Qiu Yang saw the text message the next day. She had fallen asleep not long after Shen Ningruo left the previous night due to exhaustion.
Therefore, her reply to Shen Ningruo was sent in the morning, containing only three words: 【You’re welcome.】
It wasn’t that she hadn’t thought about how Shen Ningruo would react; her saying that was within expectations. After she processed it, Qiu Yang realized she seemed to be understanding Shen Ningruo more and more.
They had only known each other for a total of half a month, yet they could accurately guess what the other person was going to say. Such chemistry seemed quite rare.
As for printing the photos, Qiu Yang had the idea the night she returned and looked through the pictures on her DSLR. However, at the time, she quietly thought that if they really never contacted each other again, then she wouldn’t bother. But unexpectedly, they met in the conference room just a day later. Of course, what was even more ridiculous was that they also met in bed.
However, the idea was truly solidified after she had some drinks that night.
How could someone’s home look so desolate? It was as if no one lived there; the walls and floor were spotlessly clean, the furnishings looked untouched, and even the bedsheets had hardly any wrinkles. It made you exclaim it was five-star hotel standard.
But this was a home, a place where one was supposed to live.
Qiu Yang didn’t know if Shen Ningruo would take her suggestion, nor did she know if she was being nosy. However, the main subject of the photos was Shen Ningruo, and Qiu Yang wanted to make those photos more meaningful, so she used this opportunity to give Shen Ningruo the pictures.
Thinking of this, Qiu Yang couldn’t help but purse her lips.
She had taken many photos of Tao Sixian before and had printed quite a few, even sticking them on a shelf in the living room specifically for their pictures. But that day, while packing Tao Sixian’s things, she struggled for a while before tearing all those photos down and throwing them away as trash.
There was no need to keep them.
“Qiu Jie,” Peng Kaimiao walked over with a document. “Could you take a look at this?”
Qiu Yang nodded. “Okay.”
“Oh, right, Qiu Jie,” Peng Kaimiao scratched the back of his head, looking a bit embarrassed. “The two of us are going to Qiyao tomorrow.”
Qiu Yang was startled and looked at him. “Is that confirmed?”
Regarding the collaboration with Qiyao, the two companies still had some details to discuss. Qu Yan had mentioned this during the morning meeting today, but the specific list of attendees hadn’t been given yet.
“Yes.”
“I just went to Manager Qu’s office, and she said it’s decided it’ll be you and me. You need to go in later too.”
“Alright, I understand.”
Not long after Peng Kaimiao returned to his desk, Qiu Yang indeed went into Qu Yan’s office.
Qu Yan had heavy dark circles under her eyes, which looked tired. The coffee brewing on her desk was still steaming, and a bitter smell hung in the air.
“Did Xiao Peng notify you?” Qu Yan stirred her coffee, staring at the computer screen.
“He did.”
“Tomorrow morning, I’ll go back to the company with him first to get things before heading over.”
“You contact Manager Ke later,” Qu Yan looked at her again. “You’ve added her on WeChat, you should keep in touch.”
“Sending Xiao Peng with you is so you can guide him. I see he listens to you more.”
Qiu Yang didn’t feel that Peng Kaimiao listened to her that much, but since Qu Yan had arranged it this way, she didn’t object, and there was nothing unreasonable about it.
After returning, Qiu Yang informed Ke Yezi about the matter. The other party replied enthusiastically, saying she would wait for them downstairs at the company tomorrow.
Perhaps because Shen Ningruo had massaged her lower back last night, the soreness in Qiu Yang’s waist had significantly lessened today. Usually, her waist would ache for three or four days during her period, but now, on the second day, she felt almost no discomfort.
She occasionally clicked on her text message history with Shen Ningruo, but there were only a few messages, not enough to scroll through much before it ended. Qiu Yang lowered her eyelashes, wondering if Shen Ningruo knew she was going to Qiyao tomorrow.
Shen Ningruo did know. She had discussed this project with Ke Yezi and asked to be informed of any developments.
Today, when Ke Yezi came in to report, she initially thought it was about project progress. But as soon as she heard Ke Yezi’s opening words, her ears subtly perked up, while maintaining a calm expression on the surface. “Okay, I understand.”
“You handle the reception tomorrow. I’ll come in later.”
Ke Yezi didn’t suspect anything else. “Okay, Director.”
As soon as Ke Yezi left, Shen Ningruo let out a sigh of relief. She clicked on the three words “You’re welcome” that Qiu Yang had sent this morning again. The corners of her mouth curved into a smile, but in the end, she didn’t send any more messages.
Work was quite busy; she had to squeeze in time even for slacking off.
Qiu Yang was diligently taking the pain relief medicine Shen Ningruo bought, but she felt that the effect seemed less potent than seeing Shen Ningruo.
Perhaps it had something to do with her mood.
She knew herself well and knew that she was actually very relaxed around Shen Ningruo. Although their relationship was so improper, it didn’t prevent Qiu Yang from continuing to think this way. In fact, her thoughts had changed a bit from before.
Previously, she only wanted to stay away from Shen Ningruo. Now, she felt that being friends with Shen Ningruo wasn’t impossible, but that would have to be after she had repaid her debt. Otherwise, it would feel very strange to Qiu Yang.
Qiu Yang held Pingzi that night, thinking about this matter. Pingzi dozed off obediently in her arms.
Qiu Yang looked at its profile and felt that Shen Ningruo calling it “Pangpang” (Fatty) wasn’t wrong at all. However, the more she thought about the nickname, the funnier Qiu Yang found it. Pingzi seemed to sense this; when it opened its eyes, it saw Qiu Yang’s smiling eyes.
It immediately got annoyed, got out of Qiu Yang’s arms, and started sulking.
Qiu Yang: …
They took a ride-hailing service to Qiyao Company with Peng Kaimiao. Both sat in the back seat, holding important documents.
Peng Kaimiao talked too much, chattering non-stop the whole way—
“Qiu Jie, that hot pot restaurant we just passed is so good. I went there with friends last time…”
“Qiu Jie, did you ever get little red flowers when you were in kindergarten?”
“Qiu Jie…”
Like an excited little bird, chirping away, even with Qiu Yang’s good temper, she couldn’t stand it anymore and couldn’t help but stop him. “Peng Kaimiao, I’m not feeling very well. Can you please stop talking?”
Peng Kaimiao immediately made a zipping motion over his mouth and nodded.
Her ears were finally quiet. Qiu Yang looked at the scenery outside the car window, her eyelashes lowered slightly.
Ke Yezi was still wearing formal attire and came downstairs to greet Qiu Yang and Peng Kaimiao. “Welcome.”
“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Qiu Yang smiled.
Ke Yezi waved her hand. She was wearing thick high heels today, and the sound they made on the ground was a bit muffled. “Not at all, it’s very convenient.” She even whispered, “It’s much more comfortable than staying in the office.”
Peng Kaimiao immediately laughed. “Manager Ke, I feel the same way.”
“The office is so stuffy.”
Qiu Yang turned her head and glanced at him. He immediately cleared his throat and quieted down.
Ke Yezi saw all this and became a little curious, wondering if Wanming Company prohibited office romances.
The elevator slowly ascended. Qiu Yang stood straight. Her mood was relatively calm now because she most likely wouldn’t see Shen Ningruo; Shen Ningruo was much busier than her.
In about ten seconds, the elevator reached the entrance of Qiyao Company. Ke Yezi pulled the door open and gestured for them to enter.
Qiu Yang smiled. “Thank you.”
After Peng Kaimiao also said thank you, he started looking around, curious about Qiyao Company.
Qiyao Company was well-known in the industry and was larger than Wanming. From the front desk to the conference room, Qiu Yang could see the difference between the two companies. However, they were not in the same industry, so there was no competition.
Especially since this collaboration was a definite win-win.
The conference room Ke Yezi led them to was spacious and bright. On the left side was a row of floor-to-ceiling windows, offering a panoramic view of the outside.
Qiu Yang’s eyebrow twitched, and her mind, not listening to her, immediately brought up the scene of her and Shen Ningruo in the hotel last time.
No one noticed her unusual behavior. Two people from Qiyao Company were also seated. Qiu Yang and Peng Kaimiao conducted work-related handover and communication with them. Ke Yezi stayed but didn’t take the lead; she just watched the data with a frown.
Qiu Yang became serious, and Peng Kaimiao also put away his playful demeanor. They were halfway through their discussion when the conference room door was knocked. The five people inside all looked over and saw Shen Ningruo walk in with a cold expression.
Except for Qiu Yang, everyone else present unconsciously straightened their backs a little.
Qiu Yang didn’t make eye contact with Shen Ningruo and looked away.
Shen Ningruo sat at the head of the table, with a document placed in front of her. However, from that brief glance, Qiu Yang noticed the most different thing about Shen Ningruo today: she was wearing glasses.
The frames were silver and very thin, adding a touch of cool elegance to Shen Ningruo’s demeanor.
“Continue,” Shen Ningruo said faintly, lifting her glasses with her fingertip. When she looked at Qiu Yang, it was as if an unintentional glance, and then her gaze returned to the document in front of her.
Qiu Yang put away her extra thoughts, focused her attention, and continued to represent Wanming by stating the key points. Peng Kaimiao held his pen on the side, occasionally lowering his head to write.
By the time the meeting ended, it was fifty minutes later.
Qiu Yang and Peng Kaimiao had arrived around 10:30. Qu Yan had already informed them that they only needed to go back in the afternoon to hand over work. Reporting back right after the meeting would be too rushed.
So now, for Qiu Yang and Peng Kaimiao, they suddenly had over half an hour extra.
Ke Yezi extended an invitation. “Department Head Qiu, Xiao Peng, would you like to try our Qiyao cafeteria for lunch today?”
Qiu Yang was about to refuse, but Peng Kaimiao immediately agreed. “Okay, okay, Manager Ke, Qiyao’s cafeteria is famous for being delicious.”
Qiu Yang wanted to cover her face but managed to hold back.
Seeing her speechless expression, Shen Ningruo quietly smiled. In front of everyone, she said to Qiu Yang, “Department Head Qiu, could you spare a few minutes later?”
“I have a question to ask you.”
The other two from Qiyao exchanged glances, and one of them couldn’t help but nervously ask, “Director, is it about our work…”
“No,” Shen Ningruo said. “Go attend to your own tasks.”
Ke Yezi was also a bit surprised, but then she thought about their director’s personality. Maybe she had discovered some issue she wasn’t aware of yet. So, she led Peng Kaimiao to the pantry first.
The conference room quickly emptied. Qiu Yang exhaled and looked at Shen Ningruo helplessly. “Director Shen, what is it?”
Shen Ningruo asked with concern, “Does your waist still ache?”
“It’s okay.”
“Then… accompany me to buy photo frames,” Shen Ningruo found an excuse. “I have difficulty choosing.”
Qiu Yang: …
Qiu Yang: “Do I look easy to fool?”
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