Although dressed in professional attire and wearing delicate makeup, she looked much more mature than before.
The inherent childishness, however, was impossible to conceal.
Jiang Nan Fang recognized her immediately. Who else could it be but Shen Min Er?
Hadn't Zhan Bei Jue arranged for her to enroll in school and study diligently in Fucheng?
Why had she come here instead?
And judging by her attire, she was working at Huatai…
While inwardly surprised, and suspecting the most likely reason, Jiang Nan Fang did not show it.
After Shen Min Er approached and reported to Engineer Zhang, Jiang Nan Fang finally spoke.
“Not bad, you even have an assistant, and she’s so beautiful. Engineer Zhang is really getting ahead.”
“How long has this position been added? Is everyone else also excited? Be nice to her.”
Engineer Zhang chuckled and spoke frankly.
“You know me best. She just started a few days ago. Actually, she’s not from our department. She’s from administration, and due to the special circumstances today, she’s been temporarily assigned to me.”
“I really wish she were in our department.”
Jiang Nan Fang smiled and glanced at the work badge on Shen Min Er’s chest.
Huatai Electric Appliances, Shen Min Er.
That girl, who appeared harmless on the surface, turned out to be quite difficult to handle.
After reading it, she deliberately put on a thoughtful expression. “I feel like I’ve seen this young lady somewhere before, but I can’t quite recall where. I’m Jiang Nan Fang. Have we met before?”
Min Er hadn’t expected her to speak to her like this.
It had only been about a month since they last saw each other, and she had already forgotten her.
Was she saying this because she was a VIP who forgot easily, or was it because she looked down on her?
Since Jiang Nan Fang didn’t recognize her, Min Er decided not to acknowledge her either.
It would seem too deliberate otherwise.
“I’m not from Nancheng. I haven’t been here long. How could I possibly know a big shot like you? I guess I just have a common face.”
She still wouldn’t admit it?
That was fine too.
It would prevent too much discussion and gossip from others in front of everyone.
The bidding session was about to begin, and Jiang Nan Fang had to go to her seat. The crowd dispersed.
As fate would have it, after the meeting concluded, Zhou Jin Bei had an urgent matter to attend to, and Zhan Bei Jue personally came to pick up Jiang Nan Fang from work.
As she walked out of the venue, Min Er’s eyes fell upon him in the parking lot. He was leaning against his car, engrossed in his phone, exuding a unique presence.
He wore a black long-sleeved shirt, black trousers, a black belt around his waist, and black leather shoes.
Dressed entirely in black, he somehow managed to exude an air of handsome nobility.
He was so young, with such striking features. Standing there, he was like a radiant work of art.
So handsome it made one’s heart yearn.
With just one glance, Min Er’s heart began to pound erratically.
She told herself silently.
If Zhan Bei Jue recognized her as she walked past him later, she would acknowledge him.
If not…
“Wow! Isn’t that President Zhan? I heard he married Engineer Jiang and came to pick up his little wife from work? How affectionate!”
While lost in thought, Engineer Zhang, who was beside her, suddenly exclaimed in surprise and rushed forward.
He went straight to Zhan Bei Jue, extended his hand for a handshake, and began greeting him familiarly.
Did Engineer Zhang know him too? And so well?
With no other choice, Min Er followed.
“Engineer Jiang is inside. We bumped into each other before it started. What a coincidence today!”
“But it’s fortunate I ran into you. Otherwise, you two would be quite the ingrates. You promised to treat us to drinks and didn’t, and now you’re married and haven’t even given us wedding candy. That’s really not hospitable!”
Zhan Bei Jue followed Engineer Zhang’s outstretched hand and looked towards the venue. Just as he was about to say that it was better to strike while the iron was hot, and he would treat them to a meal today.
His gaze shifted and landed on Min Er beside Engineer Zhang.
His smile froze. “Why are you here?”
Min Er’s nose felt sore, her eyes grew warm, and tears almost welled up.
Zhan Bei Jue recognized her at a glance.
He still remembered her!
She opened her mouth a few times, too emotional to speak.
Zhan Bei Jue moved past Engineer Zhang and walked towards her, looking at her work badge.
“It really is you. Min Er, why are you dressed like this?”
“Didn’t I tell you to focus on your studies at home? Why did you come here? Are you working at Huatai now? When did you arrive? How long have you been working?”
Engineer Zhang was stunned. “You know each other?”
“No wonder Engineer Jiang said she found me familiar. You two… Min Er, you know people in Nancheng, why didn’t you tell me?”
Min Er didn’t know how to explain.
She looked at Zhan Bei Jue with a flustered, hesitant, and somewhat pathetic expression.
Zhan Bei Jue understood that she must have encountered trouble.
“Engineer Zhang, please tell everyone for me that I will repay your meal as soon as possible. I’m sorry, but I need to take Shen Min Er with me today.”
“Alright. You go ahead, you two continue with your business.”
Engineer Zhang retreated with a look of confusion.
Zhan Bei Jue took Min Er’s arm and asked again.
“Did something happen at home? Did you come alone? Or did they come with you?”
“What about school? Are you really not going to study anymore? Speak, what exactly happened? Or did you go bankrupt again?”
Min Er was overwhelmed by his rapid-fire questions and soon, two clear tears trickled down her cheeks.
“We didn’t go bankrupt, and they didn’t come with me. I just didn’t want to study anymore.”
“But I didn’t mean to bother you. I submitted my resume, and by chance, I was hired by this company.”
“I didn’t expect to run into you, and I didn’t want you to help me again, Mr. Zhan.”
Zhan Bei Jue couldn’t stand seeing her in such a subservient manner. “Call me ‘Ge’!”
“…I also didn’t say hello to your wife just now. Please pretend you didn’t see me and let me go quickly.”
“Why should I pretend I didn’t see you and let you go?”
“I’m afraid it would upset her.”
“Nonsense, your sister-in-law is not that kind of person, and she knows all about my affairs. Don’t overthink it. Quickly tell me what happened?”
Min Er could only tell him the excuse she had prepared.
Her father, who had been an alcoholic for many years, had a sudden cerebral hemorrhage at a drinking party recently and died.
Her mother’s condition hadn’t improved, and she wasn’t in the mood to go back to school, wanting to earn money as soon as possible.
“If you need money, just tell me. You’re still young; you can’t just say you’re not going to study anymore. Didn’t I tell you this before?”
“It’s also my fault. As soon as I returned, I was busy with various things and forgot to call you. If you have problems, you should have actively sought me out.”
Zhan Bei Jue thought she was no longer attending school due to a lack of funds.
Min Er did not deny it further.
“You can help me for a while, but you can’t help me forever. You have your own family, and I don’t feel right about bothering you all the time…”
Zhan Bei Jue interrupted her.
“You washed dishes in Switzerland for so long; you should know better than anyone that you can’t find a good job without a diploma.”
“Min Er, you can’t just look at the present. Life is long. If it’s really not possible, just consider it a loan from me. After you graduate and earn a lot of money, you can pay me back.”
Min Er wasn’t sure if she had absorbed his words, but she lowered her head and refused to reply.