Chapter 1

However, in that fleeting moment of locking eyes with him, everything dimmed, and I felt a sense of despondency wash over me.

It is their first birthday together after they became a couple

After speaking, she leaned in closer and whispered, "If you mess this up, there are some people lurking in the shadows who will be absolutely delighted."

Just when she could no longer withstand the drowsiness and her eyelids were battling against each other, the ringtone of her phone finally rang.

This man, Zheng Shuyi, has never been seen before.

Zheng Shuyi lay on the table for half a day, with cold sweat continuously oozing from his forehead

She certainly remembers this matter

At this moment, Zheng Shuyi was not in the mood to respond to Kong Nan's reminder; her mind was filled with the four characters "understanding and reasonableness"

The bare legs beneath the coat are exposed, with the skirt barely covering the knees, becoming a more eye-catching presence in this cold wind than the luxury car at the entrance

Indeed

After a moment of silence, Chen Sheng lowered his voice and said, "There is a relatively important banquet tonight, and perhaps, I am only saying perhaps, I might be able to find some time in between. What do you think..."

Zheng Shuyi frowned, pushed his hand away, "Really, it's not necessary, thank you. My boyfriend will be here soon."

Next, another young man extended the same invitation to her

It appears that this is a financial industry cocktail party

The name "Shiyan" can attract a significant amount of attention in the media, which in turn reflects the level of interest that the journalists interviewing him can garner.

But she suddenly realized that she did not know what he looked like

Thus, under the biting cold wind, Zheng Shuyi met his gaze and added: "My boyfriend is coming to pick me up soon"

Yue Xingzhou: By the way, you mentioned that you are not feeling well, what is wrong? Are you sick?

Zheng Shuyi leaned against the printer, tracing circles on the layout with her finger: "I apologize, but I have to go for an interview on short notice, which may take about two hours. I probably won't be able to have lunch with you."

Moreover, she just mentioned that she was feeling unwell, yet Yue Xingzhou did not inquire about what was bothering her

Even the most mainstream media find it difficult to secure interview opportunities, and if they can obtain even a few words from them, it is sufficient to be published on the most prominent pages

At the outset, he gained prominence in the industry due to his sudden emergence in the financial sector as the son of Ming Yu Group's Shi Wenguang

Financial interviews emphasize timeliness; waiting a week after the interview, then returning the draft for verification before publication, is akin to letting the flowers wilt.

Reporter Zheng? A man stepped forward

Zheng Shuyi sat on the sofa, her legs swaying to the ticking sound of the wall clock, repeatedly surveying her surroundings in an attempt to keep herself awake

I am off work now. Kong Nan stood up with a bag in hand and handed over a box of medicine, saying, I noticed you have finished your painkillers, take mine, take some in advance, so you don't faint from the pain during the interview.

At the moment Zheng Shuyi stood up, her head felt dizzy, and she leaned against the sofa for a while before stepping into the elevator in her high heels

Zheng Shuyi subconsciously wanted to see if there was any possibility of encountering Shi Yan again

It is false to say that she is not feeling anxious; along the way, she has silently cursed Shi Yan countless times.

"Um, I apologize. " Zheng Shuyi pressed her lips together, her voice becoming even softer, "Can I make it up to you next time? "

The corners of Shi Yan's mouth curled into a barely noticeable cold arc, as he slipped one hand into his pocket and stepped away

With a "click," a sharp pain shot through her finger, and she instinctively withdrew her hand just in time to avoid being pierced by the stapler

"Tsk, your boyfriend is excessively understanding," Kong Nan said while shutting down her computer. "Unlike my boyfriend, who is incredibly clingy. If I were to ghost him, regardless of the reason, he would definitely get angry with me."

In comparison, Zheng Shuyi felt even more miserable.

The man approached with a smile, getting very close, and as soon as he spoke, the scent of alcohol wafted over: "Are you alone? Let me take you home."

The man's gaze lingered slightly, as the crystal chandelier above cast a cold light on his golden-framed glasses, gently swaying with the slight movement of the anti-slip chain at his cheek.

The man moved a little closer and took hold of her arm, "Let's go, it's not easy to hail a taxi in such heavy rain"

Isn't Yue Xingzhou being overly "understanding and reasonable"?

Upon hearing the words "boyfriend," the man scrutinized Zheng Shuyi. When their eyes met, he realized that her statement was not a mere pretense to decline. Without saying another word, he turned around and left.

This time, the editor-in-chief of the magazine made considerable efforts to navigate various relationships in order to secure this interview

It must be done even if it cannot be done, otherwise what else can I do

She had not anticipated that she would be outdoors for an extended period today, dressed in a typical office lady suit dress. While it appeared serious and formal, the thin layer of transparent stockings was merely a formality and offered no real protection.

Yue Xingzhou has also specially prepared a restaurant and booked movie tickets to celebrate together after she finishes work

At the first glance upon entering, Qin Xiaoming also caught sight of Zheng Shuyi

Zheng Shuyi looked at the visitor and suddenly felt deflated again

Zheng Shuyi: "Thank you, no need."

Zheng Shuyi let out a sigh

It seems that today is not a proper financial cocktail party

Alas, how pitiful it is that your dear boyfriend has been taken away by a man you have never met, depriving you of the opportunity to celebrate your birthday together

At the age of 27, Shi Yan attracted the attention of the entire financial sector, with various honors pouring in, and interview requests naturally inundating the hotline of the president's office at Mingyu Bank

"Perhaps I won't be able to find time in the next few days," Chen Sheng said, "So if it is convenient for you, would it be acceptable to postpone the interview to a week later?"

Before hanging up the phone, Chen Sheng reiterated: "Miss Zheng, I can arrange a place for you, but I cannot guarantee that there will always be time. You may end up making a trip for nothing"

The banquet for the interview was originally meant to be a joyous occasion

No

Zheng Shuyi sat for another two hours, a duration that felt as long as two extended nights

Before long, a female CFO from an internet finance company, who had met Zheng Shuyi on two occasions, saw her standing here looking pitiful while waiting for a bus and offered to give her a ride home, but Zheng Shuyi declined.

Before long, few people remained in the banquet hall

Once a certain thought takes root, it will inevitably sprout uncontrollably in the mind

Occasionally, sounds from the banquet downstairs can be heard; although faint, one can still imagine the lively atmosphere.

However, at this moment, the phone call made Zheng Shuyi's heart race, and she cautiously asked, "May I inquire if there have been any changes?"

In a moment of distraction, Zheng Shuyi experienced a brief lapse in focus

Uncertain of whose phone ringtone had sounded, Zheng Shuyi suddenly raised her head, blinked her eyes, and took out her own phone

Upon returning from Europe, I took over Mingyu Bank, a private commercial bank under the Mingyu Group.

It is like this. Chen Sheng said, "The interview originally scheduled for 9:00 AM tomorrow cannot take place due to personal work reasons of Mr. Shi."

This is also someone she knows, but Zheng Shuyi is aware that he is just a genuine playboy from a wealthy family

Zheng Shuyi held documents in one hand and a mobile phone in the other, momentarily lost in thought in front of the printer

Kong Nan found it somewhat unbelievable: "But speaking of which, doesn't your boyfriend have any objections?"

Yet she was pondering why the current generation of wealthy second-generation individuals seems to be so casual one after another

Shi Yan is a person of very low profile, rarely appearing in public. When Zheng Shuyi was preparing the materials, she searched online and only found some panoramic images with his unclear figure, but there were no serious writings about him.

The valet opened the car door, bent down to get in, and the Bentley sped away

This person has been interviewed by Zheng Shuyi several times, so the two can be considered acquainted

Yet the sharp pain in my fingertips lingered for a long time, gradually spreading to my heart

During the peak hours of leaving work, traffic congestion was severe. Zheng Shuyi endured abdominal pain, transferring between the subway and bus, and then taking a taxi, taking an hour to reach the destination

However, the waiting time was truly too long. Several times, she nearly dozed off, her head drooping like a chick pecking at grains, until the sound of the door being pushed open startled Zheng Shuyi, causing her to sit up straight and lift her head to look at the entrance

The name Shiyan, she has heard it too many times during this period

Qin Xiaoming paused for a moment, placed his phone aside, and said, "What are you doing here?"

This person usually appears well-groomed in social settings, yet at this moment, there is not even a greeting, and their thoughts are glaringly obvious

Zheng Shuyi sat at her workstation in a daze, hesitated for a moment while holding her phone, and then sent a message to Yue Xingzhou

Yue Xingzhou: I feel heartbroken for the baby

What opinion could there be on such matters? Zheng Shuyi thought for a moment and said, "He said nothing, indicating his understanding."

The autumn leaves, accompanied by the cold wind and strands of rain, scraped against Zheng Shuyi's legs like a knife

Gradually, people began to emerge. Zheng Shuyi stepped aside, and when she turned her head to look, she found that many of them were individuals she had previously interviewed

Zheng Shuyi remained silent for several seconds before finally speaking: "I understand, thank you"

She wanted to say "Happy Birthday" to him in person, no matter what.

The printer moves silently, with sheets of paper neatly stacked in front.

Ironically, the place that Chen Sheng arranged for her was the lounge area upstairs from the banquet hall. It was spacious and magnificent, yet completely empty, amplifying the loneliness of a stranger a hundredfold

The crisp ringtone of the mobile phone stood out sharply amidst the mechanical and dense sound of the keyboard, pulling Zheng Shuyi's consciousness out of a state of chaos

Are you still able to do it?

Chen Sheng: "I am afraid this is really not possible. I cannot disclose the specific work to you, but it will indeed take at least a week before I can free up some time."

"Reporter Zheng?" He paused, the curve of his arm outlined by the suit revealing a hint of detachment, "Let me see you off a bit?"

When Zheng Shuyi looked up from her phone, a black Bentley slowly came to a stop in front of her

"What else?" Zheng Shuyi retorted, "If I don't ditch my boyfriend, am I supposed to ditch the banquet instead?"

It is unknown when the rain began to fall outside the window, pattering softly against the leaves, producing a chilling "rustling" sound.

I am Chen Sheng, an assistant in the Office of the President of Mingyu Bank. A month ago, your publication and General Manager Shi Yan scheduled an interview, which was originally set for tomorrow. Do you remember?

Today is her boyfriend Yue Xingzhou's birthday

Under the bright cold light, her complexion was slightly pale, and the tip of her nose was reddened from the cold, yet it could not conceal the delicate beauty of her brows and eyes. With almond-shaped eyes and red lips, she appeared vibrant and charming, resembling a finely crafted porcelain doll, standing there with a hint of an endearing quality.

The sun was obscured by clouds at an unknown time, with sunlight trapped within the thick clouds, struggling to break through with a few strands of residual light

No, thank you

Kong Nan and others hung up the phone, twirling a pen in one hand while propping up their chin with the other, smilingly said: "Did you ditch your boyfriend?"

Although his fame has suddenly risen, there are regrettably few interview reports about him

Although her skin was originally fair and clean, at this moment it was devoid of any hint of blood, nearly transparent, with a sickly pallor clearly evident on her face, completely lacking the vibrant and lively aura she usually possessed

I will wait! Zheng Shuyi readily agreed without a second thought, "Please give me the address, and I can come over to wait."

Yue Xingzhou: Where are you conducting the interview? I will come to pick you up after it ends

Without waiting for Chen Sheng to respond, Zheng Shuyi gritted her teeth and said, "An hour will do! Please make an exception for me."

At first, she suddenly straightened her back, and her pair of bright, sparkling eyes could be seen to be extremely excited even in the dark

When the editor-in-chief assigned this task to Zheng Shuyi, the entire magazine office was filled with envy

Zheng Shuyi: Are you feeling unhappy?

As she glanced over, the woman's cashmere scarf was wrapped several times around her neck, covering her chin, making her face appear as if it were only the size of a palm.

However, the psychological sensitivity during her menstrual period is accentuated to the extreme by the disappointment of this moment, and Zheng Shuyi's emotions can certainly not be described as good; in fact, they are somewhat bittersweet

Hello, may I ask if you are Zheng Shuyi, the journalist from "Finance Weekly"?

It seems that during the menstrual period, one becomes easily sensitive and tends to overthink

She should have called Yue Xingzhou to inform him, but just as she found the contact list, the other party called as if sensing it.

Qin Xiaoming felt a pang of compassion and turned to Shiyan, saying: "Isn't this Zheng Shuyi? The young girl is quite pitiful waiting for you alone at this late hour. There are many people here, and it is not convenient for me. Please find an opportunity to help her out a bit."

The scene of her standing in the cold wind perfectly caught the eye of Qin Xiaoming as he exited the banquet hall

It is now 11:00, and there is one hour left until his birthday.

Jiangcheng, late autumn, five thirty in the afternoon

Zheng Shuyi turned her face upside down, took a few deep breaths with her eyes closed, and immediately shut down the computer to start packing her things

Zheng Shuyi leaned against the table and stood for a while, waiting for the cramping pain in her lower abdomen to subside, before saying: "The interview has been moved up; I have to go tonight"

Yue Xingzhou: No, it's fine, I understand. Work is important, and there will be many more birthdays to celebrate together in the future

It was not the time for a banquet, but rather his brother-in-law, Qin Xiaoming, who is currently the second-in-command of Mingyu Group

At that time, industry insiders did not view this as a positive development, as the operational status of the bank was already precarious. Some financial commentators even altered their serious tone, suggesting that this was a case of Shi Wenguang using a semi-defunct subsidiary as a plaything for his son

She prepared for this interview for nearly a month, thoroughly understanding the public financial dynamics in Shi Yan's hands, hoping to gain fame this year with this article.

However, after Shi Yan took charge of Mingyu Bank, Rui Li addressed the issues of the bank's excessive reliance on deposit and loan operations and the highlighted risks, focusing on risk management and control mechanisms, decisively turning the situation around

Zheng Shuyi leaned on the table to answer the phone, forcing herself to speak with a strained spirit: "It's me, may I ask who you are?"

It really won't be possible after a week, could you see if you can spare some time? A phone interview would also be acceptable

The parking area on the first floor is spacious and clean, with guests' cars leaving one after another, leaving behind faintly glowing taillights

All that remained in the receiver was the mechanical "beep beep" sound, which lingered in her ears for quite some time. Zheng Shuyi then "thudded" back onto the table, the tension in her mind gradually dissipating, only to be replaced by a sense of emptiness and melancholy.

Ah? It was only then that Kong Nan noticed Zheng Shuyi's expression

Zheng Shuyi: "After that ... ..."

... ...

Originally, she felt uncomfortable today after being stood up by Shi Yan. Encountering such events consecutively, there was an inexplicable anger surging within her chest

Yue Xingzhou

Yue Xingzhou sighed upon hearing this and said, "Well then, I will find a friend to make do with."

By the time she arrived at the entrance of Warner Manor, it was no surprise that the rain had already sealed the door

Under the direct light, a man strides in as the illumination grows increasingly bright

Miss Zheng, I apologize, but the banquet here has already concluded. Mr. Shi has other matters to attend to, so...

Just now, Yue Xingzhou said he would come to pick her up

Zheng Shuyi turned around, and there was a moment of eye contact with the man walking towards her.

Each word emphasized the phrase "boyfriend," implying the underlying message: I am someone who has a boyfriend

Zheng Shuyi walked to the printer, holding a stack of documents, with her brows furrowed and her gaze fixed on the ground as she lost herself in thought for a moment

She thought for a moment and then said, "I am not feeling well today, and I may not be able to go to the movies tonight either"

The crisp sound of the bell gave rise to an ominous premonition in this empty house

This interview is still too late

Zheng Shuyi answered truthfully: "I have an interview today at a certain time."

Darling, when do you finish work? Shall I come to pick you up?

The address provided by Chen Sheng is Warner Manor, located far in the western suburbs

Now she not only cannot accompany Yue Xingzhou for his birthday, but also has to drag her sickly body to work, and may even end up making a wasted trip.

It sounds as if I went to celebrate Shi Yan's birthday. Zheng Shuyi picked up the documents and walked aside to bind them, saying, I am at a loss for words myself; I don't even know what Shi Yan looks like, yet I had to stand up my boyfriend for him.

Qin Xiaoming looked her up and down a few times, gazing at her pale complexion for a few more seconds. He did not say much, only muttering, "It's so late," before leaving.

Zheng Shuyi instantly became alert and instinctively straightened her back

Kong Nan was originally focused on writing, but upon hearing the commotion at the table across from him, he looked up and asked, "What happened?"

After dismissing that person with an emphasis on "boyfriend," Zheng Shuyi stood by the wall

"What about tonight!" Zheng Shuyi asked anxiously, "Are you free tonight? Just three hours, or even two hours would be fine."

The pair of eyes behind the lenses is adorned with bright lights, the corners of the eyes slightly raised. Although they should convey a frivolous gaze, they exude an undeniable sense of pressure.

At the same time, a sound of footsteps echoed behind.

Zheng Shuyi: It's nothing, just feeling uncomfortable due to my period TAT

Zheng Shuyi turned around to take a glance; it was a senior executive from a certain capital company whom she had only met once, yet he often chatted with her on WeChat.