She Seems to Struggle with Having a Wife - Chapter 24

At noon, Qin Mu stayed at the studio for lunch.

Yang Shengjie wanted to try a newly opened restaurant near the company and dragged Li Jiashan along with him, so they weren’t eating at the office. With one extra meal that couldn’t go to waste, Qin Mu sent Zhang Fan a quick message and ended up staying to eat with Yan Huan.

The cafeteria staff knocked and came in with their lunches, but the cluttered table once again made it difficult to find space even for a single bowl. Qin Mu stood up and tidied a bit, setting out the lunch and utensils before calling out, “Teacher Yan, it’s time to eat.”

Yan Huan responded with an “Aye,” washed her hands, and came over.

She was still wearing her mud-stained apron, her long hair pinned up at the back with a clip, she didn’t look like an artist at all.

More like a little kid who had just crawled out of a mud pile.

The two sat on opposite sides of the table, eating quietly. It was still four dishes and a soup, though the menu changed daily.

Today’s meal included crucian carp soup, green pepper stir-fried pork, sweet and sour pork, steamed prawns, and mapo tofu, a balanced mix of meat and vegetables, nutritionally sound.

Before eating, Qin Mu took a photo and sent it to Wei Qing’an, then muted her phone and set it aside.

Yan Huan noticed and, picking up a piece of sweet and sour pork, said while chewing, “Sending it to that old fossil?”

“Yeah,” Qin Mu replied lifelessly, her voice low. “She used to skip meals and developed serious health issues, so we made a rule to exchange photos of lunch and dinner every day. That’s why I have to take a picture for her.”

Yan Huan raised an eyebrow in approval. “Hmm, that’s not a bad method long-distance supervision.”

She had tried to persuade Xiao Anzi to eat properly and take care of herself before, but that woman was utterly dismissive, always replying with a noncommittal “mm” and nothing more. Especially during the period when her hand was injured, if no one was watching her, she could go three days and nights without eating.

After eating for a while, Yan Huan recalled the incident at the restaurant last night. Glancing up, she noticed a lingering shadow over Qin Mu’s calm expression, along with distinct red veins in her eyes clearly, she hadn’t rested well. No doubt, Xiao Anzi hadn’t cleared things up properly.

Yan Huan couldn’t help but sigh, feeling a headache on Qin Mu’s behalf. When would that old fossil ever wise up a little and show more concern for her own wife? So many people were lined up chasing after her wife, yet she herself was always running around busy, neglecting her.

Hoping to ease Qin Mu’s mind and for the sake of their future happiness, Yan Huan remembered a zodiac analysis she’d once read and initiated a conversation. “Hey, President Qin, do you know Xiao Anzi’s zodiac sign?”

“Capricorn,” Qin Mu answered without hesitation.

“Right, Capricorn.”

Yan Huan spoke with surprise and astonishment.

In truth, Yan Huan hadn’t known Wei Qing’an’s zodiac sign. While asking, she had been mentally calculating based on Wei Qing’an’s birthday, so when Qin Mu answered immediately, Yan Huan was momentarily taken aback and amazed that Qin Mu would know such a trivial detail.

After all, she didn’t seem like someone who paid attention to zodiac signs.

After learning Wei Qing’an’s zodiac sign, Yan Huan began to joke with Qin Mu, “Online sources say that Capricorns are the kind of zodiac sign even dogs would shake their heads at they’re masters of the silent treatment. I remember one time, I made plans with her to hang out but ended up canceling because of something else. As a result, Xiao Anzi gave me the cold shoulder for a full three months. She’d reply to messages and talk, but you could just feel she was angry.”

Qin Mu didn’t know much about zodiac signs, but it sounded like something Wei Qing’an would do after all, she was a bit of a closed book.

“Hey, President Qin, have you ever had a cold war with Xiao Anzi? Was she like that too?” Yan Huan asked curiously.

Qin Mu shook her head. “No.”

Given how rarely they even saw each other, there was naturally no opportunity for arguments or silent treatments between them.

Qin Mu had only spoken half the truth, but Yan Huan misunderstood her meaning and felt somewhat relieved that the old-fashioned woman wasn’t as wooden as she’d thought.

Yan Huan continued, “Besides being prone to the silent treatment, Capricorns are also completely clueless when it comes to emotions they’re reserved and passive. They gather their earth-shattering feelings in their eyes, thinking a single glance is enough for the other person to understand their meaning. In reality, the other person doesn’t get it, and they certainly don’t realize how much sincerity Capricorns pour into every little thing they do for them.”

As she listened, Qin Mu slowly stopped chewing, her gaze drifting aimlessly. She understood what Yan Huan meant she was explaining Wei Qing’an’s emotional awkwardness. People who don’t know how to express themselves only bury their love deep inside.

It’s not that they don’t love; it’s just that their love is too restrained.

Qin Mu believed these words, but they didn’t apply to Wei Qing’an. Wei Qing’an might not know how to express herself, but that didn’t mean she liked Qin Mu. Ling Xi and Xiao Xi were too deeply etched in her memory; Wei Qing’an was a person of profound emotions and wouldn’t easily forget them.

Qin Mu smiled bitterly inwardly, though her expression showed no trace of joy or sorrow. She picked up another dish and said, “So Capricorns have such complex inner worlds. Those who love them must truly understand their hearts they must be the kind of enviable, fairy-tale couples.”

She was also saying this for Yan Huan’s benefit: Qin Mu wasn’t the one who understood Wei Qing’an. She could see Wei Qing’an’s surface-level joys and wounds but couldn’t penetrate her true thoughts.

Whom Wei Qing’an loved was beyond Qin Mu’s control. As long as Wei Qing’an was willing to maintain their marriage for now, Qin Mu was content to accompany her until the day Wei Qing’an personally asked for a divorce. When that day came, Qin Mu would leave her world cleanly, without a trace.

Yan Huan understood her meaning too.

This was a battle between two closed books.

In the afternoon, after finishing a meeting, Qin Mu stepped out of the conference room and asked Zhang Fan to contact Gao Jingchen’s secretary, saying she would visit his office in half an hour to discuss matters related to their collaboration.

“Okay, I understand.”

Zhang Fan returned to his desk and dialed the executive office.

Qin Mu didn’t leave but stood in front of Zhang Fan, waiting. If Gao Jingchen was available now, she could go immediately.

“Oh, alright, I understand.” Zhang Fan hung up the phone, pushed himself up from the desk with both hands, and said guiltily, “President Qin, the boss asked you to compile the meeting notes and email them to him directly. He’s busy right now.”

Qin Mu turned back, the hand holding the documents lowering. This collaboration had been directly handled by Gao Jingchen. In the early stages of the partnership, Gao Jingchen had emphasized that all work-related matters should be reported to him in person promptly. His sudden refusal to meet now was likely because of last night’s incident.

Even if she had no relationship with Wei Qing’an, let alone the fact that they were involved, the brief hug last night gave Gao Jingchen no reason to be angry. He was letting personal feelings interfere with professional matters.

After thinking for a moment, Qin Mu said, “I’ll go see him.”

Qin Mu went directly upstairs to Gao Jingchen’s office. The secretary went in to notify him, but the response was still that he wouldn’t see her.

Qin Mu didn’t press the issue. Standing where she was, she sent Gao Jingchen a message: “If you’re refusing to discuss work because of personal issues, then you might as well keep refusing from now on. In that case, I can choose to resign right now.”

After all, Gao Jingchen didn’t yet know about her marriage to Wei Qing’an. If he found out, he’d likely refuse to see her even more. In that case, there was no point in Qin Mu staying here waiting for his anger to subside.

Aside from Wei Qing’an, she had no intention of placating anyone.

A few seconds later, bang, the office door swung open violently. Colleagues in the executive office were startled and turned to look.

Qin Mu also turned to look, her calm eyes showing no ripple of emotion, only a hint of worry.

If it weren’t for Wei Qing’an, Qin Mu could have calmly discussed her personal matters with Gao Jingchen. But it was precisely because it was Wei Qing’an, the disciple of Gao Jingchen’s grandmother that Qin Mu felt unsure how best to handle the situation. Whether she denied or admitted the relationship, neither seemed appropriate.

“Come in,” Gao Jingchen said in a low voice.

Qin Mu entered with the documents, closing the door behind her.

Walking up to Gao Jingchen’s desk, she placed the file in front of him and stood as she spoke. “This is the content from the meeting. I’ve annotated the details. I’ve already been in touch with the partner’s side, but you’ll need to attend their dinner tonight.”

“Okay.” Because of the word “resignation,” Gao Jingchen’s attitude softened slightly, though he still spoke with reluctance. “Have a seat.”

Qin Mu sat down, her posture rigid.

Having worked together for a year and collaborated on numerous projects, Gao Jingchen had come to understand Qin Mu. She was clear about separating personal and professional matters and never let emotions interfere with work. So, regarding last night’s incident, Gao Jingchen got straight to the point.

“Are you and Xiao Anzi together?”

As he asked, Gao Jingchen clenched his hands tightly, fearing the answer would be Qin Mu’s confirmation.

His very first question stumped Qin Mu.

So, should she admit it or deny it?

After careful consideration, Qin Mu chose a middle-ground answer. “The first time I met Wei Qing’an, I felt drawn to her, so I took the initiative to add her on WeChat. Since then, we’ve chatted occasionally, and last night’s dinner included, I’ve felt attracted to her.”

Everything Qin Mu said was true, except she shifted the timeline from the past to the present. She had always been drawn to Wei Qing’an whether chatting, dining together, or even when Wei Qing’an did nothing at all, Qin Mu found her perfect.

But Qin Mu wasn’t that lovesick. As Yan Huan had said, even in the most intense of loves, Qin Mu only revealed the tip of the iceberg, keeping the rest restrained by rationality. Because her life couldn’t revolve solely around Wei Qing’an.

Even if one day in the future, Wei Qing’an were to respond, Qin Mu would not only love her a little more but also persist in doing what she wanted to do. On this point, Wei Qing’an likely held the same view as her.

Gao Jingchen was rendered speechless by her answer.

Had he fallen for her at first sight? So, in the end, was it he himself, who had personally facilitated this relationship?

Screech, Gao Jingchen angrily pushed his chair back. He strode toward the floor-to-ceiling window, one hand on his hip, the other loosening his tie. The expensive, finely crafted tie was clenched tightly in his palm, creased with deep wrinkles.

Qin Mu hadn’t expected him to be so angry. To prevent Gao Jingchen from involving Wei Qing’an, she added, “Mr. Gao, since I was young, I’ve always liked girls. So even if it weren’t Wei Qing’an, I wouldn’t be interested in men. I hope you can understand. Besides, feelings can’t be forced. If you feel my presence affects your mood, you can fire me anytime.”

These words were Qin Mu’s final response. If Gao Jingchen took issue with it, she would finish her last two projects and leave Liunian.

Gao Jingchen stood silently by the window, but the tie in his hand remained tightly gripped.

The two of them remained in a stalemate one sitting, one standing.

Neither spoke again.

A long time later, Gao Jingchen slowly raised his head, his unwilling gaze fixed on the distant skyscrapers. “I won’t fire you,” he said, “but I also won’t give up on you. I’ll compete fairly with Xiao An. You can go back to work now.”

Qin Mu frowned at his back and shook her head helplessly. Stubbornly clinging to something with no future was just a waste of time.

After leaving Gao Jingchen’s office, Qin Mu sent a verbatim transcript of their conversation to Wei Qing’an.

If Gao Jingchen ever asked, this would be her answer. Qin Mu didn’t want the two of them to fall out over something like this.

Although she didn’t know how Wei Qing’an would respond, Qin Mu hoped Gao Jingchen wouldn’t drag Wei Qing’an into it.

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