The Moon Shines on Me (GL) - Chapter 12

The air in the quiet car was suddenly pierced by a harsh alarm. Shen Yuan instantly covered her wrist, but the sound didn’t diminish; on the contrary, the volume grew even louder.

“It’s broken.” Shen Yuan said, closing her eyes with a look of utter despair.

“Let me see.” Gu Shiwei held Shen Yuan’s left hand. She tapped the watch a few times and noticed that in addition to the irregular heart rate, the bl00d pressure was also a bit high.

Gu Shiwei frowned and asked, “Shen Yuan, are you feeling unwell anywhere?”

Shen Yuan suddenly turned her head, her face toward the window.

“No.”

The light inside the car was bright. Gu Shiwei looked at Shen Yuan and suddenly noticed her earlobes were bright red.

Gu Shiwei’s hand movements paused, her gaze fixed on the red skin behind Shen Yuan’s ears.

So, was Shen Yuan’s heart racing because she was shy?

The soft, warm sensation still lingered on Gu Shiwei’s fingertips. All she did was poke Shen Yuan’s cheek; why were her ears so red?

“Shen Yuan, have you never been in a relationship?” Gu Shiwei’s eyes were fixed on Shen Yuan as she asked the question. It was quite a surprise that someone so beautiful had never dated.

Shen Yuan lowered her eyes, her thick, long eyelashes casting a shadow on her eyelids. Her lips were tightly pursed, and she hummed a soft “Mm” through her nose.

For some unknown reason, Gu Shiwei’s mood suddenly improved dramatically. She swiped a few times on the car’s tablet and played a cheerful English song with a lively melody.

As soon as the violin in the prelude started, Shen Yuan looked over.

The song was called ‘Rather Be’—it certainly was suitable for a car ride.

Since they still had plenty of time, Gu Shiwei didn’t drive too fast. They arrived at the company building twenty minutes before working hours began.

The elevator reserved for senior management had been under maintenance, so Gu Shiwei had been using the regular elevator. Now that it was fixed, Gu Shiwei was about to swipe her card to enter the private elevator when Shen Yuan walked into the regular one next to it.

Gu Shiwei tucked the card she had just pulled out back into her bag and followed Shen Yuan into the regular elevator.

Few people came in at this time, so there were only the two of them in the elevator. Shen Yuan took her employee badge out of her bag and put it on her neck, accidentally pulling out a small pendant. The pendant seemed to depict a Q-version character that looked familiar, but Gu Shiwei couldn’t recall where she had seen it.

Gu Shiwei picked up the pendant and handed it to Shen Yuan. Shen Yuan seemed to treasure the pendant, blowing off the dust several times before putting it back into her bag.

Gu Shiwei: “Is this your OC?”

Shen Yuan: “No, it’s a game character.”

Just as Shen Yuan finished speaking, the elevator doors slowly opened. She and Gu Shiwei stepped out one after the other.

To improve efficiency, their company adopted an open-plan office layout, with the entire floor being open. Gu Shiwei’s office was at the end of the corridor, while Shen Yuan’s was in the middle of the other side.

After arriving at her workspace, Shen Yuan first took her insulated cup to the water dispenser in the corridor for a cup of hot water, then pulled out a wet wipe and carefully wiped her desk. Only after cleaning did she turn on her computer and start organizing her desktop.

By this time, people in the office were starting to arrive one after another. Lu Qingwan spotted Shen Yuan and instantly pounced on her.

“Sister Yuan Yuan, are you okay? I was so scared that day, but thankfully Assistant Gu was there.”

Shen Yuan held Lu Qingwan’s arm with one hand and moved the insulated cup on her desk with the other, saying, “I’m fine now.”

“That’s good. Was it acute gastroenteritis that day? Why didn’t you tell me you can’t eat spicy food? I was so afraid something serious would happen to you.” Lu Qingwan was almost in tears that day. If Assistant Gu hadn’t shown up later, she would have panicked and not known what to do.

Shen Yuan: “Don’t worry, it’s just an old issue that flares up sometimes. Eating spicy food wasn’t the main cause that day.”

Lu Qingwan looked at Shen Yuan pleadingly: “Really?”

Shen Yuan: “Mm.”

After comforting Lu Qingwan, Shen Yuan opened Word.

While writing her work log, Shen Yuan also exported her records and sent them to her secondary email account. After completing these tasks, she opened her drawing software and started working.

Shen Yuan became very focused once she started drawing. She kept her head down and drew for the entire morning, finally looking up at 11:30 AM. She had been so absorbed in drawing that she had forgotten to drink the water she had brought that morning.

The company closed at twelve o’clock, so Shen Yuan simply stopped, saved her work, and spent the remaining time stretching her neck and wrists.

Shen Yuan had developed tenosynovitis from drawing too intensively at her previous big company. Ever since, her hand would hurt whenever she drew for a long time.

Lu Qingwan noticed her movements and suddenly sat down next to her. When she saw the ink-wash style illustration on Shen Yuan’s computer screen, her eyes lit up.

Lu Qingwan: “Sister Yuan Yuan, you’re so amazing! You outlined the image so vividly with just a few strokes.”

Lu Qingwan: “With your skill level, being a Concept Artist Assistant is really an underestimation of your talent. Who am I to be your mentor, oh my god!” Lu Qingwan felt a little defeated. Although she had excellent grades in school, her drawings were miles apart from Sister Yuan Yuan’s. Sister Yuan Yuan’s technique clearly rested on a very solid foundation and looked extremely professional.

“Don’t say that. I’m not fully familiar with the company’s procedures yet, so I still need your guidance.” Shen Yuan hadn’t held a pen to draw in three years.

After leaving the large company three years ago, she never thought of re-entering the concept art industry. That’s why she chose to work odd jobs for two years—jobs that didn’t require much thought, like washing dishes, serving food, and shaking milk tea with her mind completely blank.

If she hadn’t been diagnosed with depression later, Shen Yuan might have continued living that way forever.

“You… hello… may I ask who Shen Yuan is?”

Someone lightly knocked on the office door. Standing outside was a young woman with a low ponytail and black-rimmed glasses. Her face was slightly red, and as everyone in the office looked over, her hands nervously clutched the hem of her clothes.

“I am.” Shen Yuan stood up from her station. She walked to the door, and the person’s face was completely flushed. Shen Yuan glanced at the name tag on her chest: Chen Ping — CEO Assistant (Probationary).

It was the position Shen Yuan had interviewed for.

Seeing her hesitate to speak, Shen Yuan asked, “Are you looking for me for something?”

“Miss… Miss Shen, it’s like this, Assistant Gu is looking for you.” Assistant Chen didn’t dare to look at Shen Yuan’s face. She stared at the employee badge on Shen Yuan’s chest, unable to connect the person who clearly had a leadership presence with a probationary employee.

Just now, Assistant Gu had asked Assistant Chen to retrieve Shen Yuan’s resume. Assistant Chen learned that the person in front of her had graduated from the Jinghai Academy of Fine Arts—the country’s most prestigious art institution. This person must be very capable, she thought, even Assistant Gu pays special attention to her.

Shen Yuan looked at her watch: “It’s working hours now, and there are ten minutes left until closing. Did she say what she needs me for?”

Chen Ping: “No… not really. Assistant Gu just asked me to bring you over.”

Shen Yuan: “Okay, let’s go.”

Shen Yuan followed Assistant Chen to the CEO’s office at the end of the corridor.

Upon entering, Shen Yuan immediately saw Gu Shiwei sitting on the sofa.

“Assistant Gu, I’ve brought the person.” Assistant Chen led Shen Yuan to sit on the sofa, then retreated to the side, standing stiffly like a statue.

Gu Shiwei looked up at her: “Assistant Chen, you can go back to your work now.”

“O-Okay.”

Chen Ping’s face reddened, and she awkwardly hurried towards the door. Just as she was about to step out of the CEO’s office, the corner of her eye suddenly caught a glimpse of Assistant Gu personally leaning over to pour a cup of tea for Shen Yuan.

Chen Ping stumbled slightly, her eyes widening in shock.

The CEO is personally pouring tea for a probationary employee?

What is the background of this Shen Yuan?

“What do you want to eat for lunch?” Gu Shiwei held the teacup and offered it to Shen Yuan.

Shen Yuan took the tea and took a sip: “I can just eat in the canteen.”

“The canteen is undergoing renovations this week,” Gu Shiwei said. “Do you want to go home to eat?”

Shen Yuan suddenly had choice paralysis. She hesitated for a moment, then said, “You decide.”

Gu Shiwei: “Alright, let’s go then. I’ll take you out to eat.”

“Mm.”

Shen Yuan was fine with anything. She followed Gu Shiwei out of the office.

The observant Assistant Chen saw them come out and quickly greeted them, “Assistant… Assistant Gu, is there anything I can help with?”

Gu Shiwei was about to say no, but after glancing at Shen Yuan next to her, she changed her mind: “Follow us.”

Chen Ping nodded: “Yes, Assistant Gu.”

Gu Shiwei took them to a Chinese restaurant near the company that served Southern cuisine.

Assistant Chen, a native Northerner, had never eaten at this restaurant. She looked at Assistant Gu’s back and wondered if Assistant Gu had chosen this place specifically to cater to Shen Yuan’s taste, especially since she had seen Shen Yuan’s resume and knew she was a genuine Southerner.

The more Assistant Chen thought about it, the more plausible it seemed, but she couldn’t figure out why Assistant Gu would do this.

“Assistant Chen, are there any dietary restrictions?” Gu Shiwei looked at Chen Ping.

Assistant Chen suddenly snapped back to attention. She nervously waved her hands: “N-No, Assistant Gu, please order anything.”

“Mm.”

Gu Shiwei ordered Crispy Skin Roasted Squab, Shrimp Rice Rolls, Tomato and Sponge Gourd with Bamboo Pith and Fish Maw, Stir-fried Beef Ho Fun, and more.

After Gu Shiwei finished ordering, she handed the menu to Shen Yuan. Shen Yuan ordered a few Crispy Skin BBQ Pork Buns, a portion of sweet soup, and a pot of Pu-erh tea.

When the menu reached Assistant Chen, she was a little overwhelmed. Seeing that eight or nine dishes had already been ordered, she didn’t add anything and handed the menu directly to the waiter.

Gu Shiwei: “Shen Yuan, after lunch, are you going home for your noon break?”

Zhaoyang company stipulated a 2:30 PM start time for the afternoon shift, allowing employees ample rest time. Those living nearby could go home for a nap, and those living far away could nap at the company, where the lights would be turned off promptly from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM for the break.

Shen Yuan lowered her head to scald the bowl with hot water, not looking at Gu Shiwei, “No. Are you going back?”

Gu Shiwei: “I’m not going back either.”

Assistant Chen sipped her hot water and eavesdropped on Assistant Gu and Shen Yuan’s conversation. She pondered their relationship, wondering why they felt both distant and familiar at the same time.

“Assistant Chen.” Shen Yuan suddenly patted her shoulder: “If you’re thirsty, you can call the waiter to bring tea. You’re drinking the water used to scald the bowl.”

Chen Ping’s face instantly flushed bright red: “Ah? I… I’m sorry! I didn’t know this was…”

Shen Yuan: “It’s alright. It’s nothing even if you drank it.”

Chen Ping sighed in relief: “That’s… good.”

I could die anyway, but not from public humiliation!

Chen Ping wanted to cry but couldn’t. She felt like she wouldn’t be able to get her full-time position. She really wasn’t suited for this job.