Chapter 45: Flash Marriage, Then Love; Abusing Scum Along the Way (23) part 1
When Ning Qingqing arrived at the office, her mind was still replaying Gu Youchen’s words: “All I dreamed about was you.”
She realized this man was getting better and better at this.
In the past, he seemed to blush along with her, but now his skin was thicker than anyone’s.
She set down her bag and heard quite a few colleagues discussing the Si Luoqing incident. One of them remarked, “By the way, why do I feel like there was a fleeting shot in the video that looked a bit like Qingqing?”
Hearing the question, Ning Qingqing turned around. “That’s right. I was at the scene. That handsome young guy is my little brother.”
“Oh my god!” The colleagues immediately leaned in for gossip. “Was Si Luoqing’s expression absolutely priceless?”
Ning Qingqing pretended to ponder for a moment before nodding. “It was exactly the expression of someone who just got splashed with oil paint!”
The description was spot on, and everyone burst into laughter.
Someone asked about the project with the Si family. Ning Qingqing gave a brief update: “I made the assessment this morning. We’re continuing negotiations this afternoon.”
Just then, a colleague rushed in, clutching his wallet with a look of lingering fear. “Holy crap, they said pickpockets were obsolete in the age of electronic payments! My wallet was almost swiped just now. Thank god an old man warned me!”
Everyone offered a few words of sympathy. Xiao Zhu teased, “You treasure that wallet so much; you’d better keep it glued to your hand from now on!”
Someone sensed a story and asked, “What’s the deal? Is there a secret inside?”
Xiao Zhu grinned mischievously. “Hehe, I’ve seen it. He keeps a photo of his first love in there!”
“Wow! Quick, quick, let us see—”
As everyone excitedly tried to grab the wallet, Ning Qingqing suddenly remembered the wallet Gu Youchen had given her. It also contained a photo of a girl.
Because the resolution was low and she had only glanced at it once, she hadn’t seen the face clearly. And out of respect for his privacy, she hadn’t looked a second time.
Now, listening to the colleagues howling with excitement and praising the pretty girl in the photo, asking why they didn’t end up together, Ning Qingqing felt an inexplicable knot in her chest.
It seemed the kiss from this morning, which had left her so flustered and enamored, wasn’t quite as sweet anymore.
Realizing she had been sitting in her chair dwelling on this for quite a while, Ning Qingqing forced herself to snap out of it.
She opened her computer and threw herself into work.
The morning passed quickly. by noon, Ning Qingqing felt a bit sleepy. After eating, she bid farewell to her colleagues and headed across the street to buy a cup of coffee.
Just then, someone called out to her. “Qingqing—”
Ning Qingqing looked up and saw Shen Zhiqian. His face was somewhat pale; he was likely just recovering from last night’s stomach pain.
“Can we talk?” Shen Zhiqian asked.
Ning Qingqing’s instinct was to refuse. However, she realized that since their breakup, they hadn’t actually sat down and had a serious conversation. As a result, he always harbored some hope or couldn’t let go, leading him to constantly appear in front of her and Gu Youchen.
She nodded and pointed to the café across the street. “Let’s go there.”
Shen Zhiqian nodded and walked in with her.
Ning Qingqing ordered a coffee, then looked at Shen Zhiqian, speaking almost reflexively, “If your stomach hurts, don’t drink coffee.”
Shen Zhiqian’s eyes lit up, a spark reigniting in their depths.
But Ning Qingqing continued, “I was the one who suggested coming here. You really shouldn’t be drinking coffee, and I don’t want you to have a medical incident because of the location I chose.”
The light in Shen Zhiqian’s eyes gradually extinguished.
“Mm, I didn’t overthink it,” he replied, ordering a cup of hot milk instead.
Once the coffee and milk were served, Ning Qingqing spoke first. “Don’t come looking for me anymore.”
Shen Zhiqian’s breath hitched, and the milk in his mouth turned to bitterness.
Ning Qingqing knew she had to make everything clear once and for all. She spoke candidly, “I really wasn’t very familiar with him before we got married. That day, after I broke up with you, I was in a bad mood and had been drinking, then I ran into your mother and sister. Due to a mix of emotions, I impulsively got the marriage certificate with my husband.”
“But after marriage, he has been very good to me, and his family is wonderful to get along with. We both intend to spend our lives together; we have never thought about separating.”
“So, please don’t come find me again. From my perspective, having an ex-boyfriend appear frequently is troubling for me, and it troubles my husband. From your perspective, you are the President of the Shen Group. You should be mindful of the influence of your words and actions. After all, this isn’t good for your image.”
Listening to Ning Qingqing speak so calmly, even referring to Gu Youchen as “my husband,” Shen Zhiqian knew it was impossible.
He had actually understood earlier that there was no chance, but sometimes understanding it intellectually is one thing, and accepting it in your heart is another.
His throat felt dry as he looked into Ning Qingqing’s eyes. “Qingqing, do you really like him?”
Meeting his gaze, Ning Qingqing replied, “I have indeed fallen for him.”
Shen Zhiqian felt everything in his heart collapsing. He asked again, “What about him?”
Thinking of Gu Youchen’s confession, Ning Qingqing couldn’t help but curve her lips slightly. “He says he likes me.”
Thinking about it, Gu Youchen was really clingy, always wanting hugs, kisses, and to lift her up.
That was a sign of genuine affection, right?
It seemed unnecessary for her to sulk all morning over that photo. After all, even if it was a girl, maybe it was just a relative?
Thinking of this, Ning Qingqing felt relieved.
Opposite her, Shen Zhiqian saw her expression clearly.
Not only was she not lying, but she had also zoned out thinking about Gu Youchen.
Shen Zhiqian had never imagined a day when Ning Qingqing would sit in front of him, distracted by thoughts of another man.
She really didn’t love him anymore…
The milk just now, and the reminder about the medicine last night, were likely just common courtesy toward an acquaintance.
“Is that so…” Shen Zhiqian tried to appear relaxed, but the smile he forced out was uglier than crying.
He said, “Qingqing, then I wish you well. I hope you find the happiness you want. If—”
Ning Qingqing interrupted him, not letting him finish the “if.” “Thank you, I am very well now. I grew up in a single-parent family, so I’ve always longed for a stable family life. What I have now is exactly what I wanted most.”
“Mm.” Shen Zhiqian nodded, his eyes laced with red veins. “It’s a pity. I knew you for so many years, yet I never truly tried to understand you seriously.”
As he spoke, he downed the milk in two or three gulps.
He stood up. “I’ll go first.” He didn’t want to watch her back as she left again; he hoped that, for once, she would watch him leave.
Ning Qingqing nodded.
The coffee was a bit hot. She finished it slowly before standing up to pay the bill.
Upon learning that Shen Zhiqian had already paid, she didn’t say anything. It was just the cost of a coffee; she would treat it as the Shen boss buying a round.
There was no need to add him back on WeChat just to transfer the money.
Back at the company, Ning Qingqing found that Si Yunli had arrived early.
Everyone entered the conference room.
Si Yunli looked at Ning Qingqing, his feelings complicated.
Last night, his daughter had called him, saying Ning Qingqing and Gu Youchen were married.
He was stunned when he heard it.
But soon, connecting various clues from before, Si Yunli realized there were indeed signs.
At the same time, he understood that with Gu Youchen backing Ning Qingqing, Ning Ruojun might be giving her all sorts of guidance because of this relationship.
So, the schemes the Si Group had planned before were likely going to fail!
Their only hope now lay in what was coincidentally witnessed today. He hoped Kenny’s idea could turn the tide!
The meeting began, and just as Si Yunli guessed, Ning Qingqing didn’t yield an inch. She seemed to have found the Si Group’s weak point.
Being the ones in need, they had only one choice—
Even if Ning Qingqing compressed the profit distribution to the minimum, they could only grit their teeth and cooperate with Ning Chuang.
Otherwise, if other capital entered the scene, they would be eaten alive without even crumbs left!
Ning Chuang, at least, had a reputation to uphold and wouldn’t skirt the law for profit, so they might leave a few scraps.
“Regarding the final distribution plan, what we can accept is an investment of 30 million, with Ning Chuang taking 90% of the net profit,” Ning Qingqing stated.
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