Chapter 86: Threat

She was so startled she nearly dropped her phone. Completely unprepared. The screams from the phone continued for over ten seconds before someone hung up, leaving only a busy signal.

Still shaken, Xin Gan hurriedly turned on all the lights in the studio, finally feeling a bit better. She picked up her phone and checked the number—it was local. She tried calling back, but it wouldn't connect. She had no idea who would play such a prank.

Xin Gan comforted herself that it was just a coincidence, took a moment to compose herself, then grabbed her car keys and bag before leaving the studio.

Once outside, she got into her car, gazing at the deserted street. Unable to resist, she dialed Cheng Jiu's number. She wanted so badly to hear his voice; perhaps only that could dispel her lingering fear.

But after just one ring, Xin Gan ended the call, suddenly drained of strength, slumping over the steering wheel. It was late; he was probably unavailable.

Xin Gan didn't want to disrupt his work—she decided not to bother him.

...

The next morning, after a night’s rest, Xin Gan woke up feeling heavy-headed, with a sore throat and a slight cough.

At breakfast, her father was also present. Seeing her pale face, he asked, "Did you come home late last night?"

"No," Xin Gan replied.

"Is the studio keeping you busy these days? You don't look well," he remarked.

"I caught a bit of a cold from the wind last night," she said.

"If the studio gets too busy, hire more help. Don't try to do everything yourself." Xin's father kept his advice brief, then the conversation turned to Cheng Jiu. "How has Cheng Jiu been lately? You haven't mentioned him."

Xin Gan shifted uncomfortably. "He should be fine, I suppose."

"From the way you say that, it sounds like you don't really know how he's doing."

She touched her ear, a little embarrassed to talk about Cheng Jiu in front of her father. "It's not that, we just haven't been in touch much. I've been busy."

"It's important to stay busy, but you also have to keep in touch," her father said gently, for her own good.

Xin Gan ate her breakfast, listening as he continued. "Marriage takes effort from both people. If only one tries, it won't last. Cheng Jiu treats you very well; we've all seen it. You can't let him be the only one making efforts. You need to respond in time. Only with give and take can you go far together."

"I understand," she replied.

"When you have some free time, call Cheng Jiu. Support each other," her father urged.

Yet, despite these words, Xin Gan still didn't call Cheng Jiu.

Later that day, soon after arriving at the studio, Shen Ruxin came with Keke.

The students only arrived in the afternoon, so the studio was quiet, just a few teachers preparing lesson plans.

Xin Gan poured a glass of juice for Keke and played with her for a bit.

Shen Ruxin glanced around and asked, "Do you regret it?"

Xin Gan was puzzled, her eyes questioning.

"Giving up immigration, leaving everything abroad, returning to Yongcheng and starting over," Shen Ruxin clarified. She had always wanted to ask but hadn’t found the right moment. Seeing Xin Gan’s studio finally on track, she was relieved and happy for her.

Xin Gan replied, "I wouldn't say I regret it. It's just a matter of making a new plan. Things rarely go exactly as you imagine."

"Including marrying Cheng Jiu? That certainly wasn't in your plans," Shen Ruxin teased.

Xin Gan smiled, saying nothing.

Keke finished her juice, clung to Xin Gan and whined, "Auntie, I want some teddy bear cookies. I'm hungry."

Shen Ruxin pinched her cheek. "Hungry? Didn't you just have lunch?"

Keke pouted in protest. "Mommy is mean, always withholding my snacks. Auntie is the best. I'm going to sleep with Auntie tonight."

Shen Ruxin rolled her eyes. "What a little schemer, always buttering up your auntie. But not tonight—Auntie is busy. Next time, okay?"

Keke's face fell, and she began to whimper in a theatrical show of sadness, though not a single tear fell.

Xin Gan soothed her with candy, and Keke immediately cheered up.

Shen Ruxin shook her head helplessly, then said to Xin Gan, "Do you remember that Xiaohan?"

"Xiaohan?" Xin Gan nodded. "What about her?"

"You had some trouble with her at Song Chen's company, right? Was she giving you a hard time?" Shen Ruxin had visited the company before. The HR director was her friend, making it easy to hear any rumors.

Xin Gan said, "You knew about that, cousin?"

"How could I not? Did you think I was just a housewife, oblivious to everything?"

Xin Gan smiled faintly.

"That Xiaohan made a fool of herself at the company a few days ago. They're letting her go."

Since resigning, Xin Gan hadn’t kept up with such news. Hearing this from Shen Ruxin caught her off guard.

"She was the one who claimed you got into the company through connections and maligned you as a homewrecker. I should have known you'd be bullied there with your temperament. I just didn't expect it to happen so quickly. Xiaohan isn’t an easy opponent, but neither are you. When this happened, you didn’t tell me and put up with it at work."

"Xiaohan had an affair with a deputy director, sent him flirty messages, and got found out by his wife. His wife went straight to the company, called HR, and had her fired on the spot. Song Chen told me about it yesterday and asked what you were doing these days."

Xin Gan sighed—she felt no sympathy for Xiaohan. She brought this on herself.

Shen Ruxin patted Xin Gan's shoulder. "I know you're not one to stir up trouble, but sometimes, being too silent only invites bullying."

Xin Gan pressed her lips together, suddenly thinking of Jiang Tang.

Jiang Tang once thought Xin Gan was a pushover, always looked down on her, and acted superior. Now that Cheng Jiu had left, Xin Gan wondered about Jiang Tang... Newlyweds forced into a long-distance relationship was never easy, and their relationship had never been particularly stable. She didn't know whether Cheng Jiu could resist temptation...

She couldn't help but let her thoughts spiral—so unlike her usual self. Hesitant, indecisive. Even though she'd fallen for Cheng Jiu, she couldn't bring herself to admit it.

She worried too much, and with the slightest distraction, she stumbled.

...

After sending Shen Ruxin and Keke off, Xin Gan worked late into the night. When all the students and other staff had left, she sat alone in her small office for a long, long time.

Finally, she called Cheng Jiu's mobile.

He didn’t answer; she guessed he was busy.

But a few minutes later, Cheng Jiu called her back.

Xin Gan's heart pounded violently—now she couldn't avoid it, so she answered.

"Xin Gan?" His voice was gentle but concerned.

She frowned, a thousand emotions swirling within her, making it hard to speak. All she could manage was a soft, "Mm."

"Is something wrong?" he asked. It was late, and she’d just called and immediately hung up. Clearly, something had happened. Cheng Jiu stepped into a corner, his voice softening. After a brief pause, all he said was, "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

Xin Gan lowered her gaze, biting her lip, her eyes bright with unshed tears.

"Why aren't you saying anything?" Cheng Jiu pressed gently.

His tender voice made her dizzy. Without thinking, she blurted out, "I don't know why, but suddenly I just wanted to hear your voice."

As soon as the words left her lips, she felt embarrassed, a little childish.

"What kind of voice do you want to hear?" he teased.

"What other kind of voice do you have?"

"There are plenty you've never heard," Cheng Jiu replied, a hint of laughter in his tone. He was about to shower, shirt already off and the water running, when he heard his phone ring. Seeing it was Xin Gan, he abandoned his shower, standing by the window to answer. "What kind of scene do you want? I can do it live for you."

Xin Gan was an adult; she couldn't miss his meaning. She pinched her earlobe. "Go ahead, I'm listening."

"Really?" His voice was deep and amused.

"Really," she replied, braver now, joking with him.

Cheng Jiu exhaled a slow drag of his cigarette. "I’ll save it for when we meet in person. When the real thing happens, don’t beg me for mercy."

Xin Gan blushed furiously, coughing. Somehow, their conversation had taken a turn she couldn't walk back from.

They fell silent for a while. At last, Cheng Jiu said, "I might not be able to contact you for a while. If you need anything, ask He Chuan for help."

"For how long?" Xin Gan asked.

"I’m not sure."

She didn't press further. "Have your injuries healed?"

"Yes, all better."

"Then be careful."

"Mm." He had nothing else to add. Every time he went on a mission, he was supposed to write a will. Before Xin Gan, he never did—no matter how much Meng, his squad leader, scolded him. But now, it was different. He had to write one, for Xin Gan’s sake.

He had found faith, someone to care for, a weakness he couldn't ignore anymore.

Xin Gan’s worry trembled in her voice. "Cheng Jiu, remember, I’m waiting for you in Yongcheng."

Cheng Jiu's throat tightened, smoke heavy in his chest, unable to let it go. "I’ll come back. Don’t worry."

It was very late. Xin Gan said, "You should rest. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," he replied.

...

He was not alone. His profession destined his path to be rough, never calm. He always moved against the current, leaving her with only a strong, reassuring figure, unwavering, unafraid of hardship or sacrifice, ready to give everything for this land. For Xin Gan, this was both cruel and glorious. He would do what he believed in, and she would wait for his return with understanding and no complaint.

In the following days, Xin Gan devoted herself to the studio. Sometimes, she went out for tea with her mother and Mrs. Cheng, keeping up connections.

Occasionally, Cheng Hui would join them. She was a college freshman, with a light course load and plenty of free time.

Mrs. Cheng often asked about Cheng Jiu. Xin Gan always said they kept in touch, but both were busy, so not often. Still, their relationship was stable, with no problems.

One day, Cheng Hui asked, "Sister-in-law, do you know He Chuan’s younger brother, He Cheng?"

Xin Gan didn’t hide it. "Yes, I know him."

"He’s not a good person. Don't get close to him. None of us like him—he’s trouble."

Cheng Hui was worried He Cheng might cause problems for Xin Gan. He Chuan had told her that He Cheng had his eye on Xin Gan because he liked her, but Xin Gan had always kept her distance, not wanting to make things ugly. Cheng Hui knew Xin Gan well, and now they were family—of course, she took Xin Gan’s side.

She resented He Cheng’s behavior even more.

...

When Cheng Hui wasn’t at class, she was either at home or at Xin Gan’s studio. Over time, she grew closer to a male high-school student there, and they started chatting on social media.

The boy liked Cheng Hui and asked her out privately.

Xin Gan had no idea. She was focused on teaching art, not her students’ social lives. Besides, Cheng Hui was outgoing and got along with several students, so there was nothing unusual.

She didn’t notice anything amiss.

He Chuan came to see her, asking for the contact information of the boy whom Cheng Hui had posted about on her social media. Only then did Xin Gan realize something might be wrong.

"What’s going on with Cheng Hui?" she asked.

He Chuan smiled helplessly. "She’s mad at me again, out playing with a boy and not answering my calls. I’m worried about her."

Xin Gan checked her social media feed and saw a photo Cheng Hui had posted with the boy.

"I’ll ask her," Xin Gan said.

"No need, I’ll find her myself," He Chuan replied. "Before Cheng Jiu left, I promised to look after her. If anything happens to her, I can’t answer to him."

"Wait, let me find the boy’s number for you," Xin Gan offered.

He Chuan hadn’t wanted to trouble Xin Gan, but Cheng Hui had been spending so much time at her studio, and the boy was one of her students.

He thanked Xin Gan for the number.

"Are you going to find them now? Do you want me to come? It might be easier for me to talk to Hui," Xin Gan suggested.

"No need," He Chuan said firmly, then softened. "You’re busy. I'll handle it myself."

He thanked her once more before leaving in a hurry, as if racing to find Cheng Hui.

Xin Gan’s eyelid suddenly twitched, a feeling that something was about to happen. She tried to dismiss it.

With the studio hiring, Xin Gan had her assistant handle recruitment.

Soon, the assistant brought in a candidate.

As soon as they met, Xin Gan hadn’t even spoken when the applicant’s face darkened—it was Xiaohan. But she didn’t storm off.

"Boss, this is Xiaohan. She’s applying for the art teacher position," the assistant introduced.

"I see. You can go back to your work," Xin Gan replied.

When the assistant left and closed the door, Xin Gan was surprised. Although they’d had issues, she proceeded as usual, "Please have a seat. Let's talk."

Xiaohan didn’t sit. "Was it you who ratted me out?"

Xin Gan knew what she meant and answered calmly, "You’re here for the interview, right? Let’s focus on that."

"Interview? I came here just for you. Xin Gan, you really have nerve. Even after leaving, you can’t let things go—you had to drag me down too? You’re the shameless snitch, aren’t you?"

After being fired, Xiaohan hadn’t found another job. When she tried contacting the deputy director, he ignored and blocked her, making it clear he wanted nothing to do with her.

"If you’re not here for the interview, you can leave," Xin Gan said, her voice steady.

"Don’t play dumb. I came here today to settle things between us. I lost my job—are you happy now?"

"You can always find another job," Xin Gan replied. "And your losing one doesn’t make me happy. If you’re not here for the interview, please leave. I have nothing else to say to you."

"Fine, keep pretending. Let your staff and students see your true colors!" Xiaohan stormed out, yelling, "Your boss, Xin Gan, is nothing but a fraud—stealing designs, using connections, slandering people, rotten to the core! You’d all be wise to quit now or your lives will be shortened working for her!"

"Who knows how many men she had to sleep with to open this little studio. Shameful!"

To Xin Gan, Xiaohan had hit rock bottom and no longer cared.

As she made a scene, the assistant tried to intervene, but Xiaohan shoved her aside. The other teachers, all young women, were frightened—they’d never witnessed such chaos.

Worried Xiaohan would affect others, Xin Gan stepped out, face cold. "Xiaohan, if you keep this up, I’ll have to call the police."

"Go ahead, call them. Let’s see who gets shamed," Xiaohan sneered.

"If you keep slandering me, I can sue you for defamation," Xin Gan replied, keeping her composure. "You’re out of work and have no income. If you have money to waste, go ahead—drag this out. I have nothing to lose and all the means to fight you."

Xin Gan had never spoken so forcefully before, especially to someone she once worked with. In Xiaohan’s mind, Xin Gan had always been timid—how could she suddenly become so tough and even threaten to sue?

Xiaohan hesitated; she clearly didn’t have the resources or energy to go up against Xin Gan. She came from an average family—if not, she wouldn’t have gotten involved with an old, ugly deputy director just for a little money.

Her affair was quickly discovered by his wife, who showed up at the company to confront her. The scandal became common knowledge. Even without being fired, she couldn’t have stayed.

After Xin Gan resigned, Xiaohan thought she’d gotten rid of a thorn in her side, but in the end, she was the one who lost everything, while Xin Gan opened her own studio and became her own boss.

The bitterness was a pill Xiaohan couldn’t swallow.

"Don’t think your threats scare me. I have nothing left—I can fight you to the end. Just wait," Xiaohan spat before leaving.

...

No one was harmed, just badly frightened. They were all young women, unaccustomed to such scenes.

Even Xin Gan herself was shaken, but she still needed to comfort everyone else.

...

After their trip to the mall, Cheng Hui and the boy went to the amusement park. He was still a high schooler, so there were limits; they could only play games suitable for minors.

He convinced her to enter the haunted house, though she was reluctant. "I’m really scared. You go by yourself," she protested, rolling her eyes.

"It’s my birthday, Cheng Hui. Don’t spoil the fun—come with me. I’ll go in front," he pleaded.

She was still scared, but couldn’t resist his urging, so she braced herself and followed him.

If it hadn’t been his birthday, and if he hadn’t begged her to come out, she wouldn’t have agreed.

After all, he’d said she was the only one who cared enough to celebrate with him.