IMH - 34

The next morning at breakfast, Sun Yue rushed to the hotel restaurant.

When she found Yu Qian, Yu Qian was quietly drinking a bowl of matsutake mushroom soup, looking no different from usual. She was sitting in the same spot, by the window, in a quiet corner, her makeup still exquisite.

She certainly didn’t look like someone who had just been maliciously slandered by a colleague.

Sun Yue, on the other hand, was in much worse shape than Yu Qian. She had argued with that female model’s agent yesterday and then cried.

Her voice was hoarse, and her eyes were puffy.

Especially after returning last night, Sun Yue was still too angry to sleep. She simply sat up and checked foreign reports about Yu Qian online.

Perhaps because it had been many years, there wasn’t much she could find.

But almost every time she found news about Yu Qian, there were always people below spreading baseless gossip. Even under her most famous photo set, people were talking nonsense.

Her beauty was always controversial, and what many people were more willing to see were the false rumors.

What made Sun Yue most unimaginable was that among those netizens, the proportion of women was actually not low.

Where did women get so much malice towards other women?!

In the middle of the night, Sun Yue felt so angry she almost had a heart attack.

When she woke up in the morning, she couldn’t hold back and called Cheng Xiaonan.

She thought that after such an incident, CEO Cheng would surely be by Yu Qian’s side, never leaving her.

But in the morning, when Cheng Xiaonan answered the phone, he actually said he was picking up a delivery.

Sun Yue’s brain might have short-circuited at the time, as she actually questioned her boss: “CEO Cheng, aren’t you going to accompany Qian?”

Cheng Xiaonan seemed to laugh on the phone.

He said that any man who admired her beauty would be willing to accompany her to breakfast, pour her tea, add soup, and serve her food, being extremely attentive.

But given Yu Qian’s personality, she would clearly find that disruptive.

So, until he was sure he was the person Yu Qian wanted, he didn’t want to disturb her like that.

Sometimes, Sun Yue felt that Cheng Xiaonan’s affection was truly restrained enough.

His love never became persistent harassment; it was a comfortable kind of fondness.

So Sun Yue hesitantly asked him on the phone: “Then, CEO Cheng, I was planning to go have breakfast with Qian. Do you think she’ll find me annoying or talkative?”

Cheng Xiaonan said in a slightly jealous tone, “Go ahead. Your Teacher Yu Qian likes you very much. She even allowed you to stay overnight in her room.”

________________________________________

While having breakfast with Yu Qian, Sun Yue rubbed her swollen dark circles and carefully observed Yu Qian.

She looked calm, yet also somewhat distracted. Her movements while drinking soup were not as leisurely as usual; sometimes the spoon would stay in the soup for a long time before she scooped the next spoonful.

Sun Yue thought that yesterday’s incident must have somewhat affected Yu Qian. After all, the dirty words in that lounge had caused Sun Yue herself to wake up in nightmares early this morning, let alone Yu Qian, the person involved.

Sun Yue spoke uneasily: “Qian, actually... I shouldn’t have called you yesterday. I was so angry I lost my head. I should have contacted upper management directly. It wouldn’t have mattered if you went or not; in the end, it was reported to the police anyway, and you didn’t need to show your face. I’m really sorry for making you see so many unpleasant scenes...”

Sun Yue’s voice was still a bit hoarse. Yu Qian seemed to just realize this, putting down her spoon and thanking Sun Yue.

She said she heard her arguing with the other model’s agent yesterday and was very grateful for her defense.

“Ah?”

Sun Yue leaned back, waving her hands repeatedly, “No need to thank me! I just... only shouted loudly. In reality, I didn’t help at all. In the end, the company stepped in to resolve the problem. So don’t be sad about yesterday’s matter. The police have already intervened, and that bad person will be punished!”

“I’m not sad.”

“But you look... mm... I always feel like you look distracted.”

Yu Qian was toying with an unpeeled loquat in her hand and casually said, “Is it that obvious?”

“I feel like you have something on your mind, Qian. If you’re unhappy, I can take leave to accompany you. I haven’t taken my annual leave yet this year! I know a quiet bar not far from ‘Wutongli.’ You don’t have work today. Do you want me to accompany you there?”

“Thank you, but no need. It’s really not because of yesterday’s matter.”

Yu Qian smiled faintly, “Something like yesterday isn’t worth me bothering about it after a night’s sleep.”

“Then you...”

“Do you have any experience with relationships?” Yu Qian suddenly asked.

Sun Yue’s eyes widened: “...Relationship experience? Does flirting with online friends from college count?”

Yu Qian lowered her gaze, a smile spreading across her face. She chuckled and said, “It counts.”

Sun Yue was a little stunned.

Yu Qian was very, very beautiful, but apart from when she was posing for photos, her expression was always so calm.

It turned out that when she truly smiled, there was also warmth flowing in her eyes.

Yu Qian wore a dark green dress today, with a white coat draped over the back of her chair, leaning comfortably.

The loquat in her hand was actually balanced on her index fingertip, briefly spinning a few times before falling back into her palm.

Like how middle school and high school boys spin basketballs.

Sun Yue tentatively asked, “You’re not going to ask me about relationship problems, are you?”

Yu Qian slightly raised an eyebrow, as if in response.

In fact, she herself didn’t notice that as she spoke, despite her thoughts being in disarray, her mood was finally light.

This cheerful mood made her look even more beautiful, like an aquatic plant in a crystal flowerpot on the dining table, soft, enchanting, and captivating.

For a moment, Sun Yue suddenly had a flash of inspiration.

She felt she should take this opportunity to say something for CEO Cheng.

________________________________________

Sun Yue remembered last night. After the situation was resolved, Sun Yue left the dressing room first and happened to meet the female model being taken away by the police in the corridor.

She had heard Yu Qian say before that she and that female model knew each other, so Sun Yue instinctively wanted to run back, to stop Yu Qian, fearing that seeing her would only add to Yu Qian’s unpleasantness.

But when she turned around, she saw Cheng Xiaonan already blocking the dressing room door. He was seemingly casually talking to Yu Qian, using his body to shield her view of that side.

He smiled and asked, “Was dinner still delicious? You didn’t even leave me any? So heartless.”

Sun Yue was so moved at the time that her nose almost tingled, and she nearly cried again.

CEO Cheng’s gentleness towards Yu Qian always appeared in unassuming moments.

Later, when they went downstairs to get the car, Sun Yue felt a bit discouraged and said to Cheng Xiaonan: “CEO Cheng, I feel I’m not detailed enough in taking care of Yu Qian, and you think of much more than I do. Am I not qualified to be Qian’s assistant?”

Cheng Xiaonan laughed lightly, downplaying it: “You’re detailed enough. Don’t compare yourself to me.”

It was only after returning home that Sun Yue realized.

His words meant that he would be more meticulous towards Yu Qian than anyone else.

So Sun Yue mustered her courage and pulled her chair closer to Yu Qian.

She tugged at Yu Qian’s sleeve, glanced around, then lowered her voice, speaking mysteriously: “Qian, although I haven’t had a serious relationship, I think if you’re choosing between that friend who keeps sending scarves and hats, and CEO Cheng, I support you in choosing CEO Cheng.”

Yu Qian denied Sun Yue’s assumption.

Sun Yue was startled, thinking Yu Qian had someone else she admired.

Fortunately, Yu Qian shook her head and said, “It has nothing to do with Han Chu.”

So, it had something to do with Cheng Xiaonan?

Sun Yue was quiet for a moment, then spoke with excitement and seriousness: “Qian, if it’s CEO Cheng, I really think he’s a good choice.”

“Why?”

“Why... I don’t know how to tell you, so I’ll just talk about my impression of CEO Cheng.”

That was when Sun Yue had just graduated and submitted her resume to “Eleven.”

During the interview, the interviewers didn’t seem very interested in her. In the waiting area, she heard many interviewees come out saying the interviewers asked many questions, but for her, they only asked a few basic details.

She originally thought this interview was hopeless and left early without waiting for the results.

But “Eleven” was a huge company, and the interview area was quite remote. She wanted to go to the elevator but got a bit lost.

That day, Sun Yue happened to see Cheng Xiaonan taking a call in the corridor. She wanted to ask him directions to the elevator, but before she could open her mouth, Cheng Xiaonan must have sensed someone behind him. Without turning around, he just said, “Just coffee, thank you.”

Due to her personality, Sun Yue couldn’t refuse people.

After hesitating for a few seconds, she could only bite the bullet and find the pantry, where she brewed a cup of instant coffee under unfamiliar gazes.

When she brought it back, Cheng Xiaonan was already holding a ceramic cup and drinking coffee.

He looked at Sun Yue with what seemed like surprise, but seeing Sun Yue’s embarrassment, he spoke first, apologizing, saying he thought she was one of their staff just now.

Sun Yue vigorously shook her head while holding the coffee, not knowing what to say, almost on the verge of tears.

Cheng Xiaonan’s gaze swept over Sun Yue’s hands. She hadn’t just brewed black coffee but also brought creamer, sugar cubes, a stirrer, and tissues.

He seemed to be helping her out of her awkwardness: “Are you here for an interview? The interview shouldn’t be over yet. Are you planning to leave already? Is there anything about our company that you’re dissatisfied with?”

Sun Yue didn’t remember how many times she said no. She also said she felt the interview definitely wouldn’t work out, but Cheng Xiaonan said, “You can’t tell if a freshly graduated student has potential. I think the way she brought the coffee over is very much like an ‘Eleven’ employee.”

He said that if she was willing, she could stay and intern. For the first three months, her salary would be half of a regular employee’s, and the benefits would be better after regularization.

Among all the companies Sun Yue interviewed with, he was the only one whose attitude wasn’t condescending.

Cheng Xiaonan kindly told her, “‘Eleven’ looks forward to your joining.”

After she became a full-time employee, all the other assistants already had models they worked with, but she didn’t.

Sun Yue was a bit anxious, but in September, she met Cheng Xiaonan at the company. He said, “There’s a teacher who will definitely like you, but she’s quite famous. To avoid gossip, you might need to work a little harder? Can you do it?”

Later, Sun Yue found out that the person Cheng Xiaonan was referring to was the very famous Yu Qian in the industry.

Sun Yue said, “Qian, I have a feeling that CEO Cheng had already been preparing an assistant for you since I joined the company.”

“Although, although I’m not as meticulous as CEO Cheng, I did come in first several times in the assistant evaluations.”

As she said this, Sun Yue probably felt she was boasting, and her face immediately turned red.

Yu Qian smiled: “You deserve first place.”

________________________________________

When it came to matters of the heart, Yu Qian understood that she was indeed timid.

She only learned about her biological father before her mother, Qu Liwen, passed away.

She heard that the watch Qu Liwen wiped daily was indeed given to Qu Liwen by her biological father. At the time, he lied to her, saying he was a sailor and had no choice but to leave.

They only loved each other for a short month.

It was even possible that even that month was a lie.

Yet, Qu Liwen waited a lifetime.

She was a strict, vain mother, but also a deeply infatuated lover.

After Yu Qian went abroad, Qu Liwen, by chance, learned that Yu Qian’s biological father was not a sailor but merely a playboy from a wealthy family. She then suffered from chest pains for days, only to discover she had cancer.

But she still instructed Yu Qian to scatter her ashes into the sea after her death.

As if the man she had waited a lifetime for was truly a sailor.

Sometimes Yu Qian couldn’t even believe that Qu Liwen could be such a humble, foolish character in love.

Yu Qian had watched Qu Liwen negotiate contracts with advertising agencies since childhood, using every trick to raise prices and build connections, being as shrewd as could be.

Could she really spend a lifetime believing a shoddy lie?

Yu Qian disliked this feeling of losing control.

So, facing Cheng Xiaonan, facing a relationship, she seemed terribly passive. Sun Yue’s words made sense to her. She felt Cheng Xiaonan’s sincerity more deeply than Sun Yue did.

But should she really choose to start a relationship?

Would she become like her mother? Would she become trapped in love?

________________________________________

After breakfast, Sun Yue went to work at the company. Yu Qian stepped out of the elevator, and coincidentally, the adjacent elevator door also opened, and Cheng Xiaonan emerged from it, carrying a paper bag.

Last night, he had asked her if he could love her if she had no energy to love.

Yu Qian hadn’t replied to that. She had merely somewhat frantically used her room card to open her door, leading the conversation to end abruptly.

Meeting unexpectedly, Yu Qian had nothing to say, only giving a faint greeting.

A guest hurried down the corridor, perhaps in a rush. As they dashed into the elevator, they bumped into the paper bag in Cheng Xiaonan’s hand. The closing elevator door cut off the guest’s “sorry.”

The paper bag fell, and colorful Lego pieces scattered across the tiled floor of the elevator area.

Yu Qian was surprised that Cheng Xiaonan actually liked Lego, but then she heard him say, “Don’t just stare; at least help out?”

He seemed very concerned about those small pieces, carefully picking them up, his gaze searching for any that might have been missed.

Yu Qian picked some up, placed them in her palm, and handed them to him.

As she looked up, her gaze met Cheng Xiaonan’s.

She frowned slightly: “Take them.”

“Jiejie, you don’t need to be so nervous. I’m not forcing you to be with me. I’ll love you. You get to choose whether to accept or not. The initiative is clearly yours.”

“I’m not nervous.”

“Then why did you run last night? I hadn’t even finished speaking, and you closed the door and went inside. It was only past 9 PM then. Were you really that tired?”

“Mm, I was tired,” Yu Qian said, without changing her expression.

Cheng Xiaonan put the Lego pieces back into the bag, his gaze sweeping the floor again: “Don’t overthink it. It’s okay if we’re not together. I’ll still be your ally, accompanying you wherever you want to go, so you don’t have to give me any definitive answer...”

His words about being an ally were sincere.

After joining “Eleven,” Yu Qian had a deep appreciation for the company; it was the most comfortable she had ever worked with.

Yu Qian remembered that winter. Cheng Xiaonan, wearing a black down jacket, walked beside her, seemingly casually nudging her with his elbow, asking, “Hey, Jiejie, why haven’t I heard you say you like me?”

Yu Qian was too lazy to bother with him, sharp-tongued: “Who said I like you? Don’t you understand it was just for fun?”

“Oh, I was just for fun, huh?”

The next second, the young man scooped up a handful of fluffy snow, packed it into a snowball, and held it up to threaten her, “Really just for fun?”

Yu Qian ran to dodge it, but what she was thinking was—

Of course not, it was love.

Yu Qian suddenly called him: “Cheng Xiaonan.”

“Hmm?”

The person called, swinging the paper bag, sauntered along lazily, “What is it? Calling me so seriously, I’ll think you want to agree to me.”

Yu Qian didn’t refute him. She remained squating on the ground, the hem of her long coat, draped over her arm, touching the floor.

She seemed oblivious, only looking up at Cheng Xiaonan: “Then let’s try it.”