I Want a Lifetime with You
Chapter 253

After the crowd dispersed, Shi Nuan looked straight at Lin Yu. "Thank you, Mr. Lin!"

"You're welcome. Don't forget, I was involved in the gossip, too." Lin Yu arched his brows as he chuckled, "What's wrong? Are you upset because they gossiped about you?"

Shi Nuan shook her head. "Not really. But it's working hours, so I don't think it's a good idea to discuss this at work." Besides, she was now in the eye of the storm, so she couldn't allow anyone to get anything on her, especially if that someone was Song Jingyu.

Fu Chengyan told her he would take care of this, but she thought it would be better to take certain precautions of her own. Based on the few interactions she had with Song Jingyu, the woman was tough and unwilling to take no for an answer. Coincidentally Shi Nuan was afraid of people who wouldn't give up.

Lin Yu's lips curved up in a smile when he saw how troubled Shi Nuan was. "Let's go up. Don't forget, we still have to work. After taking two days off, have you forgotten everything?"

"Of course not. I didn't just laze around at home for the past few days. I'll show you the proposals I've prepared later."

Both of them went upstairs while talking about work, blissfully unaware that someone had already taken photos of them and sent them to Song Jingyu.

In the office, Song Jingyu was seated at her desk. The other secretaries were busy with work, and even Mai Qi was busy arranging work. Only Song Jingyu had nothing to do.

She stared at the man and the woman in the photo for a long time before pocketing her phone. Turning to Mai Qi, Song Jingyu realized she had her head down, obviously busy with something. Song Jingyu hesitated, but when she recalled what Song Zhenyan told her this morning before she left for work, she convinced herself to go to Mai Qi.

Mai Qi was taken aback when she noticed a shadow, but she didn't raise her head. Song Jingyu turned impatient upon seeing Mai Qi's reaction, but held her impatience back and whispered, "Mai Qi, do you have time now?"

Raising her head, Mai Qi knew what Song Jingyu was planning upon hearing her voice. Sneering silently, she remained expressionless and glanced at Song Jingyu, "Ms. Song, can't you see?" She pointed at the files and reports on her table.

Song Jingyu's face immediately fell. But upon recalling Song Zhenyan's instructions this morning, she took a deep breath and forced out a smile. "Can I talk to you? It won't take long. I won't waste too much of your time and delay your work."

Mai Qi paused before arching her brows, "Go ahead, then."

Song Jingyu glanced around, "Let's talk somewhere else. We can't talk about this here."

Mai Qi looked around before nodding reluctantly, "Fine, I'll give you five minutes. I'm afraid these would keep me busy all morning."

"Okay, let's go to the pantry."

Mai Qi followed Song Jingyu to the pantry. Although Song Jingyu disliked and looked down on Mai Qi, she didn't show it on her face. When they arrived in the pantry, Song Jingyu took out some coffee she bought, "I asked my friend to help me buy this coffee from Germany. Try some. The taste is great. It's rare to get such excellent coffee locally."

Song Jingyu pretended to open the jar. Mai Qi smirked when she heard Song Jingyu's words, "No need for that. I shouldn't be drinking something this expensive. Plus, I don't have much time. Ms. Song, please make it short. As long as it's my job, I'll do it well."

Song Jingyu froze, "It's nothing, actually. That night, I lost control of myself and did something terrible. I-I just want to apologize to you. Mai Qi, you won't be mad at me, right?"

The woman reached over to hold Mai Qi's hand. Mai Qi was bewildered. She felt goosebumps all over her body. Wow, this Song Jingyu can really act well. Is she flattering me because of Fu Chengyan? I know how much she despises me, but look at what she's doing now.

"What's wrong? Are you really mad at me?" Song Jingyu pouted at Mai Qi unhappily. People would think Mai Qi had bullied her if they didn't know any better.

With an icy glare, Mai Qi sneered, "Ms. Song, you must be joking. I have no right to be mad at you. Plus, we are not close at all, so there is no reason for me to be mad. You have no need to be concerned about this. After all, no one can control you in Shengyuan. I'm merely a secretary, so I can't control you either. I am busy, so I have to go."

"Mai Qi!" As Mai Qi was about to leave, Song Jingyu gritted her teeth and exclaimed, "Must we talk this way? I know I was wrong that day. But I was too upset and thought-"

"Ms. Song, you don't have to do so. I'm merely a white-collar worker and am not someone influential. I'm Mr. Fu's secretary, so I do whatever he orders me to do. Ms. Song, you should know about Mr. Fu's temper. That's all I have to say."

Mai Qi left right after saying her piece. Song Jingyu could only stare at her retreating figure furiously.

She realized Mai Qi had never intended to help her at all. The woman accepted her gifts and helped her because Fu Chengyan told her to do so. This meant Fu Chengyan knew about the rigged box. Song Jingyu clenched her teeth. The more Fu Chengyan hated her, the more she wanted to be with him. Her end goal was to marry him.

"Just wait and see. You will end up being mine!"

Mai Qi returned to her seat and let out a long sigh. Right then, Zhou Zheng summoned her to his desk. "If Song Jingyu comes to you for help, do whatever she tells you to do."

"What?" Mai Qi was astounded. She didn't know what Zhou Zheng meant. "But Mr. Zhou, Song Jingyu has ulterior motives, and she-"

"No matter what, do everything she tells you to do," Zhou Zheng gestured. "You and I work for Mr. Fu. I believe you know how he thinks."

Mai Qi nodded. She knew Fu Chengyan despised Song Jingyu, or else all those incidents wouldn't have happened. But she could not stop herself from asking, "Mr. Zhou, why didn't you tell me earlier? I had just rejected Song Jingyu. What should I do?"

"You do nothing. Don't worry. After Song Jingyu replaces out no one else will help her, she will come back to you." Zhou Zheng spoke with certainty.

Mai Qi was uncertain at first, but upon recalling how Song Jingyu begged her for help, she nodded. "Okay. Mr. Zhou, anything else?"

Since Zhou Zheng waved his hand to dismiss her, Mai Qi went back to work.

In fact, Zhou Zheng was right. Song Jingyu came to Mai Qi again at noon. She said she wanted to buy Mai Qi dinner later. After hesitating and putting on a show, Mai Qi agreed. "Okay, then."

"Great! After work, I'll wait for you in the basement parking lot. We'll go shopping together." Song Jingyu gazed at Mai Qi, full of disdain for her. Well, you keep saying no, but you can't resist it when I lure you with money!

On the other hand, Mai Qi was wondering, When would Mr. Fu deal with Song Jingyu? She's too annoying.

Shi Nuan was busy the whole day. Because it was the first day of work after a holiday, many tasks were piled up. Everyone was busy with work, too. When Shi Nuan was finally able to take a breather, it was almost time to get off work.

She had just finished packing up when Yuan Jia came over and knocked on her desk excitedly, "Nuan, let's go shopping today."

Shi Nuan raised her eyebrows, "Why do you suddenly want to go shopping?"

"Well, we haven't met for days, and the new year is approaching. I was thinking of buying a few outfits for myself as a reward," Yuan Jia glanced at Shi Nuan. "Hmm, something is off. You always say you don't have time when I ask you to go shopping, but where and when did you buy this outfit?"

Shi Nuan couldn't help but smile. "I am not picky with my clothes," she told Yuan Jia. When she remembered she couldn't go back to Wutong Residence for the time being and had to keep a distance from Fu Chengyan, her heart sank in despair.

Sometimes she would wonder - was this the right thing to do? She and Fu Chengyan had already registered their marriage. Why would they need to hide it from the public? But upon recalling the complicated situation, which included the Shi family who was watching her closely, together with the Fu clan and Song family who were at odds, Shi Nuan could only hold back her emotions.

"What's wrong?" Yuan Jia could sense that something was wrong with Shi Nuan's mood. She shook Shi Nuan's arm gently. "I was talking about shopping, but why are you so upset?"

Shi Nuan shook her head and kept her thoughts hidden. "I'm fine. Okay, let's go shopping." She hadn't cleaned up her rented home for some time, and she needed to buy some stuff as well. Since she couldn't go back to Wutong Residence, she had no choice but to go back to her previous home. Shi Nuan was thinking of buying some daily necessities. "Let's go to the shopping mall. I need to buy some things for my home."

"Yes. Let me pack up now. We'll leave right away!"

Yuan Jia hopped back to her desk happily to pack up while Shi Nuan shook her head upon seeing Yuan Jia's reaction. Her phone rang, and she saw Fu Chengyan's name on the screen. "Hello?”

"It's me." Fu Chengyan's low voice resonated. Shi Nuan was surprised. "Yes, I know."

"I'm sorry we can't go back home together today, May."