu had bought the matching rings. From the day they registered their marriage, Sang Shi'an had started searching for all sorts of expensive matching jewelry. Before coming to Australia, she had stuffed them all into her suitcase, but she still hadn't decided which one to give.
Sang Shi'an had also tried to subtly find out what kind of jewelry Jian Cenyu liked, but Jian Cenyu didn't seem to have any particular opinions on accessories; she was just purely clingy with Sang Shi'an.
While accompanying Jian Cenyu to a charity auction, the final item was a seventeenth-century queen's ruby tiara. When it was displayed on stage, the attendees gasped in amazement.
The lustrous and translucent ruby tiara, adorned with diamonds, was still magnificent and dazzling even though it had ended up at an auction, as if power were within reach.
All the other items auctioned before this tiara seemed dull in comparison.
Sang Shi'an saw Jian Cenyu glance at the tiara several times and couldn't help but hesitate. The tiara's original owner had met a bad end, and the crown was stained with blood, which wasn't particularly auspicious.
Sang Shi'an tentatively asked, "Do you like this? If you do, I can look for other tiaras that might be out there with a clean history."
Jian Cenyu gazed at Sang Shi'an's profile and smiled. "I was just thinking you might like the ruby on the tiara. I'm not very keen on these kinds of accessories, so you don't need to go out of your way to search for one."
Sang Shi'an: ...
That night, Sang Shi'an shoved the several extravagant gemstone rings she had brought to Australia deeper into the closet.
Australia was vast and sparsely populated. When Jian Cenyu didn't have to work, the two of them would find a random field of flowers and stroll through it slowly. Their cast shadows would get caught in the flowers, and when the wind blew, they would become entangled again.
Life was as calm as still water, without any major ups and downs. But this very calmness was exactly what they had longed for but couldn't have two years ago.
Overcome with joy, Sang Shi'an couldn't resist pulling Jian Cenyu down into the flower field, making the sky their canopy and the ground their mat. Even if passersby went by, they wouldn't see a thing happening in the field. Only Jian Cenyu could see Sang Shi'an's tightly arched waist and the large swaths of petals that had been pulled off.
Sometimes stretching, sometimes curling up, her ears filled with soft, delicate gasps.
After they were both satisfied, Sang Shi'an fastened her bra again. When she turned around, she saw Jian Cenyu with her long hair spread out, lazily looking her over with a smile on her lips.
Sang Shi'an raised an eyebrow, leaned over, and gave Jian Cenyu another kiss, a passionless one. "What are you smiling at?"
When the two of them were together, they were always in a cheerful mood.
Jian Cenyu pinched Sang Shi'an's ear and asked, "Is your flight back to the US the day after tomorrow?"
Sang Shi'an nodded. "Yeah, I have to go back for my internship."
The competition in investment banking was fierce. On the surface, Sang Shi'an was just an intern, but due to her connections with the leadership, she was also exposed to core business like stock issuance, mergers, and acquisitions in the securities market. This meant that every vacation would be short.
Jian Cenyu beckoned to her. "You're about to leave. Do you have a gift for me, something to remember you by?"
Sang Shi'an guessed that Jian Cenyu had already seen the rings she brought. Their closets were mixed together; there was no reason Jian Cenyu wouldn't have noticed.
She averted her gaze uncomfortably. "You already have so many flower fields. Are you really short of a bouquet?"
Jian Cenyu smiled again. "Of course."
She opened her arms to Sang Shi'an.
Sang Shi'an knew it was a trap. She scanned Jian Cenyu's face warily, but before she could react again, her body had already snuggled over.
Jian Cenyu's cheerful voice chuckled softly. Her fingers traced lightly along the off-the-shoulder collar of Sang Shi'an's top until they slipped inside, drawing an unbearable gasp from Sang Shi'an.
"I only saw the jewelry box, I didn't open it. If it's not for me, then forget it."
Sang Shi'an was quite uncomfortable. She mumbled, "I... just bought them for fun."
Jian Cenyu gave a meaningful hum. It was only when they got home and she saw the two pairs of gemstone rings Sang Shi'an took out—rings whose quality was in no way inferior to the tiara at the auction—that she understood why Sang Shi'an hadn't given them to her.
Seeing Sang Shi'an's awkward expression as she avoided her gaze, Jian Cenyu couldn't suppress the smile on her lips. Before Sang Shi'an could get flustered, she pulled her into a lingering kiss.
"I'm not keen on them, but that doesn't mean I don't like them." Jian Cenyu pushed Sang Shi'an onto the bed, unwrapping her clothes like a present. "I like everything you give me."
Sang Shi'an was still a little down. "I just wanted to give you something you like, but I've found you're not very interested in any accessories."
Whether it was the brooch she had given her before or various bracelets and necklaces, Jian Cenyu never showed any particular fondness for any material. She would usually only wear them to match her outfit's color and style when attending important events.
Sang Shi'an realized she was very greedy when it came to Jian Cenyu. At first, she only wanted Jian Cenyu to break off the engagement with her brother. Later, she greedily wanted to be Jian Cenyu's girlfriend.
She merged her assets with Jian Corporation, domineeringly tying herself to Jian Cenyu, and then took Jian Cenyu to register their marriage.
After having love, shared interests, and legal ties, Sang Shi'an now wanted to control Jian Cenyu's emotions and understand all of her preferences.
People say that couples grow bored of each other over time, but for Sang Shi'an, it seemed to be the opposite. Her possessiveness over Jian Cenyu grew stronger with each passing day.
Sang Shi'an didn't think this was anything to be ashamed of, because Jian Cenyu was no different. As long as they didn't say anything, no one would know about their dark possessiveness.
Jian Cenyu lay on top of Sang Shi'an and pinched her cheek. "Are you so sure I'm not interested?"
"I have eyes, I can tell," Sang Shi'an said sullenly. "It's okay even if you don't like them. I won't get angry with you."
Jian Cenyu looked at the several pigeon-egg-sized rings scattered to the side, hesitated for a moment, and said, "To be honest, these jewels aren't that rare to me."
Sang Shi'an pouted and forced a smile. "See? You told the truth, and I didn't get angry with you."
Jian Cenyu gently rubbed the corner of Sang Shi'an's eye, thinking: You really aren't angry.
But you look like you're about to cry.
Jian Cenyu had no choice but to pick up one of the rings and slip it onto her own finger. With her white, hand-tailored couture shirt and her long, silky black hair, the richly colored gemstone ring... Sang Shi'an fell silent for two seconds, then quietly took the ring off Jian Cenyu's hand.
Forget it, it really is a bit tacky.
Jian Cenyu's hand followed, and she hugged Sang Shi'an and kissed her several more times, almost dying from her cuteness. "I'm not keen on these things because they are already mine. They belong to you, and you belong to me. One doesn't need to specifically emphasize their liking for their own possessions."
Sang Shi'an immediately frowned. "No way. I like hearing you say you like me. Are you trying to be lazy?"
Jian Cenyu was taken aback, then leaned against Sang Shi'an and couldn't stop laughing. "An'an, was that my point?"
Sang Shi'an wrapped her arms around Jian Cenyu's neck. "I don't care, I don't care. Hurry up and say you like me."
Jian Cenyu cooperatively pressed the back of Sang Shi'an's neck and kissed her. "I like you."
Sang Shi'an pushed her luck. "And?"
Jian Cenyu added, "I like you the most."
Sang Shi'an was satisfied. "Then I'll always like you too!"
On the first day of the new year, Jian Corporation held a press conference. The long-awaited anti-cancer drug for domestic cancer patients had officially been approved and would be launched on the market starting today.
Unlike other expensive original drugs, the use of this medication would be fully covered by medical insurance. All costs, from the extraction of cancer cells and the synthesis of the drug to subsequent treatments, would be borne by the medical insurance fund, pushing the press conference to its climax.
After the relevant government leaders finished their speeches, at eleven in the morning, the camera finally switched to the main developer of the drug. For those who had been following Jian Corporation's pharmaceutical reform project from the beginning, Jian Cenyu's young face was not unfamiliar.
She was dressed in a luxurious, white, custom-made suit. Her expression was elegant and composed as she took the microphone to introduce the drug to the public. Her cool and serious face was mostly expressionless, only breaking into a faint, confident smile when she occasionally mentioned a few specialized terms.
When the audience watching on screen looked closer, the smile seemed to have never been there, fleeting in an instant.
Beside her were many scholars who had long made outstanding contributions to the field of pharmacology, but their presence was now negligible.
Compared to the intellect and beauty that the audience could see at a glance, what was more surprising was that the development of this drug, from its inception to its final result, spanned the seven most restless and confusing years of a young person's life, from eighteen to twenty-five. But from this day forward, she would leave a significant mark in the history of anti-cancer pharmacology in China, with power and money being merely trivial accompaniments.
At the end of the press conference, many reporters vied for the chance to interview her. Jian Cenyu seemed exceptionally patient today, not having anyone stop them even when the interview ran half an hour over the scheduled time.
The reporters just assumed she was being so patient to maintain Jian Corporation's image and promote the drug she had developed, and they were happy to take advantage of it. This continued until one reporter broke the intensely academic line of questioning.
"Senior Jian, you probably haven't met me, but I used to study at Yanjing University."
Jian Cenyu turned her head to look, adopting a posture of patient listening.
The reporter, as if encouraged, asked, "My question might be a bit presumptuous, but I think many young people who listened to your interview today, even if they're not in this industry, would be curious about how you managed to complete this tedious work day after day."
Jian Cenyu's gaze drifted past the circle of reporters as if in deep thought. The blue sky, white clouds, and the bustling silhouettes of people were reflected in her pupils. She chuckled and said, "Choosing something you're interested in makes it much easier."
The reporter nodded and asked again, "Do you have any regrets outside of your research? For example, in your life or social interactions, have you missed out on a lot? After all, in most people's minds, this age represents the charm of youth."
This question was actually a bit out of line, but Jian Cenyu didn't turn cold. Instead, she asked meaningfully, "I suppose the 'regrets of youth' you're referring to are about my private relationships?"
Noticing the unfriendly glares from her colleagues, the reporter's face flushed red. The press conference Jian Cenyu held today was primarily commercial, but the personal capabilities she demonstrated in her professional field deserved everyone's respect.
The reporter's question was like deliberately looking for trouble. But she was about to transition from an intern to a full-time employee. She had found out that Jian Cenyu had been a graduate student at Yanjing University, so she had specifically pretended to be a junior to get an exclusive entertainment story.
Jian Cenyu smiled and looked in a direction off-camera. "There are indeed regrets. My lover and I spend more time apart than together. But over these years, I've been very grateful for her support and understanding of my career."
As she said this, she raised her left hand, which had been resting below the lectern, and adjusted the microphone's direction. It was a casual movement, but it allowed everyone to see the simple ring on her left hand.
Then, she turned away from the camera, ending the press conference and leaving everyone with an even more mysterious speculation.
When Jian Cenyu got into the car, Sang Shi'an was already waiting there. She had taken off the platinum ring and was tossing it up and down in her palm, not even glancing over when Jian Cenyu sat down.
"Is it over?"
"Yes, it's over." Jian Cenyu picked up the cup from the center console, which contained a throat-soothing tea Sang Shi'an had specially prepared for her. "Why did you leave early just now? I couldn't find you."
Sang Shi'an caught the ring again and said with a faint smile, "When you answered that reporter, I guessed what you were going to do. If I didn't run, was I supposed to wait for the cameras to be shoved in my face?"
"Don't you go blaming me," Jian Cenyu said, blowing on the hot tea in her cup, her voice coming through the swirling white steam. "I was just satisfying the curiosity of the younger generation."
They looked at each other and laughed at the same time. The sound was contained by the car windows, lingering around them.
"Now that you're done with your questions, can you put the ring back on?" Jian Cenyu asked.
Sang Shi'an glanced down at the ring in her palm. The moment Jian Cenyu had answered the reporter's question, she had shoved her hand into her coat pocket and discreetly slipped it off.
She was a mature adult; she wouldn't act impulsively without considering the consequences like a child.
But—
Sang Shi'an had watched the entire press conference. From the first moment she saw Jian Cenyu sitting on the stage in her suit, her blood had been boiling.
Jian Cenyu was the star of this press conference, and also the star of her life.
Sang Shi'an suddenly straddled Jian Cenyu, cupped her chin, and kissed her.
To hell with adult rationality. She had wanted to do this the moment she saw Jian Cenyu.
From the start, it was the most passionate and excessive kind of kiss. Kisses fell like a dense shower of rain, each one accompanied by the ambiguous, wet sound of sucking. The kiss deepened, like a spreading wildfire.
It wasn't until her tongue went numb and she found it hard to breathe that Sang Shi'an paused slightly and said, "Everyone was looking at you. I was dying of jealousy."
Jian Cenyu met her gaze. Her previously still hand pressed against the back of Sang Shi'an's head, her wet, hot tongue tangling with hers passionately. Her other hand moved to Sang Shi'an's left hand, and with a light flick of her fingertips, she snatched the ring from her palm.
Sang Shi'an frowned. "You..."
Jian Cenyu deepened the kiss, found Sang Shi'an's ring finger, and slowly slid the ring on. As their fingers intertwined, her heart trembled along with them.
Sang Shi'an called out Jian Cenyu's name, one after another. "Jian Cenyu, Jian Cenyu... "
Their clothes had become disheveled from the friction. Then Sang Shi'an moved her hips and suddenly clamped her legs together.
Jian Cenyu stopped, panting heavily. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her exquisitely made-up forehead, as if she too was desperately holding back.
She pressed Sang Shi'an into her embrace. They leaned against each other, calming their emotions. Her voice was extremely hoarse. "Come upstairs with me?"
Sang Shi'an was about to go crazy. "Are you seriously thinking of doing this in your father's office?"
Jian Corporation had now hired an external general manager, and the office was the same one Jian Cenyu had used two years ago.
"That would be too absurd." Jian Cenyu's laughter grazed Sang Shi'an's ear. "They've assigned me a new office. The renovations are done. Want to go see it?"
Even though she knew exactly what Jian Cenyu was luring her upstairs to do, Sang Shi'an still nodded.
The smell of renovation in the new office had completely dissipated. It was decorated in a creamy white, European style, unlike her previous office and Jian Zhihuan's, which were designed by the same person and were monotonous and serious.
Before Sang Shi'an could even admire the office, Jian Cenyu pushed her into the adjoining break room. Sang Shi'an was surprised. "Your perks have really improved, huh?"
The mattress dipped slightly, making only a few soft sounds of friction. Jian Cenyu hummed in agreement and kissed Sang Shi'an's lips.
The hot, moist breath brushed against her face. Sang Shi'an almost instantly wrapped her arms around Jian Cenyu, and with a push, she flipped Jian Cenyu over and pinned her down. Her clear laughter spilled from between their lips. "Mwahaha, Jian Cenyu, how are you getting weaker and weaker? I barely pushed and you fell over."
This taunt didn't provoke Jian Cenyu. She caught the cat-like paw that was about to attack her side, gave it a firm slap, and then pulled the relieved Sang-cat into a full embrace. Her hand then slid to Sang Shi'an's side, teasing her wantonly.
Sang Shi'an's ticklish spot was found, and her whole body went limp. She twisted to avoid Jian Cenyu's hand. Jian Cenyu took the opportunity to pin Sang Shi'an on top of her, then pulled her lower back closer.
Sang Shi'an let out a surprised gasp. Without any warning, Jian Cenyu pressed herself against her. When they first pressed together, it was still a bit rough. She could only curse through gritted teeth, "C-couldn't you have used your hand for a bit first?"
Jian Cenyu felt the same way Sang Shi'an did. It wasn't comfortable for her either, but Sang Shi'an had been teasing her nonstop in the car. Making it upstairs was already her limit. "It'll be better in a moment."
The Sang-cat who had initiated the teasing soon had tears welling up in her eyes. Her tense waist and abdomen relaxed, getting used to the initial dry pain. The long-missed feeling of being close filled her, as if it were filling her heart to overflowing.
Jian Cenyu moved her hands slowly, one holding Sang Shi'an's head to kiss her, the other pushing at her lower back. Every movement sent continuous shivers through Sang Shi'an.
Once they had both adjusted, she moved her lips away, turning it into a gentle embrace, her cheek rubbing lightly against the side of Sang Shi'an's ear.
"An'an..."
Her voice was soft and gentle, pouring into Sang Shi'an's ear like a bottle of red sparkling wine being opened, triggering an intense mental climax in her brain.
Sang Shi'an bit her lip hard. The sound that escaped her twisted and turned, and amidst the intense, irresolvable emotions, her arms holding Jian Cenyu tightened rapidly.
Jian Cenyu's kisses on Sang Shi'an became more urgent, and the movements pushing against her waist grew faster. Wet, red kiss marks were branded over Sang Shi'an's heart. Sang Shi'an's whole body tensed, finally reaching the peak of the continuous, intense emotion, the remaining sounds shattering in her throat.
Jian Cenyu also shuddered the moment Sang Shi'an's legs wrapped around her. They held each other for a long time, their hearts feeling light, like a soft landing, calming down together until their heartbeats synchronized.
"After the New Year, I have to go back to Yanjing University for my thesis defense, and then I'll come back to China to find a job." Sang Shi'an finally caught her breath. She lifted her head with effort, pushed aside Jian Cenyu's damp hair at her temples, and kissed her on the cheek.
"Can you get used to the way things are back home?" Jian Cenyu released her, letting Sang Shi'an adjust into a comfortable sleeping position. "Aren't you quite interested in investment banking? The work environment is relatively freer than in China. I can go to the US with you, stay there with you."
"It's not about being long-distance or not." Sang Shi'an listened to Jian Cenyu's heartbeat and said, "It's fine to go there occasionally for school or a business trip, but I don't want to live there long-term. My family is all in China. My brother wants me to go to Shengyu to help him. He'd hand over the entire investment department to me, or if I have other interests, he could help fund me."
Jian Cenyu: "So what are you thinking?"
"I'm not particularly interested in any industry, but I'm even less interested in my family's pile of steel. I worked so hard in the US to build up my resume. You can even conquer something like cancer. How embarrassing would it be if I accomplished nothing?" Sang Shi'an was lying on Jian Cenyu's chest, and she sullenly bit down.
Jian Cenyu hissed in pain. She pried open Sang Shi'an's jaw to free herself. The spot was clearly redder than the other side.
It was clear Sang Shi'an really cared about this.
Jian Cenyu was very understanding. "If you don't want to work, just lie flat. Don't put any pressure on yourself."
"No way." Facing Jian Cenyu, Sang Shi'an spoke her mind. "Um, don't you dare laugh at me when I say this. I just want to find a job that's relaxed but also makes me look impressive. I even thought about starting an entertainment company, signing a few A-list celebrities. That would give me both face and substance, right?"
Jian Cenyu played along. "Yes, our An'an is so smart."
Sang Shi'an huffed, smiling arrogantly. "But then I thought the entertainment industry isn't for me. What if someone asks me for a 'casting couch' situation?"
Jian Cenyu laughed and pulled her closer. Her fingers traced the veins on the back of Sang Shi'an's hand before intertwining with hers, their ten fingers tangling together very intimately. "Then I'll go to your company's entrance and pull up a banner, accusing you of loving me and leaving me."
Sang Shi'an found it truly hard to imagine Jian Cenyu doing something like that. She collapsed into Jian Cenyu's arms, laughing, and leaned close to her ear, drawing out her words. "I thought—you'd just kidnap me and lock me up."
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