Song Qi Nian woke in her own bed, with no memory of how she'd gotten there. She found herself in pajamas, her skin a canvas of bruises and marks. Her neck and chest bore the worst of it - barely an untouched patch remained.
The weekend timing proved merciful. She drifted in and out of sleep for two days, slowly rebuilding her strength. Shen Chi Yan's absence during this time spared her from facing what had happened between them.
Her confession in the car lingered like a half-remembered dream. She couldn't recall his face in that moment, couldn't read what he might have felt. What stayed with her was his ruthlessness - how her tears had only seemed to fuel his intensity rather than soften it.
Monday morning brought news: Shen Yu Shu had resigned. Over the weekend, as Song Qi Nian had pieced together that night's events, she'd realized the truth - she hadn't just been drunk, but drugged. Combined with Shen Yu Shu's earlier words, everything clicked into place. Her supposed good friend had orchestrated it all. The betrayal sat like lead in her stomach.
When Miao Ziai spotted her, she rushed over clutching a letter. "Qi Nian, do you know why Yu Shu resigned?"
Song Qi Nian pressed her lips together, shaking her head slightly. She truly didn't know if it had been Shen Yu Shu's choice or if Shen Chi Yan had forced the resignation.
"Yu Shu asked me to give you this," Miao Ziai said, holding out the letter. "He wouldn't tell me what was going on. And Friday night - you disappeared after going to the restroom! We were so worried. Where did you go?"
Frustration crept into Miao Ziai's voice. "I texted and called, but you didn't respond..."
Song Qi Nian quickly gestured, [I did reply!]
"You just sent 'I'm fine' and nothing else?"
Seeing Miao Ziai's innocent concern, Song Qi Nian chose to shield her from the ugliness of that night. She explained carefully, [I ran into someone I knew at the restroom. They gave me a ride home.]
Miao Ziai's shoulders finally relaxed at learning Song Qi Nian was safe, but then she swatted her friend's arm. "You idiot! Do you know how worried Yu Shu and I were when you just vanished like that?"
A cluster of female colleagues passed by, their voices carrying.
"I bet Shen Yu Shu had to quit because someone wouldn't stop pursuing him."
"Right? After all these years building his career at Dingsheng Group, he wouldn't just leave without a reason."
Song Qi Nian had no interest in addressing their gossip or explaining her relationship with Shen Yu Shu to people who didn't matter. But then she spotted Shen Chi Yan.
Her heart skipped, and she instinctively grabbed Miao Ziai's arm. [Ziai, could you help me with something?]
Still bristling at the malicious comments, Miao Ziai gave a determined nod. "What do you need?"
Her fierce glare at the gossips practically screamed, "Just say the word and I'll take them on."
[I need you to translate while I sign.]
"Are you finally standing up for yourself?"
Song Qi Nian: [...]
This wasn't about standing up for herself - it was about making sure Shen Chi Yan heard.
[Shen Yu Shu is just a friend. I've never had romantic feelings for him or pursued him. And besides... I'm married.]
As Song Qi Nian's hands moved, Miao Ziai spoke the words aloud. She stumbled at "married," certain she'd misinterpreted. "Qi Nian, you're married?"
Song Qi Nian glanced toward Shen Chi Yan. She could only see his back, no hint of his reaction.
She nodded, her face composed but resolute.
The revelation left everyone speechless. None of them had imagined that someone as young as Song Qi Nian would already be married.
"You've been keeping this secret all along? Who is he? Is he handsome? Does he treat you well?" Miao Ziai paused, her excitement faltering. "Does he look down on you because you're mute?"
Before Song Qi Nian could respond, Miao Ziai answered her own question: "No, he must love you - otherwise he wouldn't have married you."
Song Qi Nian pressed her lips together, fighting back a wave of sadness. If only Shen Chi Yan really did love her.
[He's... very handsome. Great physique. Perfect in every way.]
The moment Shen Chi Yan walked away, Song Qi Nian's confidence crumpled.
"Did anyone else see what just flew past?"
"A plane?"
"No, a cow! Someone's ego just got so big it launched a cow into the sky!"
Laughter rippled through the group.
"Song Qi Nian, what would a perfect man with a great body want with someone who can't even speak? Is that why he's with you - because you're mute?"
Song Qi Nian fixed them with an icy stare. The manager's arrival sent them scurrying back to their desks, their mockery dying in their throats.
Finally alone, Song Qi Nian opened Shen Yu Shu's letter.
Qi Nian, I'm sorry... This is all my fault. I won't ask for forgiveness. Just... stay safe. Watch out for Lin Lanxing.
The note was brief, but Song Qi Nian understood - Lin Lanxing had manipulated Shen Yu Shu. Whatever Lin Lanxing had offered or threatened him with, it had been enough to destroy their friendship.
Her phone buzzed twice. A WeChat message from Shen Chi Yan:
Come to my office.
Without hesitation, Song Qi Nian stood and left the planning department.
Anxiety gnawed at her. Shen Chi Yan had made it clear - they would divorce eventually, and no one was supposed to know about them. But she'd only said she was married, not to whom. That couldn't count as breaking their agreement... could it?
As she rounded the corner, she collided with Lin Lanxing heading to work. Their eyes met, and Song Qi Nian's face instantly hardened.
Lin Lanxing's expression darkened to match. Without a word, she seized Song Qi Nian's arm and yanked her into a corner.
Song Qi Nian tried to shove her away, but Lin Lanxing moved faster, ripping open her collar. Her eyes fixed on the marks Shen Chi Yan had left, and her face contorted with rage. "You shameless b*tch!"
She swung to slap Song Qi Nian, but Song Qi Nian caught her wrist mid-air and slapped her instead.
Lin Lanxing staggered back, clutching her cheek, shock and fury warring in her eyes. "You actually hit me?!"
Song Qi Nian didn't bother trying to sign - Lin Lanxing wouldn't understand anyway. She turned to leave.
But Lin Lanxing, stinging from the humiliation, lunged for her collar again. Song Qi Nian whirled around and thrust her phone in Lin Lanxing's face.
[If you're not scared of everyone finding out about my relationship with Shen Chi Yan, go ahead and scream.]
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