After a Flash Marriage with a Professor - Chapter 72

Chapter 72: Be Selfish

Shen Junlan ignored her, grudging a glance at Qiao Li, and walked directly toward her car.

Qiao Li gritted her teeth, watching Shen Junlan’s retreating back with resentment.

This junior was paying less and less respect to her, Auntie Qiao. If it weren’t for Xi Xi’s feelings, she absolutely wouldn’t be this way. She would have dealt with the then-child Shen Junlan, just as she had dealt with Fang Shuyi back then.

She regretted it, a moment of soft-heartedness, thinking that a child couldn’t cause any waves and wouldn’t threaten her status. Little did she know that the situation would be this chaotic twenty years later.

The thought of her precious daughter, Xi Xi, still being detained made Qiao Li unable to sit still. She opened the car door and ran after Shen Junlan, who hadn’t yet gotten into her car.

“Junlan, wait. Auntie Qiao has something to say to you.”

Shen Junlan paused but didn’t turn back. She didn’t want to see Qiao Li’s face.

Qiao Li rushed after her and twisted her ankle. She was inwardly relieved that Shen Junlan had her back to her, preventing her from being embarrassed.

“Junlan, you’ve misunderstood Auntie Qiao’s intentions. Auntie Qiao didn’t come here today to cause trouble for your wife, nor did I intend to harm her. Auntie Qiao came here specifically to wait for you.”

“Wait for me?”

“Yes. The villa is the house your mother left for you. Auntie Qiao knows you don’t like me and Xi Xi bothering you, and thought you might be driving your new wife to work, so Auntie Qiao came here to try her luck.”

“Qiao Qian doesn’t seem to know I don’t welcome her,” Shen Junlan turned around, facing Qiao Li, her gaze sharp.

“You’re right.” Qiao Li said with a placating smile, “Xi Xi is young. You’re the older sister, please be understanding. You know she likes you and came back to the country full of joy to get engaged to you. Who knew someone would usurp her place? How could she not be angry?”

“Ms. Qiao, I am not Qiao Qian’s older sister, and Shen Muhua is not my father. Any engagement you haphazardly arranged has nothing to do with me.”

“It was our mistake. We didn’t ask for your thoughts or consider your feelings, rushing to arrange the engagement for you and Xi Xi. The greatest responsibility for this lies with me. Auntie Qiao was doing it for Xi Xi’s happiness, and also for yours. I owe your mother, and I owe you. Xi Xi is willing to compensate you. That would be perfect.”

Shen Junlan listened to Qiao Li’s twisted logic in disbelief, taking a disgusted step back. “Is this compensation, or is it inflicting a second injury?”

“Ms. Qiao, stop beating around the bush. What exactly do you want to tell me?”

“About Zhang Jiajia, did you help Xi Xi plead for mercy?” Qiao Li asked.

“I went, but not to plead for Qiao Qian. Jiajia is unwilling to compromise. She would rather be punished herself than let Qiao Qian off the hook. This is Jiajia’s choice, and I can’t interfere.”

The smile plastered on Qiao Li’s face stiffened. Her over-injected cheeks were immobile for a moment, making her look as rigid as a dummy.

“Junlan is truly like your mother, very charming. Even after your mother married Muhua, many talented young men still felt sympathy for her. Unfortunately, your mother was too fragile. Fragile people are eliminated by the cruel world. You are a little different from your mother. You are stronger and have more courage. You succeed in everything you do.”

Shen Junlan silently scrutinized Qiao Li. Qiao Li continued, “You are so strong. Auntie Qiao is very comforted for your deceased mother. But your wife, Ming Shu, is like your mother, also a fragile person. Do you think she can live a little longer than your mother?”

“What are you trying to do?”

“I’m not trying to do anything.” Qiao Li curved her bright red lips and smiled like a ghost. “Junlan, you’re nervous again. Don’t be nervous. Auntie Qiao won’t do anything to your wife. Auntie Qiao won’t do anything illegal. It’s too low-class. A thousand injuries to the enemy, but eight hundred self-inflicted.”

“What exactly are you plotting?”

“Junlan, do you really care about Yan Mingshu that much?”

Shen Junlan stared intently at Qiao Li. Qiao Li suddenly burst into laughter, her bright red lips opening to reveal a set of somewhat unnatural porcelain teeth, signaling that she has always lived by “feeding” on others, consuming the happiness of others to fill her own emptiness.

Shen Junlan did not want to waste any more time with her. She opened her car door, got into her car, and set off to find Yu Yue.

While waiting at a red light, Shen Junlan sent Ming Shu a message, telling her not to leave the company alone, to wait for her to pick her up in the evening, and not to talk to strangers.

Ming Shu felt a bit perplexed when she received the message, but she still replied with an “okay.” She believed that there must be a reason for Professor Shen’s action, and Professor Shen would not harm her.

At lunch, Ling Han asked her if she wanted to go to an outside restaurant for a change of pace. Ming Shu remembered Professor Shen’s instructions and decided to go to the company cafeteria instead. Ling Han went with her.

During her lunch break, Ming Shu called Lingyu to check on her. Lingyu’s mood was much better, and everything seemed to be back on track, but when she asked about Miss Yu, Lingyu became hesitant.

“Is there a new development?” Ming Shu squatted by the window on the company’s stairs and asked in a low voice.

“No new development,” Lingyu denied.

“Lingyu, Miss Yu is a nice person. I asked Professor Shen. Since you’re also going on a blind date, you could consider Miss Yu. Of course, I’m just suggesting you consider it. Whether you like her or not is up to you.”

Lingyu tilted her head, looked at her phone, and smiled. “I know, Ming Shu. Don’t worry, whether I’m single or find a partner, I will take good care of myself.”

“Mmm, I believe you, Lingyu.” Ming Shu said happily. She felt that Lingyu had quickly recovered this time. Lingyu was no longer the Lingyu from college who would be knocked down by one thing and couldn’t get up for a long time.

Lingyu had become stronger. She also had to work hard to become better and stronger. She couldn’t become complacent just because she had Professor Shen. On the contrary, she wanted to challenge herself and be a better match for Professor Shen on all levels.

Career, courage, determination, and love.

In the afternoon, they had an office meeting to praise the success of the U.S. business trip project. The leader specifically commended Ming Shu and Ling Han. After the leader spoke, he asked Ling Han and Ming Shu to say a few words.

Seeing Ming Shu nervous, Ling Han stepped up first, casually saying a few official words to set an example for Ming Shu. When it was Ming Shu’s turn, she still couldn’t speak. Her head felt fuzzy, and she felt surrounded by buzzing bees.

“The young lady lacks experience and is nervous. I’m Ming Shu’s team leader, so I’ll speak a few words for her.” The team leader seized this opportunity to speak, excessively praising Ming Shu, as if this could offset his previous targeting and ridicule.

“Hold it.” Mia couldn’t watch any longer and called a stop. “Vice President Zhang asked Ming Shu to speak, not you.”

“Ming Shu, you speak.” Mia cast an encouraging look at Ming Shu. This girl was good in every way, but a bit timid in front of people. To have future growth, she needed to be pushed out to practice more.

Ming Shu was forced into the position. She didn’t know any high-sounding words. She shared a little about her work experience on the project, the cultural sparks during negotiations between China and the West, the difficulties encountered, how they were resolved, and finally thanked the company for the opportunity, the negotiators, and her colleague Ling Han for their help and collaboration. She did not mention the team leader or the other male colleague.

The team leader and the male colleague stood on the periphery, their faces dark and embarrassed.

“Everyone has seen your work performance this time. The company adheres to a ‘wolf’ culture, where everything is based on strength. Evaluations depend entirely on whether everyone’s performance can bring substantial benefits to the company. Yan Mingshu and Ling Han performed well this time, and the office positions should be changed.”

As soon as Vice President Zhang said this, everyone was hushed.

Vice President Zhang turned to ask Mia for her opinion. The two spoke in a low voice for a few moments. Finally, Vice President Zhang personally announced, “From now on, Ling Han will be the office team leader, and Ming Shu will assume the position of deputy team leader. Does anyone have any objections?”

“No,” everyone said in unison. The original team leader and the male colleague, feeling nervous, shouted the loudest.

“No objections, then. Everyone continue working. Ling Han, Yan Mingshu, the two of you come out with me.” After Vice President Zhang called them out, the office quickly became noisy again.

Because of the change in positions, it wasn’t just the former team leader and the male colleague who were uneasy. Most people had participated in the previous ridicule, rumor-spreading, and discussions about Ming Shu. They were all afraid that Ming Shu would take revenge using her position.

When Ming Shu and Ling Han returned to the office, they both found extra items on their desks, especially Ming Shu’s desk, which was nearly piled high. There were several unopened cups of coffee and milk tea alone.

“Whose things are these? They’ve been misplaced. Could everyone please claim them?” Ming Shu remembered what the Vice President had just told her outside—to act like a junior leader, change her personality, and not let her personality weaknesses overshadow her work ability. Her voice was slightly louder, though still a bit trembling.

Ming Shu asked twice before someone said, “Team Leader, that’s just a small token of everyone’s appreciation. Congratulations on your promotion.”

Ming Shu pressed her lips together. She understood. Her colleagues weren’t congratulating her; they were afraid of her. Their consciences were uneasy because of the past, and they were afraid she would make things difficult for them in return.

Ming Shu asked everyone to take their things back, but no one did, as if doing so would bring them peace of mind. Finally, Ming Shu reluctantly moved these items to the office area designated for takeout afternoon tea. Only then did people go back to retrieve their things. Ling Han did the same. As they passed each other, Ling Han whispered, “This is enough. You don’t need to explain anything. It’s good to keep these people in awe, otherwise you’ll be taken advantage of again. Ming Shu, you need to think more. If you forgive them, what about the injustices you’ve suffered? You can’t always put yourself last.”

Ming Shu didn’t fully understand the workplace, but she could distinguish that Ling Han was right. If Ling Han hadn’t reminded her, she might have told everyone in the next second that they should just focus on their work and not dwell on the past; it was all over.

Ling Han was right. She couldn’t always put herself last. She could empathize with her colleagues’ worries and fears, but they didn’t empathize with her when they hurt her.

Professor Shen had also said similar things, telling her not to always consider others but to think more about herself.

Perhaps she could be a little selfish and protect herself.

The office atmosphere remained slightly odd all afternoon. Colleagues were anxious, afraid that the team leader and deputy team leader would launch a joint campaign to settle old scores and cause trouble for them. But nothing happened. Everyone felt uneasy, but also relieved, and determined to be better people in the future.

Ten minutes before the end of the workday, a fashionably dressed noblewoman walked into the office. This scene was very similar to a previous one, and colleagues who were slacking off and saw someone arrive felt a subtle thrill.

Qiao Li quietly walked up to Ming Shu and extended her hand. “Miss Yan, hello. I am Xi Xi’s mother, and also Junlan’s Auntie Qiao. I’d like to talk to you.”

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