As the clock-in time approached, her late colleagues passed by, their probing gazes making Qiao Zhen uncomfortable.
"I'm sorry, I'm just a junior employee in the company, I don't have that kind of ability." She walked past Chen Yan and headed towards the office building entrance.
Shen Yan was persistent and followed her into the office.
Now, even more strange looks were focused on them. Although everyone tried to remain calm, they couldn't hide their curiosity.
Shen Yan smiled warmly and waved to everyone, "I'm treating everyone to afternoon tea today."
"Thank you, Miss Shen."
Amidst the chorus of thanks, Chen Yan stared intently at Qiao Zhen. "Zhenzhen, it'll only take a few minutes of your time, okay?"
Qiao Zhen hadn't slept well because of Lu Zheng's antics, and now she had an even bigger headache.
If she doesn't agree, it seems unreasonable and like she's bullying someone.
She needed to act quickly, so she asked Chen Yan to go to the tea room.
The transparent glass wall of the tea room allows passersby to see inside, but they cannot hear what the women are saying.
Shen Yan frowned slightly, looking worried and helpless. "There's really no other way, otherwise I wouldn't have bothered Zhenzhen."
Qiao Zhen asked calmly, "What does Miss Shen want me to do?"
Chen Yan looked at the steaming kettle. "My grandfather's favorite painter's posthumous work is in the hands of a collector surnamed Zhang. We've been trying to buy it for years, but he's always refused to sell. Lu Zheng, knowing this, has been diligently helping to mediate, and yesterday he finally persuaded Mr. Zhang to sell it for thirty million. But..."
She glanced at Qiao Zhen.
Her eyes didn't necessarily convey blame, but the underlying sense of grievance naturally evoked feelings of guilt.
"Actually, it's not a very troublesome matter. You just need to sincerely tell President Zhang that yesterday's situation was extremely dangerous. If Lu Zheng hadn't discovered it in time, you would have been raped by the male model. The male model's actions were too hateful, which is why Lu Zheng beat him up in order to protect the company's employees."
When someone passed by outside, Chen Yan stepped forward, grabbed Qiao Zhen's hand, and looked at her earnestly.
Those people immediately slowed down.
"Could it be that he's begging Qiao Zhen to let Lu Zheng go?"
"Oh wow, what a humble first wife!"
Shen Yan glanced at those people and said sincerely, "Zhenzhen, it may be difficult for you to say that, but there is no more effective way than for you, the victim, to stand up and speak for him. Besides, Lu Zheng really wants to buy that painting for my grandfather. The old man is getting old, and we don't want him to have any regrets in this world."
Qiao Zhen saw glistening tears in the corners of Shen Yan's eyes, making her little face look especially pitiful.
“I will send a driver to pick you up and drop you off; it will only take you two hours. If you can’t persuade Mr. Zhang, we won’t blame you… If Grandpa can’t get that painting, then life is bound to have regrets.”
"Is it that simple?" Having been tricked before, even though Chen Yan's appearance was pitiful, it couldn't dispel Qiao Zhen's wariness towards her.
Shen Yan nodded vigorously, "Of course! You can look into President Zhang. He is a famous philanthropist and very compassionate, which is why he cannot tolerate violence."
Qiao Zhen was somewhat persuaded.
Helping Lu Zheng reclaim the purchase rights to that painting should serve as a thank you gift.
Then, gradually, she and Lu Zheng were even, and they drew a clear line between themselves.
She took out her phone and searched for Mr. Zhang's name on Baidu. Sure enough, just as Shen Yan had said, he was a great philanthropist with no negative news. She mustered her courage and said, "I will give it a try. Whether it works or not depends on Mr. Zhang's own wishes."
Chen Yan said happily, "Thank you, Zhenzhen!"
Qiao Zhen stepped back to avoid Chen Yan's enthusiastic hug, then made an excuse to ask her supervisor for leave and left the break room.
The glass door slowly closed, and the gentleness in Shen Yan's eyes gradually turned into a sharp coldness. She pressed a number in her call log, her good mood making her tone light and cheerful, "Okay, help me stall Lu Zheng, don't let him go back to the company for at least two hours."
She walked out of the tea room and watched Qiao Zhen's retreating figure.
Two hours is enough for this little lamb to be doomed in the tiger's mouth!
Fifteen minutes later, Qiao Zhen got into the car arranged by Shen Yan.
As she watched the street scene rushing past, she recalled Chen Yan's words.
Lu Zheng cared deeply about the Shen family and personally went to great lengths for a single painting.
Qiao Zhen felt a tightness in her chest and became even more determined to end this ill-fated relationship.
She was carefully considering what to say to Mr. Zhang when a new message arrived on WeChat.
"Zhenzhen, where did you go last night?"
It is Yan Simiao.
Qiao Zhen then realized that she hadn't told Yan Simiao anything since last night.
She rubbed her throbbing temples and replied.
"I have some urgent work to do and I have to go now. Sorry."
"It's alright, it's alright. Let's have lunch together sometime. I have some questions about medical devices that I'd like to ask you."
Qiao Zhen calculated the time and realized that it would be almost lunchtime after meeting with President Zhang. She then arranged to meet Yan Simiao downstairs at President Zhang's charity foundation. There happened to be a shopping center nearby with plenty of delicious food.
That would also be an excuse to get rid of the Shen family's driver, and then we could discuss the outcome with President Zhang over the phone.
"Why did you go to the Zhang Foundation? Is there a collaboration?" Yan Simiao was a curious child.
Qiao Zhen replied simply, "Yeah, something came up."
Yan Simiao remained silent.
Qiao Zhen thought she was busy with something else, and looked out the window again.
A black Maybach brushed past their car and sped away.
Qiao Zhen couldn't even make out the license plate number clearly when they got so close.
She continued rubbing her temples. Jiangcheng wasn't just full of rich people like Lu Zheng; how could it be such a coincidence that this Maybach belonged to him?
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