SCHS - Chapter 40
Chapter 40
“We’ll see,” Qin Zhen said, dismissing the topic with just three words, because she herself didn’t know if there would ever be a day when she could confess her feelings to Wen Shixue.
Perhaps there wouldn’t be, because they were born into two different worlds. Wen Shixue was a dazzling little princess, showered with love, unique and extraordinary, while she was just an ordinary person in the vast sea of humanity. A brilliant star wouldn’t fall to the mundane world for an insignificant speck of dust.
She didn’t know why her heart had surrendered to Wen Shixue. She would rather like someone equally ordinary than like Wen Shixue, because liking Wen Shixue also brought her a deep sense of guilt.
Wen Shixue’s parents had funded her education, yet she couldn’t control her desire for their only cherished daughter. She dared not imagine what Mr. and Mrs. Wen Lianchang would think of her if they ever found out, and even less what Wen Shixue would think of her.
The more she thought about it, the worse it got, like falling into a bottomless abyss, with boundless darkness behind her and not a single ray of light in sight. She quickly reined in her thoughts to avoid affecting her mood, then gently pushed Wen Shixue away and habitually smoothed her hair.
Wen Shixue had initially felt that Qin Zhen was acting a little strange today. Even with their distance so close, she still sensed a faint, almost imperceptible distance, but this distance was quickly shattered by Qin Zhen’s gesture of tidying her hair, making her mistake it for an illusion.
Qin Zhen wasn’t distancing herself from her; she even helped her fix her hair and peel sunflower seeds. They were still close friends.
A sudden, unknown unease welled up in her heart. She grabbed Qin Zhen’s hand, her bright eyes wide and earnest, and said pitifully, “Qin Zhen, don’t leave me.”
Qin Zhen was startled, her heart utterly unwilling to admit how much she was affected by this. Every time Wen Shixue acted like this, she would soften, feel heartache, and couldn’t help but draw closer. She sighed inwardly and asked, “Why are you suddenly saying that?”
Wen Shixue never kept things bottled up. She said directly, “I don’t know, I just suddenly felt a little uneasy, so I’m giving you a heads-up.” After thinking for a moment, she added childishly, “How about you find someone from Chenfeng to date in the future? I’m afraid if you find someone from another company, they’ll snatch you away!”
President Wen: No way, my Vice President, no one is taking her!
Qin Zhen asked, both helpless and amused, “Am I that easy to poach?”
If she were that easy to poach, she wouldn’t have stayed at Wen Group for so many years.
Wen Shixue argued logically, “You never know. Back then, what tempted you wouldn’t just be money, but also love and beauty.”
She believed Qin Zhen wouldn’t be swayed by money, because Chenfeng and Wen Group paid her a salary commensurate with her efforts. But she wasn’t sure if Qin Zhen would leave the company for someone she liked. If that day truly came, she realized she might not have any reason to keep her. Just thinking about it made her heart ache with a sense of powerlessness and reluctance.
Qin Zhen hadn’t expected her to think about this so seriously. Her heart softened instantly, and she said softly, “Our President Wen needs to have confidence in herself.”
—The love and beauty that can bewitch me are all you, even if you may never know.
She said gently, “You are no worse than any other boss.”
Their President Wen would stand up for employees who were bullied, would work hard to provide the best working environment for her employees, was clear about right and wrong, and had ambition. She was the most adorable and likable boss she had ever met. Which employee wouldn’t like a boss like that?
Encouraged by a professional in the industry, Wen Shixue finally regained her confidence, lifted her head high, and said, “You’re right, I’m no worse than other bosses.”
She suddenly felt confident that if that day truly came, she could definitely keep Qin Zhen by her side through her own efforts.
She patted Qin Zhen’s arm and said seriously, “I’ll remember what you said. You’re the one who praised me. If you ever leave one day, I’ll tie you back, even if I have to.”
Qin Zhen couldn’t help but laugh, “I won’t leave.”
Wen Shixue held her head high, looking smug, “Very good, I’ll remember that too. You can’t escape, Qin Zhen!”
Like a smug little squirrel. Qin Zhen thought this, couldn’t resist, reached out and stroked the top of her head, and smiled softly.
She couldn’t escape.
Because the person she liked was so cute.
...
After Chenfeng signed its first investment contract, the two parties had in-depth discussions, confirming the required products and various details. Finally, out of caution, Chenfeng decided to send Vice President Qin Zhen and Logistics Department Head Xu Meihui on a business trip in a few days to personally ensure that the batch of jewelry and jade needed by Jin Yue was safely transported back to Chenfeng.
Sending Qin Zhen was because Wen Shixue valued this collaboration, and Qin Zhen had a certain reputation and experience within Wen Group, knowing many people. With her there, the other party would definitely not dare to fool Chenfeng.
Qin Zhen and Xu Meihui naturally had no objections. It wasn’t until after the meeting that Wen Shixue belatedly realized—no one would cook for her anymore.
Wen Shixue: Terrible news!!!
The week Qin Zhen was on her business trip happened to be a friend of Wen Shixue’s birthday. She had promised not to miss it and was planning to use this birthday party to promote Chenfeng’s jewelry to her socialite friends. So, she couldn’t go on the business trip herself and had to send Qin Zhen.
Qin Zhen looked amusedly at her, whose reaction time was incredibly slow, and said slowly, “While I’m on my business trip, you should go back home to stay.”
Going back to the Wen family home meant someone would cook for her and take care of her in every way, requiring no one to worry. If she were left alone at home for a week, she might order takeout for a whole week straight, and if she ate something unsanitary and fainted, no one would even notice.
Even worse, when she wasn’t there, the little devil might just launch a deadly attack on the cola in the fridge and go on a rampage!
Qin Zhen thought it over and over and felt she absolutely couldn’t leave this restless little devil alone at home.
Wen Shixue’s eyes instantly widened, and she looked at her in horror, as if hearing the sound of death, “What?! Lao Qin, you actually want me to be separated from lying in bed?!”
Qin Zhen: “…”
Still thinking about lying in bed at a time like this, truly staying true to her original aspirations…
Qin Zhen raised her hand and pressed it against her head, saying sternly, “Lying in bed isn’t important, your health is.”
“Be good and go home to stay. Let the auntie at home cook for you and supervise you to drink less cola.”
Wen Shixue wanted to argue a few more points, but was blocked by Qin Zhen’s gentle words and gaze, “Be obedient. There will be plenty of time to lie in bed later. Go back and stay for now, and I’ll pick you up when I get back.”
Qin Zhen didn’t notice that her tone towards Wen Shixue had unconsciously become more intimate. Wen Shixue also didn’t notice anything wrong, because she remembered that when she was half-asleep and lying in bed every morning, Qin Zhen would also coax her in such a gentle tone, so she was quite used to it and found it very agreeable.
Especially when these words came from Qin Zhen’s mouth, they inexplicably made her feel fond and unable to refuse.
“Okay, I know,” she conceded, “I can’t refuse our Vice President Qin’s request.”
...
The day before the business trip, an elegant and well-maintained woman came to Chenfeng. As soon as Wen Shixue saw her, her face lit up with a smile, and she ran towards her in a quick trot, “Third Aunt!”
Seeing this, Qin Zhen frowned slightly, quickly changed her address, and called out softly, “President Wen, slow down.”
Children always walked carelessly.
Wen Xiu watched her increasingly beautiful little niece about to dart towards her like a rocket, but upon hearing Qin Zhen’s words, she actually stopped obediently and walked properly. Wen Xiu couldn’t help but smile, saying gently, “It seems there’s someone here who can manage you.”
Wen Shixue had many ideas and was inherently difficult to manage. If she didn’t want to listen, even shouting into a loudspeaker next to her ear wouldn’t work, but she hadn’t expected that one Qin Zhen could control her.
Wen Xiu thought: That’s good.
This way, at least she could ensure that when Wen Shixue was doing something foolish, there would be a clear-headed Qin Zhen by her side to pull her back.
Wen Shixue chuckled twice, affectionately linked her arm with Wen Xiu’s, and asked, “Auntie, why are you here?”
After Wen Xiu married and moved to Lanshi, she had been managing the Wen Group branch there, only returning for holidays. As Wen Shixue grew up, they saw each other less and less, but she often traveled with Wen Xiu’s daughter, Wen Yue, to maintain their relationship.
“I came to support you,” Wen Xiu said. “Chairman Zhang is bringing his son over to apologize to you personally. It wouldn’t do for you to not have an elder with you at home.”
Although there was another elder in the Wen family in this city, that elder was Wen Changshun, who was incompatible with Wen Shixue. Asking him to come was clearly inappropriate. It would be good enough if Wen Shixue didn’t cause a scene first; how could they expect her to let him quietly watch the Zhang family apologize?
Wen Xiu gently patted Wen Shixue’s hand, “Don’t be afraid, Auntie is with you.” She added, “Oh, right, your uncle couldn’t make it, but he asked me to pass on a message. He said if that kid talks nonsense again, you should tell him, and he’ll make sure that kid knows what real suffering is.”
Anyone who bullied their Wen family wouldn’t get away with it!
Wen Shixue smiled sweetly, “Okay, I know.”
Qin Zhen watched this harmonious scene, her expression growing more silent.
She didn’t know what it felt like to be pampered and loved by family, didn’t know the warmth hidden behind the word ‘family’. These were things she couldn’t give Wen Shixue.
She didn’t have powerful relatives to be Wen Shixue’s backing; she only had herself, her lonely self.
She stood rooted to the spot, watching Wen Shixue and Wen Xiu walk into the office chatting and laughing, and once again deeply realized the vast difference in their statuses. Then, she suddenly felt fortunate, fortunate that her little devil didn’t like women, and wouldn’t like her—someone who had nothing.
Then she was pulled by the hand by Wen Shixue, who had suddenly walked out.
Wen Shixue said, “Why are you standing here spacing out? Come in quickly.”
She was already used to having Qin Zhen by her side. If Qin Zhen didn’t follow, she would be the first to notice and pull her to her side.
She wouldn’t leave Qin Zhen behind, because she felt that Qin Zhen looked too lonely and pitiful like that, and her heart didn’t like or bear to see Qin Zhen like that.
Qin Zhen looked at the hand holding hers and suddenly had an illusion, as if they would truly stay by each other’s side like this for the rest of their lives, never separating, because they would never abandon each other.
...
After receiving a round of “loving education” at home, Zhang Tianhao honestly apologized to Wen Shixue in front of the two elders and Qin Zhen, and sincerely stated that he would absolutely not talk nonsense again in the future. During this time, he cautiously glanced at Qin Zhen twice, but quickly restrained himself when Wen Shixue noticed, sitting upright with a serious face and a proper attitude that left no room for criticism.
Wen Shixue: “…”
Why did she feel like this bastard had ill intentions?
Given Zhang Tianhao’s good attitude in admitting his mistake and the fact that he had already been disciplined at home, the Wen family had no objection to this resolution. Wen Xiu and Chairman Zhang chatted amicably for a while, and then Chairman Zhang took his unfilial son Zhang Tianhao back. Wen Xiu politely stood up to see them off.
Zhang Tianhao looked back before leaving.
Wen Shixue was certain he was looking at Qin Zhen. She immediately felt annoyed and stood next to the calm and composed Qin Zhen as if declaring her ownership, crossing her arms and saying, looking at his retreating back, “I think that bastard was looking at you just now.”
Qin Zhen responded indifferently, “Probably?”
As a lesbian, she had no interest in men’s gazes.
Wen Shixue propped her chin with her finger, thinking as she spoke, “Could he have taken a liking to you?”
She found it very strange. Lin Jiayu had told her that Zhang Tianhao liked women who looked good and were docile and cute. Of course, looking good definitely accounted for the majority, but he had never liked mature and charming women like Qin Zhen.
Could this bastard have changed his orientation? she wondered.
Qin Zhen was unconcerned, because she felt that a playboy like Zhang Tianhao wouldn’t like a woman so much older than himself.
But what they didn’t expect was that they would get their answer the very next day—
Zhang Tianhao sent Qin Zhen a large bouquet of passionate red roses.
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