Volume 1 Chapter 132 Rubbing

Inside the elevator, Xia Lu and Yu Qianqian were chattering away, while Lu Yuan remained completely expressionless. Seeing that he ignored them, the two women felt a surge of silent resentment. However, noticing Lu Yuan wearing a suit and sensing a complete transformation in his temperament compared to the past, they began to scheme again.

"Lu Yuan," Xia Lu said, "we heard you’ve been given a major position at the Tianqi Group. Congratulations!"

Yu Qianqian chimed in, "It seems you really have a sharp eye. Back then, when you chose to stay by the boss’s side instead of going to the Chu Group, did you already know she had connections with the Tianqi Group?"

"Exactly," Xia Lu added. "You’re not being very fair. We worked together for so long and were quite close; you could have at least shared that inside information with us."

As the elevator stopped, Lu Yuan shot them a cold, sidelong glance. "Do I need to remind you how you ended up at the Chu Group in the first place?"

The two women fell silent. Lu Yuan’s single sentence was a killing blow. By the time they reached the hospital room door, the expressions on all three of their faces were equally unpleasant.

Song Qingyu was surprised to see them all together and sat up with a smile. "It’s just a minor cold, and I’ll be discharged tomorrow. Why did you all come?"

Xia Lu and Yu Qianqian placed the flowers they had brought on the bedside table. It was their first time seeing the man who had snatched Song Qingyu away from Chu Xingzhi. He was tall, handsome, and fit, though his expression looked rather intimidating.

Seeing Pei Jingmo standing there like a stone guardian, making everyone too afraid to speak, Song Qingyu smiled at him. "Jingmo, I’d like some porridge. Could you go buy some for me?"

Pei Jingmo knew full well that Song Qingyu was just trying to get him out of the room, but just then, Lu Yuan spoke up as well. "I’ll go too."

After the two men exchanged a look, Pei Jingmo adjusted the pillow behind Song Qingyu’s back, tucked her in, and kissed her forehead. "I’ll be back soon."

"Okay."

Once they stepped out of the room, Pei Jingmo spoke first. "Go ahead."

Lu Yuan replied, "Though I feel it’s unnecessary, I still need to tell you: there is nothing between Miss Song and me. I hope you don't misunderstand."

Pei Jingmo felt a sense of agitation and a strong urge to smoke. Why were all the men around his wife so attentive to her? "I certainly trust my wife, but I don't trust any other man."

"The innocent don't need to justify themselves. If I had any designs on Miss Song, she wouldn't have ended up married to you."

Pei Jingmo fixed a cold, dark gaze on Lu Yuan. In truth, he had already conducted a thorough investigation into every man surrounding Song Qingyu. Lu Yuan had the look of a gloomy man who might seek revenge on society at any moment, yet during Song Qingyu’s most difficult times, he had not defected to the Chu Group like the others. Furthermore, if not for Lu Yuan, Song Qingyu’s *The Interpreter* would never have been so successful. That alone was enough for him to spare Lu Yuan.

"You know quite a lot."

"Not much. I just understand Miss Song’s character."

"My wife doesn't need anyone else to understand her."

Sensing the man’s intense possessiveness, Lu Yuan nodded. "I hope you don’t let Miss Song down."

Inside the room, Xia Lu and Yu Qianqian were acting overly enthusiastic. After feigning concern for Song Qingyu, they began to complain. "Boss, you wouldn't believe it—the Chu Group is not what it used to be, especially the gaming division. They’re being crushed by the Tianqi Group."

"Several games they launched ended up losing money, and President Pei is almost ready to give up on that sector."

"We really envy Lu Yuan. He’s living the high life at the Tianqi Group by your side."

Song Qingyu was not foolish; she understood their intentions immediately. Sure enough, Yu Qianqian took Song Qingyu’s hand and said, "Boss, Xia Lu and I left you before because we had no choice. You know our family situations; we couldn't turn down the generous offer from the Chu Group."

Xia Lu echoed this, "That’s right, Boss. We regret it so much now. We want to come back and work for you, to create our own world with you and Lu Yuan again."

Song Qingyu had initially intended to be polite since they had come to visit, but after realizing their motives, she pulled her hand away and gave them a faint smile. "When you went to the Chu Group, I respected your choices. But I am just an employee at the Tianqi Group now, and I don't have the authority to get you in."

The two women looked anxious. Yu Qianqian argued, "But didn't Lu Yuan get in? He doesn't even have a degree!"

Song Qingyu’s smile vanished. "Lu Yuan got in through his own interview. He may not have a degree, but he has the skills. If you want to join the Tianqi Group, you can go through the formal interview process. The company values talent; if you are capable, you have nothing to fear."

Xia Lu bit her lip. In truth, they had heard that Song Qingyu was now a favorite at the Tianqi Group and that President Gu had been furious on her behalf. They had come to her specifically because they saw her as the person with the most influence. They hadn't expected Song Qingyu to be so cold.

"Boss, are you still holding a grudge? We were forced to go to President Chu back then."

Song Qingyu sighed softly. She had hoped to maintain adult decorum and avoid bringing up the past. Since they kept insisting, she didn't mind speaking plainly.

"Xia Lu, Yu Qianqian, back then you were my employees. You worked for me, I paid you, and that was the end of it."

"However, I always felt for you, so when you stole core data to help the Chu Group launch *Picking Up Love* ahead of us, even though I was fighting tooth and nail against Chu Xingzhi, I never came after you."

"Now that you’ve come to me wanting to join the Tianqi Group, do you think I’m easy to talk to and bully, or do you just think too highly of yourselves?"

Since entering the corporate world, Song Qingyu had realized more and more that colleagues are colleagues and friends are friends; colleagues can never truly be friends. She was easygoing, but she was not without boundaries. Since they didn't want to maintain their dignity, she saw no need to preserve it for them.

"Thank you for coming to visit me today, but I’ve developed an allergy to fresh flowers recently. Please take them with you when you leave."

Xia Lu and Yu Qianqian’s expressions were as ugly as they could possibly be. Unwilling to give up, Yu Qianqian asked, "If we had stayed by your side from the beginning, would you have brought us into the Tianqi Group?"

Song Qingyu’s face darkened. "There are no 'ifs' in this world. Besides, getting into the Tianqi Group depends on one's own merit. I am not President Gu’s ancestor; I can't just bring whoever I want into the company!"

After they left, Pei Jingmo entered the room to see Song Qingyu looking indignant. He set down the porridge and pulled her into his arms. "What’s wrong? Did those two women bully you?"

Song Qingyu shook her head. "No, I just feel a bit disillusioned."

"Oh?"

"The world is crowded with people coming and going, all for the sake of profit. The ancients were truly right."

If not for the lure of profit, Yu Qianqian and Xia Lu would never have come to visit her. Song Qingyu looked at Pei Jingmo and rubbed her forehead against his face. Cherishing the people around you was what mattered most.

At that moment, Song Qingyu was like a soft, fluffy cat. Pei Jingmo kissed her soft, delicate cheek. "As long as you are happy and joyful, that’s all that matters."

"You missed one thing."

"Oh?"

"I also want to love you well."

Pei Jingmo’s heart stirred. He tightened his hold on her, gazing at her with deep affection in his dark eyes, and couldn't help but lean in to kiss her.