Song Qi Nian lived by a simple code: never start trouble, but never back down from it either. She hadn't wanted any conflict with Lin Lanxing, but between the incidents with Jia Shu and Shen Yu Shu, Lin Lanxing had pushed her too far. Her constant schemes had exhausted Song Qi Nian's patience.
Of the two women, Lin Lanxing clearly had more to lose if people learned about her connection to Shen Chi Yan. After all, regardless of his feelings, Shen Chi Yan was legally married to Song Qi Nian—and had been for three years.
Lin Lanxing's face contorted with rage. Her eyes burned with hatred as she spat out, "Song Qi Nian, do you honestly believe that tricking your way into Brother Chi Yan's bed makes you anything more than convenient? That it could make you replace my sister in his heart? Let me make this crystal clear—it never will."
A bitter laugh escaped Lin Lanxing's throat. "Brother Chi Yan will never love you. You're nothing but a body to warm his bed. The moment my sister wakes up, he'll throw you out like the stray dog you are!"
But Song Qi Nian's calm demeanor only emphasized Lin Lanxing's increasing desperation. Rather than the explosive reaction Lin Lanxing craved, Song Qi Nian remained unmoved.
Her phone buzzed again. The message on the screen left no room for interpretation:
"Moving at a snail's pace today? You have one minute to get up here. Now."
Shen Chi Yan's frustration radiated from every word. Not daring to test his patience further, Song Qi Nian hurried to the eighteenth floor, leaving Lin Lanxing to stare after her with clenched fists and undisguised loathing.
In the CEO's office, Song Qi Nian immediately noticed Shen Chi Yan's navy-blue tie—usually a sign of his good mood. She allowed herself a small breath of relief. This was their first encounter since that heated moment in the car, and her cheeks warmed at the memory. But her nervousness about his reaction to her confession overshadowed any embarrassment.
Shen Chi Yan didn't mention that night at all. "How long have you been in the planning department?" he asked abruptly.
Caught off guard, Song Qi Nian paused before carefully signing, [Fifty days.]
"Impressive," he said, his voice laced with dry amusement. "In just fifty days, you managed to get two employees and one manager out of the department."
Song Qi Nian remained silent, unsure how to respond.
"I think you're better suited for the CEO's office. Starting tomorrow, you'll return to being my secretary."
The color drained from Song Qi Nian's face. Was he trying to force her out of Dingsheng Group because he'd discovered her feelings? Her fears weren't baseless—during her previous stint as his secretary, she'd been nothing more than a title. No real work, no actual responsibilities, not even a salary.
Watching her reaction, Shen Chi Yan's expression hardened. "What's wrong? You don't want to?"
Didn't she claim to have feelings for him? Why would she look so troubled at the prospect of working closely with him? Unless... her confession had been a lie?
As he studied her conflicted expression, something dark and volatile stirred within him. "If you don't want to, then get out!"
Realizing his misinterpretation, Song Qi Nian's hands flew up to sign frantically, [I don't mind!]
"Then what's with that face?"
[I... I just wanted to ask, if I return to the CEO's office, will my salary be the same as it is in the planning department?]
Shen Chi Yan froze.
So that's what had her so worried—money. He let out a bitter internal laugh. Apparently, he wasn't even worth a few months' salary to her.
Song Qi Nian went still at Shen Chi Yan's darkening expression.
"What if I told you there's no salary in the CEO's office?"
She wavered, caught between desires. Working in his office meant being close to him every day. But what if he just sent her home again, claiming it was part of her "punishment"? And regardless of her feelings, she still needed to earn a living.
After a moment's deliberation, she made her choice. [Then I'd rather stay in the planning department]
Shen Chi Yan hadn't expected her to choose money over him. His expression turned deadly cold.
Three sharp knocks cut through the tension.
"Come in!"
Lin Lanxing strode in, her face twisting with rage at the sight of Song Qi Nian. She forced the words through clenched teeth, "President Shen, I need to speak with you. Could you ask this... unnecessary person to leave?"
Shen Chi Yan's gaze shifted between the two women. "You can leave now," he told Song Qi Nian.
She left the office, hands balled into fists, all too aware of Lin Lanxing's triumphant smirk. When it came to the Lin family, she never stood a chance with Shen Chi Yan.
The moment the door closed, Lin Lanxing's entire demeanor transformed. Her voice turned soft and wounded. "Brother Chi Yan, have you fallen in love with Song Qi Nian?"
His face remained impassive. "This is a workplace, and we're during working hours."
"I know, but I can't help thinking of my sister. If it weren't for Song Qi Nian's family, my sister wouldn't have been in a coma for three years. You wouldn't have had to marry her. How could you possibly—"
"Enough!"
His sudden fury stopped her cold.
"I've tolerated your behavior out of respect for your sister. But if this continues, even her memory won't protect you."
Lin Lanxing's heart skipped. What was he implying? Had he discovered what happened with Lin Jiashu and Shen Yu Shu?
"Your internship period is over. Return to school early."
Lin Lanxing stared at him in shock. She still had more than a week left, but Shen Chi Yan was clearly pushing her out of Dingsheng Group. He was actually protecting Song Qi Nian!
Though bitter, she knew better than to argue. At the door, she paused. "Brother Chi Yan, thank you for the internship opportunity. But I have to ask—my sister loved you so deeply. Can you honestly say you've honored her memory?"
His expression turned lethal.
The planning department buzzed with news of Lin Lanxing's sudden departure.
"Did you hear? Someone saw Song Qi Nian and Lin Lanxing arguing in a corner this morning, and now Lin Lanxing's gone. You think there's something to those rumors?"
"What rumors?"
"That anyone who crosses Song Qi Nian ends up paying for it!"
"Come to think of it—first Xie Xueyi and Yang Hongbin, then Shen Yu Shu and Jiang Lili, and now Lin Lanxing!"
Just that morning, Jiang Lili, who'd been mocking Song Qi Nian, had slipped in the restroom and twisted her ankle. She'd taken three days off.
"You think Song Qi Nian has some kind of supernatural protection?"
"Once is chance, twice is coincidence, but this many times? It's getting creepy. Better stay on her good side."
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