Chapter 601: Chapter 601

Song Qiao finished the breakfast Lu An’an prepared for her, then got up with the documents in hand and walked towards the elevator.

This building belonged to their company, with over a dozen departments spread across fifteen floors, and their department was located just one floor below the boss’s.

She pressed the elevator button, one hand clutching the files to her chest, while the other hand couldn’t resist pulling out her phone to check for any missed calls or messages.

Just as she turned on the phone, she discovered an unread message, which surprisingly was from Ning Wan.

Her eyes suddenly tightened as she opened the message to read the few short words, "Qiaoqiao, I’m leaving for a while. All is well, no need to worry about me."

Reading those words, Song Qiao couldn’t help but feel a warmth in her eyes, suddenly overwhelmed with the urge to cry.

She instinctively dialed the number, only to find that the phone on the other end was switched off.

The message was sent half an hour ago. She wondered if it was Lu Jingchen who put her phone on silent. No wonder she didn’t hear it ring.

Gripping the white phone tightly, the emotions in Song Qiao’s heart roller-coastered many times over before she could only sigh helplessly and put her phone away, quietly waiting for the elevator.

She believed that Ning Wan would be fine; after all, she was Ning Wan.

Song Qiao wasn’t very familiar with Xi Mohan, but she was very clear about what kind of person he was. She didn’t believe that Xi Mohan disliked Ning Wan, even more, she didn’t believe that Xi Mohan... didn’t love Ning Wan.

Yet often, that man showed towards Ning Wan an attitude as if harboring a deep hatred, which Song Qiao couldn’t understand, and she didn’t even want to understand.

The arrival of Zuo Yuqing to the CK Group office could be said to have blown everyone at CK away with the shock of the news.

On the day the Hollywood Actress suddenly visited to see their boss, people speculated not about whether Zuo Yuqing and their CEO were involved romantically, but rather if Zuo Yuqing had been poached by CK.

After all, people up and down the company felt their CEO must be a man of great restraint. It’s said that for many years, he has not had a single close female presence by his side, apart from the headlines about a scandal with Song Qiao. It’s very difficult to find any news about their young CEO Lu Jingchen in An City, or even internationally.

Lu Jingchen’s assistant had known Lu Jingchen for many years. Compared to others, he knew more about Lu Jingchen and Zuo Yuqing’s matters. Seeing Zuo Yuqing on the CEO’s office floor, he was somewhat surprised.

He had just returned from a business trip at the overseas branch yesterday and was still unaware of Lu Jingchen and Song Qiao’s marriage.

Lu Jingchen has several secretaries and two assistants, but, compared to the others, he was the most trusted and the most favored by Lu Jingchen.

"Miss Zuo," Assistant Xie stepped forward, greeting her politely, his face wearing an appropriate smile.

Zuo Yuqing paused, her tall figure dressed in the latest fashion suit, wearing a pair of oversized sunglasses on her face, which not only added a sense of mystery but also made her meticulously styled appearance even more captivating.

She took off her glasses, smiled slightly, and nodded, "Assistant Xie, long time no see. I never expected that, among those who followed Jingchen, it would still be you in the end."

Assistant Xie smiled slightly, his face showing an impeccable smile, neither servile nor overbearing, but with a touch of indifference as he said, "You jest, Miss Zuo."

After a pause, Assistant Xie glanced at the assistant behind Zuo Yuqing before saying, "Are you here to see the Boss? The Boss is in a meeting in the conference room; you may need to wait a little."

"It’s alright, I can wait," Zuo Yuqing showed no displeasure, lightly nodding her head, scanning her surroundings. She had been here the day before yesterday, so she wasn’t unfamiliar with the place. But perhaps because of her presence, many secretaries who were originally busy couldn’t help but stop in their tracks and occasionally look this way, "May I wait for him in Jingchen’s office?"

The day before yesterday was Saturday. She came because she’d heard Lu Jingchen was working overtime. As it wasn’t a workday, no one was in the secretary’s office, so she had gone in uninterrupted.

But now there were too many people. Although she believed she could go directly in without asking Assistant Xie’s permission, reason told her things were different now. Her relationship with Lu Jingchen was in a very awkward and unclear place.

Assistant Xie hesitated for only ten seconds before nodding, "Then Miss Zuo, please go in and have a seat. I’ll have someone make you a cup of coffee."

"Thanks, I appreciate it, Assistant Xie," Zuo Yuqing smiled faintly, holding Assistant Xie in high esteem, at least more so than the other Special Assistant Xu around Lu Jingchen.

Half an hour later, Lu Jingchen walked out of the conference room, with Special Assistant Xu following behind, holding an iPad and reporting on the work plans for the past few days.

The man’s face bore no expression, even subtly revealing an indiscernible fatigue.

"President, the work for the next few days is roughly arranged . Just now, the chairman from Fengya Group called to invite you to dinner. Would you like to adjust anything here?" Special Assistant Xu held out the iPad directly in front of Lu Jingchen.

Lu Jingchen glanced over the schedule on it, his expression indifferent. Pocketing one hand and holding several documents in the other, his tone lacked any emotional fluctuations, "Leave tonight open for now, don’t schedule any social engagements. Reschedule Fengya Group for tomorrow noon. Follow this agenda for further arrangements."

"Understood, President." Special Assistant Xu immediately took note, and then respectfully added, "President, if there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave."

"Mm, alright!" Lu Jingchen nodded, then added, "Sort out the meeting materials when you go back. If there’s nothing pressing, I’ll give you the afternoon off."

Upon hearing this, Special Assistant Xu’s eyes flickered, a hint of gratitude appearing, "Thank you, President."

His mother had accidentally fallen and hurt her back last night; he had been considering taking leave, but thinking of his boss’ new appointment with plenty of work necessitating their assistance, he reluctantly hired a nurse and planned to visit the hospital after work to care for his mother.

Unexpectedly, his boss was aware of the situation and permitted him to take leave.

Special Assistant Xu had been working beside Lu Jingchen for three years now and knew deeply that Lu Jingchen was a workaholic, as were those around him.

Receiving time off was rare; even Assistant Xie found it difficult to take leave.

Upon returning to his office and opening the door, Lu Jingchen saw Zuo Yuqing standing in front of his decorative shelf, holding an ornament as if waiting for him. His eyes narrowed, his gaze murky and indistinct.

As the sound of the office door opening reached her, Zuo Yuqing abruptly turned around, spotting Lu Jingchen in his smoke grey shirt, tall and straight. Her heart leapt with joy, and she hurriedly set down the ornament, striding over with a smile, charming and gentle combined with her delicate makeup made her small face even prettier. Her voice was tender, "Jingchen, you’ve finished the meeting? I’ve been waiting for you for quite some time."

Lu Jingchen merely paused, then shut the office door. His face unchanged, he hummed indifferently and walked past her, "Miss Zuo, is there something you need from me?"

Zuo Yuqing felt a change come over her expression as she heard Lu Jingchen’s address, her breath tightening while watching the man unhesitatingly pass by, her gaze slightly dropping with a bitter smile, "Jingchen, do we really need to be ?"

She was well aware that this man could be more affectionate than anyone when he was in love but equally unmatched in his coldness once feelings changed.

She had always believed they still had a chance, but after being treated with such indifference again and again, she felt pain and confusion.

Was there really no future between them?

How could that be possible?

After all, he used to love her so much – how could he just stop loving her?

Sitting down at his desk, Lu Jingchen finally glanced up slightly at Zuo Yuqing who stood there with a look of hurt, his demeanor unchanged, his deep eyes unfathomable. His tone casual, he asked directly, "Then tell me, what should we do?"

Zuo Yuqing suddenly looked up at him, meeting those dark, inscrutable eyes.

The man’s tone was too cold; in her memory, he rarely used such a tone with her.

Zuo Yuqing took a moment to gather herself, her hand at her side clenched. Her beautiful nails digging into her palm, "Jingchen, we... although we broke up, we’re still friends, right?"

He responded indifferently, "Friends? Perhaps."

"Since we’re still friends, then there’s no need for you to treat me , right?" Zuo Yuqing tried to smile, though it was strained and difficult. She softly said, "Every time you talk to me , I feel like someone has hit me over the head with a club."

"So, should I treat you gently, as I used to?" His tone was very flat and ordinary, as if he was discussing something utterly mundane.

However, perhaps it was Zuo Yuqing’s own sensitivity, she could detect a note of sarcasm.

She sighed, a bitter smile on her lips, "I know I hurt you before. I’m not insisting that we immediately return to the past, but at least give me a chance to atone."