NOVEL SIMPLE
Chapter 11
Shen Nian couldn't help but look lost in thought.
After an unknown amount of time, she finally slowly retracted her gaze, gently wiping away the non-existent dust on the photo, taking the self-sealing bag placed on the tea table to put the graduation photo inside.
Getting up, she lifted the cushion of the sofa a little, placing the graduation photo underneath before pressing the cushion down over it.
Back when she was in a relationship with Lu Lingchuan, the two of them along with Lu Lingrui had taken many photos together. Lu Lingrui had even specially spent money to print the photos out and make them into an album.
After Lu Lingrui passed away, Lu Lingchuan had burned all the photos in a fit of madness. This graduation photo was the only remaining photo she had left together with Lu Lingrui.
Usually, she didn't dare take it out for Lu Lingchuan to see. She could only secretly look at it herself.
To think that of all the photos with Lu Lingrui, only this one could be preserved. But with Lu Lingchuan...
Thinking of something, Shen Nian couldn't help but bitterly laugh.
They were clearly once so in love, yet didn't even have a single photo together.
..............................
A few days later, Shen Nian's month-long vacation came to an end.
Before it ended, she went to the hospital for a check-up. Her miscarriage recovery wasn't great. Drinking alcohol, drinking cold beverages, and taking sleeping pills had ultimately still negatively impacted her. Although she had rested at home, with the emotional pressure she was under, she couldn't maintain a cheerful mood.
From now on, she would need to nurture her body even more attentively.
Upon receiving this result, Shen Nian's heart was utterly calm without any ripples. To her, any outcome was the same.
Originally, she hadn't even wanted to come. It was Xiao Mubai who had constantly urged her to get checked up, saying that if she didn't go, he would personally drive over to pick her up and take her there himself.
Left with no choice, Shen Nian had reluctantly gone for this check-up.
On the first day back at work after her vacation ended, Shen Nian got up as usual to wash up, put on makeup, then opened the wardrobe to select clothes.
In the past, Lu Lingchuan would often spend the night here, leaving many of his clothes in the wardrobe.
His white shirts hung next to her white dresses, the scene so harmonious.
Shen Nian blanked out for a moment before quickly regaining her senses, hastily retracting her gaze and shaking her head to banish all those fantasies that shouldn't exist.
She changed into the white collar outfit at top speed, tidied up, then headed out the door.
When she arrived at the company, it wasn't yet time to start work. There were only a handful of employees who had arrived.
Seeing Shen Nian, they greeted her.
"Assistant Shen."
"Good morning, Assistant Shen."
"Mm." Shen Nian responded with a sound, first putting down her bag at her seat. She then walked over to one of the employees and picked up the documents in front of him, "Brief me on the work over the past couple of days."
She first got an understanding of the progress from the employees. There was an important meeting today that was estimated to take two hours. Materials would be required for this meeting.
After checking that the materials to be used were free of issues, Shen Nian had someone go photocopy them.
With time still before the official start of work, the employees also had time to chat and joke around.
"Assistant Shen, you really are the most hardworking workaholic in our company."
"It's not even time to start work yet Assistant Shen is already busy."
Shen Nian faintly curled her lips in a smile, responding: "You guys should also go prepare. There are two more minutes until work starts. Be careful or Boss Lu will catch you chatting and dock your pay."
The two employees looked at each other, then said: "Boss Lu has already arrived long ago though."
Shen Nian was slightly startled. "You're sure?"
"Yeah." One of the employees nodded: "The project yesterday wasn't finished yet, so I came an hour early today to rush the project. I happened to arrive together with Boss Lu. Boss Lu is in his office right now."
Shen Nian retracted her gaze, calmly replying: "I see, continue with what you were doing."
After speaking, she took the materials in hand back to her own office desk.
Putting the documents on the table, Shen Nian thought for two seconds before turning to head towards Lu Lingchuan's office.
"Knock knock knock." Three knocks, neither too soft nor too hard. The man's indifferent voice sounded from within. "Come in."
Shen Nian pushed open the door and entered. The man was lowering his head to write something.
He was wearing only a shirt, without even a tied tie.
Perhaps it was Shen Nian's imagination, but she somehow felt that after not seeing him for a month, he had become much thinner.
"What are you looking at?"
The man's questioning devoid of emotion sounded by her ear. Shen Nian belatedly came back to her senses, directly meeting his cold gaze.
Only now did Shen Nian realize that she had spaced out earlier. She didn't even know when Lu Lingchuan had raised his head.
She immediately lowered her eyes to avoid the man's gaze, speaking softly: "Boss Lu."
The man's eyes grew even colder in the instant she lowered her head.
Shen Nian lowered her head, as respectfully as always, and replied: "Boss Lu, I've come to report back for duty."
Lu Lingchuan looked at her coldly, not speaking.
The silence in the office was broken by a phone ringtone. Lu Lingchuan's eyes were still fixed on her as he casually grabbed the phone placed beside him and pressed to answer before raising it to his ear.
"Hello?"
His words had always been sparse. Ever since Lu Lingrui's passing, he had become even more taciturn, an air of coldness surrounding him.
"I'm at the company."
"Have seen her already."
"I know, I'll handle it."
Just four short sentences and Lu Lingchuan had already hung up.
Putting the phone back on the desk, the man only deigned to give an "Mm" in response.
Shen Nian knew that this "Mm" from the man was a reply to her. She spoke: "Boss Lu, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first."
After speaking, she turned to leave.
"Wait." The man stopped her.
Shen Nian's footsteps halted as she turned back around to listen to his orders.
Lu Lingchuan stared at her. "After work, go buy a pair of earrings. The company will reimburse however much they cost."
"Yes."
The work for the rest of the day was extremely monotonous, organizing documents and contracts as usual and reporting to Lu Lingchuan on work matters, just like normal.
In fact, this was how the two of them usually interacted during the day. They were boss and assistant. There was only the endless work between them, without any extra unnecessary chitchat.
Only at night would Lu Lingchuan unleash the endless resentment in his heart, mutually tormenting Shen Nian.
Their relationship, after all, couldn't stand the light of day.
After work, Shen Nian didn't immediately return home. Instead, she hailed a taxi to head somewhere.
This area was a more bustling district of the capital, with the offline stores of various luxury brands located around it.
Shen Nian rode the elevator up alone, watching the couple in front sharing an ice cream cone, then the besties walking hand-in-hand drinking fruit tea together ahead.
It was only at times like this that Shen Nian realized just how lonely she was.
Arriving at the floor selling luxury goods, Shen Nian first looked around before entering one of the stores.
As soon as she stepped in, a salesperson came up to receive her.
"Hello, what can I help you with today? We have some new bags in stock, quite nice."
"No need." Shen Nian didn't like wasting time. "Do you have earrings?"
"Of course, please come this way."
Shen Nian was led to the jewelry section nearby. The salesperson quickly brought over a few boxes.
"These several models are our store's bestselling earrings, very suitable for a beautiful and elegant lady like yourself. Please take a look."