Chapter 9: Purity

Chapter 9

Her fingertips turned white as she gripped the document.

Under the silk shirt, his back was straight.

Dusk is falling outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

In the evening, the last ray of setting sun shone through the blinds, making her profile look a little disheveled.

——She had no intention of seducing him.

But at this moment.

Xie Siyan's gaze seemed to have substance. He indifferently slid from her chest under her shirt to her tense ankles. The hands that were used to signing billion-dollar contracts were now slowly turning a custom-made Swiss Bank pen.

The metal cap reflects cold light.

—The same one they had on their first night.

"Director Mu." He suddenly spoke, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Is this business, or...?" the pen clicked against the sandalwood table. "Personal matters."

Mu Jia's breathing stagnated, and the words of explanation rolled around on the tip of her tongue before she swallowed them back.

In the current situation, no matter what she said, it would only make the truth more obvious.

"Mr. Xie, I'm sorry to bother you today." She turned around in embarrassment and left quickly.

-

——No surprise.

Teng Zhi's trouble came earlier than expected.

The next morning, in the conference room, the air conditioning was turned very low, but Mu Jia could feel a thin layer of sweat seeping out of his back, making his silk shirt stick to his spine.

"The project progress is not up to standard and is progressing too slowly." Teng Zhi raised her eyes and pushed the tablet towards Mu Jia. The timeline nodes on it were marked in red.

According to the progress, Mu Jia should have submitted the document to Xie Siyan for review yesterday.

"Mr. Teng, the resistance I'm currently facing—"

"I don't listen to excuses." Teng Zhi interrupted her, tapping her fingertips on the table. "Investment banks never keep idle people. We try our best to overcome difficulties."

After saying that, she said in a businesslike manner that the meeting was adjourned.

The sound of high heels gradually faded away.

Mu Jia still sat there.

The air conditioner was whirring, making the unsigned document rustle.

-

After the meeting, she took the elevator downstairs alone.

The Bank of China International Building soars into the clouds, and its glass curtain wall reflects a dazzling blue light under the sun, making people's eyes hurt.

Mu Jia sat on a bench by the fountain, rubbing her temples with her fingertips. The dull pain from working late, combined with the heated arguments in the meeting, made it almost impossible for her to breathe.

"Jia Jia, why are you sitting here alone?"

A familiar voice came from behind.

Mu Jia's body stiffened.

Cheng Yuan.

He stood behind her in a suit and tie.

I haven't seen you for many days, but you are still as charming as ever.

The tie clip gleamed in the sunlight.

Seeing that she didn't respond, he followed her gaze and looked up at the towering glass building beside him, smiling meaningfully:

"It seems that working at the Bank of China isn't easy..."

Mu Jia hugged his knees and didn't respond.

The water from the fountain splashed at her feet, soaking her high heels.

The scene of them holding hands on campus resonated in her mind, but was eventually replaced by his wedding.

He is already married.

She couldn't get entangled with him any longer.

Cheng Yu'an, however, sat down beside her.

The scent of his cologne, mixed with the faint fragrance of flowers and plants, forcefully invaded her surroundings.

"Jia Jia, regarding my sudden marriage..."

"I don't want to listen." Mu Jia turned away.

The gesture of rejection is obvious.

Cheng Yuan sighed, "I'm sorry, I was wrong about this."

He lowered his head, folded his hands, and looked regretful. "I should have given you an explanation, but now, it's too late to say anything..."

He turned his head and said sincerely, "Jia Jia, even though we broke up, we are still friends. If there is anything I can help you with at work, just tell me directly, okay?"

-

There will be a promotion meeting at the Bulgari Hotel in the afternoon.

As the leader, Teng Zhi came down from upstairs and waited for the company car.

Seeing the two people sitting side by side from afar, Teng Zhi's expression changed.

It seemed as if they didn't expect that they knew each other.

Cheng Yu'an greeted her politely and looked at her again: "Jia Jia, if you have any difficulties, remember to come to me."

His expression was so sincere that it was hard to tell whether he was real or fake.

Mu Jia was briefly lost in thought.

When I came back to my senses, Cheng Yu'an had already turned around and left.

Before Teng Zhi could misunderstand, Mu Jia took the initiative to explain to her, "He is my ex."

She didn't hide it.

Clearly understood.

This matter was not a secret in the first place.

At this moment, she didn't say anything, but instead gave people room to express themselves.

Teng Zhi seemed to suddenly understand something and smiled at her.

"Then it seems I misunderstood."

——The tone is sincere.

Mu Jia didn't want to explain too much to her, but he had to bow his head under the eaves, so he respectfully told her that he would pay more attention to her future work.

Teng Zhi's attitude this time can be described as gentle.

"Director Mu will still have to work hard on the Shengtong Precision IPO project."

Her tone was as gentle as the spring breeze, and even the way she addressed him changed from the distant "Miss Mu" to the intimate "Director Mu".

-

There was a party at the Teng family's old house the next day.

The old man was accompanied by several wives.

Xie Siyan was sent to "develop feelings" with Teng Zhi.

In the tea room, the aroma of agarwood slowly flows in the air.

Teng Zhi leaned against the huanghuali wood window frame, playing with a celadon teacup with her fingertips, and spoke casually, "Mu Jia..."

"I thought you two were a couple."

Xie Siyan followed the instructions of his elders and helped to make tea.

His slender fingers were suspended above the purple clay teapot, and their outlines appeared particularly deep in the mist.

Hearing this, he just raised his eyes slightly.

"It seems I misunderstood," Teng Zhi chuckled, "I didn't expect that you were related to your brother-in-law's ex-girlfriend."

After saying that, Teng Zhi thought of that day and asked curiously, "Is her type quite attractive to you men?"

The tea is poured into the cup, creating ripples.

Xie Siyan's voice was fainter than the fragrance of tea: "What kind of her is she?"

"So pitiful and pure..."

Teng Zhi paused meaningfully, "Men should like it very much."

——He is a completely different type from her.

Outside the window, the shadows of bamboo swayed, casting mottled light and shadow on Xie Siyan's face. Xie Siyan picked up the teacup, and certain images subconsciously emerged in his mind.

In bed, it's quite pure.

He remained silent and did not answer.

Teng Zhi was happy to see that he had no expression.

Then he said, "Ayan, do you want me to help get her out of the way so Xie Ling can feel more at ease?"

Xie Siyan raised his eyes: "Did she tell you?"

Teng Zhi is a master at handling relationships, so of course she wouldn't say that.

"I'm just worried... You know, exes are always passionate, and you often run into each other at work. I said something harsh the other day. She was crying, and he stayed by her side. I could tell from watching them that they had a really good relationship."

Words like "what a great relationship" can be used to describe current boyfriend and girlfriend.

But it is used to describe the ex of one party who is already married...

The tea room suddenly became quiet.

Only the occasional crackling of the charcoal fire remained.

Xie Siyan put down the teacup.

The sound of porcelain colliding is crisp and pleasant.

"Really?"

The corners of his lips curled up in a cool arc, and his expression was cold.