Bright Moon Shines on Me GL - Chapter 3

After Shen Yuan gave the address, the car fell silent. Gu Shiwei turned on the car’s tablet and played Stefanie Sun’s Encounter.

The beautiful melody poured from the speakers. Gu Shiwei suddenly asked, Shen Yuan, are you from the South?

Shen Yuan, her eyes fixed on the road ahead, nodded slightly. Mm-hmm.

Gu Shiwei tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, and during the song’s instrumental break, she asked another question Why did you come to Kyoto Sea?

I got tired of the South. I wanted a change of scenery.

Gu Shiwei’s questions disrupted Shen Yuan’s calm thoughts, suddenly plunging her back into the memory of a stormy night eight years ago.

Mingyue, you’re my daughter, not the Shen Family’s daughter! The hysterical voice echoed in her mind.

On Shen Mingyue’s twentieth birthday, Aunt Jiang, the Shen Family’s nanny, revealed a cruel truth Shen Mingyue was a fake heiress, switched at birth, while the daughter Aunt Jiang had raised was the Shen Family’s true heir.

The nanny was dying. She had chosen to reveal this secret before her death, hoping to hear Shen Mingyue call her Mother just once.

At that moment, Shen Mingyue was instantly engulfed by overwhelming fear.

She wasn’t the Shen Family’s daughter after all. Her parents weren’t her biological parents, and this pale-faced nanny was her only true relative in the world.

The nanny was on the verge of death, and she desperately wanted to hear Shen Mingyue call her Mommy.

But Shen Mingyue couldn’t bring herself to say it. Even her name had been given to her by the Shen Family. For twenty years, she had been the Shen Family’s beloved heiress, enjoying the finest luxuries. Now, the nanny was telling her that this life had been stolen.

Shen Mingyue couldn’t accept it. She watched in despair as the nanny died in her arms.

She witnessed the death of her last remaining family member with her own eyes.

Later, when the nanny’s daughter, Xie Tingxin, returned, Shen Mingyue confessed the truth about their switched identities, her face contorted in anguish. In that instant, their fifteen-year friendship shattered, and Shen Mingyue was immediately expelled from the Shen Family that very night.

Afterward, she changed her name. The day Shen Mingyue left the Shen Family, she became Shen Yuan.

From then on, she was no longer the bright moon in the sky.

Shen Yuan, what are you thinking about? You seem so lost in thought.

They had arrived at the address Shen Yuan had given. Gu Shiwei unbuckled her seatbelt, but Shen Yuan, though her eyes were open, couldn’t seem to focus her gaze.

She appeared to be in a daze.

Gu Shiwei gently patted Shen Yuan’s shoulder, finally drawing her out of her memories.

Shen Yuan looked at Gu Shiwei, who was so close, and saw her own pale reflection in her glasses.

I’m fine. Are we here?

Yes. Do you want me to walk you up? Gu Shiwei asked, her voice filled with concern as she noticed Shen Yuan’s bloodless lips.

No need, thank you.

Shen Yuan opened the car door and stepped out in one smooth motion, as if the woman who had been lost in despairing memories moments ago was a completely different person.

The car stereo was playing a song on repeat, and the lyrics drifted out One day, my secrets will be revealed.

Gu Shiwei watched Shen Yuan’s retreating figure before sharply turning the steering wheel and driving away.

Zhaoyang.

Shen Yuan sat at her workstation, sketching designs while listening to Lu Qingwan and her colleagues discuss the newly appointed CEO.

I heard the new CEO is a foreign-educated returnee with a doctorate.

Have you seen her?

No, I don’t have access to the CEO’s office.

I also heard she’s incredibly beautiful.

She’s the heiress of Kyoto Sea’s wealthiest family. Of course she’s stunning! Do you know her name?

I don’t know. It was kept secret until she returned to China a few days ago.

I heard Zhaoyang, the subsidiary, was established when Young Gu was born and named after her. The Chairman really loves her.

Well, she’s a Gu, after all.

Zhaoyang is a subsidiary of Qingfeng Group, also known as Gu Group, founded and developed by its current Chairman, Gu Qingfeng. Before this, Young Gu had been focused on scientific research with her foreign father, showing no interest in managing the company. If Chairman Gu hadn’t insisted on her return, she might still be studying abroad.

When Shen Yuan heard the new CEO’s surname was also Gu, she suddenly looked up from her tablet.

Seeing her reaction, Lu Qingwan assumed Shen Yuan wanted to join the discussion and quickly asked, Sister Yuanyuan, have you met Young Gu before?

Shen Yuan shook her head, holding her stylus. No, I haven’t.

It must be a coincidence, Shen Yuan thought, remembering Gu Shiwei had said she was just an intern.

Her phone suddenly buzzed. She glanced at it and saw two unread WeChat messages.

The sender’s profile picture was a sun, and their nickname was a single character Zhao.

Zhao Transfer of 20.00

Zhao I’m Gu Shiwei. Please add a note.

Y It’s work hours.

Besides, this was Shen Yuan’s personal WeChat she didn’t add colleagues.

Shen Yuan’s finger hovered over the delete button, but she hesitated to press it.

Knowing Gu Shiwei’s personality, if Shen Yuan deleted her, she’d likely find another excuse to add her again the next time they met.

Forget it.

Shen Yuan twirled her pen and decisively turned off her screen.

Just ignore her.

As a new employee, and with Lu Qingwan looking out for her, Shen Yuan’s workload wasn’t particularly heavy. An hour before quitting time, she grabbed her thermos and went to the break room for a cup of hot water.

Shen Yuan had a stomach condition caused by years of irregular eating habits. A year ago, she had also been diagnosed with depression, but she had managed to overcome it. Since then, she had been very attentive to her health.

As she passed the restroom in the corridor, Shen Yuan suddenly heard strange sounds coming from inside.

It sounded like someone was crying.

Holding her thermos, Shen Yuan walked in. A person stood hunched over at the sink, sobbing softly.

Hearing Shen Yuan’s entrance, the person turned to glance at her.

Her eyes were red and swollen, clearly from crying.

Shen Yuan recognized hershe seemed to be an intern who had joined around the same time as Shen Yuan.

Luo Luo, I think.

Are you okay? Shen Yuan asked.

I’m fine, Luo Luo replied, wiping the tears from her face. She pulled out a tissue to dry her hands and face before approaching Shen Yuan.

Let’s go together, Senior.

You can call me Shen Yuan.

Luo Luo stubbornly continued to call Shen Yuan Senior, but a smile now graced her lips, a stark contrast to the tear-suppressed girl from moments ago.

The job market had been tough in recent years, and there were many young interns like Luo Luo. They were paid little, worked long hours, and faced immense pressurea common situation. Some hadn’t even graduated yet, their naivety and lack of experience making it understandable that they struggled to adapt to the demanding work environment at Zhaoyang. Shen Yuan didn’t ask why Luo Luo had been hiding in the restroom crying after returning to the office, they parted ways.

Shen Yuan, why were you away from your workstation again? Your one-month probationary period includes performance evaluations. You left early yesterday too. What if you fail the evaluation and don’t get hired full-time?

The speaker was a short-haired woman in her early thirties, dressed like a quintessential corporate elite.

Her name was Bai Yu, and like Lu Qingwan, she was a Concept Artist. However, the Lead Artist had only assigned Lu Qingwan to mentor Shen Yuan. Bai Yu disapproved of Lu Qingwan’s lenient treatment of Shen Yuan and often came over to lecture them.

Being older than Lu Qingwan, Bai Yu considered herself a senior colleague. Lu Qingwan lowered her head, momentarily unable to respond.

Shen Yuan didn’t want to argue with her. The company’s official quitting time was 600 PM sharp, and her timecard records were always accurate. She knew perfectly well whether she had left early or stayed late.

But Sister Bai, Lu Qingwan’s timid voice suddenly piped up, the company’s policy is to leave at 600 PM. Sister Yuanyuan didn’t leave early yesterday. If you’re saying she left early, does that mean you’re more powerful than the company? Did you set the quitting time for 1100 PM?

The entire office stared at Lu Qingwan in shock, their expressions screaming, Are you out of your mind?!

Bai Yu was notorious for her bad temper and meddling nature. No one in the office dared cross her. Yet Lu Qingwan, who had only been working there for a few months, had the audacity to confront her directly. Truly, a fresh graduate was like a newborn calf, fearless and bold.

Shen Yuan was also surprised. Lu Qingwan had always been meek and mild-mannered. She never expected her to stand up to Bai Yu on her behalf. Fearing a conflict between the two, Shen Yuan quickly pulled Lu Qingwan behind her.

Sister Bai, Shen Yuan said, if things are really busy tonight, I can stay late and work overtime.

Shen Yuan’s words cut off Bai Yu’s lecture mid-sentence. Her expression darkened, but after glancing at the crowd of onlookers, she abandoned her plan to confront Lu Qingwan in the office.

Then you’ll have to stay and work overtime, Bai Yu said, her heels clicking sharply as she left.

After Bai Yu had gone, Lu Qingwan apologized to Shen Yuan, feeling deeply embarrassed. I’m so sorry, Sister Yuanyuan. I’ve made you stay late too.

It’s alright, Yuan Yuan. It’s not your fault. I volunteered to stay.

Shen Yuan was no stranger to overtime. During her three years as a Concept Artist at a major studio, pulling all-nighters to meet deadlines had been routine. In fact, it was precisely those years of relentless work that had damaged her health, leading her to prioritize wellness later in life.

Shen Yuan had left the Shen Family during her sophomore year of college, taking nothing with hernot even her clothes, wallet, or cards. Throughout her junior and senior years, she worked tirelessly, often juggling three or four part-time jobs a day. After finally graduating and landing a job at the studio, she pushed herself harder than anyone else to climb the ranks to Lead Artist, truly sacrificing her health for career advancement.

Unfortunately, circumstances ultimately prevented her promotion to Lead Artist.

As Shen Yuan reflected on those difficult times, she suddenly realized how distant they now seemed.

Sister Yuanyuan, let’s go grab dinner first. We can come back and finish up afterward.

Lu Qingwan linked arms with Shen Yuan and led her toward the company cafeteria.

Shen Yuan had never eaten dinner at the cafeteria before. She usually had to rush to her part-time job at the milk tea shop by seven, so she’d grab something quick on her way home to tide her over.

The cafeteria is on the first and second floors of the building behind us. Let’s just take the elevator down.

As Lu Qingwan pulled Shen Yuan out of the elevator, she suddenly noticed a tall figure standing at the end of the corridor, facing them. The figure was backlit, making it impossible for Lu Qingwan to make out her features, but her figure suggested she was a stunning beauty.

Do you know her? Lu Qingwan’s gaze shifted between Shen Yuan and the woman.

Not really, Shen Yuan replied, glancing briefly before looking away.

So you do know her? Should we invite her to join us

Let’s go. She doesn’t eat at the cafeteria, Shen Yuan interrupted abruptly. Gu Shiwei, the wealthy heiress who never wore the same outfit or watch twice, and whose every item was designer, would never eat cafeteria food like them.