Shi Xinxin first reacted with a delayed realization, then a cold sneer played on her lips.
"I really thank you."
She wished she could swallow her earlier words right then and there.
Who said Sheng Chenjin wouldn't make her suffer? Shi Xinxin truly regretted walking into the company; it was the most foolish decision she'd ever made!
Gritting her teeth with a smile, Bai Feng sensed the awkward atmosphere and left after closing the door.
"These documents aren't much. I expect you'll finish them quickly," Sheng Chenjin said, a faint smile in his tone.
Shi Xinxin ignored him, carrying the half-meter-high stack of documents to a small side table.
However, as she picked up the pile, she surprisingly found it wasn't as heavy as she'd imagined, well within her acceptable limits.
She pulled up a small stool and sat at the table. After a quick flip through the documents to confirm their format and content, she silently immersed herself in work.
After all, she was the one who owed money. A little disadvantage was nothing. At worst, she'd seek revenge on Sheng Chenjin after repaying the debt. Revenge is a dish best served cold, or rather, after ten years!
Sheng Chenjin remained silent. He didn't look at the notebook on the table, but through the swirling mist of steam, he watched the person engrossed in her work at the table.
The midday sun blazed, shining directly through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the floor. The slanting rays of light were gradually obscured by clouds, casting a golden edge on Shi Xinxin's profile as they fell on her face.
She was carefully examining the documents in her hands, feeling a warm glow all over, not distracted for a moment.
Nor did she notice the gaze that had been fixed on her from the desk.
Occasionally, the faint rustle of fingertips against paper could be heard in the office, along with the soft gurgling of boiling tea.
Amidst this quiet perfection, Sheng Chenjin's lips curved into a boundless smile.
Before she knew it, Shi Xinxin had sorted through over a dozen intern files.
Upon seeing the last intern's file, she was somewhat surprised. It seemed the documents weren't as numerous as they appeared when stacked, just that the paper was a bit thicker.
Shi Xinxin tidied the documents on the table, glanced at her phone, and realized only half an hour had passed.
Just as she was about to look up and ask something, she heard a knock on the door, a faint sound that broke the office's quiet atmosphere.
Sheng Chenjin put down his pen, frowned, and instinctively glanced at Shi Xinxin.
Seeing that her gaze was still on the documents, he looked towards the door.
Bai Feng, arriving at this precise moment, made Sheng Chenjin impatiently utter a single word: "Enter."
Unexpectedly, it wasn't Bai Feng who entered, but a woman in a business suit, with big wavy hair and exquisite makeup.
Sheng Chenjin's face instantly turned cold, his voice darkening as he said, "Leave."
The footsteps nearby didn't stop.
Even without looking, Shi Xinxin heard the click of high heels, identifying the entrant as a woman.
She paused slightly, then took a closer look. The woman was quite pretty, swaying her hips as she walked to the right, clearly with ulterior motives.
Casting another glance at Sheng Chenjin, an inexplicable anger welled up within her.
"Mr. Sheng, I am the assistant to the general manager of Bailin Group. I'm here specifically to discuss cooperation," the woman said with a smile.
Sheng Chenjin's cold face signaled Bai Feng to call. His gaze remained fixed on Shi Xinxin as he said, without a hint of softness, "Leave. I don't care what cooperation you're here for, and I won't say it a third time."
Shi Xinxin secretly pouted. Who discussed cooperation dressed in vibrant scarlet, paired with red-soled high heels?
She bit her lip, desperately suppressing the restless emotions within her, and resisted the urge to look at Sheng Chenjin.
Sheng Chenjin paid no mind to the woman. He stood up and walked to the table, enunciating each word, "Xinxin, I have no relationship with her."
Shi Xinxin finally stopped what she was doing and slowly looked at him. "I haven't said anything yet, why are you so quick to defend yourself, as if you have something to hide?"
Sheng Chenjin's expression was grim, and his anxiety was evident in his eyes. He sighed in exasperation, "I thought it was Bai Feng who entered."
Shi Xinxin looked away, remaining silent.
Just as the atmosphere grew tense, the woman spoke, "Mr. Sheng..."
"Get out!" Sheng Chenjin said sharply, his brow furrowed.
At that very moment, Bai Feng arrived at the office as if sprinting and quickly escorted the woman out.
He said coldly to the woman, "Go back and tell your boss that the enterprise he wants might be lost. The reason is inadequate management of subordinates."
Then, Bai Feng unceremoniously called for security and turned to leave.
In the office, a cold silence still lingered.
Shi Xinxin naturally trusted Sheng Chenjin's judgment and wouldn't be attracted to someone inferior to her.
But for some reason, after seeing their private space disrupted by an outsider, a subtle discomfort gnawed at her, a heavy stone pressing down on her heart.
This feeling made her bottle up her emotions. She sat motionless at the table, saying nothing.
"Xinxin, I..." Sheng Chenjin began, his voice filled with helplessness.
Shi Xinxin raised her hand to interrupt him. "Hey, don't rush to explain. I'm not interested in your personal life at all."
Despite her words, Sheng Chenjin continued, "You know, my heart has always only had you."
Shi Xinxin's heart skipped a beat.
She slowly turned her head, ensuring her reaction wasn't visible on her face, and then whispered, "Then how will you prove it to me?"
Seemingly caught off guard by her reply, Sheng Chenjin was momentarily stunned.
He soon curved his lips into a smile. "Isn't what I do daily enough proof?"
Under his intense gaze, Shi Xinxin's face felt hotter than the midday sun outside. She quickly raised her hands to cover her face. "Forget it, forget it."
She decided to let it slide for now.
Sheng Chenjin finally breathed a sigh of relief, his smile deepening as he watched Shi Xinxin's bashful reaction.
It was now lunchtime. He glanced at his watch and asked gently, "Will you have lunch here? Should we go out or order takeout?"
Shi Xinxin slumped onto her chair. "Let's order takeout."
Although these files weren't numerous, reading and remembering them was exhausting. She was completely drained and had no desire to use her brain or limbs.
Sheng Chenjin then asked Bai Feng to bring two meals.
Bai Feng, having just dealt with the assistant, quickly entered with Michelin-grade takeout.
He quietly closed the door behind him.
"Come eat. There's shrimp, your favorite," Sheng Chenjin said, transferring shrimp from his own bowl to hers.
Shi Xinxin held a bottle of mineral water against her face, feeling the heat dissipate. Only then did she slowly make her way to the dining table.
"My treatment is quite good, isn't it? Just lunch costs eight thousand."