Chapter 138: Chapter 138

Upon hearing this, Cheng Jin curved her lips into a smile: "I’ll go tell the chef right away." After taking a few steps, she turned back and said, "If you go, sir will definitely be very pleased."

Shen Jianian’s ears turned red, with her hair up, that flush was completely visible.

She raised her hand to pinch her burning earlobe, lowered her head, and focused on finishing her meal, then went upstairs to wash her hair, blow-dry it, and go to the dressing room to change clothes.

Standing in front of the dazzling wardrobe, her fingers brushed over each piece of clothing, selecting a cream-colored sleeveless long dress, perfectly fitting her body’s curves, gathered at the waist, with a full, flowing skirt resembling a classical dance gown.

With the evening temperature dropping, she wore nude-colored leggings and put on a knitted cardigan.

Shen Jianian sat at the dressing table, picked up the foundation, thought for a moment, and put it back, feeling that makeup would seem too deliberate at night. She chose a lipstick with an understated color and lightly dabbed it on her lips, pressing them together.

Downstairs, the chef had already prepared the dishes, and Cheng Jin was packing them into thermal containers.

"The soup is packed separately in this insulated jug, take care not to burn yourself when carrying it." Cheng Jin gently reminded her.

Shen Jianian nodded, grabbed her canvas bag, and headed out the door. Cheng Jin chased after her to hand her a thermos cup, saying it was sweet soup for her to drink.

The driver awaited outside, she got in and gave the address for the Junshan Group Building.

The car moved along the road lit by bright lights, Shen Jianian gazing outside at the view, the lights stretching like a river of stars into the distance. Thinking about meeting Fu Jichen shortly, she felt somewhat anxious and uncertain.

Ever since hearing the abbot’s words, she felt particularly unsettled when unable to see him for even a moment, her thoughts whirling, feeling like her inner feelings were about to be exposed.

"Miss Shen, we’ve arrived."

The driver stopped the car securely and reminded her.

Shen Jianian focused on looking outside, seeing the Junshan Group Building standing tall in the night, its silhouette still clear, like a pillar supporting the heavens in the city’s center.

"I’ll be back soon." Shen Jianian didn’t plan to stay long, intending to leave after delivering the items.

The driver responded, "Alright."

Shen Jianian got out, holding her canvas bag, and the security guard at the entrance didn’t stop her. Inside the resplendent lobby, the reception had already finished work, and some employees were leaving in pairs through the turnstiles, chatting and laughing as they walked out.

Due to Shen Jianian’s striking appearance, even without deliberate makeup or dressing up, just wearing a plain dress made her quite noticeable in the crowd. Those employees cast openly amazed glances, finding her somewhat familiar yet unable to recall where they had seen her before.

Shen Jianian found a spot unnoticed and stood still, calling Fu Jichen.

Like the previous call, it rang for a long time until it automatically hung up with no one answering.

A slightly surprised female voice sounded beside her, Shen Jianian removed her phone and turned to look.

Zhu Yilan emerged from the turnstile, wearing a well-fitting white suit paired with a light blue shirt, the collar slightly open, with a small scarf tied around her neck, high heels on her feet, a trench coat hanging off her arm, and carrying a stylish and simple handbag.

She had cut her hair short, the tips just brushing her chin, more refined and capable than before.

Perhaps due to being off work, her face was not as stern as in the workplace, relaxed with a hint of fatigue.

"I almost thought I was mistaken, but it’s really you." Zhu Yilan looked at the items in her hand, understanding, "Here to see Mr. Chen?"

Shen Jianian smiled: "I just called him, but he didn’t answer."

Zhu Yilan, now transferred to the marketing department, was unaware of the matters in the CEO’s office.

Since she had encountered Shen Jianian, having worked together, it was impossible to ignore her: "Wait a moment, I’ll make a call to check for you."

Shen Jianian expressed gratitude: "Thank you."

Zhu Yilan raised her hand slightly, indicating it was nothing.

She switched her grip on the trench coat, pulled out her phone from her bag, and scrolled through the contacts to call Special Assistant Song Fang of Fu Jichen.

After only a few rings, the call was answered.

Zhu Yilan exchanged a few brief pleasantries, then asked, "Is Mr. Chen in the company... I see, okay. No problem, continue with your work."

Ending the call, Zhu Yilan looked at Shen Jianian and said, "Mr. Chen is upstairs in the conference room. I heard there’s a problem with a project, and he called the core team of the tech department for a meeting. After the meeting, there’ll likely be more work. Song Fang is busy now, I’ll take you up."

"Wouldn’t that be too much trouble for you?"

"I’ve clocked out, no pressing matters." Zhu Yilan put her phone back in her bag, fastening the clasp, and said with resignation, "Going home early will just result in being pressured to get married."

Shen Jianian was surprised, "You’re so outstanding, yet you still face the pressure of marriage?"

She was considered beautiful, tall, with outstanding work abilities, working in a big company like Junshan Group. There should be a lot of elite men pursuing her.

Zhu Yilan swiped her employee card, led her through the turnstile, and headed toward the elevator, "The men introduced to me are either like salted fish with no ambition or have decent salaries but are overly arrogant with zero common topics."

Shen Jianian entered the elevator and asked, "Isn’t there anyone suitable in the company?"

Zhu Yilan leaned against the shiny inner wall of the elevator, with her hand resting on the metal handrail beside her, glanced at her sideways, and lightly curved her lips.

Seeing the unique meaning in her gaze, Shen Jianian guessed, "Does the company not allow employees to date?"

"There’s no explicit rule like that," Zhu Yilan thought she might be naïve because she didn’t have a deep understanding of the workplace, "Office romances are fine if they’re stable, but if not, they can cause big trouble."

She didn’t elaborate much, looking up at the numbers above the elevator as they arrived at the floor where the president’s office was located and the elevator doors opened to both sides.

Zhu Yilan moved away from the elevator wall, stood straight, and stepped out in her high heels.

"They should be in the largest meeting room on this floor, the second-to-last room down the hall," Zhu Yilan led her to a reception room, which was empty, "The president’s office is next door. You wait here first, I’ll go let Song Fang know and see if he can take you to the president’s office."

With different positions come different permissions, she couldn’t freely access the president’s office, but Shen Jianian’s status was different, perhaps she could.

Shen Jianian held the straps of her canvas bag with both hands, thought for a moment, and said, "No need to trouble you, I’ll just hand the stuff over to Special Assistant Song and leave. The driver is still waiting downstairs."

Zhu Yilan was momentarily stunned, "You’re not planning to see Mr. Chen?"

Shen Jianian knew Fu Jichen was busy, but she didn’t realize how busy. Interrupting a meeting wasn’t appropriate, so she shook her head and said, "I won’t disturb him."

Song Fang was in the secretary’s office, and Zhu Yilan, familiar with the place, went over to inform him.

Upon hearing Shen Jianian had arrived, Song Fang put down his work and came over to say hello, "Miss Shen."

Shen Jianian asked, "Has Fu... your Mr. Chen had dinner yet?"

"Not yet," Song Fang answered honestly, "Mr. Chen rushed to company meetings this afternoon and hasn’t stopped. I asked an hour ago if he needed me to order food, and he said not for now."

"That’s perfect," Shen Jianian lifted her canvas bag in her hand, "inside is dinner prepared by the chef at home, give it to him after the meeting."

Song Fang took it with both hands, his mind racing, and said, "I estimate it’ll be another half hour. Miss Shen, aren’t you going to wait?"

"No," Shen Jianian tugged lightly at the corners of her mouth.

Knowing he was fine was enough. Meeting him wasn’t necessary.

The three of them left the reception room and entered the hallway. Shen Jianian glanced back at the second-to-last meeting room Zhu Yilan had mentioned.

From this distance, she naturally couldn’t see anything, but she knew he was in there.

Listening to the footsteps behind her slow down, Zhu Yilan looked back and saw Shen Jianian’s reluctant expression. She had never seen a similar expression on Shen Jianian’s face before, always thinking she was cool and only three degrees warm in social interactions. Even with Fu Jichen, she wasn’t necessarily enthusiastic.

"How about I take you for a look?" Zhu Yilan suggested.

Shen Jianian snapped out of it, her face flushing from being seen through, "No need."

"It’s okay to just glance from outside without disturbing."

"No, no," Shen Jianian quickly waved her hands in refusal, feeling her face might turn redder.

Zhu Yilan didn’t press further, pressing the elevator button.

The elevator was already on that floor, unused by anyone, and opened the next second.

Shen Jianian followed her in, turning to look at the hallway outside. As the elevator doors slowly closed and descended, a slight dizziness came over her, and her heart felt like it was missing something, empty.

At the company entrance, they parted ways, and Shen Jianian thanked Zhu Yilan once more, "Thank you, you really went out of your way for me today."

Zhu Yilan smiled indifferently.

Shen Jianian got into the car. Halfway through the journey, the phone in her palm rang. With a premonition, her heart pounded as she brought the phone to her face, and sure enough, it was a call from Fu Jichen.

"Did you come looking for me at the company?" Fu Jichen’s voice came through the receiver, slightly hoarse, perhaps from talking too much, "Why didn’t you wait for me? Where are you now?"

Through the car window, Shen Jianian spotted a familiar mall and told him her current location.

Fu Jichen said, "Have the driver turn back."