Chapter 22: Breakup The trip to Switzerland ends...
After their trip to Switzerland, they returned to school for the final push of their studies. Graduation season was a busy and fulfilling time, with thesis writing, defenses, and graduation paperwork all coming one after another. Fu Jingchuan ultimately declined Shen Shutong's offer and instead joined a one-year research project at a leading laboratory in partnership with the university. Shen Shutong understood his choice, knowing he needed a starting point built entirely on his own abilities.
She returned to China soon after graduation and joined the Shen Group, starting as a special assistant to her father, Shen Jianming. Shen's main business is high-end precision manufacturing, and in recent years it has been expanding into the fields of intelligence and new energy, which puts Shen Shutong under considerable pressure. She and Fu Jingchuan began a long-distance relationship, maintained through video calls and occasional transoceanic flights. Distance did not dilute their feelings, but made every meeting more cherished. Fu Jingchuan's project progressed smoothly, and he published a heavyweight paper, which greatly increased his reputation in the industry. Shen Shutong also gradually gained a foothold within the group and promoted the implementation of several new technology cooperation projects.
Both of them are busy and often can only speak a few words to each other for several days in a row, but they trust each other and are working hard for the foreseeable future - Fu Jingchuan will return to China when his project period ends.
However, changes happened faster than planned.
Halfway through Fu Jingchuan's project, Shen Jianming suffered a cerebral hemorrhage during an internal meeting and was rushed to the hospital. Although he was saved by timely medical treatment, he required long-term rest and could no longer lead the group's work.
When the news spread abroad, Fu Jingchuan immediately called Shen Shutong. She sounded exhausted on the other end of the phone: "Dad's condition is stable, but the doctor said he needs a complete rest. Right now, things in the company... are a bit chaotic."
Fu Jingchuan could hear the fatigue and anxiety in her voice. "I'll take a leave and come back on the next flight."
"No need, you take care of your project first, I can handle it." Shen Shutong didn't want to trouble him, she knew that Fu Jingchuan's current project was also at a critical juncture.
"Shutong," Fu Jingchuan's voice did not allow for rejection, "Wait for me."
He didn't wait for her to object before hanging up and going to book a flight.
When Fu Jingchuan arrived at the hospital, Shen Jianming had already been transferred to the intensive care unit. His condition was stable but he was still under observation. Shen Shutong was waiting in the small reception room outside the ward, with a laptop and a pile of documents spread out in front of him, and the dark circles under his eyes were very obvious.
Seeing Fu Jingchuan appearing in a dusty state, she was stunned: "Why are you..."
Fu Jingchuan walked over and hugged her gently. "How is uncle?"
"I'm fine for now, but I need to rest." Shen Shutong leaned in his arms for a moment, then stood up. "But the veterans in the company are already getting restless."
Shen's wasn't a strictly family-owned business; it had brought in several powerful shareholders in its early years. When Shen Jianming was in charge, the situation was manageable, but now that he'd fallen, disagreements over the choice of caretaker and the direction of future development quickly surfaced, each with their own agenda.
"What's the situation now?" Fu Jingchuan asked.
Shen Shutong quickly told him the situation: several major shareholders proposed to introduce a professional manager to temporarily take over the position of president, but the candidate was very controversial; at the same time, the group was in a critical period of transformation, and several major investment decisions were pending, and internal opinions could not be unified.
"My dad used to prioritize upgrading the technology sector, but that's also the most expensive and controversial. Now some people want to take advantage of this opportunity to shrink their operations and preserve profits from traditional businesses." Shen Shutong said anxiously, "But if we stop now, all the previous investment and planning will be wasted."
Fu Jingchuan listened silently, quickly extracting key information. He shook her hand and said, "Don't worry. What you need most right now is to stabilize the situation and gain sufficient voice."
Shen Shutong smiled bitterly: "I am too inexperienced. They are polite on the surface, but in fact no one really takes me seriously."
Fu Jingchuan looked at her and said, "You need someone who can help you quickly clarify the pros and cons of the technical sector and who is professionally irrefutable. At the same time, this person must be completely trustworthy to you."
Shen Shutong looked up at him and realized something.
"Shutong," Fu Jingchuan said in a steady tone, "Is the proposal you made in Switzerland still valid?"
Shen Shutong was stunned: "Then what about your project..."
"The project can be coordinated remotely, and I can take over and complete some of the subsequent processing of experimental data. The core part is almost done." Fu Jingchuan explained, "I can end the project early, and liquidated damages are not a problem. I am needed here more now."
Shen Shutong was silent for a few seconds. She knew how much effort Fu Jingchuan had put into that project, and she also knew the potential impact of leaving early on his academic reputation. But right now, she really needed someone like him who had a top-notch technical background and whom she could trust absolutely.
"It works." She finally nodded. "Fu Jingchuan, I formally invite you to join Shen Group as a senior consultant for the new technology research and development center, and you will be directly responsible to me."
"Okay." Fu Jingchuan said without hesitation, "I need to learn the details of all ongoing and planned technical projects as soon as possible, as well as the main points of disagreement on the board of directors."
In the following days, Fu Jingchuan entered the role at an astonishing speed. He ended the research project in Boston ahead of schedule, paid the penalty, dealt with the follow-up matters, and then devoted all his energy to Shen's.
Although nominally a senior consultant, he effectively became Shen Shutong's strongest backer in technical decision-making. He spent countless hours poring over thick project specifications, technical specifications, and financial budgets, and held intensive meetings with engineers and scientists on the R&D team, quickly mastering all key information.
Fu Jingchuan's performance was crucial at several crucial board meetings. When some veteran shareholders attempted to veto or delay key projects, citing "high technical risk" and "long payback periods," Fu Jingchuan would calmly present detailed data, industry trend analysis, and competitor dynamics, supporting Shen Shutong's decisions with irrefutable logic and professional judgment.
He's a man of few words, but every one of his words hits the mark. His strong professional background and calm demeanor gradually silenced those who initially dismissed his "parachuted-in" and "connected" approach. He never gets involved in personnel disputes, focusing solely on technical matters, earning the respect of some neutral executives.
With his strong support, Shen Shutong withstood the pressure and gradually took control of the situation. She vigorously promoted several strategic collaborations and stabilized the shaky transformation plan.
During that time, the two worked almost nonstop. Daytime at the company, handling various tasks and managing pressures from all sides, they often spent their evenings discussing their issues late into the night in the office or study. They were lovers, but also comrades fighting side by side. The busyness and pressure made their mutual support and dependence more concrete and profound.
After several months of intense struggle, the internal turmoil at Shen's gradually subsided. Shen Shutong successfully secured his position as president, and the group's transformation project was able to proceed. Everything seemed to be on the right track.
One Friday night, they got off work on time, a rare occasion, and returned to Shen Shutong's apartment together. She personally cooked a few simple dishes to celebrate their stage victory.
During the meal, Shen Shutong was obviously in a much more relaxed mood. She talked about the next plan: "When Dad is in better health and can take over completely, we will be more relaxed. By then..." She smiled and looked at Fu Jingchuan, "You have made great contributions. What reward do you want?"
Fu Jingchuan was eating quietly, and paused when he heard the words. He put down his chopsticks and looked up at her. His expression was as calm as usual, but there was something in his eyes that Shen Shutong couldn't understand.
"Shutong," he said, "The company is basically stable now. I plan to resign."
The smile on Shen Shutong's face froze for a moment, then it expanded again: "Oh, okay. This consultant position is really unfair to you. Do you want to form your own team? Or go to another laboratory? It doesn't matter. My dad also said before that he wanted to set up an independent research institute for you..." She subconsciously thought that this was just an adjustment of her career plan.
Fu Jingchuan looked at her silently, and waited until she finished speaking before speaking again: "Let's break up."
The restaurant suddenly became quiet.
Shen Shutong was completely stunned, as if she didn't understand what he said. After several seconds, she asked in disbelief: "...What did you say?"
"I said, let's break up." Fu Jingchuan repeated.
"Why?" Shen Shutong was completely confused. "What happened? Did I do something wrong? Or you..." She couldn't understand why he suddenly proposed to break up when they had just gone through the most difficult days together and everything was getting better.
Fu Jingchuan lowered his eyelashes, then raised them again: "No reason. I just feel that we are not suitable to be together anymore."
"Not suitable?" Chen Shutong felt that this was very harsh. "When was it not suitable? Was it when we were in Switzerland? Or when you gave up the project and came back to help me? Or when we worked overtime together until midnight these days? Fu Jingchuan, tell me, what exactly is not suitable?"
Facing her excitement, Fu Jingchuan seemed overly calm. "This is my decision. I'm sorry."
He stood up, seemingly unwilling to offer further explanation. "I'll complete the handover within the next week. I'll move out of the apartment."
He then turned and headed towards the guest room – he would be staying here temporarily for the next few months. He didn't have much luggage, so he quickly packed a suitcase.
Shen Shutong stood there, watching him pull the suitcase out, pass the restaurant, and walk towards the door. During the whole process, he did not look at her again.
It wasn't until his hand grasped the door handle that Shen Shutong suddenly woke up, rushed over and grabbed his arm, his voice choked: "Fu Jingchuan, what happened? Did those people in the company say something? Or my parents..."
Fu Jingchuan stopped and looked back at her.
"Shutong," he said in a low voice, "Let's end it here. It's good for both you and me."
He gently brushed her hand away. The door closed gently behind him, isolating the two worlds.
Shen Shutong stood alone in the empty living room, as if everything that had just happened was an illusion. The unfinished food on the table gradually turned cold, just like her cold heart.
She didn't understand why. When she was going through her most difficult time, he gave up everything to come back and fight alongside her. But when she thought everything was on track and they could finally relax and even start planning for the future, he left without looking back, for no reason at all.
She later tried to contact him, but her phone calls went unanswered and her messages went unanswered. He had made up his mind to leave and cut off all personal contact. Only the work handover was coldly completed by his assistant.
The next time she heard about him, it was when the illegitimate son of the Fu family, who had been living away from home in his early years, was recognized and brought back. Fu Jingchuan's name began to be associated with the Fu Group. It was said that he had quickly established a foothold in the Fu Group and even gained real power.
The author has something to say:
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I've opened a new article for pre-collection: "I Regret Divorcing My Celestial Dragon Husband." If you're interested, please click and collect it. [Shy]
Jiang Yu'an is a well-known ambitious person in the entertainment industry who believes that fame and fortune are supreme.
She personally chose the most perfect stepping stone for herself - the billionaire CEO Gu Ci.
He was gentle, wealthy, and deeply in love with her.
After marriage, her resources soared, she gained both fame and fortune, and she felt like a winner in life.
Until Gu Ci asked her with red eyes: "Jiang Yu'an, have you ever loved me?"
The moment she was speechless, he had lost their child and was completely heartbroken.
With a divorce agreement, she gained freedom, but also tasted pain for the first time.
Later, she finally learned how to love, and when Gu Ci had a miscarriage, was depressed, and was at his craziest and most miserable, she turned back to him with her true heart.
The man pushed her away with self-loathing: "I am so unbearable, I am not worthy of you, go away!"
When she turned around, he desperately hugged her tightly from behind, his voice choked with sobs:
"An An...you are not allowed to leave. You will lie to me forever, okay?"
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