Miao Zi'ai was in a rather sorry state. After finally finishing her overtime work and her own tasks, she had wanted to go home. However, missing the elevator, she was called back by her manager to deal with some documents.
By the time everything was done, it was already past ten o'clock.
Exhausted, she waited for the elevator. When the doors opened, Shen Chi'yan was inside, on the phone.
"Song Qinian hasn't returned home yet? Did she say where she went?"
The moment Miao Zi'ai heard Shen Chi'yan asking about Song Qinian, her heart skipped a beat. Goodness, so it wasn't Nian Nian two-timing, but rather President Shen two-timing!
A cliché plot of a domineering CEO forcing himself on his secretary, who also happened to be his brother's wife, instantly flashed through Miao Zi'ai's mind.
Seeing Miao Zi'ai standing there, lost in thought, Shen Chi'yan frowned. "Aren't you coming in?"
"Ah... coming, coming, coming..."
Miao Zi'ai cautiously stepped into the elevator and stood behind Shen Chi'yan.
She had been quite sleepy earlier, but after seeing Shen Chi'yan, all her drowsiness vanished.
Look, even his back was so handsome. To be precise, he was so handsome that every single strand of his hair was beautiful.
Just as Miao Zi'ai was daydreaming, Shen Chi'yan's clear, cold voice suddenly rang out, "Are you and Song Qinian close?"
Since joining Ding Sheng Group, Miao Zi'ai had rarely had the chance to be alone with Shen Chi'yan. Occasionally, when she met him, she would greet him, and he would only nod faintly, not even casting a second glance at her.
She never expected that not only would they be sharing an elevator today, but Shen Chi'yan would also initiate a conversation with her.
Upon mentioning Song Qinian, Miao Zi'ai's expression became a little complicated. "Yes, Nian Nian and I are good friends."
Hearing this, Shen Chi'yan turned to look at Miao Zi'ai, his gaze full of scrutiny.
That woman, Song Qinian, appeared gentle and approachable usually, but she rarely let anyone get close to her heart. If one were to truly count, her friends seemed to be only Mu Yuxin and this Miao Zi'ai.
What was it about Miao Zi'ai that attracted Song Qinian?
Under Shen Chi'yan's dark, deep gaze, Miao Zi'ai's skin was starting to get goosebumps. She was so embarrassed she felt like she could dig a three-bedroom, two-living-room apartment with her toes.
"Mr. Shen... Mr. Shen, is something wrong?"
"Nothing."
Just then, the elevator stopped on the first floor, and Shen Chi'yan walked out first.
Miao Zi'ai froze for a few seconds, then, as if remembering something, she quickly caught up to Shen Chi'yan. "Mr. Shen, I have something to tell you."
Shen Chi'yan stopped and looked at Miao Zi'ai. "Speak."
"Well... it's just that..."
Miao Zi'ai, who always spoke her mind, felt for the first time that some words were truly burning her tongue, unable to come out even when they reached her lips.
But to avoid a grave mistake, no matter how much it burned, she had to say it.
"I know Nian Nian is very beautiful, and it's normal for you to like her. But she's already married. For her family's sake, or for your own good, I hope you can let her go."
Heaven knows what courage Miao Zi'ai mustered to say these words to her crush.
As expected, the next second, she saw Shen Chi'yan's handsome face instantly turn cold.
Miao Zi'ai's heart was pounding wildly with fear. Since the words were already out, whether she faced the consequences or not, it was the same. She might as well be direct.
With that thought, Miao Zi'ai closed her eyes and quickly said, "Nian Nian and General Manager Shen are so in love. You can't do something like stealing your brother's wife. It won't be good for anyone."
Miao Zi'ai dared not look at Shen Chi'yan, but she still felt an extremely oppressive gaze fixed on her. For a moment, she truly wished she could dig a hole and hide herself in it.
At this moment, Shen Chi'yan's voice, devoid of any warmth, suddenly sounded, "General Manager Shen, you mean Shen Qiwen?"
Miao Zi'ai, still with her eyes closed, nodded heavily.
"Who told you Song Qinian and Shen Qiwen are married? Did Song Qinian say so?"
Miao Zi'ai suddenly looked up at Shen Chi'yan, somewhat bewildered. Weren't they?
"Or did you see something?"
Shen Chi'yan's face was frighteningly grim. Miao Zi'ai trembled with fear. "I..."
Shen Chi'yan grabbed Miao Zi'ai's neck, his voice as cold as ice. "Speak! What did you see?"
Miao Zi'ai had never seen such a terrifying Shen Chi'yan. His eyes and expression seemed as if he wanted to kill her.
Physiological tears flowed uncontrollably. As she cried, she shook her head. She wanted to speak, but her throat made no sound.
Just then, Shen Chi'yan's phone suddenly rang. He took out his phone and saw it was Lin Qiutong calling.
Shen Chi'yan threw Miao Zi'ai aside and answered the phone.
As soon as the call connected, Lin Qiutong's hoarse, anxious, and weak voice sounded in Shen Chi'yan's ear, "A'yan, save... save me..."
Shen Chi'yan's face changed drastically. "Where are you?"
"Jue Yue..."
Before Lin Qiutong could finish speaking, the phone seemed to be snatched away and thrown to the ground. After hearing a "bang" of the phone hitting the floor, the call was cut off.
Shen Chi'yan had no time to bother with Miao Zi'ai. He got into the car and said coldly to Gao Kunlun, "Go to Jue Yue Hotel."
Miao Zi'ai watched the car disappear from view, her hand instinctively going to her neck as she felt lingering fear. Just moments ago, she thought she was going to die at Shen Chi'yan's hands.
Wait a minute.
Why did Mr. Shen ask who told her that Nian Nian and General Manager Shen were married? Weren't they married?
What was going on?
An hour earlier, Song Qinian had followed Shen Qiwen to Jue Yue Hotel. She saw Shen Qiwen pick up a room key at the front desk and then take the elevator.
Just as she was about to follow, she suddenly heard Lin Qiutong's voice, "Song Qinian!"
Song Qinian frowned and turned to look at Lin Qiutong. Lin Qiutong was dressed beautifully and seductively today, looking as if she was about to confront a rival.
Her right arm was bandaged, seemingly injured.
"You've arrived earlier than I expected. Come, let's talk in the restaurant."
After speaking, Lin Qiutong left, as if she hadn't seen Shen Qiwen.
Song Qinian walked forward, glancing back at the elevator, and silently noted the floor it stopped at.
The twenty-third floor!
If it wasn't Lin Qiutong, then who was Shen Qiwen meeting to discuss matters from three years ago?
In the restaurant, Lin Qiutong handed the menu to Song Qinian. "I don't know what dishes you like, so please order for yourself."
Song Qinian didn't believe Lin Qiutong had invited her here just for a meal.
Sitting opposite each other, neither of them could eat.
She typed directly on her phone, "What do you want to talk about?"
Lin Qiutong smiled slightly. "Even if we're discussing business, we should eat first."
Lin Qiutong glanced at the menu, ordered a few dishes, and also a bottle of red wine.
When all the dishes were served, the waiter was about to pour wine for them, but Lin Qiutong refused. "Thank you, we can do it ourselves."