Vоlumе 1 Сhарtеr 14: Rejeсtiоn
Аftеr finishing hеr words, Jiang Qing starеd аt her meаningfully, a misсhiеvоus smilе сurling аt the соrnеr оf her mouth.
Shu Мiao felt a сhill run dоwn her bасk. “Sistеr Jiаng, whу arе уоu looking аt mе like thаt?”
Jiang Qing decidеd to bе direct. “Xiаo Shu, think аbout it. Соunty Mаgistrate Mеng hаs аlwаys held уоu in high rеgаrd and evеn takеs you оut on work аssignments.”
“You shоuld seize this oрроrtunity, shоw mоre initiative, аnd not lеt this сhancе slip through уour fingеrs.”
Shu Мiаo wаs both amusеd and eхаsрerated. “Sister Jiang, aren’t yоu еxaggerating?”
“Dоеs going out on wоrk with thе county magistrate guarantee a promotion? What about the news department, who go out with him all the time?”
Jiang Qing disagreed. “It’s not an exaggeration at all.”
She glanced cautiously at the door, leaned closer to Shu Miao, and deliberately lowered her voice. “How did our director rise to his position?”
Shu Miao was puzzled.
Jiang Qing raised her eyebrows. “Wasn’t it because when he was still a junior reporter, he actively performed during work assignments with the county magistrate at the time? He took the initiative to get close, eagerly took on any task, and seized the opportunity.”
“When the previous director was promoted and transferred, he was immediately promoted to the position without anyone being brought in from outside.”
Shu Miao was somewhat surprised. She had never heard Jiang Qing mention this before, and they usually didn’t deliberately discuss such matters.
Jiang Qing continued, “Originally, our department rarely had opportunities to go out. Now that you finally have a chance, shouldn’t you make the most of it?”
Shu Miao didn’t quite agree. “I’ve only gone out on work assignments with County Magistrate Meng twice, and my performance was average. I doubt County Magistrate Meng thinks much of my abilities.”
Jiang Qing smiled helplessly at Shu Miao’s modesty.
After hearing Pei Ran’s analysis and learning about Meng Yuchuan’s background from Jiang Qing, Shu Miao became even more convinced that Meng Yuchuan was only toying with her, acting on a whim.
There was a vast chasm between them, and Shu Miao felt that her starting point was generations behind Meng Yuchuan’s.
How could he possibly be serious about her?
She immediately felt a sense of aversion toward Meng Yuchuan, thinking he had ulterior motives and ill intentions.
Knowing full well that he wouldn’t stay here for long, he still insisted on pestering her, trying to lure her into his trap.
How despicable! The more Shu Miao thought about it, the more her teeth itched with resentment.
Unfortunately for him, his calculations were off. She wouldn’t be so easily fooled.
After work on Friday, Shu Miao was in a good mood. With her headphones on, she listened to music as she strolled leisurely home.
After eating takeout, she took a shower and lay in bed watching a variety show, occasionally bursting into laughter at the scenes, momentarily forgetting the troubles brought by Meng Yuchuan.
Her phone, charging on the table, rang at an inopportune moment.
Shu Miao paused the show and picked up the phone.
At a glance: County Magistrate Meng!
Her heart instantly fluttered with an inexplicable sense of nervousness.
She glanced at the time—almost nine o’clock. Why was Meng Yuchuan calling her at this hour?
It definitely wasn’t for anything good. Could it be that he was calling to ask how her considerations were going?
Meng Yuchuan hadn’t contacted her these past two days, and Shu Miao had assumed he had forgotten about her, that his words that day were just a passing whim.
She never expected him to call her now. Holding the phone felt like clutching a hot potato.
She didn’t know whether to answer or not.
Finally, compelled by the situation, she reluctantly pressed the answer button. “Hello? County Magistrate Meng?”
“Hmm.” Meng Yuchuan responded lightly.
Shu Miao probed, “It’s so late. Is there something you need?”
She deliberately emphasized the time, subtly reminding him that calling at this hour might disturb others’ rest.Meng Yuchuan asked as if he hadn’t understood: “What are you doing?”
Shu Miao rolled her eyes. Did he call just to ask her that?
Her words betrayed her thoughts as she replied, “Um, nothing much.”
She immediately followed up with a question of her own: “Is there something you need?”
“I’m in the parking lot downstairs. Come down for a moment.” Meng Yuchuan spoke lazily, his voice low and magnetic.
Shu Miao’s expression froze, and the hand holding her phone trembled slightly, almost dropping it.
She was utterly stunned: “You… you said you’re downstairs at my place?”
“Yes, waiting for you.”
Though brief, these words carried a mysterious allure, as if bewitching Shu Miao’s heart.
Shu Miao furrowed her brows, biting her lower lip, and instinctively refused: “County Magistrate Meng, it’s already quite late. If there’s something, could you say it over the phone?”
Meng Yuchuan didn’t respond immediately. After a moment, he chuckled softly: “This isn’t something to discuss over the phone. Come down. It’ll only take a moment, I won’t keep you long.”
Shu Miao tightened her grip on the blanket, her brows knitting even tighter.
She knew Meng Yuchuan wouldn’t easily back down, but she still wanted to try. In the end, her attempt failed.
“Hurry down, I’ll wait for you.”
With that, he hung up, leaving only the sound of the dial tone echoing in her ear.
Shu Miao put down her phone, seething with frustration but too afraid to offend Meng Yuchuan. Reluctantly, she got out of bed.
She changed out of her pajamas, threw on a coat, grabbed her phone, and headed out the door.
In the elevator, Shu Miao thought to herself that if Meng Yuchuan tried anything inappropriate, she would scream.
The security guard was stationed at the exit. As long as she shouted loudly enough, he would definitely hear her.
With that thought, she felt a bit more at ease.
She lived on the 9th floor and arrived in no time.
Stepping out of the elevator, Shu Miao took several deep breaths. The parking lot was chilly, so she pulled her coat tighter around herself.
Wearing an expression of grim determination, she walked out.
As soon as she pushed open the stairwell door, she saw a black Hongqi sedan parked conspicuously in the lot.
Meng Yuchuan sat inside the car, dressed in a clean, crisp white shirt, and greeted her with a gentle smile.
Shu Miao walked over, and Meng Yuchuan rolled down the window: “Get in first, it’s cold outside.”
Shu Miao walked to the passenger side, opened the door, and sat down.
As soon as she settled in, she got straight to the point: “County Magistrate Meng, what did you need to see me about?”
Meng Yuchuan’s gaze fell on Shu Miao. The previous times he had seen her were in work settings.
She had always worn her hair in a high ponytail, looking sharp and professional. Today was the first time he had seen her with her hair down.
Her loose, dark hair cascaded like seaweed over her shoulders and down her back, paired with her fair, delicate face. Meng Yuchuan’s eyes momentarily darkened before returning to normal.
“There is something.”
Shu Miao didn’t speak, sitting quietly and waiting.
She already had a good idea of what he was going to say but still pretended to be clueless.
As long as Meng Yuchuan didn’t bring it up, she would remain silent.
Meng Yuchuan found her feigned ignorance somewhat amusing.
This girl clearly knew what he was going to say but was pretending to be oblivious. She really knew how to keep her composure.
“How have you been considering what I asked you the other day?” Meng Yuchuan suddenly spoke up.
Shu Miao instantly tightened her grip on her coat, her expression stiffening.
He wasn’t in a hurry, patiently waiting for her answer after asking.
Shu Miao silently steeled herself, repeating affirmations in her mind.This matter absolutely cannot be dragged out or handled with hesitation. One must not fear authority and must decisively and cleanly reject it, completely cutting off the other party’s thoughts to prevent any future troubles.
Having made up her mind, Shu Miao spoke with utmost seriousness: “County Magistrate Meng, you are a high-ranking county magistrate, while I am just an ordinary junior clerk.”
Meng Yuchuan’s eyebrows twitched slightly, his fair and slender fingers gently rubbing against the steering wheel.
Shu Miao continued with a serious expression: “The gap between us is simply too vast. You are too outstanding, and being with someone as perfect as you would undoubtedly put immense pressure on me.”
“I believe that, considering all aspects, we are not suitable for each other. I am not worthy of you.”
“You should find someone equally outstanding to stand by your side.”
Shu Miao finished saying all the words she had been brewing in her heart for a long time in one go.