SCHS - Chapter 39
Chapter 39
Jiang Manwei looked at the dark liquid in Wen Shixue's highball glass, feeling utterly speechless. No wonder she thought the red wine looked a bit strange.
Jiang Manwei asked, puzzled, "May I ask why President Wen is drinking cola in a highball glass?"
What kind of normal person drinks cola in a highball glass?!
Wen Shixue held the highball glass with composure and elegance, as if it contained not cola, but the '82 Lafite so beloved by countless films and novels. She opened her mouth and spoke with righteous confidence, "Because it better fits my CEO persona."
A highball glass is elegant and stylish.
Since Lao Meng said drinking canned cola in the office was beneath her status, she'd just switch to drinking it from a highball glass. There are always more solutions than problems. No one could break up her earth-shattering love with cola!
Jiang Manwei's confusion deepened, and she sincerely asked for guidance, "Shouldn't you be drinking red wine or something? Like... '82 Lafite?"
"A mere '82 Lafite," Wen Shixue said with disdain, "How could it compare to the happy water I just bought today!"
Wen Shixue, the number one fan of happy water: Lafite, don't even think about piggybacking on my cola's popularity!
Jiang Manwei found this amusing and finally understood what Zhu Ziming meant by "President Wen's thoughts are hard for ordinary people to guess." He was absolutely right; Wen Shixue's thoughts were indeed hard to fathom, after all, not many CEOs were so fixated on cola.
Jiang Manwei found her very interesting, appealing in both her thinking and personality. She smiled and said, "I think President Wen is the CEO I've met who loves cola the most."
"Be confident," Wen Shixue encouraged, "Remove the word 'think'."
Other CEOs were all fond of red wine and coffee; absolutely none were like her, clinging to cola and refusing to let go.
On these strange points, she, Wen Shixue, had never lost!
Jiang Manwei was very cooperative and readily agreed, "Okay, you are the CEO I've met who loves cola the most."
Wen Shixue nodded in satisfaction, then consciously steered the conversation back, "Regarding becoming friends, I'm very happy that Miss Jiang wants to be friends with me, and I'm also very willing to be friends with Miss Jiang."
She absolutely believed that the personalities and character of these two protagonists were fine. It was just a pity that in the original plotline, she couldn't choose and was stuck being the villainous supporting character. Otherwise, she would have been very happy to be friends with them.
Now that the opportunity for friendship had come to her proactively, there was no reason for her to refuse.
Jiang Manwei was a straightforward person. As soon as Wen Shixue agreed to be friends, she immediately suggested they go shopping and have coffee on Saturday, because she had plans on Sunday.
Wen Shixue was about to agree but suddenly remembered her physical examination. She apologized, "Next time, perhaps. I have a physical scheduled for Saturday."
"What's wrong?" Jiang Manwei asked, "Are you feeling unwell?"
Wen Shixue calmly replied, "Annual physical, standard procedure." She then asked, "Oh, right, what business did you want to discuss with me?"
Xu Jianfan hadn't specified what kind of business it was when he relayed the message, because Jiang Manwei hadn't told him either. But the mere words "big business" were enough to pique her interest.
When it came to making money, she, Wen Shixue, was wide awake!
Seeing her interest, Jiang Manwei knew she hadn't come in vain. She said directly, "I have a film offer, a film by Director Jin Yue. President Wen must have heard of Director Jin Yue?"
Of course, Wen Shixue knew. The winner of the Golden Osmanthus Award for Best Director for three consecutive years, whether it was a movie or a TV series, as long as it was in her hands, the audience would definitely buy into it. In the original plot, Jiang Manwei and Jin Yue had collaborated frequently, and after starring in Jin Yue's film "Prosperity," Jiang Manwei swept the major Golden Awards, thus stepping onto the pinnacle of her acting career, with a brilliant and boundless future.
Since she was mentioning Jin Yue now, did it mean...
Jiang Manwei didn't keep her in suspense and smiled slightly, "This film has a close connection to jewelry. I wonder if Chenfeng would be willing to contribute?"
Wen Shixue was pleasantly surprised internally: As expected!
She hadn't even sought out the female lead yet, and the female lead had already brought a film from a major director right to her doorstep—what kind of incredible luck was this?!
Jiang Manwei said, "Chenfeng Jewelry's quality is superior, and its designs are full of spirit, unmatched by others. Director Jin's directing ability has always been praised. Combining the two, I believe it will definitely make Chenfeng Jewelry noticed by more people."
"President Wen, are you not interested?"
Wen Shixue smiled brightly, "Of course I am. Who in this world would turn down money?"
She had already planned it out. After the drama aired successfully, she would conduct appropriate marketing and promotion. The jewelry had the male lead's buff, and the TV series had the female lead's buff and Director Jin Yue's buff. She believed it would be hard for Chenfeng not to become famous this time!
President Wen, who was focused on her career, was very satisfied with this proposal. She even couldn't wait to rush out and tell Qin Zhen the good news, so she could be happy too. But restrained by Jiang Manwei's presence, she held back. She extended her hand to shake Jiang Manwei's, her expression solemn, "Thank you. As long as you help Chenfeng, we'll be the best friends in the world! Next time we go out, it's on me!"
Jiang Manwei smiled, "Alright! Then I won't be polite!"
Immediately after, Wen Shixue remembered something, "But has Director Jin Yue agreed?"
Shouldn't securing sponsorship be the film crew's job? Why would the actress do it herself?
Jiang Manwei calmly explained, "You don't need to worry about that. Director Jin herself wants to collaborate with Chenfeng. I even brought her representative with me today. As long as you agree, we can start discussing the contract anytime."
Wen Shixue: "?"
When did their Chenfeng secretly connect with Director Jin Yue's side?
Jiang Manwei thoughtfully explained, "When I met with Director Jin before, I happened to be wearing a necklace designed by Zhu Ziming. Director Jin immediately took a liking to it, finding the design unique and full of spirit, and very suitable for the character's persona in the script. She then proactively asked to see other works from Chenfeng. After seeing them, she was very satisfied and readily decided to collaborate with Chenfeng."
Wen Shixue never expected that the very first order could bring such wonderful after-sales service. She wished she could have Jiang Manwei wear Chenfeng jewelry from head to toe and then parade around the world, attracting more people to buy Chenfeng's products and boosting Chenfeng's reputation!
Wen Shixue happily agreed to the sponsorship. Jiang Manwei thought for a moment, touching her fingers, and said, "There's one thing I need to tell you first. After the crew starts working, we'll need a designer to serve as a design consultant..."
Wen Shixue didn't even think and blurted out, "Zhu Ziming."
Jiang Manwei: "?"
Wen Shixue's expression was solemn, "You know Zhu Ziming's ability. Sending him is the most suitable. Don't worry, I'll make sure it's arranged. I'll even tie him up and drag him there if I have to!"
The male and female leads must speed up getting together to prevent the plot from having messy and chaotic variations!
Jiang Manwei saw how readily Wen Shixue agreed and felt something was off, like she was looking at a fervent CP fan. But looking closely at Wen Shixue's serious expression, she doubted her own thoughts.
It shouldn't be. How could a proper CEO ship her and her subordinate? After all, the two of them hadn't even been in the same frame much in front of her. It shouldn't be, it shouldn't be...
...
When Jiang Manwei left, Wen Shixue was particularly thoughtful and notified Xu Jianfan to see off his future girlfriend.
Xu Jianfan's face flushed, "Don't talk nonsense." But his feet honestly followed Jiang Manwei.
As soon as they left, Wen Shixue turned around and walked into the Vice President's office, not forgetting to knock before entering.
Qin Zhen was also present when the investment contract was signed and already knew the whole story. Seeing her walk in now, she guessed she must have come to celebrate.
Just as she thought, Wen Shixue was indeed here to celebrate. Her high heels clicked on the floor a few times, and then she suddenly threw herself into Qin Zhen's arms, her apricot eyes curved into two little crescent moons, "Lao Qin, I'm super happy today!"
With so many people helping Chenfeng, she wasn't worried about not being able to break off the engagement in two years. Maybe it wouldn't even take two years!
She said confidently, "I believe I can definitely break off the engagement!"
Qin Zhen didn't know when she had developed this habit of throwing herself into her arms when she was happy. Her hands were stiff in mid-air, unsure where to put them. After a long while, she gently placed her hands on Wen Shixue's back as she used to, and responded softly, "Yes, you definitely can."
And after breaking off the engagement?
Would she continue working or find someone she liked to be her boyfriend, or perhaps work and date at the same time?
The emotions that had already changed made her unable to help but think about these questions, feeling both curious and troubled by them.
She shouldn't have, absolutely shouldn't have fallen for a straight woman. There wasn't even a glimmer of hope.
She unconsciously asked, "What about after the engagement is broken off? Is Shixue going to find a man she likes to date?"
Wen Shixue sensed a subtle atmosphere and straightened up to look at her, "Lao Qin, you never used to ask me this question. Are you..."
Qin Zhen thought she had noticed something and inwardly thought, 'Not good.' Her brain raced, and she began to carefully choose her words, preparing to muddle through.
She didn't want to be discovered by her so quickly... to be pushed away by her.
Let her be selfish, but what was wrong with wanting to stay by the side of the person she liked, quietly liking her?
Then she heard Wen Shixue say, "Are you trying to kick me out?"
Qin Zhen: "...?"
Something seemed off?
Wen Shixue narrowed her eyes, "I've been living with you for so long, and you actually want to kick me out. I didn't expect this, Lao Qin, you're such a heartless woman!"
Wen Shixue: Woman, my heart is broken by you!
Qin Zhen: "..."
Did she just completely misunderstand?
Should she be glad that she misunderstood, or sad that she would never think she would like her, just like knowing the scorching sun and the bright moon would never meet?
She sighed inwardly, raised her hand, and gently stroked her head, saying helplessly, "I'm not trying to kick you out, I was just asking." She asked again, "Can't I ask this question?"
"Of course you can," Wen Shixue replied quickly, without hesitation, "I have no thoughts about finding a man to date right now. Focusing on my career is the most important thing."
The premise of breaking off the engagement was that her ability was recognized by Wen Lianchang. Recognition also meant that she could become a chairperson who didn't need to rely on any backing. So after breaking off the engagement, she might not have the leisure to date.
"You'll help me, right?" she asked.
She had already gotten used to Qin Zhen being by her side, and had even selfishly thought that when she entered the Wen Group in the future, she would bring Qin Zhen with her too, working by her side for a lifetime.
Qin Zhen nodded gently. Wen Shixue finally smiled brightly again, then solemnly held Qin Zhen's hand, "Lao Qin, if you get a girlfriend, you must tell me."
"It's nothing much," she said, "I'm just curious what the person who can make you willingly shell sunflower seeds for a lifetime looks like."
Qin Zhen: "..."
She really wanted her to look in a mirror...
If you'd like to read ahead and support me, you can request extra chapters or get the complete book as an EPUB on my Ko-fi shop.
poor Qin Zhen ðŸ˜
ReplyDelete