Chapter 5 The Next Day
The conference would last another day today.
Ying Jie messaged her on WeChat that she would come pick her up to go to the venue together, making a point to say that Chen Zhigao was driving again.
Chen Zhigao seemed to have a thing for Wen Bairan. Yesterday, when they gave her a ride back, Ying Jie teased him in the car, saying she had never seen him so enthusiastic toward anyone at work, but with Xiao Wen, it was different—he even took the initiative to ask for her number.
Chen Zhigao was a techie, pretty shy. Ying Jie’s teasing laughter made him blush, and he gruffly told her not to joke around.
Wen Bairan responded with a faint, indifferent smile.
She had met many men like Chen Zhigao. As her mother saw it, she might even have been expected to marry someone like him. Because of their stereotype of being steady and reliable, it seemed like such people had little interest in anything beyond code and programs. Ms. Xie said, “When it comes to life, it’s better to have a down-to-earth partner.”
She still held onto this belief even now. Especially after meeting Zhou Lin.
That year, when they came to Shenjiang for the New Year, Zhou Lin treated them to a New Year’s dinner at the largest hotel in Shenjiang. Gifts piled up in one corner of the private room. Ms. Xie pulled Wen Bairan into the restroom and whispered, “Have you two made it official?”
Wen Bairan knew what she meant, but at the time, she was still too proud and said she didn’t want to settle down yet.
“Is it that you don’t want to, or that he hasn’t brought it up?”
Wen Bairan, stung, shot back reflexively, “Of course, it’s that I don’t want to.”
Ms. Xie, who knew her daughter’s temperament best, sighed deeply, slipped her a card, and advised, “Since nothing’s settled, it’s not right to let him spend so much. Today, let’s just say the elders are treating.”
They were on the same page.
Touched, Wen Bairan wrapped her arms around Ms. Xie’s shoulders and said playfully, “This place isn’t cheap. Your pensions aren’t huge—you should keep it. I already made preparations before you arrived.”
Wen Bairan had been smart, sensible, and independent since childhood. Compared to these precious qualities, her beauty was her least notable quality. Ms. Xie had told her long ago, “A woman’s looks can be a calling card, an invite—something you extend to make others remember you. But you must remember, no matter how beautiful the card or invite is, it’s still just a fragile piece of paper. If you lack the substance to back it up, being swept away by the wind might be your best outcome.”
Ms. Xie’s highest education was a community college degree, and she had never traveled far in her life. Her experiences couldn’t be considered extensive, but Wen Bairan truly admired her.
Back then, she and Wen Qianming were introduced by someone. They dated for less than a month before deciding to marry—a whirlwind romance in those days.
Wen Qianming was just a low-level office worker at the time; even if he worked until retirement, he would only make it to department head. After marriage, some said Ms. Xie had married down, but she simply ignored such comments.
After marriage, she never pushed Wen Qianming to strive for success or forced him to work harder in his career like others did. She knew very well that his go-with-the-flow attitude wouldn’t get him to a high position. Even if he did make it, he would have to live cautiously for the rest of his life, never knowing when someone might reach out and pull him down, leading to ruin. Rather than living in constant fear, it was better to live a relaxed, easy life.
She always knew exactly what kind of life she wanted.
In her memory, Wen Bairan hardly ever saw the two of them argue. As long as Wen Qianming didn’t make major mistakes, Ms. Xie could easily overlook minor issues. The only time they had a standoff was over whether Wen Bairan should go to college out of town.
Wen Qianming had only this one precious daughter, whom he had cherished since childhood, holding her in his hands and loving her like the apple of his eye. Naturally, he couldn’t bear to let her go too far away; it was better to have her close by, safe and sound. There were plenty of good local schools to choose from, and after graduation, with some connections, it wasn’t impossible for her to get a job there.
But Ms. Xie insisted that times had changed. Regardless of gender, one must go out and see the world to understand how vast it is.
It was the first time their views clashed. Wen Qianming moved to the study to sleep for over a month. When Wen Bairan received her admission letter, she hesitated about whether to tell Dad. But Ms. Xie immediately packed her luggage, said she was going on a trip, rushed her to the station without delay, and told her to call home after completing registration at school.
Later, she heard that Wen Qianming was so angry when he found out the truth that he smashed plates and bowls at home. Ms. Xie asked him who he was smashing—if it was her, she would leave with their daughter right away. Wen Qianming wilted at those words and whined that mother and daughter were cruel not to let him, the father, see their daughter off to school.
Wen Bairan listened on the phone as Ms. Xie imitated Wen Qianming’s tone perfectly. Worried, she asked if she should talk to him and cheer him up. Ms. Xie said it wasn’t necessary—he had gone out. Wen Bairan asked where, and Ms. Xie said he was out picking out new dishes.
“Your father is like this—a simple man. The worst he can do is smash a bowl. I told him he has good taste—the set he smashed was bought when we got married, and it lasted until our daughter went to college. The glaze still looked brand new. He headed out all excited, saying he’d pick an even better set this time.”
Ms. Xie laughed calmly over the phone.
Her wisdom in handling life and relationships was something Wen Bairan could never learn from books, no matter how many she read.
Not long after Ying Jie’s message arrived, Song Xu’s WeChat message also came through.
[Song Xu]: Come downstairs.
His words were brief and to the point, never wasting a single character.
Not like the man she saw last night.
Wen Bairan’s eyelid twitched uncontrollably, and the ache between her legs seemed to return.
She had to face it eventually.
Taking a deep breath, she gathered her things, went downstairs, and checked out of the hotel.
At the hotel entrance.
A silver-gray Volvo was parked in the waiting area. The man scrolling through his phone in front of the car was dressed in casual wear, looking less like he was heading to an exchange conference and more like he was off to shoot a golf ad. The morning sun was intense, and the temperature was climbing steadily. Standing there fresh and clean, he was the picture of elite.
‘Lick here, or here. Point it out to me.’
…
Wen Bairan had just stepped out of the lobby when she saw him from afar. Her head spun, her chest tightened with two sudden thuds, and she nearly fainted.
She stopped in her tracks, shaking her head vigorously to dispel the unwanted memories in her mind, but she couldn’t prevent her ears from turning red suddenly.
Calm down, calm down.
Wen Bairan, keep it together!
They were both adults. No matter how absurd things got, they still had to face each other when day broke.
Besides, they were here on a business trip, both had work to do, and work had to come first.
Whew.
After mentally preparing herself, Wen Bairan took a deep breath and walked over.
Stopping in front of him, she said, “Mr. Song.”
Song Xu looked up from his phone at the sound of her voice, glancing over.
Though she told herself to stay calm, staying calm was harder than she thought.
He was giving her the same look he had in the car yesterday.
She finally understood his gaze.
From head to toe.
Song Xu slowly moved his eyes, his expression unclear in the broad daylight. Deeper than scrutiny, more suggestive than curious.
Like a summer breeze lightly skimming the water’s surface, silent and formless, yet causing the water to tremble and ripple in circles.
Wen Bairan stood straight-backed, her face composed without a trace of flaw. Only the continuous heat at her core refused to relent, seeping deep into her in fine strands. The muscles in her abdominal wall contracted involuntarily, as if responding to his gaze.
Mmm, she was about to lose her composure.
Just as she was on the verge of breaking, Song Xu finally looked away.
Wen Bairan suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, steadied her swaying figure, and he turned toward the driver's side. "Get in."
Should she sit in the front or the back?
When she came, her mind was clear of distractions; even sitting on Song Xu’s head wouldn’t have crossed her mind. But now it was different—she had almost really sat on his head.
While hesitating, Song Xu pulled open the car door and said calmly, "Send me the content from yesterday’s meeting."
"Oh, okay." Speaking of work, Wen Bairan naturally got into the passenger seat.
This conference focused on explaining the healthcare reform policies set to be introduced in the second half of the year, along with some sharing on the latest industry developments. Much of the content revolved around the former. Wen Bairan had organized the part about medical devices; the key points largely concerned distribution channel pricing and the transparency of the bidding process, with an extended public review period. The process seemed a bit more complicated, but in reality, it hadn’t changed much from before.
Song Xu held the steering wheel with one hand, his left elbow resting on the car window, index finger pressed against his temple. After a moment of contemplation, he asked, "I received Dayun Medical’s Plan C this morning. Did you prepare it the night before last?"
Wen Bairan paused, then said yes.
She hadn’t been with the company long and wasn’t yet involved in deals worth tens of millions or even billions. Initially, she was just assisting Qiao Yi, with the main work centered around Team One’s content. Qiao Yi thought she did well and had her prepare a formal version to submit for trial.
She hadn’t expected it to reach Song Xu so quickly.
Song Xu gave a brief acknowledgment, retracted his left hand, turned the steering wheel, still looking straight ahead. "When we return, you’ll move to Team One and work on this case with Qiao Yi."
"..."
It was good news, but Wen Bairan didn’t have time to feel happy. She fell silent, looking at him with a strange expression.
They soon arrived at the venue, and Song Xu parked the car by the roadside.
He didn’t get out.
"The people from Xirui are treating us to lunch. After the ribbon-cutting, I’ll come pick you up. Wait here for me."
After speaking, noticing Wen Bairan showed no intention of getting out, he turned his face toward her.
"What's wrong?"
In the midst of summer, the scorching sun baked the three-lane road until it seemed to warp. The green plants in the central median were bleached white by the sun.
Blazing sunlight filtered through the privacy glass of the driver’s cabin, casting a subdued, hazy light on Song Xu’s face, half in light and half in shadow.
Wen Bairan stared at him for a long moment before speaking.
"Mr. Song."
"Hmm?"
She said coldly, "What happened last night ended this morning."
"I never deny what has happened, but I’ve come to my senses. You said yesterday that when I woke up, I could choose to leave. Mr. Song, you’re a man of principle. You should keep your word."
Wen Bairan was wearing light makeup today, her skin fair and translucent. A soft apricot blush accentuated her gentleness. The lipstick shade suited her well—a clean, soft pink, subtle and soft, slightly muted, with a sweet flavor.
Last night, she had kissed him with these lips.
In the heat of the moment, she took his fingertip into her mouth, swallowing both saliva and him. The salty taste was unpleasant; she frowned, wanting to spit it out.
He immediately moved closer, sealing her lips, forcing her to swallow. She whimpered, upset, tears welling up, then opened her mouth to bite his neck fiercely, cursing him, "You bastard..."
The sting of the wound brought him back to reality. The heat of arousal building beneath him. A thin layer of sweat broke out on his temples. His jaw clenched silently.
It had been a long time since Song Xu felt this way.
His eyelids took on a sharper, more sarcastic edge than usual. He sneered, "Would a gentleman have brought you back to his room last night?"
Implying he was no good man.
He had said as much last night.
The noble do not listen, do not look, do not get stirred up.
He listened, looked, and acted.
And did more than just act.
Where was the nobility in that?
Wen Bairan’s heart pounded. The unfathomable darkness in Song Xu’s eyes made her tremble with fear; it was as if she could hear the roar of waves crashing against the rocks, ready to surge up at any moment and drag her under, leaving no trace behind.
She furrowed her brows tightly, leaning back to put distance between them. "Mr. Song, I’m not the kind of person who would stoop to anything for business. If I’ve given you the wrong idea, I can resign. Right now."
As her words fell, the car fell into dead silence.
Song Xu suddenly calmed down.
The defensive and unfamiliar expression on Wen Bairan’s face made it seem as if she had never known him.
She thought he had just been making a pass at her.
Wen Bairan wasn’t joking; she despised the idea of using her body to exchange for anything. Even during her time with Zhou Lin, she had countless opportunities to gain various resources and material benefits from him, but she never did. Ms. Xie’s teachings were ingrained in her; she would never be a flimsy calling card, used and discarded.
Admittedly, looking back now, everything last night happened too quickly, a mix of chance and the mood. Perhaps she had chosen the wrong person, leading Song Xu to misunderstand, but she could prove she wasn’t the kind of person driven by money or fame.
"I thought we both enjoyed last night," Song Xu said.
Wen Bairan went still.
She watched as he reached into the center console and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. The car lighter glowed orange-red.
Song Xu leaned back into his seat, the cigarette dangling from his lips, a deep haze in his eyes.
He rolled down the window, and a blast of heat rushed in through the gap, clearing the air for them both.
Wen Bairan heard him say, "You don’t have to move to Team One."
"But I hope this isn't over between us."