Chapter 82: Shift

Luan Nian received Shang Zhitao’s message late at night. She had sent a screenshot of the page confirming her account deletion on Sun Yu’s website, along with a simple note: “I’ve deleted it.”

That was all.

Shang Zhitao was accustomed to constantly lowering her head in her relationship with Luan Nian—she wouldn’t do anything he disliked. Though, honestly, his disapproval rarely held any real justification.

Luan Nian stared at his phone for a long while before finally replying: “Good. Matchmaking scams are low-class, even if you were just a pawn—it’s still beneath you.”

“Mm.” Shang Zhitao had anticipated his sharp response as usual. With a quiet acknowledgment, she turned off her phone. She had drunk a bit of wine but still couldn’t sleep. In the middle of the night, when she got up to drink water, she saw Sun Yuanzhu sitting on the sofa. The half-light of the moon bathed him, cloaking him in an aura of chilliness. This side of Sun Yuanzhu was unfamiliar to her.

Her hand holding the glass trembled slightly as she walked over and asked, “Why aren’t you sleeping?”

“Can’t sleep.” Sun Yuanzhu gave her a fleeting smile—one that seemed to seek comfort, or perhaps help.

“Can I sit with you for a while?”

“Sure.”

They sat side by side on the sofa, separated by the space of one and a half people. At first, neither spoke. Then, as the moon hid behind the clouds and the living room suddenly darkened, Shang Zhitao felt a bit afraid. She said, “Sun Yuanzhu, do you know? I’m not actually in a relationship. I just have an… abnormal connection with someone.”

“I always thought I didn’t care about the outcome, or maybe I hoped things would eventually work out. But I realize now that I don’t have that kind of resilience. I know I haven’t been compromising because I’ve also experienced happiness. But every time I have to bow my head in conflict, I start to waver.”

“Am I too terrible?”

“No.” Sun Yuanzhu interrupted her. “You’re still young, and being young means you have room to make mistakes. I believe you have the courage to break free—even if you don’t feel it now, it’ll come sooner or later. Unlike me…” Sun Yuanzhu trailed off, leaning back against the sofa as if part of his soul had drifted away. Shang Zhitao sensed his immense loneliness, as though he had countless stories to tell but chose to keep them locked inside.

Still, she stayed seated beside him. Eventually, they both fell asleep leaning against the back of the sofa. When Shang Zhitao woke up the next morning, Sun Yuanzhu was already gone. She got up to look for him and found a note on the table. It read: “I went to buy fried dough sticks and tofu pudding. We could both use the massive joy carbs bring.”

Holding the note, Shang Zhitao smiled faintly, thinking how well Sun Yuanzhu understood her.

She put on her clothes and went downstairs to walk the dog. Luke didn’t like the garden in her neighborhood. They say dogs don’t discriminate between rich and poor, but that wasn’t true for Luke. He loved Luan Nian’s big house and the spacious lawn in his community. Every time he went there, he strutted around like a king surveying his territory, reluctant to leave. Back in Shang Zhitao’s place, he’d walk a quick circle and head straight home.

When she returned upstairs, she remembered her phone was still off. Turning it on, she saw work messages from Grace. Grace was going for a prenatal check-up on Monday and hoped Shang Zhitao could attend a meeting in her stead. There were also strange photos sent drunkenly by Lumi. No word from Luan Nian.

“What meeting is this?”

“Lumi mentioned we’re visiting Jiang Lan on Monday, but I’ve added a last-minute check-up, so I can’t go. Could you go instead?”

“Okay.”

On Monday morning, Shang Zhitao got into Luan Nian’s car.

As he started the engine, she asked, “How did your date with Teacher Gong go?”

“Not bad,” Luan Nian replied. He found Shang Zhitao amusing; she clearly didn’t pick up on his sarcasm. You might call her emotionally unintelligent, yet she could read others’ expressions perfectly.

“And…?”

“Let’s set aside talk about my dating life for now. Tell me about the promotional event two years ago—the one in Suzhou. Why did you decide to bring in a new supplier?”

“Huh?” Shang Zhitao didn’t understand why he was asking, but she answered truthfully. “The previous suppliers refused to front costs, and their proposals weren’t impressive during bidding. Alex suggested we try someone new with a better attitude.”

“Did you later meet privately with Manager Wang?”

“Privately? What do you mean by ‘privately’?”

“In private.”

“No. He visited us twice, but Lumi was present both times.”

“Did you receive any gifts from him?”

“No.”

“Hmm.”

“So why are you asking me these questions?”

“Because someone reported you for accepting bribes.”

Luan Nian glanced at Shang Zhitao. She was looking out the window, lost in thought. If it had been before, she might have said, “How dare they slander me!”

But today, she remained silent.

“Aren’t you going to say something?” Luan Nian prodded.

“Like what?”

“For instance, that you’re innocent?”

“If you believe I’m innocent, then you’ll believe me even if I don’t say anything. If you don’t trust me, what difference does it make whether I deny it or not?” Shang Zhitao felt hurt—not by others’ accusations, but by Luan Nian’s questioning.

Just like how Luan Nian dismissed matchmaking scams as low-class and pawns as unworthy—he never considered why she might have done those things. He simply pigeonholed her into categories of inferiority and shame. He was used to looking down on her, defining her, treating her as someone unworthy of respect.

It wasn’t that different from before. In the past, she could brush off such emotions, but now? Suddenly, she couldn’t anymore.

“For now, it’s just suspicion. But if someone files a formal complaint, the company will investigate.”

“I welcome the investigation.”

After saying this, Shang Zhitao tightly pressed her lips together and remained silent until they arrived at Jiang Lan’s conference room. There, she saw Kitty seated beside Jiang Lan. Sure enough, talented people never struggled to find jobs, regardless of their questionable morals.

Jiang Lan stood up to greet them. “Luke, long time no see.”

“Didn’t we just see each other last week?”

Jiang Lan burst out laughing. “Feels like it’s been a day!” Then, turning to Shang Zhitao, he asked, “And this is Flora?”

“Hello, Mr. Jiang. I’m Flora.”

“You’ve already met Kitty.”

“Yes.”

“Then let’s get started.”

Jiang Lan sat back down and watched as Shang Zhitao opened her laptop to prepare for the screen projection. He remembered this girl—she had stayed in Luan Nian’s room during the Suzhou event to take care of him. She had a clean, harmless face but carried an uncommon seriousness about her. Quite intriguing.

As for Luan Nian, he sat there calm and composed.

Shang Zhitao presented the annual strategic cooperation plan on behalf of Grace. Grace had prepared excellent raw materials, and since Shang Zhitao had also been involved, she didn’t struggle to explain. During the presentation, Grace asked a few questions, all of which she answered smoothly. The proposal session concluded remarkably well.

“Shall we eat?” Jiang Lan glanced at the time.

“Sure, my treat.”

“Whatever works.” Jiang Lan was familiar with Luan Nian, so they walked ahead together while Kitty and Shang Zhitao followed behind. Kitty sized up Shang Zhitao and suddenly asked, “Did you send that anonymous email?”

“You overestimate me. I don’t have the energy for something like that.”

“So it must have been your low-class mentor then.”

“I think true low-class behavior is sneaking into a man’s room late at night and then slandering those who stand up against it.” Shang Zhitao rarely spoke so firmly. “Kitty, I know you don’t like me. We were recruited through the same campus hiring round at Lingmei, and you probably feel I dragged down the quality of our batch. I understand—I am ordinary. But people should look further ahead. I don’t mind if you compare me to where I’ll be in five years; I might not necessarily be worse off than you.”

Though Shang Zhitao directed these words at Kitty, they were also a subtle reminder to herself.

Kitty laughed. “Is this how you console yourself? If you’re still the same in five years, will you extend your timeline to ten years? Or even a lifetime? Shang Zhitao, the best years of a person’s life are fleeting. If you can’t make it now, you won’t ever.”

“Discussing this is meaningless.”

“Are you more interested in accepting bribes, then? Do you think bribery will help you succeed?”

“I suggest you speak with evidence.”

“Of course.” Kitty leaned closer to her ear, tauntingly saying, “Shang Zhitao, are you ready to face what’s coming?”

Luan Nian turned his head to look at them. “Catching up?”

“Yes.” It had been a long time, and Kitty smiled.

Shang Zhitao couldn’t master the art of being two-faced—one way in public, another in private. Taking a step aside, she distanced herself from Kitty’s arm.

“Let’s go,” Luan Nian said, looking at Shang Zhitao. They needed to drive about five kilometers to eat, so they split into two groups.

“Was it Kitty who reported me?” Shang Zhitao asked Luan Nian.

“Yes.”

“So you believe others?” Shang Zhitao pressed.

“What do you mean? I remain neutral.”

After years of sleeping together, all he offered was neutrality. Shang Zhitao stared silently out the car window and remained quiet throughout the meal. Though she spoke little, she meticulously adhered to social etiquette: smiling when appropriate, offering praise, and attending to others’ needs without unnecessary remarks.

“Flora doesn’t talk much?” Jiang Lan asked her.

“Not at all, Mr. Jiang. I just find everyone’s conversation so interesting that I prefer to listen more.”

“In other words, secretly enjoying it,” Jiang Lan winked at her.

Shang Zhitao laughed. “Exactly!”

Jiang Lan chuckled too, turning to Luan Nian. “Flora is quite amusing. Consider letting her handle this project moving forward.”

In every workplace, there are territories. Jiang Lan’s projects belonged to Grace’s domain, and Shang Zhitao had no intention of encroaching. Politely declining, she said, “I’ve only just joined the planning department and am still learning under Grace. Currently, I know nothing. Mr. Jiang’s projects are extremely important, and Grace has always been the one overseeing them. Only she truly understands.”

Her response was reasonable, measured, and principled—quite good. Jiang Lan glanced at Luan Nian, then at Shang Zhitao, raising an eyebrow.

No one took the table talk seriously unless someone deliberately twisted it and spread rumors. If such gossip reached Grace’s ears, it might seem like Shang Zhitao wanted Jiang Lan’s project. Although Grace trusted Shang Zhitao, a hint of caution crept in. She began slowing down the pace of her mentoring.

Shang Zhitao noticed.

She wasn’t a rookie in the workplace. Over the years, she had learned the ins and outs of navigating professional relationships through countless hardships. She realized that she and Grace were being driven apart. So, when Grace went downstairs for some fresh air, Shang Zhitao accompanied her.

Downstairs, Shang Zhitao spoke candidly. “Grace, when I went to meet the client on your behalf, I ran into Kitty. During the meal, Mr. Jiang jokingly suggested I take over her project. My exact words were that I’d just joined the planning department and was still learning under you. Mr. Jiang’s project belongs solely to you, and I would ruin it.” After pausing briefly, Shang Zhitao added, “Luke can vouch for me.”

Grace smiled. “Flora, what are you talking about? I trust you.”

“Mm-hmm, I know. I just didn’t want any misunderstandings. You know Kitty doesn’t like me, and seeing her at Mr. Jiang’s place was unexpected.”

Some things didn’t need to be spelled out too clearly—doing so would ruin their subtlety. Grace glossed over the matter and resumed her previous attitude toward Shang Zhitao.

In the planning department, Shang Zhitao kept a very low profile. She no longer felt the same anxiety or insecurity as before, yet she remained cautious in balancing colleague relationships and work responsibilities.

Sometimes, catching sight of Luan Nian, she yearned to find a glimmer of solace in his eyes—but ultimately refrained. She refused to expose her vulnerability to him.