The next morning, although she didn’t have work in the morning, Shen Nuan was awakened by the pain in her ankle.
After a whole night of rest, the pain had not eased at all.
Suppressing the discomfort, she got out of bed. Once she had tidied herself up, she went to the living room.
No one was there, but she heard movement coming from the kitchen and walked over.
“Good morning, Mom.”
Ruan Yajing, who was cooking, looked over at her daughter with a gentle smile.
“Nuannuan, why are you up so early? Go back and sleep a little longer.”
“I’m not sleepy anymore.”
“How’s your foot? If it’s getting worse, you need to go to the hospital. Don’t force yourself.”
“I know my own body, don’t worry. How’s Dad?”
“He’s still sleeping. I’ll wake him up after breakfast is ready.”
Holding her daughter’s hand, Ruan Yajing reminded her seriously, “Those people have come again recently. Although they’ve given us some time, you still need to be careful. I’m afraid they won’t keep their word.”
The Shen family currently had three creditors. Two of them were Shen Xiao’s former business partners. Knowing the family’s current circumstances, they weren’t pressing for repayment and had agreed to discuss it again after three years.
But the third creditor had underworld connections. The original host’s father had trusted a friend too much and acted as his guarantor. Now that the so-called friend had fled overseas, the debt had fallen onto the guarantor.
Ten million yuan.
Before bankruptcy, they could have easily paid it back, but now it was unimaginably difficult.
“Mom, you and Dad need to be careful too.” Shen Nuan was already considering moving somewhere else.
“We know. Your father and I are trying to think of a solution and see if we can pay his money back first.”
Shen Nuan knew exactly what her mother meant. She planned to sell their jewelry again, but they had already done that once before. Even if they still had some valuables left, it wouldn’t be enough.
Besides, relying solely on wages, even after a year, she wouldn’t be able to earn ten million.
She could only hope to complete the mission quickly and receive rewards from the System.
Which meant she needed to work even harder at pursuing Fu Shijing.
That afternoon, Shen Nuan arrived punctually at the coffee shop where she worked part time.
Although the original host had a degree, she had attended an unaccredited university abroad, one that wasn’t recognized domestically.
Moreover, during the past period, she had been busy selling the family’s valuable jewelry, clothes, and handbags to repay debts and hadn’t seriously looked for a job. When she saw the coffee shop hiring part time workers, she decided to work there temporarily.
The coffee shop happened to be near Fu Corporation, making it convenient to observe Fu Shijing from nearby. However, despite working there for several days, Shen Nuan hadn’t seen him once.
“Shen Nuan, take this coffee to the front desk of Fu Corporation. They’re urging us, so hurry back.”
Since she wasn’t a full time employee, errands like these always fell to her.
“Okay, Manager.”
Taking the coffee bag, she quickly left the shop.
The coffee shop was only separated from Fu Corporation by one street. Crossing the road brought her straight there.
Though the distance wasn’t far, her injured ankle made her walk slower than usual.
Entering the lobby of Fu Corporation, Shen Nuan hurried over.
“Hello, this was ordered by Miss Li from the Planning Department.”
“Just leave it here.”
Receptionist Number One curiously asked, “Are you Miss Shen?”
Smiling faintly, Shen Nuan answered, “My surname is Shen. Is there something wrong?”
Before the Shen family went bankrupt, she had come looking for Fu Shijing before, but without an appointment, she had never succeeded.
“Sorry, I must’ve mistaken you for someone else.”
The receptionist muttered softly. How could a wealthy heiress possibly be working at a coffee shop?
Shen Nuan merely smiled.
After she left, Receptionist Number Two spoke up.
“That Miss Shen hasn’t come looking for President Fu in a while. I heard her family went bankrupt.”
“Really? How come I didn’t know?”
“It was in the news. Still, even a skinny camel is bigger than a horse. Her life is much better than ours.”
“That’s true.”
Shen Nuan silently headed outside. Fortunately, none of her coworkers knew her background, otherwise she wouldn’t know how to interact with them.
“President Fu, let’s have afternoon tea and discuss the project details.”
Just as Xiao Ang was about to tactfully reject the invitation for his boss, he suddenly spotted a familiar figure.
Miss Shen!
【Boss, the male lead is here.】Little Nine announced excitedly.
【I see him, but there’s someone beside him. They look quite close. I wonder what their relationship is.】
Shen Nuan lowered her head and secretly peeked at the pair in the distance. If the timing hadn’t been inappropriate, she would’ve gone over already.
Little Nine crossed his arms.
【Anyway, they’re not boyfriend and girlfriend. The female lead hasn’t appeared yet.】
【Even so, I’m wearing my coffee shop apron. It wouldn’t be appropriate to approach him.】
Fu Shijing inadvertently noticed the woman peeking at him and happened to meet her gaze.
Why was she here?
Had she come specifically to find him?
Wasn’t her foot injured? She still came?
Shen Nuan guiltily looked away.
【Oh no, he saw me.】
【That’s fine. It’s an opportunity.】Little Nine thought nothing of it.
【Then I need to think of something to say.】
Before she could, the man strode over.
The woman who had been looking forward to a date with Fu Shijing saw him heading toward another woman and immediately followed.
“Why are you here?”
Only when he got close did Fu Shijing notice her coffee shop apron, instantly realizing she wasn’t here to see him.
“Hello, President Fu. I work part time at the coffee shop across the street.”
Wearing a professional smile, Shen Nuan bowed politely.
“You’re welcome to come have coffee.”
The woman beside him exclaimed in surprise, her eyes filled with scrutiny.
“Aren’t you Miss Shen who pursues Shijing? Nice to meet you.”
Shen Nuan hadn’t expected to be recognized.
【Little Nine, who is she? Do you know?】
【That’s Yang Liu, the daughter of Yang Corporation. She likes the male lead too, but unlike you, she doesn’t openly pursue him and always finds excuses to see him.】
No wonder her gaze felt strange.
So she was a romantic rival.
【So, am I too high profile? Is that why Fu Shijing doesn’t want anything to do with me?】
【But Boss, you have to be high profile. The System rewards you more the more high profile you are.】
Shen Nuan accepted her fate.
【It’s okay. After all, I was lucky enough to be bound to you.】
Little Nine blew her a kiss emotionally.
【Boss, I love you, love you like mice love rice.】
After spending so much time together, Shen Nuan had discovered that whenever he was happy, he liked singing that song.
But now wasn’t the time to be touched.
“You two continue chatting. I still have work, so I won’t disturb you.”
She wanted to leave this troublesome place as soon as possible.
Xiao Ang wisely remained silent and waited for his boss’s instructions.
Unhappy that Fu Shijing’s attention was on Shen Nuan, Yang Liu seductively brushed her hair aside and sweetly said, “President Fu, why don’t we have some coffee? I’m sure Miss Shen makes excellent coffee.”
Shen Nuan, who had already walked several steps away, was speechless.
This was clearly a fox pretending to pay New Year’s greetings to the rooster with bad intentions.
【Fu Shijing won’t agree, right? He doesn’t want to see me.】
【He definitely won’t agree.】Little Nine said confidently.
【As long as she doesn’t make trouble for me. I plan to keep this job until I successfully become his assistant.】
Fu Shijing glanced at the woman who was quickly walking away.
He had expected her to cling to him like yesterday, but instead she voluntarily left, almost as if she were angry.
Was she jealous?
For some reason, he found the thought amusing.
“Let’s go have coffee.”
“Great!”
Yang Liu was overjoyed. She had always known Fu Shijing wouldn’t reject her.
His voice wasn’t loud, but Shen Nuan heard him.
【He’s really going to drink coffee with Yang Liu? Little Nine, isn’t he supposed to be a devoted male lead?】
Embarrassed, Little Nine hurriedly tried to explain.
【Maybe he’s thirsty and wants coffee.】
【Do I look like I’d believe that?】
Would the CEO of Fu Corporation lack coffee? His assistant was right there.
【It’s okay, Boss. This is an opportunity. You don’t even have to create a chance encounter anymore.】
Shen Nuan could only comfort herself.
Encounter Coffee House.
She had originally thought that as a part timer, she wouldn’t be assigned to private room service, but Yang Liu deliberately called out to her.
“Miss Shen, make coffee for us.”
She smiled. “You wouldn’t refuse, would you? I wanted to catch up with you.”
Shen Nuan didn’t want to and they certainly had no old friendship to speak of, but she couldn’t say that.
Looking at Fu Shijing, she found him staring at her and hurriedly lowered her gaze.
After all, she couldn’t let him suspect her motives.
“It is my honor to serve our guests.”
Inside the private room, she politely asked, “What kind of coffee would the two of you like?”
“President Fu, what would you like?” Yang Liu smiled sweetly, affection filling her eyes.
Fu Shijing’s gaze rested on Shen Nuan, making her uncomfortable.
“Anything.”
“Then I’ll have the same. Miss Shen, you decide.”
“Please wait a moment.”
Her awkward gait caught his attention.
Hasn’t her ankle recovered yet? Did this woman not want her foot anymore?
【Little Nine, why do I feel someone staring at me?】
【You’re right. The male lead is watching you.】
Only after leaving the room did Shen Nuan relax.
【But why is he looking at me? Is it because of my uniform?】
【Probably not. Maybe he’s watching your limp since he knows you injured your foot.】
Shen Nuan gasped.
【Does he think I’m faking my injury?】
【Probably not. Maybe he’s worried about you.】
【If that’s true, I need to take advantage and earn some sympathy.】
Seeing Fu Shijing’s attention fixed on Shen Nuan, Yang Liu changed the topic.
“I think Miss Shen is quite pitiful. Her family went bankrupt and now she works at a coffee shop.”
Fu Shijing said nothing.
Feeling awkward, Yang Liu continued, “President Fu, I’m holding a party the day after tomorrow. Will you come?”
“No time.”
His direct rejection made her expression stiffen.
Just then, Shen Nuan returned with the coffee.
Pretending not to notice, Yang Liu raised her arm and deliberately knocked the coffee onto the floor.
“Oh my, what’s wrong with you? Not only did you spill the coffee, you’ve splashed it all over me.”
【Too much! I clearly saw her do that on purpose.】Little Nine fumed.
【When you’re unlucky, even drinking water gets stuck in your teeth. Besides, we’re romantic rivals.】
Knowing Yang Liu was deliberately making things difficult, Shen Nuan could only endure it.
After all, she was working.
Customers came first.
“I’m sorry, Miss Yang. Let me wipe it for you.”
“No need.”
Yang Liu stepped aside with a face full of disgust.
“I could ask you to pay for my clothes, but with your current situation, you probably can’t afford it.”
Shen Nuan didn’t want Fu Shijing to misunderstand her any further.
“Miss Yang, I admit I was partly responsible, but you suddenly raised your arm and I…”
Before she could finish, Yang Liu interrupted.
“So you’re saying it’s my fault? What kind of service attitude is that? You did it on purpose because you’re jealous of President Fu and me dating, aren’t you?”
Fu Shijing quietly glanced at the woman standing with her head lowered.
Shen Nuan knew Yang Liu would make trouble, but she hadn’t expected her to twist the truth so shamelessly.
Knowing she liked Fu Shijing, even if she denied being jealous, he probably wouldn’t believe her.
Maintaining her professionalism, she replied, “I don’t think that way, Miss Yang. Our coffee shop hopes every customer enjoys their date.”
She only wanted to resolve things peacefully.
Date?
The man’s hand tightened unconsciously.
Satisfied with Shen Nuan’s attitude, Yang Liu smiled smugly.
“Forget it. For President Fu’s sake, I won’t pursue the matter.”
At last, Fu Shijing spoke.
“You should pursue it.”
Shen Nuan knew he wouldn’t help her, but she hadn’t expected him to add insult to injury.
“See? Even President Fu can’t stand watching this.”
Yang Liu became even more pleased.
【The male lead is too much! Why doesn’t he believe you? We’re loyal pursuers, but we have dignity. We would never use such petty tricks.】
Shen Nuan finally felt slightly comforted.
【Little Nine, you’re the best.】
What hurt wasn’t whom Fu Shijing sided with.
It was the fact that after pursuing him for so long, he had never once thought of protecting her.
Then, Fu Shijing suddenly grabbed her slender wrist and pulled her over.
His cold voice rang out.
“You’re being bullied, and you’re still behaving so honestly?”
Shen Nuan raised her head in astonishment.
He was helping her?