I Really Didn't Want the Long Aotian to Be My Wife [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 17

It was a Sunday, typically a day off. Yet, the company was bustling with people – a startup teeming with employees in the middle of a heavy work phase. The boss was leading overtime hours, but the pay was substantial, with overtime earning not only regular wages but also bonuses.

Though working as the front desk receptionist in this startup, compared to the research and other departments, the workload wasn’t heavy.

What the receptionist never anticipated, though, was being approached on a Sunday by a youthful, attractive young lady looking for the boss. She asked her, “Do you have an appointment?”

Tong Leryong nervously gripped the bag in her hand, feeling anxious not due to stage fright, but because despite coming from a moderately affluent family, she held a respectful status. “I’m Wei Zhenge’s classmate. Could you pass a message to Mr. Jian?”

The receptionist informed Jian Yuanbai’s assistant of the visitor. Everyone in the company knew that Mr. Jian occasionally spoke over the phone with someone referred to as ‘Xiao Zhentou’.

It was a piece of private information that came to light simply because Mr. Jian would sometimes answer this person’s calls even during meetings.

Seeing the young woman, Jian Yuanbai was leisurely sitting in his office, sipping his coffee and bragging to his system, “Our technical development phase is nearly done. Next, we’ll focus on marketing and going into mass production. Things are about to get on track.”

Contrastingly, the system maintained a deadly silence. It was a support system meant to assist Long Aotian, and Jian Yuanbai was supposedly there to aid Long Aotian’s growth. But right now, looking at Jian Yuanbai, dressed sharply and sitting in his office, the system was at a loss for words.

Compared to the yet-to-mature Wei Zhenge, Jian Yuanbai was the one resembling Long Aotian. He even seemed more deserving of egoism than Long Aotian, having not experienced even momentary setbacks along the way.

Everything had been a smooth sailing success.

The system began to doubt, considering who this person he initially thought was a minor character actually was. A person taking up this mission wouldn’t be like this, because on bad luck days, this mission could prove fatal.

People aware of the mission’s danger wouldn’t have elite individuals taking on such risks.

Jian Yuanbai, accustomed to the system’s silence, didn’t mind. Then his assistant reported over the intercom that Wei Zhenge’s classmate was looking for him, and without hesitation, he asked her in.

He saw a girl walk in, her shoulder-length hair cascading down, dressed entirely in white, a delicate heart-shaped pendant sitting at her chest. Clearly, she’d made a substantial effort to look her best. In her hand, she carried a delicately wrapped gift bag, “You’re Xiao Zhentou’s classmate?”

Stunned by the nickname ‘Xiao Zhentou’, Tong Leryong couldn’t imagine this aloof and distant man using such a sentimental nickname.

Tong Leryong nodded before blushingly stammering out, her face reminiscent of a blooming peach blossom, “Hello, my name is Tong Leryong. I am looking for my classmate, Wei Zhenge. May I see him?”

Jian Yuanbai asked, “What do you need from him?”

Wei Zhenge had messaged him asking not to let anyone know it was his 18th birthday, yet Tong Leryong, standing in front of Wei Zhenge’s guardian, hastily confessed, “Today is his 18th birthday, and I want to celebrate it with him.”

After bidding farewell to Tong Leryong, silence haunted Jian Yuanbai’s office. The system nervously ‘swallowed’ its non-existent saliva, too terrified to utter a word.

The system anticipated Jian Yuanbai’s emotional outrage, questioning how it failed to ascertain Wei Zhenge’s age accurately. But after a long quiet moment, Jian Yuanbai’s voice was surprisingly calm, “I thought I’d at least be with him for a year.”

“In the plot you told me about, this bully character I play and ‘Xiao Zhentou’ will co-exist till their high school graduation, which is when Xiao Zhentou becomes an adult.”

“So, has my mission ended?”

The system responded, “Yes. After Wei Zhenge awakens his foresight and golden finger, he will embark on a road of gemstone gambling, and eventually become a top jeweler worldwide.”

Jian Yuanbai looked around his spacious office. His company was on the right track, and was assured to crush the Wei family within a year. However, his ‘Xiao Zhentou’ seemed to no longer need his protection.

“I guess it’s time for me to leave,” Jian Yuanbai paused, “But I dislike goodbyes.”

“How much longer can I stay in this world?” he asked again.

Before the system could answer, Jian Yuanbai emitted a cold laugh. “Can you explain why there are problems everywhere in the plot you gave me?”

The system swiftly replied, not answering his question, but addressing the previous one, “You can stay here for a year, and spend that time with Wei Zhenge as you had anticipated.”

The system sensed Jian Yuanbai’s reluctance to part ways and hoped this response would deter him from delving further into plot discrepancies. However, Jian Yuanbai’s reply surprised it.

“No need. I came here for the mission initially. Now that the mission is over, I should leave.”

The system was taken aback. “But didn’t you say you came here for Xiao Zhentou? That doing all this for him wasn’t too much…”

During its speech, the system realized what Jian Yuanbai meant. His mission was to support Wei Zhenge, so when he said he came for ‘Xiao Zhentou’ and these actions weren’t too much, it implied his mission.

Jian Yuanbai had been working hard in the company, hoping the company could meet his requirements within a year, his mission timeframe.

He seemed to care a lot for Wei Zhenge, yet also seemed apathetic.

The system silently chuckled in mockery. It should have been aware earlier; for those who are on a mission, who would genuinely care about a character like Wei Zhenge who plays a small role in the world’s narrative?

Jian Yuanbai may have been pushed to undertake a small role in this mission, but he was one of the minor characters amongst them, which didn’t lack their inherent arrogance.

The system’s voice turned somewhat cold as it told Jian Yuanbai, “Host, if you want to leave this world, you can tell me anytime. Do you want to go now?”

Jian Yuanbai shook his head, “Let me handle some things first.”

He called for an assistant to bring in a lawyer, and went on to sign over all his properties and shares to Wei Zhenge without compensation. After the lawyer left, Jian Yuanbai sat in his office chair, the fountain pen in his hand spinning intricate patterns as he calmly pondered.

He considered how the company was nearly on the right track, how he could leave it in the vice president’s hands, someone he had personally recruited and trusted to be of good character. Wei Zhenge could take over or not manage it, and just earn money.

Everything seemed ready, as if Jian Yuanbai could just withdraw from the situation.

However, he leaned back in his chair, legs crossed, and his slender hands effortlessly spun the pen. He sat like this for an entire day.

The sky began to darken, filling with shades of gray and the bustling night scene outside the window illuminated countless lights, but he still remained seated.

After remaining silent for the entire afternoon, Jian Yuanbai suddenly spoke, “It seems Tong Leryong is one of Long Aotian’s three wives in the plot, right?”

“She’s a very brave girl, daring to confront me directly for the sake of celebrating Xiao Zhentou’s birthday.”

Jian Yuanbai had provided his address, as he had no reason to refuse. “So today, Xiao Zhentou turns 18. How will they celebrate?”

“Will they…kiss?”

The system impatiently replied, “You’re not his real brother, and you’re about to leave. Why are you meddling in their love lives?”

The system found it dull since he was leaving anyway, there was no point in pretending to care about Wei Zhenge.

Jian Yuanbai fell silent for a moment, before suddenly jumping up from his chair, “They haven’t even taken their college entrance exams yet! How can they be dating so early? I’m their guardian, how can I not intervene?”

“To you, can a responsible guardian allow teenage love to interfere with a child’s academic performance?”

As he spoke, he realized the flaw in his own words. Unabashedly, he continued, “This child was once your…pup. Can you just let him waste his studies by dating during such a crucial year of high school just because he’s now 18?”

Indignant and righteous, he made a declaration, “Of course not!”

After grabbing his suit jacket draped over the chair, Jian Yuanbai mounted his motorcycle. He still wore no helmet, and the sleek office attire was a stark contrast to the motorcycle’s cold air.

His expression was stern, the indifference emanating from his brows seemingly fusing seamlessly with the motorcycle. His suit rippled in the wind as he sped along, and to anyone looking, he might be hurrying to a soundless battlefield of adulthood for negotiations. Still, he seemed like a twenty-something-year-old guy pursuing his love passionately and recklessly.

It felt out of place, yet perfectly blended.

When Jian Yuanbai opened the front door, he expected to see Ton Le Rong conversing joyously with Xiao Zhen Ge. To his surprise, the room was silent, with no lights on in the living room.

Wei Zhen Ge, who had heard the door open, came out of his room with a book in hand, his clean, shiny, black eyes expressing confusion as he looked at Jian Yuanbai. “Why are you back so early today?”

Jian Yuanbai had a lot to say at that moment, yet the first words that came out of his mouth, said with a deadpan face were, “I think you shouldn’t be in a relationship so young.”

To his surprise, Wei Zhen Ge was confused as to why he would say this, but simply responded with a nod, “Hmm.”

Today when Tong Le Rong came, Wei Zhen Ge didn’t ask how she found his place nor did he converse much with her.

Wei Zhen Ge particularly disliked others meddling in his life against his will. He had mentioned not wanting to celebrate his birthday, but Tong Le Rong came anyway, making him feel disrespected.

Still, he kindly but distantly refused Tong Le Rong’s well-intentioned gesture.

Hearing Wei Zhen Ge’s affirmative ‘Hmm’, Jian Yuanbai fell silent once again. Wei Zhen Ge’s gaze landed on his shoes, leading Jian Yuanbai to look down, only to notice his own leather shoes.

Too anxious to come in, he hadn’t changed his shoes at the door.

“Don’t dismiss me so casually. You’re in an important year of high school; how can you have a girlfriend so early?” After a brief silence, Jian Yuanbai said solemnly.

Wei Zhen Ge replied, “Why did you suddenly bring up having a girlfriend?”

He laughed, stating confidently, “I won’t date, don’t worry.”

With an accusing look in his eyes, Jian Yuanbai stared at Wei Zhen Ge, “Your classmate came to my company today for your birthday. And you’re saying you’re not in a relationship?”

With a light thud, the book in Wei Zhen Ge’s hand dropped to the floor. He bent down to pick it up, his tone no different from usual, “Just a classmate.”

“That reminds me, I was waiting for you to come back and talk about this.”

“I’m eighteen now. Thank you for your care all this while. I’ll find a place and move out soon.”

Wei Zhen Ge knew he shouldn’t be drawn to this tenderness; he had wanted to conceal turning eighteen years old and continue living here in Jian Yuanbai’s home. However, now everything was out in the open. His pride, as someone “ready to go to war”, wouldn’t let him pretend as though nothing happened and continue living in Jian Yuanbai’s house.

Wei Zhen Ge displayed a charming smile, one that Jian Yuanbai liked. But at that moment, Jian Yuanbai turned his head away, refusing to look at his handsome face. “No need to be formal,” he said.

The two sat in silence. Jian Yuanbai, not ready to let go, asked again, “Are you really not going to date in your crucial high school senior year? I don’t believe you.”

Wei Zhen Ge didn’t understand why Jian Yuanbai was so persistent, but replied, “Before the college entrance exam, I don’t have the mindset for romance.”

Jian Yuanbai felt he should show a comforting smile, pushing up the corners of his lips, but the smile didn’t surface. “That’s good.”

“By the way, happy birthday.”

It was time for him to leave.

Translator Footnotes:

“小枕头” (Xiao Zhentou): This is a cute nickname, combining ‘xiao’ (meaning small or little) and ‘pillow.’ It’s used by Jian Yuanbai for Wei Zhenge, signaling their intimate relationship. In Chinese culture, the use of these kinds of affectionate nicknames typically indicates a close or caring relationship.

Oh noooo, Are they really going to separate?… I fell in love already with this setting…

What do you guys think?

Love ya (✿˶’◡˘)♡