Ch. 779 519: Sleeping Together (Part 2)

As for her praise...

Chen Yuan felt he didn't deserve it.

That so-called report—the one that incisively diagnosed the company's current ills and cut straight to the point about implementing new policies and deconstructing the old system—was largely written by Jiangg Ning. She had burned the midnight oil for countless nights, poring over a sea of documents and case studies, analyzing the changes in the Jiang Group's appointment reports over the years.

It took her two months just to write the first draft of that report.

And Chen Yuan had been the one to submit it.

Although everyone on the oversight committee had put in some effort, Jiangg Ning was undoubtedly the lead author. In the end, however, it was submitted under Chen Yuan's name.

For that, Chen Yuan could only feel fortunate. He really had married a good wife.

"I've read the report as well," Minister Mo chimed in. "It's exceptionally meticulous, showing real effort in many of the finer details. Just the analysis of the reforms' effectiveness in rooting out long-standing issues and the vision it paints for the future—most people could never achieve that kind of depth."

After the report was submitted, it circulated countless times among the top leadership in just one short week.

Countless people had read it.

Naturally, many people began to take Chen Yuan seriously, not just because of his status, but because of the strategic talent displayed in the report.

"Enough about business," Jiang Zhengfeng said. "Yuan, it's your turn to show your respect to your 'uncles' here. Go on, toast them. You'll all be working together in the future. I'm asking everyone to please look out for my son. When he needs to be taught a lesson, please do it on my behalf. He's still too green at his age and needs to be tempered."

"President Jiang, you're too kind."

"As the saying goes, the new generation surpasses the old. Chairman, you're underestimating the young President Jiang."

"I actually have a few things I'd like to discuss with the young President Jiang in private, but since today is his wedding—a joyous occasion—I won't be a killjoy."

After that bit of pointed commentary, a few of the men skillfully diffused the tension, pulling the table's atmosphere back to lively conversation and laughter.

Of course, Chen Yuan understood Jiang Zhengfeng's meaning.

He raised his glass, offering the first toast to Mo.

The toasts and drinks went back and forth.

Before they knew it, the wedding banquet had stretched until six in the evening. They had been drinking since noon.

The party only broke up in the end because of business matters.

...

At the Jiangg family home, the main hall was brightly lit.

The two sisters, one supporting Chen Yuan and the other holding him up by the arm, struggled with all their might to get the staggering man to his feet.

Before this, he had already thrown up twice in the courtyard.

"Ningning," he slurred, his eyes hazy. "Tonight... Yaoyao and me, and you... we'll all sleep together. No one's allowed to leave."

"We know, we know. Just try to stand steady," Jiangg Ning coaxed softly. "Let's get you upstairs first, okay? You'll feel much better after a shower. Yaoyao and I will help you."

"Don't help me, I can walk myself..." Chen Yuan grumbled, staggering as he walked. "I'm not actually drunk. I'm perfectly sober. I was so happy today... But some people just had to spoil it. I don't get why they don't understand. We're all working for the group, but they make it seem like... like I'm trying to cause a schism. I never thought about any of that."

"I can't believe those people," Jiangg Yao fumed, her face full of indignation. Her heart ached seeing Chen Yuan so drunk. "Forcing the young master to drink like that on his own wedding day. Did they really have to talk business on such a happy occasion? Would they only be happy if he drank himself into the hospital?"

Jiangg Ning didn't say anything. She just ruffled Chen Yuan's hair and helped him upstairs.

'Ever since she first learned of Chen Yuan's background, she knew this was destined to be an incredibly difficult path.'

'Now, as his wife, all she could do was give her all to help the man she loved, to ease his worries and solve his problems.'

'There was nothing more she could do.'

...

「The day after the wedding.」

Bright sunlight streamed in from the terrace, pouring through a gap in the curtains.

Chen Yuan opened his drowsy eyes. He could feel the blanket wrapped tightly around his body. The air around him was cool, probably because the air conditioning was turned up high, and his lips felt a little dry.

Chen Yuan licked his lips and struggled to sort through his jumbled thoughts as consciousness slowly returned.

Soon, he remembered...

'Yesterday... yesterday was his wedding day!'

As the thought surfaced, a bit of clarity returned to Chen Yuan's eyes. He hurriedly turned his head, having felt the warmth of a body beside him.

As he twisted his neck, a faint crack sounded from his bones—he had been in one position for too long and had grown a little stiff.

However, what met his eyes was the sight of Jiangg Ning sleeping soundly beside him.

Her hair was spread across the pillow as she slept peacefully. Her profile was soft, and half her body was nestled in his arms, one hand resting on his chest.

Her fair skin looked so delicate it might break at a touch, and her whole being seemed to glow with a soft, hazy light.

Watching her, Chen Yuan's heart swelled with tenderness.

A moment later, as if remembering something, he turned his head to look at his other side. He didn't see Jiangg Yao, however. A little puzzled, he lifted his head slightly and only then spotted Yaoyao, who was sleeping on her side below the pillow.

He had to admit, her sleeping posture was far from elegant. Compared to Ningning, she slept without any semblance of grace whatsoever.

One of Jiangg Yao's long legs was sticking out from under the blanket, resting on top of it. She was lying diagonally on her stomach, and instead of resting on the pillow, the pillow was smooshed against her face. As for her other leg...

'No wonder!'

He'd felt a weight on his body all night, as if something were pinning him down. It turned out to be Jiangg Yao's other leg, slung right across him.

'He felt a surge of helpless resignation.'

Chen Yuan wasn't worried about waking Jiangg Yao. She was always the soundest sleeper in the mornings; even a clap of thunder couldn't rouse her, let alone the trivial act of moving her leg.