While Song Qi Nian's love life was in shambles, her professional life was flourishing. The proposal she'd developed with Shen Yu Shu had been chosen, earning them both high praise from management.
When payday rolled around, despite losing her perfect attendance bonus due to absences and late arrivals, her total compensation including bonuses came to 112,000 yuan. It was the largest sum she'd ever earned, and she could barely contain her excitement. Her first move was to transfer 100,000 yuan to Shen Ke Qin. Then, filled with gratitude, she crafted personalized gifts for everyone who had supported her.
She'd created an assortment of phone charms, keychains, and decorative pendants, each featuring an adorable chibi-style portrait of the recipient. When Miao Ziai received hers, she squealed with delight, throwing her arms around Song Qi Nian and kissing her cheek. "Nian Nian, you're already gorgeous and sweet—and now we find out you're talented too? Whoever ends up marrying you must have done something right in their past life!"
In her excitement, Miao Ziai backed into someone. Song Qi Nian's heart sank when she realized it was Shen Chi Yan. She dropped her gaze to the floor, wanting to disappear.
Miao Ziai jumped, stammering out a nervous "President Shen" before yanking Song Qi Nian to attention beside her. They stood there like schoolgirls caught running in the halls.
Shen Chi Yan's face darkened. His cold eyes lingered on Song Qi Nian's downturned face, his mood souring further. "This is a place of business. Behave accordingly."
"I apologize, President Shen! I just got overexcited about Nian Nian's gift. It won't happen again!"
"What gift?"
Surprised by his interest, Miao Ziai eagerly displayed the phone charm. "This one! Isn't it lovely?"
Song Qi Nian unconsciously bit her lip, then remembered his words: "This is mine to bite, and only mine." She released her lip, then thought defiantly, why should she listen to him? She bit down hard—and immediately regretted it as pain shot through her lip.
"You made these?" Shen Chi Yan's gaze bore into Song Qi Nian, who still refused to meet his eyes.
Miao Ziai nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! Nian Nian's incredibly talented!"
Song Qi Nian's persistent refusal to look at him deepened Shen Chi Yan's frown. He remembered how she used to happily tend to his face with ointment. Why wouldn't she look at him now? Was guilt eating at her? Without another word, he turned and strode away.
Once he was gone, Miao Ziai's excitement bubbled over again. "God, President Shen somehow gets more gorgeous every day. How can anyone be that perfect? Whoever gets to marry him must have saved a country in their past life!"
Song Qi Nian remained silent.
Back in the planning department, Shen Yu Shu approached Song Qi Nian with a warm smile. "Nian Nian, thank you for the keychain. I love it." His voice carried across the office, drawing everyone's attention.
Miao Ziai tugged at his arm, whispering urgently, "Keep it down! Nian Nian made gifts for several people. Don't make others feel left out."
"Sorry, Nian Nian," Shen Yu Shu said, looking sheepish. "I just got carried away because I was so happy with it."
Song Qi Nian gave him a gentle smile. "As long as you like it, that's what matters."
To her, Shen Yu Shu and Miao Ziai were true friends, while others were just colleagues. With limited time and energy, she couldn't make gifts for everyone. Watching her smile, Shen Yu Shu felt his heart constrict.
Meanwhile, Shen Chi Yan was heading to a client meeting with Li Nanxun. In the car, he kept his eyes fixed on the documents in his hands.
From the driver's seat, Gao Kunlun spotted Li Nanxun's keychain. "Secretary Li, did Miss Song give you that keychain?" he asked eagerly.
Li Nanxun gave a slight nod, his expression unchanged.
"She gave me this pendant! Look, it's got my face in chibi style. Isn't it amazing?"
At the mention of "Miss Song," Shen Chi Yan slowly raised his eyes. He watched as Gao Kunlun proudly displayed his pendant, its tiny chibi face swaying with the car's motion.
Shen Chi Yan's brow furrowed. "Song Qi Nian gave you this?"
"Yes, Miss Song is incredibly thoughtful."
Snap
Shen Chi Yan slammed his laptop shut with such force that both Gao Kunlun and Li Nanxun caught each other's eyes in alarm. Seeing their boss's thunderous expression in the rearview mirror, they fell into nervous silence.
Unable to concentrate on his work, Shen Chi Yan picked up his phone. A new post from Shen Ke Qin appeared on his feed: "The sweetest person in the world gave me this phone charm! It's too precious to use—I'm putting it in a bank vault!" Below was a photo of her proudly displaying a phone charm with her face rendered in chibi style.
His irritation deepened. The fact that Song Qi Nian was the source of this feeling only made it worse.
By the time Shen Chi Yan arrived home that evening, his mood was so foul that Zhang Ma barely dared to breathe in his presence.
"Where's Song Qi Nian?"
"Young Madam is in her room."
"What's she doing?"
"I'm not sure. She went to her room after dinner."
A possibility crossed his mind—could Song Qi Nian be making something for him?
"Young Master, should I call her down?"
"Don't bother. It's nothing urgent. Let her continue what she's doing."
Zhang Ma watched him head upstairs, bewildered. What just happened? The Young Master had arrived looking ready to murder someone, but now he seemed almost... content?
After his shower, Shen Chi Yan waited in his room, expecting Song Qi Nian's knock at any moment.
Midnight came and went. Still no sign of her.
Fed up, Shen Chi Yan threw off his covers and stormed to her room.
"Song—"
The words died in his throat. Song Qi Nian was slumped over her desk, fast asleep.
This woman! Her back had barely healed, and here she was, sitting hunched over for hours. Did she have no regard for her health at all?
"Hey... wake up. If you're going to sleep, at least use your bed!"
Shen Chi Yan gave her a gentle shake. As Song Qi Nian stirred, she started to slip sideways. Without thinking, he caught her before she could fall.
She must have been completely drained because she didn't even stir. Instead, she nestled against his chest, nuzzling until she found just the right spot, then sank back into deep sleep.
That's when he noticed the plush doll in her arms. He carefully extracted it to get a better look.
It was possibly the fiercest, ugliest doll he'd ever seen.
The figure wore a black suit, crisp white shirt, and black tie. Its face was locked in a permanent scowl, as if the world had personally offended it.
Why did it seem so familiar?
Shen Chi Yan turned it over and found his name embroidered on the back.
Shen Chi Yan
"..."
Damn it. This was how Song Qi Nian had chosen to portray him?
And why was his doll the only one with a scowl when everyone else got cheerful smiles?
Was this really how she saw him?
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