For the next several days, Qin Nuan’s life seemed to slowly return to normal.
Shen Shiyan, true to his word, did not make things difficult for her, and her job was securely kept—which put her considerably at ease.
However, over the following week, she barely saw Shen Shiyan at all.
According to her colleagues, he seemed very busy and had gone on another business trip.
The only time she saw him was downstairs at the company building. Qin Nuan was heading out to lunch with colleagues when Shen Shiyan walked in from outside, followed by several senior executives, listening to work reports as he walked.
The two passed each other by.
Ever since that day, whenever Qin Nuan heard the name “Shen Shiyan” in the company, she would instinctively feel a pang of guilt.
She had assumed he wouldn’t notice her, but unexpectedly, just before stepping into the elevator, he suddenly turned his head, his gaze lingering on her for a second—and actually gave her a slight nod.
Qin Nuan’s heart skipped a beat, and her face flushed. She hurriedly lowered her head, then nervously glanced around to see if anyone had noticed.
After coming back to her senses, she awkwardly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
What was going on? Two people who should have no connection at all, yet it felt like they were hiding some unspeakable secret between them.
.
Another day passed.
The one-week deadline was fast approaching, yet Shen Shiyan had never come to find her, nor had he urged her in any way. Clearly, he intended to follow through on his words about “giving her a week to think it over.”
Qin Nuan appreciated his consideration, and at the same time, she gradually relaxed.
He didn’t seem to be in a hurry. Perhaps he had only mentioned it casually that day—or maybe he had already found another solution.
With that thought, the weight of guilt on Qin Nuan’s heart lightened considerably. She planned to send Shen Shiyan a message on the last day to politely decline his marriage proposal.
But on the final day, Qin Nuan suddenly received a notice: everyone in Business Department One was to attend a meeting on the 42nd floor.
As the core department of the group, it was customary for the business department to have individual meetings with each new leader after they took office—everyone was already used to this.
After receiving the notice, Jiang Yiwen told everyone to get ready and follow him up to the 42nd floor.
Qin Nuan went up to the 42nd floor with the other colleagues.
However, upon walking into the president’s office, she saw that besides Shen Shiyan, an elderly man was also seated on the sofa.
The old man had graying hair and held a cane in his hand, yet he was spirited and vigorous, with a kind expression on his face.
That was Elder Shen, Shen Wanshan.
Beside Elder Shen sat a middle-aged man in his fifties, whose features bore some resemblance to the old man’s, but whose eyes gleamed with shrewdness and sharpness.
When Shen Shiyan had suddenly proposed marriage earlier, Qin Nuan hadn’t dared to take it seriously, but she had privately and irresistibly looked up a great deal of information about Shen Shiyan and the Shen family.
So now, with just one glance, she recognized him—this was Shen Shiyan’s second uncle, Shen Junhong.
Remembering how Shen Shiyan had mentioned that his uncle had been secretly scheming against him, Qin Nuan couldn’t help but take a few extra looks at him.
As for Jiang Yiwen, seeing that both Elder Shen and Shen Junhong were present today, he quickly stepped forward with a fawning bow: “Chairman, President Hong, you’ve come today as well.”
Although Shen Wanshan was the chairman, he rarely came to the company these days. He waved his hand dismissively: “Just passing by, so I had Junhong accompany me up for a sit. You all go about your business—don’t mind me.”
“Yes, yes.” Jiang Yiwen responded repeatedly before turning around and beginning to report on the work to Shen Shiyan.
The office suddenly had three big shots in it at once, and even Jiang Yiwen was visibly tense, sweat beading on his forehead.
After he finished his report, it was the employees’ turn to go up one by one and introduce themselves.
Everyone was nervous, Qin Nuan included.
As the newest hire in the department, she naturally went last.
After nervously giving her introduction, she thought that would be the end of it for them.
Unexpectedly, at that moment, Shen Junhong’s gaze casually swept across the faces of the business department employees, but stopped on Qin Nuan.
He looked her up and down, as if confirming something, then suddenly let out a light chuckle.
Qin Nuan’s heart clenched tightly.
The next instant, something suddenly hit her, and her face turned deathly pale.
Oh no!
The photo!
Shen Shiyan had said that Shen Junhong had a photo of her coming out of his room that morning!
He must have recognized her!
If he exposed this in front of so many people right now…
At the thought, Qin Nuan’s palms went ice-cold, and all the color drained from her face.
She watched as Shen Junhong turned to Shen Shiyan, a flicker of smugness and calculation in his eyes, and deliberately dragged out his tone: “Oh, isn’t this…”
Qin Nuan’s mind went blank, her lips trembling slightly. She wanted to say something, but couldn’t get a single word out.