Fang Shiqing didn't give a clear explanation for Zhang Shanshan's confusion. She simply lowered her head indifferently and slowly walked away.
Watching her retreating figure, Zhang Shanshan couldn't help but curl her lips, then slowly made her way to Yan Xin's office.
"President Yan."
Zhang Shanshan's smile was faint as she placed the documents in her hand in front of Yan Xin.
"Assistant Zhang."
Seeing who it was, Yan Xin's eyes flickered with a momentary shift in emotion. Steadying himself, he slowly asked, "Was I too harsh?"
"What do you mean?"
Zhang Shanshan asked knowingly.
Yan Xin looked down at the lunchbox that had been delivered to his side, feeling uneasy. Had he been too blunt with those words just now, hurting Fang Shiqing more or less?
"President Yan?"
When he didn't respond, Zhang Shanshan couldn't help but call out to him softly.
"It's nothing."
Yan Xin forced a smile but ultimately said nothing more.
Zhang Shanshan didn't press further. She gave a brief work report and then turned to leave.
Meanwhile, Fang Shiqing clutched the gift box in her hands and returned to her office in low spirits. Her heart ached as if something was lodged in her chest.
Just as she was sighing, the office door suddenly knocked. Looking up, she saw Zhang Shanshan walking in with a smile.
"Shanshan."
Fang Shiqing greeted her listlessly.
Seeing this, Zhang Shanshan placed the lunchbox in front of her. "I made this soup for you myself. Give it a try."
"I'm not hungry."
Fang Shiqing said flatly.
"Not hungry doesn't mean you can't drink it. This soup has magical healing powers. Try it and see."
Zhang Shanshan said, half-joking and half-serious.
Fang Shiqing awkwardly turned her face away, feeling deeply unsettled inside.
"I know you're upset, but life isn't always smooth sailing. Have some chicken soup for the soul—it might make you feel better."
Zhang Shanshan comforted her while opening the lunchbox.
The aroma of the soup wafted over. Fang Shiqing sighed quietly, picked up the spoon beside her, and said indifferently, "Maybe a little soul-nourishing soup will help fill the void."
"That's the spirit! The lively and lovely Shiqing is the one I want to see!"
Zhang Shanshan said with a light smile.
"Thank you, Shanshan. I appreciate you coming all the way to comfort me."
Fang Shiqing felt an indescribable gratitude.
Zhang Shanshan shook her head. "We're friends. It's no trouble at all."
"Friends?"
Fang Shiqing couldn't help but take a deep breath. Those two words now gave her chills.
Yan Xin's "friends" had just shattered all her beliefs.
If she kept pursuing him relentlessly, would it mean they couldn't even be friends from now on?
"What's wrong?"
Noticing Fang Shiqing's expression, Zhang Shanshan asked cautiously.
"Nothing. Just thinking about some sentimental things."
Fang Shiqing gave a faint smile.
Zhang Shanshan said a few more comforting words and left after seeing she was fine.
The entire afternoon, Fang Shiqing was in a daze. That evening, while Pei Shaoze was handling work in his study, she told Su Banxia about what had happened.
"What? Yan Xin rejected you?"
Su Banxia was taken aback, clearly surprised.
From her understanding of Yan Xin, he shouldn't have caught on to Fang Shiqing's feelings so quickly.
After all, Fang Shiqing had been approaching him under the guise of repaying a favor.
"I've come to terms with it now. We were never on the same level anyway. This rejection is for the best—no more dragging things out."
Fang Shiqing let out a forced sigh of relief.
"Do you really feel that way?"
Su Banxia's gaze was sharp, as if she could see right through her.
Fang Shiqing awkwardly avoided her eyes, a blush creeping onto her face. "Banxia, I really don't want to..."
"There's something off about this. How could Yan Xin possibly know you like him?"
Su Banxia asked coldly.
"Maybe I've been too obvious with my gestures lately, and he saw through it."
Fang Shiqing felt a pang of melancholy.
"No."
Su Banxia shook her head. "Yan Xin has always been oblivious. Zhang Shanshan and I have both given him food and small gifts before. Why didn't he react differently to us?"
"That's different. You have President Pei, and Shanshan..."
Fang Shiqing paused mid-sentence, then shook her head firmly. "That's impossible."
"Does Zhang Shanshan know you like him?"
Su Banxia caught on to her implication and pressed urgently.
"It's all in the past now. I..."
"She's definitely involved!"
Su Banxia's fingers curled into her palms, anger flaring in her eyes.
She could tell how much Zhang Shanshan cared about Yan Xin. If Fang Shiqing liked him too, given her personality, how could she not try to interfere?
Fang Shiqing gently tugged at Su Banxia's sleeve and said calmly, "It's over. Let it go. I don't want to continue."
"Shiqing, if I told you to let go, could you really do it?"
Su Banxia asked seriously.
At this, Fang Shiqing was momentarily stunned. Honestly, completely forgetting Yan Xin right now was impossible.
"If you can't, why not go all in? Your relationship is already at this point. What difference does it make whether you keep going or stop?"
Su Banxia encouraged her.
She genuinely believed Fang Shiqing and Yan Xin could end up together. As the saying goes, a woman chasing a man is like a veil, while a man chasing a woman is like a mountain. She refused to believe Yan Xin's resolve was strong enough to withstand such relentless advances from a beauty.
"Can I really do that?"
Fang Shiqing lacked confidence.
Lin Haoran's past betrayal made her wary of trusting any man. But Yan Xin was like a clear spring, watering the withered branches and leaves of her heart.
"I'll help you come up with ideas. No problem at all. I'll use Pei Shaoze's connections to create a little atmosphere between you two. Feelings grow slowly—you just need to seize the opportunity."
Su Banxia raised an eyebrow.
Hearing this, Fang Shiqing felt a surge of renewed energy. She nodded seriously and said resolutely, "This time, I won't give up. I'll keep going until I hit a wall!"
"That's the spirit."
Su Banxia's lips curled into a beautiful smile.
The night was deep. They chatted briefly before heading to their own rooms. Su Banxia picked up a magazine and waited for Pei Shaoze while reading.