A Beijing socialite stole my boyfriend; she went crazy after I got married.

Jiang Chu stared in shock.

She knew that the previous chairman of the Xie family, Xie Sen, who was also her boyfriend's father, had a wife surnamed Lei who had passed away long ago.

Judging by his age, he was probably around the time Xie Jing was in elementary school?

and so--

It's normal that Xie Jing never mentions his mother.

However, considering Xie Jing's elder brother Xie Rong's appearance, and then considering Xie Jing's own appearance, one can only say that the two brothers have some similarities.

But it's not particularly similar.

If they were half-brothers, it would make even more sense.

Jiang Chu stiffly turned her head and looked at the woman opposite her who was wearing a vest, had six-pack abs, and had a cold expression.

Jiang Chu: "..."

She turned her head again and looked at her boyfriend, who was thirty-four years old and incredibly handsome and controlled a trillion-dollar business empire.

Jiang Chu: "Can I still call you 'sister'?"

Xie Jing raised an eyebrow.

Sigrid chuckled. "Whatever you like. You can be my daughter, or you can be my sister—"

As he spoke, he glanced at Xie Jing, his eyes full of amusement.

Xie Jing: "..."

Jiang Chu blinked, still shocked. "But you look no more than fifty!"

Sigrid raised her eyebrows slightly, her expression mirroring her son's. "I'm sixty-seven, my dear."

Jiang Chu's feelings were complicated.

But mainly I admire him.

She looked at the radiant woman before her, who showed no signs of aging, and thought, "...That's wonderful. I want to learn from you."

This is definitely a strong person who has achieved the ultimate in vitality and self-management.

"It's just a hobby of mine," Sigrid patted her on the shoulder. "Everyone has their own pursuits. You're great too, and we can talk often."

Jiang Chu nodded frantically.

"Your boyfriend mentioned you before," Sigrid said with a smile. "I was quite curious at the time. I thought he was going to spend his whole life with his company."

Jiang Chu blushed slightly, yet also felt a little like laughing.

She finally realized that she had come to meet her mother-in-law today.

...Damn it.

They didn't even tell me beforehand!

She couldn't help but secretly glare at the man next to her.

Xie Jing casually put his arm around her, saying, "My mom usually travels all over the world, so it's rare for her to come here. I wanted to introduce you two."

Jiang Chu bit her lower lip. "You could have reminded me... I could at least have changed my clothes!"

I'll settle accounts with him sooner or later.

Sigrid looked at her. "I think you're doing great."

As they sat down in the nearby rest area, an employee quietly brought them bottled water and protein energy snacks.

Sigrid looked at Xie Jing, "Have you looked at the financial report?"

Xie Jing nodded. "I've looked at it. The location in Kuala Lumpur is problematic."

"How so?"

"IceSculpture's core membership base consists of high-income elites who have very high expectations for the ambiance of a space. Only detached houses or top-floor units with independent property rights can align with the brand's image..."

Sigrid listened quietly as he finished speaking. "Indeed, that professional manager was poached from a chain yoga brand the year before last, and his underlying mindset hasn't fully adapted."

"We can replace the person, or we can add a consultant next to him who is specifically responsible for site selection and site tone, using a two-line check and balance to replace single-person decision-making. The latter is less costly and the risks are also dispersed."

"Hmm," Sigrid pondered, "I'll hold a special meeting on the Asia-Pacific region when I get back. If you have a list of suitable candidates, send it to me."

Xie Jing nodded. "I'll have someone tidy it up."

The two then discussed site selection and organizational structure.

The mother and son spoke very efficiently and seemed to have a good understanding. At first glance, they didn't seem to have much tenderness or warmth, but they were by no means distant.

With the business settled, Sigrid leaned back in her chair, adopting a more casual posture, and her grey-green eyes swept over the two people in front of her.

"Alright," she said casually, "Are you planning to get married?"

Jiang Chu gripped the water glass tightly.

Xie Jing turned his head to the side and glanced at her. "Don't misunderstand, she herself is a non-marriage advocate."

He was reassuring Jiang Chu; his mother wasn't questioning their relationship—for example, asking if they were just playing around.

“I don’t like the concept of marriage,” Sigrid said bluntly. “It’s about binding two people who should be free to choose each other with a legal document.”

She paused for a moment, then added, "Of course, this is just my own feeling. You don't need to be affected by it."

Jiang Chu felt her heart beat a little faster.

Xie Jing must be serious.

She was certain of that.

But to what extent things have progressed, and whether it's time to discuss marriage, seems to be another matter entirely.

She stole a glance at the man beside her.

...And how should I answer? Should I say "I do"? But he hasn't proposed yet.

While it's true that the man doesn't necessarily have to be the one to initiate things—the woman can certainly do it too—that doesn't seem to be the point right now.

"I think so too," Jiang Chu said, forcing herself to speak. "Whether or not to get married is a personal choice, and how you view this matter is the same."

She said nothing.

This is equivalent to not answering the previous question at all.

Sigrid smiled slightly, but didn't press the matter further. She simply glanced at her and then turned her gaze back to Xie Jing.

Xie Jing looked down at his girlfriend, watching her slender fingers tighten around the water glass, her delicate knuckles turning slightly white.

Then he bent down and quietly pulled the girl into his arms, his long arms firmly encircling her waist and pulling her close to his chest.

"We will get married."

Xie Jing said with certainty.

Jiang Chu looked up in surprise.