Chapter Six: Nice to Meet You, Team Leader Wen

Everyone left the conference room, leaving Wen Jianan alone with Wei Ming.

Wei Ming chuckled, "Actually, there's no need for you to be upset with Manager Zhang. You know that even if we don't land this project, I still intended to let you..."

Wen Jianan gently interrupted him, "Boss, you can afford not to care, but the staff below cannot. I need performance results; performance is my foundation."

"I told you, when we're alone, you can call me 'Senior,' or even just my name."

Wei Ming, like Wen Jianan, was from Miancheng. They went to the same university in Yancheng, and since meeting in a student club during their college years, he had been fond of her. However, he also knew who Wen Jianan had been in love with back then.

Faced with Wei Ming's affections, Wen Jianan had rejected him several times, but it was to no avail, so she eventually resorted to avoidance. This time was no exception.

Wei Ming smiled awkwardly, "I've already asked someone to inquire about a bidding slot with Quantong. Don't worry, if you want to do it, just go ahead."

Wen Jianan was slightly surprised. She had also reached out to Cheng He. Before leaving Yancheng, she had added him on WeChat in person. Just moments ago, Quantong had released the tender announcement in the media, but Cheng He had not yet sent an invitation email. Wen Jianan said nothing; having two plans was better than one.

After work, just as Wen Jianan was preparing to stay late, Wei Ming suddenly called her into his office again.

"Jianan, get ready. There's a last-minute dinner, and I need you to accompany me."

Wen Jianan looked surprised, "So suddenly? But I still have work to do..."

"A friend of mine said that a senior executive from Quantong is on a business trip in Miancheng, and he's already arranged a meeting for me." Wei Ming put on his suit jacket and patted Wen Jianan's shoulder, "Although they have already promised us a spot, it's better to meet in person to show our sincerity."

Wen Jianan thought it made sense. However, Quantong's branch was in North China; when had their business expanded to the South?

By the time she followed Wei Ming to the private room at the restaurant, it was seven o'clock. As spring transitioned into summer, the days were growing longer; it wasn't dark yet, and the evening glow filled the sky.

After knocking and entering, Wen Jianan followed behind Wei Ming, catching sight of the man sitting in the main seat—Liang Yuxiu.

Behind him was a floor-to-ceiling window, with the sunset light filtering in and spilling over him. At this moment, he was cold and noble, the very definition of an unattainable flower. Wen Jianan had long known they belonged to different worlds, and this moment brought that realization home even more deeply.

Wei Ming recognized Liang Yuxiu all too well, but he hadn't expected to see him here. When his friend rose to make the introductions, a look of hesitation immediately appeared on Wei Ming’s face.

Liang Yuxiu did not stand up; he merely nodded toward Wei Ming, "A pleasure, President Wei."

He then shifted his gaze to Wen Jianan's face, his tone slowing slightly, "A pleasure, Team Leader Wen."

Wen Jianan nodded with composure.

Wei Ming glanced at her, a thought already forming in his mind to drop the project, because he knew their history all too well. The company wouldn't go under without this project, but he was reluctant to let them have any further connection because of it. However, seeing Wen Jianan's attitude, she didn't seem surprised by Liang Yuxiu's identity. She must have known all along.

If she was so insistent on fighting for this project, was it because...?

As they sat down, Wei Ming’s attitude toward Liang Yuxiu during the conversation was no longer warm. Wen Jianan sensed it.

After several rounds of drinks and dishes, Wei Ming made an excuse to go to the restroom and took the opportunity to pay the bill, only to be intercepted in the corridor by Wen Jianan, who had followed him out.

"Boss, what's wrong?"

Wei Ming had drunk two glasses, and his emotions were running high. Looking at her, he spoke bluntly, "Jianan, you are so determined to discuss this project—is it... because of him?"

Wen Jianan's heart skipped a beat. She knew Wei Ming was aware of her past with Liang Yuxiu and didn't intend to hide it, so she spoke truthfully, "No. I am only doing this for work. You can rest assured, Boss; I keep my public and private life strictly separated."

"Besides, there is nothing 'private' left between Mr. Liang and me. That's long in the past."

She was perfectly candid, but Wei Ming had not forgotten how passionately she had loved Liang Yuxiu back then. She had been separated from him for three years, and Wei Ming believed that as long as he was persistent enough, Wen Jianan would eventually be moved, and there would at least be a possibility for them. But now, with Liang Yuxiu's sudden appearance, he was caught off guard, and his confidence crumbled.

Wen Jianan subconsciously wanted to explain, but then she caught herself, realizing there was nothing to explain. After all, she and Wei Ming were not meant to be; she had made that clear from the start, so why bother explaining this now?

Wei Ming didn't think so. He tried to persuade her, "Jianan, let’s not pursue this project. I've thought about it carefully; our company really doesn't meet their requirements. They have no reason to choose us."

Wen Jianan felt it was unbelievable, "President Wei..."

"Have you forgotten how badly he hurt you back then? Don't you... sigh, forget it, never mind." Wei Ming waved his hand and turned to walk toward the restroom.

Wen Jianan stood frozen on the spot, recalling the first year after she returned from her divorce. In that oppressive and painful marriage, she had suffered so much that she developed depression and spent a whole year in treatment. She knew Wei Ming didn't want her to forget the pain once the scars had healed.

Wen Jianan sighed, and as she turned, she saw Liang Yuxiu standing at the corner of the corridor. His expression was indifferent; she didn't know how long he had been standing there or how much he had heard.

Wen Jianan’s reaction was a beat slow, and by the time she registered his presence, he had already walked up to her, smiling vaguely, "I thought you and he would have reached a happy ending by now."

But it appeared they hadn't. Since seeing her on a blind date with Cheng He back in Yancheng, he had been curious.

The scene of their argument four years ago flooded back into her mind. Refusing to yield, Wen Jianan smiled faintly and said stubbornly, "When that day comes, I will certainly send Mr. Liang a wedding invitation."

The curve of Liang Yuxiu's lips slowly vanished, "Very well. But does Wei Ming know you are also interested in Cheng He?"

He was cool and collected, but Wen Jianan felt a sourness in her heart. He truly did not love her; he never had from the beginning. Choosing to marry her was merely a way to rebel against his family—he wanted to earn a future on his own that wouldn't be inferior to his family's legacy, and he disdained the marriage of politics and business. Yet, in the end, he still chose to go abroad with the woman his family had arranged for him.

In his eyes, she was nothing more than a trinket that could be discarded at any time, a gold-digger who kept her options open.

Wen Jianan suppressed the pain in her heart, "That is no concern of yours, Mr. Liang."

"You think too much. I simply don't want my business partners to be people of questionable private character; it tends to invite trouble."

Hearing him mention this, Wen Jianan couldn't help but sneer, "Mr. Liang, did you ever really intend to work with Feidu? Treating people like monkeys is something you should only do once or twice."

"What do you mean?" Liang Yuxiu did not understand.

Wen Jianan told him about what happened that day, her tone laced with indignation. Liang Yuxiu's attitude shifted from mockery to astonishment.

He explained that he had been on a business trip abroad that weekend and could have made it back in time, but he had run into a storm, causing his flight to be delayed. By the time he returned, Wen Jianan had already left. He hadn't known that his subordinates had been acting in bad faith.

"Is that why you didn't return my messages?"

That night, upon landing, he learned that Wen Jianan had already left Yancheng and the negotiations had fizzled out. He had sent her messages to ask, but they had fallen into a void; he hadn't received a reply until today.

Wen Jianan didn't feel guilty, "Yes."

She was here to negotiate a project, but she wasn't a doormat. If she was toyed with repeatedly, couldn't she at least have a temper?

Liang Yuxiu paused for a moment, then added in a tone that was hard to decipher, "You... you're doing quite well now."

Wen Jianan frowned, not knowing what he meant and not wishing to know. She was just a little surprised that a man like him could actually bring himself to explain things to someone else.