Pursuit and Jealousy

It was a July day at the Wencheng Group, inside the General Manager’s office. Assistant Yang Miao, stationed just behind the General Manager, grumbled, “What gives Qian Geya the right to clinch the Huo Corporation’s ocean park project? Why should all the credit fall to her when you nearly had it all secured? I protest on your behalf—I wager Qian Geya must have slept with Huo Donglin! General Ran, are you even listening?” Wen Ran, holding a can of vibrant red Wangzai Milk with its animated eyes in her left hand, sipped leisurely through the straw and smiled at her junior. Before Yang Miao could continue, the office door burst open as Assistant Shi Lei rushed in, exclaiming, “General Ran, Mr. Shen has arrived—in Chairman Wen’s office! And General Qian is on his way!” Flinging open the door, Wen Ran dashed out, her high heels clicking authoritatively as she commanded, “Shui Shui, distribute my freshly baked cake; Stone, go to the underground parking lot and intercept Qian Geya. I simply will not let Qian Geya steal our cooperation with Shen Corporation this time!” Abruptly, she paused and turned back to ask Yang Miao, “Shui Shui, is there even a trace of makeup dust on my hair or face?” Yang Miao glanced at her mistress—a vision whose exquisitely refined features rivaled those of a meticulously airbrushed celebrity, with winged eyeliner lifting her eyes, lips adorned in vivid rouge, and a scarlet, figure-hugging mini skirt that celebrated every curve. Yet without her makeup, when her eyes softened and her gaze turned vulnerable, her delicate features and petite, cherry-like mouth would reveal not a woman, but merely a girl. At only 23, her transformation into an enchanting sprite—so bewitchingly beautiful as to ensnare the soul—remained a delightful mystery. Yang Miao raised her thumb and declared, “Not a speck—simply perfect.” Wen Ran arched an eyebrow and asked, “Am I beautiful?” Both Yang Miao and Stone chorused, “Absolutely stunning!” Recently, Shen Corporation had won the bid for a parcel of land with formidable prowess, intending to create a themed amusement park celebrating China’s five millennia—from ancient history to modern technology. Located in coastal D City, the project promised a steady stream of visitors and state support for its educational and cultural significance—a venture offering both profit and prestige. All the while, companies vied eagerly to partner with the illustrious Shen Corporation. Wen Zhicheng, determined to secure the project himself, had, during last week’s meeting, instructed his executives to amass every detail on Shen Corporation and even dispatched Qian Geya to meet Mr. Shen. Wen Ran strode directly toward her father’s office when a voice called from the side, “Ran Ran, where are you off to in such a hurry?” “Dad?” she gasped upon spotting Wen Zhicheng, and immediately wrapped her arm around him. “I heard Mr. Shen has arrived—why weren’t you in the office?” “I was in the restroom. You’ve only just had surgery—could you be any less composed?” “Since when have I been anything but steady?” she retorted with a playful tilt of her head. “Dad, leave the Shen Corporation deal to me. Qian Geya clinched the Huo Ocean Park project; surely the amusement park is mine!” Wen Zhicheng chuckled, “It matters not to whom it is assigned—it always ends up in competition with your sister.” Wen Ran frowned, “She isn’t my sister; she’s the daughter of your current wife from her previous marriage—there’s no blood between us.” Sensing her displeasure, Wen Zhicheng patted her head and smiled, “Mr. Shen is waiting—let’s discuss it inside.” Entering the office with her father, Wen Ran was surprised to see that Qian Geya had already arrived. Just as she was about to catch a glimpse of the fabled Mr. Shen, her father stepped in front of her view and greeted him warmly, “Mr. Shen, thank you for waiting.” Sidling around her father’s back, Wen Ran attempted to greet him, but her gaze froze. There, standing by the window in a sleek ebony suit, was a man whose single-lidded eyes, high-bridged nose, and thin lips formed a visage so arresting that any candid snapshot would surely set the internet abuzz. His demeanor was not one of overt coldness but of an inscrutable detachment—his gaze, his emotions, even his very breath exuded a calm indifference that repelled intimacy. Clutching a brown thermos in his left hand, he furrowed his brow and gently blew across its surface as wisps of steam ascended gracefully. The rising mist blurred his eyes with a delicate, ambiguous haze, partially veiling his features in mystery; stirred by the warmth, he slightly raised an eyebrow to regard her. Yet, after a fleeting glance, he withdrew his eyes and resumed his gentle sipping of tea. Wen Ran’s gaze lingered on the subtle movement of his Adam’s apple as his throat twitched imperceptibly, guiding the tea in a sinuous swallow. It was undeniably alluring. In that brief span of ten seconds, Wen Ran found herself wholly captivated by the notion of love at first sight—a concept, for her, that was nothing more than a shallow, direct impulse—a burning desire to be intimate with him, though she herself had yet to know such passion. Stepping forward with a graceful smile, Wen Ran announced, “Mr. Shen, good day. I am Wen Ran, Manager of Project Development at Wencheng, and the General Manager.” He raised an eyebrow and regarded her with a gaze so imperturbably placid as to reveal nothing, “Manager Wen, good day.” Even after sipping his tea, his lips retained an ethereal pallor, as if the act of drinking could not impart any color—merging seamlessly with his cool, alabaster skin. Just as Wen Ran prepared to speak further, her father interjected with a light-hearted smile, “Mr. Shen, how did your conversation with Xiao Ya go? You two are of the same age—surely your discussion was pleasant?”