Ning Qiuxiu was completely absorbed in preparing for the shareholder meeting the next day.

Although she was primarily a mascot, she still had to participate in some discussions and voting.

She had to understand what would happen and what was expected of her to avoid being caught off guard.

So, she spent the entire afternoon and evening cramming information about the meeting.

The first shareholder meeting involved many tasks, such as reviewing the company’s setup, drafting bylaws, electing board members and confirming their compensation, and electing and confirming the supervisory board members and their compensation.

It took the entire day to get through it all.

Ning Qiuxiu adhered to her role as a mascot, relying on Zhan Qingyue to handle all the speaking duties.

She followed the script he had prepared for her whenever she needed to speak.

Since Zhan Qingyue had thoroughly briefed her, the meeting went smoothly without any major hiccups.

At the end of the meeting, everyone took a group photo, and the event was declared a success.

Ning Qiuxiu maintained a serious demeanor throughout, but as soon as everyone left, she slumped over the conference table, exhausted.

The conference was overwhelming, and despite her preparation, she found herself lost in the discussions and negotiations.

Just as she was catching her breath, she heard movement at the door and quickly straightened up, only to see Zhan Qingyuan walking in.

Zhan Qingyuan, as one of the shareholders from the previous investment company that was merged into Fengyi, had attended the meeting as well.

Zhan Qingyue and the other shareholders had already left, leaving Ning Qiuxiu alone in the meeting room.

Seeing her dejected state, Zhan Qingyuan, who was visibly jealous, said, “My brother really treats you well.”

Ning Qiuxiu, finding his jealousy amusing, replied, “You could treat Ji Weiliang well too.”

Upon hearing the name Ji Weiliang, Zhan Qingyuan’s expression changed, and he said, “Shut up. I have nothing to do with her.”

Ning Qiuxiu was surprised.

According to the novel’s plot, Zhan Qingyuan and Ji Weiliang should have reconciled by now.

They were supposed to be getting back together, especially since Zhan Qingyuan had taken Ji Weiliang to sweep Zhan’s father’s grave during Qingming Festival, officially introducing her as his partner.

This didn’t make sense; Qingming Festival was just half a month away.

Ning Qiuxiu was curious about the sudden change in their relationship.

She tried to hide her curiosity and asked, “Aren’t you two on good terms anymore?”

Zhan Qingyuan snorted, “What, are you happy about that?”

“No, I’m just concerned as your sister-in-law. You shouldn’t always see me as an adversary. Even if I was wrong before, I never did anything to wrong you, right?”

“…”

This was indeed the truth.

Ning Qiuxiu had not wronged anyone, especially not him.

Zhan Qingyuan was momentarily stunned, his expression changing slightly.

He eventually said stiffly, “It’s not a misunderstanding. There’s no future between us. Please don’t bring her up again.”

Ah, why is it impossible? She still wanted to know.

However, since Zhan Qingyuan had made himself so clear, pressing further would seem inconsiderate.

Ning Qiuxiu had to suppress her curiosity and said, “Oh well, there are plenty of other options out there. If you missed this one, there will be another, fresher, and greener one ahead. Don’t be discouraged.”

Zhan Qingyuan was amused by her response and leaned against the door of the meeting room with his arms crossed, saying, “Then as a sister-in-law, should you introduce me to a fresh, green one?”

“Let’s skip that,” Ning Qiuxiu said, “I’m afraid of getting struck by lightning. You stay single, and goodbye.”

Saying that, she gathered her things and slipped out through the back door.

Zhan Qingyuan: “……”

After Zhan Qingyue had finished discussing matters with other shareholders, it was time to get off work, and the two of them went home together.

Ning Qiuxiu, seeing Zhan Qingyue sitting in the driver’s seat, nervously took her place in the passenger seat, hesitating.

“Mrs. Zhan, is my driving skill really making you this fearful?” Zhan Qingyue noticed Ning Qiuxiu’s hesitation and spoke up.

Ning Qiuxiu, seeing through his intentions, retorted with his own words, “I’m just worried about becoming a widow at such a young age.”

“I understand,” Zhan Qingyue said with a smile, “So if anything does happen, I’ll try for a one-car, two-lives situation.”

“……Puh puh puh,” Ning Qiuxiu, who had some superstitious thoughts, was annoyed. “Don’t talk about such topics while driving.”

Zhan Qingyue readily agreed, “Okay, I won’t.”

Ning Qiuxiu wanted to offer to drive, but Zhan Qingyue had already started the car and signaled her to fasten her seatbelt, so she had to give up.

It turned out that Zhan Qingyue’s driving skills were quite good.

It seemed he had practiced recently, as the drive was smooth and didn’t give a heart-pounding sensation.

“Hmm? Is this the way home?” After relaxing, Ning Qiuxiu realized something was off.

Zhan Qingyue replied, “The housekeeper asked for leave, so we’ll be eating out tonight.”

“Oh.”

Come to think of it, this might be the first time they’ve had a meal alone outside since they’ve known each other…

Before, Zhan Qingyue’s mobility issues and the need for a specialized diet meant they hadn’t had a chance to eat out together.

Why does this sound so bittersweet?

During rush hour, there was some traffic, and the car moved slowly along the road.

Seeing that they wouldn’t reach their destination for a while, Ning Qiuxiu took out her phone to pass the time.

On WeChat, Jingjing had left her a message.

【Jingjing: qaq Miss Ning, that Zhou Yang is something else. He actually gave me a set of cosmetics, saying that he accidentally bought an extra set when helping a friend abroad, and insisted on giving it to me.】

【Jingjing: I checked, and those cosmetics are quite expensive. What should I do? If I pay him, he’ll be angry. Can you ask Mr. Zhan to find out what’s wrong with him, why he keeps making things difficult for me?】

Ning Qiuxui: “……”

Right, she almost forgot about Jingjing and Zhou Yang’s issue.

Seeing Jingjing’s message, Ning Qiuxui glared at the person driving beside her: “What’s wrong with your assistant? If he likes someone, he should go after them.

Instead, he’s giving attitude and making Jingjing think he has a problem with her. With this attitude, it’s no wonder the girl doesn’t like him.”

Zhan Qingyue: Observing the road ahead, he casually asked, “What kind of person do you think Zhou Yang is?”

Zhou Yang?

Ning Qiuxui wasn’t very familiar with him but felt that this assistant was cold and polite, more like a domineering CEO than any CEO she knew.

She thought for a moment and said, “He seems pretty steady and reliable… Oh, I get your point now. You think Zhou Yang isn’t the type to easily show his displeasure?”

Zhan Qingyue nodded with a smile and said, “It seems reading more is indeed useful.”

Her brain has become a lot sharper.

“……” Ning Qiuxui felt there was some hidden meaning in that remark, but she couldn’t pinpoint anything wrong with it, so she said, “So, there’s something about Jingjing that makes him unable to hold back his anger?”

“Jingjing’s lack of subtlety must have irritated him,” Zhan Qingyue pinpointed accurately.

Well… this is indeed possible.

For example, last time Jingjing thought the cake was a gift from her and Zhan Qingyue, Zhou Yang got angry.

If it were her, she’d be angry too, and not only that, she might even want to punch the person to vent her anger.

Sigh, it’s really unfortunate.

But it’s also Jingjing’s fault.

Zhou Yang likes her but never says anything.

He insists on keeping it to himself, expecting her to understand his convoluted feelings.

How could she know his complicated thoughts?

Hmph, that’s a common trait with their boss.

“How about…” Ning Qiuxui came up with an idea, “Tomorrow is Saturday. Let’s invite Jingjing and Zhou Yang over for dinner. What do you think? Hey! I think it’s a good idea.”

Without waiting for Zhan Qingyue’s opinion, Ning Qiuxui immediately started messaging Jingjing.

Zhan Qingyue: “……”

Mrs. Zhan, who is eager to play matchmaker, can you first look at the red threads you haven’t untangled yourself!

Zhan Qingyue took Ning Qiuxui to a famous lakeside restaurant in the city for dinner.

After the meal, he subtly suggested, “There’s a cinema across the square. How about we go watch a movie?”

The restaurant where they were going to eat was right across from a large plaza.

The plaza had a cinema on the fifth floor, only two streets away, so they could walk there directly without even needing to take the car. It was extremely convenient.

“But how can I go to the movies like this!” Ning Qiuxiu looked at herself in her formal suit with frustration.

Since it was the day of the shareholders’ meeting, she was dressed in formal attire, her hair pinned up, looking ready for a bilateral trade agreement signing.

Zhan Qingyue: “……”

Does watching a movie require a specific dress code?

Apparently, it did, as Ning Qiuxiu was adamant about not going in her current outfit.

Zhan Qingyue’s movie plan was once again dashed.

If he weren’t so refined, he’d probably be cursing internally by now, but being as cultured as he was, he could only summon up one expletive: damn it.

Damn it indeed, with everything in place, it was a shame to be thwarted by clothing.

“Well then…” Zhan Qingyue settled for a compromise, “How about a walk by the lake below to help digest?”

“Ah! If you had said we were going to walk,” Ning Qiuqiu complained, “I would have eaten more. Ugh, what a waste.”

“……” Zhan Qingyue was displeased, “I’m not taking on this kind of drama in the future.”

He didn’t interfere with Ning Qiuxiu’s career, but this kind of role was just too extreme.

For Ning Qiuxiu’s height, weighing 85 pounds was unhealthy.

Maintaining that weight meant controlling her appetite meticulously, counting every bite to ensure she didn’t exceed her calorie limit.

It was inhumane.

Whether to take such roles was up for debate, but Ning Qiuxiu clenched her fists and declared, “Once filming is over, I’m going to eat and drink to my heart’s content for half a month, to make up for all the losses during this period.”

Zhan Qingyue chuckled, “So you’ll become a little fatty then?”

“……” You’re the little fatty! Ning Qiuxiu huffed, “No, I’ll be an angry bird, specifically targeting you green-haired pigs!”

Zhan Qingyue: “……”

You have quite the humor!

The “green-haired pig” remark didn’t upset Zhan Qingyue; in fact, he even smiled fondly, “Then what should I get you now? We have spicy crab, white-cut chicken, oil-braised shrimp, and grilled lamb chops. We can eat those and then go.”

Ning Qiuxiu: “……”

Damn, those were all her favorites.

Hmph, she didn’t want to eat any of it, Ning Qiuxiu tried to convince herself.

“None of it,” Ning Qiuxiu said with a smug face, “I can have a medium-sized milk tea later. Yay, I’m so happy!”

Zhan Qingyue found her expression of joy at just the prospect of milk tea both amusing and heart-wrenching.

Behind the glamorous facade of a star, there was often the painful reality of dieting.

He watched as Ning Qiuxiu let down her previously pinned-up hair, with her bangs covering above her eyes, a large mask covering below her eyes, and added a pair of flat glasses.

She wrapped herself up snugly, looking exceedingly adorable.

Any small regret he had vanished instantly.

It seemed that a walk was a good choice after all.

Once Ning Qiuxiu was ready, Zhan Qingyue extended his hand to her, “Let’s go.”

Ning Qiuxiu smiled and took his hand.