Volume One, Chapter 18: Harsh and Unpleasant Words

The Human Resources Manager smiled faintly. “I understand. Xu Shao explained the situation to me last night. Since the person in the video is you, even if you posted it, it’s hardly a big deal.”

Shen Qingqing pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

Anyone who had met Xu Minyu could immediately tell that the person in the video was indeed Xu Minyu.

The Human Resources Manager, however, remained unfazed, deliberately downplaying the matter as if to turn a serious issue into a trivial one.

Seeing Shen Qingqing’s silence, he quietly exhaled in relief.

He dreaded Xu Mingxuan’s words being invalidated by Shen Qingqing; if things escalated, he wouldn’t want to offend anyone.

He handed Shen Qingqing a file and changed the subject.

“These are materials from the Technical Department. Several key technicians are very interested in the jade scepter you selected. If you can deliver a satisfactory hand-drawn sketch by the day after tomorrow, you’ll have passed half of your assessment.”

“I will deliver it as soon as possible,” Shen Qingqing replied calmly as she took the materials.

For the next two days, Shen Qingqing locked herself in her room, drawing without interruption.

The night before the hand-drawn sketch was due, Xu Mingxuan blocked the doorway of her room.

Usually impeccably dressed, Xu Mingxuan looked somewhat disheveled.

Deep dark circles under his eyes suggested he hadn’t slept well for days.

He looked at Shen Qingqing with profound helplessness and compromise in his voice.

“Qingqing, let’s talk.”

Shen Qingqing considered for a moment and nodded.

If they could calmly reach some consensus about the future, she was willing to try.

As Shen Qingqing left with Xu Mingxuan, Xiao Meimei inside the room called Zhou Cong.

“Quick, tell your boss that Shen Qingqing left with Xu Mingxuan.”

Zhou Cong glanced at Mo Lingcheng, who was reading nearby, and lowered his voice in response, “Shen Qingqing is Xu Mingxuan’s fiancée. Isn’t it normal for her to go with him? Why tell the boss?”

“Don’t ask so many questions. Just do as I say,” Xiao Meimei scolded as she opened the window, looking toward Shen Qingqing’s retreating figure, continuing to relay information, “They’re heading toward the swimming pool…”

Xu Mingxuan took Shen Qingqing to the hotel’s indoor swimming pool.

At this time of year, the place was almost deserted.

His steady steps halted at the edge of the pool.

He turned slowly, rubbed his brow, and looked at Shen Qingqing with exhaustion etched on his face.

“Xiao Yu has admitted on the public platform, just as you wanted, that she was the one who kicked us off the cable car. You saw that, right?”

Shen Qingqing glanced up at him with a calm tone.

“I also did as you asked. I called your parents and admitted on the public platform that the person in the video was me. Didn’t you see that too?”

Xu Mingxuan took a deep breath, suppressing his irritation and anger.

Before coming, he had told himself not to lose his temper this time and to talk to her properly.

Since the cable car accident, she hadn’t answered his calls or messages, as if they had become strangers.

Their rare meetings were always filled with arguments.

Every time he thought of her, he felt restless and angry, emotions so intense they disrupted his daily life.

“Since the matter is settled,” Xu Mingxuan stepped closer and gently grasped her wrist. “Why won’t you answer my calls or reply to my messages?”

Shen Qingqing met his puzzled gaze and replied along his line of thought, “If it’s already settled, is there anything left between us to discuss?”

“What do you mean?” Xu Mingxuan’s pupils contracted, and his grip tightened involuntarily. “Qingqing, I’m your fiancé, your boyfriend. Apart from dealing with these trivial matters, is there really nothing else to say between us?”

“Fiancé? Boyfriend?” Shen Qingqing curled her lips into a mocking smile. “Then what exactly do you want to tell me? How you ended up with Xu Minyu? Or do you want to teach me how to play the field with a clear conscience?”

Xu Mingxuan’s hand trembled as he held hers.

He ground his teeth, staring at her, reminding himself to remain calm.

Her words were clearly out of jealousy.

Xu Mingxuan took a deep breath and gently brushed aside Shen Qingqing’s bangs.

“I understand. You’re still jealous, upset that I’m with Xiao Yu…”

“Xu Mingxuan, are you sick?” Shen Qingqing shrugged off his hand and scolded sharply, “Who gave you the nerve to think I’d still be jealous of you?”

Seeing her flushed with anger and shame, Xu Mingxuan only grew more certain.

He pressed her shoulders, forcing her to meet his eyes, utterly convinced.

“Then I’ll ask you—if I’m not with Xiao Yu anymore, will you still be angry? Will you still want to see me every day, run to my office every day like before?”

His voice echoed through the empty swimming pool.

Mo Lingcheng, who had just opened the pool’s door, unconsciously paused.

It felt as if everything around them awaited Shen Qingqing’s answer.

“Is there an arrow once the bow is drawn? Would you want to use a piece of used tissue paper again?”

Shen Qingqing’s words were harsh and biting, shattering Xu Mingxuan’s spirit.

“Qingqing, why are you so rude now?” Xu Mingxuan did not expect her to compare him to used tissue paper.

Had she forgotten how much she had cherished him before?

She would fiercely defend him to the point of turning red in the face and neck at the slightest criticism.

“I don’t believe it.” Xu Mingxuan gripped her shoulders tightly, bloodshot eyes blazing. “Tell me, do you dare say you don’t love me anymore? Look me in the eye and say it.”

Shen Qingqing silently looked up, meeting his gaze.

She said nothing, but her eyes said everything.

Her gaze was calm and clear, devoid of any emotion.

As if the man standing before her was nothing but a passerby.

Not even hatred remained.

Xu Mingxuan’s heart twisted painfully, and he stepped back slowly.

He thought she must be acting; her acting had always been excellent.

Since childhood, she had treated everyone kindly, always smiling, seemingly wanting to win everyone’s heart.

How could she let go of him so easily?

He was the one she had loved for four years.

Suddenly, Xu Mingxuan raised his hand, cupping Shen Qingqing’s face and leaning in to kiss her.

Shen Qingqing quickly turned her head, avoiding him, and pushed hard against his chest.

“What are you doing?”

Xu Mingxuan suddenly lost himself.

Since his restraint only encouraged her to overstep boundaries, he decided to use the method he knew best to control her:

“What am I doing? I shouldn’t respect you. I should have done this to you a long time ago.”

Why did he only realize now? To make a woman wholeheartedly devoted, you had to win her over completely.

Even if he didn’t have feelings for her, he wouldn’t allow her to have none for him.

“Get away from me!” Shen Qingqing kicked and struggled against Xu Mingxuan.

Bang!

The swimming pool door was slammed shut forcefully.

Both Xu Mingxuan and Shen Qingqing looked toward the door.

Mo Lingcheng stood there, draped in a long black down coat.