The next day.
Inside the manager’s office of the investment banking department at Huan Sheng Group—
The office was decorated in a simple black-and-white style.
Zhou Yushen sat behind his desk, his gaze fixed on the fluctuating data on the computer screen.
His sharply defined features, elegant nose bridge, and even the curve of his brow bone were flawlessly exquisite.
The cool-toned light reflected off his pale, smooth skin, making him look like a character who had stepped straight out of a manga—so refined that even each strand of hair seemed to radiate charm.
He appeared to be working seriously.
But if one looked closely into his eyes, they would realize that the page reflected in his pupils had not moved at all from the beginning.
‘Let’s have a child.’
Ever since last night, those words had continued echoing through his mind.
He genuinely found it strange.
Why?
Why would he say something like wanting a child?
He and Shen Nanyue had only just gotten married.
Even though he wasn’t someone who would casually replace the person in the position of “wife,” he had never once thought about having children.
So why?
Why had he so easily spoken those words last night?
A child?
He didn’t even like children.
And yet— For some reason, he found himself looking forward to a child born from him and Shen Nanyue.
Before he could continue thinking further— A knock came from the office door.
The next second, Zhao Xuan entered.
“President Zhou, something happened at headquarters. There’s an issue with the contract involving the Zheng family. Madam used it as an excuse to dismiss Director Qian, who was responsible for the contract, and took the opportunity to buy the shares in his hands. Madam now owns a higher percentage of shares in the Zhou Corporation than you do.”
This meant that the Zhou Corporation was about to undergo a major shift in power.
After listening, Zhou Yushen showed no reaction.
He merely asked calmly,
“How’s Grandfather?”
“The old master didn’t say anything. It seems he’s tacitly accepted Madam taking over the management rights of the Zhou Corporation.”
“I understand.”
Zhou Yushen remained indifferent, as though the Zhou Corporation was insignificant in his eyes.
Seeing his attitude, Zhao Xuan hesitated before carefully asking,
“President Zhou… don’t you have any countermeasures?”
“There’s nothing worth countering. The Zhou Corporation can operate no matter who controls it.”
He glanced at Zhao Xuan, stood up, and tossed the file in his hand toward him.
“If you have nothing better to do, go handle this.”
Zhao Xuan caught the file and watched Zhou Yushen stride out of the office.
Then he lowered his head hesitantly to look at the documents in his hands.
Wasn’t this all of President Zhou’s work for today?
And he had just casually dumped it all onto him?
Realization suddenly dawned on Zhao Xuan.
President Zhou must be upset after hearing that Madam had taken control of the Zhou Corporation, to the point that he didn’t even want to work anymore!
He shook his head and sighed.
The power struggles of wealthy families were beyond an assistant like him.
But he knew very well that what President Zhou relied on was far more than just the Zhou Corporation.
Now that Madam had seized control of the company, it would probably only accelerate the Zhou Corporation’s downfall.
Shrugging helplessly, Zhao Xuan resigned himself to handling his boss’s work.
Meanwhile, Zhou Yushen left the company and headed straight for the Shen Corporation.
At that moment, Shen Nanyue was in her office reviewing documents while Assistant Xu brought up the food delivery she had ordered.
“Thank you.”
She took the medicine and also accepted a stack of files requiring her signature from Assistant Xu.
“President Shen, tomorrow at ten in the morning, you’re scheduled to meet Mrs. Bai Youwei at the art exhibition. Time has already been cleared in your schedule, so please prepare well.”
“Got it.”
After Assistant Xu left the office, Shen Nanyue finally took out the 24-hour emergency contraceptive pill from the delivery bag.
Only after Zhou Yushen’s reminder last night had she realized they hadn’t used any protection.
She didn’t want children.
Naturally, she couldn’t allow the possibility of pregnancy.
After swallowing the pill, she casually tossed the medicine box aside.
Then she focused once more on her work.
The documents on her computer concerned one of the company’s major projects for the month— A collaboration with Bai Youwei.
Bai Youwei was a world-famous painter and artistic genius.
Her paintings had already become renowned internationally when she was only twelve years old.
Some influential figures had even offered over a hundred million to purchase her work.
She was currently the youngest, yet also one of the most prestigious great painters alive.
When Shen An’an was younger, Bai Youwei had always been her idol.
Even the brushwork in An’an’s paintings carried traces similar to Bai Youwei’s style.
Recently, the Shen Corporation had been designing clothing that combined traditional fashion with artistic elements, preparing to launch a wave of marketing in the art world.
Mrs. Bai Youwei was the perfect spokesperson.
After carefully reviewing Bai Youwei’s information, Shen Nanyue already had a rough strategy in mind.
Her phone suddenly rang.
She answered it while continuing to read the documents.
“Sister Yueyue, why did you send these bodyguards to follow me? And now they’re even helping me move! My precious equipment was handled so roughly by them—it’s breaking my heart!”
Xiao Qi’s complaints came nonstop from the other end of the phone.
Shen Nanyue finally looked away from her computer screen and let out a light scoff.
“Do you really not know why I’m making you move?”
The other side fell silent.
Shen Nanyue continued,
“Tell the bodyguards to be gentler when moving your stuff. In the future, I’ll have them follow you from a distance when you go out. They won’t interfere with your life.”
“Sister Yueyue, I don’t want to move…”
“No. Those people already know where you live. You have to listen to me.”
Shen Nanyue’s attitude was firm.
Knowing the matter had already been exposed, Xiao Qi stopped refusing her kindness.
After hanging up— The office door was pushed open, and Lin Siwan appeared at the doorway with a smile.
“Sis, brother-in-law is here.”
Zhou Yushen entered the office.
Lin Siwan enthusiastically greeted him and said in an affectedly sweet voice,
“Brother-in-law, I’ll go make you a cup of coffee.”
Just as Lin Siwan turned to leave— Zhou Yushen calmly rejected her kindness.
“No need. Once you leave, don’t come back in.”
Lin Siwan’s expression stiffened instantly.
Her eyes immediately filled with grievance, but she forced a smile through it.
“Alright.”
Just before leaving, the smile vanished from her lips, and she walked out with a cold expression.
Shen Nanyue looked at Zhou Yushen.
“Why are you here?”
“Nothing much going on at the company. I wanted to come see you.”
Zhou Yushen walked over to her desk.
Just as he was about to say something, his gaze landed on the medicine box beside the table.
The curve of his lips faded instantly.
He reached out and picked up the box.
His suddenly icy gaze fell upon Shen Nanyue’s face, catching the flash of guilt in her eyes.
“You didn’t sleep last night?”
The guilt Shen Nanyue felt was only instinctive.
Very quickly, the calm mask returned to her face.
She didn’t answer.
Zhou Yushen continued questioning her.
“Why did you take the medicine?”
“Because I don’t want children.”
Shen Nanyue turned to meet Zhou Yushen’s cold eyes.
After realizing he was angry— She smiled at him.
“What? Are you going to force me to have children?”
Standing in front of the desk, Zhou Yushen’s tall figure completely enveloped her petite frame.
Several traces of loneliness flickered deep within his eyes, though none surfaced openly.
He remained silent for a long time.
Finally, he placed the emergency contraceptive pill box back onto the desk.
Without saying another word to Shen Nanyue, he turned and walked straight out of the office.
The door closed once more.
Shen Nanyue had thought her heart would remain calm and unaffected.
Yet at this moment, an uncontrollable ache rose within her chest.
As though she had lost something incredibly important.
An unbearable emptiness spread through her heart.
— The end of the Chapter–
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