His Beloved Treasure

Zhang Hongyun shook her head, as if remembering that incident made her feel utterly embarrassed.

"I got it!"

Even though Fan Qing was mentally rejecting Zhang Hongyun’s suggestion, she suddenly realized that she was finding it harder to maintain a friendship with Zhang Hongyun. There were things she didn’t want to talk about with Zhang Hongyun anymore.

In the past, she always went along with Zhang Hongyun, but now and in the future, she wouldn’t anymore, because she’s tired. She wants to live a normal life, no longer being servile, no longer groveling at someone’s feet because it doesn’t benefit her at all, and would only strip her of her dignity.

"Hongyun, no matter what, I hope you have a good future!"

Fan Qing raised her wine glass and toasted with her.

Zhang Hongyun instinctively picked up her glass, thinking it was a simple blessing, and said happily, "Thank you!"

But she didn’t understand that Fan Qing was actually drawing a line. Seeing how naive Zhang Hongyun was, Fan Qing didn’t reveal the truth, just smiled and drank her wine.

After finishing their meal, as they were leaving, they ran into Tan Yiwen and a female colleague of his in the elevator. Fan Qing felt a pang of resentment, not expecting to meet him here, and even more surprised by his glamorous colleague.

However, Zhang Hongyun, with a light laugh, asked, "Yiwen, is she your girlfriend?"

"Just a colleague, discussing work!"

Tan Yiwen gave a brief introduction, glancing at his colleague to show respect.

His colleague guessed that they were acquaintances and nodded slightly, as that’s enough for a brief encounter.

"Oh, finding someone in the same field is good too, no need to hide it, right, Qingqing?"

Zhang Hongyun said with a chuckle, then gave Fan Qing a light pat on the back, prompting Fan Qing to respond.

"Huh?"

Fan Qing looked at Zhang Hongyun blankly, but dared not look at Tan Yiwen, only nodding, "Mm!"

Yes, it’s quite good! Fan Qing secretly glanced at the girl beside him, thinking she was more suitable for Tan Yiwen than Zhang Hongyun.

Tan Yiwen glanced at Fan Qing, said nothing, and the four of them stayed silent in the elevator, each hoping for the time to pass quickly.

"Goodbye!"

When Fan Qing and Zhang Hongyun were walking out on the first floor, Tan Yiwen suddenly said to Fan Qing while still inside, going to the lower level.

Fan Qing wasn’t sure who he was speaking to, but Zhang Hongyun turned back and smiled at him, "See you again!"

Zhang Hongyun’s nonchalance was excessive, while Fan Qing felt less at ease, somewhat lost in thought.

As the elevator closed again, Tan Yiwen’s female colleague laughed, relieved, looked up at him, and Tan Yiwen also chuckled awkwardly, "Don’t mind them!"

The female colleague smiled, quite enjoying the misunderstanding, as in terms of looks and potential, Tan Yiwen was a worthwhile figure.

"Who thinks they’re so awesome, explaining they’re colleagues, as if anyone would believe it’s just that!"

Zhang Hongyun sped up, having just pretended to laugh generously, now fuming, unable to help but speak harsh words.

Fan Qing was somewhat used to this, but also couldn’t quite tolerate it any longer.

So, at the hotel entrance, Fan Qing suddenly removed her arm from Zhang Hongyun’s grasp, "Hongyun, I have to work this afternoon, so I can’t join you."

Zhang Hongyun finally sensed something was off, "I’m free this afternoon, you should take a day off and come shopping with me! I’ll get you a gift, how about that?"

"No need! Can’t take a day off, and the boss won’t allow it. We’ll go another time!"

Fan Qing explained politely yet distantly, then nodded and walked away with her canvas bag.

Zhang Hongyun twisted her body, watching Fan Qing walk away, completely unsure of what had changed in a matter of days.

"That brat, getting bolder recently!"

Zhang Hongyun couldn’t help but mutter before driving off.

Fan Qing went to the company, where she was working at W Company, although she wasn’t a full-fledged staff member yet. She was working hard to improve, hoping to make her mark in this chaotic design company. She knew it was challenging, but without support, she had to brace herself and persist.

——

After work that evening, as she was about to go to the parking lot, she saw a BMW parked at the company entrance.

Fan Qing froze, standing dumbly on the steps, facing the wind, looking at the white car. The door was pushed open from the inside, and Tan Yiwen stepped out with his long legs. He was always suited up, with such an imposing demeanor because of work, making her heart race every time, like she was about to face his questioning.

"Free for dinner?"

Tan Yiwen approached, noticing her unease, but still asked.

"Mm!"

Fan Qing nodded, though unsure how to face him, she knew she didn’t want him to leave.

Tan Yiwen took her to a private restaurant, unexpectedly seeing Qin Mu with her company’s boss Luo Li after parking. Fan Qing tensed up as they spotted her too.

"Boss! Mrs. Mu!"

Fan Qing thought for a moment, then hurriedly went over to greet them.

"Mm! Having a meal with a friend?"

Luo Li noticed the handsome Tan Yiwen walking up from behind and assumed he was associated with Fan Qing.

"Mm!"

Fan Qing nodded.

"Alright then, let’s head in, it’s quite hot outside!"

Luo Li said straightforwardly, as it was indeed hot outside and the parking area was quite crowded.

Qin Mu walked in with Luo Li, and Fan Qing, after some thought, called out, "Mrs. Mu!"

Qin Mu turned her head, Luo Li reflexively did as well.

"Oh! I’ll head in first, you two hurry up!"

Although Luo Li wasn’t sure how Fan Qing knew Qin Mu, she could tell they needed to talk, so she went ahead inside.

Qin Mu nodded at her, then turned back to look at Fan Qing.

"I’m going to make a call."

Tan Yiwen, thinking he should leave, was about to find an excuse to give them some space, but Fan Qing gently held his arm, "No need!"

Tan Yiwen remained still, standing quietly as a transparent presence.

"Mrs. Mu, you probably already know that Zhang Hongyun resigned from your husband’s company, right? But what she told me was she’s planning to use her father’s connections to join a company partnering with your husband’s. She intends to..., you understand!"

Fan Qing couldn’t continue, unable to say certain things out loud.

If it weren’t for Tan Yiwen’s presence, Qin Mu might have asked why she was telling her this, but since Tan Yiwen was there, Qin Mu just nodded, believing they’d have plenty of time in the future.

Qin Mu hadn’t yet learned of Zhang Hongyun’s resignation; Mu Yichen had been so busy that day he hadn’t even called her, and was likely still out socializing.

Qin Mu continued walking inside, considering the Zhang Hongyun situation, until she reached the private room and set aside those troubled thoughts.

"How did you come to know Fan Qing? She’s not from our Rongcheng!"

Luo Li, dressed smartly and in her usual bold, forthright manner, asked as she poured tea for Qin Mu.

"It’s a long story. Does Fan Qing work at your company?"

"Yes, we hired a batch of new recruits this year. She’s one of them, though not very talented in design, so she’s been made an assistant to the designers."

Luo Li nodded, openly discussing with Qin Mu.

"Oh? Hold on!"

Just as Qin Mu was about to ask something, her phone rang from her bag, prompting her to search for it and answer, suspecting it might be her husband.