CGG, Wen Shulin’s office.
Chen Cheng took out the agreed-upon documents and placed them on the table.
"Shulin, this is what Mr. Jin promised you last time." He handed over the document bag, "The scope this time isn’t large, just a small target."
Wen Shulin looked at the man before her, but her mind was filled with the shadow of Su Liya from last night.
"What’s wrong with you?" Chen Cheng sensed something off about her and asked.
Wen Shulin snapped back to reality, managing to squeeze out a faint smile: "It’s nothing, just didn’t rest well last night."
Chen Cheng raised an eyebrow, clearly not quite believing her explanation, but he didn’t press further, merely pointing to the document bag and saying: "Take a look first."
Wen Shulin nodded slightly, opened the document bag, and carefully reviewed the files inside.
However, her thoughts were never fully focused on the dense text; instead, the heart-wrenching image of Su Liya and the resolute decision that was just like her own, kept surfacing in her mind from time to time.
After a while, she closed the file and took a deep breath, "Thank Mr. Jin for me."
Wen Shulin stood up and walked to the window, looking at the bustling cityscape outside, slowly saying: "My thoughts are very disordered right now."
Chen Cheng walked over, gently wrapped his arms around Wen Shulin’s waist from behind, and rested his chin on her shoulder, saying tenderly:
"What happened? Talk to me."
Wen Shulin closed her eyes slightly, silent for a moment before slowly speaking: "It’s Li Ya."
Chen Cheng: "What about her?"
"She saw our photos." Wen Shulin turned to face him, looking up into Chen Cheng’s eyes, "She knows everything."
Chen Cheng smiled and said: "Isn’t that a good thing?"
Wen Shulin shook her head, "Li Ya... she’s too much like how I used to be, the same stubbornness, the same recklessness. I feel unbearably upset when I saw her like that last night."
Chen Cheng frowned deeply.
"Li Ya, she likes you." Wen Shulin said.
"Shulin, you know, I..."
Wen Shulin placed her finger over Chen Cheng’s mouth, "You don’t need to explain, I understand everything."
"It’s just her look last night, towards me, it wasn’t like that of a daughter’s anymore, only the jealousy of a rival in love."
Her finger moved away from Chen Cheng’s lips, her eyes revealing a complex mix of emotions, both understanding and resignation.
"I saw the pain in her eyes, it reminded me of my own past."
She continued: "I was reckless for the sake of living, for a future, but she is throwing caution to the wind for a vague love, indifferent to all harm, even if it leaves her bruised all over."
"I’ve rejected her several times." Chen Cheng said.
"Several times?" That was clearly beyond Wen Shulin’s expectations.
Chen Cheng nodded, "I reject her also because I don’t want her to fall deeper, don’t want to hurt her."
Wen Shulin sighed, "But matters of the heart are not so easily controlled. She’s set on you now, I’m afraid she won’t give up easily."
Chen Cheng took Wen Shulin’s hand: "Then let’s think of a solution together, we can’t let this affect our lives indefinitely."
"I don’t know how to face her," Wen Shulin continued: "Every time I see her eyes, I feel guilty."
Chen Cheng gently stroked her back, comforting her: "It’s not your fault, none of us wanted things to turn out this way."
"But she is suffering because of us, I can’t act as if nothing happened."
Chen Cheng lifted Wen Shulin’s chin with a smile, "What’s the matter? Having second thoughts?"
Wen Shulin playfully slapped Chen Cheng’s hand away, "What are you joking for at this time?"
Chen Cheng’s smile faded, and he said earnestly: "Shulin, don’t worry too much, let’s address it step by step."
He hugged Wen Shulin around the waist, "Now that you’re my woman, I can’t let you be troubled by such trivial matters."
Wen Shulin tapped his chest lightly, a demure look on her face, "Who’s your woman? Are you that confident?"
"Oh, denying it now? Call me ’husband’ and let’s hear it."
Wen Shulin blushed and turned her head away, "I don’t want to, wishful thinking."
Chen Cheng pretended to be stern, "Hm? Not going to call? I might be unhappy then."
Seeing his feigned anger, Wen Shulin couldn’t help but laugh, "Alright, alright, husband."
Chen Cheng then laughed satisfactorily, "That’s more like it."
He took Wen Shulin by the hand to the sofa, patting his thigh.
Wen Shulin settled into Chen Cheng’s arms, her fingers tenderly caressing his face, "How do you manage to be so charming?"
"Can’t help it, it’s charisma."
Chen Cheng’s hands were also busy.
Wen Shulin stopped the wandering hand on her chest, "Stop it, I have a meeting soon."
Chen Cheng smiled, "That’s really a shame."
Wen Shulin gave him a glare, "Your mind is always on these things."
Chen Cheng with an innocent face, "I can’t be blamed, who made you so attractive."
Wen Shulin spoke as she adjusted Chen Cheng’s collar, "You’re coming with me somewhere tonight. Remember to dress formally."
"Tonight?" Chen Cheng was surprised.
Wen Shulin nodded, "What’s the matter? Are you busy?"
"I had already made plans, but since you have something important, I’ll reschedule."
Chen Cheng asked curiously: "Where are we going? So secretive."
Wen Shulin grinned, "You’ll know when we get there, don’t ask now."
"Is this the surprise you mentioned?"
Wen Shulin nodded, "Yes."
A knock on the door came, Wen Shulin quickly withdrew from Chen Cheng’s embrace, "Come in."
"Chairman Wen, the meeting starts in ten minutes, and the relevant personnel are ready."
Wen Shulin put away the tender look that was reserved for Chen Cheng, "Okay, I got it."