Chapter 11: Wen Nuan’s Struggle: Love, Loss, and Power at Qianyu
She arrived cheerful but returned to Qianyu feeling hollow. Wen Nuan’s expression was neutral as she stepped into the office.
Sitting at her desk, a wave of frustration washed over her. One colleague pushed for her to quit; another criticized her work. What was the right choice? She wished someone would guide her, lift the weight of indecision from her shoulders.
Life had choices—some easy, some dangerous. One wrong step could ripple into disaster.
A knock at the door drew her attention. She looked up.
“Call Dahua and arrange the contract signing for next Monday at ten,” Zhan Nanxian instructed, his usual serious expression in place.
She absentmindedly touched her lips. “I bit them myself,” she admitted quietly, trying to smile, but it felt forced.
His eyes narrowed slightly. “What did Linlu say to make you feel that way?”
“He said I don’t understand you anymore,” she murmured. Reflecting on their time working together on the 66th floor, she realized he had changed. The boy she had known, the one with warmth and laughter, was now distant and reserved.
Even though they still shared a quiet understanding at work, his emotions were hidden behind layers she couldn’t reach.
He leaned forward slightly. “Do you know why?”
Her hand twitched but she stayed quiet. “Why?”
“You’ve grown distant, and we spend too little time together.”
She lowered her gaze, overwhelmed by a familiar sadness. Memories from years ago haunted her, and she didn’t know how to reconcile the past with the present.
Her silence hung in the air. Zhan Nanxian gestured toward her with a calm authority. “Let’s focus on work first.”
She nodded, gathering herself. The intensity of their shared past was still there, but she reminded herself to tread carefully.
Later, she spent her day off at home listening to a pianist online. Each note felt as though it reached across time, filling her with a gentle, reflective melancholy. She let the music carry her thoughts, thinking about the lines from a poem she had read long ago:
“If we meet again, many years later, what will we do? Only silence and tears.”
Her quiet reflection was interrupted by Wenrou, who had stopped by unannounced.
“I finally understand—running a business is harder than it looks,” Wenrou sighed.
Wen Nuan looked up. “What are you doing these days?”
“Just observing, learning, seeing the world,” Wenrou replied casually.
Wen Nuan offered a small smile, sensing the concern behind her friend’s words. They exchanged a few more cautious questions about each other’s well-being.
Wen Nuan eventually stood, preparing some juice to lighten the mood. Wenrou hesitated but followed her, knowing some things weren’t meant to be discussed yet.
Later, at the office, Wen Nuan prepared for the contract signing between Qianyu and Dahua Telecom. She had already placed her resignation letter in a white envelope in her drawer, awaiting the right moment.
When the meeting began, a minor accident spilled water over the contract documents, causing a brief moment of panic. Zhan Nanxian handled the situation calmly, ensuring the documents were reorganized and the meeting proceeded smoothly.
Afterward, Wen Nuan reflected on the careful planning that had led to their success. It was clear Zhan Nanxian had anticipated everything, including her reactions. The realization left her exhausted and somewhat disillusioned, questioning the purpose behind her daily efforts.
She quietly left the conference room, leaving Gao Fang slightly surprised, while Zhan Nanxian gazed out at the city through the thick glass walls.
The news of the day included major events: the arrival of tennis legends for the year-end finals, the stock decline of Daizhong Company following a financial scandal, and the return of a high-profile fashion order.
Throughout it all, Wen Nuan focused on her work and her small moments of personal peace. She maintained boundaries with colleagues, prepared documents carefully, and handled her responsibilities with diligence.
When Zhan Nanxian returned briefly to the office, she greeted him politely and continued her preparations. He complimented her professionalism, and she responded with quiet composure, the unspoken tension of the day lingering only in subtle gestures.
Later, she collected tickets Wenrou had sent for a major sporting event, admiring the effort it took to secure them. Returning to her office, she refocused on her work, keeping emotions in check while ensuring all documents were ready for Zhan Nanxian’s review.
Though past connections and personal history lingered, she reminded herself of professionalism and the need to stay grounded. Each interaction was measured, careful, and free of conflict, allowing her to navigate the office environment safely while maintaining her dignity.