“Madam, what should we do now?” Dong Jian asked, bowing slightly next to Shen Hongyue.

Shen Hongyue's expression fluctuated between worry and determination.

“There’s no need to panic; it’s just a minor mistake!” After a long silence, Shen Hongyue gritted her teeth and said, “Although we've lost a significant number of people this time, I still have a few individuals in the mid-lower management of Lin Group. Their positions aren’t high enough for me to have notified them about the changes, which actually leaves me with an opportunity… I can make good use of these people. Moreover, according to the news I received, a hefty fine against Lin Group will be issued tomorrow. Let’s see how Lin Zhiming plans to save Lin Group then!”

A few mid-lower management members? A hefty fine?

Dong Jian couldn't help but smile internally. For his boss, Lin Zhiming, it would likely take a fine of over a hundred million to qualify as “hefty.” As for the mid-lower management members who weren’t cleared out… the only reason they were still in Lin Group was that Lin Zhiming needed them to relay misleading information to Shen Hongyue. Once Lin Zhiming gave the order, those people could be uprooted in no time.

The entire day, those who hoped to see Lin Zhiming make a fool of himself were destined for disappointment. Lin Group was operating smoothly; it was as if nothing had happened at all. However, everyone knew this was merely the calm before the storm. The real storm would come with the impending fine.

At three in the afternoon, Lin Zhiming called Yao Jing to arrange a meeting at the Panji Center. Panji Center was a luxury goods hub in Haixia City, where one could buy high-end brands.

Yao Jing rarely visited such places and had never bought luxury items because her finances were tight. It seemed amusing for an executive president to be financially constrained, yet that was her reality. Yao Jing earned a modest salary of fifteen thousand a month. As her grandfather would put it, “You’re a married member of the Yao family; no matter how much you earn, it's someone else’s money.”

Although her status allowed her to misuse company funds, Yao Jing despised doing so. Even though many in her family did, she had never taken a penny from the company; that was her principle.

By the time her salary reached her, eight thousand would be taken by her mother, Zhou Yanqiu, under the pretext of “I raise you; you take care of me in my old age.” So ultimately, Yao Jing would receive around seven thousand.

Originally, Lin Zhiming could supplement their household with ten to eighteen thousand a month, but as Zhou Yanqiu mentioned, almost all of his money was taken by his so-called cousins, leaving him with only a few hundred bucks—just enough for some cigarettes, with no chance of helping out at home.

After accounting for expenses, Yao Jing managed to save two to three thousand a month. Saving up for a year and a half could afford her an entry-level luxury item, but for Yao Jing, who had grand ambitions requiring significant funding, the distance to her savings target felt vast. Thus, waiting a year and a half just to buy something here was unthinkable.

At three-thirty, Yao Jing was already waiting outside the Panji Center. People passed by in droves, and almost everyone’s gaze lingered on this woman dressed simply in a T-shirt and jeans. Despite her lack of designer labels, even the most branded women felt self-conscious in her presence.

Within five minutes, Lin Zhiming appeared.

“Let’s go in and buy something,” he waved, heading into the Panji Center.

Yao Jing frowned slightly, following Lin Zhiming as she asked, “What are we buying?”

“Since you’re not planning to divorce me, we might as well keep this going. After all my struggles, my wife deserves some luxury!” As Lin Zhiming spoke, he surveyed the surroundings, having shifted his perspective. Initially, he thought Yao Jing wanted to divorce him, but recent events clarified her feelings. With her firm stance, he no longer pushed her away.

As for when they could become a real couple, that depended on fate. For now, he was willing to do what a husband should do for his wife.

Surrounded by luxury stores featuring brands like LV and Gucci, Yao Jing replied, “I don’t need these things.”

“There’s no woman who doesn’t like luxury goods. Most who say they don’t simply can’t afford them,” Lin Zhiming countered.

“You don’t have to do this… I think our previous way of getting along was fine. Now, this feels a bit overwhelming,” Yao Jing said earnestly.

Lin Zhiming stopped, looking at her. He took her right hand, saying, “I’ve been your husband for four years, and besides this wedding ring, have I given you anything else?”

Yao Jing looked down at her hand. The plain gold ring was the only gift from Lin Zhiming during their wedding, and she had worn it on her ring finger for four years.

“So you want to make it up to me?” Yao Jing asked.

“I’m a straightforward person. The reason you’re not divorcing me isn’t that you love me; it’s likely for other reasons. But regardless, since you’ve stood by me, I must fulfill my responsibilities. This isn’t about making up; it’s what a husband should do for his wife,” Lin Zhiming replied earnestly.

“The money should be saved,” Yao Jing insisted.

“I have plenty of money now!” Lin Zhiming exclaimed.

“No amount of money can withstand extravagant spending, especially with that fine coming tomorrow,” Yao Jing sighed.

“If it’s destined that I, Lin Zhiming, will go bankrupt tomorrow, then before that happens, I want my woman to live well, even if it’s just for a day! Let’s go.” Lin Zhiming said, gripping Yao Jing’s hand and moving forward.

This was the second time they had held hands in their four years of marriage—the first being during their wedding ceremony when Lin Zhiming gently held Yao Jing's hand to recite their vows.

Yao Jing hesitated but didn’t pull her hand back. Perhaps after tomorrow’s fine, Lin Zhiming would lose everything and revert to the man he used to be… if that was the case, then she might as well savor this last day of comfort he could provide.

The two began to stroll through the shopping mall like a normal couple.

Before long, they arrived at the Chanel store.

“How about this?” Lin Zhiming suggested.

“This brand is too expensive,” Yao Jing shook her head.

“No worries; I can afford it!” Lin Zhiming smiled, pulling Yao Jing inside.

Inside the store, several customers were browsing. A sales associate spotted Lin Zhiming and approached him with a smile.

“I’d like to buy my wife a bag—the most expensive and best-looking one,” Lin Zhiming stated succinctly.

Yao Jing couldn’t help but roll her eyes; Lin Zhiming was acting just like a nouveau riche.

Still, deep down, she felt a flicker of happiness since this nouveau riche was her husband.

“Um… Sir, I think we should first look at some other bags. We have many beautifully designed bags at moderate prices,” the sales associate suggested softly.

Realizing the sales associate was underestimating him, Lin Zhiming remained calm. He smiled and replied, “No worries, just bring it out. If my wife likes it, we’ll buy it!”

“In that case, let me see what I can do. Please hold on,” the sales associate hesitated but eventually agreed. Even though Lin Zhiming and Yao Jing didn’t appear particularly affluent, their looks and demeanor suggested otherwise. If they could afford it, this could cover the sales associate’s performance for half a year.

“I thought you’d get a little angry, since isn’t it typical for a nouveau riche to not allow anyone to look down on them?” Yao Jing teased.

“Playful, huh? Who’s the nouveau riche here?” Lin Zhiming chuckled.

“Looking is one thing; I won’t take a bag worth tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands,” Yao Jing stated seriously.

“I’m spending my money on a bag for you. Whether you want it or not is your business; whether I buy it is mine,” Lin Zhiming responded.

Yao Jing frowned and said, “When did you start acting so domineering?”

“Domineering?” Lin Zhiming smiled faintly. “If a tiger walks down the road and crushes an ant hill, the ant thinks the tiger is being overly domineering, but to the tiger, it’s just walking normally.”

Hearing Lin Zhiming’s words, Yao Jing fell silent.

Just then, a sharp voice interrupted from the side.

“Isn’t that Yao Zong?!”

Lin Zhiming and Yao Jing turned to see where the voice came from.

A mature woman in her thirties or forties approached, looking impressive and adorned in designer labels.

Lin Zhiming didn’t know this woman, but Yao Jing recognized her.

“Fan Yutong! From the Bashu Hotpot Chain,” Yao Jing muttered.

“Oh! She holds a grudge against you,” Lin Zhiming replied quietly.

Yao Jing shook her head and said nothing more.

The mature woman, Fan Yutong, approached with a smile, saying, “Yao Zong, I never expected to run into you here. So, you’re also here to buy a bag?”

“Just came to look around with my husband,” Yao Jing replied, linking her arm with Lin Zhiming.

“Your husband? Could this be the legendary Second Young Master of the Lin family?” Fan Yutong examined Lin Zhiming, speaking with a hint of sarcasm. “He’s quite handsome; no wonder Yao Zong wouldn’t leave. With looks like this, even if he’s not capable, he’s still worth a lifetime of companionship—at least you’d have something pleasant to look at every day, right?”

“In this day and age, good looks are talent enough; who needs anything else? By the way, Fan Boss, has your husband’s situation improved lately?” Yao Jing asked curiously.

Hearing this, Fan Yutong’s expression darkened. “Yao Zong, you seem very well-informed.”

“Just asking… by the way, have you resolved the issue with your hotpot chain using recycled oil?” Yao Jing continued.

Fan Yutong’s face darkened again.

Lin Zhiming was thoroughly entertained; it was his first time witnessing Yao Jing stand up for herself, and she was cutting deep!