After the Online Romance with the Campus Beauty Roommate Went Wrong - Chapter 36

On the weekend, Sang Shi’an kept her promise and went to Sheng Yu.

The entire office building was eerily quiet on the weekend, with only a few offices on a handful of floors occupied. Sang Shiyue had been in meetings all morning, keeping Sang Shi’an by his side to take notes.

After the meeting adjourned, the executives left first. Sang Shi’an proactively handed over the meeting minutes. “Brother, please review them.”

Sang Shiyue glanced at the neat notes, his expression curious. “Have you gotten into trouble again? Why are you suddenly so eager to come to the office and so obedient today?”

Sang Shi’an rolled her eyes. “What kind of trouble could I possibly get into? That Jian Zhenyang incident was just an accident. Can’t I want to learn more about the company and plot my coup sooner?”

Sang Shiyue chuckled. “Then I’ll abdicate immediately and let you take over. Let me think… which tropical island should I retire to?”

Truth be told, the General Manager’s salary was less than Sang Shi’an’s annual allowance. “I was just joking—”

“My little sister suddenly being so well-behaved and coming to the office must mean she’s done something she’s too guilty to tell me about,” Sang Shiyue said, scrutinizing her. “Let me guess… if it’s not trouble, could it be you’ve actually found a boyfriend and are afraid to let me find out?”

Sang Shi’an: ……

It didn’t have to be this accurate.

Sang Shi’an feigned ignorance. “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Brother.”

Sang Shiyue, being eight years older, saw through her act immediately. “Alright, then explain why your expenses this semester are several times higher than before. And didn’t you claim to be naturally beautiful and not need makeup? Why are you dressed so scantily in the dead of winter, like you’re filming a drama?”

“I was giving my employees bonuses! Haven’t you noticed how much they adore me?” Sang Shi’an tried to argue.

Sang Shiyue chuckled. “But your voice always gets higher when you’re nervous.”

“Brother—” Sang Shi’an whined, drawing out the word in a pleading tone. “If you keep this up, I’ll jump off a building!”

“Fine by me. All your trust funds and shares would transfer to my name. Mom and Dad mentioned just the other day that they were planning to let you manage those assets yourself after the New Year. Perfect timing for me.”

“……” Is that even human?

Having teased her enough, Sang Shiyue picked up Sang Shi’an’s meeting notes and beckoned her over. “I’m hungry. Let’s go eat.”

Sang Shi’an followed him.

They had lunch at a nearby private dining restaurant. While waiting for their food, Sang Shiyue cut straight to the chase: “Is it someone from your school or someone from outside? It’s been a while since I first suspected you were dating, hasn’t it? If you’re serious about this, you need to give me a heads-up so I can prepare.”

It wasn’t that Sang Shiyue was being nosy; it was simply that their family had seen too many cases of daughters being tricked into marriage by men seeking social advancement.

Sang Shi’an poked at her rice. “You didn’t give me a heads-up when the family arranged your marriage. Why are you meddling so much?”

Sang Shiyue retorted, “What kind of decent person would be someone you’re ashamed to mention, someone you have to spend money to support?”

Sang Shi’an bristled. “I’m almost twenty! What’s wrong with dating? And what kind of outdated thinking is that? Is it illegal for girls to spend money on their boyfriends?”

Sang Shiyue’s voice turned icy. “It depends on who you’re dating. You’re so guilty you can’t even tell me about them.”

“She’s from a good family, beautiful, and accomplished. Don’t ask any more questions.”

“So you admit you’ve been dating recently?”

Sang Shi’an threw caution to the wind. “Fine, I’m not dating. I’m just pining after her.”

Sang Shiyue had been genuinely worried, picturing Sang Shi’an falling for some strange, rebellious boy. But hearing this, he burst out laughing. “You’re pining after her? Who is this person who can make you patiently pine after them?”

Sang Shi’an reluctantly shut her mouth, realizing she was only making things worse.

“It really does sound like something’s going on,” Sang Shiyue teased, “Your ears are even red.”

“You’re old enough to know better than to keep staring at me all day, Sang Shiyue. Aren’t you still single yourself? Mom and Dad are so worried they’re trying to set you up on blind dates. Why don’t you worry about yourself for once?”

Sang Shi’an retorted sharply and began eating.

Thankfully, Sang Shiyue dropped the subject and didn’t press her further. But his evasiveness about Jian Chenyu only made Sang Shi’an’s anxiety grow, and she ate her meal in a daze.

When all the dishes were served, Sang Shiyue asked if she wanted something to drink. Seeing her distracted state, he chuckled, “You’re not even on your phone while eating today. What’s gotten into you?”

Sang Shi’an couldn’t exactly admit that Jian Chenyu was all she could think about. “Didn’t you and Mom and Dad always say it’s rude to use your phone at the table? I’m trying to break bad habits.”

Sang Shiyue nodded. “That’s good.”

Sang Shi’an continued picking at her rice. “…Mm.”

Sang Shi’an spent two full days at the company. Sang Shiyue had assigned her an experienced financial assistant to help her familiarize herself with the company’s historical financial reports and gain a better understanding of its operations.

Boredom was truly overwhelming. Before studying finance, Sang Shi’an had imagined herself commanding boardrooms, but facing actual financial reports proved nothing like the grand visions she’d had when choosing her college major.

She suddenly understood why Su Ningyue had shown such apathy, barely scraping by in every course.

Jian Chenyu seemed equally busy over the weekend. Sang Shi’an continued her routine of sending “good morning” and “good afternoon” messages via her Cat Cat Account, but Jian Chenyu’s replies were slow and sporadic. Their brief exchanges would abruptly end, leaving her hanging.

This suited Sang Shi’an’s plans perfectly.

An ostrich could bury its head for a day or two, but not forever.

She hadn’t yet figured out her next move.

Jian Chenyu showed no interest in her whatsoever. Sang Shi’an felt she didn’t even need to compete with Cat Cat, who already held the title of Jian Chenyu’s girlfriend. Between her and her brother, Jian Chenyu, the perpetually busy man, might well prefer Sang Shiyue, who could offer him greater benefits.

By Sunday evening, Sang Shi’an, seething with resentment, was about to drift off to sleep amidst the piles of financial reports when Jian Chenyu called.

Her eyes snapped open at the caller ID. After a moment of composure, she counted several seconds before answering in a cool tone, “Jian Chenyu?”

“How are you settling in at Sheng Yu?” Jian Chenyu’s voice carried a hint of concern.

“How did you know?” Sang Shi’an asked.

“I ran into your brother and he mentioned it,” Jian Chenyu replied. Soft music played in the background, suggesting she was driving. “Are you still at the office?”

Sang Shi’an gave a curt “Mm-hmm.” “Yeah, what’s up?”

“Nothing much,” Jian Chenyu said. “I’m near your company. Want to grab dinner?”

Sang Shi’an didn’t immediately agree. She glanced at the time and said, “I still have a few financial reports to review. I plan to finish them all today.”

“Will that take long?” Jian Chenyu asked. “If it’s going to be a while, I’ll ask your brother.”

“This isn’t homework assigned by my brother,” Sang Shi’an said. “Asking him won’t help.”

Jian Chenyu chuckled. “That’s not what I meant. We just saw each other, so he’s probably still nearby. If you’re busy, I can find him for dinner instead.”

Sang Shi’an: …

Does Jian Chenyu have some kind of giant baby syndrome where she can’t eat alone?

“Then go find him already,” Sang Shi’an snapped, “before he makes other plans.”

As Sang Shi’an was about to hang up, Jian Chenyu’s voice stopped her. “If I wanted to ask him, I would have done it earlier. How much longer will you be?”

“Oh, about…” Sang Shi’an began, the words “an hour” circling in her mind before she said, “A few minutes, maybe.”

Jian Chenyu’s voice held a clear note of amusement. “Didn’t you say you had several financial reports to review?”

Sang Shi’an glanced around the office, her gaze landing on the financial assistant nearby. “The older sister who helps me with the reports has a date to rush to. Without her, I can’t understand the hidden details.”

The financial assistant, who worked like a dog every day for a six-figure monthly salary and barely had time for romance, perked up at this news as if receiving a royal decree. She eagerly raised her voice, “Miss Sang, shall I leave now?”

The assistant’s voice carried through the phone, reaching Jian Chenyu’s ears.

Jian Chenyu repeated her offer to Sang Shi’an, “Shall I come pick you up for dinner?”

Fine, whatever.

Sang Shi’an grudgingly agreed, “Fine, but you’re such a pain.”

After the call ended, Jian Chenyu sent a photo of the Sang Family’s company parking lot with the message: Come down and call me.

Sang Shi’an: …

How could she be here so soon?

She had underestimated the time needed. A few minutes wasn’t even enough for her to touch up her makeup before heading downstairs.