Mu Yuxin arrived just as Song Qi Nian was finishing her shift. The contrast between them was striking - Mu Yuxin cut an impressive figure in her black business suit, her height and grace drawing admiring glances from the mall's sales staff. Her refined beauty made everyone else fade into the background.
Little Qiaoqiao had dozed off in Song Qi Nian's arms. As soon as she saw them, Mu Yuxin rushed forward to take the sleeping child.
"Yan Yan, I hope Qiaoqiao wasn't too much trouble today. You look exhausted," Mu Yuxin said, her voice tinged with concern.
Song Qi Nian managed a weak smile. [No, Qiaoqiao was perfect. It's just... since I started in the planning department, the workload has been intense. Sleep hasn't been easy to come by.]
"You need to take better care of yourself. You've lost so much weight." Mu Yuxin's voice softened. "Your father would be devastated if he saw you like this."
The mention of her father sent a sharp pang through Song Qi Nian's chest.
[I know, I know. But you should follow your own advice - you're working too hard yourself.]
Song Qi Nian knew that Mu Yuxin's salary didn't just cover her own expenses and Qiaoqiao's needs - she also sent money to the prison to ensure her boyfriend was well-treated. Such unwavering devotion was rare.
"Hard work brings good fortune," Mu Yuxin replied with her characteristic optimism. "One day, we'll have everything we're fighting for."
Her friend's positivity was infectious, and Song Qi Nian felt her spirits lift slightly. Just then, her phone chimed with a WeChat message - an editor looking for artwork.
"Great Master Qiyan, would you be interested in creating illustrations for a radio drama? We're flexible on pricing."
Under her artistic pseudonym "Qiyan," Song Qi Nian had built a solid reputation since her university days, creating covers, illustrations, and character designs. But after marrying Shen Chi Yan, she'd largely stepped away from commissioned work, pouring herself into their marriage instead.
Now, with money tight and an offer on the table, she couldn't afford to turn it down.
The exhaustion that had been weighing Song Qi Nian down lifted suddenly, replaced by a surge of energy. Finally, she had something to pour herself into.
Back home, she dove straight into the novel. She knew that to breathe life into a character through art, she needed to understand their essence - who they were, what shaped them.
Sunday meant no work, and Song Qi Nian seized the opportunity. She barricaded herself in her room, alternating between sketching and drafting proposals. She was so absorbed in her work that she didn't even notice when Shen Chi Yan came by that evening.
The next morning, Shen Chi Yan woke to find Song Qi Nian already gone. His face darkened. "Where is Song Qi Nian?"
"The young madam left for work early, sir."
"This early?"
"Yes, she mentioned having matters to attend to at the company."
Shen Chi Yan's brow furrowed. The thought of a mere employee being busier than him, the CEO, grated on his nerves.
The morning rush hour was in full swing, traffic crawling along as tempers flared. Among the cacophony of car horns, one driver seemed oblivious to the chaos, engrossed in a heated phone conversation.
"Have you lost your mind, Shen Ke Qin? Using my name to chase after some low-level employee - you've made me look like a fool!"
"Come on, it's not like I've caught her yet, have I?"
Shen Ke Qin had been out late partying, and this early morning call wasn't improving her mood. But since it was Guan Ming Xu, her childhood friend whose name she'd been using to pursue Song Qi Nian, she bit back her irritation.
"That's exactly what makes this so humiliating. When has Young Master Guan ever failed to win over a woman? Being rejected by some office worker - how am I supposed to show my face?"
"If it bothers you that much, why don't you pursue her yourself?"
"I-"
Before Guan Ming Xu could finish, the car suddenly struck something - or someone.
Guan Ming Xu ended the call and jumped out of his car. There on the ground was a girl who'd been knocked off her electric bike.
She was trying to stand up, showing no signs of distress. Guan Ming Xu rushed to her side. "Hey, are you okay?"
As he helped her and the bike up, he caught sight of her face beneath the pink helmet. His heart skipped a beat, then started racing.
This girl...
He hadn't believed it possible for someone to be this adorable. Everything about her - from her eyes to the curve of her mouth - was exactly what he found attractive in a woman.
Song Qi Nian noticed his stunned expression, checked her watch, and moved to get back on her bike.
Guan Ming Xu snapped out of his daze and caught her arm. "I'm so sorry about hitting you. Are you hurt? We should get you checked at a hospital."
"Beep beep beep..."
The symphony of impatient car horns grew louder behind them.
Song Qi Nian glanced at the growing line of traffic, shook her head, pulled away from his grip, and rode off.
Guan Ming Xu stood there watching her disappear, a goofy smile spreading across his face.
This woman... She hadn't even blinked at his luxury car or his good looks. Not even a flicker of interest.
No wonder he'd fallen for her at first sight!
The insistent honking finally registered. He got back in his car and immediately called Shen Ke Qin.
"Listen, Shen Ke Qin - I don't care how you do it, but clean up this mess about me chasing some Dingsheng employee. Don't get in the way of my true love!!!"
After hanging up in frustration, Guan Ming Xu's excitement gave way to despair. He hadn't gotten her number or even her name.
Beijing was enormous. Finding her would be impossible.
But he had to try. No matter what it took, he would find her again.
Song Qi Nian made it to the office just as the clock was ticking over. Shen Yushu was already there, and they quickly polished off the proposal before sending it to their manager.
With that done, Song Qi Nian tweaked her artwork and sent it to the editor.
Miao Ziai happened to glance at her screen. "Wait - Yan Yan, you can draw? These are amazing!"
Song Qi Nian pressed a finger to her lips, shooting Miao Ziai a warning look. She didn't want anyone knowing she was doing side work at the office.
"Relax. No one cares as long as it doesn't interfere with your actual job."
Song Qi Nian let out a breath. She hadn't wanted to bring work to the office, but both her computer and tablet had crashed the night before. She'd had no choice.
"Hold on - did you draw your WeChat profile picture too?"
Song Qi Nian nodded. It was a simple design - two tiny figures holding hands inside a red heart against a blue background. Sweet but not overdone.
"Would you draw one for me?"
It was a simple request, and Song Qi Nian agreed easily. "What did you have in mind?"
"How about... a cute cartoon version of me?"
Song Qi Nian knocked it out quickly and sent it over. Within hours, her WeChat was flooded with friend requests, all tagged with "profile picture."
She was puzzled until she accepted them and discovered Miao Ziai had been spreading the word. Apparently, she'd told everyone Song Qi Nian would do custom profile pictures for fifty yuan each.
When Shen Yu Shu found out, she jumped on the promotional bandwagon too.
Working through lunches and after hours, Song Qi Nian pulled in five thousand yuan just from profile pictures.
Grateful for their help, she decided to treat Miao Ziai and Shen Yu Shu to dinner. The three of them were heading out, laughing and chatting in the elevator, when they ran straight into Shen Chi Yan.
The dark expression on his face stopped them cold.
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