02 Undercurrents
June sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows and fell onto the table. Wen Xueyan sat in the corner. She had arrived ten minutes early, as was her usual practice; she was used to arriving earlier than agreed time and never wanted to keep people waiting.
As the glass door opened, Cheng Boyan strode in with steady steps, his well-tailored dark gray suit highlighting his tall and upright figure. He wasn't wearing a tie, and his shirt collar was slightly open.
Cheng Boyan has a cold and handsome appearance, a clear and upright face, and a height of 1.85 meters, which seems to give him an aura of authority.
Several young female guests couldn't help but follow his gaze, only to quickly look away under his cold and aloof aura.
"Ms. Wen," he said in a deep voice as he sat down opposite her, "I hope I haven't kept you waiting."
"Mr. Cheng, you're too kind. I just arrived myself."
Cheng Boyan ordered two lattes.
"I've read the paper you co-authored with your supervisor in the journal *Chemical Industry and Engineering*," he said, still serious and expressionless. "And the patented technology you helped develop during your time at Daoning Group—the ideas were quite ingenious."
That paper was Wen Xueyan's work during her graduate studies, and the patent was from many years ago. Even her husband might not remember these details.
Cheng Boyan continued, "You are a top student in the Chemical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering department. I appreciate talent with an academic background."
Wen Xueyan took a sip of coffee: "Mr. Cheng, you flatter me. I haven't worked in my professional field for three years; I'm just a regular administrative receptionist at a small company."
"I mainly want to talk to you about work today. How much do you earn now?" His question went straight to the point.
"5000 yuan before tax."
Mr. Cheng said calmly, "One of our group's newly established R&D centers has a research assistant position with a pre-tax salary of seven thousand." His voice was composed. "Although it's not a high starting point, there are career advancement opportunities, allowing you to better utilize your abilities."
Wen Xueyan's eyelashes trembled slightly. A decent salary increase and the opportunity to return to her professional field—it all came too suddenly.
"I need to discuss this with Tiancheng..."
"Your mother has been discharged from the hospital, and her condition is stable?" Cheng Boyan suddenly changed the subject, his gaze sharp. "Now you can think about yourself."
Wen Xueyan did indeed give up her original technical job in order to take care of her sick mother and chose a relatively easier administrative position.
Seeing Wen Xueyan nod, he continued, "The process of climbing is never easy. Every step upward involves bearing a corresponding amount of gravity. But the view from the top is worth all the effort."
These words startled Wen Xueyan. She looked up and met Cheng Boyan's eyes.
"There's one more thing. We have a female intern who's gotten a little too close to Song Tiancheng." His tone suddenly turned cold, and his gaze sharpened as he looked at Wen Xueyan. "I'll stop here."
She gripped the napkin tightly.
"Give me an answer regarding work by next Monday."
Wen Xueyan looked up at him, "Why did you help me?"
"Ms. Qian Haiping is my mother. Do you remember her?" He adjusted his cuffs with an elegant and restrained movement. "Last year at the Central Hospital, you took care of her overnight. I was away on a business trip at the time, and my wife couldn't easily come to take care of my mother, so I wanted to say thank you."
She remembered. That elegant old woman was in the same ward as Wen Xueyan's mother. She said she didn't want to be too lonely, so she specifically asked the hospital to arrange a double room. That night, after the caregiver suddenly left, she was left unattended. Wen Xueyan simply helped her pour water, call the nurse, and assist her to the toilet, etc.
Later, Qian Haiping praised her to Cheng Boyan many times, and even said that it would be great if her daughter-in-law could do that.
At first, Cheng Boyan didn't take it to heart, until these things happened recently.
"Talent should not be buried. The choice is in your hands, Ms. Wen."
Wen Xueyan responded, "I will reply to you as soon as possible."
"There's one more thing," President Cheng's voice suddenly lowered, carrying a hint of authority, "I suggest you don't consider having children for the time being."
This unexpected personal suggestion made her ears burn instantly, and her fingertips unconsciously tightened around the hem of her skirt.
Cheng Boyan seemed oblivious to her embarrassment, continuing in his calm, financial-analysis-like tone, "A working woman who gives birth during the prime of her career has to pay the price of at least a year of unemployment, not to mention your husband might..."
"Okay. I understand."
"I have to go." He stood up. "Emotions are the worst advisors for decision-making. Whatever you find on your husband's phone tonight, I hope you'll act on your emotions. It's your life, and a different perspective can make all the difference. When you stand atop the financial center overlooking the city, those annoying traffic jams become a dazzling galaxy on the highway."
He left with a gust of wind, and his sharp aura lingered for a long time.
Wen Xueyan gazed at her reflection in the cup, feeling the undercurrents in her heart.
Cheng Boyan's figure disappeared outside the glass door, and Wen Xueyan suddenly remembered that her husband, Song Tiancheng, had mentioned the company's layoffs that morning with great concern. She subconsciously wanted to ask him about it, but stopped herself the moment she stood up.
Sunlight pierced through the clouds again, shining on her fingertips. Wen Xueyan looked down at her clean, simple nails and suddenly smiled softly.
Over the years, in order to care for her ailing mother, she had long been accustomed to putting everyone's needs before her own: her mother's medicine, her husband's worries, and the company's reports. But at this moment, for the first time, she clearly realized: she needed to take better care of her own feelings and future.
*
When Wen Xueyan got home that evening, she still ate alone.
As she washed the dishes, the suds soaked the back of her hands, and she stared blankly at the swirling food scraps in the sink. If she divorced now, she would definitely have to move out, since the house was bought by Song Tiancheng before the marriage. A one-bedroom apartment near the company cost over three thousand yuan a month, and she was still paying her mother's medical bills bit by bit; the savings in her bank account weren't even enough to cover a year's rent.
While tidying up her drawer, she discovered that the condoms were almost expired; they had been bought more than a year ago, and Song Tiancheng used to use two a day.
At ten o'clock at night, the moonlight outside the window was obscured by thick clouds, leaving only a few scattered starlight.
Wen Xueyan sat at the living room table, her fingertips gently tracing the long-forgotten diploma. The school badge gleamed faintly under the desk lamp, as if reminding her of her once spirited and ambitious self.
The phone screen on the desk lit up; it was a brief introduction to the R&D center sent by Cheng Boyan. Wen Xueyan opened the file, and the familiar technical terms beckoned to her like long-lost friends.
The sound of water in the bathroom stopped abruptly, and Wen Xueyan quickly locked her phone screen. She heard Song Tiancheng's footsteps approaching, followed by the sound of the bedroom door closing softly. She put her diploma back in the drawer, got up, and went to the bedroom.
When I opened the door, Song Tiancheng was already leaning against the headboard, his fingers rapidly swiping across his phone screen.
Hearing the noise, he didn't even look up and said, "Reading in the living room?"
"I'm looking at some documents," Wen Xueyan replied, her gaze fixed on the phone her husband was clutching tightly. In recent months, this phone had become Song Tiancheng's most important companion; he would place it beside his bowl while eating, on the table while using the computer, and even take it into the bathroom when showering.
Song Tiancheng seemed to notice her gaze, and quietly locked his phone and placed it on the bedside table on his side.
"Oh, right." Song Tiancheng suddenly spoke, taking out his phone and quickly swiping the screen. Wen Xueyan's phone immediately vibrated, showing a transfer of 1000 yuan. "Your mother's 60th birthday is in a few days. I might have to go on a business trip, so keep this money and buy her a gift."
Wen Xueyan's gaze fell on the number: "No need. Mom specifically told us not to be extravagant. She said if we have time, a simple meal as a family is fine."
"Really don't want it? Don't regret it." His tone remained indifferent.
Wen Xueyan suspected that he was having an affair.
Then Song Tiancheng looked up at the ceiling. "Speaking of which, this two-bedroom apartment is indeed too small." His voice became serious. "If you're free this weekend, you can go check out the new developments nearby. I've calculated it; my savings are enough to buy a three-bedroom apartment. We'll put both our names on the deed. I wanted to tell you sooner, but the layoff list was only announced today, confirming my continued employment. I wanted to wait until I was more certain before telling you."
The house they lived in for three years was purchased by Song Tiancheng in full before their marriage, and the property certificate only has his name on it.
Now, he has offered to buy a new house and add her name to it.
"Okay, I'll go take a look this weekend," Wen Xueyan replied.
Wen Xueyan was somewhat surprised. She had seen her friends argue fiercely over property during divorces, but she rarely heard of men taking the initiative to suggest buying a new house after marriage and adding the woman's name to it.
Just a moment ago, Wen Xueyan thought he had someone else in his heart.
"Good girl, remember to go see it." Song Tiancheng chuckled and suddenly reached out and patted her buttocks.
The sound seemed particularly abrupt in the quiet bedroom.
In the first year of their marriage, whenever Song Tiancheng patted her like that, Wen Xueyan knew what he was going to do next.
He would quickly lean in.
However, at that moment, he did nothing further.
The air conditioner's cool air flowed silently.
Song Tiancheng reached out and turned off the bedside lamp, and darkness immediately engulfed everything.
Wen Xueyan reached for Song Tiancheng's shorts, but he stopped her halfway. "Go to sleep early," he mumbled, turning his back to her.
The hand that used to eagerly unbutton her clothes now merely patted the back of her hand perfunctorily.
Song Tiancheng's soft snoring began, but Wen Xueyan was fully awake. She tiptoed out of bed and walked to the window. The city lights flickered in the distance.
The night breeze ruffled her nightgown, outlining her slender figure.
Ten minutes later, Wen Xueyan tiptoed to the other side of the bed. Song Tiancheng's phone lay quietly on the bedside table, screen down, a habit he had developed over the past few months.
She carefully picked up his phone and went into the bathroom.
Readers and teachers who enjoy reading are welcome to leave comments~ Thank you for your support!
Wow, I can't wait for the rest of the story!
The original book has been discontinued; this one will be the official version.
I really admire Professor Yuanshan's writing style and output; it's amazing how prolific and high-quality her work is!
I thought this chapter would reveal what was on the phone; it really piqued my interest. Please update soon!
Update quickly, what can he see on his phone?
It's great to watch! It will boost popularity and help literary giants!
Dear readers, I'm especially busy today, so the update will be a little late, around 8 or 9 pm. Thank you for reading!
Thank you for your comment, reader!
Okay, thanks for the comment!
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