Hints at GL - Chapter 6

Chapter 6

In this six-story historic building, UBS has operated consistently for 150 years. Even today, as the world’s financial system evolves, it remains a vital pillar of the European financial world.

2:00 PM.

“…This is it. I’ll take you to the VP’s office; we have some forms to fill out.” The voice of a slightly plump British woman drifted from the entrance of the Investment Banking Division (IBD), causing everyone to instinctively look up.

“Thank you.”

Accompanying the brief reply, a tall and elegant figure followed her inside. Her smooth long hair was gathered at the back, perfectly revealing her exquisite features. Beneath the collar of her shirt, her beautiful collarbones were partially visible. She carried a light-colored coat over her left arm as her high heels clicked rhythmically across the soft, silent carpet before she came to a halt.

While others were still exchanging puzzled glances, several people stood up, looking either surprised or delighted.

“Suet! I can’t believe you are back!”

“OMG! Look at you!”

This long-lost warmth felt so familiar, as if she had been transported back three years. Jing Han engaged in brief small talk with them, a faint smile on her face.

“I don’t mean to interrupt…” the British woman drawled, slowly cutting them off. “But after I finish briefing her on the onboarding procedures, there will be plenty of time for you to catch up.”

They shrugged and dispersed back to their desks.

Jing Han’s new office sat at the end of the eastern corridor—a private room designated for a VP. After finally finishing the briefing and leaving a stack of forms for her to document her experiences during the three years she spent back in China, the British woman departed.

The faint scent of perfume mixed with the aroma of wood was a familiar smell. Although the view from the floor-to-ceiling glass only reached six stories high—lacking the grandeur of overlooking the entire city—Jing Han looked at the foreign faces passing by on the street and suddenly felt all her stress melt away.

She had finally returned.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

Jing Han turned around in surprise and invited the person in. “…Suet?” Standing at the door was a brown-haired man in a sharp suit. He beamed the moment he saw her. “Hey, you really are back.”

Jing Han pursed her lips slightly. “Machal, long time no see.”

Machal nodded as he scanned the room. “Not bad, you’re a VP now.”

His praise didn’t move Jing Han much; she simply gave a faint smile. “How are things with you?”

Machal leaned casually against the edge of her desk and shrugged. “Promoted two years ago. It feels alright. You know, I prefer London. I couldn’t stand New York; people on Wall Street are just too desperate.”

As someone who had spent a few months as an analyst at a Wall Street investment bank, Machal felt those days were unbearable. How could people not separate work from life? Back when Jing Han was still at UBS, she had found it quite amusing to see Machal arrive in London looking like a man who had narrowly escaped with his life.

“I get off at 5:30 now. I have time to do some investing, spend time with my wife…” Machal continued.

“You’re married?” Jing Han lowered her gaze and finally noticed the ring on his ring finger.

“Oh, of course. My wife is Indian; she’s truly beautiful. I was smitten the moment I saw her at a pub…” Mentioning this topic made Machal’s blue eyes sparkle. “I’ll show you her p—”

Seeing his infatuation, Jing Han played along without much genuine interest. “Mhm. What about the others?”

Machal handed her his phone. “Other people you know?” He tugged at his collar, thinking back slowly. “Carol moved to Citi two years ago… Michelle, that American girl, I think she got married recently… Oh right, and Leo, that Chinese man who was always trying to win your favor. He followed you back to China after you left.”

Machal thought for another moment. “Who else do you know…” After a pause, he suddenly snapped his fingers. “Right!”

That name seemed to touch upon memories she preferred not to mention. Jing Han’s delicate brows knitted slightly. After a moment’s hesitation, she asked reluctantly, “…How is she doing now?”

“She was promoted to VP a while ago, same rank as you. I’m actually in her group now.”

As Machal spoke, he stood up and walked toward the door. “Didn’t you see earlier? Her office is right across from yours.” He peered out for a moment and then checked his watch. “Oh, looks like she’s not in the office right now. She should be at a meeting with R at Royal Mail… She should be back soon based on the time; she’s been busy with that lately.”

Right across the hall…

Jing Han started to feel a headache coming on.

“What’s wrong?” Machal looked at her.

“Nothing.” Not wishing to elaborate, Jing Han steadied herself and changed the subject. “You mentioned the Royal Mail meeting. Did they sign the contract?”

Machal nodded. “Yeah, Royal Mail is going for a full IPO. The contract is signed.” He thought for a second. “This is a massive case. I don’t know how many people it’ll take; you VPs will probably have to handle a portion of it.”

Jing Han gave a thoughtful nod.

“Mind if I come in?”

As they were chatting, the open door was tapped twice. A familiar voice came from behind them.

Machal turned around, delighted. “Ruan!”

The woman had deep, beautiful features and wavy brown hair cascading over her shoulders. Upon closer inspection, she appeared to be of mixed heritage. She stood at the doorway with her slender legs crossed, her turquoise-blue eyes fixed intently on Jing Han.

“Long time no see.” After a long pause, those ruby-red lips curved slightly as she uttered a sentence in standard Mandarin.

Seeing her walk over, Jing Han couldn’t help but take a deep breath. “Long time no see, Ruan Mu.” Without a moment’s hesitation, she used the woman’s real name.

Ruan Mu stopped in front of her, her lips curling. “Aren’t you going to give me a hug?”

That playful gaze stared directly into her eyes, but Jing Han remained unmoved, merely extending her hand. “No, I have no such intention.”

Her rejection didn’t deter Ruan Mu, who instead shook her hand with a beaming smile.

The atmosphere between the two, which seemed to exclude everyone else, made Machal feel strangely uneasy. Being perceptive, he pointed outside. “Okay, I’ll head back first. You two chat.”

Ruan Mu didn’t even turn her head to look at him. “Remember to lock the door…” Her eyes narrowed slightly as she repeatedly scanned Jing Han’s exquisite face. “I have a lot to say to Suet.”

The door closed again, but Ruan Mu showed no intention of letting go.

Jing Han looked at her own palm; those long fingertips were still resting there. She sighed. “Ruan Mu, let go.”

An enchanting smile played on Ruan Mu’s lips, her gaze searching. “What, are you uncomfortable just from this?”

With a stiff expression, Jing Han took a step back, trying to withdraw her hand. But the more she retreated, the more Ruan Mu pressed forward, until Jing Han’s back hit the desk and she was completely cornered in Ruan Mu’s embrace.

Those crimson lips were dangerously close, and the woman’s faint fragrance permeated the air.

Ruan Mu brushed against her waist, her gaze sliding up from the beautiful collarbones at the neckline to the pale lips and exquisite features. “Three years…” Ruan Mu seemed to lightly scent her breath. After a long while, she suddenly whispered, “You seem even more beautiful than before.”

Hearing that compliment, Jing Han couldn’t help but take a deep breath.

“Come, look into my eyes,” Ruan Mu said, her gaze deepening. “Let me see how you’ve fared these past three years.”

Triggered by something in those words, Jing Han looked up coldly. “I’ve told you many times, I don’t like you reading my mind.”

Feeling the person in her arms struggle, Ruan Mu tightened her grip on Jing Han’s waist. She smiled nonchalantly. “Why don’t you tell me yourself? Maybe then I won’t have to read it.”

“I have no need to explain myself to you.”

“Is that so?” Ruan Mu looked at her directly with a playful smile. “Then you listen to me. I quite like telling you things.”

She narrowed her eyes, capturing every minute change on the face of the person beneath her. “After you left, I dated Su Yuan for three years. At the beginning of this year, because I still wanted to cheat, we broke up.”

Her words made Jing Han’s delicate brows knit, leaving her speechless for a moment.

“You’re thinking right now: how can this person still be so shameless?” Ruan Mu said, still refusing to release her, laughing softly.

The previous warning had been completely ignored. A flash of annoyance clearly flickered in Jing Han’s eyes.

“Don’t worry, I promised not to peep into your thoughts. I keep my word,” Ruan Mu murmured, rubbing her waist with a smile.

Seeing her silence, Ruan Mu leaned down close to her ear and whispered, “Do you mind if I treat you to afternoon tea to chat about your affairs?”

The warmth of the words brushed against her soft skin, and Jing Han was clearly becoming uncomfortable.

“Stay away from me.” She finally reached her limit and pushed the other woman away.