Chapter 15: Flash Marriage 1
Ning Qingqing turned off her phone, turned off the lights, and went back to bed.
Darkness was the best cover for vulnerable emotions. She cried.
Breaking up wasn’t as simple as sending a message; it was like ripping out all the past memories and hopes from your flesh, leaving empty spaces.
Tears flowed freely in the darkness. She curled up in the covers and told herself everything would be alright.
At the entrance of the apartment complex, Gu Youchen, dressed in a shirt and trousers, stood for a long time.
The security guard, although impressed by his expensive appearance, wouldn’t let him in.
After calling Ning Qingqing without an answer, he didn’t try again. Instead, he stood at the entrance and continued sending jokes.
At 1 am, he had sent over twenty.
He didn’t know which apartment was Ning Qingqing’s, but as the night deepened, the lights of many night owls in the complex gradually went out.
Gu Youchen returned to his car and rested in his seat.
Occasionally, stray cats darted past from the nearby greenery, and ride-hailing cars sped past his car.
The city, after a night’s sleep, welcomed the first rays of dawn.
Gu Youchen opened his eyes from a light sleep, stretched his stiff neck, and looked towards the apartment complex.
It was very early, just past 5 am. Only a few elderly people doing morning exercises were entering and exiting.
As it got lighter, people going to work and school gradually emerged.
Gu Youchen sat up straight, carefully observing the cars that drove out.
He wasn’t sure if Ning Qingqing would come out this morning, and he had no reason to ask about her plans, so he could only wait.
Finally, at 8:10 am, Gu Youchen saw Ning Qingqing coming out of the apartment complex.
She carried a large bag, wearing formal attire, and headed towards the subway station.
She must be going to work.
Gu Youchen looked at the girl’s face through the car window. He wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but it seemed that Ning Qingqing’s eyes were slightly swollen.
He started the car and followed her slowly, watching her enter the subway station.
Then he drove towards Shen Corporation.
During rush hour, driving was slower than the subway. Gu Youchen arrived at Shen Corporation at 9:10 am.
He got out of the car and directly asked the security guard at the entrance of Shen Corporation, “Excuse me, does Ms. Ning Qingqing work here?”
He calculated that the security guard would know Ning Qingqing, as she was the CEO’s girlfriend.
Sure enough, the security guard nodded. “Ms. Ning has already gone upstairs. Who are you?”
Gu Youchen thanked him with a nod. “I’ll contact her by phone.”
Then he moved to the side.
Upstairs, Ning Qingqing arrived at her workstation and turned on her computer.
She started typing a resignation letter. She had drafted it countless times during her sleepless night, and it was finished in just over ten minutes.
She printed the letter, and her palms were sweaty as she signed it.
She had barely slept last night. She started by crying, then uncontrollably reminiscing.
Reminiscing about the nine years, the past sweetness.
Only after going through everything did the deep wounds in her heart finally seem to have a chance to heal slowly.
The empty spaces were still empty, but perhaps numb, so they didn’t hurt as much.
She would be okay. The future was long, and perhaps many years later, looking back, those wounds would have been smoothed by time.
Ning Qingqing packed up her belongings from her drawer. Her bag was large, and she didn’t have many personal items at the office, so it all fit.
Then, she labeled her organized contracts, making it easy for her replacement to find everything they needed.
It was 10 am when she finished. Ning Qingqing stood up and knocked on the Legal Director’s office door.
“Come in.” Director Wang said.
Ning Qingqing went in. “Good morning, Director Wang.”
“Qingqing…” Director Wang smiled when he saw her, “Shen Zong has been busy with projects in Beishi these days. If the negotiations are successful, our legal department will have a lot of work to do!”
Ning Qingqing nodded slightly, then handed over her resignation letter with both hands. “Director Wang, I’m planning to resign.”
Director Wang was stunned. “What?”
He was so shocked he forgot to take the resignation letter.
Ning Qingqing nodded, repeating, “Director Wang, I’ve already organized all my work documents, and I don’t have any unfinished contracts, so I can hand over my work at any time.”
Director Wang realized she was serious. He looked up, “Qingqing, did you encounter any difficulties at work?”
Perhaps it was the Si Luoqing contract she’d been assigned a few days ago that made her unhappy?
Director Wang usually stayed in his office, but his confidants would inform him of any significant events.
“It’s not because of that.” Ning Qingqing took a deep breath, “I did a double major in university, and I’ve received excellent training in these two years, but I hope for further advancement, it’s about my career planning, so I can’t continue at Shen Corporation. Thank you for your guidance over the past two years.”
Director Wang couldn’t help but ask, “Did Shen Zong agree?”
Ning Qingqing didn’t want to explain any further, so she nodded, “Mm, I told him last night.”
Although Shen Zhiqian hadn’t replied a single word since the message last night.
Director Wang naturally assumed that Ning Qingqing meant Shen Zhiqian had agreed.
Involving the private matters of a couple, he naturally wouldn’t ask further, so he nodded. “Well, since Shen Zong agrees, I can’t stop you!”
He smiled and asked, “Have you decided on your next job?”
Ning Qingqing nodded. “I’ve made plans, but I might need a half-month vacation first.”
“That’s right,” Director Wang said, “You haven’t taken much vacation this year, have you? Finish your handover in these two days, take your accumulated annual leave, and relax with Shen Zong.”
Ning Qingqing replied, “Mm, okay, thank you, Director Wang.”
Director Wang picked up the phone on his desk and called Human Resources. “Xiao Jiang, come to my office. Handle Ning Qingqing’s resignation.”
He hung up, suddenly realizing something, “Qingqing, this sudden vacation, are you going on a honeymoon with Shen Zong?”
After all, they, the higher-ups, knew about the situation between Shen Zhiqian and Si Luoqing.
Even if Shen Yeyuan and Si Luoqing seemed close, they knew that Shen Zhiqian always had his own mind, especially in matters of the heart; his father couldn’t control him.
Ning Qingqing suddenly resigning and taking a vacation, Director Wang outwardly suggested a honeymoon, but he was almost asking if she was pregnant.
Ning Qingqing smiled, her silence was a tacit agreement in Director Wang’s eyes.
Shen Yeyuan had mentioned a few days ago that a child of a family friend was planning to gain experience in the legal department. He’d been thinking about what position to offer, and now here was a perfect opportunity.
So, while Ning Qingqing was handling the paperwork with HR, the family friend’s child was called by Director Wang.
The handover, which was expected to be complicated, was surprisingly smooth. Ning Qingqing finished everything just before lunchtime.
Wang Qian had noticed the situation and finally found a chance to come over. “Qingqing, you’re resigning?”
Ning Qingqing nodded. “Mm, I’ve finished the paperwork.”
She hugged Wang Qian. “Take care of yourself. Let’s hang out when we’re free.”
Wang Qian didn’t know what to say, only murmuring, “Qingqing, are you okay? You and Shen Zong…”
Ning Qingqing said, “We broke up.”
Only at this moment did she realize that letting go was just three light words.
“Ah—” Wang Qian, although she had a premonition, didn’t know what to say, only asking, “Does your bruise still hurt?”
Ning Qingqing shook her head. “Much better. It doesn’t hurt unless I press hard.”
One day, the pain of her breakup would be like this bruise, even if she pressed it, there would be no pain.
“Okay, then you take care too,” Wang Qian said. “We’ll still be friends, right?”
“Of course,” Ning Qingqing smiled at her, “Let’s both do well.”
Do well, and live the life we want.
Leaving the company, Ning Qingqing didn’t go home; she went to her old high school.
Forgetting the past wasn’t about forcing yourself to forget everything, but following your heart, going back to familiar places, and learning to let go peacefully.
Downstairs, Gu Youchen, who had been waiting all morning, saw her hail a taxi and immediately followed in his car.
When they reached the high school gate, Ning Qingqing got out, bought some snacks and beer at the shop by the gate, and went inside.
The security guard knew her and greeted her with a smile, “Back to school to see your teachers?”
Ning Qingqing nodded, taking out a can of beer and handing it over, “Have this after work tonight.”
The security guard laughed. “You always did this in high school.”
Ning Qingqing also recalled her high school days, a faint reminiscence in her eyes.
Behind her, Gu Youchen was stopped, only being let in after calling the school principal.
Ning Qingqing went to the stands of the sports field where she used to like to sit and found a spot.
Her phone finally rang; she picked it up and saw it was Shen Zhiqian.
The man’s voice was urgent. “Qingqing, I’m sorry I couldn’t be with you on your birthday. I’m still in Beishi; the project is difficult, but it should be over soon, this week.”
Ning Qingqing looked at the youthful faces on the field below, her tone light, “I said that day that the answer was important, the message I sent was a carefully considered decision, and I won’t change it.”
Shen Zhiqian panicked, “Qingqing, don’t be angry, I know it’s my fault. I’ll think carefully about getting married. Don’t say those words, I’ll be scared. I drank too much with clients last night, my gastritis acted up, I’ve been in the hospital all day, I just woke up, so I’m only replying now.”
Ning Qingqing’s grip on her phone tightened instinctively, but her eyes were firm:
“Take care of yourself. I’ve packed up everything you gave me and will send it to your apartment later. I don’t want the car you gave me; I was in a hurry this morning and forgot to bring the keys. I’ll give them to Xiao Wang tomorrow. Let’s not contact each other again.”
Author’s Note:
Mm, successfully resigned, really no connection with the former employer anymore~
Flash marriage this week~
Thank you to the little angels who cast kingly votes or poured nutrient solution for me between 2022-05-29 00:00:00~2022-05-30 00:00:00!
Thank you for pouring nutrient solution: Hanhan 1 bottle;
Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!