Ever since the incident with Lin Qiutong and their subsequent divorce, Shen Chi Yan hadn't slept a full night's sleep. He didn't know what was happening to him; even when Song Qinian wasn't around in the past, he hadn't suffered from insomnia until dawn every night. Now, whether he slept at Xiangshan Yue or Jingyuan, he couldn't fall asleep. This also resulted in his exceptionally foul mood, his face dark from the morning.
After arranging his work and going to meet Song Qinian, who hadn't arrived at the office yet, Shen Chi Yan's anger surged. "Secretary Li, send Song Qinian a message and ask her why she's not here yet. Late on a Monday morning, does she not want this job anymore?"
Li Nan Xun immediately went to Shen Chi Yan's office with Song Qinian's resignation letter. Facing the terrifying expression on Shen Chi Yan's face, Li Nan Xun was somewhat intimidated. "Mr. Shen, Secretary Song just came by. She asked me to give you this."
The moment Shen Chi Yan saw the words "resignation letter," fire almost shot from his eyes. He opened the letter to find only two simple words on the large sheet of paper: "Resign." There was no explanation as to why she was resigning, as if Shen Chi Yan would agree just because she had written those two words. Shen Chi Yan laughed in extreme anger. The damned Song Qinian was truly impatient to get away from him. Whether she was using this cooling-off period to make him change his mind through a tactic of playing hard to get, or if she genuinely wanted to stay away from him, he wouldn't let her have her way.
He looked at Li Nan Xun. "How long has Song Qinian been gone?"
"Ten minutes. But she didn't leave directly. She went to the planning department, probably to confess to Miao Zi Ai."
"Very good..." A thought struck him, and Shen Chi Yan looked at Li Nan Xun and said calmly, "Secretary Li, how many years have you been with me?"
"A little over two years, almost three."
"Mm, you've worked hard during this time. I'm giving you a month off. Go and enjoy a good vacation, paid leave."
Li Nan Xun: "..." Last month, when she applied for leave, Mr. Shen had said that youth was a time for hard work and asked why she needed to take a break. Why was he suddenly changing his mind today? And paid leave at that!
"What? You don't want it?"
"I do! I really do!" Who wouldn't want paid leave? It was a great thing.
"Alright, then go and call Song Qinian up here now! If you can't bring her up, your holiday is gone."
Li Nan Xun: "..." What was going on? Didn't Mr. Shen and Song Qinian already divorce? What was this all about now? Even after following him for two to three years, she couldn't fathom Mr. Shen's thoughts. But it didn't matter. What was important was securing her vacation by bringing Song Qinian to the CEO's office.
Meanwhile, Miao Zi Ai was still somewhat incredulous, mixed with regret. "Nian Nian, you and Mr. Shen divorced, and you're leaving Ding Sheng Group. What are your plans for the future?"
"I plan to continue drawing comics. I want to become a famous comic artist and create many, many well-loved works."
"Mhm, mhm. When your comics get made into movies, I'll definitely book out a theater to celebrate for you."
Song Qinian smiled and gestured, "I'll try my best. After resigning, I want to visit my grandmother and find some inspiration."
"Go for it, Nian Nian, you're the best! But I'm still so sad to see you go. I was already close with you and Yu Shu at the company. Then Yu Shu resigned and got married, and now you're leaving. What will I do now?"
"Secretary Li looks cold and serious, but she's actually a good person. You can try to get to know her."
"Ah, Secretary Li has been by Mr. Shen's side for so long. The moment I see her, I feel so... " Miao Zi Ai's words were cut short as she saw Li Nan Xun approaching. She quickly changed her tone. "The moment I see her, I feel so compatible. Oh, Secretary Li, why are you here in the planning department? Did Mr. Shen assign a task?"
Li Nan Xun: "No, I'm here to find Miss Song. Miss Song, Mr. Shen wants you to go to his office."
Song Qinian was taken aback. Logically, Shen Chi Yan would be overjoyed for her to leave Ding Sheng Group immediately, and he'd approve her resignation without hesitation. Why did he want to see her? Song Qinian gestured, "Secretary Li, did Mr. Shen say what it was about?"
"No, but judging by his expression, it must be something important." What important matter could Shen Chi Yan have with her?
Seeing Song Qinian still hesitating, Miao Zi Ai leaned in and whispered to her, "Mr. Shen wants to see you, so go. What if he suddenly changes his mind and doesn't want to divorce you anymore?"
Song Qinian: "..." The chance of her winning the lottery today was higher than Shen Chi Yan not wanting a divorce. However, Song Qinian decided to go. As they were about to leave, Li Nan Xun turned to Miao Zi Ai and said, "Miss Miao, I hope we have a chance to have a meal together."
"Ah..." Miao Zi Ai, thinking Li Nan Xun might have overheard her conversation with Song Qinian, smiled awkwardly. "Okay, okay, there will definitely be a chance."
Standing at the door of the CEO's office, Song Qinian took a deep breath. She had intended to leave her resignation letter and depart, avoiding seeing Shen Chi Yan, but she still ended up meeting him.
"Knock, knock, knock..."
"Come in!"
When Song Qinian pushed the door open, Shen Chi Yan was standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, looking outside, a cigarette between his fingers. The office was a bit warm, and he was wearing only a white shirt, the sleeves secured by black armbands, the hem tucked into his trousers. His broad shoulders, narrow waist, and defined hips were clearly visible to Song Qinian. She had to admit, Shen Chi Yan had a great physique; he looked good in clothes, and even better out of them.
Perhaps sensing her presence, he turned his head slightly to look at Song Qinian. Seeing that Song Qinian wasn't wearing professional attire but a casual outfit, Shen Chi Yan snorted, "You came to work dressed like this?"
Song Qinian gestured, "I've already resigned."
"Did I approve it?"
Song Qinian's eyes were filled with disbelief. If he didn't approve, was he expecting her to continue being his secretary? "I don't want to see you either, but Secretary Li is taking a month off. I can't find a new secretary to replace her work during this month. So, until she returns from her vacation, you will continue to be my secretary."
Song Qinian felt utterly defeated. Before, when she didn't want to resign, Shen Chi Yan told her to get lost every day. Now that she wanted to leave, she couldn't. She gestured anxiously, "You can find a new secretary!"
"Can a new secretary get up to speed immediately? What, after divorcing me, you plan to burn bridges?"