How should I know what Gao Lvxing is up to right now? The Administration Department is clearly displeased with me, as if I somehow implicated them. We bumped into each other during a smoke break, and I couldn't very well tell him I don't smoke, could I?
Look, I don't even know what feud exists between you and Gao Lvxing. I'm just a working stiff, okay? What use would it be for Vice President Gao to win me over? It's not like I have any say in upper management meetings.
He only said that if I enjoy smoking, I could go to his office for it. And as for leaving work early—he offered, and what was I supposed to say? That I'm passionate about staying at my desk? Wen Nuan was waiting for me downstairs. What was I supposed to do? Whatever it is, let's talk Monday. I didn't ask to be dragged into your power struggle. I feel wronged too.
This isn't even about money!
In the passenger seat, Han Qian vented his frustrations to Yan Qingqing over the phone, showing no trace of the usual decorum expected between employee and boss. After hanging up, he flung the phone onto the back seat, frowned, and muttered under his breath:
"Everyone seems to have lost their minds."
Wen Nuan, who was driving, chuckled softly.
"Is that a tantrum I hear? Was I wrong to come pick you up?"
Han Qian shook his head and sighed.
"This has little to do with you. There's bad blood between Yan Qingqing and Gao Lvxing. Now she's accusing me of betrayal just because I spoke a few words to him... I mean, what the hell?"
"Qian ge, calm down first. Rongyao is far more chaotic internally than Changxiang. Gao Lvxing is the brother-in-law of Liu Shengge, the largest shareholder—practically royalty. Yan Qingqing, on the other hand, appeared out of nowhere as a professional manager. Rumor has it Liu Shengge planted her too. The shareholders rarely interfere in daily operations, and Gao Lvxing wants her out. When I called my second uncle about the airport deal recently, he told me Rongyao's already reached out. From Yan Qingqing's perspective, your recent popularity at Rongyao makes you look... suspicious. Did you really make such an impression lately?"
Wen Nuan pulled the car to the curb and handed Han Qian a bottle of water. He frowned as he took it.
"Since when was I popular? I just attended a morning executive meeting because of that airport project. I'm just a nobody—what power do I hold?"
Wen Nuan reached over and pinched his cheek, turning his face toward her with gentle firmness.
"Think about it carefully. Are you sure you're not involved? I honestly hope you can't figure it out—then maybe you'll leave Rongyao and come help me instead. You shouldn't have to endure this nonsense. With the way Li Jinhe and Uncle Wen think of you, getting them to fund a company for you would be a mere sentence."
"Did you take your medicine? I forgot to ask yesterday."
At that, Wen Nuan let go of his cheek and tried to change the subject, saying she needed to buy groceries. But the moment she got out of the car, Han Qian grabbed her by the collar and stuffed her into the passenger seat, taking the driver's position.
"Taking your meds is harder than climbing a mountain. Fine, don't take them—get sick then, see if I care. I shouldn't have even bought them. It's not even bitter—just swallow and get it over with. Is that really so hard?"
"Alright, alright! Enough nagging! I'll take it now—go buy it already!"
A brief moment of seriousness passed between them before Han Qian's nagging resumed in full force over Wen Nuan's refusal to take her medicine. They drove to the supermarket where their landlady worked. Wen Nuan stormed off to fetch a shopping cart, while Han Qian ran next door to the pharmacy.
When Wen Nuan saw the two pills and a bottle of water in his hands, her expression soured. After reluctantly taking her medicine, she pushed the cart straight to the seafood section. While buying crabs, Han Qian kept pointing out which ones were plump and which weren't, and how best to cook them.
Annoyed, Wen Nuan gave him a flurry of light punches. He barely felt it. She finally threw the cart at him and walked off. Scratching his head awkwardly, Han Qian realized she might actually be on the verge of tears.
Wen Nuan hadn't intended to buy seafood—she liked eating it, but Han Qian was too soft-hearted to enjoy it with her. She only wanted to scare him a little. But when he insisted they buy it, her heart softened, and in the end, she was left frustrated and teary-eyed.
That finally shook Han Qian. In all their time together, she'd rarely cried—and never out of anger. He worried she might call his mother, who adored Wen Nuan to the bone. If she knew Wen Nuan had been reduced to tears, she'd storm over by nightfall.
Han Qian reached out and poked Wen Nuan's shoulder with a finger. She ignored him and walked ahead, head down, silent. Instead of apologizing, he simply took her hand. She struggled but couldn't break free, then bit his hand in frustration. He hurriedly stuffed a tomato in her mouth to stop her. She sulked and munched on it angrily, while he held her hand with one hand and pushed the cart with the other.
In the household goods aisle, they ran into the warm-hearted landlady. Before Han Qian could speak, she tossed a black plastic bag into their cart with a grin.
"Don't fuss. Just some towels. A grown boy like you might get by with two, but a pretty girl like her needs more. You're a lucky one to have such a beautiful girlfriend."
Han Qian smiled silently, then said with a laugh:
"Back in your day, I bet you were the village belle yourself, huh? Hey, are you free after work tomorrow? Bring the kid over for dinner. I ought to show some gratitude to my landlady. I swear, my cooking is restaurant-quality."
"Oh? Confident, aren't you? I won't argue. But! I'll do the shopping. You two need to save every penny you can. No refusals."
"Haha, too late! We've already bought everything. It's settled then—bring the little one over. Once he gets familiar with me, I'll help him with his homework too."
While Han Qian bantered with the landlady, Wen Nuan stood silently like a block of wood, munching her tomato. Han Qian kept nudging her hand, but she wouldn't speak. She'd always been this timid—no use trying to change her.
Once they were back in the car, Han Qian frowned and said:
"Why didn't you say anything? She gave you your toothbrush and towels. You've never been shy with me or my folks. Where's all that courage now? She called you pretty and you couldn't even say thank you."
Wen Nuan clutched her yogurt with both hands and muttered softly:
"I didn't know what to say. She wasn't complimenting me. She was stating a fact. I *am* very pretty."
Han Qian smirked and muttered back:
"Should I have her compliment your boobs next time?"
"Do you *want* to die?!"
Wen Nuan snapped, and then, instinctively, gave herself a discreet little squeeze, her expression one of existential despair.