Li Nanjin knocked on the door, and a clear, pleasant voice came from inside, "Come in."
Li Nanjin opened the door and said indifferently to Shen Chi Yan, who was working, "Mr. Shen, Secretary Song is here."
Shen Chi Yan, perhaps too busy, merely responded with a faint "Mmm," without even lifting his head.
Although it wasn't Song Qi Nian's first time in Shen Chi Yan's office, each visit still left her in awe of its opulence.
Everything in the office was in shades of black, white, and gray, a minimalist palette. Yet, due to the quality of the materials and luxurious decor, it didn't feel dull or stark; instead, it exuded a grand atmosphere.
Adorning the walls were several black and white paintings, all acquired at auction from previous exhibitions. Each piece was valued at over fifty thousand yuan.
He, her husband, was incredibly wealthy, while she was so poor she could only pick at her toenails.
Song Qi Nian's gaze inevitably fell on Shen Chi Yan.
He was dressed in a black suit, paired with a white shirt and a black tie.
A black tie!
Song Qi Nian's heart gave a slight tremor.
Others might not know, but Song Qi Nian was acutely aware that Shen Chi Yan's tie was a barometer of his mood.
For instance, when he was in a good mood, he would wear ties with colors, predominantly red and blue.
This black tie indicated that Shen Chi Yan was in a very bad mood, which meant she had to be a hundred and twenty percent alert and exercise extreme caution.
However, thinking about it, since she married Shen Chi Yan, apart from the blue and white tie gifted to him by Lin Qiu Tong, he had always worn black ties.
In the past three years, had he ever been happy for a single day?
After finishing his immediate tasks, Shen Chi Yan saw Song Qi Nian with her head bowed, listlessly picking at her fingernails. Her expression was hidden, and he couldn't tell what she was thinking.
"If I find your nail clippings on the floor, do you know what the consequences will be?"
Startled by Shen Chi Yan's sudden voice, Song Qi Nian quickly hid her hands behind her back, as if afraid he would chop them off.
This, in turn, made Shen Chi Yan's brow furrow in a tighter frown.
He stood up and walked step by step towards Song Qi Nian. The oppressive aura he exuded was so strong that Song Qi Nian instinctively took a step back.
"If you take another step back, I'll throw you off the eighteenth floor!"
Song Qi Nian was so frightened she dared not move.
Why did this man always threaten to chop off her hands or throw her off buildings?
Seeing that Song Qi Nian was obedient, Shen Chi Yan's expression softened slightly. "Do you know why I called you here?"
Song Qi Nian shook her head. She wasn't a mind reader; how could she possibly know his intentions?
"I want you to pretend to be my wife."
Song Qi Nian was stunned. Pretend to be his wife?
She was already his wife; why would she need to pretend?
At this moment, Shen Chi Yan had already walked up to Song Qi Nian. As if he could read her thoughts, he said calmly, "I need to discuss a very important collaboration, and I need a loving wife who is deeply devoted and harmonious with me. You are my wife, yes, but there is no love between us. So, we need to pretend to be in love, understand?"
Song Qi Nian's heart was severely pierced.
He had no love for her.
But she loved him deeply.
Seeing Song Qi Nian's lowered gaze and lack of response, Shen Chi Yan's handsome face darkened. "If you're unwilling, you can leave now."
Song Qi Nian immediately looked up at Shen Chi Yan and gestured rapidly, "I'm willing, but I have a condition..."
A mocking curve formed on Shen Chi Yan's lips. "You're quite clever, knowing to negotiate with me at this point."
Song Qi Nian bit her lip. Under Shen Chi Yan's sharp, dark gaze, she braced herself and continued, "I want to go to the planning department."
"Oh?"
Didn't this woman, years ago, insist on becoming his secretary, leveraging her grandmother's backing, just to be by his side every day?
Why did she suddenly want to join the planning department?
"The planning department... pays well!"
Shen Chi Yan: "..."
Although Song Qi Nian was Shen Chi Yan's personal secretary, her salary was indeed the lowest at Ding Sheng Group.
She knew clearly that only by establishing herself in a department could she gain leverage. And she had majored in Business Administration in college, so she had great confidence in her abilities.
Shen Chi Yan's mood suddenly soured.
He didn't know what tricks Song Qi Nian was planning. Thinking that she couldn't cause any significant trouble under him, he sneered, "Fine, as long as you can help me secure this collaboration, I'll let you join the planning department and give you a bonus."
Upon hearing the word "bonus," Song Qi Nian's eyes lit up. The way she looked, to Shen Chi Yan, vividly portrayed the idiom "seeing money and getting greedy."
A flicker of disdain flashed in Shen Chi Yan's eyes. "At least a hundred thousand."
A hundred thousand!
Song Qi Nian was both excited and thrilled, her blood instantly boiling. Ding Sheng Group was indeed a major corporation to offer such a high bonus.
If she had a hundred thousand, she could first repay half of Qin Qin's money.
As for the remaining half, if she worked hard, saved a bit more, or perhaps encountered another situation like this pretending to be a loving wife, she should be able to pay it off within a year or two.
Shen Chi Yan frowned, watching Song Qi Nian's varied expressions, and coldly poured cold water on her enthusiasm. "I need to remind you that joining the planning department and receiving the bonus are contingent on helping me finalize the collaboration. Don't start thinking about how to spend money before anything is settled."
Song Qi Nian nodded vigorously. Then, as if remembering something, she gestured to Shen Chi Yan, "I have no problem on my end, but what about you..."
Deep affection was mutual. She already loved Shen Chi Yan, but he disliked her and even hated her. Could he treat her as his loving wife?
The reality proved that Song Qi Nian's concerns were unfounded.
This matter was initiated by Shen Chi Yan, and it also involved the significant issue of Ding Sheng Group expanding into overseas markets.
Even if he was reluctant, Shen Chi Yan should understand the importance of the situation.
However, concerning her job and bonus, Song Qi Nian decided it was better to clarify.
In Shen Chi Yan's eyes, Song Qi Nian was a timid, submissive mute, easily manipulated. This was the first time he saw her so insistent, and it was about money. For some reason, his mood suddenly worsened.
"If the collaboration fails because of me, you will definitely lose your bonus, but my promise to let you join the planning department will remain unchanged."
For Song Qi Nian, this was already good news. Regardless of whether the collaboration was successful, her salary would at least increase.
"However... if it fails because of you, not only will you lose your bonus, but you'll never get into the planning department!"
The pressure was suddenly on Song Qi Nian.
But without pressure, where would motivation come from? Song Qi Nian nodded heavily.
Then, as if thinking of something else, she gestured with extreme seriousness and earnestness, "Words are not enough; we need a written agreement."
Shen Chi Yan: "..."
This woman didn't trust him?
Well, it was fine. With a written agreement, it would simply be a business relationship, and Song Qi Nian shouldn't have any misplaced thoughts.
Shen Chi Yan immediately asked Li Nanjin to prepare a contract. As he signed his name, Song Qi Nian's eyes were fixed on his hand.
Only when the words "Shen Chi Yan" were written on the paper did Song Qi Nian breathe a heavy sigh of relief.
Shen Chi Yan tossed the contract to Song Qi Nian. "Is this enough?"
Song Qi Nian clutched the contract preciously and nodded like a pecking chicken.