PSMD – Chapter 145

Qiu Yang had heard that phrase many times, and over time, she had gotten used to it, her heart no longer stirred by it.

It was work hours, but Qiu Yang was relatively free. She wasn’t in a hurry to hang up the call as she usually would. Instead, she lowered her voice slightly and slowly replied, “Auntie, how many times have I told you? Your mouth is for eating, not for eating shit.”

“It stinks.”

Ever since she fell out with this family, Qiu Yang hadn’t been polite in her speech. She hadn’t actually seen them in a long time, but they always seemed to provoke her.

They used to constantly ask her for money, always with the same excuses, like how hard it was to raise her, or how she ate and lived at their house for free.

Qiu Yang never agreed once.

After graduating from high school, she worked hard to draw a clear line with this family, but it wasn’t easy. It took her some time, and now she finally had some peace. But then Qiu Wenyun popped up a while ago, and now her aunt was showing up.

It would be strange if Qiu Yang had a good temper.

But she was a little curious why her aunt would call just to curse her this time. Could it be that she knew about her not giving Qiu Wenyun money?

Qiu Yang’s brows furrowed slightly. Just as she was wondering, her aunt hung up the phone, and there was no sound left.

Qiu Yang: …

How speechless. She called, cursed her, and then hung up.

Qiu Yang stared at her contacts, hesitating whether to call back. After thinking for a while, she decided against it.

She didn’t want to hear her aunt’s sharp, mean voice.

Among her uncle, aunt, and cousin, the one who treated Qiu Yang best was her uncle, but he was weak and incompetent, always listening to her aunt. He wouldn’t speak up when she was being beaten, only asking her “Does it hurt?” after she was done being hit.

But what was the use?

That kind of concern was so cheap, or rather, worthless.

Remembering these past events, Qiu Yang lowered her eyes. These memories didn’t stir much emotion in her now, but every time she thought of them, she felt very grateful to herself.

If her inner self hadn’t been strong and determined, she wouldn’t be where she was today.

Just as she was lost in thought, Duan Qingzhu came out of the office and announced, “Qiyao project team, come to the conference room for a meeting.”

After speaking, she led the way towards the conference room. Qiu Yang hadn’t resigned yet, so she followed.

When they got to the conference room, Duan Qingzhu was still expressionless. She said, “There’s something I need to tell everyone. Qiyao Company and our company are planning to hold a sports event this Friday.”

“Everyone can take the day off and go to Xishu Gymnasium.”

For most people, going to the gymnasium was much better than coming to the office, so this was good news.

The last time Qiu Yang had dinner with Qin Yu and the others, she heard them mention it, but she didn’t expect it to actually happen.

Only…

Qiu Yang pursed her lips and asked seriously, “Manager Duan, will my resignation process be completed on Thursday then?”

“Friday.”

“Come to the company after the competition, it’s just a matter of getting a stamp.”

Duan Qingzhu’s attitude was firm. She added, “And the competition won’t take long. Everyone sign up in the next few days.”

“Okay!” The others happily replied.

As soon as the announcement was over, Duan Qingzhu told everyone to go back to work.

Qiu Yang was listless.

She hadn’t expected to have to participate in such an event before leaving.

In the evening, Qiu Yang couldn’t help but complain to Shen Ningruo, “President Qin said before that this friendly sports event would be held when the cooperation between the two companies was nearing its end. Now it’s starting before mid-month.”

Shen Ningruo sat at her desk, typing on her laptop keyboard. Hearing this, she nodded, “I was a bit surprised too.”

Qiu Yang leaned over from behind and rested her chin on Shen Ningruo’s shoulder. She lowered her eyes and whispered, “And I think Wen Yuan will probably show up, maybe even Qiu Yan. I really don’t want to see them.”

Shen Ningruo’s fingertips paused. She turned her head and kissed Qiu Yang’s forehead, comforting her, “Then on Friday, let’s see how things are. You don’t have to sign up for any events first.”

“That’s what I was thinking.”

Many working people were already exhausted from their daily jobs and wouldn’t choose to exercise during their time off. The sports event on Friday was undoubtedly a challenge.

Qiu Yang wasn’t looking forward to it.

Her work content was getting less and less, most of it already handed over to others. By Wednesday, she had even less to do and spent the entire afternoon chatting with others.

These “others” were Gu Lan, Le Yu, and Miao Yi.

Everyone was in no mood for work, just waiting for the three-day Dragon Boat Festival holiday to arrive.

As soon as 5 o’clock struck, Qiu Yang picked up her bag and left the office.

But what she didn’t expect was to see an old acquaintance after going downstairs and exiting the first-floor lobby of the office building.

It was Qu Yan.

Qu Yan stood in the open space outside. She looked a bit haggard. Some Wanming employees recognized her and quietly pointed and whispered about her, but she didn’t seem to care much.

Seeing Qiu Yang come out, she immediately walked over, “Qiu Yang.”

Qiu Yang: “…”

Qiu Yang ignored her, took a step to the side, and continued walking forward.

Last time Qu Yan called and asked if she wanted to talk, she refused and stated her guess, and Qu Yan immediately said it was her problem.

Please.

Qiu Yang had no interest in these things at all.

“Qiu Yang, let’s talk.” Qu Yan simply stretched out her arm and blocked Qiu Yang’s path.

Qiu Yang lifted her eyelids and scoffed, “Talk? What do you have to talk about with me? With your pathological psychology? Sorry, I find you disgusting, and I hope you stay far away from me.”

There were quite a few people leaving around them. Qiu Yang didn’t shy away from their gazes and discussions, but Qu Yan seemed to care, as if she wanted to hide herself.

Qiu Yang was too lazy to say more to her. She took a few steps back and approached the security guards at the main entrance.

The security guards had interactions with the people in the building. They knew Qiu Yang and recognized the former Qu Yan, and they also knew what Qu Yan had done before.

Therefore, stopping Qu Yan was part of their duty.

Qiu Yang didn’t choose to take the bus, afraid Qu Yan would follow. She got into a taxi right in front of Qu Yan and then gave Qu Yan a smile.

A smug smile.

She did it on purpose, just to annoy Qu Yan. She was now convinced that Qu Yan had some psychological issues, so no matter what Qu Yan wanted to reveal to her, she wouldn’t want to interact with her.

On the way back, Qiu Yang couldn’t help but start thinking, maybe she should take tomorrow off and not go to the company. Anyway, she had nothing left to hand over, and she could just go directly to the gymnasium the day after tomorrow.

This afternoon’s encounter with Qu Yan would be the last time they saw each other in their lives.

Qiu Yang was very satisfied.

She thought so and did so. Duan Qingzhu approved her leave, so on Thursday, Qiu Yang stayed at home and took pictures of Pingzi.

Shen Ningruo had to go to work, but these past few days, she occasionally felt a bit distracted and inwardly flustered.

But she didn’t know why. Finally, she guessed it might just be because the date to deal with Guo Ming’an was approaching, making her a little nervous.

Qin Yu finished his meeting and noticed Shen Ningruo’s state. He called her into his office and asked with concern, “What’s wrong?”

Shen Ningruo held her cup and shook her head, “Nothing, just a little… flustered, like something big is about to happen.”

Qin Yu rubbed his chin, “Then maybe something big really is happening.”

“Is it?”

Qin Yu looked at her, “Speaking of which, did your girlfriend tell you? Wen Yuan hasn’t been at the company these past few days.”

“She did. Isn’t he often not at the company? That’s normal.”

“How is that normal!” Qin Yu slapped the table, “He’s been busy with Qiu Yang’s matters.”

Shen Ningruo keenly caught onto something, “Could it be that he went to deal with her uncle and aunt?”

“Correct.”

Shen Ningruo managed a smile, chatted with Qin Yu for a few more minutes, and then returned to her office.

She drank two cups of water in a row, but the unease in her heart didn’t subside. She sent a message to Qiu Yang, hoping to eliminate this feeling, but it didn’t help much.

Qiu Yang became worried: 【Want to try deep breathing?】

Shen Ningruo: 【I’ll try.】

She stood up, walked to the window, and took several deep breaths, finally feeling a little better.

Qiu Yang: 【What do you want for dinner tonight? I’ll make it and wait for you to come back.】

【I’m not picky, I’ll eat whatever you make.】

【Okay.】

But Shen Ningruo worked overtime that night and got back about twenty minutes later than usual.

Qiu Yang took her hand, “We need to be at the gymnasium at ten tomorrow morning. We’re very close, so leaving at 9:30 is enough time.”

“Okay, but we need to eat breakfast, so we’ll have to get up a little earlier.”

“I know.” Qiu Yang pulled Shen Ningruo to sit on the sofa. “Are you still feeling very uncomfortable now?”

“A little.”

Pingzi walked over at this moment, wagging her tail, and jumped between the two of them, rubbing her head against Shen Ningruo’s arm.

Qiu Yang sighed, “Could it be because you’ve been too busy with work lately?”

“Possibly.” Shen Ningruo smiled, “It’s okay, don’t worry. It might also be a lack of exercise recently. It’s good that we’re participating in the sports event tomorrow. I signed up for the 50-meter race and badminton.”

Qiu Yang hadn’t signed up for anything. She was focused on resigning and simply planned to sit on the sidelines as a spectator.

This sports event was hosted by Qiyao. Qin Yu even had banners made and hung up. Regardless of anything else, the atmosphere was certainly hyped up.

This gymnasium wasn’t large, and the rent wasn’t expensive, making it suitable for holding this kind of small sports event.

However, Qiyao’s President Qin Yu came, but Wanming’s Wen Yuan was absent, which made many employees inwardly sigh.

They had thought they could see the two handsome presidents standing together.

Everyone was wearing sportswear. Putting everything else aside, they all looked quite professional.

Qiu Yang cheered for Shen Ningruo the whole time.

A Wanming employee couldn’t help but laugh, “Department Head Qiu, why are you defecting?”

Qiu Yang also smiled along but didn’t explain why.

The fact that Shen Ningruo was her partner didn’t need to be known by everyone.

She was leaving Wanming, but Shen Ningruo was still at Qiyao. She didn’t want Shen Ningruo and their relationship to be quietly gossiped about by other colleagues.

The official start time for the competition was 10:30 am. After only a few events, it was already lunchtime.

Qin Yu waved his hand, “Lunch for today has been arranged.”

There was a Chinese restaurant near the gymnasium. With people from both sides, there were over forty people in total. Qin Yu booked a large private room that could accommodate forty-five people, with two large round tables inside.

Qiu Yang originally wanted to sit with her company’s side, but she didn’t succeed.

Because Qin Yu, that big mouth, said, “Department Head Qiu, aren’t you sitting with Director Shen?”

“Publicly funded romance is great.”