Knowing she couldn't change her son's whereabouts, Ms. Lin stared at the photo for a few moments after Shen Jianzhong went to work, and then made a rather sudden decision.
On the high-speed train, she carried the photos with her, glancing at them every now and then. The more she looked, the happier she felt, muttering to herself, "You know what, this little girl and our Xizhou are surprisingly well-matched!"
An auntie who had just returned from a trip had been staring at her for a while. Seeing this, she leaned over and said, "Oh, is this your son and daughter-in-law? They look so well-matched. Their wedding photos look like those of TV stars."
Ms. Lin's inner thoughts were confirmed, and she turned around happily, "Really? Sister, you also think they're a good match, right?"
Lin's mother and the woman from the tourism company chatted about this topic all the way.
The next day at work, Shen Xizhou and Chu Yuan inexplicably felt that the people around them were looking at them strangely.
When Chu Yuan returned from the restroom, the chattering in the office abruptly stopped. Everyone seemed busy with their own things, but they all looked a little awkward.
She frowned, wondering if she was just overthinking things.
As a result, this feeling became more pronounced during lunchtime.
She actually avoided suspicion at work; the two never crossed any boundaries or became affectionate outside of Shen Xizhou's office.
We don't deliberately arrange to eat together.
It was only when they occasionally bumped into each other in the cafeteria, or when Shen Xizhou deliberately sat alone in a certain "fixed" spot at her mealtime, that Chu Yuan would "coincidentally" sit there.
Today is the latter situation.
No sooner had Chu Yuan sat down than Xue Qing brought over the plate.
Of course, this is normal; it's lunchtime, so the leaders chat together.
What's strange is that Xue Qing slammed her plate down loudly, her expression a half-smile, a sarcastic tone, "Oh, Judge Shen and the court clerk are having dinner together."
Not only are we glued together during work hours, but we also have to see each other constantly after work. Anyone who didn't know better would think you were incredibly busy.
Chu Yuan, "..."
I already felt that Xue Qing was a bit low-class during the team building activity before, and now I feel that way even more strongly!
Seeing the faint disdain in Chu Yuan's eyes, Xue Qing couldn't suppress her surging resentment. She secretly hated Chu Yuan for not only stealing her man but also being so disrespectful to her at such a young age.
He immediately snorted coldly, "Secretary Jiang, why are you looking at me like that? Am I wrong?"
Chu Yuan said, "Only a dog without confidence uses barking to increase its momentum."
She spoke very softly, much softer than Xue Qing, who was deliberately causing trouble.
Therefore, others could hear Xue Qing picking on Chu Yuan, but they couldn't hear what Yuan said in response. Then, Xue Qing's expression changed instantly, and she stood up aggressively.
"Judge Shen, is this how you manage your subordinates?"
Shen Xizhou pretended not to hear, frowning as he stared at Xue Qing. "This is a public place, and we are only working together, no longer childhood playmates, so please don't let your emotions get the better of you, Judge Xue."
Xue Qing almost laughed when she heard this.
For him, she voluntarily left a major first-tier city and the Supreme Court to come to a little-known second-tier city and a provincial court. He said she was acting on emotion.
Yes! If she hadn't been so emotional, how could she have thought that the two of them, always in sync, could have ended up together?
“Shen Xizhou, you should speak with a clear conscience. How have I treated you all these years? Don’t you have any sense of right and wrong?”
Xue Qing retorted stubbornly, her features both arrogant and sharp, revealing her air of a young lady from a wealthy family.
The woman who had been so sweet and gentle in front of Ms. Lin had completely lost her composure at this moment.
Shen Xizhou put down his chopsticks. "We're all adults. Who we want to be nice to and who we don't is entirely our own choice."
Do you think it's fair like when we were kids, where you give me a candy and I give you a candy in return?
As he spoke, he lowered his voice, his tone carrying a warning, "Xue Qing, I have never asked you to do anything for me. The transfer was also your own decision."
You should have realized before you came that I couldn't possibly respond to you.
"I didn't accept you when we were in Beijing, and now it's even less likely!"
"You—" Xue Qing couldn't believe it. How could there be such a heartless man in the world?
Is his heart made of stone?
Chu Yuan continued eating with her eyes down, as if everything was none of her business.
But to her surprise, the pickled cucumbers, broccoli, shredded pork with green peppers, and stir-fried green beans on the plate looked exactly like a "forgiveness meal."
Xue Qing's resentful gaze fell on her, and seeing that she was still quite relaxed, she felt even angrier.
Suddenly, a finger pointed at Chu Yuan, "It's her! Shen Xizhou, you did all this for her!"
The latter pushed her hand away, saying, "Eat your food and stop acting crazy."
"Tsk... Don't think I don't know, everyone here is being kept in the dark like a fool!"
Xue Qing has completely given up on everything.
It's not that she lacks manners, but after so many years of love and devotion, she had to reciprocate something.
It has to be hate, not love, otherwise she won't be satisfied!
Xue Qing's voice grew even louder, "Actually, I saw it all last night!"
You took her to the house behind yours!
Shen Xizhou, do I need to remind you of the age difference between you two?
Besides, you're her boss.
In a superior-subordinate relationship, a man and a woman alone in a room until dawn—don't tell me you were just being kind by letting her work overtime at your place!
Xue Qing's words caused an uproar throughout the cafeteria.
In fact, the gossip that had spread in the morning had already made them suspicious and curious about the "harmonious" relationship between Shen Xizhou and Chu Yuan, which was different from the normal superior-subordinate relationship.
Is it true that many people didn't even work seriously in the morning, but were just eating gossip all day?
Unexpectedly, the cafeteria food at noon was terrible, but the gossip was explosive!
The relationship between a leader and his secretary (a court clerk can also be considered a type of secretary) always makes people's imaginations run wild.
This sparked countless speculations: "Is it true? What kind of relationship do they have?"
"A department head taking a liking to a court clerk? They're worlds apart!"
"You don't understand. Men are visual creatures. Even though the woman's position is relatively low, at least she's good-looking!"
Whispers came from all directions. People forgot to eat and countless eyes lingered on the three of them.
Xue Qing was incredibly gloating at the sight. She wanted to see how Chu Yuan would deal with it when her ugliness was exposed, and how Shen Xizhou would protect her!
No matter how perfect the explanation, it cannot wash away the fact that their cohabitation was not legitimate. Also, Shen Xizhou's father values his reputation the most. If his good son does such a thing, the Shen family will definitely lose face. This is the consequence of Shen Xizhou choosing the wrong person!
“We…” Shen Xizhou did not want to announce his relationship with Chu Yuan in this way, but Xue Qing’s commotion made it impossible for him not to say it.
Just as Shen Xizhou finished speaking, the dean's secretary came over and said, "Judge Shen, Clerk Jiang, the leader wants you to go together."
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