Chapter 24: Entanglement

Qin Yunzheng tilted his head in confusion to look at the content of the photo. With just one glance, he snatched the phone away.

"How did you get this photo?" He looked at Lin Qingqing, desperate for an answer.

"I happened to snap it when I came to work today. I’m not joking with you; I just feel that everyone has their own choices to make, and it’s time for you to let go." Lin Qingqing had intended to offer more advice, but when she turned, she noticed that Qin Yunzheng’s mind was already elsewhere.

"Send me the photo." After dropping that sentence, he turned and headed straight for the breakroom. Lin Qingqing didn't know what he was planning, but after a moment of hesitation, she sent the file over.

Half an hour later, Qin Yunzheng emerged from the breakroom. He had changed his clothes and shaved his beard; the previously disheveled look was gone. She thought her advice had worked and was just about to remark that he should have done this sooner, but Qin Yunzheng simply glanced at the photo on his phone, grabbed a random folder from his desk, and walked out. Lin Qingqing watched his retreating figure, wanting to speak but holding back, completely bewildered by his actions.

...

Su Mian cleared her mind, sweeping away yesterday’s unpleasantness, and walked into the Yingtai Building with a faint smile. Once at the office, she organized her workstation and opened her computer to begin work.

Because she needed to verify some specific details, Su Mian leaned close to the screen. When she finished typing the last character and looked up, she was startled.

"What are you doing?" Seeing Qin Yunzheng staring at her with a complex expression, Su Mian said coldly, "I’m working right now. I don’t have time for idle chatter."

Qin Yunzheng smiled, stood up from the chair, placed the folder he had brought on her desk, and explained with an air of seriousness, "I’m not here for idle chatter. Aren’t we collaborating? I remember you’re the project lead, so I wanted to come and discuss things with you." As he spoke, he unconsciously leaned closer to Su Mian.

However, Su Mian had already built a wall against him. The closer he got, the further she retreated.

Lin Mu was heading out of his office to fetch water when he saw a familiar shadow huddled in the corner. He walked over and pulled the person up. "President Qin, what is this?" His gaze shifted between Qin Yunzheng and Su Mian.

Su Mian understood the implication in Lin Mu’s eyes immediately and explained, "President Qin is here to discuss our collaboration."

Seeing this, Lin Mu stepped up and patted Qin Yunzheng on the shoulder. "Since President Qin is here for business, why don't we go inside and talk it over slowly?"

Qin Yunzheng refused to take the hint and continued to linger by Su Mian, attempting to win her over by reverting to their old dynamic.

Lin Mu interrupted him, "You can discuss this collaboration with me. I’m the one in charge of the project here, so you don’t need to worry."

However, this did not make Qin Yunzheng give up. Su Mian’s face was already showing clear signs of annoyance, yet Qin Yunzheng seemed completely oblivious, caught in his own self-indulgent performance.

Lin Mu’s tone sharpened. "President Qin, if you are here for business, please come with me to my office. Otherwise, I will have to assume you are harassing our female employees."

The word "harassing" seemed to sting him. He stood up, somewhat agitated, and stared at Lin Mu. "What are you talking about? Who is harassing anyone?"

Seeing that the two were about to get into an argument, Su Mian stepped between them, blocking their line of sight. She looked at Lin Mu with a hint of apology, "President Lin, I have something else to discuss with him. Please excuse me for a moment."

Although Lin Mu didn't understand why Su Mian would defend Qin Yunzheng, he knew it was already drawing the attention of others in the office. If this continued, the news would spread through the company in no time. He certainly didn't want to deal with Huo Beihan's wrath. "Fine, if it’s a personal matter, find somewhere else to resolve it."

Lin Mu glanced at Su Mian before heading back into his office. Su Mian led the way, taking Qin Yunzheng out to the balcony. She was just about to ask what he meant by the things he said while drunk the night before, but as soon as they stepped out, Qin Yunzheng took the initiative and shoved his phone in her face, startling her.

Only after seeing the contents of the screen did she look up at him. "What do you want to say?"

Su Mian had originally held a flicker of expectation in her heart, but seeing his actions, she suddenly felt a sense of relief. She used to wonder why Qin Yunzheng had become the way he was today, but now she had the answer—people don't rot away in a single day. Some things, no matter how much you hope for them, will never yield the answer you want.

Seeing Su Mian’s expression, which was overly calm, Qin Yunzheng felt a surge of frustration. "Don't you have anything to explain? Who is this person?"

"How long has it been since we split up, and you’re already so desperate to get involved with someone else?"

Su Mian looked at him with calm eyes. Once upon a time, he had been a spirited, gentle young man, admired by all. But now, as he spoke, spittle flying and his face twisted in a hideous expression, she felt nothing.

"Speak!" Qin Yunzheng had said a mouthful, but when Su Mian didn't respond with a single word, he grew anxious and grabbed her arm, shaking her.

Su Mian pulled away from his grip with force and looked at him with a sneer. "Who this person is—what does that have to do with you?"

Qin Yunzheng’s anger was ignited once again. "How does it not have anything to do with me? We were engaged. Even if it was cancelled, you shouldn't be acting like this. If my parents knew, how heartbroken they would be!"

Su Mian regretted being a busybody the night before, giving a scumbag the courage to act this way. She knew that if she didn't make things clear today, given Qin Yunzheng's current stubbornness, this wouldn't end.

"I respect Uncle and Auntie Qin very much, but there is a clear boundary between you and me now. You need to understand that the one who made them sad is you, not me."

Su Mian had originally been curious about what Qin Yunzheng hadn't finished saying the night before, but now she only felt that she was ridiculous. "You’re at least addressed as 'Young President Qin' by some—don’t throw away the entire reputation of the Qin family."

Su Mian’s merciless words made Qin Yunzheng’s face flush with rage. He pointed at her, stammering "You" for a long time, before finally flicking his sleeves and storming off.

As he walked out, he bumped into Sun Qian, who had been eavesdropping at the door. Sun Qian hurriedly apologized, but Qin Yunzheng was in such a fury that he didn't even notice her, rushing straight ahead.

Su Mian pushed the door open to come back in from the balcony, but Sun Qian blocked her path.

"Oh my, I really didn't expect this. Someone is sneaking around, entangled with another woman's boyfriend, yet acting so righteous about her own innocence. How hilarious." Although Sun Qian hadn't heard everything, she had caught enough. She looked Su Mian up and down with utter disdain.

Hearing this, Su Mian did not hold back. "Is your upbringing such that it teaches you to stand in corners and eavesdrop on other people's conversations?"

It was unclear which word triggered Sun Qian’s bottom line, but in an instant, she exploded, pointing at Su Mian’s nose and cursing. "You dare do it, yet you're afraid of people hearing? You’re clearly doing something shameful, eating from the bowl while eyeing the pot, and now you have the nerve to blame others!"

Su Mian sneered and stepped closer to Sun Qian, inch by inch. "Then why don't you tell me, how exactly am I 'eating from the bowl while eyeing the pot'?"

"Someone is clearly already being kept by a benefactor, yet now you're still trying to hook up with President Qin. You really just won't give up."

Because Sun Qian was speaking so loudly, the people nearby were eager to gossip but didn't dare to get too close. Su Mian calmly watched Sun Qian lose her mind. Once she had finished, Su Mian brushed off her ears and said coldly,

"I heard you clearly, so there’s no need to keep emphasizing it. If I hear similar rumors again, no matter who says them, I will hold you responsible. And next time, what you receive won't be a polite warning like this, but a lawyer's letter."