DTBS – Chapter 21
Chapter 21: Misunderstanding Cleared
“Sister Ming, do you think CEO Tao will believe your explanation?” Following beside Ming Siwen, Assistant Xiao Li was a little worried, “I thought CEO Tao seemed very cold before.”
“Opportunities are seized by yourself,” Ming Siwen tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, “Tao Qiuyun, President of Chunjin, I've only ever heard her name, never met her in person. The fact that she's actually here this time... if I can get involved with her, and ideally something happens to solidify that rumor, I'll truly enter a whole new world. Only a fool would just watch such an opportunity pass by.”
“But didn't Director Liu have an accident?”
“Him? What does his accident have to do with me? I didn't force him or hint at him to do anything, it was all his own imagination.”
“But...”
“Alright, we're almost there, stop talking.” Ming Siwen warned her assistant, stood in front of Tao Qiuyun's lounge, cleared her throat, and then raised her hand to knock on the door.
“Damn! She actually came.” As soon as Wen Yu saw this, she immediately rolled up her sleeves, ready to go forward, but was pulled back by Qin Qingshang from behind.
“Sister? What are you doing? Aren't we supposed to catch them? Don't worry, Sister, you're the one married to CEO Tao. You should go up there righteously and slap her!”
“Calm down,” Qin Qingshang covered her mouth, “Nothing has happened yet, what are we catching? Wait until she goes in.”
Wen Yu widened her eyes, “Wow, you can really hold back.”
“CEO Tao!” Seeing the door open, Ming Siwen's face instantly broke into a smile. Upon realizing the person who opened the door was Secretary Zheng, she smiled shyly, “Hello, is CEO Tao in?”
“CEO Tao is working,” Secretary Zheng stared at the woman in front of her, her expression steady, “May I ask what you need?”
“I'd like to talk with CEO Tao, if possible?” Ming Siwen's tone was gentle, and she glanced towards the lounge, “May I come in to talk?”
Secretary Zheng turned around, “CEO Tao, it's Miss Ming, she says she'd like to come in and talk with you.”
“What does she want to talk about?” Tao Qiuyun put down the document in her hand, got up and walked towards the door, looking at Ming Siwen, “Miss Ming can just say it directly.”
Seeing that Tao Qiuyun was unwilling to let her in, Ming Siwen's expression remained unchanged, and she continued to smile, saying, “I came this time to properly thank CEO Tao for catching me earlier.”
After speaking, the woman paused, her expression subtly changing, showing a hint of nervousness and unease. She clasped her hands together and whispered, “Actually, I also wanted to ask CEO Tao... Director Liu told me that a bed was moved into this lounge, and there were other female stars present, but he only told me about this. I thought he was hinting at something, but I don't think CEO Tao is that kind of person, so I wanted to ask you personally, CEO Tao, if you needed me to...”
“No need.” Tao Qiuyun stood upright, staring at the demure woman in front of her, “Also, he's not a director anymore. If Miss Ming has nothing else to say, you can go attend to your own matters.”
Only then did Ming Siwen breathe a sigh of relief. She raised her head and smiled again, “Okay, then I won't disturb CEO Tao. I'll be leaving.”
After speaking, she bowed to Tao Qiuyun, “Thank you very much, CEO Tao.”
Seeing Ming Siwen turn and leave just like that, Secretary Zheng pursed her lips and looked at Tao Qiuyun.
“What is it?” Tao Qiuyun's gaze was direct, “What do you think, Secretary Zheng?”
“I was thinking, Miss Ming's expression just now could mean two things. The first is that she might genuinely not know, heard the rumor, and thought you wanted to proposition her; the second...”
“She's acting.” Tao Qiuyun smiled and turned back into the room, “This Miss Ming is not someone with pure intentions.”
Secretary Zheng closed the door, “Then what will you do, CEO Tao?”
“She's very bold, and her ambitions are wild.” Tao Qiuyun sat back on the sofa and picked up the document on the table again, “Oh, right, tell Zhuohua again to come see me tomorrow morning, and make sure he doesn't eat breakfast.”
“Understood, CEO Tao.”
Wen Yu, who was hiding to the side, saw Ming Siwen leave just like that and couldn't help but turn to look at Qin Qingshang, “Sister, she didn't go in. Are we still catching them?”
“Let's go,” Qin Qingshang walked forward, “I need to ask clearly what her relationship with Ming Siwen is. If they really are lovers, they must break up immediately, otherwise, I'll divorce her!”
Before she had read a few pages of the document, the door was knocked on again. Tao Qiuyun frowned slightly, “Secretary Zheng, haven't the people from IOM arrived yet?”
Knowing she was unhappy, Secretary Zheng picked up her phone, “They're still on their way. I'll go handle the person at the door now.”
“Okay.”
Seeing her superior continue reading the document, Secretary Zheng turned and walked towards the door. She opened the door, just about to say some polite words to dismiss the inconsiderate person, when she saw Qin Qingshang's face.
“Hello.” Qin Qingshang didn't recognize Secretary Zheng, but smiled politely, “I'm Qin Qingshang. Could you please inform CEO Tao? I need to see her about something.”
“Okay, please wait a moment.” Secretary Zheng nodded, then quickly turned to look inside the room, “CEO Tao, Miss Qin is here.”
Tao Qiuyun looked thoughtful, put down the document in her hand, “Let her in.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she stood up somewhat annoyed, “Never mind, I'll come out.”
She quickly walked to the door and saw Qin Qingshang and her assistant Wen Yu. Tao Qiuyun smiled, “Miss Qin, what brings you here?”
Wen Yu tried hard to control her expression, only complaining inwardly: Other women can come see you, why can't my Sister? She's your wife!
“CEO Tao,” Qin Qingshang looked at her, “May I come in to talk?”
“Ah?” Tao Qiuyun was stunned for a moment, then stepped aside to make way, “Of course, please come in.”
“Then I'll wait outside with this young lady.” Secretary Zheng, determined to become a trusted confidante, would not miss a single opportunity.
Seeing Qin Qingshang and Tao Qiuyun enter the room, Wen Yu finally looked at the professional woman with perfect makeup in front of her, wanting to proactively break the awkward atmosphere between strangers: “Um... are you Assistant Wang?”
Secretary Zheng's brow furrowed slightly, then she smiled, “No, my surname is Zheng. I'm not an assistant, I'm a secretary.”
“Ah, right, hello Secretary Zheng!” Wen Yu gave a dry laugh twice, trying to salvage the situation, “I heard Sister mention Assistant Wang before, and seeing you with CEO Tao, I thought you were her. Sorry about that.”
“It's alright,” Secretary Zheng's expression was gentle, exuding the aura of a friendly older sister, “Perhaps we'll see each other often in the future, and we'll get to know each other better.”
“Miss Qin, please have a seat.” Tao Qiuyun led her to the coffee table, and after she sat down, she tidied the already neat table again, “I'll pour you some water.”
“Is CEO Tao feeling guilty?” Qin Qingshang saw her pouring water and decided to get straight to the point.
“What would I be guilty about?” Tao Qiuyun placed the water cup in front of her and returned to sit on the sofa opposite.
“I'll just be direct, CEO Tao,” Qin Qingshang didn't touch the water cup, raising her eyes to meet the woman's gaze across from her, “What did Ming Siwen come to see CEO Tao about?”
Tao Qiuyun wasn't stupid and heard the displeasure in her tone, “Miss Qin, have you also heard that rumor?”
“What rumor?”
“The rumor that Ming Siwen and I are involved,” Tao Qiuyun's expression was serious, “So that's why you said before that I shouldn't find a lover, especially one from the entertainment industry, is that right?”
“Aren't you lovers?”
“No.”
“CEO Tao,” Qin Qingshang found it amusing, “What your brother said personally, is that also a rumor?”
Tao Qiuyun hadn't expected this rumor to have reached Qin Qingshang's ears. She pursed her lips, “It was a misunderstanding. Today was the first time I met Miss Ming.”
“What kind of misunderstanding? Is CEO Tao comfortable telling me? After all, we're married, even if it's fake, as CEO Tao said, basic principles still need to be upheld, right?”
“I returned to the country half a year ago,” Tao Qiuyun looked at her, “Zhuohua came to pick me up at the airport. On the way, I saw an advertisement on a large screen. It featured Ming Siwen. To be precise, it was actually a new necklace launched by IOM called 'Startled Geese in Flight'.”
“CEO Tao isn't trying to say you were actually looking at the necklace, but your brother misunderstood?” Qin Qingshang sneered, “CEO Tao, I'm not an idiot. How could I not know about fashion brand advertisements? If you really just wanted to look at the necklace, there were close-ups. There was no need to stare at the model, right?”
“I was looking at the small mole on the model's neck.”
Qin Qingshang was startled. She subconsciously raised her hand to touch her own neck, a strange feeling welling up in her heart, “What mole?”
“It's the same mole as the one on Miss Qin's neck, but Miss Qin usually covers it with concealer,” Tao Qiuyun lowered her gaze, her eyelashes trembling slightly, “At that time, I looked at that mole and recalled some things, which Zhuohua misunderstood.”
【 Sister, what are you looking at? Nothing? You're lying, your eyes are practically on fire!】
【Tell me about it, did you have some hot encounter abroad?】
【 Sister, I'm your favorite brother, tell me! I promise I won't let Grandpa know.】
“Because it was so long ago,” Tao Qiuyun stared at the tabletop, “the memories came back a bit slowly.”
“What were you recalling?” Qin Qingshang suddenly felt a little uncomfortable. Staring at the woman's slender, thick eyelashes in front of her, her rationality told her she shouldn't keep asking, but emotionally, she couldn't control herself.
She wanted to know the answer.
“Miss Qin,” Tao Qiuyun seemed to hesitate for a few seconds before looking up at her, “Do you remember our first meeting? Not the one at St. Ya.”
The woman's gentle and bright eyes were somewhat deep, quietly looking at her. Qin Qingshang pursed her lips and slowly shook her head, “I don't remember. I only know I drank too much.”
There was no disappointment on Tao Qiuyun's face. She smiled sincerely, “It's alright, you really did drink too much.”
The gentle female voice continued to narrate...
“You were drinking at a bar, and I could tell at a glance that you were a novice. Not only were your drinking movements exaggerated, but you were also leaning your head back, trying hard to look bold and unrestrained.”
Qin Qingshang lowered her head, her hands on her knees slowly clenching.
“You drank too quickly, and the rim of the glass was large. Some of the liquid flowed down your chin, past the small mole in the middle of your neck... Because it was very sexy, it left a deep impression on me.”
Hearing this, Qin Qingshang immediately widened her eyes and looked at Tao Qiuyun across from her, but her gaze met the woman's eyes directly.
They were calm, pure, and held a mature depth that suggested a story, yet were completely devoid of flirtatiousness or lust.
Was she really just complimenting her?
“Sexy?” Qin Qingshang stared at her, “Does CEO Tao know what she's saying?”
“I do,” Tao Qiuyun nodded, “At that moment, Miss Qin did indeed stir my emotions, but it was purely appreciation, absolutely no desire for possession.”
The sincere gaze of Tao Qiuyun in front of her made Qin Qingshang feel incredibly conflicted...
She seemed far too upright and proper, making Qin Qingshang doubt whether the person who said they would make her meow that night was actually her.
Seeing her lower her head and not respond, Tao Qiuyun added, “Miss Qin, please rest assured, I didn't do anything while you were unconscious. Besides carrying you to the hotel bed, I didn't touch anything else, and I certainly didn't touch that mole just because I found it sexy.”
“I believe you,” Qin Qingshang raised her head, unsure what to do with her hands, because she realized her misunderstanding of Tao Qiuyun might have been quite deep, “After all, you didn't even unbutton my bra or remove my makeup. Very proper.”
“I was afraid Miss Qin would feel uncomfortable when she woke up the next day.” Tao Qiuyun's voice was sincere, “Due to personal reasons, I had to leave very early. Even leaving a note saying I was also female, I was afraid that emphasizing it would make you even more scared.”
“After all, if Miss Qin woke up alone in a hotel, with her clothes changed and makeup removed, she might be scared and wonder if she had been drugged and assaulted. To prevent that from happening, I didn't...”
Qin Qingshang looked at her in surprise, “So, so that was what you were thinking.”
“Yes, I'm very sorry for speaking to Miss Qin like that before.”
Qin Qingshang picked up the cup and rubbed it, her heart fluctuating greatly, “Then why did you come here today... Also, did you order the afternoon tea?”
“Yes, I came here because Secretary Zheng told me that there was a competitive relationship between Miss Ming and you, and she was afraid you might be bullied. So I came here under the guise of inspection to ensure no one would play dirty tricks.”
After speaking, Tao Qiuyun smiled at her, “I noticed before that Miss Qin seemed to really like those pastries and snacks. Although you often looked at them, you only ate a couple of bites and stopped. I guessed it was for weight control? So this time I specifically asked the chef to pay attention. I wonder if they still suit your taste after the ingredients were changed?”
Hearing this, Qin Qingshang felt inexplicably much happier. The corners of her mouth unconsciously curved upwards, and her tone softened, “Since you knew I didn't have a good relationship with Ming Siwen, why were you still so pleasant to her?”
“I thought Miss Qin preferred to handle her competitors herself,” Tao Qiuyun was slightly taken aback, “I'll pay attention next time and won't interact with her anymore.”
“What about the rumor that she's your lover?”
“I'll talk to Zhuohua tomorrow and handle it properly.”
Qin Qingshang felt a little happy inside. When she looked up and met the woman's slightly smiling eyes, she immediately put on a cold face again, put down the water cup, and glared at her, “You'd better handle it properly.”
After speaking, she stood up, “It's getting late, I need to go back and shoot the advertisement.”
“Okay, I'll see you out.” Tao Qiuyun got up with her.
“Don't you have anything else to say?” Qin Qingshang walked to the door and saw that the person behind her was still silent. She couldn't help but ask.
“Ah?” Tao Qiuyun blinked, “Well, good luck with the shoot?”
“...No CEO comes to visit a set just to hide in the lounge and read documents.”
“But, if not documents, what should I look at?”
“Never mind,” Qin Qingshang felt speechless. She opened the door, and as if remembering something, she turned back and said, “CEO Tao, you're so good to me, you don't... like me, do you?”
Tao Qiuyun was silent for a moment, then smiled and saw her out, “Don't worry, Miss Qin. In a year, I will divorce you and set you free. I will absolutely not cling to you.”
After the misunderstanding was cleared, Qin Qingshang found Tao Qiuyun's gentle and bright smiling face increasingly pleasing to the eye. For a moment, she was in a daze and obediently walked out.
It wasn't until she saw Wen Yu and Secretary Zheng that she snapped back to reality.
Did that Tao Qiuyun fellow just avoid her question?
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