ORCBRB – Chapter 96
Chapter 96
After Sang Shiyue revealed Sang Shi'an's identity at the shareholders' meeting, the group of opportunistic senior executives at Jian Corporation no longer dared to harbor any ulterior motives. Coupled with Jian Zhihuan's complete delegation of authority, Sang Shi'an thrived as if a fish in water.
However, because of this extremely mortifying incident, Sang Shi'an ignored Sang Shiyue for a whole month. In the end, Ren Li took the initiative to invite Jian Cenyu to the Sang family for dinner, which finally coaxed the awkward Sang Shi'an back home.
A year later, 'Yu'an', a new company under Jian Corporation, was officially listed in the United States. Both the efficacy of Yu'an's primary anti-cancer drug and the scale of its listing, achieved in such a short period, became classic case studies in Chinese university classrooms.
The date for the NASDAQ bell-ringing ceremony was chosen to be September 9th, which was also the day Sang Shi'an and Jian Cenyu had registered their marriage two years ago.
After the ceremony, the media conducted their usual interviews.
Sang Shi'an's resume was no secret. Many reporters were curious as to why she had left a high-paying investment bank in the United States and how she had managed to implement so many strategic changes for a traditional pharmaceutical company like Jian Corporation in just one year.
Although they asked, they didn't actually think Sang Shi'an would answer. Since this young CEO had taken her position, she had accepted almost no public interviews. Her temperament, which was in stark contrast to her flamboyant and stunning appearance, seemed extremely cold.
However, as it was a joyous occasion, Sang Shi'an, for once, did not have her bodyguards clear out the reporters. Facing the cameras, she slowly began to speak, “I left the investment bank because my home is in Yancheng.”
At that moment, every camera immediately turned to Sang Shi'an's face.
Sang Shi'an calmly scanned the crowd. Her year-plus of work at Jian Corporation had also accustomed her to remaining composed in front of others. “As for why I was able to make so many reforms for Jian Corporation, on one hand, it's because the anti-cancer drug needed a completely new corporate ecosystem. On the other hand, it's because of my lover's support. I want her to have the best of everything.”
Her tone was very light, as if she wasn't making a confession but rather introducing the company's charter in a very serious manner.
The reporters present had varied expressions for a moment, especially those who had come all the way from China. They didn't know if they could continue the interview. The cameras deliberately avoided the rings on Sang Shi'an's and Jian Cenyu's hands, and there seemed to be no interaction between the two, just an ordinary cooperative relationship.
But their equally outstanding appearances, brilliant resumes, and the new company's name all silently pointed to another answer.
This kind of news probably couldn't be reported.
Sang Shi'an seemed to have noticed the predicament of those few Chinese reporters. A faint smile touched the corners of her lips, and her tone softened. “Of course, I don't mean to attribute all these achievements entirely to love. I just want to tell all the young people chasing their dreams that there are countless possibilities in this world. Please don't complain about the unfairness of your environment. One day, your hard work will let you get everything you want.”
An adult's love was never a simple "I love you." After Sang Shi'an came out of the investigation room that year, she had deeply etched this sentence into her heart.
After she finished speaking, her features relaxed, and she revealed a long-lost, unrestrained smile that was more fitting for her age. “I'm very lucky. I already have everything I wanted back then.”
Her smile was captured by all the cameras, causing many of the reporters present to be momentarily dazed.
At this point, the bodyguards cleared a path for them to leave, escorting Sang Shi'an and Jian Cenyu away. By the time the reporters came to their senses, they realized they had missed interviewing the other protagonist.
But watching their departing figures, side by side, seemed to have already provided an answer.
Unexpectedly, when the news of Yu'an's listing was broadcast in China, the video of Sang Shi'an's interview was also broadcast along with it. It was even on the central channel and was released without a hitch.
The country had never discriminated against minority sexual orientations; it just didn't approve of using them to attract attention and mislead teenagers whose values were not yet fully formed.
If Jian Cenyu's partner had been a man back then, and the media had spread malicious rumors in such a way, it would have been suppressed just the same.
While all this was being reported in China, Jian Zhihuan returned to Jian Corporation to take over for a month, while Sang Shi'an and Jian Cenyu arrived in Florida to begin their long-awaited annual leave.
The car drove past a white sandy beach, where waves of turquoise water lapped against the coastline, startling flocks of seagulls. It finally stopped in front of a vacation villa on a priceless piece of land.
This was the vacation home Sang Shi'an had bought for herself and Jian Cenyu in the United States. It was also the first house they had bought in the US after getting married. In a sense, it could be called their marital home. After two years, they could finally move in. The villa offered a 180-degree sea view, where the water and sky merged into one vast, boundless expanse.
The two got out of the car. Sang Shi'an deliberately struck a pose by the front of the car and coughed lightly twice. “Ahem—”
Jian Cenyu walked over and took Sang Shi'an's hand. “Aren't you going in?”
Sang Shi'an pointed at the house, then at the two of them, before saying nonchalantly to Jian Cenyu, “Mom said that the first time a couple enters their marital home, there should be a sense of ceremony. The bride has to be carried inside.”
A full two years had passed since they registered their marriage, and this was the first time Jian Cenyu had heard this term from Sang Shi'an's lips. To be precise, their registration back then had been very rushed, done more to increase their sense of security with each other.
Now, their environment was beginning to accept them. Everything was what they had once longed for but could not have. The scene of them appearing together on the central news channel was better than any secular wedding.
Seeing Sang Shi'an's eager expression, the corners of Jian Cenyu's lips slowly curved up. “Oh? Then why am I the one carrying you?”
“Because I bought the house.” Sang Shi'an spread her arms with perfect justification. Though she was asking for something, she looked like a proud cat. “Aren't you going to hurry up and carry your bride?”
“Mm.” Jian Cenyu smiled indulgently, bent down slightly, and swept her bride into her arms. “As you command.”
An extremely brilliant smile instantly bloomed on Sang Shi'an's face, so bright that even the magnificent sunset on the horizon paled in comparison.
Opening the door, they were greeted by the serene scent of sandalwood mixed in the air, which dispelled the heat from the sea breeze. Unable to hide her happiness, Sang Shi'an jumped down, wrapped her arms around Jian Cenyu's neck, and leaned in to kiss her intimately.
The house's incense was similar to the perfume Jian Cenyu usually wore. Sang Shi'an had specifically sought out several perfumers to modify and blend it. Sang Shi'an kissed Jian Cenyu as if she were addicted, panting as she said, “I've finally brought you home.”
The bold and direct words made Jian Cenyu's breath catch for a moment. She couldn't help but tighten her embrace and kiss Sang Shi'an deeply.
Sang Shi'an's entire body grew hot from Jian Cenyu's skillful kiss. Even though they had been together for so many years and couldn't even be considered newlyweds, she was still as defenseless as she had been during their first kiss. In just a short while, she was trembling all over with pleasure.
It was a while before the two separated. If they hadn't both been wearing dresses that couldn't be lifted, their clothes would likely be in disarray by now.
Jian Cenyu's nose touched Sang Shi'an's, her eyes filled with undisguised love. She asked with a low laugh, “Sang Kitty, should our night begin early?”
For once, Sang Shi'an didn't refute Jian Cenyu's nickname for her.
She covered her face, took a few deep breaths, and said in a small voice, “No, no, the sun hasn't set yet. The sunset here is especially beautiful. I still have to show you around the house.”
Jian Cenyu went along with Sang Shi'an's wishes. “Alright, then we'll tour the house first.”
The detached vacation villa offered excellent privacy, much like the stretch of sea outside, which belonged exclusively to the residents here. There was also 24-hour security surveillance outside the villa, ensuring absolute safety for those living here. The villa's overall decor leaned toward the local European style, blending perfectly with the sea view.
The two slowly wandered through the house. Sang Shi'an recalled the initial design concepts while pointing out the final results one by one. Among them were also ideas suggested by Jian Cenyu. Their voices were soft, whispering like a gentle breeze rippling across the sea.
“You know? When I saw the central news channel report on us today, it felt so, so strange. I don't know how to describe that feeling…” They finished touring the first floor. As they went upstairs, Sang Shi'an changed the subject, finally unable to hold back from mentioning the television report.
Jian Cenyu walked beside Sang Shi'an, a faint smile in her eyes. How could she not feel the same?
“I suddenly felt like I was dreaming. It was like… all these years of hard work really did pay off. It turns out we can be accepted by society.”
It turned out their sexual orientation was never a mistake, but something that could genuinely be accepted by the public.
The feeling was wonderful, something Sang Shi'an couldn't describe in detail.
If this had been three years ago, Sang Shi'an thought she would have immediately posted on her social media, grandly announcing her love to everyone.
But after that news broadcast, she realized she seemed to have grown up. The intense restlessness of youth had faded with time, leaving the most important person behind. Quiet companionship was now enough to feel content.
On the second-floor landing, Jian Cenyu hugged Sang Shi'an. She said, “We were never in the wrong to begin with, but being with you is the greatest fortune of my life.”
Sang Shi'an's reflection was clearly mirrored in those light, translucent eyes. Sang Shi'an was deeply captivated by such a gaze.
During this long, shared gaze, Sang Shi'an suddenly changed her mind about continuing the tour. She took Jian Cenyu's hand, turned around, and said mysteriously, “Let me take you to a rather special room first. I had it decorated specifically according to the local style.”
As far as Jian Cenyu recalled, this area didn't have any particular cultural characteristics. If there were any, it would probably be that everyone living here was very rich.
Until Sang Shi'an led her to the room at the end of the hall. The home decor that met her eyes made Jian Cenyu's breath catch for a moment.
Sang Shi'an's introduction sounded by her ear, “I had this waterbed custom-made. Doesn't it fit the seaside vacation vibe? They say waterbeds can promote blood circulation and relieve stress, and most importantly—”
Sang Shi'an's voice dropped lower, her laughter teasing by her ear, “When doing certain things, the bed will rise and fall with our movements.”
Jian Cenyu's gaze shifted slightly, her breathing growing heavier.
Sang Shi'an pulled Jian Cenyu inside and opened the closets one by one. Inside were all sorts of intimate clothing and some implements she had specially collected. She didn't need to introduce these; just opening the closets for Jian Cenyu to see was enough.
By the time she had shown all the closets, she found that Jian Cenyu's palm was completely wet.
She hadn't expected the incense she had specially lit in this room to take effect so quickly.
She blinked slowly, leaned close to Jian Cenyu's face, and asked, “Jian Cenyu, are you…?”
Jian Cenyu's lips curved slightly. Maintaining her usual cool composure, she said, “No.”
Sang Shi'an believed that time would tell the truth. She personally lifted Jian Cenyu's skirt to investigate. “You clearly are…”
Jian Cenyu exhaled deeply, pulled Sang Shi'an's hand out, and asked, “Weren't we going to admire the sunset?”
“We can watch the sunset from the floor-to-ceiling window here.” Sang Shi'an pointed to the window matter-of-factly and suggested, “We can do it while admiring the sunset here.”
Jian Cenyu's laughter was moist, pressing against Sang Shi'an's ear as she said, “Then don't cry too hard later and blame me for not being able to see the sunset.”
The tips of Sang Shi'an's ears immediately turned red. She leaned in, bit Jian Cenyu's lip, and said bluntly, “Cenyu Jiejie is so fierce. I love it.”
Jian Cenyu closed her eyes, threw the teasing Sang Kitty onto the waterbed, and pressed down on top of her. The kisses that fell were fierce and hot, filled with the loss of control from being teased to the extreme.
The initial contact with the waterbed was a bit cool against her back. Sang Shi'an wanted to adjust the waterbed's temperature, but as soon as she propped herself up, the wave of the water brought her back down. Her whole body fell limply, as if she were actively throwing herself at Jian Cenyu.
“Be good. It won't be cold for long.”
Jian Cenyu coaxed Sang Shi'an, raining down dense kisses. The skirt fell to the floor, blooming like a beautiful flower. Sang Shi'an trembled, blossoming before Jian Cenyu.
The cool water constantly surged, making it feel like lying on the ocean waves. But Jian Cenyu, holding her, was very warm. The duality of ice and heat made Sang Shi'an's voice change pitch completely, and it quickly took on a pleading tone.
“I can't slow down, An'an.” Jian Cenyu deliberately slowed her speech, her voice light and soft, as if coated in honey, each word precisely teasing Sang Shi'an's nerves. But her actions were the complete opposite. “How about I let you see the most beautiful sunset?”
This completely shattered Sang Shi'an's defenses. Her body tensed up, shivering from the cold water, and broken pleas escaped her lips. “Cenyu Jiejie…”
Jian Cenyu smiled and kissed Sang Shi'an's lips, rejecting her in an incredibly doting tone. “An'an, you're the one who started this.”
Occasionally, a few white seagulls flew by, perching on their windowsill, gazing at the humans with their lively, uncomprehending eyes. The taboo feeling of being watched multiplied the excitement, and a numbing sensation spread throughout her body.
She was half nervous, half excited, all her senses infinitely magnified. However, just a second before she was about to reach her peak, Jian Cenyu suddenly stopped. The feeling of falling from the clouds was unpleasant, and Sang Shi'an subconsciously pressed her legs together.
But Jian Cenyu stopped her.
“Be good. Wait for me.” Jian Cenyu's long hair scattered across Sang Shi'an's chest, the ends moving lightly, as if teasing.
Sang Shi'an nodded, calmed down for a moment, and was held by Jian Cenyu to continue. After being paused countless times, Sang Shi'an's consciousness was almost blurring. Her whole body was screaming and trembling, her beautiful eyes were exceptionally moist, reflecting the light of the sunset, looking fragile and enchanting.
But she had clearly underestimated Jian Cenyu.
When Jian Cenyu wanted to bully someone, her self-control was countless times stronger than Sang Shi'an's.
After an unknown amount of time, Sang Shi'an's voice was almost a sob. “Why are you still like this?”
Jian Cenyu's voice was hot against her cheek. “Soon.”
This “soon” tortured Sang Shi'an for another five minutes.
Sang Shi'an finally couldn't take it anymore and bit Jian Cenyu's shoulder. “Jian Cenyu, are you having a nervous breakdown before you're even thirty?”
This sentence had serious consequences. Jian Cenyu's eyes darkened. Sang Shi'an froze.
She was very familiar with this look. When she had wanted to break up back then, Jian Cenyu had locked her at home day and night just like this.
Before she could think further, Jian Cenyu bit her lip fiercely. Fine beads of sweat formed on their skin, smudging across flushed flesh like a tsunami. Sang Shi'an's pupils suddenly dilated. Her long-suppressed legs couldn't stop trembling.
She felt dizzy for a long time. When her vision returned, she found the ceiling was swaying, and then belatedly realized it was the effect of the waterbed.
Jian Cenyu was lying on top of her, gently pinching her cheek.
Sang Shi'an looked over dazedly.
Jian Cenyu smiled. “Satisfied?”
Sang Shi'an felt as if she had survived a catastrophe. She nodded obediently, the sob still lingering in her voice. “Mmm…”
Jian Cenyu kissed her and asked with a smile, “Was the sunset beautiful?”
Sang Shi'an shook her head. “I didn't see it at all.”
Jian Cenyu seemed to have been waiting for this sentence. “It's okay. I'll make sure you see it clearly next time.”
Before Sang Shi'an could understand what “next time” meant, Jian Cenyu picked her up and pressed her against the floor-to-ceiling window. The hand on her waist moved down. Sang Shi'an's pupils constricted, and she struggled to escape.
Her hand had just touched the window before Jian Cenyu forcibly dragged her back, leaving a wet handprint.
When Sang Shi'an woke up again, the sky was completely dark. She was no longer on that waterbed but lying on the large bed in the master bedroom. She felt refreshed, wearing soft cotton pajamas, and was comfortably nestled in Jian Cenyu's arms.
As soon as Sang Shi'an woke up, Jian Cenyu, who was holding her, seemed to sense it. She gently patted her back twice, her voice gentle and doting. “If you're tired, you can sleep a little longer. I've ordered food. I'll wake you up later.”
Hearing this, Sang Shi'an snuggled closer to Jian Cenyu, pressing herself tighter, gently sniffing the similar fresh scent of their body wash. She said in a small voice, “I heard the stars here are very bright at night, just like the night sky we saw when we were kids. After dinner, will you watch them with me?”
Jian Cenyu responded with a very soft “okay,” pulling the blanket that had slipped to her shoulder up a bit, feeling an unprecedented sense of peace in her heart. “From now on, whatever you want to see, I'll be with you.”
Sang Shi'an was extremely sleepy, but she still managed to lift her head, give Jian Cenyu a kiss, and say, “Me too.”
There were thousands upon thousands of sights and moments in time, but she already possessed the most beautiful one. All other scenery had become mere accompaniment along the way.
Sang Shi'an thought to herself, she wanted to be passionately in love with Jian Cenyu for a lifetime.
She leaned close to Jian Cenyu's ear and whispered, “I love you.”
Jian Cenyu was stunned for a moment, then also smiled and said, “I love you too.”
The stars lit up one after another in the night. Jian Cenyu looked out the window through the curtains. Tonight's sky was indeed perfect for stargazing. Once Sang Shi'an was well-rested, they could go see this grand feast of stars together.
The days of drifting overseas felt like they had happened in a past life. In her youth, Sang Shi'an had given her the warmth of family. After she went abroad, Sang Shi'an had given her a longing that spanned mountains and seas, until they reunited, fell in love, and stayed together.
How fortunate she was to have been a part of more than half of Sang Shi'an's life so far, and how fortunate she was to continue being a part of all of Sang Shi'an's future.
As time flies, they will always be together, until eternity.
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