Chapter Seven, Painful Emotions

To say that one does not care is a falsehood; regardless, the faint warmth in her heart... she cannot ignore. As she contemplated whether to respond, a colleague entered, prompting her to quickly compose herself, exchange a few pleasantries, and begin her work

She ran over, crying loudly, and hugged the doctor, pleading with him to save her parents. However, the doctor ultimately shook his head and instructed the nurse to take her back to her relatives

We have discussed quite a bit. Sun Chen cast her a sidelong glance, feeling quite pleased with herself, If Huo Yongning does not come... it is evident that we are more assured.

She should leave him, otherwise she will become too dependent on him

Gu Xiaocheng's expression suddenly stiffened, staring intently at Shu Guan, alternating between pale and flushed. After a long while, he managed to squeeze out a few sentences, conveying the idea that he distinguishes between public and private matters and that personal emotions will not affect his work

She is just a six-year-old girl, yet she understands everything in her heart

But he did not do so

Huo Yongning was not in a hurry to drive; he turned his head to observe her actions and smiled indulgently: "In a good mood today?"

"You swore solemnly that you wanted to help me at work?" He patted her on the shoulder, "Now I really can't do without you. What do you think we should do? Should we let HR go through the procedures and pay a little breach of contract compensation?"

Her complexion gradually turned pale, and under the moonlight, she unconsciously bit her lip and softly said, "Could you say that again?"

With ten minutes left before the event starts, Shu Guan sat in the studio reviewing resumes

The cigarette butt he discarded was still glowing red, and Shu Guan pressed down on it forcefully with her fingertip

Given his consistent ability to turn the tide, the external community generally views this appointment positively, and MK's stock price surged on the day the news was released, reaching its daily limit.

Just as Huo Yongning came out of the office, he happened to hear Erin's words and glanced at the two of them with a neutral expression

Uncle ultimately refused the surgery, which, even in the eyes of the doctor, was inconceivable

He threw the cigarette on the ground, quickly walked towards the gallery, took two steps, then turned back, and said disdainfully, word by word, "I won't tell my sister about your sordid affairs; she doesn't have many friends, and I don't want to make her sad. You'd better not appear by his side again. As for someone like Huo Yongning, he is not worthy of her anyway. You should take your time to make some money—remember, you need to earn a bit more to break even"

But she hasn't cried for a long time

Until the phone in her palm vibrated, she suddenly awoke

He paid no heed, nodded slightly, and walked past her

However, unlike usual, Eileen did not avert her gaze; instead, she stared blankly at the shirt on his chest. Once she came to her senses, she smiled awkwardly and, failing to express herself clearly, asked, "Mr. Huo, have you eaten?"

"What is so urgent that you need to see me?" Shu Guan glanced at her watch and asked with a smile, "Shouldn't you be with your new girlfriend at this hour, or checking your account balance?"

If there are no issues, I will go out. Shu Guan's gaze shifted away, and just as she was about to turn around, her eyes suddenly fell on his computer screen, hesitating slightly, "... what are you looking at?"

"Let them wait," he chuckled softly, reaching out to pull down the collar of her coat, gently kissing the area of her shoulder blades.

As the door opened, the lights in the living room were on

Although Huo Yongning was astonished, he still politely repeated his name: "Huo Yongning"

At this crossroads, she is in a state of utter confusion

Shu Guan's eyebrows slightly raised: "What does it mean?"

This girl is very young, yet she is also quite difficult to please. It seems that no matter what means you use on her, she will accept it, but she does not take it to heart, as she appears to have already seen through your deeper intentions

"Do you really have to be so vigilant?" He smiled helplessly, "Did you not say that you feel insecure? I thought if we met each other's parents, you might feel a bit better?"

Zhong Nan regained a calm expression: "Auntie is just asking casually, does Xiao Shu have a boyfriend? Would you like Auntie to introduce one for you?"

Her fingertips lingered on the photograph, and after a moment of contemplation, she seemed to be a bit conflicted, murmuring softly to herself, "Should I send it?"

But she must leave

Han Ziqiao did not decline either, smilingly expressing gratitude

The tip of her nose detected the smell of burnt flesh, and the skin on her fingertips was so scorched that it made her want to scream; yet, she found a certain pleasure in it. Slowly retracting her fingers, she stood up.

Indeed, it is so tragic

Clearly, because Sun Chen had been vaccinated, he was not surprised by Shu Guan's appearance. After politely inviting them to sit down, he began to discuss the investment that Sun Chen had previously urged him to join.

She only took her phone, closed the door, and as soon as she reached the corridor, she was abruptly pulled into the emergency exit.

Several side doors were even open, and most of the students were standing, holding promotional materials, while murmuring to each other

Why did she ... ... '' He carefully considered his words and remarked that her aunt's attitude towards him just now was truly strange. It couldn't be described as dislike; in fact, there was even a hint of fear in her eyes. However, in his memory, there was absolutely no trace of such a person.

Ah?

Shu Guan walked to the door, "The gift from Han Ziqiao's studio, as per tradition, is prepared by yourself." This was something Liu Yang had repeatedly reminded her during their handover, and she was merely giving a routine reminder

Gu Xiaocheng was so angry that she was almost trembling, pointing at Shu Guan and saying: "We came to this interview considering it a normal opportunity, do not think too highly of yourself!"

She still took out her old pajamas and a somewhat worn towel from the old dresser in her room and walked into the small bathroom

"Alright." He kissed the crown of her head, "Go take a shower and get some rest early."

She smiled slightly and said, "Huo Yongning, where is my birthday gift?"

Regarding Reed's intention to acquire Han's, this presents a rare opportunity for us. Sun Chen does not intend to beat around the bush, stating, "During the acquisition process, the stock prices of both parties will fluctuate repeatedly until everything is settled"

Ultimately, it was the airport announcement that brought her back from a state of near imagination to reality. She boarded the plane with the queue, exhaustedly leaning against her seat, and slowly closed her eyes

In previous years, campus recruitment typically began in November, but this year, for some reason, it has been moved up to September. Tonight, there is a presentation at University P, and the head of HR personally called her to ask if she had time to engage with the students. After all, they are all alumni, and her participation in the presentation gives her a natural advantage.

"Then help me compensate, will you?" She clung to his arm, leaning on his shoulder, "You know that money is what I care about the most"

There were only two people in the elevator, she stood slightly ahead, maintaining the appropriate distance between them. She heard him softly ask, "Who sent it?"

Lin, who had been silent and whose face was as pale as paper, stepped forward to Shu Guan and said: "I am sorry, I need this job"

They say that honest and kind people will ultimately succeed, yet she is clearly deep-minded and enjoys playing the innocent. They only rejected her during their studies, exposing a certain part of her true nature, but in the end, it is they who were hurt

Shu Guan signed for the small box, and Erin, who was nearby, curiously leaned over and asked, "What did you buy?"

With her discerning eye, it is evident that the two girls are wearing job interview suits that are not particularly well-fitted; the jackets are somewhat small, while the skirts are a bit too long. As for their makeup, it appears somewhat clumsy, likely due to their inexperience, with their cheeks and neck even displaying different skin tones

And in this world, she will no longer trust anyone

This late-night meal has fallen into a cold war

One could clearly see a nearly twisted entanglement on the face of a former classmate as she casually stepped into the conference room, exchanged a few pleasantries with two HR colleagues, and leisurely flipped through resumes

I suppose we are acquainted..." She took a rubber band out of the drawer of the bedside table and simply tied her hair up, "I have mentioned you before."

Shu Guan, don't think I don't know what kind of person you are. Who is waiting for you at the alley entrance? That person just flirted with Sun Chen, and soon you will go to bed with him, right? He could no longer suppress his anger. Just a moment ago, while he went to the convenience store outside to buy a pack of cigarettes, he ran into Huo Yongning's car. At first, he thought Huo Yongning wasn't coming because he was sulking with his sister, but unexpectedly, he soon saw Shu Guan sneaking over here, clearly to find Huo Yongning.

Several colleagues simultaneously set down their work, as if they had heard something unbelievable

Shu Guan was on the verge of biting her lips until they bled, the deep-seated hatred causing her to tremble gently. If there were a knife in front of her at that moment, she would not hesitate to... choose to stab forward, even if it meant mutual destruction

I accept your apology, but ultimately the decision will not be made by me. Please wait for the notification

Gu Xiaocheng looked at her and suddenly felt that everything he had firmly believed in the past had completely collapsed

When leaving, I encountered an old friend whom I had not seen for a long time at the door

Shu Guan has gradually stopped crying. She smiled somewhat absentmindedly but did not respond verbally; she simply reached out to touch her slightly protruding belly. "Can we tell the gender now?"

He pressed his lips together, his voice turning cold as he said: "What happened last night?"

The traffic light at the intersection turned red, he stepped on the brake, watching her lively expression, his heart skipped a beat, he had already leaned in, kissed her at the corner of her lips, and said in a low voice: "If I care so much about the procedure, how did you end up by my side?"

"I will only say things without apologizing, so there is absolutely no chance here, but there is no guarantee that an apology will lead to admission." She responded to her with her usual innocent smile, then turned to Gu Xiaocheng, "However, you don't need to wait any longer. Here, take your resume back. It wouldn't be cheap for you to print another copy, right? You can use it next time."

He was taken aback for a moment, then smiled: "Have your wings grown strong, have they?"

Withdrawing from that scene, she felt a chill run through her heart. Had she just been seduced by him? ... She actually found that kind of future warm and worth longing for ...

She glanced at him expressionlessly and said, "What do you think of a person like him?"

Eileen immediately withdrew her smile and turned to return to the office

It was sent by Sun Chen, who simply stated that Han Shenglin's funds have been secured, and they are even higher than she had anticipated, clearly indicating a desperate gamble

Zhong Nan gritted his teeth, his usually elegant expression revealing a hint of anxiety: "Does he... have a girlfriend now?"

He may not necessarily like you. Shu Guan saw the Han Shenglin couple, who were welcoming guests for their daughter in the gallery hall, and her smile grew even brighter. Have you talked to Han Shenglin?

Is that so? Shu Guan seemed a bit hesitant

"I don't know what you are talking about," she said, slightly raising her chin. Her gaze towards him was somewhat complex and seemed a bit weary, gradually losing even that hint of anger, as if she were trying to persuade him. "Han Ziye, do you think smoking in such a novel way is a personality trait?"

As Shu Guan typed the last character and was about to close the document, a new email notification popped up in the lower left corner of the computer screen. Upon opening it, she glanced at the itinerary and almost thought it was the one that Huo Yongning had sent back to her.

The elevator stopped, and when the doors opened, several colleagues entered from outside

Do you hate her? Shu Guan replied, She doesn't hate you... She is just worried about me. Ever since I was a child, my aunt has known what kind of child I am, vain and selfish. She has always hoped that I could turn over a new leaf

How?

The temperature in the carriage suddenly rose until Shuguan pushed him away, "The green light is on"

Shu Guan's face turned red, as she was worried about being discovered, and she did not dare to struggle, finding herself in a dilemma with no way to advance or retreat

Her hair was styled in an updo, and on her translucent earlobes hung two soft, lustrous pearls. The nape of her neck was fair, and Huo Yongning's gaze shifted from the lines of her back to the polished surface of the elevator. At least from her expression, nothing could be discerned.

However, they once spoke ill of her behind her back, even posting Taobao information on forums... Does she need to "help" them out?

"I said you are a shameless person. Do you think that by getting rid of my sister, you can marry Huo Yongning?" He laughed heartily and said, "Aren't you just after money? How much does Huo Yongning and Sun Chen give you for sleeping with you once?"

Shu Guan silently passed through the living room after going to the kitchen to pour a glass of water

It is the itinerary he prepared for her for the evening of the day after tomorrow

When the petty gain power, has this world turned upside down in black and white

Huo Yongning pushed open the door, just as Erin was coming out of the office. Upon seeing him, she immediately greeted him.

Hua Jin glanced at her and pressed the accelerator

The palm of her hand burned with pain, and she stared blankly at the handsome young man, her chest heaving with emotion, the effort to endure at this moment nearly causing her to bite her own tongue.

"Why did you come here without saying a word?" His chin rested gently on a small swirl of her hair, and he gently lifted her face. There were faint scratches on her cheek, and his gaze suddenly became serious. "Who hit you?"

In a moment of speechlessness, her breathing became somewhat rapid, as if all the tactics she usually employed with him had suddenly become ineffective. She suddenly realized that the games of feigned pursuit were not a testament to her skill, but rather to his willingness to play along with her.

The car was parked on a small road not far from P. Shu Guan opened the car door and jumped in, quickly undoing her coiled hair, her brows and eyes radiating with vitality.

She smiled faintly, neither affirming nor denying.

His strength is naturally incomparable to that of Shu Guan

Shu Guan had just eaten some soup dumplings; in fact, she was not very hungry. However, Huo Yongning was truly hungry, devouring his food in large bites. Shu Guan paused her chopsticks to watch him, and only then did she realize that her memory held not only the refined Mr. Huo from that dinner party but also, more prominently, the man before her at this moment. Perhaps it was his hunger that made him eat somewhat ravenously, yet over twenty years of etiquette still constrained him, as he sat up straight, seemingly reminding himself to maintain a semblance of elegance.

By the time she arrived at the location agreed upon with Sun Chen by taxi, it was already late at night

As of last year, Ruide has consecutively ranked as the top employer for graduate satisfaction for three years. At the same time, as the first large-scale presentation of the P University employment season, the relevant departments of the school have also been very cooperative

"I am not sulking." Shu Guan gently stroked her phone with her fingertips, ultimately unable to make up her mind whether to send it or not, "I am just very happy; when one is happy, one should do some childish things."

Half of her face was hidden in his chest, her eyelashes thick and dense, gently trembling with her shallow breaths, the corners of her lips slightly curved upwards, serene like a child. After watching for a long time, that drowsiness seemed to be contagious, and he slowly, as if enchanted, closed his eyes

Her colleagues urged her to go on stage, and she hurriedly stuffed her resume into her bag, responding with a quick "I'm coming".

Occasionally, such thoughts would arise, and Huo Yongning would feel somewhat displeased, but isn't the fun in this battle of wits and courage, until she ultimately belongs entirely to herself

No need. Shu Guan smiled and said, "There are many nice girls tonight, don't let them slip away."

The door is half-closed, and through the small gap, one can see that there are indeed people busy in the kitchen

As a result, the two of them squeezed onto Shuguan's small bed, and he had to let her rest entirely on his arm to ensure that she would not fall off.

It has been over a year since we last met, and from the perspective of her former roommate, Shu Guan's demeanor seems to have changed somewhat

In the moment of distraction, the phone rang again

Shu Guan, as last year's outstanding graduate, is now also an excellent employee at Ruide, and she briefly shared her work insights from this past year. Since she graduated a year early, she is technically from the same cohort as the students present. During her time at school, she was also a strong candidate for the title of campus belle, naturally attracting considerable attention.

"Mutual understanding," she replied with a smile that did not reach her eyes, "Will you take me to Duli?"

As they were about to pass each other, the young man suddenly took a puff of smoke, the glowing ember shining brightly like a small star in the sky. He lowered his head and recklessly blew the smoke into Shu Guan's face, smiling as he said, "In a hurry to pick up clients?"

Shu Guan turned to the side to unbuckle her seatbelt, her fingers resting on the elastic strap, clearly able to understand the advice in his words. However, she paid it no mind, simply turning her head and smiling sweetly: "Huo Yongning, don't you understand yet? I am not a refined young master like you; from beginning to end, I have no intention of pretending in front of you."

He let her have her way, but was just a bit curious: "What are you doing?"

He gazed at her for several seconds, smiled and shook his head, and did not contact her again: "Think about it again."

Shu Guan chuckled briefly and said, "So, do your parents think highly of someone like me, who comes from an orphaned background?"

Shu Guan stayed in the conference room and made a phone call: "Old classmate, it's rare to meet once, why not come over and chat?"

She gently tightened her grip on his hand and continued to speak softly: "No."

He then released her and said softly, "I will pick you up after the evening is over"

The car window was half lowered, and he raised his gaze towards her: "How have you been lately? Are you still at Reed?"

She exerted all her strength, and with a muffled groan behind her, that hand loosened its grip, allowing her to take the opportunity to step forward

Let us meet our esteemed client

Shu Guan's words were profound: "You should understand this better than I do, right? Before Huo Yongning took action, Han Shenglin couldn't hold on any longer; he was at his wit's end." She paused, "However, it doesn't seem quite right for you to put your own relatives in such a predicament, does it?"

"No problem, it's just that the bust is a bit low." A colleague helped her adjust the neckline, "Let's change it after the interview."

He certainly knew about their previous relationship, but at that time he thought that Huo Yongning was just playing around. He never expected that after a year, his sister would come to her senses and return, yet the chicken had occupied the magpie's nest, and Shu Guan was still entangled with him.

Their panic was evidently greater than hers, and Gu Xiaocheng forced a smile and asked, "Have you returned to school?"

When she arrived in Yuecheng, it was already past 2 a.m. After taking a nap, Shu Guan woke up, opened her phone in the back seat of the taxi, and instinctively wanted to send a text message to her aunt

He was very calm, stepping aside slightly to gesture for her to come over

Han Shenglin burst into laughter and said to Sun Chen, "You have found a good little girlfriend."

Sun Chen whistled a cheerful tune on the other end of the phone: "Happy Birthday"

Shu Guan slapped him across the face

Shu Guan raised her head somewhat flustered, his tone was so nonchalant, yet she felt that he had discovered something.

She walked lightly to the entrance of the auditorium and casually answered the phone: "I am coming out"

If that is the case... it is not entirely out of the question. Shu Guan pondered for a moment, and then said, "However, considering Han Shenglin's character, he would not be at ease with just your word regarding such a significant investment. Therefore... if the timing is right, I still need to meet with him in person."

She is a clever woman, wise enough to clearly understand her own strengths, yet she does not rely solely on them. She does not place all her hopes on marrying a wealthy man for a life of ease. To a certain extent, she only believes in herself

Thank you. Shu Guan smiled and said, "However, this method is quite ostentatious; one can only amass great wealth in silence, right?"

He stood up from the chair, not giving her a chance to speak: "I do not care what you have been doing during this time, nor do I care who you have been associating with; I will not pursue any of these matters."

Huo Yongning drove in silence until he finally stopped the car and spoke: "When Guanguan stands at a certain height alone, there is actually no need to bother with past rivals. By conserving this energy, you can accomplish more things."

Lin Lu's interview time was shorter than Gu Xiaocheng's. Shu Guan also asked this question, but in the end, during casual conversation, she asked, "Have you ever had conflicts with others at school? How did you resolve them in the end?"

Shu Guan also barely ate a few bites, engrossed in playing with her phone.

It must be quite a struggle, very interesting, right

Han Ziye was somewhat intoxicated, his gaze revealing an unreserved indifference and disdain: "Are you leaving so soon? Is another benefactor waiting anxiously?"

From that moment on, she remembered them

Are you saying that he intends to join?" Shu Guan furrowed her brow, "He trusts you? This is not a trivial matter.

The latter is much more approachable than the former

This is not the first time he has "suddenly attacked"

It is good that the boss has come to an understanding

In the past, those eloquent words have faded away, leaving only these two sentences, which I repeat over and over. I pulled her to sit on the sofa and gently comforted her: "Guan Guan, when Ah Di was adopted by them, he was still young; he remembers nothing... You must understand him. If he knew what had happened, he would not treat you that way."

What nonsense is this? He cast her a sidelong glance; two photos were still under consideration, one featuring her and the other showcasing his hand and the emblem on the steering wheel of the car from an interesting angle

Well, your birthday is next month, isn't it

"Then our positions are even more different. You know, it is Huo Yongning who pays my salary." Shu Guan lowered her head, concealing the cold glint in the corner of her eyes

Is it now?" He hesitated for a moment, "But I still want to have a good chat with your aunt.

Shu Guan widened her eyes and said in a lowered voice, "Are you crazy?"

Sun Chen ignored the slight discomfort and chill in his heart; today he was eager to find her, as he indeed had matters to discuss with her

Having slept for less than 5 hours, although the alarm clock also woke up Huo Yongning when it rang, he did not have to rush to the company. His leisurely demeanor appeared quite infuriating.

Are that couple her relatives

She certainly had an emotional breakdown, flying over 1,000 kilometers to return here, but did he also go mad? The tone is so casual, as if just visiting the neighboring community.

"It's nothing." He seemed to be pondering, "He cares for her deeply, provides her with a great sense of security, and he probably wouldn't be as calculating as her mother, making it hard for others to understand her."

The computer is placed on the dining table, and the plug is out of reach. He seemed to sense her confusion and patiently explained

Over the past three months, with her providing information and Sun Chen operating in this manner, he has made a considerable profit through small ventures. Therefore, regarding the MK case, Sun Chen is already quite confident; in addition to assisting her in all operations, he must have also placed quite a few orders himself

Aunt carefully poured a small dish of vinegar for her and handed her the chopsticks, saying, "We are out of salt at home, I will go buy some."

Senior! Shu Guanyan raised her handbag and waved at Han Ziqiao.

It is too late to stop him—Aunt suddenly stared at his handsome face, looking at him in extreme shock: "What is your name?"

On the table lies a large round box made of plastic foam, topped with a soft cushion. This is the "insulated box" that my aunt made herself. In the past, whenever she slept in on weekends, my aunt would place breakfast inside, fearing it would get cold.

Answering questions in a trembling manner before her, articulating one's strengths, do they feel guilty?

Xiao Liang specifically stayed behind to pick her up, and while in the car, he was still in contact with colleagues on the front line. After hanging up the phone, he smiled and said, "We changed the venue; there are simply too many students."

Zhong Nanyuan saw them from a distance, walked over, and immediately set her eyes on this string of bracelets

I will go. She rubbed her eyes and stood up

Shu Guan received a text message regarding the change in account balance while at work

It has been over a year since we last met, and Han Ziye has grown a bit taller, his brows more striking. He raised his eyebrows slightly, his gaze landing on the hand that Sun Chen had placed on Shu Guan's waist, and let out a whistle: "Long time no see"

He recalled how he had humiliated her with every word in Hong Kong, yet now, seeing such a comfortable Guo, he surprisingly felt a pang of heartache

"Compared to the commissions you can earn, your previous investments were merely small-scale ventures." Sun Chen's voice was low and enticing as he gradually lured her in, "Are you really not considering it?"

The aunt brought the condiments up and looked at the two with a face full of suspicion

"Alright, Sun Chen, arrange for me to meet with the other party as soon as possible. I want to see how much more I can raise." Han Shenglin said with satisfaction, "You have performed well in the previous investments. The reason I called you today is not because I don't trust you, but because the amount involved is too large. I need to see it for myself to feel at ease."

Furthermore, Mr. Huo, you are not welcome in my home. Please leave. Do not come looking for Guanguan in the future!" The usually polite aunt had clearly never spoken so firmly to anyone before; her voice trembled, yet she resolutely pointed to the door, indicating for him to leave.

As soon as the two individuals finished, the two HR representatives hurriedly left

Everyone greeted Huo Yongning, and the elevator was suddenly packed to capacity

Do you want to go inside and take a nap? He still did not look up

He quickly said yes, explaining: "Shu Guan suddenly returned here yesterday, and I was worried that something might have happened to her, so I came to see her."

"Who sent you the car?" He recalled the matter from before getting off work and asked in a low voice

He is not angry either: "Then what do you want?"

"Huo Yongning, I want to resign," she said, still fixated on the television, her tone carrying a hint of playfulness. "I don't want to work from nine to five, being exploited for my labor by a demanding boss"

They are quite open-minded, and besides, your reputation can be easily verified within the company. He said nonchalantly, "Additionally, I will clarify things with Ziqiao; whether to make it public is Han Shenglin's decision. After all, once it is made public, he must be prepared for the upheaval within the Han family. Giving him the choice can be considered a repayment for the years of friendship."

Yvone said nothing and handed it directly to her

"Indeed, no one is prepared to go," Erin whispered, "but the boss seems to be in a good mood... has he finally come to realize that it's time to find a new love?"

No one asked her why she had returned, as if her presence here was a matter of course

From the side, his sideburns were neatly trimmed, and his tone was neither hurried nor slow: "Shu Wan, have you ever thought about why I chose this apartment at that time?"

"I don't have time this week," she said, lowering her voice as she was about to leave the office

She merely raised an eyebrow at him and innocently asked, "What's wrong? Is it not to your taste?"

"Guan Guan, Guan Guan..." Aunt tightly held her hand, trying to warm her cold hand, and said carefully, "If you find it very difficult, would you come back? Or I can accompany you to find A Di and explain things to him, then he won't treat you this way."

The signal towers of China Mobile gradually appeared, and suddenly, countless text messages and missed call notifications popped up.

It is quite late, and I have to go to work tomorrow. When Shu Guan spoke, her voice was somewhat hoarse. She was indeed a bit tired, and since Huo Yongning was staying here overnight, she had to get up an hour earlier than him to go to work in order to avoid any misunderstandings

"Hey, don't be angry." Sun Chen raised his hand in a gesture of surrender, "We can make money together; why invest in something else? You see, I have already talked to Han Shenglin, and he will provide us with a substantial investment amount. Of course, the commission we take will be split evenly."

Her bedroom is small, and under the window on the east side, there is a small desk and a bookshelf. There are many books, yet they are not in disarray, probably because she hasn't been back for a long time; a blue cloth is laid over them to prevent dust.

Sun Chen chuckled softly and said meaningfully, "Do you have a boyfriend?"

Shu Guan also had to take two steps back in order to make space for the people behind her

Shu Guan leaned against the door and thought for a moment, looking at him with some sympathy: "Speaking of which, I suddenly realize that Mr. Huo, your path in pursuing women has never been particularly smooth, has it?"

Shu Guan held a silver spoon in her hand, stirring it absentmindedly in the bone china cup, and said casually: "Other matters can be discussed, but this particular issue was personally handled by Huo Yongning. You can imagine the consequences of him knowing that I sold information."

In the stinging smell of smoke mixed with a hint of alcohol, Shu Guan stopped in her tracks, standing expressionlessly: "Han Ziye."

"Come in and talk." Auntie is not very good at dealing with strangers, so she asked Shuwan to find a pair of slippers. "Is this a friend of Guanguan? Stay here for lunch."

Perhaps due to this issue, Huo Yongning would occasionally show a displeased expression, but Shu Guan had grown accustomed to it. In any case, after a couple of days of awkwardness, everything would return to normal. The private room was quiet, and Huo Yongning, already feeling frustrated, saw her indifferent demeanor and slammed his chopsticks down with a loud clap.

A wave of sympathetic gazes in the office turned towards her. After a moment of contemplation, Erin said with a pained expression, "There is absolutely no precedent for this! What should I prepare?" She cast a pleading look towards Shuguan, who was engrossed in organizing materials. Upon hearing her words, Shuguan looked up and, feeling helpless, replied, "Rather than preparing something that may not meet his expectations, it would be better to ask first."

In the corridor, Lin Lu and Gu Xiaocheng were seen standing, dressed in neat black professional suits. She took the initiative to greet them, and in their astonished gaze, she paused at the door, slightly raising her chin: "Gu Xiaocheng, would you like to go first?"

The night breeze was somewhat cool. While waiting for the front desk to call a taxi for her, Shu Guan saw Huo Yongning striding out of the lobby, hardly glancing at her.

She thought this and genuinely felt pleased

Huo Yongning awkwardly released her, as the doorway was narrow, and he could only turn around with difficulty, replacing his expression with a polite one, greeting her by saying: "Hello"

The atmosphere suddenly plunged into an icy abyss

She slept very deeply, so deeply that she vaguely caught a familiar aroma of some food in her dream, and finally opened her eyes with a hint of anticipation

Shu Guan had not yet responded when Sun Chen walked over, greeted Zhong Nan, and turned to Shu Guan saying: "I would like to introduce two friends to you."

"It was an old classmate supporting me." Shu Guan fanned herself with her hand, took her bag, and said, "If there's nothing else, I will take my leave. I still need to organize some materials for Mr. Huo."

Shu Guan turned to look at the hand that Sun Chen gently wrapped around her waist, and did not shy away. She coldly said: "You really had this planned all along... To gain the Han family's trust in me, to trust the sources of my insider information, I am your girlfriend, deeply in love with you, secretly confiding in you, truly a clever idea"

In the secretary's office, Han Ziqiao is nicknamed the young lady. Upon hearing this, Ailin nearly jumped up: "He wants me to prepare a gift?"

Someone did reach out in time, supporting her at the waist, and said in a low voice: "Be careful"

She had to grit her teeth and rinse herself under the cool water, then quickly changed into her pajamas and wrapped herself up in the blanket

Shh, be quiet, he is about to come out to go downstairs for a meeting

The banquet for the establishment of Han Ziqiao's studio is on Friday, and Shu Guan specially brought a small dress, preparing to wear it in the evening

Only ordered a bouquet of flowers

Lin Lu bit her lip, a feeling of near humiliation surged over her, leaving her with no choice but to stare at her intently

After all, she is still a little girl. The grievances she has suffered before make her always think about letting it out. He couldn't help but chuckle and replied to her, "Then let's just brush it off."

Sun Chen sat beside her, holding her hand, and politely explained, "Uncle, I have brought the financial report of Manwen Biotechnology Company for the past three years that I mentioned to you last time. If we invest in shares now, after the company goes public, it is conservatively estimated that the value could rise to this figure." He wrote a number on the paper, "This is a highly profitable transaction. When the time comes, we can transfer the shares, and this amount will be sufficient for the Han family to sustain for a while... Even if Ruidel is determined to acquire, it may not be so easy."

She did not respond, and just when he thought she would not answer, she suddenly replied with something unrelated: "Shall we go back? I have had enough of being crazy... There are still many things to do."

She was taken aback: "What?"

Unfortunately, Shu Guan has become rather dull; sometimes she will be perfunctory with him, and more often than not, although she does not refuse, there is a sense of impatience.

Did you receive the car?" Sun Chen diligently helped her pull open the seat

When I arrived at the office, it was 8:50. Eileen was already there and quietly pointed to that office: "Mr. Huo has already arrived"

"Shu Guan." He suddenly called out to her

Huo Yongning frowned when she went out with her, saying: "It feels like I am taking a little child with me"

I do not know why, but he was particularly attentive today. Shu Guan had not slept well last night and was inevitably a bit drowsy. It was only when she realized he was speaking to her that she belatedly responded, "Huh?"

Shu Guan's dark eyes gently shifted, and she pressed her lips together without responding

How can this be a pitfall? Sun Chen said with righteous indignation, "At most, I just want to choose a moment when he is willing to spend the most money! Besides, wasn't the original intention to make money together?"

She had anticipated that her aunt would react this way, and after rubbing her slightly aching temples, she obediently stood up

They have never come to see her, publicly claiming that the young girl has mental issues and has been sent for treatment. Fortunately, her younger brother is still small, allowing them to treat him as their own son. Outsiders, upon hearing this, cannot help but sigh; a family that was once so perfect, with both sons and daughters, ultimately met with such a tragic fate

She could only smile apologetically at Huo Yongning before being pulled into the room by her aunt

Aunt held a spatula used for cooking in her hand, feeling somewhat at a loss as she embraced her, carefully avoiding the spatula from touching her back, gently asking: "What’s wrong?"

Shu Guan, however, pulled him into the bedroom and whispered, "I am sorry, my dear aunt is not in a good mood"

When Auntie saw Huo Yongning and pulled her into the room, she was almost crying as she pleaded with her. No matter what she planned to do, it was not as practical as living a stable life in the next generation. She was not clever, but she had a simple intuition, knowing that the girl she had raised herself, who was close to those past people and events, was determined not to give up.

Shu Guan staggered back half a step, coldly raising his eyebrows: "I never hit women, nor would I dirty my hands on worthless people. But this slap is for you, because I do not wish to be struck by worthless individuals"

Shu Guan walked out of the elevator with the crowd, and HR Xiao Liang was waiting for her on the first floor

It was only then that she remembered there was someone waiting for her, and she had actually forgotten to say a word to him before leaving

Friend. Shu Guan still kept her head down, playing with her phone. Are you angry? I haven't decided whether to accept it yet

Gu Xiaocheng and Lin Lu

With a lingering softness on his lips, he reluctantly left her and lowered the temperature in the cabin again

They are devils

He quickly organized the entire day's itinerary, and Shu Guan delivered it to him. According to custom, he could make slight adjustments. The company was running the central air conditioning, maintaining a constant temperature, and he had the window open. At this time, it was not too hot, and the convective air was blowing in, making his skin feel very comfortable

The box did not even have the sender's information, leaving Shu Guan completely puzzled. It was only after opening it that she discovered the key to an Audi Q5 inside, along with a card specifying the location for picking up the car

"You think I am Huo Yongning, and you still want to seduce me?" Han Ziye glared at her fiercely, "My sister is just too kind-hearted, which is why she never suspects that her good friend is a slut"

Shu Guan furrowed her brow and said, "I am his secretary and also a friend of Han Ziqiao. How come I haven't heard any news?"

Even though she did not like her, Shu Guan still admired her temperament somewhat and presented the carefully prepared gift—a bracelet made of full golden star small leaf red sandalwood, which she had finally managed to have a friend purchase for her

So, do you intend to maintain this ambiguous attitude towards me?" Shu Guan slowly raised her head and smiled sarcastically, saying, "The day after tomorrow, Han Ziqiao's studio will be established, and you plan to openly take me to celebrate?

Shu Guanmen smiled softly in his arms and said, "Thank you."

The car slowly drove into the driveway, and Huo Yongning smiled and said, "What is it that makes you so happy?"

As he just opened the door, the young man standing at the entrance crossed his arms over his chest and looked at her with a blank expression. The atmosphere seemed to have frozen; he furrowed his brows, and an air of thinly veiled anger radiated from him, as if he were about to corner her for questioning at any moment

Perhaps there was a lack of trust before? Sun Chen shrugged and said, "However, the last time Zhong Nan concealed from him that she was investing with me, we made quite a profit, so she persuaded Han Shenglin."

"It's nothing, I just occasionally think about living a carefree and unrestrained life like Han Ziqiao's." She sat cross-legged, almost half of her body leaning against him, lazily saying, "In the past, there were no conditions, but now that I have a free meal ticket, I want to stir things up a bit. Don't you think so, Huo Yongning?"

I did not expect that he actually came

Not long after, someone knocked on the door. Shu Guan, still holding half a soup dumpling in her hand, hurried to open the door for her aunt.

He smiled calmly and said, "It has always been."

Shu Guan spoke gracefully, saying: "Uncle, I was the one who facilitated the connection between Sun Chen and Man Wen. Some time ago, I went on a business trip to the branch office and got to know the president of Man Wen. Sun Chen and I approached you because we were short on funds; he mentioned that you are an elder and trustworthy, which is why we came to seek your assistance—honestly, it is because we believe you would not default on our commission."

In just a year's time difference, she can determine the future of two classmates. If they succeed, they will not have to attend job fairs and submit resumes like other graduates, feeling completely at ease only after signing the tripartite agreement

He naturally reached out to hold her hand. As they walked downstairs, he turned back to glance at the old residential building and asked, "Does your aunt still live here?"

Shu Guan had just hung up the phone when a delivery person came up and asked, "Which one is Miss Shu?"

Who knows?" Sun Chen shrugged, "Perhaps on the day Han Ziqiao's studio is established, you can observe closely.

Later, at the funeral hall, she cried desperately, pointing at her uncle and aunt while crying: "It is you who refused to save Dad and Mom! You are the ones who caused Dad and Mom's deaths!"

With a snap

She readily agreed.

The hypocritical sorrow that hung on the faces of her uncle and aunt finally turned into impatience. They sent her out of the mourning hall, not returning home, but directly to a completely unfamiliar place—where there were hospital gowns in sky blue and white, cold iron bars, nurses whose faces were forever hidden behind masks, revealing only a pair of eyes, and injections of medication that made her fall into a deep sleep. Directly sent to a completely unfamiliar place—where there were hospital gowns in sky blue and white, cold iron bars, nurses whose faces were forever hidden behind masks, revealing only a pair of eyes, and injections of medication that made her fall into a deep sleep

Is this the taste of love

Lin Lu's face flushed, and she stammered, "I have a very good relationship with my classmates." Shu Guan looked at her intently, a sarcastic smile playing at the corners of her lips, and then made a mark on the evaluation paper

She quickly shook her head: "No."

The beads are of uniform color, the gold star is full, and they are extremely lustrous, clearly indicating that they are very precious holy sandalwood. She smiled and took Shu Guan's hand, saying, "Let little Shu bear the expense."

When you have no feelings towards a matter or a person, it is easy to stand on a moral high ground to condemn and despise. However, once you develop feelings, what becomes of morality and self-discipline? Those lofty towers have long since collapsed.

Shu Guan shrugged and said, "Alright, I understand what you mean. And what about you, Lin Lu?"

"When I was in school, my relationship with my roommate was not very good, you know?" She, however, felt that there was nothing to hide. "They also came to the presentation today, and now the resumes are with me. I haven't decided how to handle them yet"

Or perhaps this jealousy has always existed, but they have concealed it very well

Shu Guan's parents passed away, and he was raised by his aunt. The address before his household registration was moved to Huaicheng is here; this is the only information he could find. This trip was rushed, and he was uncertain whether he could find her. He began to carefully examine the decor and facilities of this old apartment, scanning his gaze around, feeling a slight sense of unease in his heart, yet unable to articulate the reason.

Sun Chen detected a hint of concession in her tone and seized the opportunity to say: "Then you are indeed mistaken—Zhong Nan has a very good impression of you, and Han Shenglin is also aware of you. Aren't you good friends with Han Ziqiao?"

He cast her a sidelong glance and said淡淡地: "No waiting beyond the deadline"

The doctor said I should take the stairs more often. She pressed her down into the chair, "You eat your food."

"Would you accompany me for a nap? I didn't sleep well last night." She smiled, her eyes slightly crinkling, "You can see that my eyes are still puffy."

It seems that next time we will have to move to the gym. Shu Guan, sitting in the car touching up her makeup, joked, "The resumes you received today should probably be packed in a sack, right?"

What kind of competitive spirit supports her in accomplishing so many astonishing things

"Wow, is this a gift from your boyfriend?" exclaimed Erin

Shu Guan fixed her gaze on him and smiled with pursed lips: "Alright, I promise you."

He personally escorted the two to the door. Shu Guan and Sun Chen walked past the long corridor, with no one around. She coldly said, "Put your hand down."

As he spoke, he suddenly leaned forward, reached out to press the window control button for the back seat, and slowly raised the window. Then, quite naturally, he touched her hand, perhaps feeling that it was not too cold, before letting go.

Perhaps it is an illusion, but even the quilt carries the fragrance of the sun after it has been dried.

As they brushed past each other, he reached out and firmly grasped her wrist, clearly not intending to let her go

He did not rush to urge her; rather, she did not want him to wait too long. Just as she stepped down the stairs, a tall and slender young man was walking in from outside the Baroque-style small garden, with a cigarette dangling from his mouth

Han Ziye was clearly taken aback, remaining dazed for a moment before reacting. He raised his palm and similarly slapped Shu Guan across the face.

They also looked in her direction. If in the past their gazes towards her were always lofty and proud, this time, however, it was somewhat complex, seemingly... mixed with a hint of jealousy.

Her tone was quite understated, yet deep down she could already envision the difficult predicament those two classmates would face at that time

Within the Han family, Han Shenglin is currently in a difficult position, urgently needing a substantial amount of funds to consolidate his dominant status, thus the key issue remains financial resources

In your eyes, there is only her

Shu Guan chuckled coldly: "You want me to privately agree to be your girlfriend, but outside, I will always be your secretary. Otherwise, it would be difficult to explain to Han Shenglin and Zhong Nan, wouldn't it?"

It took Erin a full hour of mental preparation before she went to knock on Huo Yongning's door

Not long after, the two individuals emerged from the room, and the aunt still did not look at him, heading straight to the kitchen

Her voice was not loud, for she was too sad, too sad, sobbing intermittently, unable to say anything, only pointing at them, unwilling to withdraw her hand.

I thought only women had such intuition. Shu Guan did not deny it, her eyes curling up charmingly when she smiled, yet her voice carried a hint of weariness, "Otherwise... where do you think I got all this information from?"

Shu Guan returned home already past midnight

The familiar strength, along with the familiar scent that belonged solely to him, was warm and tingling as it sprayed onto the nape of his neck. He seemed unable to wait any longer as his soft lips pressed against it, softly asking: "Have you changed your perfume?"

Shu Guan kicked off her shoes in the passenger seat, feeling playful for a moment. She took out her phone and snapped a selfie, then turned the camera to the side, placing Huo Yongning's hand on the steering wheel. Finding the right angle, she took another photo.

Huo Yongning finally could not bear it any longer, putting down his chopsticks, his voice somewhat unnatural: "I have the gift with me, just afraid that you are not prepared to accept it."

"I haven't checked yet, it doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl." Aunt sighed silently, knowing that she was still as stubborn as ever, not having taken her words to heart. She could only pat her head and said, "After crying, have some breakfast, it's your favorite soup dumplings."

During this time, the phone made a sound, and when she swiped to check, it was a message from Huo Yongning

Would you like the driver to take you?

However, now, what he is wholeheartedly protecting is another "sister"

During the lunch break, the colleagues showed great interest in this dress. They closed the door and insisted that Shuguan try it on to see how it looked. When women start discussing clothing and fashion, they can hardly stop, and it was only when a colleague from HR called that Shuguan remembered she had scheduled an interview for noon

"Do you have any childhood photos?" he gently asked as he stroked her back, "I would like to see what you looked like as a child."

Still wearing a sleeveless little dress, she tried the new Jo Malone rose perfume that her colleague had bought on her wrist. Shuguan could only put on a small suit jacket, tidied her hair, and asked her colleague, "Does this look okay?"

The grand auditorium was solidly packed with people

Auntie came out wearing an apron, and upon seeing her, she smiled: "Guan Guan, are you up?"

Then tell me, when would be the appropriate time

She shook her head, her long hair swaying slightly, subtly revealing her fair back and the elegant line of her neck.

The only person who did not participate in the discussion was Shu Guan, who was busy with the documents; however, snippets of conversation still drifted into her ears

What is it? She felt somewhat restless.

Shu Guan pretended not to understand, smiling quietly without saying a word

Shu Guan stood upright, silently bent her elbows, and ruthlessly slammed backward.

Before he could respond, Shu Guan had already stood up and taken her bag: "There is no need for us to spend any more time together tonight"

Before Lin Lu entered, they whispered a few words, generally implying that some students from P University were not that impressive, and could not be considered entirely satisfactory. In the end, one of them suddenly remembered that Shu Guan was also a graduate of P University, and quickly added, "But you graduated early, right?"

The sensor light in the stairwell lit up due to their conversation, and Shu Guan did not say much to him, hurrying down to the next floor to take the elevator, to avoid being seen

Full-color printing, produced exquisitely, the one-inch photo of the two individuals must have been edited quite a bit, and as for that long list of honors, it is indeed an essential component of every resume

Shu Guan was momentarily taken aback, her gaze flickering slightly. Indeed, she did not pursue the matter further. After a long while, she softly said: "A promise from too long ago, I do not wish for it at the moment"

She is still crying, and through her tear-filled eyes, it seems as if she can see the moment in the hospital when the doctor came with the critical condition notice, looking for family members to sign.

Shu Guan maintained her usual demeanor, pressed the elevator button for Huo Yongning, and only followed him in after he had entered.

Shu Guan slowly withdrew her hand from his palm and placed it on his waist: "Are you still the Ho Yongning I know?"

Just now, Huo Yongning sent her a message asking when she would return, and she casually replied: Come pick me up

Zhong Nansong let out a sigh of relief and smiled as she said, "I knew it, this child only sent flowers and gifts over." She mumbled a sentence, but ultimately continued, "Xiao Shu, do you know what he has been up to recently..."

The next morning, as Shu Guan quickly finished her makeup and prepared to go out, Huo Yongning was leisurely sitting at the dining table, reading the news and drinking coffee

Ah? You don't understand, this is what many people disdain as a co-pilot selfie!" Shu Guan patiently explained, "Generally, posting such photos is equivalent to a veiled announcement that one has found a wealthy boyfriend, which is why many girls look down on it.

Walking alone, treading carefully to reach today, success is almost within sight, yet the accumulated resentment and grievances have finally erupted in this embrace. Shu Wan sobbed and said: "He recognizes the thief as his father... He even scolded me..."

Her gaze flickered slightly, clearly showing some unease. Shu Guan discreetly took in everything: "He has very important guests to entertain tonight, which was arranged at the last minute; otherwise, he would have probably come over as well"

Aunt, this is what my friend brought from India, " Shu Guan said with a smile.

I am helping you choose a suitable school. If our relationship were to become public, I believe you would no longer be fit to remain in this position. " He said gently, "Why not take some time for further studies and then return to see if there might be a more suitable plan.

Currently at Ruide, she has become quite popular as she is the most capable secretary of Huo Shuining, and even the managers of various departments treat her with great courtesy. Shu Guan adjusted her smile: "I will be there shortly, I ran into a former roommate here."

He made a sound of acknowledgment, as if nothing had happened

Shu Guan only felt her heart skip a beat, blood rushing up all at once, her voice suddenly becoming devoid of emotion: "How do you know? Have you investigated me?"

"Very good." She replied somewhat perfunctorily

He did not answer but instead laughed: "Is there a power strip at home?"

In September, MK announced that Dai Xingren has taken over as the Chief Executive Officer

Her eyes shone brightly in the darkness, word by word: "Revenge is inevitable, harsh and venomous, this is my nature. If you do not like it, I am sorry, but I cannot change myself."

Shu Guan then tidied her hair and clothes, letting out a soft "hm"

His voice came from his chest, rhythmic and steady, accompanied by the sound of his heartbeat: "I know you suffered a lot when you were young, and it's natural to be attached to money, but that's all in the past. From now on, I will be with you. Is that alright?"

Humans may indeed be such a creature

He was silent for a moment, not angry: "What do you envy about her?"

Shu Guanna opened her eyes and said: "Is it too early to consider these things now?"

What exactly are you going to send?" Huo Yongning took her phone, the screen paused on the Renren app, and she typed a brief message: Returning to my alma mater for the campus recruitment feels so familiar, and afterwards, someone is coming to take me out for a late-night snack

Another colleague squeezed over to their side, and upon seeing Shu Guan, he let out a sigh of relief and cheerfully grabbed her hand: "You’re here! Our boss has been looking for you, let’s hurry and grab something to eat"

He walked behind her and said in a lowered voice, "Is Huo Yongning coming over?"

Gu Xiaocheng raised her eyebrows slightly, looking as if she was too upset to stay and was about to leave in a huff. In the end, Lin Lu handed over the resume with both hands and politely smiled at them, saying, "Then I will trouble you with this." Shu Guan smiled faintly, pursed her lips, took a couple of steps away, and deliberately turned back to take another look.

It is often said that girls should be raised in wealth, and to the utmost extent, this is probably what it means

The garden is quiet, and no one knows what just happened here