Chapter 48: I Want You To Be Happy Too
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
Once these words fell, the meeting room became even quieter.
Song Qingluo glanced at Wen Ruoxian. There was a trace of gratitude in her eyes, and then she quickly lowered her head, afraid to be seen in her embarrassing state—even though everyone had already seen it.
Everyone's gaze shifted from Wen Ruoxian to Song Qingluo, then to Cheng Suran.
Cheng Suran's lips slightly curled. She noticed the people around her and immediately said, "Go ahead, it will not happen again."
Song Qingluo left with her head down.
The meeting continued. Wen Ruoxian sat next to Cheng Suran on her right side, listening to the report. It went in one ear and out the other, as her mind was filled with the image of Song Qingluo's blushing and aggrieved face from being criticized—
She felt very uncomfortable.
Qingluo was a spoiled child, admired by many for her talent. She lived a queen-like life, surrounded by stars, with a high spirit and a proud temperament. How could she endure being reprimanded in public? Her timid and submissive demeanor, and her humble bowed head, made her look like a completely unfamiliar person, with no trace of the Qingluo from before.
That was not Qingluo.
Wen Ruoxian thought painfully, as bitterness spread unchecked.
Due to the delay, the originally scheduled half-hour meeting was extended by more than ten minutes. After it ended, Wen Ruoxian made an excuse to have something to do and went back to the office with Cheng Suran.
From a distance, they saw Song Qingluo sitting at her workstation. When she looked up, their eyes met.
Her eyes were slightly red, showing obvious signs of crying.
Wen Ruoxian's heart tightened instantly.
"Hello, President Wen." Song Qingluo forced a smile and greeted her.
Wen Ruoxian lightly nodded, said nothing, and reluctantly withdrew her gaze, eagerly following Cheng Suran into the office.
"Sit down, Ruoxian," Cheng Suran said, pulling her to the sofa. "Want some tea? I'll have Xiao Song make it. Her skills are getting better and better."
After speaking, she glanced at the door.
She turned back to Wen Ruoxian's face, observing without showing any expression.
At the mention of tea, Wen Ruoxian frowned, thinking of Song Qingluo's burned hand, and shook her head repeatedly, "No, I'm not thirsty."
Just as she finished speaking, there was a knock on the door, and both of them turned their heads simultaneously.
Song Qingluo pushed the door open, carried a teacup in both hands, walked to Wen Ruoxian's side, put it down, and said humbly, "President Wen, drink some water."
Wen Ruoxian instinctively said, "Thank you."
Song Qingluo slowly straightened up, gave her an affectionate smile, and turned to leave.
"Ruoxian, what did you say just now?" Cheng Suran pretended not to have seen.
"Oh..." Wen Ruoxian's thoughts returned to the matter at hand. She reluctantly moved her gaze away from Song Qingluo's face. "The company has expanded this year, and we've added a lot of staff. Our office space is becoming inadequate. Should we consider relocating?"
As she spoke, she picked up the cup. The temperature felt just right, and she took a big sip.
Cheng Suran almost lost her composure, holding back a laugh. "I was just about to discuss that with you. We've been so busy lately. We can hand over the building selection to an agent, and when the time comes..."
"Are we changing office buildings?" Song Qingluo, who had walked to the door, turned back and interrupted Cheng Suran. "I have some friends who have several commercial properties for rent, including standalone duplexes, all in prime locations across various districts. I can get them at half price."
Wen Ruoxian's eyes followed her.
Cheng Suran was stunned, looking back and forth between the two, and then said seriously, "Secretary Song, I'm talking to President Wen."
"Sorry..." Song Qingluo lowered her head weakly and apologized softly.
She then retreated dejectedly.
The office was quiet for a few seconds. Wen Ruoxian stared at the door in a daze, with slight wrinkles between her eyebrows.
Cheng Suran called her, "Ruoxian?"
Wen Ruoxian turned back, "What?"
"I said, let's first clarify our needs and then hand it over to the agent. Whoever is available can go check it out in person, or..." Cheng Suran glanced sideways, "We can also consider contacting Secretary Song's friend."
“Mm? Oh..." Wen Ruoxian responded absentmindedly, "Either way is fine."
"Want to go for a picnic this weekend?"
"No."
This translation is originally posted on https://love4baihe.blogspot.com please read it there. and check out other stories too.
"How about the team-building activity at the end of the month? Manager Hu and the others have planned a trip to a resort to play real-life CS. I'm rarely free too. Want to join the team?"
"Sure..."
Another silence ensued.
The setting sun shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a hazy warm light on Wen Ruoxian's shoulders. She lowered her eyes, her whole being immersed in an inexplicable sadness.
Cheng Suran's lips curled slightly. "What's wrong? You seem preoccupied."
Wen Ruoxian looked up, hesitated, and said, "Qingluo, she..."
"Hmm?"
"Her personality..."
Cheng Suran blinked, "What's wrong with her personality?"
Wen Ruoxian pondered for a moment, then said tactfully, "She has a straightforward personality. She loves to play and joke around. With her family background, she can have a bit of a spoiled temperament. It might not be easy for people to accept her."
"Yes, that's true," Cheng Suran raised an eyebrow but then changed her tone, "But it's okay, she just needs a bit of tempering. People need to grow up."
Wen Ruoxian hurried to explain, "But too much pressure is not good. After all, she is President Song's daughter, and she came to our company just..."
Just for novelty?
This reason had already collapsed.
She knew that Qingluo came here, suppressing her temperament and enduring the trivialities, for her. To be a bit closer to her.
"Precisely because she is President Song's daughter, and she came to our company to 'learn' and 'train,' I have to be strict. Otherwise, letting her off easily would be disrespectful, right?" Cheng Suran spoke righteously, though her eyes grew increasingly playful.
Wen Ruoxian shook her head, "What I mean is, she's been pampered all her life and hasn't faced much hardship. Even if she needs tempering, it should be gradual. Too much pressure might cause psychological issues."
"Do you think I'm being too harsh?" Cheng Suran spread her hands innocently, "That's not fair. I've always treated work with fairness. Good work is rewarded, and poor work is punished. I've never targeted or bullied her.”
"In my eyes, there are no Aunties or Young Misses here, only employees whose abilities match their positions."
The more they argued, the more anxious Wen Ruoxian became. She remembered the scene in the meeting room.
She decided to speak plainly, "Just now, you publicly criticized her in the meeting room. It was a bit too much. She made mistakes at work, but you could have reminded her privately. With so many people watching..." At this point, her heart ached, and she paused for a moment, "No matter what, you shouldn't humiliate someone in public. Employees are people too, and they have self-respect."
A deathly silence fell.
Her words hung awkwardly in the air, echoing throughout the room.
"Feeling distressed?" Cheng Suran stared at her, unable to hide a smile as she shrugged, "Then you can take her back with you. Otherwise, as my secretary, she has to follow my rules."
Wen Ruoxian was at a loss for words.
She suddenly realized she had become too emotional.
It's someone else's secretary. How could she interfere? No one else would tolerate Qingluo's temper and accommodate her whims.
She was really confused.
"To be honest, I'm actually a bit reluctant to let her go now. Someone like Xiao Song, diligent and obedient, it's too much trouble to find someone new," Cheng Suran clicked her tongue twice, her expression intriguing.
“Let's do this, Ruoxian, let Xiao Song stay with me, and I'll find someone else for you."
"That won't work," Wen Ruoxian firmly rejected, then realizing she had overreacted, she moderated her emotions, "Well, I just feel... new hires need time to adjust, and I don't want to waste time."
Cheng Suran continued smoothly, "Got it, so you and Xiao Song get along well."
"..."
"If that's the case, why push her over to me? Hmph and you say there's been no arguing, yet you've confessed to bringing her here honestly."
Her words hit the mark.
Wen Ruoxian met Cheng Suran's gaze. Her eyes suddenly became unfathomable, as if they would see through her. She backed into a corner, with nowhere to escape.
She turned her face away and looked out the window.
Cheng Suran's smile slowly disappeared, "Are you hiding things from me too?"
"We did argue, but there are other issues as well..." Wen Ruoxian couldn't resist her gentle probing. All her soft-heartedness had always been for two people: one was Ranran, and the other was Qingluo.
"It's a personal matter, and it's something ridiculous."
Cheng Suran sighed, "Ruoxian..."
"We've known each other for so many years, and one thing I know very well about you is that you keep everything to yourself. But keeping things bottled up only hurts you. Many things can't be figured out alone. I know you like to do things step by step, according to plan, with clear frameworks and logical order. But these very steps, plans, and orderliness sometimes box you in, causing you to miss opportunities and precious things."
"If you don't want to talk about it, I won't force you. Just remember, I'm still your friend, and you don't have to let... past issues affect us because we've long moved past them. I'm happy, and I want you to be happy too."
She wanted to hold Wen Ruoxian's hand. But she also knew Ruoxian would definitely dodge it, always mindful of "propriety."
Although they were good friends, they had lost the qualifications for intimacy. When it came to past events, Wen Ruoxian felt only guilt in her heart. Cheng Suran was right: her nature didn't harm others, but herself.
"Mm, I know," she turned her face back.
"As for Qingluo, it was because I saw her in the garage that day, you were there..."
The simplest and most direct reason was that Qingluo deceived her.
And the motive for the deception, she thought, was ultimately difficult to articulate, especially in front of Cheng Suran.
One was someone she had secretly loved for many years, and the other was someone who now liked her. Emotionally, they both had their entanglements: one was a firm friendship, the other was vague and unknown. She was confused and tangled up in it, like what words.
"Oh, she likes you," Cheng Suran said confidently.
She was unexpectedly blunt and Wen Ruoxian was caught off guard, her face turning intensely flushed, feeling awkward and uncomfortable when someone pointed her out, and that someone was her long-time one-sided love. She reluctantly agreed.
"Just based on her sticking to you all day at the company, there's an eighty percent chance," Cheng Suran happily declared, pleased with her keen observation and hitting the mark.
Finally—
She could tease Ruoxian without holding back!
She wanted to go home and have a good time with Jiang Yu.
Wen Ruoxian blushed even more deeply. "Okay, Ranran, let's not talk about this."
"Deception is really annoying. I feel like I've been fooled," Cheng Suran hit her sore spot again.
"Do you like her then?"
Wen Ruoxian picked up her cup of tea, only to find that she had finished it in no time, muttering to herself, "How did I drink it so quickly? There was still so much left."
She couldn't discuss it with Cheng Suran, a question filled with complexity and uncertainty.
"Want more?" Cheng Suran smirked. "Not because you're thirsty, right? Probably it's not the tea that tastes good, but the person who brewed it that you're fixated on."
"Don't tease me," Wen Ruoxian blushed to the roots of her ears.
"Alright, alright, I'll spare you. Even though you've teased me and Coco so much, I'll remember this and get you back later."
"Mm, I have something to do, so I'll head back now."
"Have a good weekend."
"You too."
Wen Ruoxian stood up and was almost at the door when Cheng Suran called her from behind, "Ruoxian."
"?"
"Your own feelings are always more important than whether something is right or wrong."
….
The weekend was unpleasant.
In the days Qingluo was not around, Wen Ruoxian thought she would get used to it, just like when she separated from Ranran, and that over time, she would adjust.
But she had overestimated herself.
Everywhere in her home had traces of Qingluo. everywhere in the house.
She would think about her during meals, think about her while sleeping, and think about her no matter what she did. Everything reminded her of Qingluo's goodness.
Qingluo was soft and coquettish with her, sweet-talking her into laughter. Outside, she was a brilliant violinist, but in front of her, she was occasionally a docile little rabbit and sometimes a mischievous little fox. Although she had a proud and capricious temper over trivial matters, she was clear-headed and knew her limits in important matters, understanding when to advance and when to retreat...
In every aspect, Qingluo was perfect.
If asked, she could talk endlessly for three days and three nights.
After the meeting on Friday, she had another thing on her mind: Qingluo suffering at Ranran's place, and she might be scolded at any time.
Thinking about it kept her awake almost all night.
On Sunday night, Wen Ruoxian managed to fall asleep reluctantly before midnight, only to dream of the scene from that meeting day—
It seemed the room was larger, with more participants, and everyone in the company was present. Qingluo seemed to have done something wrong, standing on the podium as Cheng Suran scolded her for over ten minutes. Her eyes grew redder, unable to hold back tears.
The podium was like a stage in a concert hall.
She stood there, supposed to be holding her violin, receiving the baptism of flowers and applause...
Wen Ruoxian woke up in fright, her chest aching, taking a long time to calm down.
Outside, it was barely light, past five o'clock. She wanted to go back to sleep but couldn't, lying awake until the sun rose.
Today is Monday, with a meeting in the morning.
It wasn't Song Qingluo, but Assistant Meng who appeared in the conference room. Wen Ruoxian breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing her, reassuring herself that dreams were just the opposite.
She busied herself and set aside her emotions.
From early morning to nightfall, from sunrise to sunset.
After eight o'clock, the entire floor emptied out. Wen Ruoxian emerged from her office, switched off the last light, and left under the cover of night.
Passing by the front desk, she hesitated briefly. Dim light leaked from the other side of the corridor, faintly leading to Cheng Suran's office.
Is Ranran still busy?
She changed direction towards Cheng Suran's office. The light grew brighter, revealing Song Qingluo sitting at the workstation, deeply engrossed in her computer.
Hearing footsteps, she seemed startled, lifting her head abruptly.
"Ruo..."
The nickname that surged to her lips was swallowed down, and Song Qingluo looked at the newcomer in surprise, "President Wen."
"Why aren't you going home?" Wen Ruoxian glanced around, finding no one else, then focused her gaze back on Song Qingluo, scanning her surroundings.
The cold light from the screen whitened her face. A few strands of silver hair seemed transparent over her forehead. One hand flipped through documents, the other gripped the mouse, and the computer screen displayed a drafting software page, with unsorted raw materials.
Clearly working overtime.
"I..." Surprise tinged with joy, Song Qingluo felt a bit dizzy and couldn't immediately respond. She glanced at her computer and recalled, "Oh, I'm searching for materials to edit into a short film."
Wen Ruoxian raised her wrist to check the time, "Do you really need to work this late?"
"CEO Cheng needs it tomorrow, I have to finish it," Song Qingluo explained truthfully. Then, as if afraid that Wen Ruoxian might suspect or misunderstand, she continued explaining—
"It's because I'm not proficient, I wasted some time, that's why it's gotten this late. I absolutely didn't stay overtime on purpose for you to see. I... I didn't know you were still here. Oh, right, CEO Cheng doesn't know about this. She wasn't in the office this afternoon. Assistant Meng told me to leave on time, but I wanted to finish everything before leaving, so I didn't notice the time. But I'm almost done now. Just need to finalize three more graphics."
She explained with both words and gestures, anxious as she looked at Wen Ruoxian, her eyes full of innocence, urgently wanting to prove that she hadn't lied or tried to manipulate.
She wasn't seeking pity or sympathy.
Wen Ruoxian silently watched her, feeling a slight pang in her heart, a subtle pain spreading through her limbs.
Obedient, honest, cautious, subdued... None of these described Qingluo. The Qingluo she knew was proud, radiant, and confident. How did she become like this?
"Ruoxian?"
"I really didn't lie to you. Originally, during the day..." Seeing her silence for a long time, Song Qingluo felt anxious, her voice unintentionally tinged with grievance.
"I know," Wen Ruoxian interrupted to reassure her, "I believe you."
Song Qingluo bit her lip.
Her happiness was simple: Ruoxian believed her.
"Don't stay out too late. It's not safe."
"Mm-mm, okay."
Wen Ruoxian glanced at her worriedly, turned away, took a few steps, hesitated for a moment, then turned back.
"How much longer will it take? I'll drive you," she said.
Song Qingluo didn't have time to retract her gaze. The longing in her eyes collided head-on with Wen Ruoxian's words. Upon hearing them, a flicker of joy ignited within her. She couldn't contain her excitement, "Ten... um, at most twenty minutes."
Then she remembered something: she had driven here herself.
What to do...
She couldn't lie to Ruoxian, which also meant she couldn't accept Ruoxian's offer to drive.
The chance for a brief moment alone was right in front of her. Even if it was just a short ten minutes, she could only watch it slip away.
Song Qingluo was unwilling to accept this.
Thinking of making another attempt, she decided to be honest, "I drove here myself, so I don't need you to drive me. But... I want to ride in your car. Is that okay?"
Afraid that Wen Ruoxian might refuse, she plucked up the courage to plead softly, "I just want to see more of you, and spend more time with you. Um, if you're worried about the fuel cost, I can give you money. Would you please drive me?"
Opportunities are all earned by oneself.
Even if it didn't work out in the end, at least she tried her best. No regrets. Next time, she'll try harder.
Wen Ruoxian was both softened by Song Qingluo's persistence and amused by her last sentence. She thought, who could refuse such a request? At least she couldn't refuse, not when it was Qingluo asking.
She readily agreed, "Alright."
"I'll wait for you. Take your time and don't rush, so that Ms. Cheng won't have any issues on her end. It'll be troublesome otherwise."
"Got it."
"Ruoxian is the best!"
Song Qingluo cheered happily using her nickname.
Wen Ruoxian walked over to a nearby workstation, sat down, and tilted her head to take in the sight of Song Qingluo completely. Upon closer inspection, Qingluo seemed to have lost weight, her chin more pointed. Perhaps it was because she wasn't wearing makeup; there were faint dark circles under her eyes, and she didn't look as vibrant and radiant as before.
This shouldn't be...
Qingluo's life shouldn't be like this.
She should be herself—proud, confident, dazzling, fully blossoming on her own stage, running wild on her chosen path. Whether willful or arrogant, it's all authentically her, uniquely herself.
Like a white rose grown in a greenhouse, it thrives only within its sheltered environment. If forcibly moved to the wild to endure wind and rain, it will surely wither and fade, no longer the pristine white rose it once was. And there would be no more white roses to admire, nor would the mood exist.
Right or wrong doesn't matter. What matters is one's own feelings.
Wen Ruoxian suddenly understood the meaning behind Cheng Suran's words—being too fixated on right and wrong can lead to losing something even more precious. If one feels more happiness, there's no need to care about right or wrong. Happiness is what matters most.
Whether a lie is right or wrong pales in comparison to the tiny bit of joy she feels when she thinks of Qingluo.
"Ruoxian, I'm done. Let's go, let's go."
Lost in thought, she heard cheerful cheers in her ears. Wen Ruoxian snapped out of her reverie and looked up to see Song Qingluo smiling sweetly at her, her heart fluttering.
"Mm."
The two walked side by side toward the elevator lobby.
Behind them was the dark office area, while the elevator hall was brightly lit, casting elongated shadows of the two figures. Song Qingluo walked on Wen Ruoxian's left side, quietly reached out her left hand backward, and gently embraced Wen Ruoxian's shadow.
Then, she greedily held the shadow's hand.
And even kissed the shadow again.
….
A journey of just over ten minutes is not long yet not short.
After more than half a month, she sat in the familiar car again. Song Qingluo silently prayed for time to pass a bit slower, but the more she wished for it, the faster time seemed to fly. She had never felt this route home was so short when driving herself.
Wen Ruoxian dropped her off at the entrance of the Green Shang Mansion.
The warm yellow light from the car roof illuminated their faces.
"We're here."
"Oh."
Song Qingluo hesitated as she undid her seatbelt, looking at Wen Ruoxian with reluctance in her eyes. "Goodnight."
She reached for the door handle, preparing to step out.
"Wait."
“?"
Wen Ruoxian gripped the steering wheel with one hand. "I'll talk to CEO Cheng tomorrow and ask her to let you come back."
Song Qingluo froze.
"You... You don't hate me? You don't dislike me?"
"I've never hated you, and I've never disliked you," Wen Ruoxian turned her face slowly, her eyes filled with tenderness.
"The rest doesn't matter."
Author's Note:
Xiao Qingluo (looking pitiful): Wuwu, I want my wife to hug me TT
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