Chapter 9

However, the allure of this project for Shen came far beyond her expectations. The saying that a mere penny can thwart a hero is not just a casual remark

Shen wrapped her arms around Zhang Xiuran's arm and said playfully: "I missed you, so I came back. Who needs to notify in advance when returning home? I'll eat whatever you prepare; I love everything you cook."

Shen sat up straight, touched his cheek, and said, "Have I lost a lot of weight? That's great! I've recently gained quite a bit around my waist, and I've been worried that my efforts to lose weight aren't effective."

If I had known that this project belonged to Zhou Ji, Shen would absolutely not have pursued it, let alone invite Zhou Ji to dinner

Hello, Mr. Zhou, I am Qiao Bonian, and this is my friend Shen Lai. Qiao Bonian turned to look at Shen Lai, introducing her to Zhou Ji and Nan Ting.

After the meal time was set, Shen Lai even specifically went with Qiao Bonian to the site of the health and wellness vacation project at Zhou Ji, just to have a clear understanding, so that she could speak with substance during discussions. She even stayed up all night to draw a schematic sketch, carrying the drawings with her when she went to the restaurant, making it easier to explain her design concept to General Manager Zhou.

Zhang Xiuran understood immediately, "Starting a business on your own is indeed difficult. When you returned to the country, I wanted to advise you to find a job first, to build some connections before opening your own studio. However, at that time, I saw you full of confidence, so I didn't say anything."

"Alright, as you command," Shen Lai said, concealing all the bitterness behind a brilliant and playful smile

Zhou nodded slightly and said, "I know you have a proud temperament. However, with your attitude, it is no surprise that you have not secured many projects until now"

Zhou Ji slightly interrupted, "Let me go. Nanting, you should have a good meal with your classmates tonight."

Qiao Bonian looked at Shen Lai, who seemed obviously out of sorts, and thought she was just nervous. He smiled and said to ease the situation: "Shen Lai? Don't just stand there, this is the General Manager Zhou I mentioned to you. I didn't expect him to be so young and accomplished, did you?"

Shen Lai actually did not have Zhou Ji's WeChat, but this person is despicable and shameless. That night at the hot spring resort, taking advantage of her drunken sleep, he unlocked her phone using her finger and allowed her to accept his WeChat request.

Although it is not feasible to start a studio on one's own, with Shen's educational background and work experience, it should not be difficult to find a job at a design institute

Zhang Xiuran patted Shen Lai's forehead and said, "Is this how a prodigal son returns?"

Zhang Xiuran looked at Shen Laimo in silence, and Shen Lai immediately responded, "Mom, I will pay you back. How about deducting it from my salary every month once I find a job?"

Zhou rested his hand on the car door, preventing Shen from opening it. "Shen, do not act impulsively; arrogance cannot be eaten. Although you do not know that the person invited today is me, I accepted this dinner invitation because of you."

Shen sighed and said, "Ms. Zhang, your keen eyesight is truly becoming sharper by the day"

While ordering, Shen leaned in close to Qiao Bonian and asked, "Do you know what dishes that General Zhou likes to eat?"

Shen Lai held Zhang Xiuran's arm and said: "Mom, our generation is like this. You can advise us, but we won't listen. We have to hit the wall ourselves before we are willing to turn back. I am now a prodigal son returning home. Do you think it can be exchanged for gold?"

Zhou found Shen Lai in the parking lot, knocked on her car window, and signaled for her to get out of the car

Zhang Xiuran tapped Shen Lai's forehead and said, "Go ahead, otherwise my wild guesses will only frighten me more"

Before all the dishes were ordered, I heard a knock on the door, and then Zhou Ji and Nan Ting were brought in by the waiter

Qiao Bonian said: "There is no need to be nervous. This restaurant was chosen by Nanting; she mentioned that it is the favorite of their boss, so the dishes are likely to be to his liking"

After dinner, Zhang Xiuran pulled Shen Lai aside, fully aware of her own daughter. No matter how happily Shen Lai smiled, she knew that Shen Lai had something on her mind. "Lai Lai, what is troubling you? Can you share it with your mother?"

Shen Lai let out a cold laugh, "I do not require any compensation from you. Although you strayed in the past, I also made you wear a green hat, so we are even; you do not need to compensate me."

Shen Lai lowered his head to pick up his bag and drawing tube, walked over to Qiao Bonian's side, and said, "I apologize, Bonian, I am feeling a bit unwell and will leave first." After a pause, Shen Lai continued, "Moreover, you don't need to introduce me to Mr. Zhou; he is my ex-husband."

Shen Lai slowly stood up, but there was no smile on her face. Although she knew that the CEO she was meeting today also had the surname Zhou, she had never associated it with Zhou Ji. After all, the surname Zhou is not uncommon, and Zhou Ji had not previously been involved in the nursing home business; wasn't he in real estate?

The so-called compensation is nothing but a joke. Shen Lai does not believe that Zhou Ji would feel guilty; he did not feel guilty back then, let alone now. The only explanation is that she still possesses some charm, while Zhou Ji has grown tired of women and finds his ex-wife intriguing in a different way

Shen Lai was infuriated by Zhou Ji's mockery and turned to open the door to get back into the car

Shen Lai chuckled softly and then lowered her voice, saying: "Mom, could you lend me some more money? I need to settle some payments for the studio."

Zhou then retracted his hand and said: "Did you not say that I did not give you any money during the divorce? How about considering this project as my compensation to you?"

On Monday, when work began, Shen Lai's assistant approached her with a troubled expression and said, "Sister Shen, the property management company has come to urge us, asking when we will pay this quarter's rent"

Qiao Bonian was taken aback. Although he felt he should chase after them, seeing Shen Lai's excessive reaction just now and then looking at Zhou Ji's expression at this moment, he thought it would be better to let the ex-husband and ex-wife have a word with each other. Therefore, he hesitated for a moment and did not pursue them, especially since Nan Ting was standing in a position that conveniently blocked his way.

As soon as Shen entered the elevator, Zhou asked, "Director Chen, was that designer just now also from your institute?"

Shen lowered his head and said, "Mom, I want to close the studio and then find a job"

"You have become as thin as a monkey; do not learn anything about weight loss from those women. Health is the most important thing," said Zhang Xiuran

Zhang Xiuran actually enjoyed Shen coming close to her, "Come here, why have you lost so much weight?"

Reflecting on the last two instances, Zhou Ji's actions were indeed driven by desire. Shen clenched her fist, having to admit that Zhou Ji was motivated by lust. If she were to accept Zhou Ji's project, it would inevitably lead to further contact between the two, and the events of those two occasions would likely repeat themselves

Shen said a number, and Zhang Xiuran could still accept it. Shen couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, once again lamenting that she really was not cut out for business or sales. At her age, still relying on her parents, she felt like she wanted to burrow into the cracks of the ground.

Shen turned his head to look at Zhou Ji, not quite understanding his meaning

After Shen finished speaking, he did not even glance at Zhou Ji and directly left the private room

Nan Ting only started working by Zhou Ji's side after he divorced Shen Lai. For several years, she was completely unaware that Zhou Ji had been married and divorced, and she thought he had always been living a carefree life. It was only in the past year that she accidentally learned about Zhou Ji's previous marriage when she overheard a friend of his let it slip.

When Zhou was invited by the director of the Green Source Design Institute for a visit, he happened to see Shen Lai coming out of the personnel office. Although it was just a silhouette, there was no mistaking it.

"Nanting, please come in, please come in." Qiao Bonian immediately stood up to greet her, extending his hand towards Zhou Ji and saying: "You must be General Manager Zhou, it is a pleasure to meet you."

"Hey, Shen Lai?" Qiao Bonian did not expect such a dramatic turn of events, and anxiously called out Shen Lai's name as he intended to chase after him

Shen sighed and said, "I can only act spoiled in front of you; you surely can't bear to deprive me of such a small benefit, can you?"

Shen Lai knocked her forehead against the desk several times, yet she still could not make up her mind. One aspect was her wounded pride, while the other was her need to consider Zhou Ji's motives.

Shen Lai reopened the car door, and after sitting inside, rolled down the window to say to Zhou Ji: "You don't have to wait a month; I can answer you right now: I will not take on your project."

Zhang Xiuran was naturally pleased to see Shen and gently touched her face, saying: "Why are you still acting spoiled at such an age?"

"Alright, I understand," Shen said. As soon as the assistant left, she glanced at the company's accounts. The money in the account was only enough to cover the assistant's salary for this month, and there was simply no way to manage the rent.

Shen laid his forehead weakly against the desk, at this moment recalling Zhou Ji's proposal, he couldn't help but feel somewhat tempted. If she continued with her words, not only would he no longer have to worry about rent and salary, but with a representative work, it would be much easier to discuss projects in the future with performance support.

Zhou couldn't help but laugh at Shen's anger; she still knew how to stab him right in the heart, hitting the mark every time

Zhou smiled sarcastically and said, "Shen, is this really necessary?"

If she does not accept, Shen Laixin thought the only outcome would be to close her studio

"Alright, how many do you need?" Zhang Xiuran asked

Yes, his girlfriend opened a design studio, which is called Shenlai Landscape Design Studio

She certainly cannot have refused to be Zhou Ji's wife back then, only to become his mistress now. Over the years, Shen Lai has navigated through society and has long understood that a man never offers kindness to a woman without expecting something in return

"Shen Lai, I will give you one month for this project. If you change your mind, give me a call," Zhou Jidao said, "You can also contact me via WeChat."

Shen Lai and Qiao Bonian, as hosts, naturally arrived earlier than Zhou Ji and Nan Ting

Shen said coldly: "I do not know you in relation to this project; had I known earlier, I would never have invited you to dinner"

Shen Lai fixed his gaze on Zhou Ji for a moment, and finally turned off the engine, opened the door, and got out of the car. With his arms crossed over his chest, he leaned against the car body, presenting an air of rejection towards Zhou Ji.

Shen Laijin Luyuan was personally interviewed by Chen Boran, so he is also acquainted with him. "Oh, you are referring to Designer Shen, who has returned from the United States. She is here today to complete her onboarding procedures. Our institute has been actively recruiting outstanding talents from around the world."

However, Zhou has been very secretive about his previous marriage, so Nan Ting still does not know who his ex-wife is

Shen nodded slightly and lowered his head again to look at the menu

In the evening, Shen returned to her mother's house. Her mother, Zhang Xiuran, was somewhat surprised, "Why didn't you let me know in advance that you were coming back? I didn't buy any groceries."