Chapter Twenty-Five

"The one I told you about last time, he's already back in Beijing. He used to be an alumnus of our school. No, cousin, what's the point of this?! Aren't you even concerned about me?!"

"Understood, I'll handle it when I get back."

After hanging up the phone, Liang Yuheng saw that his chat history with Shi Qing was still stuck on the video call from that afternoon.

It's getting late in China, and Shi Qing hasn't sent him a single message yet, let alone mentioned the fight she had with someone today.

Could it be that she went on a date with that childhood friend?

Thinking of this, Liang Yuheng wished he could fly back to China right now.

Soon, Shi Qing sent him a message, which calmed Liang Yuheng's agitated mood a little.

Shi Qing: [Are you asleep?]

Liang Yuheng: [Not yet, are you back yet?]

Shi Qing: [I'm back.]

Liang Yuheng: [How was your day?]

Shi Qing was unsure whether to tell Zhou Han about her situation, in case Zhou Han didn't want her family to know. In the end, she didn't say anything: "It's alright."

Liang Yuheng: [Yeah, I have to go to work tomorrow, so I should go to bed early.]

Shi Qing originally thought that Liang Yuheng would video chat with her if he wasn't asleep, but he didn't.

It's probably too late where he is.

Shi Qing put down her phone, turned off the bedside lamp, and crawled into bed to sleep.

-

On Monday, Shi Qing went to work as usual. Since she had nothing to do, she arrived at the store an hour early to train.

During the morning meeting, she heard the store manager announce that Zhao Xiaoxue would be appointed as the assistant store manager.

Shi Qing was actually mentally prepared, but she still felt uneasy after hearing it.

Judging from Zhao Xiaoxue's behavior during this period, she's always so arrogant; she must already know that the position of assistant store manager is hers.

Given her relationship with the store manager, Shi Qing knew that no matter how hard she tried, it would be useless.

After the meeting, back in the fitting room, Wang Senran enthusiastically surrounded Zhao Xiaoxue: "Sherry, congratulations! I'm so happy for you! I knew the assistant store would be yours!"

Zhao Xiaoxue feigned modesty and said, "It's probably because I arrived a little early."

"That means the higher-ups recognize your abilities; not just anyone can get that position," Wang Senran said deliberately, pointing towards Shi Qing.

Shi Qing pretended not to hear and took her thermos to the practice room for class.

Qi Li came out with her, gently patted her arm and whispered, "It's okay, Shi Qing, don't take it to heart."

Shi Qing smiled and said, "I'm fine, thank you, Sister Li."

Before the guests arrived, Shi Qing laid out her yoga mat and sat gazing out the window, lost in thought.

She's changed jobs several times since graduation, and she's no longer the novice she once was.

After all that has happened, she gradually realized that it seems no job is easy.

Last time it was because Hu Kuancheng resigned, is it going to be because Zhao Xiaoxue was promoted to assistant store manager again this time?

Even if you resign, there's no guarantee you won't encounter other problems at your next store.

Anyway, Zhao Xiaoxue has no right to fire her, so she can just put up with it.

-

Zhou Han had been cooped up at home all day. She ordered takeout for lunch, but couldn't fall asleep afterward.

The room still contained the things Chen Jiasong had given them before, as well as the plush toys they had won together.

She had never cared about the price of the gifts Chen Jiasong gave her; she felt that the sentiment was the most important thing.

During their relationship, she spent a lot of money on Chen Jiasong; even the cell phone and computer he uses now are the most expensive ones that Zhou Han provided for him.

She's already decided to give Chen Jiasong a car for his birthday.

Fortunately, I've seen through this person's true colors now.

Zhou Han got angry when she saw the things he had given her, so she found a bag and stuffed them all in.

She drove to Chen Jiasong's company and waited downstairs.

Chen Jiasong came out from downstairs and his eyes lit up when he saw Zhou Han. He quickly walked forward and said, "Hanhan, what brings you here! I've been trying to call you all day but couldn't get through."

Zhou Han chuckled and held out her hand: "Where's your phone? Let me see it."

Chen Jiasong didn't understand Zhou Han's words and handed her the phone.

"Unlock".

Chen Jiasong dared not displease Zhou Han, so he had no choice but to comply.

Zhou Han opened Chen Jiasong's phone and scrolled to the call log: "Didn't you say you called me all day? I don't see any records. Chen Jiasong, do you think I'm stupid?"

After Zhou Han finished speaking, she walked to the trash can and threw her phone in.

"Zhou Han!" Chen Jiasong tried to stop her, but it was too late.

One of Chen Jiasong's colleagues, wearing a navy blue plaid shirt, questioned him, "How could you just throw other people's things away like that?!"

"I can throw away what I bought with my own money, it's none of your business," Zhou Han said coldly, giving the man a look.

My colleague was speechless for a moment, and then fell silent.

Zhou Han walked over and tossed the bag in her hand to Chen Jiasong: "I don't need the computer, watch, shoes, etc. After all, it's something I gave away, so just consider it as if it fell into a latrine. Please take your trash with you."

It was rush hour, and many of Chen Jiasong's colleagues heard Zhou Han's words, and their gazes toward Chen Jiasong became meaningful.

At this moment, Chen Jiasong couldn't care less about anything else; he only wanted to win Zhou Han back: "Hanhan, listen to me, things aren't as you think. I genuinely like you. Wang Jingxue and I haven't been in contact much these past few months, and I haven't liked her for a long time."

Zhou Han felt only anger after hearing this: "I admit I was blind to have fallen for you before, but I'm not as stupid as you think. You're not breaking up with Wang Jingxue because you're not sure you can win me over, right? If we didn't work out, you should be going back to coax her by now, shouldn't you?"

Chen Jiasong was surprised that Zhou Han had seen through his thoughts. He was only surprised for a moment before he quickly denied it, saying, "No, Hanhan, I really like you. Please give me another chance."

Zhou Han was too lazy to listen to his nonsense anymore and turned to leave, but Chen Jiasong grabbed her arm.

The difference in strength between men and women was too great, and Zhou Han couldn't shake him off no matter what she did: "Let go, or I'll call the police!"

Chen Jiasong planned to take Zhou Han to a secluded place, even if it meant kneeling down.

"Let her go."

Zheng Junzhe removed Chen Jiasong's hand.

Zhou Han paused for a moment after seeing Chen Jiasong.

Chen Jiasong didn't expect him to show up: "Jun Zhe, this is my private matter, don't interfere."

Because Zheng Junzhe is a top graduate student at J University and is also handsome, Chen Jiasong has a good impression of him, and the two often have meals together.

"I can tell she doesn't want to go with you." Zheng Junzhe's tone was calm, but his assertiveness was palpable.

Chen Jiasong didn't bother with politeness anymore: "Are you deliberately trying to make things difficult for me?"

“She’s my friend,” Zheng Junzhe said, turning to Zhou Han. “Let’s go.”

Zhou Han glanced at Zheng Junzhe: "Thank you."

Downstairs at the company, during rush hour, Chen Jiasong didn't want to get into a conflict with Zheng Junzhe, so he didn't chase after him.

At 7:30 p.m., Shi Qing saw a call from Zhou Han after finishing her class and quickly dialed back.

Shi Qing: "Hey, Hanhan, are you alright? I just got out of class."

"Qingbao, I'm in a bad mood, can you come and keep me company?"

Hearing that Zhou Han's voice had changed, Shi Qing asked worriedly, "Have you been drinking?"

Zhou Han: "Yeah, I'm at a bar. If you're busy, you don't need to come."

Shi Qing: "It's okay, just send me your location and I'll be right there."

It just so happened that her guest for tonight had to cancel at the last minute, and since she didn't have class that night, she went to tell the manager.

Shi Qing knocked on the store manager's office, but Zhao Xiaoxue opened the door.

"I need to speak with the store manager."

Zhao Xiaoxue crossed her arms, looking superior: "He just went to a meeting at the company. Tell me what's on your mind."

Shi Qing: "I have some things to take care of at home. My client canceled my class tonight, so I'd like to leave early."

Zhao Xiaoxue glanced at her watch: "It's not time to leave work yet. You can't just leave when you don't have class. What if everyone did what you do? Someone just came in for a trial class, you can teach her."

Shi Qing knew she was doing it on purpose and felt very uncomfortable, but she still didn't react: "I really have something to do, just consider it as me asking for leave."

"What's wrong? Tell me."

“My family member is drunk and is out now. I need to take her home.”

Zhao Xiaoxue found it amusing: "Don't you have anyone else in your family? This leave can't be approved."

"Then just consider it as me skipping work." Shi Qing couldn't take it anymore and turned to leave.

Zhao Xiaoxue was shocked that Shi Qing dared to treat her like this. Pointing at Shi Qing's departing figure, she said angrily, "Shi Qing, don't go too far!"

Shi Qing returned to the practice room, cleaned up the equipment, changed her clothes, and hailed a taxi outside the mall.

After arriving at the bar Zhou Han had mentioned, Shi Qing felt a little relieved.

Because the bar environment was relatively quiet, not the chaotic and noisy place I had imagined.

"Hanhan, how are you?" Shi Qing ran quickly towards the booth where Zhou Han was sitting.

Zhou Han was leaning back in her chair when Shi Qing came over unexpectedly: "Qingbao, you're here. Come and have a drink with me."

Shi Qing was in a bad mood because of Zhao Xiaoxue's appointment as deputy store manager today, and she was deliberately made difficult by Zhao Xiaoxue just now. She was very unhappy, so she picked up her glass and drank the wine in one gulp.

"Amazing! No wonder you're my Qingbao!" Zhou Han hiccuped.

Shi Qing looked at the empty wine bottle on the table: "How much have you drunk?"

Zhou Han waved her hand: "It's not much. I'm feeling down, so I just want to drink. You can't stop me."

Shi Qing verbally agreed, but still didn't want her to drink too much: "Go ahead and drink, I'll stay here with you."

Zhou Han leaned on her shoulder and laughed, "That's more like it. You're the best. I wish I hadn't dated anyone. It would have been so much better if we had just been together."

"Yeah, it would be great if we could just not date or get married. I don't understand why people keep urging us to."

Zhou Han slammed her hand on the table: "After this incident, I will never trust men again!"

Shi Qing clinked glasses with her: "I don't know many men I can trust, including my dad, my brother, and some relatives. So now you understand why I didn't want to date before, right?"

Zhou Han: "I understand. If you really don't like my cousin, that's fine. I won't try to matchmake anyone again."

As soon as Shi Qing heard Liang Yuheng's name, she felt uneasy.

She really couldn't understand why the two of them had developed such an awkward relationship.

They've kissed, they call each other every day, and she has no idea where things will go from here.

If Liang Yuheng had only acted impulsively while drunk that night, it would have been fine, as the two of them pretended not to know anything afterward. However, Liang Yuheng's attitude towards her on the phone every day recently has been very intimate.

He'll be back in a few days. How should we get along then?

Shi Qing sighed, picked up her wine glass, and took a sip.

Half an hour later, Zhou Han was completely drunk and kept cursing Chen Jiasong.

Shi Qing was also feeling uncomfortable, and before she knew it, she had drunk quite a bit. She couldn't help but start complaining about work.

Liang Yuheng saw the pictures sent by Cheng Jun as soon as he came out of the airport.

Cheng Jun: [Did your sister break up with her boyfriend? She's been drinking at my shop for hours.]

Cheng Jun: [The girl next to her is really pretty! Lots of people in our shop were looking at her when she came in. I wonder if she has a boyfriend. Maybe I'll ask your sister to help you ask her when we get back.]

Liang Yuheng: [Don't ask anymore, she has a husband.]

Cheng Jun: [How did you know?]

Liang Yuheng: [Because her husband is me.]