The Down and Out CEO’s Pursuit of Her Wife [GL] - Chapter 5

High-rise buildings in the city’s central business district housed all sorts of offices and restaurants. Their only commonality was being high-end, or at least looking the part.

Mr. Wei, a man who usually lived in oversized cargo shorts, had racked his brain today to dress the part. Clad in a deep blue suit worth five figures and carrying a high-quality leather briefcase, he finally looked like he belonged in this building.

Today was the first day Baguo Entertainment was meeting with the Bebulun Fund to discuss financing. Mr. Wei had spent a fortune to treat the fund’s vice president and their representing lawyer to a meal at a restaurant where even a glass of plain water cost over a hundred yuan. For such an important occasion, Mr. Wei, who was inwardly terrified, had naturally begged Mu Shan to accompany him.

Mu Shan knew her role today. However, she didn’t exert much effort to help him, only interjecting with a few trivial remarks when Mr. Wei truly couldn’t find the words. In a hopeless deal like this, saying too much would only expose one’s stupidity more clearly.

Compared to spinning tales for investment firms, Mu Shan was currently more concerned with how to get closer to An Ruoning, both physically and emotionally.

After finally managing to coax and coerce An Ruoning back to her home the other day, not only did nothing happen, but An Ruoning had slipped away again before she even noticed.

Finding An Ruoning again, or even looking for her every day, was effortless for Mu Shan. However, she had a faint feeling that no matter how many times she sought her out, their relationship wouldn’t undergo any substantive change.

The current An Ruoning was no longer as simple as she used to be. The expression that appeared most often on her face was indifference, a nearly unchanging look that made it difficult for anyone to discern her joys or sorrows. Even when holding her in her arms, Mu Shan felt as if there were ten thousand miles between them.

“Mr. Wei, we would still prefer a written report, as it would be more convenient,” the opposing lawyer requested in a polite yet firm tone.

Mu Shan was all too familiar with this tone. Having started as a commercial lawyer, she had been accustomed to speaking this way during her first couple of years transitioning from a law firm to a corporate role.

Some lawyers often failed to find the right balance, appearing overly aggressive and annoying.

However, the beautiful female lawyer across from her, with her excellent figure, certainly wouldn’t face that problem. With a slight tilt of her head and a smile, men would happily agree to her every demand.

True to form, Mr. Wei nodded vigorously upon hearing her request. “Yes, yes, of course, we should provide it. We would have produced it even if you hadn’t asked.” Finishing his sentence, Mr. Wei patted Mu Shan. “Right, Vice President Mu?”

Mr. Wei’s smile caused the wrinkles on his forehead to bunch up, looking quite ridiculous, but out of politeness, Mu Shan gave a serious nod of agreement.

As she finished and went to look away, her gaze happened to meet that of the lawyer opposite her, Jian Qing.

This eye contact lasted a bit longer than a typical glance between strangers. From Jian Qing’s large, spirited eyes, Mu Shan read something unique to “their kind.” Mu Shan quietly sized up Jian Qing. On her otherwise standard black formal dress, there were two rectangular blocks of contrasting blue and orange at ninety-degree angles. This kind of attire showed a bit of personality for the legal circle.

Mu Shan leaned back slightly, taking one last look at Jian Qing before the other woman left. She wanted to use this glance to confirm Jian Qing’s “identity” once more. This woman, with her long wavy hair, skirt, and high heels, seemed to be more than just “not straight.”

The aura Mu Shan sensed from Jian Qing felt more like repulsion than attraction.

After the two of them left the restaurant, Mr. Wei exhaled a long breath. This man, nearly forty years old, actually clutched his chest. “They’re finally gone, finally gone.”

Mu Shan ignored him.

Mr. Wei continued, “Manager Mu, we need to rent a decent place as soon as possible. Otherwise, once they come for a site visit, the jig will be up. Also, about that report, I’ll have to trouble you to organize it. I don’t really understand this stuff and don’t have much experience, you know?”

Mr. Wei’s rambling was easy to tune out. Mu Shan nodded occasionally, but her eyes were already fixed on the restaurant’s floor-to-ceiling windows. Clearly, the shops and pedestrians outside were far more interesting than Mr. Wei.

However, at that moment, Jian Qing reappeared in the walkway outside the restaurant entrance, and there was another woman beside her!

Mu Shan’s brow furrowed instantly. Her right hand gripped her water glass so tightly that her knuckles turned white, looking as if the glass might shatter at any second.

The person capable of making Mu Shan lose her cool was, naturally, An Ruoning, the woman she still hadn’t figured out a foolproof way to fully win over.

Just as Jian Qing and An Ruoning were about to disappear from her sight, An Ruoning turned toward Jian Qing and gave her a look. Mu Shan slammed the glass down onto the solid wood table. The loud “thud” startled Mr. Wei, who looked at her in confusion.

“Manager Mu, are you alright?”

Mu Shan stood up, teeth clenched, leaving only a few words behind. “Something came up. I’m leaving.”

If they were in a more casual setting, Mu Shan likely would have smashed the glass. The smile An Ruoning had just shown Jian Qing was enough for Mu Shan to mark Jian Qing as the number one person to eliminate in this lifetime.

Elsewhere, An Ruoning and Jian Qing returned to Jian Qing’s apartment side-by-side. Upon entering, Jian Qing shed her formal wear and heels, changing into a black-and-white panda pajama set and fluffy panda slippers. She then used a black hair tie to pull her long, wavy hair into a high ponytail. She quickly transformed from her glamorous professional self into a fresh, cute domestic look.

An Ruoning sat on a wooden chair by the dining table, flipping through a few magazines. Jian Qing walked over with a lazy gait, reached out to rub An Ruoning’s head, and said in a soft, doting voice, “Hey, go change into your pajamas.”

An Ruoning replied, “No need, I’m fine like this.”

Jian Qing picked a green crystal grape from the fruit plate on the table, popped it into her mouth, and chewed. “I already took out the rabbit pajamas and put them on the bed. Plus, it’s much more comfortable to wear pajamas at home.”

“Fine,” An Ruoning put down the magazine and went to the bedroom. She knew Jian Qing’s personality and the atmosphere of her home well, so she knew there was no point in arguing. Although Jian Qing wouldn’t nag or demand things forcefully, the relaxed vibe of her and her home eventually made you want to change into soft, loose pajamas and curl up somewhere to sleep or space out.

When An Ruoning emerged dressed as a pink baby bunny, Jian Qing was resting her head on the back of the dining chair, staring at the ceiling. Seeing An Ruoning, she tilted her head back further to get a full view of her.

Jian Qing said, “Come eat some fruit.”

“Okay.” An Ruoning shuffled back to her previous spot in her fuzzy slippers.

Jian Qing added, “The grapes are especially sweet and seedless.”

Jian Qing was right. After eating one, An Ruoning immediately wanted another.

Once An Ruoning had finished half the plate of grapes, Jian Qing sat up, reached for one, and held it in her mouth, looking at the non-stop eater with a beaming smile. “I like you so much, what should I do?”

An Ruoning didn’t speak, nor did she look surprised; she simply slowed down her eating significantly.

Jian Qing’s mood wasn’t dampened by the silence. She said in a light tone, “I’m keeping track, you know. Today is the 16th time I’ve confessed to you.”

An Ruoning reached into the table drawer, pulled out a bag of sour plums, and casually popped one into her mouth.

It was still a silent response, and Jian Qing still wasn’t angry. She gave a soft laugh and stood up to head toward the kitchen. “Dinner in half an hour!”

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