Chapter 40: Knowing the Heart Through Wine

Chapter 40: Knowing the Heart Through Wine

Everyone has their own hidden secrets they wish to keep concealed.

This was true for Shen Xian as well.

She had tried her best to hide them, but Gu Chen still managed to uncover them. Her anger was merely a mask for her vulnerability.

In the afternoon, Gu Chen left without asking Shen Xian to drive him.

Shen Xian busied herself with her assigned tasks in the office, yet her focus continually wandered.

Biting her hand's back, the slight pain jolted her senses back into clarity, allowing her mind to function normally again.

On her computer screen was a pile of data and documents sent by Zhang Chi. She meticulously organized and compiled them, only to realize that they pertained to overseas companies, which was not within Shenfei Group's scope of business.

As Shen Xian was engrossed in the sea of data, the door creaked open. Chen Nuo entered, carrying a cup of milk tea.

"Shen Xian Xian, I ordered milk tea for everyone. Here's yours."

With a gentle and cheerful tone, Chen Nuo looked at Shen Xian behind the computer with a bright smile.

Shen Xian lifted her head, meeting Chen Nuo's smiling eyes, hiding her inner turmoil. "You're not dieting anymore?"

"No more dieting, one should enjoy life to the fullest when things are going well!"

Chen Nuo laughed and skillfully inserted the straw into Shen Xian's cup. "Let me tell you, this is the best milk tea I've ever had. You have to savor it properly."

Knowing that Shen Xian seldom indulged in such treats, Chen Nuo eagerly recommended it.

Unable to resist the generous offer, Shen Xian took the milk tea and took a sip. "Mmm, it's really good."

Chen Nuo beamed like a child who had received praise. However, instead of leaving, she stood by Shen Xian's desk, hesitating to speak.

"Shen Xian..."

"Hmm?"

Shen Xian gazed at her, taking another sip of her milk tea with a composed expression.

"President Gu has stepped out," Chen Nuo informed.

"Mm-hm, I know."

During her time here, Shen Xian had honed the skill of identifying people by their footsteps. Gu Chen's distinct tread on the 33rd floor was easily recognizable.

Observing Shen Xian's unperturbed demeanor, Chen Nuo couldn't help but ask further.

"Did President Gu reprimand you about yesterday's incident?"

Shen Xian remained silent.

"You accompanied me to the police station yesterday. Why would he scold you today? Wasn't what you did an act of bravery? Why is he criticizing you?"

Shen Xian's grip on her milk tea cup tightened as she looked up at Chen Nuo leaning against the table.

"Did you... see everything that happened yesterday?"

"No, I happened to see you and Gu Chen leaving the building when I came out. I learned about your brave encounter with that thug from a passerby. Thankfully, you weren't hurt."

Chen Nuo spoke with indignation, as if she would personally confront the perpetrator if Shen Xian had been injured.

Upon hearing Chen Nuo's words, Shen Xian felt relieved. It was good that Chen Nuo hadn't witnessed the incident.

She was well aware of her condition later on, but she could only hope that those who saw her assumed she was merely startled. Apparently, this hope no longer included Gu Chen.

If Chen Nuo had also seen it, how could Shen Xian continue her pretense on the thirty-third floor?

"It wasn't because of today's incident." Shen Xian didn't want to deceive Chen Nuo but couldn't elaborate further.

"That's a relief," Chen Nuo replied politely, sensing that Shen Xian was different from others in some way.

Although Shen Xian was an assistant, similar in status to a secretary, she never displayed the typical awe or fear that subordinates often had towards their superiors. There was no trace of inferiority or submission that one might expect from such a position.

She appeared modest and sincere while effortlessly engaging in equal footing conversations with her superiors. At times, she even unintentionally exuded a commendable composure that commanded respect.

It was hard to put into words – strange and intricate.

During this time, the two conversed further about work-related matters, and Shen Xian's emotions, disturbed by Gu Chen earlier, gradually stabilized through their discussion. After Chen Nuo left, she calmed herself and finished organizing the documents at hand, subsequently forwarding them to Gu Chen's email inbox.

Shen Xian was aware that she had overreacted earlier; she wasn't sure if Gu Chen was upset, but she knew his intentions were good.

Shen Xian instinctively resisted such kindness.

She didn't even consider apologizing to Gu Chen for this; in her heart, Gu Chen might have been the one who instigated everything.

Uncertain, hence not wanting to exert mental effort pondering over the necessity of an apology.

Others didn't comment on the matter, but Ma Qi couldn't shake off the thought of Shen Xian and Gu Chen's dispute.

When Shen Xian went to get water, Ma Qi deliberately waited for her there.

"Shen Xian! You only stayed on the 33rd floor because of President Gu."

"So what?"

Ma Qi had been bothered by this issue for a long time. Shen Xian assumed that she had moved past her turmoil, only to have it brought up again.

"So you should be most grateful to Mr. Gu," Ma Qi said with a tinge of frustration, looking at Shen Xian. How could she remain so calm and composed?

"I know, I'm truly grateful to him," Shen Xian agreed with Ma Qi's perspective and nodded in response.

She had indeed expressed her gratitude to Gu Chen when she first decided to stay, and he was well aware of it.

"You!"

Ma Qi clenched her teeth in anger. Since the start of their conversation, Shen Xian had maintained a detached demeanor, which annoyed her. However, Shen Xian's replies were not wrong, leaving Ma Qi feeling as if her efforts were futile.

Confused, Shen Xian stared at Ma Qi, waiting for her to continue.

"Do you even know what you're doing here?!"

With a mix of emotions, Ma Qi glanced at Shen Xian before elegantly leaving in her high heels, leaving Shen Xian bewildered.

"Never mind her," Chen Nuo entered with a cup in hand, speaking softly after watching Ma Qi depart. "She just thinks you shouldn't argue with Mr. Gu; there's no other meaning behind it."

Upon hearing Chen Nuo's explanation, Shen Xian finally understood. So, that was the underlying message behind Ma Qi's seemingly random conversation. Then why didn't she say it outright?

Fortunately for her, she hadn't directly asked, or Shen Xian might not have responded with such calm sincerity.

She certainly didn't wish to be taught how to live her life after two decades of existence.

In this situation, they were all novices, and none had the right to dictate her actions based on their perspectives.

Over the next few days, everything proceeded as usual. Gu Chen seemed unaffected by the previous incident and didn't bring up the suggestion of seeing a psychiatrist again.

Life returned to its tranquil state, as if nothing had transpired.

Zhou Mu's communication with Shen Xian became more frequent, sending at least one or two messages daily to share snippets of his life or inquire if Shen Xian could join him for dinner and drinks after work, or perhaps visit a boxing gym.

When Shen Xian was busy and couldn't reply, Zhou Mu wouldn't persist with additional messages.

On this day, Shen Xian accepted Zhou Mu's invitation to meet at a nearby music bar for a drink. Before arriving, Zhou Mu mentioned he would bring someone along. Shen Xian didn't give it much thought, assuming he might bring a teammate. She didn't inquire further.

To her surprise, Zhou Mu brought a vivacious young girl. This caught Shen Xian off guard.

Nonetheless, it was a positive change. Zhou Mu had been single for years and hadn't shown any close ties with any girls. As he was no longer young, it was beneficial for him to engage more with the opposite sex during less demanding periods of work.

When Shen Xian arrived, the two were engrossed in conversation on tall bar stools, Zhou Mu's expression appearing rather grave.

What a stubbornly straightforward guy, Shen Xian mused. Is he really that serious on a date with a girl? With this thought, she approached them.

Zhou Mu caught sight of her out of the corner of his eye and immediately ceased his chat. A warm smile graced his chiseled face as he waved at the incoming Shen Xian.

Shen Xian gave him a knowing smile before turning to the girl who had accompanied her. "No introduction, Captain Zhou?"

"Senior, nice to meet you! I'm Shu Yan," the girl promptly stood up and extended her hand, introducing herself with a clear voice.

The girl had a straight bang and her hair was tied up in a high ponytail, with two small braids on each side. Sunlight danced in the corners of her eyes, her smile radiant, as two playful dimples adorned her cheeks.

She wore a black leather jacket over black boots, topped off with a long black coat that accentuated her extraordinary charisma.

"Senior?"

Shen Xian was puzzled; she didn't recognize this girl.

"We graduated from the same school, just different majors. I'm two years younger than you," the girl explained.

Zhou Mu explained with a smile, pulling out a chair for Shen Xian as he spoke.

"Ah, I see. Nice to meet you, my name is Shen Xian," Shen Xian replied politely in return.

"I know you! Senior Shen is quite famous in school!" Shu Yan smiled proudly, as if being in the same institution as Shen Xian was an honor for her.

"I? Famous?" Shen Xian laughed wryly. She couldn't think of any fame she had; over the years, she had almost severed ties with her past and didn't believe many people would still remember her.

Curving her lips, Shu Yan glanced at Zhou Mu. Her charming dimples made her look incredibly adorable, a blend of innocence and spirit that was a unique charm.

"That's what they call it - even when you're not in the world, your legend still persists."

Zhou Mu raised his eyebrows, explaining as he waved for the waiter to come over and take their order.

"The Rainbow Seven might be a good choice. Just hearing the name gives a sense of strength after a storm. Would you like to try it, Senior Shen?"

Shu Yan was energetic and, noticing Shen Xian's hesitation on the menu, took the initiative to recommend a drink.

"Sure," Shen Xian usually didn't indulge much in cocktails and wasn't well-versed in them. Thus, she decided to accept Shu Yan's suggestion without further thought.

Zhou Mu ordered a Tequila Sunrise, while Shu Yan opted for a Kiss from Heaven. The names sounded profound, and Shen Xian, not being a frequent visitor to bars, was unfamiliar with their actual contents.

As they engaged in casual conversation, it was Shu Yan who kept the atmosphere lively with her soft, melodious voice, reminiscent of a late-night radio host's.

"You see these cocktail names? I wonder how they come up with them. A Kiss from Heaven seems like a tribute to something lost, while a Tequila Sunrise is like welcoming something new. And a Rainbow cocktail feels like rebirth after hardships. They're so well-chosen, each name reflecting a different state of mind..."

"Indeed, people don't just drink for the sake of drinking; many use alcohol to express their emotions," Zhou Mu chimed in, following Shu Yan's train of thought.

Shu Yan nodded in agreement and turned to Shen Xian, "Senior Shen, if you had to choose a cocktail name to describe your current state of mind, which one would you say fits best?"

"I'm not knowledgeable about alcohol."

"Just take the literal meaning," Shu Yan suggested.