In the small conference room, Zheng Yanshu learned that all support for the Fourth Division’s expenses, including the Sales Department, had been cut during that morning’s routine meeting.

“What do you mean?” he wondered if he had misheard.

The Finance Department told him, “It’s the company’s decision. We will no longer provide any financial support to your Fourth Division.”

Zheng Yanshu argued, “But there are still 20 million payable this month.”

The Finance Department reiterated, “Starting today, all financial support will cease.”

“I understand.” Zheng Yanshu hung up the phone, his cold gaze fixed on Jian Hang. “Not a single yuan. Jian Hang, what exactly do you want to do!”

Zheng Yanshu was furious, and in his anger, he often spoke without thinking, “I know you’re capable, a graduate of a prestigious university, and doing very well in the venture capital world, so you think you’re invincible. But please remember why it’s called the traditional fast-moving consumer goods industry!

“You’ve been here for four months, and besides causing trouble all day long, what have you done? To satisfy your own selfish desires, you’ve dragged all of us down with you.”

Zheng Yanshu questioned Jian Hang: “Without any financial investment, have you considered how difficult it is to work in each region? It’s July now, and August and September are the peak sales season. Without a single yuan, which distributor would be willing to cooperate with us?”

Jian Hang didn’t respond, giving him enough time to vent his anger.

The others sighed silently, their feelings a mix of emotions.

They didn’t expect the company to be so ruthless, cutting off all funding.

The money raised from the bank has been used for R&D, and bringing in venture capital wasn’t something that could be done in just two or three months. In fact, whether or not they could successfully bring in investors was still uncertain.

“You may fail, but with President Qin backing you up, you won’t be short of a few million in salary a year. You can still go home and be Mrs. Qin, living your life of luxury. But the others in the Fourth Division are different from you. They don’t have your good fortune. They have to support their families, and no one has the resources to play along with you!”

This time, Zheng Yanshu didn’t smash the mouse. He closed his laptop, picked it up, and left.

Given the current situation, there was no need to hold another meeting.

“Zheng Yanshu!” Zhou Yi warned sternly, making Zheng Yanshu sit back down.

His response was a loud bang as the door slammed shut.

Zhou Yi could somewhat understand Jian Hang’s current feelings. “Should we still push forward with the new plan?”

“Keep things as is.”

“There’s no money.” Without money, nothing could be discussed; a deposit was required for custom-making figurines. “Don’t worry about the money, I’ll handle it. The money will be in place by this Friday at the latest. Meeting adjourned.” Jian Hang left with her laptop.

… … translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

At five o’clock sharp, Jian Hang went home after getting off work.

A black sedan with consecutive numbers for its license plate was parked on the side of the road below the apartment building.

As she drove up to it, Jian Hang lightly applied the brakes.

Both of them got out of their cars.

Jian Hang closed the car door. “Why did you leave the company so early?”

Qin Moling gave an irrelevant answer, “I thought you would come to my office this afternoon.”

Jian Hang smiled and said, “Why do I need to talk to you? From your perspective, your decision is entirely in the company’s best interest, and it even leaves room for the Fourth Division to maneuver. I’m already very grateful that you didn’t object to Third Uncle’s decision.”

“Jian Hang, it wasn’t just Third Uncle who wanted to approve your plan.” He came here to tell her this in person, “Third Uncle interrupted me back then.”

Qin Moling took two steps forward and stood face to face with her. “That plan you made is worth the risk of trying.”

Jian Hang was flattered; he had always looked down on all her ideas.

Qin Moling turned to the driver and instructed, “Park the car properly.”

He took her hand and led her into the apartment building.

There was surveillance footage in the elevator; the two were only holding hands.

When they entered Jian Hang’s apartment, she was immediately trapped in the entryway.

Surrounded by his embrace and kisses, they temporarily put the work aside.

Jian Hang hugged his waist, melting into a pool of water in his arms.

From the entryway to the bathroom.

It was not yet seven o’clock, and the bathroom was bright enough without needing to turn on the lights. If you smelled closely enough, you could even detect a faint floral fragrance.

Water droplets from Qin Moling’s hair rolled down her forehead.

Jian Hang clung tightly to his waist and lowered her head to kiss him.

On the wall, their shadows overlapped.

They were intertwined.

Jian Hang pressed her forehead against his, their noses touching. She hadn’t had a chance to properly look at him during the meeting today. They hadn’t seen each other for the past few days, and she longed to see him.

… . ..

At nine o’clock, Qin Moling took a shower and went to cook.

The kitchen in the small apartment was also small, and the refrigerator had a single door and not much food inside, so he simply cooked two dishes.

Jian Hang dried her hair, put on his shirt, and came out of the bedroom barefoot.

There were advantages to having a small house; she could see him at a glance.

Unlike in his apartment, where your voice echoed.

Jian Hang tied her hair up and stood at the kitchen door to keep him company.

Qin Moling glanced back at her. Earlier in the bedroom, she had acted coquettishly beneath him. He was utterly defeated and almost lost control.

“The food will be ready soon.”

“No rush, I’m not hungry.” Jian Hang’s throat was dry; she had been shouting a lot earlier and was still a little hoarse.

Qin Moling talked to her about strategic financing, saying, “You don’t need to find venture capital firms to raise funds. Don’t you have money on hand? Find an institution you’re familiar with to handle it and invest directly in the Fourth Division.”

Of the cards he had given her before, just two would be enough to cover the Fourth Division’s operational expenses. As her boss, he wouldn’t indulge her; as her husband, he’d let her do whatever she wanted with the money.

If they lose the money, so be it; consider it a lesson learned.

Jian Hang refused without hesitation. “I don’t need your money. I have my own way. Using your money to gamble on the future of the Fourth Division is just being reckless. I don’t need it.”

Qin Moling was cooking, his back to her. “Going to others for funding is the same as going to me for funding.”

“They’re not the same thing.” How could they possibly be the same thing?

It wasn’t a few hundred thousand or even tens of millions; he’s cut all funding for the four productions. To revitalize them, even a billion won’t be enough.

If she made money, then that’s fine, but what if she lost money?

This money lost in investment would inevitably become a thorn in their marriage. Her parents were a perfect example. Her father lost a lot of money in the stock market, and her mother couldn’t help but say a few words about it every time something came up.

Actually, her mother doesn’t really blame her father much, but because her father had suffered a loss, he was psychologically sensitive about it and always felt that her mother was blaming him, so he always felt wronged.

The two have argued about this more than once or twice.

And her father only lost about 100,000 yuan.

If she invested over a billion yuan and the market didn’t take off, she would definitely blame herself.

If it was money she earned herself, it didn’t matter; she could lose it if she wanted.

But it wasn’t her money.

She didn’t have the confidence to use it.

Qin Moling was subtly displeased. “You can ask others for financing, so why can’t you use my money? This amount of money is nothing to me; if I lose it, so be it.”

But for her, it was an astronomical figure, money she couldn’t earn in several lifetimes by working.

Jian Hang stopped the conversation, “Company matters are handled at the company; we don’t discuss these things at home.”

“I’m talking to you now as your husband about the issues concerning your Fourth Division. But let’s not talk about that. What are your plans regarding the expenses for your Fourth Division?”

“That’s my business.”

“Jian Hang, do you even consider me your husband?”

The house suddenly became quiet.

Jian Hang’s voice was very low, “What do you think?”

“If you considered me your husband and had any feelings for me, you wouldn’t be so calculating about money. You wouldn’t just decide to separate like that.”

After a few seconds of pause, he said, “You’ve never treated the villa as your own home.”

Jian Hang stared at his back for a long time, but she didn’t say anything and sat down at the dining table to wait for dinner.

Qin Moling himself didn’t understand why the atmosphere had suddenly become like this.

Just now, their bodies had been so in sync.

They finished the meal in silence.

Qin Moling cleaned the dining table, then checked the refrigerator. There wasn’t much milk left; he’d have to buy her some in the next couple of days. He picked up his watch and put it on. “I’m going back now.”

“Wait a minute, I’ll take you there.” Jian Hang got up to change her clothes.

Qin Moling said indifferently, “No need.” He closed the door and left.

Jian Hang stood there for half a minute, then went to the door and locked it from the inside.

Marriage First, Love Later translated by Maela @ whitemoonlighttranslations.com

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T/N: 😔

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