Chapter Seventy-Nine: This Is My Personal Affair

Shen Qingli was still unaware that Green Cilantro had secretly betrayed her. After sharing some updates about the company with Gu Qingming and asking him to endure some grievances for a while, she left.

Watching Shen Qingli’s departing figure, Gu Qingming was momentarily at a loss until Ping Lang smacked his thigh. “You’re hopeless! You didn’t even bother to look over the contract carefully. If you could’ve negotiated for more profit, that would’ve been great!”

After all, the company was just starting out. Even if they demanded a bit more profit, it wouldn’t have been an issue, considering the commercial value Gu Qingming could bring was far greater than this.

“Sigh, Brother Lang, don’t worry. Sister Shen would never sign an unfair contract. I trust her.”

His tone was full of familiarity, and the more Ping Lang listened, the more he felt something was off. “No, you need to tell me exactly what’s going on between you and President Shen. I am your agent—if any rumors start circulating about you two, I need to be prepared.”

Gu Qingming, who had just been singing Shen Qingli’s praises, suddenly fell silent. “Brother Lang, I just remembered I haven’t finished writing my song. I’ll be off now. You take your time discussing the collaboration with Sister Shen.”

He slipped away quickly, afraid Ping Lang would interrogate him further.

“You brat!”

The news of Gu Qingming’s partnership with Mingguang Media reached Xie Jinchuan’s ears almost immediately. The thought of Shen Qingli and Gu Qingming seeing each other daily left him deeply displeased.

His assistant, standing to the side, felt as if he were about to freeze—the atmosphere was so cold, it was clear President Xie was in a foul mood.

But then again, anyone would be upset if their lover was stolen away.

“President Xie, you have a call. She says her name is Rong Qiaoyi from Qiaoyi Entertainment and would like to meet you.”

Already in a bad mood, Xie Jinchuan had no intention of meeting Rong Qiaoyi at that moment. “Tell her to leave. I’m not seeing anyone today.”

“But... but Miss Rong said it has something to do with Miss Shen.”

Xie Jinchuan’s grip on his phone tightened. After a long pause, he finally exhaled. “Let her wait in the reception room.”

“Yes, President Xie.”

The assistant, seeing Xie Jinchuan’s terrible expression, asked, “President Xie, is everything all right?”

“It’s fine. Handle these documents for me. I’m going to the reception room to meet someone.”

With that, Xie Jinchuan strode toward the reception area.

Word quickly spread that Xie Jinchuan’s visitor was none other than the famous Rong Qiaoyi, attracting a crowd of staff eager to snap photos. Known for her approachable image, Rong Qiaoyi didn’t turn down any requests for selfies. The employees were elated, rushing to post their photos on social media.

“What are you all standing around for? Don’t you have work to do?”

Xie Jinchuan’s expression was thunderous as he addressed the gathering employees. The moment they recognized the president, they scattered like startled birds—no one dared challenge his authority.

“President Xie, why such a bad temper? They just wanted a photo with me, that’s all.” Rong Qiaoyi flicked her hair with a smug air. With so many admirers, she certainly had reason to be pleased.

Xie Jinchuan said nothing, merely opened the door to the reception room and walked in, with Rong Qiaoyi following close behind.

The employees, freshly chastised, immediately clustered together to gossip. “Why do you think the big star Rong Qiaoyi came to see President Xie?”

“They actually look quite compatible together.”

“True, maybe they’ve taken a liking to each other.”

“What about Shen Qingli? Wasn’t she always sweet with President Xie?”

“They’re divorced, aren’t they? Maybe President Xie never really liked her—it was all just for show.”

None of them noticed Shen Qingli standing right behind them.

She had come to Xie Jinchuan’s company to discuss retrieving some belongings from the old house, but didn’t expect to hear such gossip when she arrived.

Rong Qiaoyi and Xie Jinchuan, involved with each other? It sounded rather interesting.

Green Cilantro was scared out of its wits, unsure what the immortal was discussing with Rong Qiaoyi. If Shen Qingli misunderstood, it would become even harder to win her back.

“Hush, stop talking,” someone whispered, having spotted Shen Qingli and tugging on another female employee’s arm. The woman frowned, annoyed. “What’s your problem? I wasn’t wrong...”

But when her gaze fell on Shen Qingli, she instantly fell silent.

Noticing her silence, the others turned around and saw Shen Qingli, too.

In theory, they had no reason to fear Shen Qingli, but remembering how devoted Xie Jinchuan had been to his wife, they worried she might influence him against them.

“Let’s go, back to work,” murmured someone, and they all hurried back to their desks. Shen Qingli said nothing, calmly choosing a seat to wait for Xie Jinchuan and Rong Qiaoyi to finish.

No one knew what the two discussed, but they remained in the reception room for half an hour. During that time, Shen Qingli chatted idly with Green Cilantro, preventing it from reporting back to Xie Jinchuan.

When the door finally opened, Xie Jinchuan emerged. For a moment, he did not recognize Shen Qingli, but then a surge of joy flooded his heart. “What brings you here?”

Rong Qiaoyi followed close behind, curling her lips into a suggestive smile and leaning against Xie Jinchuan. “Miss Shen, what brings you to Jinchuan’s company today?”

Xie Jinchuan wanted to move aside, but recalling Rong Qiaoyi’s words, he stayed put.

Shen Qingli’s expression was cool; it was impossible to tell whether she was angry or indifferent. “I came to pick up a few things. Is President Xie available?”

Her tone was calm, as if Rong Qiaoyi didn’t exist.

Naturally, Xie Jinchuan hurried to say he was available. Shen Qingli nodded slightly. “Then I’ll trouble President Xie. I need to go to the old house.”

Rong Qiaoyi, ignored, could do nothing but bite her lip and let out a cold snort.

Green Cilantro continued to plead, “Host, don’t be angry. The immortal might have his own reasons for entertaining Rong Qiaoyi.”

“I’m not angry. If he wants to be with Rong Qiaoyi, that’s his business. Nothing to do with me.”

Hearing the contempt in Shen Qingli’s voice, Green Cilantro nearly fainted from anxiety.

This was bad—if Shen Qingli truly stopped caring, the immortal’s efforts would all be for nothing. Even if Shen Qingli accepted his kindness later, she might never forgive him.

After Shen Qingli had walked some distance away, Xie Jinchuan finally pulled his hand from Rong Qiaoyi’s grasp, his eyes full of warning. “Don’t do unnecessary things in front of her. I’ve agreed to your terms, so you mustn’t harm her.”

“Jinchuan, she doesn’t even appreciate your kindness. Why bother planning for her future?” Rong Qiaoyi tried to persuade him to let Shen Qingli go.