PSMD – Chapter 25

Shen Ningruo’s glance was extremely brief, perhaps less than half a second. Apart from Qiu Yang, no one else present could catch it.

But even so, it made Qiu Yang’s eyelid twitch slightly. Her eyes met Shen Ningruo’s in the air, then subtly looked away in unspoken understanding.

Outwardly, Qiu Yang calmly sat down with her colleagues again, but inwardly, a storm had been brewing since the moment she first saw Shen Ningruo.

The reason was simple.

She hadn’t expected to see Shen Ningruo again; otherwise, they wouldn’t have exchanged any contact information.

She certainly hadn’t expected it to be in such a formal setting.

Moreover, Shen Ningruo was the rumored cold Director from Qiyao Company that Peng Kaimiao had mentioned.

She also recalled the message Manager Qu had sent her before boarding the plane, saying this Director was difficult to deal with.

Considering all this, Qiu Yang felt something was off.

Because Shen Ningruo wasn’t like that when she was with her.

Could it be that Shen Ningruo has an identical twin sister?

Qiu Yang felt she was going crazy. To avoid the reality of meeting Shen Ningruo again in the conference room, she was having all sorts of strange ideas.

However, the most important thing right now was work. Qiu Yang forced her attention back, no longer letting Shen Ningruo distract her.

Manager Qu and Shen Ningruo had already started discussing the contract content. Although the two parties had negotiated many times before, important matters still needed to be re-emphasized to avoid misunderstandings later.

Besides the ten people present, a girl had just entered. She had a DSLR camera hanging around her neck and was clicking away at the scene in the conference room.

Qiu Yang knew her; she was from the editorial department. The contract signing between Wanming and Qiyao today was a major event this quarter, even this year. The company would definitely publish related news on its official account and website, and photos were essential.

When Shen Ningruo spoke, her pronunciation was still clear and precise, not missing a single syllable, but her voice was a bit colder than when she was with Qiu Yang.

The current Shen Ningruo felt very unfamiliar to Qiu Yang. Although they had never been truly familiar with each other, they had only known each other for a week after all.

But this feeling was very clear, so clear that it made Qiu Yang mistakenly believe that the week they spent together had happened in a parallel world.

Could a person be so different?

Qiu Yang gripped her pen, following the conversation between Shen Ningruo and Manager Qu. She occasionally glanced up at Shen Ningruo, who didn’t look back. She quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Gradually, her mood had calmed down considerably with the passage of time, and she had also downplayed the significance of this encounter.

Apart from their company’s cooperation, there would be no further private interactions between them.

There was nothing to worry about.

Besides, no one else present knew about that period of memory they shared, which made Qiu Yang feel more at ease.

After the contract was signed, Manager Qu and Director Shen each stood up and shook hands cordially. This scene was captured by the camera.

Wanming Company had the technology, and Qiyao Company had the resources. The cooperation between the two was definitely a win-win.

Manager Qu then suggested everyone stand in two rows for a group photo. Both sides were dressed formally, and taking a commemorative photo was almost a rule.

The location chosen was in front of the projector screen, which displayed the logos of both companies.

Both sides had a team configuration of two women and three men. Manager Qu glanced at them and simply asked, “Can the gentlemen stand in the back row?”

No one objected.

So Qiu Yang stood beside Manager Qu, which meant that now, only Manager Qu was between her and Shen Ningruo.

This made Qiu Yang feel a moment of trance.

The person she thought she would never see again just two days ago was now practically right beside her.

The contract was signed, and the atmosphere was less serious and tense, but Qiu Yang couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous. Her body also felt a bit stiff.

While adjusting positions, Manager Qu glanced at her and said with a smile, “Qiu Yang, why don’t you stand here? I’m a bit taller, better suited for the side.”

This meant asking Qiu Yang to stand next to Shen Ningruo, with nothing at all between them.

This answer immediately popped into her head, and Qiu Yang’s heart skipped a beat, but her face showed no ripple of emotion. She smiled and refused, “Manager Qu, you are the team leader.”

“Alright,” Manager Qu didn’t insist.

Shen Ningruo’s gaze fell lightly upon her, as casual as when she first entered. Qiu Yang inadvertently caught it again. She didn’t show the slightest bit of panic. She slowly withdrew and turned to look at the DSLR lens in the editor’s hand.

“Okay, everyone look at the camera.” Once everyone was in position, the editor adjusted the camera parameters and aimed the lens at them.

Due to Qiu Yang’s disregard, Shen Ningruo helplessly curved her lips slightly. She withdrew her gaze and, maintaining that slight smile, took the group photo with everyone else.

Everyone was less serious, and their posture was very upright. After taking a few photos, they all politely nodded their heads.

This cooperation had gotten off to a perfect start.

Everyone still had their own work to do, so Manager Qu didn’t delay. She took the initiative to say with a smile, “Then, Director Shen, we’ll escort you downstairs.”

When they arrived, it was just Manager Qu. When they left, it wasn’t just her.

Qiu Yang also had to follow.

Qiu Yang was taken aback. She thought she could go back to the office immediately, but she didn’t expect she’d have to go downstairs too.

The next second, she heard Shen Ningruo’s voice, “Thank you, Manager Qu.”

Manager Qu waved her hand, “It’s no trouble.”

“We hope our future cooperation is pleasant and smooth,” her words were sincere.

Right, the cooperation between the two parties had a follow-up.

Signing the contract was just the beginning, not the end. People from both sides would have opportunities to meet again later.

This included Shen Ningruo.

Qiu Yang’s eyebrow twitched again.

Shen Ningruo and Manager Qu walked at the front. In the short time it took to walk from the conference room to the elevator entrance, Qiu Yang looked at the back of Shen Ningruo’s head several times.

Shen Ningruo’s hair was thick and long, and the perm suited her temperament well. It could be said that Shen Ningruo was a person who looked good down to every strand of hair.

From Qiu Yang’s angle, she could also see the diamond stud earring on her right earlobe.

Qiu Yang hadn’t seen her wear it in Xicheng, but she had very close contact with Shen Ningruo’s ear at close range.

Memories flooded back, and her mind was instantly filled with images of her time with Shen Ningruo.

These images were full of ambiguity and romance—

That bright moon that night, those warm lips, that flat lower abdomen.

Finally, they reached the elevator entrance. Qiu Yang had never felt this walk was so long. Her ears, hidden beneath her hair, had already turned crimson.

“Director Shen, shall we have dinner together tonight?” Manager Qu extended an invitation at this moment.

There are other interactions in the business world, and having a meal together is the most common thing.

Ke Yezi, standing behind Shen Ningruo, was taken aback upon hearing this and had already given the answer for Shen Ningruo in her mind: “I’m sorry, I have other plans tonight.”

But the answer she gave was wrong. She had been Shen Ningruo’s subordinate for three years, and this was the first time she had heard Shen Ningruo not refuse.

She only heard Shen Ningruo lightly respond with a sound: “Okay.”

It was a one-word answer, but the Qiyao staff present were all shocked.

Their Director always disliked after-work socializing. Many cooperation partners had invited Shen Ningruo for a casual meal, but Shen Ningruo had never agreed once.

What was going on now?

Everyone was filled with doubt, just waiting to go back to the company to ask in the gossip group later.

Qiu Yang didn’t understand Shen Ningruo, so naturally, she didn’t know about this, but listening to the conversation between Shen Ningruo and Manager Qu from the side, her heart was also a little unsettled.

Manager Qu had said before that they would have dinner with the Qiyao people after the contract was signed. Qiu Yang hadn’t taken it to heart because she had also attended such social events before, and there was nothing different about it.

But because the Director of Qiyao was Shen Ningruo, the nature of it immediately changed.

The elevator doors opened at this moment, with another “ding.”

Qiu Yang blinked her eyes and followed the group inside. She didn’t stand in the corner but stood a bit further back, where she could still see the back of Shen Ningruo’s head.

She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but when she passed by Shen Ningruo just now, she smelled the lemon scent on her.

“Then I’ll send the restaurant address to Manager Ke later.” Manager Qu was good at dealing with people. When she said this, the corners of her mouth were lifted, looking very sincere and making people feel comfortable.

Ke Yezi nodded, “Okay, Manager Qu.”

Shen Ningruo’s lips were pursed, and she didn’t say anything else.

She stood in the middle at the very front, looking at the elevator doors, as if she could see Qiu Yang’s face in the blurry mirror surface above.

Her face couldn’t be seen, but a head could, motionless.

Not having spoken a word to Qiu Yang from the beginning until now was within Shen Ningruo’s expectations.

It was just that she was a little unsatisfied.

Qiu Yang’s reaction was very calm and indifferent, not showing the slightest expression of surprise or unexpectedness, which made Shen Ningruo couldn’t help but furrow her brows slightly.

She had known she would meet Qiu Yang, so she didn’t show it at all. But what about Qiu Yang?

But Qiu Yang wouldn’t have known beforehand, yet her reaction was like this.

It was as if that period between them had never happened.

The elevator stopped midway, and people from other floors entered.

Shen Ningruo stepped back a little, making space for people.

The others also adjusted their positions, but Shen Ningruo’s step back brought her right in front of Qiu Yang. She slightly tilted her head to check the distance and realized how close they were now.

Qiu Yang held her breath for another two seconds. She couldn’t move back or left anymore; she could only stand still.

This tilt of her head made their eyes meet once again. Qiu Yang nervously swallowed, and her previously relaxed state became tense again.

She thought Shen Ningruo would turn her head away immediately, just like their previous glances, but she didn’t expect Shen Ningruo to part her lips and say, “Did I step on you?”

Her tone was businesslike, containing uncertainty, but to others’ ears, it sounded as if she had really stepped on Qiu Yang.

Manager Ke and Manager Qu both looked over.

The lights in the elevator were bright, and at such a close distance, Qiu Yang could clearly see Shen Ningruo’s black pupils.

She had looked at these eyes carefully several times.

“No,” Qiu Yang still smiled. Her answer was serious, with a clear sense of polite distance.

The lemon scent she smelled at the tip of her nose was very clear.

Shen Ningruo: “Okay.”

She turned her head and looked forward again, but this time someone was standing in front of her, blocking her view. She could no longer see Qiu Yang’s blurry head through the elevator door.

But it didn’t matter.

Because she had just spoken to Qiu Yang.

Just as she was thinking this, the first floor was reached quickly.

The people in front stepped out. Shen Ningruo put away her complicated thoughts and walked forward with a calm face.

At the office building entrance, there was another round of polite exchanges, and then Shen Ningruo left with her people.

Peng Kaimiao looked back again. Only when he could no longer see the Qiyao people did he say in a low voice, “It seems Director Shen from Qiyao is a bit different from the rumors?”

He paused before finishing the rest of his sentence, “She wasn’t that scary, was she?”

Manager Qu glanced at him, “You said it yourself, it’s just rumors.”

Peng Kaimiao smiled, “True.”

He wanted to say that Shen Ningruo was even better looking than the rumors suggested, but he forced himself to hold back.

Qiu Yang remained silent on the side, and didn’t say a word when they returned to the elevator.

Manager Qu asked with concern, “Qiu Yang, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing, Manager Qu.”

Manager Qu thought she was thinking about her breakup again and couldn’t help but raise her hand and pat her shoulder in comfort.

But in fact, Qiu Yang wasn’t thinking about Tao Sixian; she was only thinking about Shen Ningruo, whom she had just parted ways with.

She still hadn’t quite recovered from seeing Shen Ningruo in the meeting room.

Back in the office, Qiu Yang drank a large glass of water, thought for a while, and then walked to Manager Qu’s office. Standing in front of her desk, she asked, “Manager Qu, can I not go to the dinner tonight?”

“Give me a reason,” Manager Qu was organizing the documents on her desk. She was going to report to her superior later.

Qiu Yang’s mind raced a bit, and she gave an awkward smile, “I don’t feel very well.”

Manager Qu stopped her movements of tidying things, looked up at her, and said earnestly, “Qiu Yang.”

“You have outstanding work ability and should have better opportunities. I hope you can expand your network.”

“I hope you go to the dinner tonight. Firstly, for the reason I just mentioned, and secondly, if you have something to do, you won’t keep thinking about your ex. What do you think?”

Having said this, Manager Qu continued to tidy the documents, “Besides, when you lie, it’s obvious at a glance. Whether you’re really not feeling well, you should know better than I do.”

Qiu Yang went back to her workstation and sat down. If she didn’t go to the dinner with Qiyao tonight, it would simply be a waste of Manager Qu’s painstaking efforts.

Manager Qu’s reasons were all valid. She couldn’t not go anymore.

Facing Shen Ningruo was much better than thinking about Tao Sixian.

However, Shen Ningruo agreeing to have dinner with the Wanming people wasn’t impulsive; it was the result of some thought.

To be honest, her impulsive moments in recent years have only been related to Qiu Yang.

For example, following Qiu Yang to Xicheng, or deliberately talking to Qiu Yang in the elevator.

None of it was very rational.

Although she knew the possibility was very slim, Shen Ningruo was actually quite worried if something had happened to Qiu Yang in the past two days and she had lost her memory.

Fortunately, judging from Qiu Yang’s attitude, this hadn’t happened.

Qiu Yang still remembered her, just wanted to avoid her, her bedmate of the past week.

The reason was very simple and clear: it was simply that they were originally supposed to never see each other again, but now they were sitting at the same table because of work.

Shen Ningruo chuckled. She suddenly found Qiu Yang’s reaction very interesting again.

The more Qiu Yang pretended to be calm like this, the more she wanted to…

…bully Qiu Yang.

When Manager Ke arrived at the director’s office, she accidentally saw the smile that hadn’t yet left Shen Ningruo’s lips.

She felt like she had seen a ghost.

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