It's said that once you wholeheartedly commit to someone, that person becomes your most vulnerable rib; even if they come at you with a knife, you'll open your arms without hesitation. Clearly, Shaw is Julie's vulnerable rib. Despite knowing his ulterior motives, she still chose to dress up and accept his invitation despite knowing his true intentions.
A bright smile graced her beautiful face; she was the ever-victorious July Yan. "Of course I'm willing. You know, I rarely have any resistance to your requests."
Xiao Ke's handsome face twitched slightly, and he didn't speak for a long time. "Let's go eat Japanese food. Didn't you say you hadn't eaten it in a long time?"
The Japanese restaurant was the same one Julie had taken Shawn to three years ago—clean and delicious. Julie grabbed a large piece of lobster sashimi, dipped it in a generous amount of wasabi, and stuffed it into her mouth, completely disregarding her usual composed and capable image. Shawn frowned at her voracious eating and couldn't help but hand her a tissue to wipe away her choking tears.
"Yan Qiyue, this is not how you eat food."
Julie took the tissue he offered, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and waved her hand. "You don't understand, this is how you truly enjoy eating. With your method of always knowing when to stop, I would have been driven crazy long ago."
Only extremely spicy food can alleviate the bitterness in my heart.
After swallowing the last mouthful, Julie drank some tea and prepared to begin the most important topic of the evening's meal. "So, what do you need my help with?"
Xiao Ke paused, his hand holding the cup still. "What, every time I invite you to dinner, it's because I need something from you?"
Julie adopted a serious expression and began counting on her fingers, "February 2008, we drank beer together on the school terrace, and you wanted me to join Anyaer with you; April 2009, we ate hot pot in Xidan, and you asked me to help you get a deal with Olay; June 2010, we ate sushi together, and you wanted me to leave and quit my job; September 2011, we ate foie gras at Posh Spice in France, and you asked me to bring you a gift back home. July 2013..."
“July 2013,” Shaw said slowly, staring into Julie’s bright eyes, continuing what she was about to say. “I need you to take care of Shu Yi’an for me.”
"Ha! That wasabi is really spicy. Otherwise, why would my eyes still sting and feel like they're about to tear up?" Julie forced a cold smile, suppressing her feelings. "Why do you think I have to do everything you ask? Senior Brother Xiao, where does your confidence come from?"
"Her entire outfit is more expensive than mine as a vice president. Have you ever seen a clerk drive home in a Mercedes SUV after work? Have you ever seen a clerk whose shoes cost more than several months' salary? Are you sure she needs an unknown vice president like me to take care of her? Xiao Ke, aren't you worrying too much?"
As Julie pointed out the truths one by one, hitting him where it hurt, Shawn remained unperturbed, calmly taking a sip of water. "She's different from you. She's naive. Her understanding of the workplace is surprisingly less than you imagine. Julie, she really needs your help."
"Ha!" Julie tilted her head and laughed mockingly. "If that's the case, why did you make her quit her job and come here? Wouldn't it have been better for you to protect her yourself?"
“I tried… but one wrong decision of mine made her leave…” Shaw’s dark eyes were filled with suppressed pain and regret as he murmured about the defeat he least wanted to talk about. “She rejected my protection, even my feelings. Julie, she rejected me.”
Yes, it's cruel that Xiao Ke, who has always been invincible in the workplace, was rejected by a woman.
Julie buried her face wearily in her hands, her voice hoarse. "Shaw, you'll go to hell if you keep torturing yourself like this. She's married."
"Yes, she got married, which is why I chose to entrust her with your care. At least, let her live as easily and peacefully as she did in Anyar. In this competitive arena where thousands have trampled over corpses, let her calmly reach the top of this path."
Tears welled in Julie's eyes, which she wiped away sharply as she looked up. Looking at the man before her, whose expression was somber, she ultimately couldn't bring herself to be so cruel. "Shaw, this is the last time."
This is the last time I'll help you without hesitation; I'm afraid that from now on, our friendship will truly be severed.
Author's Note: The male supporting character, who hasn't appeared in a while, has finally reappeared! This deeply affectionate, almost obsessive man might make the girls cry out in heart-wrenching excitement later on.
Julie, July, Yan. Her Chinese name is Yan Qiyue. Doesn't this woman, who loves Xiao Ke as much as Shu Yi'an loves Chu Mu, make your heart ache a little?
She is a good person, just like Miss Shu. The words I wrote in today's title, "Deep affection is short-lived, and extreme wisdom is bound to bring harm," are also applied to this female supporting character besides the female lead.
Chapter 37 Goodnight Goodnight
You must know a woman like this, who does everything out of deep love for a man, not in the name of love. Yan Qiyue is such a person. She hates and is furious at Xiao Ke's contemptuous behavior, yet she is powerless to help him with all his requests.
Since that dinner, Julie had paid more attention to Shu Yi'an. Not to take care of her as Shaw had suggested, but to offer her guidance in a different way. She tried to convince herself to forget Shaw and treat the tasks he entrusted to her like an old friend. Sometimes, Julie would gaze at Shu Yi'an, lost in thought, wondering how such a seemingly unassuming person had caught the eye of the ambitious Shaw.
Perhaps this is the difference between men and women. Shaw believed that protecting someone meant standing in front of her and shielding her from all dangers, while Julie felt that for a woman to grow, experiencing some necessary setbacks was essential. Besides, after this period of contact, if personal feelings were disregarded, Julie still quite liked Shu Yi'an.
She is intelligent, polite, gentle yet principled. With proper experience in the workplace, she could very well become a completely different person.
For example, she was new to the company and didn't understand many of the rules. Some people took advantage of her being a newcomer and always shirked various responsibilities onto her. That day, it was agreed that Shu Yi'an would take the translated contract to the conference room, but the person from the client department who notified her got the time wrong. By the time Shu Yi'an arrived, the client had already been waiting for a long time.
Seeing this situation, Julie neither blamed the other party nor comforted Shu Yi'an. Instead, she tapped the meeting materials with her hand and spoke in a serious tone.
"Don't expect anyone to teach you. Learn from your mistakes. I hope you remember this: in the future, no matter who notifies you, please call to confirm."
"I'm sorry, it was my mistake. I'll be more careful in the future."
Often, newcomers to such situations would rush to shift the blame. But Shu Yi'an, with her back straight and eyes calm, accepted Julie's criticism without a trace of resentment or bitterness. In just half a month at work, Shu Yi'an had made significant progress thanks to Julie's guidance. Leaving aside her professional skills, she could now handle interpersonal relationships with courtesy and tact, dealing with colleagues with different motives with remarkable ease.
Shu Yi'an's salary gradually increased from a clerical position to a professional translation level, earning the recognition of her boss and team leader.
Time flies. Before we knew it, it was the end of July and the beginning of August.
It was the hottest time of the year, and everyone in Beijing was trying to keep a distance of two or three meters from those in front and behind them on the street, for fear of bumping into others and getting covered in sweat.
The villas in Lakeview have central air conditioning that keeps the temperature constant 24 hours a day, making it very comfortable.
One day, Shu Yi'an was barefoot in the dressing room, picking and choosing which clothes would be cooler.
Chu Mu stood with his back to her, feeling extremely gloomy. His work required him to wear a formal shirt and suit every day, which was making him feel incredibly stifled. Shu Yi'an, having changed her clothes, stood behind Chu Mu, seemingly enjoying the spectacle, picking through a closet of clothes. "This black one, I think, it absorbs heat and suits you."
Chu Mu looked at the coat she had bought last winter and wasn't annoyed. He simply turned around and adopted a sincere and serious attitude, "Bring me that wool coat too, just in case you get cold."
"Okay, okay!" Miss Shu was overjoyed and wanted to go find it for him, but someone grabbed her from behind and lifted her to the ground.
Chu Mu looked at the person struggling with their face flushed red and kicking their legs, and said leisurely, "It's not that I want a coat, but I think you should wear something."
Shu Yi'an wanted to stay cool, and the office was sunny, so the morning sun was particularly strong. She usually wore shirts and skirts, but today she specifically chose a printed dress. The hemline barely covered half her thighs, with two thin straps hanging on her shoulders, and a large section of her snow-white back was bare, making her look incredibly beautiful and sexy.
Shu Yi'an waved her hands, attempting a final stand against the fascists. "Don't you understand how much cooler this is?! I'll suffocate in this sweltering office!!!"
Chu Mu gently pulled Shu Yi'an to the corner of the wardrobe, wrapping his arms around her. He asked casually, "Do you want to change?"
Miss Shu, seeing the dangerous glint in someone's eyes, decided to stand tall and be firm. She shook her head resolutely. "No trade."
"Really not going to change?" Chu Mu continued to ask, trying to persuade him.
Shu Yi'an fluttered her eyelashes. "I really won't change."
Chu Mu had been waiting for her to say those words. As soon as Shu Yi'an finished speaking, he swiftly pulled her into his arms, biting her shoulder and giving her a heavy sucking.