Cloud Girl Chapter Twenty-One
At this year's Outstanding Intern Awards ceremony, the awards were presented by Chen Yiwen, the newly promoted department manager.
Because it was held at headquarters and had an international humanitarian theme, the entire awards ceremony was very grand.
Chen Nanyi, who was also on the list of award recipients, sat next to the seats in the third row that were reserved for interns.
She was the first one to go on stage to receive an award, so I didn't get a good look at her before she went up.
Although Xu Xiaomeng, being a non-professional student, had almost no involvement in Lu's Business and her work was rather vague, given her consistently serious attitude, she is certainly on the list.
Chen Nanyi looked around, but didn't see anyone.
I felt inexplicably disappointed, and I was also curious as to why Xu Xiaomeng didn't even show up at such an important awards ceremony.
Chen Nanyi was a little confused, wondering if something had happened... A jumble of random thoughts flashed through her mind.
However, this thought only flashed through Chen Nanyi's mind for a moment before being replaced by the distant and unfamiliar Chen Yiwen walking towards her.
Chen Nanyi's expression also inexplicably took on a hint of cold hostility.
Ah, what a superficial awards ceremony, just like their relationship.
It has been said for a long time that a persistent person like Chen Nanyi is not suited to be a leisurely writer like her mother, let alone study Chinese literature!
Even though her initial intention was to take better care of her younger sister, and she had tried very hard.
However, just as she struggled to grasp fleeting emotional experiences, Chen Nanyi found it difficult to understand Chen Yiwen's refusal to acknowledge her, and remained so throughout the rest of her life.
However, perhaps Chen Yiwen finally felt sorry for not acknowledging Chen Nanyi, and told Chen Nanyi some things about her at the company, such as the person she was currently very close to at the company: Lu Bo, the heir of Lu's Company.
When Chen Yi heard this, her expression was somewhat smug, as if she wanted to see envy in Chen Nanyi, or hear her say a few words of praise.
Chen Nanyi noticed this, but pretended not to see it, only responding lightly while putting on an attentive listening act. This made Chen Yiwen feel awkward about whether to speak or not, and in the end, she left in a huff.
Although Lu Bo was a few years younger than Chen Yiwen, he was exceptionally tall and handsome. Moreover, according to Chen Yiwen, he was the heir to the Lu Corporation, which seemed to indicate a very promising future.
Although he was young and immature, Chen Yiwen was confident that she could control him.
When discussing this point, Chen Yiwen used very direct and realistic language, unlike Chen Nanyi's usual motherly speaking style.
This startled Chen Nanyi somewhat. She remained silent, listening intently to Chen Yiwen's rare words about relationships.
Chen Yiwen believes that Lu Bo's affection for her is not enough; she also needs the approval of Lu Bo's mother and grandmother.
However, precisely because of this, when Qin Se brought Qi Rao and the others to Lu's Academy, which was founded by former CEO Lu Ai for his beloved, Chen Yiwen took a special leave to return to Tu Luoshan, bringing Chen Nanyi, who was preparing her thesis, and also picked up Chen Yijing from the special school, and they stayed at home for a week.
The time they spent together goes without saying.
Even a department manager like Chen Yiwen is not qualified to attend the Lu Group's high-level executives' party.
But strangely, Chen Nanyi had a copy.
This invitation, which Chen Nanyi did not want, turned into a burning passion in Chen Yiwen's lowered eyes, but vanished when she raised her eyes.
After Chen Nanyi received the invitation, Chen Yiwen really wanted Chen Nanyi to take her to the grand party. She hinted, pleaded, and asked many times, until Chen Nanyi had no choice but to agree to take her.
Chen Nanyi felt somewhat ashamed.
She had initially declined, after all, she really didn't know anything about it, and she was never one to go into battle unprepared—if there were to be Western dining etiquette rules at the table and she wasn't prepared, such a mistake might embarrass her.
She is someone who dislikes making a fool of herself.
No matter how well she planned out her stubbornness, she couldn't resist Chen Yiwen's pleading and had no choice but to go with him in a fluster.
For a moment, Chen Nanyi felt that she really disliked Chen Yiwen like this.
The party was very grand—clinking glasses, glittering bowls, and a bustling world of people, it was too much for Chen Nanyi's eyes to bear, making her feel dizzy.
Chen Nanyi had no idea why Qin Se had invited her to the party.
Firstly, she is not a particularly outstanding or remarkable person, nor is she worth paying attention to.
Secondly, she did not receive an offer of employment from Lu's Company, which means that their company does not want someone like her.
But if that were the case, why would Qin Se send an invitation to someone like her who has no relation to her?
Chen Nanyi was completely baffled and could only ponder the matter to herself.
Chen Yiwen has been missing since entering the party, but Chen Nanyi was not paying attention to her and did not look for her.
Chen Nanyi, who had just left because she couldn't figure it out, was now standing by the plate, hesitating whether to secretly hide a piece of mousse cake from the buffet table and take it back for Chen Yijing to eat.
However, just as she decided to give up, a tall and lovely girl walked towards her and politely asked her to follow her to the chairman.
"Chen Nanyi, our chairman wants to see you," the girl said gently.
Chen Nanyi recognized the tall girl as Sisley, Chen Yiwen's so-called best friend at Lu's Company.
However, Chen Yiwen probably befriended her because he thought he was prettier than her! He never expected that the originally cute girl would dress up so stunningly sexy and outstanding-looking. Chen Yiwen was stunned by the girl's glance and was speechless.
"I wonder what Chen Yi will think when she sees this," Chen Nanyi thought to herself, then shook her head to clear her mind and followed Sisley to the back of the hall.
After passing through the crowded throng and the aisle of the auditorium, what came into view in front of Chen Nanyi was a very beautiful flower garden courtyard.
Sisley led her into a room, but he stood guard outside the door, showing no intention of going in with her.
Upon seeing this, Chen Nanyi felt uneasy and inexplicably nervous, but she forced herself to calm down before pushing the door open and entering.
The first thing Chen Nanyi saw upon entering was Qin Se, sitting gracefully in the bright, white room, like an oil painting.
Such ostentatious nobility made Chen Nanyi lower her head and look away.
Although Chen Nanyi considers herself fearless, she is also someone who knows how to seek advantage and avoid harm.
She always felt that trying to outsmart Qin Se would be something she would regret, so Chen Nanyi was very respectful at the moment—but she herself wasn't a malicious person, so such respect was understandable.
A hint of unreadable admiration flashed in Qin Se's eyes, but it was only for a moment.
Then she said, "I know you're a very smart person. So, I won't say anything too harsh."
Qin Se may have been trying to make her understand her meaning immediately, but just that one sentence confused Chen Nanyi.
However, Chen Nanyi, not being adept at asking questions in the absence of clear information, simply listened quietly.
Qin Se continued, "I know your sister wants to marry Lu Bo—my second grandson, you know that too..."
Before Qin Se could finish speaking, a question suddenly popped into Chen Nanyi's mind.
Lu Ai and Qi Rao only had one child, Lu Bo, so how did he become their second grandson? Could it be that Qin Se finally adopted his daughter's child to fight for the company's inheritance rights?
Chen Nanyi's mind raced, and she considered this possibility, but still did not make any statement.
Qin Se continued, "But I won't accept a woman like your sister—and of course, I won't accept you either..."
Chen Nanyi seemed to have caught a clue, but she was puzzled and blurted out her question.
"What are you talking about? Apart from what you said about my sister and Mr. Lu Bo, I really don't understand anything else—and if you're going to say these things, why don't you ask my sister to say them? I have absolutely nothing to do with this..."
Chen Nanyi stared straight at Qin Se, her face completely innocent.
Qin Se raised a slight eyebrow, her eyes turning up as if she had thought of something, and then she sneered.
"The reason I'm not looking for your sister is because she's the kind of person who can't distinguish between close and distant relatives, only cares about fabricating a reputation, is two-faced, selfish, and immature."
Qin Se uttered this long string of words, raised her eyes with a mocking look, and then parted her red lips slightly.
"—She's not worth my time talking to. So, I've already found a wife for Lu Bo, the girl who just brought you here. Please tell your sister about this when you get back."
Qin Se stood up slowly, glanced teasingly at Chen Nanyi's trembling legs, then turned her gaze away and smiled, perhaps laughing at how even someone as aloof as Chen Nanyi could feel flustered.
Chen Nanyi knew she had misunderstood.
She was only feeling unwell and unable to control her body because she had been standing for too long, and she was also feeling helpless and ashamed after suddenly hearing such harsh words from her towards Chen Yiwen.
Although she didn't know the reason, she could tell what Qin Se meant—he was probably trying to intimidate her today, which was why he didn't even give her a chance to sit down!
Qin Se circled around her, pacing slowly.
Although Chen Nanyi was taller than her, she always felt as if she was being looked down upon by her in terms of her aura, which made her extremely uncomfortable.
Then a knock came from outside the door, followed by a voice saying that the young master had been brought back.
Qin Se's expression changed instantly. She tried to hide it, but a hint of excitement still showed.
She glanced at Chen Nanyi, who was still standing there, and said, "In short, just don't get entangled with my eldest grandson. This is my advice to you in advance because I see you've always lived an honest life. Don't let me down..."
Qin Se hadn't finished speaking when she hurriedly left the room.
Chen Nanyi looked completely bewildered as she left the room.
But she at least knew Qin Se's disdain for her and Chen Yiwen.
So as soon as she came out, she was in a hurry to find Chen Yiwen—even though she didn't know what to say, she had to find Chen Yiwen first.
As for the true meaning of Qin Se's words, Chen Nanyi only learned it when the banquet was almost over.
After knowing this, Chen Nanyi fully understood what Qin Se meant when she thought about what she said.
As the party was about to end, Qin Se, as the host, briefly explained on stage why she had come to Lu's Academy.
She revealed that Xu Xiaomeng's mother, Xu Siyue, was the woman Lu Ai used to like.
This isn't exactly a cover-up or embellishment, because Xu Xiaomeng was indeed born before Lu Ai and Qi Rao got married, so she doesn't even qualify as an illegitimate child. After all, Lu Ai and Xu Siyue were truly in love at the time, but they had to separate, which is why Lu Ai married someone else.
Upon hearing this, everyone understood.
However, Qin Se's actions indicated that she genuinely intended to drag Xu Xiaomeng into the succession struggle within the Lu Group.
This explains why Qin Se cared so much about him at the company, while Lu Bo and the others harbored such strong hostility towards Xu Xiaomeng.
Then, Qin Se put her hand on Xu Xiaomeng's shoulder and formally introduced Xu Xiaomeng's identity.
Qin Se downplayed the fact that Xu Xiaomeng had a child out of wedlock, and while chatting and laughing, she still made a strong statement that after today, Xu Xiaomeng would officially be included in the selection pool for the Lu Group's inheritance rights...
Looking at Xu Xiaomeng on stage, who was trying to break free from his shoulder like a fool but was held down tightly, and Qi Rao next to Lu Bo, who was dumbfounded, Chen Nanyi knew that Qin Se must have disregarded Xu Xiaomeng's wishes and forced her to add the stakes for her own selfish desires.
This behavior is infuriating.
But these things are both complicated and private, so no one can criticize too much.
People left the venue after the party, sighing with regret.
As she and Chen Yiwen left the banquet and passed by Qin Se and Xu Xiaomeng, who were seeing off guests according to the host's ceremony at the gate, Chen Nanyi secretly glanced at Xu Xiaomeng standing next to Qin Se and noticed that he looked rather unwell, or perhaps even paler.
However, his physique and appearance are just too perfect for a suit.
His fair complexion, refined demeanor, and slender, tall physique, combined with a blend of gentleness and coldness, made his face unforgettable at first glance.
Because she remembered and understood Qin Se's warning, Chen Nanyi dared not look at that alluring face a second time.
Xu Xiaomeng did the same. He quickly looked up at Chen Nanyi, who was walking by, and then immediately lowered his head again.
Listening to Qin Se's pleasantries with the others, he wanted to leave immediately, but he couldn't bring himself to offend Qin Se. He just wanted to hide his presence as much as possible.
He did not stay at Lu's company until the end of his internship.
Because of being targeted by Lu Bo and his group, and overwhelmed by an inexplicable amount of work... most importantly, even Chen Nanyi didn't like him and might not even want to be in the same place as him—she just might not have been too embarrassed to say it. So Xu Xiaomeng left on her own and secretly returned to school.
They're even worse than losers.
He originally thought that nothing was wrong, and that things would probably stay the same from now on.
Unexpectedly, Qin Se came to Tu Luo Mountain a few days ago, specifically to find him!
Xu Xiaomeng hid when Qin Se came to her door and refused to come out no matter what she said. After that, Qin Se disappeared.
Xu Xiaomeng originally thought things were a bit too simple, but she didn't expect Qin Se to send him a message just now, saying that if he didn't come, she would detain Chen Nanyi!
Xu Xiaomeng was shocked. She didn't know why Qin Se knew so easily about something that even her roommate Xue Muyuan didn't know.
Without time to think, Xu Xiaomeng was worried about Chen Nanyi's safety, and also afraid that Qin Se would expose Chen Nanyi to him—he simply couldn't imagine what the upright and self-disciplined Chen Nanyi would think after he found out that he liked her!
Unfortunately, Xu Xiaomeng's first thought was that she would feel disgusted to be liked by such a weak person.
He didn't know why the idea popped into his head, but at that moment, he felt as insignificant as dust.
And that's probably why she left so hastily!
Xu Xiaomeng frowned, closed her eyes tightly, and then opened them again.
Phew, the whole world is a mess.
Mini-Theater: Xu Xiaomeng's 50th Birthday.
Steamed buns number one, two, and three are seated in a row.
Baozi No. 1 spoke:
"Daddy, it's all your fault! Why didn't you win Mommy over sooner and have me earlier? Look at me now, I'm still studying and don't earn any money, so I can only give you a kiss instead of a present! Mwah!"
Xu Xiaomeng (︶︿︶), "You're kidding! Forget about those two, you had money to chase girls when you were in elementary school, how could you not have money to buy me a gift now?"
Baozi No. 1 ╭(╯ε╰)╮ “Ah, well… I was just trying to help you and Mommy have a grandson sooner! That was Mommy’s money for your relationship investment, you can’t just use it recklessly!”
Xu Xiaomeng said coolly, "Hmph, in the end they didn't even hold hands..."
Baozi Number One ran away in tears, "Waaah, this is too much..."
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