Sun Zhewen quickly closed the door, his heart pounding like a trapped deer. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, but the sweat on his palms betrayed his nervousness.
Chen Qingyan stood up and walked to Sun Zhewen, her gaze gentle and resolute. She gently embraced him, as if afraid of startling him, and softly said, "Zhewen, you're the type of man I like. I liked you from the moment I saw you. I've liked you for a long time, you know? But I was always afraid you wouldn't like me."
Sun Zhewen was stunned for a moment, then his face flushed, and his heart beat even faster. He stammered, "But..."
Chen Qingyan's eyes instantly dimmed, like the moon obscured by clouds. Her voice was low and helpless, "But I can't get a divorce right now."
Sun Zhewen frowned, feeling a heavy weight in his heart that made it hard to breathe. "Then we..."
But Chen Qingyan suddenly reached out and covered his mouth, her eyes filled with a hint of pleading. "I don't want to hear it. Don't say it."
Sun Zhewen nodded helplessly, "Mm."
Chen Qingyan took a deep breath, as if making up her mind. "I want to introduce my cousin to you."
"Huh?" Sun Zhewen looked blank, unsure what this woman was thinking.
Chen Qingyan saw his expression and couldn't help but laugh. She gently patted Sun Zhewen's shoulder. "Don't be so nervous, Xiao Sun. As you know, my situation is quite complicated, so I can't give you a clear answer. But my cousin, she's a very nice girl, and I think you two would get along well."
Sun Zhewen's head felt stuffed with cotton; he didn't know what to say. He scratched his head and gave an awkward smile. "Chairwoman Chen, I... I actually haven't thought about this."
Chen Qingyan's smile brightened. She lightly flicked Sun Zhewen's nose with her finger, teasing, "You silly boy, isn't my cousin good enough? She's a real beauty, you know!"
Sun Zhewen's face flushed even deeper. He stammered, "No, no, it's just... it's just a bit sudden."
Chen Qingyan pulled him to sit on the sofa, her eyes revealing complex emotions. "My cousin is the general manager of Fengyun Group, Li Zhiyan. She's the mistress of Chairman Liu Qingfeng of Fengyun Group, and it's all in secret. She's now pregnant and wants to find someone to enter a fake marriage to deal with her family and outsiders."
Sun Zhewen's expression turned a bit ugly. "I... I don't want to be a 'spare tire' like that."
Chen Qingyan's gaze became even more determined. "Zhewen, we can't be together openly. But I love you and don't want you to leave me. If you marry my cousin, she won't bother you. Wouldn't it be better for us to be together with a family relationship? And you won't be doing it for nothing; I'll have her boss give you 500,000. You two can just live together normally. At home, who would know?"
Sun Zhewen frowned, a knot of conflicting emotions in his chest. "Sister Qingyan, but this still feels a bit…"
Chen Qingyan's eyes held a hint of tenderness. "Don't you want to be with me?"
Sun Zhewen sighed, a mix of feelings swirling within him. "I do, of course I do. But this… it feels like we're acting in a TV drama."
Chen Qingyan chuckled softly, a glint of cunning in her eyes. "Then let's pretend we're in a play. In the play and out, who can really tell the difference?"
Her smile was like a spring breeze, gentle yet carrying an elusive air of mystery. Sun Zhewen's heart skipped a beat, as if his soul had been captivated by that smile, but then reality pulled him back to earth. He furrowed his brow, sighed, and a hint of helplessness showed on his face.
"I want to, but… the thought of living with another woman, a stranger, or someone else's woman, really makes me uncomfortable." Sun Zhewen's voice was low, tinged with weariness. His gaze drifted out the window, as if wanting to escape this predicament, but finding no escape.
Chen Qingyan stepped closer, gently patting Sun Zhewen's shoulder, her tone laced with comfort. "When I get promoted again, and I divorce that old man, we'll be together, okay? I still need to rely on him now. Only after I've risen higher, can you also leave here. Don't you want to leave the Women's Federation?"
A complex array of emotions surged within Sun Zhewen, both anticipation for the future and resignation to the present. He murmured, "Sister Qingyan, what we're doing isn't very moral. People will criticize us."
Chen Qingyan's gaze hardened. She gently cupped Zhewen's face, looking at him with deep affection. "Zhewen, you've been in this situation for six years, haven't you? Who else do you expect to help you? Do you want to stay stuck here for the rest of your life? I like you, and I want to be with you, but now isn't the right time, do you understand? I hope you understand how I feel. Don't you like me?"
Sun Zhewen's heart began to race. He felt Chen Qingyan's sincerity, but the internal struggle made it difficult for him to make a decision. He bit his lip, silent for a moment, and finally spoke. "Sister Qingyan, of course I like you, but..."
Chen Qingyan cut him off, smiling. "Zhewen, liking is enough. Leave the rest to me. You just need to trust me and stay by my side." Her smile had a certain magic, gradually relaxing Sun Zhewen.
Sun Zhewen gritted his teeth. "Alright, Sister Qingyan, I promise."
Chen Qingyan, delighted, held Sun Zhewen's face and kissed him. "Let's go find her."
Downstairs, Chen Qingyan got into her shiny black Magotan, the car glinting in the sunlight. Sun Zhewen sat in the passenger seat, expertly fastening his seatbelt, but his heart was a little uneasy. This wasn't the first time he'd gone out with Chen Qingyan, but every time he felt an indescribable mix of nervousness and excitement.
Chen Qingyan, while driving, smoothly dialed a number on her phone. Her voice was sweet, yet carried an undeniable firmness. "Li Zhiyan, I've found a good husband for you. Come to Mingsheng Teahouse, let's talk."
Sun Zhewen, hearing this, couldn't help but chuckle. "Sister Qingyan, will your cousin really come?"
"Of course she'll come. Otherwise, I'd have wasted my efforts," Chen Qingyan said with a mysterious smile, a hint of cunning flashing in her eyes.
The car smoothly entered the parking lot of the Mingsheng Teahouse. After they got out, Chen Qingyan linked her arm through Sun Zhewen's, as if she was afraid he would suddenly disappear. A faint fragrance of tea wafted through the teahouse. Chen Qingyan led Sun Zhewen to a secluded booth and sat down. Her hand gently caressed the back of Sun Zhewen's hand, her gaze so tender it seemed to want to melt him.
"Sister Qingyan, will your cousin say anything when she sees us later?" Sun Zhewen asked, somewhat worried.
"Oh, look at you, so worried. I won't let her see anything. Just relax, be good," Chen Qingyan said with a smile, patting his hand.
Sun Zhewen shook his head helplessly. "Sister Qingyan, the way you call me, I feel like you're supporting me."