Director Jiang, don't let the divorce get out of control.

"President Ji, what makes you so sure I'd go back to my ex? This is a temporary work assignment. What makes you think I'm blurring the lines between work and personal life?"

Despite the prejudice and sarcasm in Ji Shiyan's words, Wen Ruan did not show much expression on her face and met his gaze calmly.

"Ha! You think I'd believe that nonsense?" Ji Shiyan sneered. "Dare you say you didn't orchestrate the trending topics? That you didn't use work as a pretext to come see me? You're pretending..."

"Ji Shiyan, I'm not as petty as you think," Wen Ruan coldly interrupted his humiliation. "If I really wanted to use public opinion to achieve something, I would have done so when you broke off the engagement. Why wait until now?"

Ji Shiyan was caught off guard by her unexpected question and was speechless.

indeed.

If Wen Ruan had used public opinion to her advantage back then, he might be married to her by now.

But is it possible that she agreed to break off the engagement and then married someone else out of spite?

Her current feigned refusal is merely a matter of knowing how to maintain a proper balance.

This realization made him feel much better.

Then, as if remembering something, he narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Wen Ruan: "If I remember correctly, the translator has already been chosen. You stepped in at the last minute, wasn't it for my sake?"

"President Ji, when did you become so narcissistic? Why don't you call the new director of the Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation and ask why I was chosen instead?" Wen Ruan's eyebrows were slightly sharp, and her words were clear and concise.

"Secondly, my translation in the first half was flawless, and the negotiations between the two sides were smooth and efficient, saving you both a lot of time. Mr. Ji, is there anything else you're dissatisfied with?"

Ji Shiyan's Adam's apple bobbed, and he frowned as he stared at her, as if he were re-examining her.

When Wen Ruan is at work, she is professional, composed, calm, and poised, so dazzling that it's impossible to look away.

She was completely different from the woman he remembered who always tried to please him and carefully considered all his emotions.

It was unfamiliar, yet it drew his attention.

"I'll call to verify."

"Great, I hope Mr. Ji will still be so confident then."

After saying that, Wen Ruan stepped aside and strode away.

Ji Shiyan watched her departing figure, his brows furrowing slightly, a strange sense of irritation rising in his heart.

He glanced at his watch, forcibly suppressing the displeasure in his heart, and turned back to the conference room.

The second half of the negotiations was even more deadlocked than the first half, with both China and foreign sides sticking to their positions and trying to gain the greatest advantage for their own interests.

Wen Ruan handled the entire process with ease, carefully conveying the core demands of both sides with each word.

After several rounds of back-and-forth negotiations, the two sides finally reached a consensus and signed a cooperation agreement.

The foreign representative, Reinhardt, put down his pen, smiled, and shook hands with Ji Shiyan.

"Mr. Ji, it's a pleasure doing business with you."

Ji Shiyan returned the handshake, "It's been a pleasure working with you, Mr. Reinhardt. The dinner arrangements are complete; let's celebrate tonight!"

"Okay!" Reinhardt nodded in agreement, then looked at Wen Ruan with admiration in his eyes. "Ms. Wen, would you like to come with us? Thank you for your hard work today; your translation was excellent. Without you, this negotiation wouldn't have gone so smoothly."

Wen Ruan was about to decline when a male voice interrupted.

"Miss Wen, as the biggest contributor today, you'll definitely be there, right?"

Ji Shiyan spoke in a calm tone, but his words carried an undeniable forcefulness.

Wen Ruan couldn't figure out his thoughts, but under the eager gazes of Reinhardt and the others, she ultimately didn't refuse, "Mm."

The restaurant we booked was a very private Chinese restaurant near the city center. The private room was spacious, quiet, and softly lit.

After several rounds of drinks, everyone relaxed and the atmosphere in the private room gradually became more relaxed, as the initial confrontation subsided.

Reinhardt raised his glass and clinked it against Wen Ruan's, praising her generously: "Ms. Wen, I've worked with many translators, but you are the best I've ever met. I hope we can work together again in the future if there's an opportunity."

Wen Ruan raised her teacup in return: "You flatter me. It is my honor to participate in this project."

She had just put down her teacup when her phone on the table lit up quietly.

It was a message from Jiang Yubai: "Are you done with your work?"

Wen Ruan glanced at the time; it was almost eight o'clock.

She quickly replied: "Yes, it was a celebratory dinner for the project."

Jiang Yubai: [Approximately what time will you be back?]

Wen Ruan: [Estimated to be around nine o'clock.]

Jiang Yubai: [Okay, I'll wait for you]

Putting away her phone, a slight doubt flickered in Wen Ruan's mind.

Having been married for so long, Jiang Yubai has never cared about her work, but tonight he specially sent a message to ask if there was anything he wanted to tell her.

Ji Shiyan, sitting across the table, remained observant of her every move, even as he lingered amidst the flattery of the crowd.

Her gentle gaze as she looked down at her phone, and the subtle expressions of her furrowed brows in thought, all fell into his notice.

A sharp pain shot through him, and he sneered, "Miss Wen, do you have personal matters to attend to?"

Upon hearing the sound, everyone's concerned gazes turned towards it.

Wen Ruan put away her phone and calmly replied, "No."

"Yeah?"

"Mr. Ji, are you interested in me because you're so concerned about my private affairs?" Wen Ruan raised her eyes and asked with a smile.

Wen Ruan has a pair of extremely beautiful eyes. When she is not smiling, they are very cold, but when she smiles, they have an alluring charm.

It's so captivating that you can't help but get hooked!

Ji Shiyan was taken aback, then concealed the awkwardness in his eyes and said sarcastically, "You're overthinking it. Even if I liked cats and dogs, I wouldn't like a woman with such a deep mind as you."

"Perfect."

Seeing that Wen Ruan's eyes no longer held any love for him, Ji Shiyan felt as if something had poked his heart, but he quickly ignored it.

As the meal drew to a close, Wen Ruan confirmed the upcoming itinerary with Reinhardt.

"Let me take you there to rest first."

"it is good."

Reinhardt and the others got up to grab their coats.

Ji Shiyan also stood up, his probing gaze falling on Wen Ruan, filled with emotions he himself was unaware of.

Wen Ruan smiled politely, "Thank you for your hospitality tonight, Mr. Ji."

After saying that, she and the others left, without giving Ji Shiyan a single glance the entire time.

Ji Shiyan stood there, suddenly feeling a slightly bitter aftertaste in the wine in his mouth.

He lit a cigarette, trying to suppress his restlessness.

……

Wen Ruan escorted the delegation to the hotel, confirmed the rooms with the front desk, and arranged a meeting time with Reinhardt for the next morning before leaving the hotel to take a taxi home.

I arrived at my building at exactly 9:30.

She took out her keys and opened the door; the room was completely dark.

Has Jiang Yubai not returned yet?

Just then, the sound of a lighter rang out, followed by a thick smell of smoke.

Wen Ruan was startled and quickly turned on the light, which instantly illuminated the living room.

Jiang Yubai sat upright on the sofa, a thin cigarette between his fingers, smoking slowly and deliberately. The top button of his collar was undone, and his sleeves were rolled up to his wrists, revealing his strong and powerful arms.

At this moment, he shed his usual refined and serious demeanor, revealing instead a touch of laziness and aggression.

The eyes that were no longer hidden by those gold-rimmed glasses were now staring intently at her, their gaze deep and unfathomable.

Wen Ruan's heart skipped a beat.

This was the second time she had seen him smoking.

The first time, it seems, was the second day of their marriage, when he received news that his beloved was trapped in a war-torn country.

The second time is today.

He has always been self-disciplined and abstains from smoking and drinking, never showing his emotions.

Such an abnormality is quite rare.

Wen Ruanxin's heart leaped into her throat, and she subconsciously began to speculate.

Is he preparing to file for divorce?

After hesitating for a moment, Wen Ruan bit her lip, "If you want to leave..."

Before she could utter the word "marriage," Jiang Yubai interrupted her, "You went to the Ji family today to discuss a project and met with Ji Shiyan?"