Chapter 20 She said, thank you to him

The midday sun was intense, pouring through the floor-to-ceiling windows and landing squarely on the man, as if gilding him in a faint layer of gold.

He was dressed in a dark suit, his upper body slouched slightly in a posture of casual ease. His indolent and indifferent temperament was strikingly conspicuous, not to mention his naturally handsome appearance—tall, upright, with refined features that easily won over anyone who looked his way.

Wei Yang was reminded of that night many years ago, after she had framed Shen Cenzhi and others were berating him.

"He looks like a decent man, so why does he have to be so spineless?"

"Just because he’s good-looking, he thinks he can seduce Miss Wei? He doesn't even know his own place!"

"I think he must be mad to think he can get a free ride as a kept man!"

...

"Something on your mind?"

Shen Cenzhi lifted his eyes to look at her. His handsome brows and eyes were like a painting; when he looked at someone intently, his gaze remained profound even behind the lenses of his glasses.

Wei Yang exhaled softly and stepped forward. "Mr. Shen, these documents require your signature and review."

After a brief pause, she added, "This is your itinerary for the day."

Wei Yang lowered her eyes, placing the documents down respectfully, and set the schedule in a prominent spot. Once that was done, she obediently lowered her head and stepped back.

Shen Cenzhi had always been restrained and stoic, even more so in recent years, yet whenever he faced Wei Yang, the emotions in his eyes would ripple violently, as if they might spill over at any second.

"I see. You may leave."

"Very well."

...

As she reached the door, Wei Yang belatedly remembered the hangover medicine hanging on the doorknob. She paused, turned, and looked at the man in the distance who was head-down, flipping through documents.

Steeling herself, she lowered her gaze and said, "Thank you, Mr. Shen."

Shen Cenzhi raised an eyebrow, letting out a meaningful scoff, his voice tinged with a hoarse quality. "Thank you for what?"

Wei Yang tightened her fingertips involuntarily, bracing herself as she spoke word by word. "Thank you for the hangover medicine, Mr. Shen."

Shen Cenzhi remained expressionless. "Don't mention it. I treat all my employees well."

Wei Yang: "Oh."

Shen Cenzhi: "??"

That was it? In the past, hadn't that little mouth of hers been quite eloquent?

Wei Yang kept her head down, looking somewhat reserved. After a moment of hesitation, she said, "Mr. Shen, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

Shen Cenzhi: "Mm."

He paused, then added, "In the future, you don't need to push yourself so hard during business engagements. I don't need a woman to charge into battle for me."

Wei Yang stumbled slightly as she walked away, her fingers curling tightly against her thighs.

She murmured, "I understand," and left without looking back.

Just as Wei Yang closed the door behind her, Shen Cenzhi’s phone rang.

He glanced at the screen, his eyes turning cold, but he held the phone to his ear anyway. "Hello?"

"Cenzhi, what time will you be back tonight to celebrate Mother's birthday with me?" His mother, Dong Yulan, asked over the line.

"I have a business engagement..."

Before Shen Cenzhi could finish, his mother’s voice erupted with fury. "I don't complain when you don't come back on regular days, but today is my birthday! Shen Cenzhi, I raised you with such hardship, is this how you repay me?"

Shen Cenzhi’s expression shifted, his fingers tightening around the phone.

"If you won't come, fine. I’ll bring a cake to your office this afternoon. I want to see for myself how you, this big boss, conduct your business!"

"I'll be there. I'll cancel the engagement."

...

By late morning, Wei Yang’s phone rang.

She picked it up and glanced at it. It was an unfamiliar number. After a moment of hesitation, she held it to her ear.

"Are you free this afternoon, Miss Wei? I’d like to invite you for coffee."