Beijing-Hong Kong Rosemary

Chapter 59 Can Our Relationship End Here?

It rained for three days in a row, and the ground was damp with puddles in the uneven areas.

The rain stopped on the fourth day, and the weather forecast said there would be light snow that night.

Many people are looking forward to the first snow of the year.

It happened to be a day off, so Shen Guining went to see the apartment. It was pretty good; it had one bedroom, one living room, one bathroom, and a small balcony. Although it was small, it had everything she needed, and it was just right for one person. The landlord also agreed to let her keep a dog at home.

It would be hard to find a more suitable house.

But Shen Guining is still unsure when she can move; she needs to find time to explain it to Mr. Qu.

I spoke to him on the phone the day before yesterday, and he said he would be returning to China in the next couple of days.

After viewing the house, Shen Guining accompanied Lou Jingshu shopping in the afternoon to make up for the unexpected cancellation last time.

With Christmas approaching next week, the festive atmosphere on the streets is gradually intensifying, with shops decorating their windows with all sorts of Christmas-themed ornaments and launching various limited-edition Christmas gift boxes.

After walking around, I was carrying several shopping bags.

Walking through the commercial street, Lou Jingshu looked at the towering skyscraper in the distance and had an idea. "I haven't seen the Dingsheng Group's landmark building up close yet. Gui Ning, let's go take a picture."

The headquarters of Dingsheng Group is the tallest and most magnificent building in Beijing, with 88 floors. Its exterior resembles a dragon emerging from the water, spiraling upwards and soaring into the sky.

It's a place that countless people would kill to get into, with salaries and benefits that are recognized as top in the industry. The entry requirements are extremely high, and most of the employees are overseas returnees and elite professionals.

Shen Guining recalled, "It seemed that non-internal employees were not allowed to enter."

There is a strict security system outside.

Lou Jingshu waved her hand, "It's okay, I'll just look from outside the railing, consider it a check-in."

Shen Guining nodded, "Then let's go."

It took twenty minutes to get there after crossing the overpass and two roads.

The building is surrounded by a green fence, and there is a facial recognition system at the entrance, with four security guards on duty.

Looking up at it up close, the building appears even more magnificent and splendid.

Lou Jingshu took out her phone, zoomed in, and took several photos of the company's entrance.

Suddenly, a group of people dressed in formal attire appeared in the shot. One of them was older, with graying temples, wearing a Zhongshan suit. Next to him stood a young man, who was tall and straight in a black suit, with a refined and noble demeanor.

She excitedly called Shen Guining over to look, "Wow, he's so handsome! Guining, look! He's like a domineering CEO from a novel!"

Shen Guining followed her gaze.

From afar, I recognized him at a glance as Mr. Qu.

He stood there talking to people, with several assistants following behind him.

Lou Jingshu's eyes widened. "He must be a senior executive at Dingsheng Group. He's young and promising!"

He was a bit far away, so his features weren't very clear, but his aura was enough to overshadow his appearance, making people hesitate to approach him.

Across from him was a girl in a pink suit dress, holding a folder, smiling and saying something.

Shen Guining looked like the girl from the Cantonese restaurant at the King's Mansion that day.

Lou Jingshu exclaimed, "My God, they're such a perfect match! It feels like a novel has come to life. They're evenly matched, and it's a love story set in a wealthy family. I've already imagined a million words of the plot."

Shen Guining remained silent.

A black van pulled up in front of the company, blocking the view.

"Hey, we can't see it anymore." Lou Jingshu took Shen Guining's hand. "I've finished taking the pictures, let's go."

"Ah."

As evening approached, the two ate dinner at a restaurant before heading home separately.
-
The weather forecast was accurate; around 8 p.m., it started snowing lightly outside.

Sparse snowflakes landed on the windowpane and quickly disappeared.

Shen Guining held Ruby and sat quietly by the French windows, enjoying the snow.

The little guy is very sensitive to emotions. He noticed that Shen Guining was in a bad mood, so he obediently lay on her lap without moving, occasionally sticking out his tongue to lick the back of her hand.

Shen Guining lowered her head and stroked Ruby's fur, somewhat worried, "Even you were given to me by Mr. Qu. What if he doesn't let me take you with me?" Ruby snuggled closer to her.

Would you like to come with me?

The little guy let out a soft cry: "Aww..."

"Click——"

Suddenly, the sound of a door opening came from the entrance.

Shen Guining was slightly taken aback and turned to look at the entrance.

Qu Yanci changed into slippers and walked in.

The heating was on inside, and the orange-toned light cast a warm glow in the living room.

He draped the suit jacket he'd worn that afternoon over his arm. "Why are you sitting on the floor?"

"...It's snowing." Shen Guining propped herself up from the cushion.

Qu Yanci casually put down his coat. "You like watching snow?"

"Hmm." Shen Guining stepped onto the thick, soft carpet, wearing socks.

"Put on your shoes," Qu Yanci reminded him.

He walked around to the island counter, picked up the upside-down water glass, filled a glass with water from the water purifier, and drank it.

Shen Guining put on her slippers and walked slowly toward him, her fingertips curling at her sides. "Mr. Qu, I have something to say to you."

Qu Yanci's gaze lingered on her face. "What do you want to say?"

"I..." Before she could finish speaking, Shen Guining mustered her courage and said, "Can our relationship end here?"

For a moment, the air froze.

Qu Yanci tightened his grip on the glass, lowering his voice, "Say it again."

His face was calm, his gaze fixed on that plain and delicate face.

With just four words, Shen Guining felt an invisible pressure enveloping her, and instinctively showed her fear.

She held her breath, her long eyelashes trembling, and found her voice, "I don't think we're a good match."

"Continue." Qu Yanci just looked at her, his emotions unreadable.

Shen Guining lowered her eyes, not daring to meet his gaze. "Mr. Qu, I'm sorry... I was being ignorant before."

Qu Yanci suppressed the coldness in his eyes, put down his water glass, and took a few steps closer, pinching her chin with his fingers and lifting it up. "Did something happen? Or do you have some grievance against me?"

The movements were forceful, the thin calluses on the fingertips brushing against the skin.

Shen Guining denied it, "No, Mr. Qu, you are very kind, and you are especially kind to me..."

She's the bad one.

Forced to look into those abyss-like eyes, even thinking became difficult. She paused for a moment, "I just feel that there is a big age gap between us, and our experiences are too different. We are not suitable for each other in many ways."

Qu Yanci retorted, "Didn't you know this from the very beginning?"

Shen Guining's eyes darted away as she tried her best to remain calm. "I hadn't thought that much about it before."

"Is that so?" Qu Yanci tightened his grip, his voice cutting through his throat. "Do I look like someone who's easy to talk to? You think you can approach me whenever you want, and then kick me aside once you've achieved your goal?"

"No..." Shen Guining's eyes reddened, holding back her tears, "I'm sorry, I'll find a way to pay you back. I'm so sorry, Mr. Qu..."

Qu Yanci asked in a deep voice, "Do you think I'm short of that little bit of money?"

Shen Guining remained silent.

Indeed, Mr. Qu is not short of money; those who owe him will never be able to pay back.

His tall and imposing figure loomed over me, and what used to be my source of security now felt like oppression.

(End of this chapter)