13. Clutch
It was just after six o'clock on Sunday morning when Jiang Nan woke up with a start. She tossed and turned in bed for a while, but found that she couldn't sleep much, so she got up quietly.
After washing up, she checked her skirt, shoes and jewelry before quietly leaving the room. Coincidentally, Chen Yunsheng also came out of his room.
Their eyes met, and Jiang Nan felt at a loss as to what to do. However, she still smiled faintly and said in a casual tone, "Good morning, Mr. Chen."
Chen Yunsheng blinked and slowly responded, "Good morning."
He was wearing a simple white T-shirt and grey trousers, his face flushed with the healthy glow of exercise, almost radiant, and his hair was only half dry, messily curled up, like the grass in spring, fluffy, and at the same time, there was a faint scent of shower gel wafting over.
Jiang Nan knew Chen Yunsheng exercised, but their schedules were often staggered, so this was actually the first time she'd seen him clean up after a workout. She felt like she should say something, but she didn't know what to say. With just a reserved smile, Jiang Nan retreated into her protective shell of silence, looking up slightly, awaiting Chen Yunsheng's next move.
Chen Yunsheng was silent for a few seconds before continuing, "Don't be so reserved... Just call me by my name." He turned toward the study and added calmly, "Coffee and breakfast are in the kitchen, go get them."
"Okay." Jiang Nan bowed slightly to him, then turned and went to the kitchen. She poured herself a cup of coffee, took a breakfast, sat down at the dining table, and slowly began to eat. She had thought about getting a portion for Chen Yunsheng, but she was worried that she wouldn't do it well enough, so she gave up after a few seconds of hesitation.
A moment later, Chen Yunsheng arrived, carrying a tablet. He bent his head, perusing the contents, his expression focused. He then placed the tablet across from Jiang Nan and went to the kitchen to get breakfast. Jiang Nan craned her neck to glimpse the contents on the screen—a dense mess of English.
Jiang Nan heard Chen Yunsheng's footsteps and immediately lowered her head, pretending to be absorbed in her delicious breakfast. After Chen Yunsheng began eating, Jiang Nan picked up her cup, took a sip of her coffee, and tentatively asked, "Any plans for the morning?"
"I'll be at home doing work this morning," Chen Yunsheng said without looking up. "We'll leave at five in the afternoon. You can do whatever you want during this time."
Jiang Nan breathed a sigh of relief: "Then I'll work from home too. It's a good opportunity to perfect the follow-up plan for the maternal and infant project."
Chen Yunsheng nodded and said nothing more.
The atmosphere fell into silence, with only the sounds of the two people breathing and the clinking of cutlery.
However, although Jiang Nan felt embarrassed, her expression and movements had become much more natural. She was no longer as uneasy as before, and even silently prayed that something strange would happen to call Chen Yunsheng away.
Afterwards, the two of them finished their breakfast quietly. After Chen Yunsheng brought his tablet into the study, Jiang Nan moved his computer, notebooks, and other materials to the living room and began to work.
What surprised Jiang Nan was that the study door was open.
In order not to disturb Chen Yunsheng, Jiang Nan put on headphones. At this time, she is often very busy, because she needs to listen to music while handling work and chatting with Wenwen and her parents at the same time.
Wenwen had already received the earphones she'd given her. She'd sent Jiang Nan many photos, expressing her joy and happiness. Jiang's mother was recovering well and would be able to return to school and resume work after a while.
But Jiang Nan and Jiang's father agreed.
They all hope that Mother Jiang can rest for a while longer.
Jiang Nan could occasionally hear Chen Yunsheng talking on the phone, his words hazy and indistinct, and even when she did catch them, they were filled with business jargon she didn't quite understand. Sometimes, Chen Yunsheng would come out to get water, and as he passed through the living room, his eyes would briefly gravitate towards her computer screen, but he never questioned her further.
It wasn't until the aunt came to make a simple meal at noon that the two of them finally met face to face for a long time. But they still didn't talk much - the lunch was basically spent in silence.
After dinner, Chen Yunsheng returned to his study. Jiang Nan continued working for a while. Seeing that it was almost time, she packed up and returned to her room to shower and put on makeup. By the time everything was ready, it was almost 4:30.
Jiang Nan stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself: the black long skirt perfectly outlined her curves, the pearl jewelry added a touch of softness and elegance, the makeup was just the right amount, and her hair was clean and fluffy, with a faint luster.
The overall look is professional yet charming.
In fact, Jiang Nan still prefers comfortable casual outfits, but now that she is Chen Yunsheng's wife, naturally her every move must conform to Boss Chen's requirements, rather than her own wishes.
In other words, although she felt that she was qualified the way she was now, she still wanted to hear Chen Yunsheng's opinion.
She walked out of the room cautiously and almost floated to the door of Chen Yunsheng's bedroom.
She hesitated for a moment before raising her hand to knock on the door.
Not too light, not too heavy, just three times.
Chen Yunsheng opened the door and saw Jiang Nan in front of the door, his eyes froze for a moment.
"Are you ready?" he asked, his tone as calm and controlled as ever.
Jiang Nan stared at Chen Yunsheng's face and felt relieved when she saw that he didn't show any disapproval. Then, she smiled at him and said, "I'm ready. I'll just go get a bag."
She returned to her room, trying to find a small clutch to go with her outfit, and then she froze in her tracks—she had completely forgotten about the matching bag!
The commuter bag she usually carries to work is obviously not suitable, and her only slightly formal small bag was bought two years ago, but it is light blue, and the color does not match the black dress she is wearing.
"It's over, it's over. This is a failure." Jiang Nan was so anxious that he rummaged through the wardrobe, and even beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
At this moment, Chen Yunsheng knocked on the door: "It's time to go."
Jiang Nan bravely opened the door, his face filled with panic: "Mr. Chen, I... I forgot to pack my bag."
Chen Yunsheng had already changed into a custom-made black suit that perfectly matched Jiang Nan's evening gown. He wasn't affected by Jiang Nan's panic and remained calm and composed.
"It's okay, there's still time. Take the necessities and we'll go downstairs." Chen Yunsheng comforted Jiang Nan, then took out his mobile phone and made a call.
"Wei Yan," he said to the person on the other end of the phone, "Immediately find someone to buy a women's handbag, black, simple style, suitable for a business cocktail party. A reasonable size, and have it delivered to the hotel before the event starts."
Jiang Nan packed a simple cloth bag with things she might need that evening—including a thank-you gift she and Wenwen had chosen for Wei Yan: a pen worth several thousand yuan. Jiang Nan clutched the bag and opened her mouth, wanting to explain something, but in the end, she simply thanked Chen Yunsheng: "Thank you. I'm sorry to bother you again."
"I didn't think it through." Chen Yunsheng turned and walked towards the entrance slowly.
Jiang Nan hurried to catch up, paying attention to Chen Yunsheng's expression. He looked calm, as if he didn't think it was a big deal to ask someone to buy a bag at the last minute.
This ability to make money made her both amazed and uneasy.
After getting in the car, Chen Yunsheng kept looking at the documents, while Jiang Nan sat quietly beside him, his fingers unconsciously stroking the patterns on the cloth bag.
"Nervous?" Chen Yunsheng asked suddenly, but his eyes were still fixed on the documents.
Jiang Nan nodded honestly: "A little. I'm afraid of saying the wrong thing."
Chen Yunsheng closed the file, turned to look at her, and spoke softly and gently, "Actually, there's nothing special about the reception. If you're really worried, just remember three things: talk less, smile more, and just follow me."
"What if someone asks about our relationship?" Jiang Nan couldn't help but ask.
"Answer truthfully," Chen Yunsheng said calmly, not feeling troubled. "We are already legally married, so there's no need for further explanation."
Jiang Nan took note of it, but thought to himself that this was not something that could be explained clearly by answering truthfully.
Soon, the car stopped in front of the destination - an elegant hotel building.
The doorman respectfully opened the car door, and Chen Yunsheng got out first. Then, he naturally walked around to Jiang Nan's door.
He opened the door and reached out to Jiang Nan with ease.
Jiang Nan was stunned for a second or two before she realized he was going to help her get out of the car. She carefully and slowly took his hand, feeling the warmth of his palm and how cold her own hand was.
At this time, Wei Yan hurried over with an exquisite box in his hand: "Mr. Chen, this is the bag you wanted."
Chen Yunsheng took it, opened the box, and handed the handbag directly to Jiang Nan: "See if it fits."
Inside the box was a black lambskin handbag, simple and elegant in style, with fine texture, which matched her skirt perfectly. She picked up the handbag and transferred the contents of the cloth bag into it.
"It's very suitable, thank you Assistant Wei." Jiang Nan hurriedly expressed his gratitude.
Wei Yan smiled and nodded: "It's my duty, Miss Jiang."
Jiang Nan glanced at Chen Yunsheng, then took out the packaged pen from the cloth bag and said, "Thank you for your help. I hope you like it."
Wei Yan quickly glanced at Chen Yunsheng and was unsure of what to do.
"It's a gift from Miss Jiang, so just accept it." Chen Yunsheng said as he handed the gift box in his hand to Wei Yan.
"I don't mean to bribe you," Jiang Nan followed Chen Yunsheng's movements and handed over the pen in his hand, while explaining in a quick tone, "It's just the information from last time. Thank you very much."
Wei Yan smiled innocently twice. "I'm just following Mr. Chen's instructions." He put away his pen and nodded slightly to Jiang Nan. "Thank you, Miss Jiang, for the gift." Then he turned to Chen Yunsheng and said, "Mr. Chen, the reception is about to begin. You and Miss Jiang can enter."
Chen Yunsheng agreed and naturally let Jiang Nan hold his arm.
The two walked into the hotel lobby side by side.
"Mr. Chen, did I do something wrong just now?" Jiang Nan asked softly, leaning slightly to the side. "I know that giving gifts can be seen as bribery, but I really just wanted to thank Assistant Wei for his help. He got up early and compiled so much information for me, and I felt bad, so I wanted to return the favor."
Moreover, she passed by in front of Chen Yunsheng because she was worried about misunderstanding.
"I know you don't mean anything else," Chen Yunsheng replied in a low voice. "Wei Yan also knows you're simply expressing your gratitude. He's just worried that if I don't receive the gift but he does, it might cause trouble."
“That’s impossible…”
Chen Yunsheng chuckled softly, his voice tinged with mischief: "If you don't give me a gift, maybe he really will get into trouble?"
It took Jiang Nan a while to realize Chen Yunsheng was joking. She wanted to laugh, but she didn't dare to laugh too obviously. "Then I'll get you something too?"
"Okay," Chen Yunsheng turned to look at Jiang Nan, his eyes calm and deep, like a pool filled with stars, "I want sweet and sour pork ribs."
"If I have time... I'll make one for you?" Jiang Nan said tentatively.
"Then wait until the project you are working on is finished." Chen Yunsheng made the final decision and did not dwell on this topic anymore.
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