After a Flash Marriage with a Professor - Chapter 97

Chapter 97: Marriage and Love

The first thing Ming Shu noticed was not whether anything was on her desk or if Qin Nan had immediately returned the documents to her, but Qin Nan’s empty desk.

“Qin Nan is not here,” Ming Shu said.

Ling Han happily announced, “Ming Shu, your documents are back.”

Ming Shu was momentarily stunned before looking at her desk. The thick manila folder lay quietly on her desk, looking as if it had been there all along.

A sigh of relief finally escaped Ming Shu’s heart. She tightened her grip on the lunch she was holding for Qin Nan.

“Why are you still standing there? Go check if any documents are missing.” The tension in Ling Han’s mind finally eased. She smiled and patted Ming Shu’s shoulder. “Go.”

“Oh… okay,” Ming Shu said dazedly. Ming Shu walked towards her desk, then remembered she hadn’t given the lunch to Qin Nan, and turned back.

“Give it to me, I’ll put it on Qin Nan’s desk for you,” Ling Han said.

Ming Shu quickly handed the packaged lunch to Ling Han and rushed to her desk. She started checking the documents before even sitting down. Ling Han watched her steadily for a moment. When a colleague entered the office and called her “Group Leader,” she snapped out of her thoughts, withdrew her gaze from Ming Shu, and walked toward Qin Nan’s desk.

“Did you see Qin Nan?” Ling Han asked the colleague who greeted her.

“No,” the colleague shook his head. “Didn’t Qin Nan say he had a stomach ache and would rest in the office? Huh? Where is Qin Nan?” The colleague looked around in confusion.

Ling Han lowered her eyes, reached out, and placed the lunch Ming Shu brought for Qin Nan on Qin Nan’s desk.

The colleague saw it and flattered, “Group Leader really cares about us subordinates.”

Ling Han looked up. “Ming Shu bought it.”

“Oh, it was the Deputy Group Leader! The Deputy Group Leader is really kind.” The colleague chuckled, scratching the back of his head awkwardly, and added, “Qin Nan probably went to the restroom or to the hospital.”

“Mmm.”

Ling Han walked towards Ming Shu, who was already seated.

“How is it?”

Ming Shu only replied after checking, “It’s all here.”

“That’s good.” Ling Han smiled. She stood behind Ming Shu, watching Ming Shu still flipping through the thick stack of documents. Her fair, rounded fingers looked soft, much like Ming Shu’s overall demeanor: gentle, seemingly moldable into any shape, with kindness and tenderness as her core nature.

Ling Han felt that Professor Shen was also gentle, but Professor Shen’s gentleness was more aloof, polite, and humble. Her private tenderness was probably only seen by Ming Shu. How had Professor Shen molded Ming Shu? Ling Han didn’t know. She only knew that good love could make a person better.

After being with Professor Shen, Ming Shu had indeed become better. As a friend, Ling Han was happy but also a little heartbroken.

The person who brought happiness to Ming Shu and made her better was destined not to be her.

When she first learned that Ming Shu had a lightning marriage after a blind date with Professor Shen, who had no emotional foundation, she held a sliver of hope. She secretly thought that perhaps Professor Shen and Ming Shu were unsuitable and would separate, giving her a chance. But gradually, she realized that hope was becoming increasingly slim. Now, the dream should be thoroughly broken. She had absolutely no room to pursue Ming Shu. Ming Shu treated her as a friend, and she would be content to be Ming Shu’s friend. This was the best outcome.

“No problem.” Ming Shu checked the documents again, hugging them happily.

Ling Han looked at the beautiful, relaxed smile on Ming Shu’s face, burying all the thoughts Ming Shu didn’t know about deep in her heart. “Take a break first. You have to submit the documents this afternoon and also receive the American delegation. Recharge your energy.”

“You too. Thank you so much today, Ling Han.”

Ming Shu’s eyes curved with her smile. Her naturally bright, glittering eyes seemed to emit sparks. No matter how many times their eyes met, Ling Han still felt her heart being struck heavily by something.

Ling Han smiled back at Ming Shu, nodded, and then turned to return to her own workstation.

Ming Shu didn’t notice the faint sadness in Ling Han’s smile. Full of joy, she took a photo of the recovered documents and sent it to Professor Shen.

The documents are back, Professor Shen. Thank you for your advice this morning.

It was Wife who was amazing.

Ming Shu sent a sticker of a rabbit bowing. Shen Junlan couldn’t help but laugh. The rabbit also had a backpack, just like her little bunny wife—still a cute child.

Thinking of this, Shen Junlan couldn’t let Ming Shu just be a child.

Is there any reward? Wife.

Asking for a reward again but this was indeed Professor Shen’s usual style. Although her cheeks were burning red, Ming Shu’s typing remained as normal.

Only verbal rewards. Already given.

After sending it, Ming Shu felt a little cold toward Professor Shen, so she sent two red roses as an addition. Feeling it still wasn’t enough, Ming Shu pulled up her rarely used stickers, found one of a rabbit blowing a kiss, and sent it.

Is this okay now.

Wife has stickers like this. Send more in the future.

No more. I’m taking a nap! Goodbye, Professor Shen.

Ming Shu abruptly said goodbye to Professor Shen. Shen Junlan leaned back, laughing. A colleague came over to share a milk tea bought by joining an order, and was startled by the unusual expression on Shen Junlan’s face.

“Professor Shen?” The colleague knocked on the open door and called out tentatively. Why is Professor Shen smiling as if she’s been possessed?

“Professor Lin.” Shen Junlan contained her smile, her face still wearing a faint smile as she interacted with her colleague.

“I came to give you milk tea,” Professor Lin walked in. “I suddenly wanted to drink Mango Pomelo Sago today. There was a buy-one-get-one-half-price deal, so I bought one for you too. It’s normal sugar, which you should be able to accept, right?”

Shen Junlan wasn’t sure if she could accept it. She reached out to take it, smiling, “Thank you. I think I don’t fear sweetness right now.”

Professor Lin asked curiously, “Professor Shen, you haven’t fallen in love, have you?” She had forgotten that Professor Shen was already married, because she hadn’t seen Professor Shen’s wife, nor had she seen Professor Shen share or boast on social media. Everything seemed the same as before, except for that smile just now, which clearly indicated the inherent sweetness of someone in love.

“In a hot post-wedding romance,” Shen Junlan gave this answer after a moment of thought.

Professor Lin pretended to shiver, “This is perfect for you to drink. I’m going back to rest. I wish you and your wife a long, hot romance.”

Professor Lin left. Shen Junlan began to taste the Mango Pomelo Sago, which seemed to be very popular lately.

Mmm, the taste is alright. Sweet, with pure ingredients. The mango is fresh, and the milk used is decent, not low quality.

Shen Junlan thought Ming Shu might like it, so she planned to buy a cup for Ming Shu too, and then suddenly remembered her little bunny wife got a promotion. It was a good reason to celebrate a little.

So, Shen Junlan opened a long-unused chat box and asked Ling Han about the details—how many people were in the office and if anyone had dietary restrictions for milk tea.

Ling Han was surprised to receive a message from Professor Shen. She tilted her head, leaned back, and looked over a workstation to see Ming Shu, who was asleep, clutching the stack of documents.

Did Professor Shen contact her because she couldn’t reach Ming Shu? Or was she asking her to give Ming Shu a little surprise?

Ling Han answered Shen Junlan’s questions and agreed to help receive the delivery when it arrived, ensuring everyone in the office got a share.

Ling Han glanced at the empty seat again. Qin Nan still hadn’t returned. There were also other colleagues not taking their lunch break in the office. Wait a bit longer.

40 minutes later, the delivery driver brought a large box of packaged drinks. There were many varieties. Ling Han chose a fruit tea for herself and, as Professor Shen requested, helped take out a cup of Mango Pomelo Sago for Ming Shu.

When Ling Han placed the Mango Pomelo Sago on Ming Shu’s desk, she accidentally touched Ming Shu. Ming Shu felt something cold against her hand and woke up with a start.

She opened her eyes and saw a hand and a cup of Mango Pomelo Sago. She turned her head, and it was Ling Han.

“Did you buy this drink for me? Thank you,” Ming Shu blinked her sleepy eyes, thanking her somewhat groggily.

Ling Han’s heart softened. She hadn’t expected to see Ming Shu like this, but she controlled herself not to think further. It was useless, just adding to her troubles.

“No,” Ling Han couldn’t remember how many times she had looked away from Ming Shu’s face. “Professor Shen bought it for you. Professor Shen bought drinks for everyone in our office.”

“It was Professor Shen!” Ming Shu was instantly wide awake.

She had previously seen Ling Han and Qiao Qian treat colleagues to drinks. Colleagues were hesitant to accept due to their positions. Then Ling Han, as Group Leader, bought drinks for everyone. Ming Shu had wondered if she should do the same, but she was troubled, unsure how to place the order or her colleagues’ specific preferences. Professor Shen just suddenly did it for her.

Ming Shu opened her phone and found that Professor Shen had indeed messaged her.

I had Mango Pomelo Sago given by a colleague at noon. It tasted good. I thought Wife would like it, so I bought one for Wife, and also for your colleagues.

It’s delicious, thank you, Professor Shen. Ming Shu replied.

Professor Shen sent a wolf sticker wearing gold-rimmed glasses.

Can I have another little bunny wife’s flying kiss reward?

Ming Shu generously sent it.

Ending the chat with Professor Shen, Ming Shu started to enjoy the Mango Pomelo Sago. She didn’t usually drink milk tea, only remembering that it cost 26 per cup on the delivery app. She thought it was expensive and had never ordered it.

Her financial situation was much better now, but Ming Shu didn’t spend much, saving the money to pay for the ring. The ring she was customizing for Professor Shen should be almost ready.

The straw pierced the plastic film. Ming Shu bit the straw and took a sip. It was her preferred level of sweetness—not too cloying.

Colleagues gradually woke up, and those who were having lunch break outside also rushed back to work. Some colleagues saw the large quantity of milk tea and habitually looked at Ling Han, as Group Leader Ling Han had treated everyone recently.

Ling Han reminded Ming Shu, “Hurry and distribute them. Let everyone take their own.”

Ming Shu nodded. For some reason, she felt a little embarrassed to speak.

A colleague who was ready for a drink after waking up boldly asked, “Did the Group Leader treat everyone to drinks again?”

“Not me.” Ling Han spread her hands, indicating Ming Shu beside her.

“Oh, it was the Deputy Group Leader!”

“The Deputy Group Leader is really kind. She even brought lunch for Qin Nan at noon.”

Ming Shu blushed from the compliments and quickly explained, “I didn’t buy it. It was… it was Professor Shen who treated everyone.”

As soon as Ming Shu said this, the entire office fell silent.

Deputy Group Leader Ming Shu treating everyone to drinks was already shocking enough, because few colleagues had treated her kindly before, yet she repaid their unkindness with virtue.

Even more so, a big shot whom they, and even the company, couldn’t connect with, actively treating them to drinks.

It was hard not to overthink it. Could this be the big shot subtly supporting his wife and intimidating them?

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