Chapter 80

The cornflower-blue sapphire ring shimmered on Shen Qiancheng's finger. Sunlight filtered through the colorful windows, casting rainbow reflections across the room.

Shen Qiancheng lounged lazily in a woven rocking chair, a book resting on her lap as she soaked up the sun.

Liao Xue, dressed in a thick white shirt dress with an apron tied around her impossibly slender waist, bent over to wipe the table.

A week had passed since they'd arrived in Switzerland, and the two had been living a blissful, ordinary life together.

The breeze rustled the wide-open window, making it rattle.

Liao Xue got up to shut it and turned around to hear Shen Qiancheng ask, "Let's go buy a suit."

A suit? Why buy a suit on such a nice day?

Liao Xue tilted her head, resting her chin on the mop. Shen Qiancheng was wearing one of Liao Xue's sweaters—a bit long for her and slightly too small.

But... Liao Xue thought Shen Qiancheng looked incredibly sexy in it.

"Sure, but why the sudden urge to buy a suit?"

Shen Qiancheng closed the book, her long, narrow eyes warmed by the sunlight, and said slyly, "I came to you penniless. We can't just live off what we have forever."

Liao Xue pursed her lips. "You want to get a job? I can go out and find work. You don't need to—"

Shen Qiancheng placed her hand on Liao Xue's shoulder. Why was her girlfriend so endearingly selfless?

Shen Qiancheng sighed. "Liao Xue, are you a little fool?"

Liao Xue froze, then said firmly, "No!"

"I'm not a child anymore. Do you think I'd let myself be fooled again?" Shen Qiancheng pinched Liao Xue's ear playfully, laughing.

Liao Xue clenched her hand, the tingling in her ear making her instinctively shrink back.

"But... but..."

Shen Qiancheng waved her hand dismissively. "And you're underestimating your wife. In my three years in Switzerland, I earned more than just a degree."

Shen Qiancheng tossed her hair, threw an arm around Liao Xue's shoulder, and said proudly, "I just remembered I actually own a company here. I haven't visited in a while, so I want to check on it."

Seeing Shen Qiancheng radiate confidence, Liao Xue was momentarily dazed. The gap between her and Shen Qiancheng was still too wide, wasn't it?

Liao Xue said, "Then I'm coming too."

Shen Qiancheng agreed without hesitation.

Their taxi sped through the streets of Switzerland, and Liao Xue's heartbeat quickened.

Last time, Shen Qiancheng had taken her to the Shen Corporation, and she...

Liao Xue's thoughts wandered aimlessly as Shen Qiancheng excitedly told her about her own company—how she built it from scratch, how she'd tricked Shi Jianren, growing the initial venture into its current scale.

Shen Qiancheng spoke with animated enthusiasm, more dazzling than the sun behind her.

Liao Xue smiled and nodded, like a mother proudly watching her exceptional child.

The taxi stopped at the entrance, with passersby hurrying by.

Shen Qiancheng got out first, gallantly opening the door and extending her hand with a beaming smile toward Liao Xue.

Liao Xue gave a coy smile, placed her hand in Shen Qiancheng's, and was pulled out by her.

The wind hit them like a thunderclap.

Liao Xue asked tentatively, "Can I go in?"

Shen Qiancheng had expected this. After everything they'd acknowledged and the ring she'd placed on her finger, she feigned anger. "No. You'll wait right here until I get off work. Don't move."

She shook off their clasped hands. Liao Xue froze, standing in place.

Shen Qiancheng walked off with a resolute back, disappearing into the gleaming company entrance.

Wind howled past Liao Xue's ears. She steeled herself, took her first step, and hesitantly pushed open the door.

In the center of the lobby, a sharply dressed figure stood with hands in pockets, eyes filled with satisfaction.

"Liao Xue." Shen Qiancheng grabbed her hand. "Now we're even. It's not just you forgiving me unilaterally. Don't have doubts—I've always believed in you."

Liao Xue was speechless. Shen Qiancheng had seen through her thoughts, explaining herself for what was on Liao Xue's mind.

Perhaps Shen Qiancheng had changed too.

A new tenderness had emerged in her. Liao Xue's brow softened, and she stepped forward, grabbing Shen Qiancheng's hand firmly. She opened her mouth to speak, but Shen Qiancheng covered it.

"No apologizing."

She had delegated company matters before leaving, ensuring it could run on its own except for key decisions.

Of course, Shen Qiancheng needed updates from relevant personnel during her visit.

The meeting involved department heads presenting results and progress in turn.

At the meeting room door, Liao Xue pushed it open openly without needing Shen Qiancheng's signal, sitting quietly beside the head seat and listening as Shen Qiancheng spoke with unfamiliar people.

The content was tedious. German had a rhythmic quality she couldn't understand, so she kept an eye on Shen Qiancheng's water glass, refilling it whenever it emptied.

Throughout, a scrutinizing gaze lingered on her. Uncomfortable, Liao Xue glared back. The woman had slicked-back short hair, a black professional suit, and a gold watch on her wrist.

Liao Xue was curious about her name, but she never took the stage all meeting.

When the meeting ended, Shen Qiancheng turned her attention back to Liao Xue, only to find she wasn't looking at her at all. Her lips pressed into a tight line.

"Liao Xue?"

Liao Xue jolted, lifting her gaze to a displeased Shen Qiancheng. Forgetting the crowded office, she chose the quickest remedy—grabbing Shen Qiancheng's tie and pressing a kiss beside her lips.

That gaze fixed on her grew sharper.

Only after kissing did Liao Xue realize they were in the conference room. Her face flushed crimson.

Shen Qiancheng's wasn't much better.

Everyone in the meeting wanted to gouge out their own eyes.

The cold, ruthless CEO had never had anyone by her side in three years, dismissing advances with humiliation.

Seeing her walk in this morning holding hands with a jasmine-like woman was strange enough, but someone kissing her in front of everyone was unprecedented.

And! The CEO's face had turned red.

The boss looking shy was no less absurd than Zhang Fei acting coy.

"Um," Liao Xue didn't know where to look, stammering, "I'll get you some water."

Shen Qiancheng cleared her throat. "Which department is next?"

Employees snapped back to business and reported in an orderly fashion.

In an unnoticed corner, someone followed Liao Xue out.

Liao Xue found the break room and pushed the door open, only to find a woman already waiting inside.

It was the one who'd been staring at her during the meeting—a Chinese face.

Her gaze made Liao Xue deeply uncomfortable, so she ignored her.

But the woman spoke, rudely: "You're the boss's girlfriend, aren't you?"

Liao Xue frowned. This person was annoying; she didn't want to answer.

The woman didn't need a reply, rambling on, "It's not legal domestically. Here to register a marriage?"

Liao Xue slammed her cup onto the table. Her good temper was reserved solely for Shen Qiancheng. For those she wanted nothing to do with, she was cold. "What's it to you?"

The woman smiled faintly, tapping her finger on the table, pressure weighing down like a mountain. With a self-deprecating laugh, she said, "I always knew the boss had someone she loved. Seeing you two today, you really are a good match."

Liao Xue: What does that mean?

Faced with a stranger's odd blessing, Liao Xue couldn't bring herself to curse. She said flatly, "Thanks."

She then edged away from the woman, putting as much distance as possible.

The woman persisted, fiddling with the coffee machine to brew a cup, her finger resting against the rim as she slid it over.

Smiling without warmth, she said, "Try this bean. It's the boss's favorite. You're probably used to it too."

Liao Xue pushed the cup back, watching every flicker of the woman's expression. This person was too strange.

She declined politely. "I'm allergic to coffee. Is there any plain water?"

The woman seemed struck by something sad, her smile turning more bitter.

"Oh, right. The boss mentioned that specifically."

Was this woman insane? If Shen Qiancheng had told her, why offer coffee?

Wary, Liao Xue studied her again. Surely she didn't have a knife in her suit pocket?

"Don't misunderstand. I'm just a little unsatisfied." The woman sipped her coffee, its rich aroma curling with sorrow.

"You like her?" Liao Xue had a sudden realization. That explained the stares and the questions.

The woman answered with a question, her tone not angry but resigned.

"Aren't you the same? I was so obvious, and she never reacted. I even wondered if she had some emotional block. I don't even know what I like about her—cold, rude, ruthless, looking down on everyone."

Liao Xue listened, her brow furrowing more with each word. She cut in firmly, "Anyone would fall for her. Beneath that vicious mask is a kind heart; that cold shell is her armor. She was never what you describe."

The protectiveness in Liao Xue's eyes was glaring. The woman laughed at herself. So this was what it meant for two people truly in love?

Seems her own love was shallow—all she saw were flaws, while in the eyes of someone who truly loved her, those very flaws were virtues.

The woman finished the last sip of coffee, which couldn't be more bitter than her heart.

She'd submitted her resignation before Shen Qiancheng's return, only coming today to catch a glimpse of her after hearing she'd visited.

It seemed Shen Qiancheng was truly happy.

A faint smile formed on her lips, tears in her eyes. "I lost. Wishing you two a lifetime of harmony and happiness."

She raised her coffee cup and left the break room.

Liao Xue clutched her cup, the "thank you" stuck in her throat, never spoken.

When Shen Qiancheng finished work and found Liao Xue in the break room.

Shen Qiancheng complained mockingly, "If I'd waited for you to bring water, I'd have died of thirst."

"Alright, alright," Liao Xue handed over the water she'd poured herself, asking casually, "Do you like that coffee bean? Should we buy some tonight?"

Coffee beans? Shen Qiancheng looked confused, ruffling Liao Xue's hair. "Aren't you allergic to coffee?"

A faint smile curled at Liao Xue's lips. "Then we won't buy it."

Shen Qiancheng gave Liao Xue a tour of the company, proudly introducing her as the boss's wife, earning a stream of blessings and praise from employees.

Liao Xue was fine, but Shen Qiancheng's face nearly split from grinning.

As they were leaving work, Shen Qiancheng received Li Kui's resignation letter.

She called her up. "Why are you resigning again? I didn't approve last time, and I won't this time either. You've been here since the company's founding—"

Li Kui listened to the voice she'd longed for over the phone, grateful she hadn't made a move—otherwise, even friendship would be lost.

For three years, no one had been at Shen Qiancheng's side, giving her a false hope.

How could an illusion ever come true?

Shen Qiancheng never had such intentions. How dull indeed.

"I'm going home to inherit the family business. Shen Qiancheng, it was a pleasure knowing you. You've been the focus of my feelings for many years."

Shen Qiancheng was puzzled. "You're attached to the company; you can come back anytime."

Bitterness cut like a knife. Li Kui didn't know how long she'd need to accept it.

But eventually, she would.

The boarding announcement sounded. Li Kui didn't know if she'd ever meet Shen Qiancheng again or encounter anyone as remarkable.

If the answers to those questions were both no, how could she ever find happiness in the long years ahead?

"You've really changed. Before, you wouldn't have said a word."