Jiang Wanju didn’t lift her head. She bent down, pressing her fingers firmly onto the table, making a faint sound as she accurately located the notebook the director had lost. She stood up, turned around, and looked at Chen Zhouren.
In the empty conference hall, the light shone from above. His features were relaxed and refined. He repeated calmly, “So, what do you think?”
Jiang Wanju smiled. “What’s in it for me?”
“Whatever you want, I can give it to you.”
Jiang Wanju asked, “A house? A car?”
Chen Zhouren smiled. “Where do you want them?”
Jiang Wanju continued on her own, “I also want to study further at the Paris headquarters. I want advanced training, I want promotions, and I want a raise.”
Chen Zhouren didn’t even frown. “All possible.”
“I want money. Lots and lots of money. I want opportunities to move up. I want connections,” Jiang Wanju looked at him calmly. “I want to climb higher.”
Chen Zhouren said, “I can help you.”
Jiang Wanju said, “I also want to get married.”
Chen Zhouren stopped smiling.
He studied Jiang Wanju carefully, as if seeing her anew.
“That’s it,” Jiang Wanju shrugged, still holding that notebook. Her tone was flat. “I don’t mind using a man’s resources, but on the condition that we’re in a relationship.”
Chen Zhouren praised her, “I admire you.”
Jiang Wanju smiled. “Plenty of people do.”
She lightly brushed the dust off the notebook in her hand, her tone relaxed. “So, I see no need to sacrifice my dignity just to receive some pet-like affection from Mr. Chen. It’s not worth it. I may be young, but I’m not stupid.”
Chen Zhouren said nothing. Jiang Wanju gave a slight nod. “I need to report back. Good night, Mr. Chen.”
She was petite and delicate, looking as if a gust of wind could blow her over, yet she didn’t pause for even a moment. Without looking back, she walked right past Chen Zhouren.
Chen Zhouren caught the faint scent of her perfume—light and cool, like the first snow of morning.
Jiang Wanju walked past him without so much as a glance, heading off to report back to the director. The director was a little surprised. “That fast?”
She said, “President Chen is a straightforward man.”
The director chuckled, and Jiang Wanju finally understood why she rarely smiled—perhaps because when she did, she looked a bit sly. Simply put, a little like a villain.
The director said, “I know. You can go now. Get some rest.”
Jiang Wanju calmly returned to her room. Once inside, she leaned against the cabinet to take off her shoes. The first attempt failed, so she had to crouch down, her hand brushing against her ankle. After wearing high heels for so long—even with anti-friction pads—her ankles had still rubbed against the shoes, forming small blisters. When she’d been tense, she hadn’t noticed the pain. Now that she was relaxed, she realized just how much she’d endured.
It hurt—badly. Her skin was rubbed red over a large area.
Jiang Wanju hugged her knees, letting out a choked sob.
She murmured to herself, “What is this even? What the hell is this?”
She took a deep breath, pulled off her shoes, slipped into the hotel slippers, and stepped onto the floor. She still felt light and disconnected, like she was stuck in a dream—forcing herself to snap out of it.
She went to the bathroom, turned on the tap, and let the cold water rush out. She cupped a handful and splashed it on her face.
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath.
“It’s fine, it’s fine,” she whispered. “It’ll get better.”
Everything will get better.
Jiang Wanju didn’t take the return flight right away. She asked the director for two days off. The director gave her a knowing look, smiling ambiguously, and asked before she left, “Was Mr. Chen satisfied?”
Jiang Wanju answered with calm dignity, smiling: “Very satisfied.”
The event had gone exceptionally smoothly this time, so the director didn’t make things difficult for her.
With her two-day break secured, Jiang Wanju went to Disneyland. She didn’t bother planning—just played however she pleased for a day. Unfortunately, since it was inconvenient to carry around plush toys, she didn’t buy anything.
That evening, she went to a nightclub. She drank, danced, didn’t use anyone’s VIP card. Most of the time, she simply sat quietly at the bar, resting and refusing drink after drink offered by strange men. It wasn’t until 4 a.m. that she finally left.
As soon as she stepped out, she saw police cars and officers on duty outside.
Jiang Wanju pulled her coat tightly around herself.
There are so many things that can replace a man.
Police lights flashed brightly and relentlessly. Even at this hour, people bustled about and cars streamed past. It truly was a city that never slept. Jiang Wanju walked a few steps, hailed a ride through an app, and sat on the cool stone steps to wait when the car didn’t arrive immediately.
Someone approached to strike up a conversation. “Are you here on vacation?”
Jiang Wanju nodded. “Yes.”
“Me too. It’s my first day here—lively place,” the man said with a sigh. “Where are your friends?”
“I’m alone.”
“What a coincidence, so am I.” Then he shifted the conversation. “Want to add each other on WeChat?”
Jiang Wanju smiled and politely declined. Just then, her ride pulled up. She got in and gave the driver her destination.
She was headed back to the same hotel as the night before—same room, same everything.
The familiar elevator, familiar hallway.
She hadn’t drunk at all that night. When going out alone, she naturally stayed clear of that stuff.
Standing at her door, she lowered her head to rummage through her bag for the room key. Having barely slept all night, her vision blurred from exhaustion. Just as she finally found it, the door next to hers opened.
Chen Zhouren stood there in sleepwear, quietly. There was a faint smell of smoke on him—not too strong—the same brand Jiang Wanju had smoked yesterday. But compared to her clearly having had a wild night, Chen Zhouren looked calm, gentle, and even well-rested—no dark circles, just composed.
He looked at her, clearly surprised.
Jiang Wanju smiled. “Good evening, Mr. Chen.”
Chen Zhouren asked, “Where did you go?”
Jiang Wanju smiled playfully. “Now, Mr. Chen…”
She said, “I’m not with you. Why should you care where I went?”