Chapter Thirty-One
Shi Qing avoided his gaze and remained silent.
Liang Yuheng lowered his eyelashes slightly: "If you don't want to, that's fine. I just said what was on my mind. I didn't force you."
The more he said that, the less Shi Qing knew what to do.
She was in a state of confusion and didn't want to stay any longer, otherwise she didn't know if she would soften her heart.
"You can apply a warm compress tonight, and you'll feel better tomorrow."
Shi Qing felt she had massaged him enough, so she took a tissue and wiped his arm, then pulled his sleeve down.
"Okay." Liang Yuheng asked softly, "Will you come again tomorrow?"
Shi Qing stood up and put the medicine away: "I get off work late, so I won't come over."
"Hmm." Liang Yuheng's eyes gradually darkened.
Shi Qing went to the bathroom to wash her hands, then picked up her things and said, "Then I'll head back now?"
Liang Yuheng looked down at his phone, his tone sounding somewhat forlorn: "Go back if you want, I'll be fine on my own."
"Then call me if you need anything." After saying that, Shi Qing changed her shoes and went out.
Liang Yuheng originally thought she would soften her heart, but he didn't expect her to actually leave.
He also increasingly realized that Shi Qing was only easy to talk to.
-
On Monday afternoon, Zhou Han came to Shi Qing for a body shaping class.
After practice, Zhou Han pulled Shi Qing to the tea room.
"Qingqing, I've recently come across a Japanese restaurant that I really like. I'll take you there sometime when you're free," Zhou Han said after drinking a glass of warm water.
Shi Qing calculated the time: "Okay. How about we wait until National Day? We'll have a few days off then."
"Can!"
Just then, Zhao Xiaoxue came over arm in arm with Shao Guang's wife, Bai Xinrui, and overheard Shi Qing and Bai Xinrui's conversation.
Bai Xinrui was unaware of Zhou Han's relationship with Shi Qing, assuming she was just an ordinary student. She already had a bad impression of Shi Qing because of Zhao Xiaoxue's instigation, and thought Shi Qing was deliberately making the student treat her.
"These young girls are getting more and more unbearable to watch. They don't teach well, but they're masters at sweet-talking people." Bai Xinrui crossed her arms and glanced at Shi Qing with disdain.
Zhao Xiaoxue poured her a glass of water and chimed in, "That's just how some people are; they always have their minds on other things."
Bai Xinrui: "I thought she only seduced men, but I didn't expect her to go after women too. She must be crazy for money!"
Before Shi Qing could say anything, Zhou Han stepped forward and asked, "Who are you talking about?"
"Whoever seduced my husband, I'll name them." Bai Xinrui was suddenly confronted and lost face, so she said angrily.
Zhou Han scoffed, "I'm curious what makes your husband so attractive?"
Zhao Xiaoxue: "Madam, you must have heard of Keyu Group, right? This lady's husband is a senior executive at Keyu."
Bai Xinrui raised her neck even higher after Zhao Xiaoxue finished speaking.
Zhou Han asked dismissively, "Which department?"
Zhao Xiaoxue was surprised by Zhou Han's question and was unsure of the situation: "Do you also work at Keyu?"
"The Marketing Director," Bai Xinrui said, still maintaining an air of superiority.
Zhou Han covered her mouth and laughed: "Did you come here to tell me a joke? You're not trying to make me laugh to death, are you!"
Bai Xinrui frowned and said, "What do you mean! What's so funny?"
Zhou Han glanced at Shi Qing: "The president's wife of Ke Yu needs to seduce a lowly employee. Isn't that ridiculous?"
"What boss lady?!" Bai Xinrui's expression changed drastically.
Zhao Xiaoxue also thought she had misheard and looked at Shi Qing in disbelief.
Store manager Darnell heard the commotion outside and rushed out of his office.
Zhou Han opened one palm to Shi Qing and introduced, "The lady in front of you is the wife of the current president of Keyu."
Shi Qing never wanted anyone to know about her relationship with Liang Yuheng.
Firstly, she felt that since she and Liang Yuheng weren't really married, how could she be so shameless as to flaunt his status everywhere?
Secondly, if someone finds out, it will only cause more trouble.
However, she knew that Zhou Han was trying to protect her, so she didn't stop her.
However, seeing these people's reactions, she also felt quite pleased.
Zhao Xiaoxue was stunned: "No, that's impossible, she's not even married!"
Zhou Han glanced at her: "Does she need to inform you whether she's getting married or not? Do you think you're so great just because you're a deputy store manager? And by the way, the whole mall belongs to their family."
Darnell was also terrified, but having worked in the corporate world for many years, he remained relatively calm: "Oh dear, it's all a misunderstanding. Shi Qing, why didn't you say anything to us? Look at the mess you've made!"
Bai Xinrui pointed at Zhao Xiaoxue: "Yes, it's a misunderstanding! She's the one who's been talking nonsense to me, saying bad things about you in front of me all the time."
"I...I didn't," Zhao Xiaoxue said, her eyes red as she looked at Darnell.
Darnell yelled, "Shut up!"
Zhao Xiaoxue felt wronged, but could only endure it.
"What's her husband's name?" Zhou Han asked Shi Qing in a low voice.
Shi Qing whispered in her ear, "Shao Guang."
Upon hearing the name Shao Guang, Zhou Han immediately remembered something and scoffed, "So you're the little internet celebrity that Shao Guang married!"
Bai Xinrui was shocked that Zhou Han knew about this. Her face turned pale and then red: "You!"
Zhou Han: "You think you're so noble? How did you manage to get into Shao Guang's bed? I don't need to remind you now!"
Bai Xinrui was too ashamed to stay any longer and stormed off.
At this moment, Luo Luo reminded him: "Coach Shi, your guest has arrived."
Although the situation is complicated now, the customers always come first.
"Okay, I'll be right there." Shi Qing turned around and comforted Zhou Han, "Hanhan, calm down, don't take it to heart. You should rest for a bit and go back first. I'm going to class now."
Zhou Han: "Go ahead, I can't be bothered to be angry with them."
After Shi Qing went to class, Darnell said some nice things to Zhou Han in front of her.
Zhou Han: "I heard that your assistant store manager used to bully Shi Qing a lot, condoning workplace bullying. You're not a very good store manager. Does your boss know about this?"
Darnell wiped away his cold sweat: "I really didn't know this happened. I'll definitely handle it properly! I promise to give Coach Shi an explanation. Please calm down!"
"Good luck~" Zhou Han smiled at Zhao Xiaoxue before leaving.
After everyone had left, Darnell glared at Zhao Xiaoxue and said, "You come here right now!"
Zhao Xiaoxue burst into tears as soon as she entered the room, grabbing Darnell's sleeve: "How could she be Ke Yu's wife! How could this happen? Please help me!"
Darnell shoved her away: "How can I help you! Why do you keep provoking her all the time! She goes to work peacefully every day, and you find fault with everything she does. Now look what's happened, me helping you? Who's going to help me? Didn't you hear what she said? This mall belongs to her, and we might all have to go out of business!"
Zhao Xiaoxue's voice trembled, and her eyes reddened: "This, this is so serious?!"
Darnell: "Go apologize to Shi Qing later! I don't care what method you use, even kneeling is fine, you have to save the store first."
Zhao Xiaoxue: "What if she fires me?"
Darnell: "There's nothing we can do about it."
Zhao Xiaoxue was shocked by his casual tone and felt a chill run down her spine. Holding back her tears, she asked, "Are you not going to take care of me anymore?"
Darnell frowned and sighed. "I'm barely able to take care of myself right now."
"Fine, then don't blame me for telling everyone about us. Let's see how you manage the store then! At worst, we'll all quit!" Zhao Xiaoxue sneered and turned to leave.
Darnell: "Come back here! When did I say I didn't care about you anymore? What I mean is, if Shi Qing insists that you resign, you should take a break for a while, and then I'll transfer you to another store. Besides, she's not necessarily going to stay here forever, so I'll bring you back later."
Zhao Xiaoxue stared at him with suspicion: "Why didn't you say that just now? Could you be lying to me?"
Darnell's voice softened: "I was just angry, you've been with me for so long, how could I bear to part with you? Listen to me, apologize to her. I think Shi Qing is a good person, she might not let you go."
Zhao Xiaoxue couldn't help but start crying again.
Darnell was annoyed by her crying, but dared not say anything harsh, so he suppressed his anger and coaxed her: "Don't cry yet. Things haven't gotten to the worst point. If Shi Qing wanted to cause you trouble, she would have revealed her identity long ago. Besides, she didn't say anything before going to class. Maybe it was just a client surnamed Zhou trying to scare you. Don't go to class next time. Go apologize to Shi Qing properly, say something nice, or treat her to a meal."
"Okay." Although Zhao Xiaoxue was very unwilling, it seemed that this was the only thing she could do for now.
She has been working here for several years and doesn't want to go anywhere else, otherwise she will lose all the clients she has built up.
Zhao Xiaoxue stayed until Shi Qing finished class before leaving the store manager's office with her head down, and then went directly to the classroom where Shi Qing was having class to find her.
Zhou Han's words from that afternoon had already spread throughout the store, and everyone secretly cheered when they saw Zhao Xiaoxue's demeanor.
Luo Luo whispered to Ke Ke, "Look at her, she knows she's embarrassed now. She's usually so cocky, but why isn't she showing off this time?"
Xiao Ke: "Exactly! She deserves it for bullying people all the time!"
"Shi Qing is such a good person, I don't know what she did to offend her, she's always targeting others."
"She's just jealous that Shi Qing is prettier and more capable than her."
"Shi Qing is so low-key! No wonder her boyfriend looks so rich; he's actually the president of Keyu! I even added him on WeChat. I never thought I'd meet someone so wealthy in my lifetime!"
...
After Shi Qing saw the guests off after class, she saw Zhao Xiaoxue standing at the door of the practice room.
Zhao Xiaoxue looked terrible; her makeup was ruined. It was the first time Shi Qing had ever seen her so disheveled.
"Is there something you need?" Shi Qing walked over, her tone calm.
Zhao Xiaoxue felt a little awkward: "Can we go inside and talk?"
Shi Qing went into the classroom first, and Zhao Xiaoxue went in and closed the door.
Zhao Xiaoxue: "I'm here to apologize. I shouldn't have talked about you behind your back before."
Shi Qing: "Apologize to me because you know who I am, or do you genuinely want to apologize? If it's the former, I'm sorry, I don't accept your apology."
Zhao Xiaoxue was already too embarrassed to apologize to her, but she didn't expect Shi Qing to be so persistent: "I've already apologized, what more do you want?"
Shi Qing: "I'm quite curious, why did you target me before?"
"I just don't like you, so what if you fire me?" Zhao Xiaoxue's anger flared up when she saw Shi Qing's accusatory attitude.
Shi Qing wasn't angry. She calmly tugged at the corner of her mouth and said, "You're the assistant store manager, and I'm just an ordinary employee. How could I have the right to fire you?"
Zhao Xiaoxue retorted sarcastically, "But you have a powerful husband."
Shi Qing: "That's right, if you're so capable, you go find one yourself."
Zhao Xiaoxue was surprised that Shi Qing was so shameless and didn't know what to say for a moment.
"I'm not afraid of you! I didn't do anything, you have no evidence, and the manager won't fire me."
Seeing her flustered expression, Shi Qing knew that she was actually very scared.
"As long as you don't cause trouble in the future, I just want to work quietly. I haven't bothered you before, and I have no interest in doing so now. You can leave; I have class to attend."
Zhao Xiaoxue was stunned for a moment.
Shi Qing didn't let her leave.
In the evening, Shi Qing's last class was canceled because a student asked for leave. She saw Darnell ask her to go to his office.
After Shi Qing knocked and entered, Darnell quickly got up and pulled out a chair for her: "Coach Shi, please sit down."
Shi Qing felt uncomfortable with his attentiveness: "Manager, you don't need to be so polite."
Darnell poured her a glass of water: "It's nothing, it's nothing. There's something I'd like to explain to you."
"Manager, please speak."
Darnell: "It's about the assistant store manager thing last time. I originally strongly recommended you to the higher-ups, but I don't know why they chose Zhao Xiaoxue in the end. I think it might be because you haven't been here long. Don't worry, I'll give my feedback another day. Zhao Xiaoxue's work attitude has indeed been problematic lately, and you are more suitable for the position of assistant store manager."
Shi Qing: "Manager, I don't want to be the assistant manager anymore. I just want to focus on my studies."
Darnell: "Okay, okay, it's an honor for us to have such a reliable coach like you in our store. When I said I was going to cancel your performance bonus last time, I was just joking. I was just setting an example for the staff. I've seen the results you've brought to the store this year. I've praised you to the management every time I go to a meeting. I hope you don't take it to heart."
Shi Qing: "I understand. If there's nothing else, I'll head back now."
Darnell: "If you don't have class next period, you can go home first. You don't have to stay here."
Shi Qing: "Manager, I want to talk to you about something. I hope you will continue to treat me as an ordinary employee. I don't want to receive special treatment because of my other role."
"well!"
Shi Qing returned to the lounge, replied to the students who were scheduled to attend class tomorrow via WeChat, and arranged the class times.
She took a sip of water, leaned against the bench against the wall, and closed her eyes to rest.
Zhou Han revealed her relationship with Liang Yuheng, and Shi Qing was torn about whether to greet Liang Yuheng, wondering if it would have a negative impact on him.
Also, I wonder how his arm is?
But she herself said not to contact me for the time being.
Shi Qing had taken out her phone at some point and typed in Liang Yuheng's chat box for a long time before finally deleting it.
"Give myself another week to think it over."
-
That evening, Shi Qing had just finished showering and lay down in bed. She was about to scroll through her phone for a while when she noticed a lively discussion in the neighborhood group chat.
This is the first time I've seen that car up close! Luxury cars are so cool!
I never knew there were such wealthy people in our neighborhood!
There seemed to be someone inside the car, otherwise I would have liked to reach out and touch it!
Is the car still there? I'd like to go check it out too!
[It's been parked downstairs at Building 6 for quite a while.]
...
Shi Qing scrolled to the top and sat up abruptly after seeing the picture.
This is Liang Yuheng's car!
Shi Qing ran downstairs in her pajamas. As soon as she stepped out of the elevator, she felt a cold wind that gave her goosebumps.
The temperature has suddenly dropped these past few days, but it's still not too cold during the day when the sun is out, but it gets a bit chilly at night.
Liang Yuheng was surprised that Shi Qing would run out of the stairwell. Seeing that she was still wearing short sleeves and shorts, he hurriedly got out of the car.
"Why are you wearing so little?" Liang Yuheng draped his coat over Shi Qing's shoulders.
Shi Qing looked up and met his gaze: "Why didn't you say you were here?"
Liang Yuheng looked down at her: "I'm afraid you don't want to see me."
The two stared at each other silently for a few seconds without saying a word.
Shi Qing spoke first, pointing at him: "Does your arm still hurt?"
"pain."
Whether it was her imagination or not, Shi Qing felt that Liang Yuheng was acting like he was being coquettish.
Did you apply the medicine?
"I forgot."
Two seconds of silence.
Shi Qing said, "Then you should go back quickly, and don't forget to apply some medicine."
Liang Yuheng pulled her into his arms and said, "Let me hold you for a while."
The familiar scent of his breath filled her nostrils, and Shi Qing pressed herself tightly against him. His chest was broad and warm, making her want to drown in it.
"I'm sorry, I can't control myself. I want to contact you, I want to see you." Liang Yuheng rested his chin on her shoulder, his voice tight, "Shi Qing, I miss you so much."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
