Chapter 4: She Doesn't Remember Her
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"President Wen, hello."
Song Qingluo curled her lips and stood up as if she knew Wen Ruoxian would appear there.
Looking around the whole office, only her workstation was the most crowded. While others had green plants on their desks, she went above and beyond, adding blind box figurines, a mini coffee pot, an ambiance lamp, a small fan, and even two stuffed toys hanging on the desk corner.
She was even more gorgeously dressed.
A Barbie-pink spaghetti strap knit dress, shiny leather pants, a black belt with a metal chain, exaggerated earrings, necklace, and bracelets, all shimmering under the light.
A coat of the same color as the skirt hangs on the back of the chair.
It doesn't look like she's here to work.
No one would doubt if she was about to step onto a runway for a fashion show in the next second.
Wen Ruoxian's eyes were filled with complicated emotions. She walked in with a polite smile on her lips: "Miss Song, we meet again."
Her voice was hoarse from exhaustion.
Song Qingluo's eyes were blazing: "Yes, what a coincidence."
Seeing her reaction like this, Wen Ruoxian felt like she had a clear understanding. There was no coincidence. It was all deliberate. But she doesn't even understand why.
As she thought, her head began to ache.
"Miss Song, can you tell me why you chose our company?" It's better to ask directly.
Song Qingluo replied simply: "I like it here."
Wen Ruoxian didn't quite believe it and said tactfully: "I've seen your resume, and being an office clerk seems to be underutilizing your talents."
"I choose a job regardless of its usefulness, only whether I like it or not."
"Miss Song, I want to hear the truth."
"Seems like President Wen doesn't give me any face..." Song Qingluo sighed, feigning disappointment at having her lie exposed, but she was well-prepared for this conversation.
"Compared to being under the nose of my family, of course, I am more free outside."
Wen Ruoxian raised her eyebrows.
This reason makes more sense.
She temporarily labeled Song Qingluo as a "rebellious rich second generation".
"President Wen is a generous person, she won't have a problem accommodating a lowly clerk like me, right?" Song Qingluo blinked.
Then, she pointed to her workstation. "I just started today, and I've already memorized most of the employee handbook. Although I'm not completely familiar with the job yet, I've prepared an onboarding plan. In a maximum of three days, I won't need any colleagues to show me around."
Wen Ruoxian stretched out her hand and motioned to take it over and have a look.
Song Qingluo gave it to her generously.
A few thin pieces of paper, handwritten with full sincerity, the handwriting is as vigorous as the wind, from work ideas to specific plans. The content is detailed and clearly organized. It didn't seem like the work of someone who was just dawdling around.
But that wasn't the most important thing.
It doesn't matter whether she is dawdling or not, whether she is competent or not.
The real concerns couldn't be expressed openly.
After reading it, Wen Ruoxian put the things back on the table without giving any comments: "Does President Song know?"
"I am me, my mother is my mother, and she and I are independent individuals.
"..."
"Will President Wen treat me as a related party?"
"Yes." Wen Ruoxian nodded.
Song Qingluo's face turned visibly gloomy and her voice lowered: "Oh, don't worry, I won't cause any trouble for you, and you don't need to take care of me..." The more she spoke, the more she seemed somewhat aggrieved, but she continued to smile at her.
Such an understanding smile.
Hiding the loss and grievance, only letting people see the stubbornness and determination to prove oneself.
Wen Ruoxian felt inexplicably guilty.
It seemed like she had bullied her.
Then she changed the subject: "It's quite late, aren't you going home?"
"Right away." Song Qingluo bent down to pack her things.
Wen Ruoxian glanced outside the window. It was already completely dark. Out of politeness, she asked, "How are you getting home?"
"I'll..." Song Qingluo sensed the opportunity and reacted very quickly, "..take the subway."
Wen Ruoxian was taken aback.
She thought she was joking.
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"My car is too high-profile and I don't want to be discussed by my colleagues, so I took a taxi here today, but I didn't expect to meet a sleazy male driver who asked about my address. Now I'm traumatized..." Song Qingluo lied without blushing. , thinking about the plan in her mind, her low tone and embarrassed expression were just right.
After saying this, Song Qingluo consoled herself, "Although I haven't taken the subway before, it shouldn't be too difficult. I'll consider it an experience in life."
Wen Ruoxian frowned when she heard "sleazy male driver".
"I'll take you home."
Song Qingluo was waiting for this sentence.
But she couldn't show her thoughts on her face, so she pretended to hesitate: "This is too troublesome for you, President Wen."
"It's no trouble." Wen Ruoxian insisted, "Where do you live?"
Song Qingluo was getting what she wanted: "Changdao Junting."
It is a villa area adjacent to Yuhu Park, located in the southeastern suburbs of Jiangcheng, about 100 meters away from the business center. Twenty kilometers is a long way, and it takes an hour to drive there from the company including traffic jams and traffic lights.
Not only was it out of the way, but it also required a detour.
Returning to the office would mean another detour.
There is no subway there. If the Young Miss wants to take the subway home, she has to change to three lines and then change to a local bus. After walking one kilometer, it will be at least ten o'clock at night when she gets home.
After all, she is a client's daughter, so she is different from ordinary employees and cannot be ignored.
"It's okay, President Wen, I know it's too far away, so it's not a good idea to bother you. I can go back by myself..." Song Qingluo said, very sensibly.
Wen Ruoxian's heart softened. "Come with me."
"Okay."
Song Qingluo put her hands behind her back and quietly made a victory gesture.
Mission accomplished.
They turned off the lights, locked the door, and went to take the elevator, one after the other.
In the small, closed world, the air felt like it turned into a solid. Wen Ruoxian had a faint smell of herbs on her, and it was like a sneaky charm, going straight into Song Qingluo's nose. It smelled fresh and nice.
She took a deep breath and moved very gently, fearing that the scent would dissipate if she disturbed her.
She could only see the side of Wen Ruoxian's face out of the corner of her eye.
How much can a person change in six years?
This face still looked young, but she had taken off her gold-rimmed glasses. Her personality seemed even nicer now. But this kind of nice always feels a bit distant.
She doesn't remember her.
After confirming this, Song Qingluo felt a little disappointed.
Her unforgettable memories are just episodes in other people’s lives. Those moments she cherished, the other person doesn't know about them.
From the sixteenth floor to the first floor below, she wanted to ask several times but held back.
These ten seconds seemed like ten hours.
The car is parked in Area C on the right side of the elevator hall. It is a black Audi A6L. The paint is well-maintained and looks shiny. It looked simple and steady. Song Qingluo thought it looked a bit old-fashioned but it suited Wen Ruoxian's personality well.
The headlights flashed twice, and Song Qingluo opened the passenger door and sat in.
The car is very clean, with a faint herbal aroma, the seat covers are dark burgundy, and a string of wooden objects hangs on the central rearview mirror. There are quality rosary beads, and a golden doll is placed directly below. Other than that, there are no other decorations.
"You also like 'Lubao'? Song Qingluo looked at the golden figurine doll with delight. "I have a silver one, so it's perfect. We can be a pair."
Wen Ruoxian glanced at it, her face turned stiff, and responded casually: "It was a gift from a friend."
After saying that, she lowered her head and fastened her seat belt.
Song Qingluo's sensitive nerves jumped.
The dolls are limited edition, gold, and silver. When they were released, they were officially given CP attributes, which also meant that it brought up something important but overlooked in her mind.
Is Wen Ruoxian single? What were her preferences, men or women?
She knows nothing.
Just like this, she broke into the other person's life rather recklessly.
Some things cannot be asked directly. So Song Qingluo thought for a moment and teased, "I usually assume that when someone mentions a friend, it means they're talking about their significant other."
Wen Ruoxian lowered her gaze and did not answer.
"Really?" Song Qingluo's heart was filled with doubts, but she still had to maintain a relaxed smile on her face, "In that case, I shouldn't ride in your car."
She stretched out her hand to open the door.
Wen Ruoxian didn't understand the connection between the two.
Seeing that the Young Miss was about to get out of the car, she had no choice but to reply: "I don't have a significant other."
"Oh." Song Qingluo took back her hand.
Who said friends couldn't give each other matching items? She and Shi Chuning had used plenty of them from childhood to adulthood, pink ones, blue ones, black ones, white ones - all sisterly versions.
Her mood suddenly brightened.
She turned her head slightly, and the car window reflected the curve of her slightly raised lips.
After returning home that day, Song Qingluo thoroughly investigated Wen Ruoxian's company to figure out how to get closer to her. Coincidentally, she saw the company's job postings, which included various positions like full-time translators, programmers, administrative clerks, and more. Then an idea came to mind——
Break into the inside first.
Being a translator requires a "CATTI"* certificate, which she does not have, and being a programmer requires experience, which she does not understand. All she could do was become an administrative clerk.
Growing up, Song Qingluo had never worked in a serious job and was not very familiar with the interview process. For this reason, she had a meal with Secretary Yao, the secretary of her own company, and sought advice from the Human Resources Director. She also reached out to friends for some "collaboration" and fabricated internship experiences at a friend's family business.
She was well prepared on the day of the interview.
If she can't do it on her own, she can find help from her family. As long as it's something she wants to do, she'll do whatever it takes to do it.
Fortunately, she succeeded.
The street view outside the window slowly receded. The colorful lights resembled fireworks, rising slowly into the night sky and bursting into dazzling displays, echoing in her heart where no one could see.
An hour's journey is too long.
Those who ride in cars are fine, but those who drive have a hard time.
They arrived at "Changdao Junting" at 8:42 PM. The majestic gate stood in the play of light and shadow. There were only nine households in the entire compound, with the largest one occupying three thousand square meters. It was surrounded by open and quiet spaces, and in the distance, scattered lights resembled stars.
Non-owner cars are not allowed in.
Song Qingluo unbuckled her seat belt and looked at Wen Ruoxian: "Thank you, President Wen."
The car's interior light came on, casting a soft glow that revealed the traces of fatigue on Wen Ruoxian's forehead. She met Song Qingluo's gaze, still wearing a gentle and faint smile, showing no signs of impatience.
Song Qingluo suddenly felt that she was going too far.
While this place was indeed her family's, she only came here on weekends and holidays. Normally, she lived in a large apartment in the city, which was her own space and just a seven or eight-minute drive from the company.
To ride in Wen Ruoxian's car and to get along with her longer, she lied and played tricks on her making the other person drive for an hour to a place she rarely stayed at…
She even admired her own cleverness for this.
"The company does not encourage overtime work," Wen Ruoxian looked at her and said in a gentle tone, "Improving work efficiency is important."
Was she criticizing her?
Song Qingluo detached herself from her self-blame and responded lightly, "Does President Wen work so efficiently that you stay at the office for an hour and a half past off-duty time?"
Wen Ruoxian was startled and explained: "That is my personal work and has nothing to do with the company's business."
“As long as you are in the office, you are working overtime. "Song Qingluo clung to her words.
“In a company that does not encourage overtime work, the boss working overtime and even educating subordinates to improve work efficiency is quite contradictory."
Wen Ruoxian was choked and speechless.
After a moment of silence, she suddenly smiled: "Are you trying to argue with me?"
Song Qingluo froze.
For a moment, she thought she had remembered something. The glint in her eyes flickered and then faded.
"How can I argue with you..."
You are the debate champion.
Without waiting for her to speak, Song Qingluo opened the car door and stepped out with one foot, "President Wen, good night."
"Wait "
"?"
Wen Ruoxian's eyes moved around her: "If you really don't want to be too high-profile, I suggest you dress more appropriately for work, of course, it is better to dye your hair darker. "
"Is the way I'm dressed, inappropriate?" Song Qingluo lowered her head to look at herself.
"For work."
"..."
She said serious words with a gentle expression, and her serious look was simply infuriating.
How old-fashioned.
Managing every detail, even someone's hair color and clothing.
Song Qingluo slandered, but she responded obediently: "Okay, President Wen, I will consider it."
Wen Ruoxian nodded: "Good night."
The car door was closed gently but not firmly.
Watching the woman's figure disappear through the door, she breathed a sigh of relief, as if she had completed an important task, and moved to the spot. Turning the car around, she drove into the night facing the lonely street lights.
After arriving home, Wen Ruoxian did not get out of the car immediately.
Since March of this year, whenever she finished work and returned home, she would sit in the car for a while before going upstairs, to quickly adapt to living alone. By now, she was probably used to it, but sitting in silence had also become a habit.
The parking lot was quiet.
The ear-tingling silence was her favorite.
Suddenly, her phone screen lit up.
A WeChat friend request: Song Qingluo.
Author's Note:
Wen-jiejie, if you are too oblivious, you won’t have a girlfriend (dog head
