Shen Wanli spent a whole month like this, until her secretary reported on the work once more. “President Shen, the art exhibition from last time has already concluded, and we have a preliminary plan for the subsequent pheromone perfume.”
“However, we are currently unable to get in touch with Miss Jiang. I am wondering if we should find a new artist.”
Shen Wanli understood the secretary’s meaning. Ever since that incident a month ago, Jiang Rou had never come back to the company. When Jiang Rou first arrived, she only said she was here to help out, and she had never signed any formal employment contract with the company.
Shen Wanli massaged her temples, suppressing a headache. “Then let us hold a painting theme competition. Go look for talent at the universities.”
After the incident involving Xu Fang trying to poach staff and Jiang Rou’s departure, Shen Wanli decided it would be better to cultivate an artist of her own for the company’s use, saving herself the constant hassle.
The secretary nodded. “Understood, President Shen. I will get right on it.”
“Is there anything else?”
Shen Wanli asked, noticing the secretary had not yet left.
“President Shen, that painting from last time was a collaboration with Old Madame Qin. Old Madame Qin wishes to meet with you and Jiang Rou.”
The secretary said.
Shen Wanli paused for a moment, then nodded with a hint of irritation. “I know.”
After the secretary left, Shen Wanli kept staring at her phone, her gaze distant. It was only after a long while that she snapped back to her senses, only to realize she had already dialed Jiang Rou’s number.
The call connected on the other end, and the line remained open with neither person speaking.
After a moment, as if unable to bear the silence any longer, the person on the other end asked, “What is the matter? If nothing, I am hanging up.”
Shen Wanli had never heard such a cold tone from Jiang Rou before, and a sudden ache squeezed her heart. She managed to speak up. “Old Madame Qin wants to see us as previously discussed. I am wondering if you have any free time.”
The other side fell silent for a brief moment before responding, “When?”
Hearing Jiang Rou’s agreement, Shen Wanli finally let out a sigh of relief. “Would tomorrow work?”
“Fine.”
Jiang Rou hung up the phone right then and there.
Having the phone hung up on her like that left Shen Wanli feeling a bit dazed, her heart aching with emptiness.
The two of them hadn’t seen each other in over a month, but Jiang Rou’s tone was far too cold, leaving Shen Wanli’s heart aching and sore.
Shen Wanli didn’t know what was wrong with her. Wasn’t this what she had always hoped for? Could it be that Jiang Rou was simply letting her go, yet she was the one starting to feel miserable?
Was she suffering from some kind of masochistic streak, needing someone to force her before she could be happy? Just as she was leaving work, Shen Wanli received a call from Han Qing. “Are you free tonight? Want to come out for a drink? There is someone I want to introduce to you.”
Hearing the slightly suggestive tone in Han Qing’s voice, Shen Wanli raised an eyebrow. “Who is it?”
Han Qing sounded mysterious. “Are you coming or not? You will find out once you get here.”
Shen Wanli admitted that Han Qing had indeed piqued her curiosity. Perhaps Jiang Rou’s coldness that afternoon had stirred up a sense of rebellious defiance in her.
The person who had chased after her so persistently for so long had suddenly turned so cold, and this stark contrast made Shen Wanli feel quite unsettled. Thus, she decided to follow Han Qing’s suggestion and go meet someone new, if only out of sheer stubborn pride.
When Shen Wanli arrived at the bar, she saw someone sitting across from Han Qing. Shen Wanli walked over toward them, but the moment she drew close and saw the face of the person opposite, Shen Wanli suddenly froze.
It was none other than someone who looked somewhat similar to Jiang Rou. The facial features, especially the brows and eyes, were remarkably alike, though while Jiang Rou’s features were striking and vibrant, the person before her looked much gentler.
Noticing Shen Wanli’s surprise, Han Qing chuckled softly. “Wanli, this is a friend’s younger sister, and she can also be considered your junior from the same school. Her name is Qin Miao.”
Qin Miao stood up, smiled at Shen Wanli, and made no effort to hide the adoration in her eyes. “Hello, Senior Sister Wanli. It is an absolute honor to meet you.”
Being looked at by Qin Miao, who bore such a strong resemblance to Jiang Rou, Shen Wanli felt unusually self-conscious. She reached out and gave a light handshake. “Shen Wanli.”
The three of them quickly sat down. Shen Wanli could tell that Han Qing was intentionally trying to set her and Qin Miao up, steering the conversation to involve them both.
Knowing Han Qing meant well, Shen Wanli naturally wouldn’t make things awkward, so she began chatting warmly with Qin Miao.
Qin Miao was an Omega and had even attended the same school as her, though she had just recently graduated.
Shen Wanli asked with mild curiosity, “What did you major in?”
“Fine arts.”
Qin Miao replied.
Shen Wanli paused; what a coincidence. Raising her head, she caught Han Qing winking and making faces at her.
No wonder Han Qing had been in such high spirits when she called earlier. So that was why.
Qin Miao’s alcohol tolerance wasn’t very high, and her cheeks soon flushed pink. Although Shen Wanli’s tolerance was also quite average, the drinks served in bars were very low in alcohol, so Shen Wanli remained relatively clear-headed.
Intent on pushing the two together, Han Qing said, “Wanli, I have somewhere to be shortly. Could I trouble you to help drop Qin Miao back home?”
Knowing what Han Qing was driving at, Shen Wanli didn’t decline. Regardless of any romantic interest, she couldn’t let Qin Miao lose face.
When Shen Wanli dropped Qin Miao off downstairs at her apartment building, Qin Miao suddenly turned around and asked, “Would you like to come up for a glass of water?”
Shen Wanli hesitated for a moment. After all, Alpha and Omega relations required boundaries, and it was already late at night. Being someone mindful of propriety, Shen Wanli could only politely refuse. “It is too late and rather inconvenient. We can do it another day when there is time.”
Hearing Shen Wanli’s polite refusal, Qin Miao pouted and said with a hint of grievance, “Am I really that unappealing?”
Shen Wanli couldn’t help laughing. “Of course not. It really is just too late tonight.”
Feeling a bit disappointed, Qin Miao decided to simply speak her mind. “Senior Sister Wanli, I will be completely direct. I am very interested in you. Would you like to be my Alpha?”
Qin Miao’s blunt words startled Shen Wanli, as she rarely encountered such a bold and direct Omega.
To say there wasn’t a shred of happiness in her heart would be a lie; after all, being liked by such a pretty Omega served as an affirmation of her own charm.
However, Shen Wanli was not someone casual about romance, which was why she had never had anyone besides Jiang Rou all these years.
Yet, facing Qin Miao’s straightforwardness, Shen Wanli answered honestly, “You are wonderful, but I feel things are moving a bit too fast.”
Understanding what Shen Wanli meant, Qin Miao’s favorable impression of her shot up another notch. After all, in an era of fast-food romances, there were very few people as cautious about their feelings as Shen Wanli.
Then, looking at Shen Wanli’s serious expression, Qin Miao put on a confident front. “I will make you fall in love with me, Senior Sister Wanli.”
Having never experienced such a novel kind of romantic pursuit before, Shen Wanli found it thoroughly amusing and raised an eyebrow. “Then I will look forward to it.”
Qin Miao flashed a smile, and before Shen Wanli could even react, she quickly leaned forward and planted a light kiss on Shen Wanli’s cheek. Stepping back with slightly flushed cheeks, she said softly, “Good night.”