Song Qinian was currently down on her luck in love but thriving at work.
Her and Shen Yushu's proposed plan had been selected, earning both of them praise from their manager.
It was also payday. Although she lost her full attendance bonus due to leave and lateness, her bonus combined with her salary amounted to 112,000.
Naturally, Song Qinian was delighted to receive such a large sum for the first time. She first transferred 100,000 to Shen Keqin, then personally made a small gift for everyone who had helped her.
Some received phone charms, others keychains, and some pendants.
Each item featured a cute chibi version of the recipient's likeness.
Upon receiving her gift, Miao Zi'ai was so touched she felt her heart melt. She hugged Song Qinian tightly and planted a kiss on her cheek, "Niannian, not only are you cute and beautiful, but you're also so skilled with your hands. Whoever marries you would be incredibly lucky."
As Miao Zi'ai spoke, she accidentally bumped into someone. Seeing it was Shen Chiyan, Song Qinian's expression shifted slightly, and she quietly lowered her head.
Miao Zi'ai, however, was quite startled. After a nervous chuckle and a greeting of "President Shen," she grabbed Song Qinian's arm and they stood obediently, looking like two mischievous students caught by the principal.
Shen Chiyan's expression was not pleasant. His dark, cool eyes swept over Song Qinian, who kept her head down and didn't look at him, causing his mood to sour. "This is the company. Be mindful of your conduct."
"I apologize, President Shen. I just received a gift handmade by Niannian, and I got carried away in my excitement... I'll be more careful in the future!"
"What gift?"
Miao Zi'ai was somewhat surprised that the ever-busy President Shen would be curious about such a thing. She proudly presented the phone charm Song Qinian had given her, "This one. Isn't it lovely?"
Song Qinian felt a pang of awkwardness and instinctively bit her lip. Shen Chiyan's words flashed through her mind.
"This is the only part of you I'm allowed to bite."
Song Qinian refrained from biting her lip. Then, a thought struck her – why should she obey him? With renewed resolve, she bit down hard on her lip.
The result was a sharp pain that made her wince.
"Handmade?"
Shen Chiyan's gaze fell upon Song Qinian. She still avoided his eyes. Miao Zi'ai, however, happily nodded, "Yes, Niannian is so talented."
Seeing that Song Qinian hadn't looked at him once, Shen Chiyan's brow furrowed.
Wasn't she quite happy when she was smearing things on his face earlier?
Why wasn't she looking at him now?
Feeling guilty?
Shen Chiyan said nothing further and simply walked away.
As soon as he left, Miao Zi'ai resumed her gushing, "Oh my goodness, President Shen today is even more handsome than yesterday. How can there be such a perfect man in the world? Whoever marries him would indeed be blessed."
Song Qinian: "..."
The two entered the planning department, and Shen Yushu smiled as he approached Song Qinian. "Niannian, thank you for the keychain you gave me. I really like it."
Shen Yushu's voice was quite loud, and everyone around them turned to look.
Miao Zi'ai tugged at Shen Yushu's arm and whispered, "Why are you being so loud? Niannian prepared gifts for everyone. It's not good to show off like this."
Shen Yushu looked a bit apologetic. "Sorry, Niannian, I just liked the gift so much, I got a little too excited."
Song Qinian smiled and shook her head. "It's okay, as long as you like it."
For Song Qinian, Shen Yushu and Miao Zi'ai were her friends. Others were merely colleagues. With her limited time and energy, she couldn't give gifts to everyone.
Shen Yushu looked at the smile on Song Qinian's face, and his heart ached.
Meanwhile, Shen Chiyan was taking Li Nanxun to meet a client.
In the car, Shen Chiyan's attention was focused on the documents in his hand.
Gao Kunlun, driving, noticed Li Nanxun's phone charm and asked with surprise, "Secretary Li, did Miss Song give you that keychain?"
Li Nanxun nodded slightly, his expression remaining impassive.
"I have a pendant from Miss Song too, and my chibi avatar! I really cherish it."
Upon hearing the words "Miss Song," Shen Chiyan slowly raised his eyes to look at the pendant Gao Kunlun was showing off. The chibi Gao Kunlun swayed with the car's movement, looking quite cheerful.
Shen Chiyan frowned slightly. "Song Qinian gave it to you?"
"Yes, Miss Song is truly a kind person."
*Snap...*
Shen Chiyan slammed his laptop shut forcefully. Gao Kunlun and Li Nanxun exchanged a glance in the rearview mirror, seeing his dark and grim expression, and dared not speak further.
Shen Chiyan lost interest in the documents. He picked up his phone and saw a WeChat Moments post from Shen Keqin.
"Thank you to the sweetest girl in the world for the phone charm. I can't bear to use it; I'm going to keep it in my bank safe deposit box."
Below the text was a photo of Shen Keqin holding a phone charm. As expected, the charm featured a chibi version of Shen Keqin.
Shen Chiyan's mood became exceptionally irritable. The thought that this irritability stemmed from Song Qinian made him even more displeased.
That evening, Shen Chiyan returned home with an extremely foul expression. Zhang Qiaoqiao, upon seeing him, didn't dare to make a sound.
"Where is Song Qinian?"
"Young madam is in her room."
"What is she doing?"
"Not sure. She went back to her room after dinner."
A thought flickered through Shen Chiyan's mind. Could it be... Song Qinian was preparing a gift for him?
"Young master, do you need me to call the young madam out?"
"No need. I have nothing urgent to discuss with her. Let her be busy."
Watching Shen Chiyan head upstairs, Zhang Qiaoqiao was surprised. What was going on?
His expression was so bad when he first returned, why had it improved so quickly?
After showering, Shen Chiyan waited for Song Qinian to knock on his door.
However, by midnight, Song Qinian hadn't appeared.
Shen Chiyan was furious. He got out of bed and stormed towards Song Qinian's room.
"Song..."
The words caught in his throat as he saw Song Qinian asleep, slumped over her desk.
This woman, her waist had just healed, and she was sitting like this for so long? Didn't she care about her own waist?
"Hey... wake up. If you want to sleep, go to bed!"
Shen Chiyan nudged Song Qinian. She stirred and then began to fall towards the floor. Seeing this, Shen Chiyan's hands moved faster than his thoughts, and he caught her.
Perhaps she was too tired, but Song Qinian slept soundly. Leaning against Shen Chiyan, she even nuzzled into his chest, finding a comfortable position, and continued to sleep deeply.
Shen Chiyan noticed she was holding a plush toy. He pulled it out and saw it was a fierce-looking, rather ugly character doll.
The doll wore a black suit, a white shirt, and a black tie. Its expression was ferocious, as if it were angry.
This doll... looked so familiar.
Song Qinian, in her sleep, rolled over. On the back of the doll, her name was embroidered.
Shen Chiyan: "..."
Damn Song Qinian, making him look so ugly!
Also, everyone else's dolls had smiling faces, why was his depicted as angry?
Did she think of him as this sort of person?