C20 The Strength To Keep On Going

Time flies without Mu Qingzhu really noticing it. The morning is quiet and productive. By the time noon arrives, Mu Qingzhu straightened up her desk and got ready to go out for lunch.

There was a cafeteria especially for the Ruan Group employees, but Mu Qingzhu wanted to avoid any awkward interactions with people she knew there, so she took the elevator to find a place to eat outside the company walls.

She pressed the button to the employee elevator and stepped to the side, waiting quietly. There were two types of elevators at the Ruan Group: employee elevators and special agent elevators. The latter catering only to the high-up staff. Normally, Mu Qingzhu would use the employee elevator. The only people allowed to use the special agent elevator were Ruan Hanyu, Qian Anrou, or Ji Xuan.

The elevator doors immediately descended. Usually, there were not many people who rode the elevators. The 86th floor was one of the highest floors apart from Ruan Hanyu’s 88th floor, which he alone occupied. The 87th floor didn’t count because there were not many people on this floor, so the elevator usually skipped this area.

The moment the elevator door opened, Mu Qingzhu walked in without taking a look at the other occupants. When she looked up, she was surprised to see Mu Qingqian in full regale in the Ruan family’s light red secretary suit. She appeared too preoccupied with her phone to notice Mu Qingzhu. She was staring into the screen of the latest Apple phone, a smile playing at the corner of her mouth.

The shock of seeing her cousin there could not stop her from asking, “Mu Qingqian, what are you doing here?”

Mu Qingqian heard the question in her voice and peeled her eyes from the phone. When she saw Mu Qingzhu’s face full of doubt, she smiled at her sweetly. Yet her eyes remained cold and her face was full of disdain as she said, “Why can’t I be here? If you have no problem with staying in the Ruan Group, why can’t I? It makes sense because I am younger and prettier than you. Director Qian supports what I’m doing and Director Ruan seems to appreciate me. And of course, I want to join the Ruan Group. Who doesn’t aspire to work in the best company in A City? Do you find anything wrong with that?”

After having said that, she threw back her head haughtily. She did not spare Mu Qingzhu any of her confident and arrogant words.

Mu Qingzhu’s heart was heavy. The events last night left her with a clear understanding of Mu Qingqian’s actions. But her grief was insurmountable. She gave Mu Qingqian a cold smile and said, “Mu Qingqian, I don’t think you understand fully the capacity of what you’re doing. As your cousin, it is my duty to remind you that due to your current age, you should put school first and not climb the corporate ladder or take shortcuts. People who quit school don’t usually end up succeeding in life. Not only that, but your actions could prove damaging to others. Don’t just think of yourself and how it might benefit you. Keep in mind that the decisions you make will affect other people as well.”

After she finished with her speech, the elevator bell just happened to ding. Once the doors opened, she turned around and walked out of the elevator with her head held up high.

“Mu Qingzhu, stop right there.” Mu Qingzhu’s words had left her angry and embarrassed as she shouted out from behind her, “You’re just jealous. You are someone who was discarded by Director Ruan. Why do you keep thinking that everyone is like you, continually being abandoned by men? Well, think again. I’m nothing like you!”

These words seemed to have hit a chord within Mu Qingzhu. Standing there quietly, she let everything just seep in. Eventually, when she did turn around, her eyes were cold and impenetrable. She stared straight at Mu Qingzhu, her gaze unflinching as she slowly made her way towards her step by step.

Since a young age, Mu Qingqian had always been daunted whenever she was being compared to her elder sister who by all appearances was a perfect woman. Although she always felt not good enough, she never dared to express her feelings. But today, she had spoken rudely first and provoked Mu Qingzhu’s anger. Mu Qingzhu had stepped into the world first and as a result, she was more knowledgeable and experienced. Mu Qingqian felt lacking in this respect as she was forced to retreat step by step from Mu Qingzhu’s advancing steps. Inwardly, Mu Qingqian was silently panicking.

“What’s the use of continuing my studies? Even after graduating, only a few can find jobs. Wouldn’t it make sense if you’re given the opportunity to enter a company like Ruan Group, where the benefits are abundant, to take the chance right away? I have made the right choice. Besides, Director Qian believes in me. With her behind my back, there is only one direction I am moving towards and that is up. You have no right to tell me what to do.”

Her words seemed to have restored Mu Qingqian’s confidence again. She stood up straight and tall and stared right back into Mu Qingzhu’s eyes.

“And you? What is it that you want? Let me tell you, you’re only dreaming if you think you can rely on Ruan Hanyu to take back your family’s property. Director Ruan will never go out of his way to help you. You only have your pretty face to depend on. I am also much younger and prettier than you. You should make way for the newer generation. By the way, you’re just old news.”

Mu Qingzhu felt like her heart was being stabbed by a sharp knife. But she could no longer keep herself vulnerable around such a heartless person. While raising her hand that was wrapped in white gauze, she said coldly, “Mu Qingqian, the decisions you make are your business. But I’m warning you, stay out of my way and don’t try to play tricks in front of me. Otherwise, I will hold you accountable. Don’t forget, I remember everything and am not easy to forgive.”

Mu Qingzhu took that moment to touch her injured hand. Mu Qingqian took note of this with a cold look in her eyes. Mu Qingqian’s stare was ice cold as she continued to look at Mu Qingzhu, but she dared not utter another word.

Mu Qingzhu gave her a cold smile and turned around to walk away.

A man in gentlemen’s attire stood outside the building. His entire body was bathed in the sun’s glow, spotlighting him in the golden dancing light, making him appear very eye-catching.

He smiled and his voice carried it with a pleasant aura.

“Zhu.”

Mu Qingzhu then noticed Jing Chengrui’s figure next to the expensive Rolls-Royce. He greeted her with a warm smile.

“President Jing.” Mu Qingzhu had just made her way down the stairs when she was stunned to see her friend. She quickened her pace, so she could be closer to him. “Mr. Rui, tell me, why are you here?”

Raising her head, she looked up at him, a playful smile teasing on her face.

Jing Chengrui smiled but then his expression became more somber when he saw Mu Qingzhu’s hand. His voice was filled with concern when he asked, “Zhu, how is your hand? I looked everywhere but I couldn’t find you last night. Where were you?”

Was he talking about last night?

Feelings of discomfort rattled her from her good mood. She shook her head, and said, “It’s okay. I’m fine now.”

“Of course, you look better today.” Jing Chengrui’s soulful eyes were full of the pity that he must’ve felt for this woman. “I still want to hear you play piano. Can you make this happen?”

“Not a problem.” Mu Qingzhu’s laughter was clear as a bell. The dark blue windshield of the car reflected on her red lips, revealing the charm of her smile. The sun over their heads was not particularly heavy. Rather the light shining down dyed her face a glowing red pigment. All the sadness and tragedy in her heart seemed to have faded away. At this moment, there was no other place she wanted to be. “Young Master Jing, as long as you don’t grow tired of my playing, I am willing to perform for you at any time. Just give me the word.”

This made Jing Chengrui burst into laughter again. “Zhu, let’s go now. Let me treat you to some Western cuisine. I want to try the Western cuisine of A City and see if the taste is comparable to America.”

“This…” Mu Qingzhu hesitated for a bit. Even though it was lunchtime, there was still that meeting at three she still had to look forward to.

“Don’t worry about it. The place is not too far. We can get there, have a little lunch, and get back without it affecting your work.” The look in Jing Chengrui’s eyes was dark. As he turned his gaze toward the towering building before him, he could not help but feel a sense of loss.

It was out of his expectations that Mu Qingzhu would return to A City to work at the Ruan Group. The fact that she did left him very unhappy and he wanted to know the reasoning behind her decision.

Why did she choose this place that was associated with all sorts of bad memories? Was it just for the sake of getting closer to Ruan Hanyu?

“Don’t worry about it. Let’s get going.” With an elegant smile on his face, Jing Chengrui opened the door.

Without any further hesitation, Mu Qingzhu got into the car.

She was grateful to Jing Chengrui for all that he had done for her. When she had first run away three years ago, Ruan Hanyu did not give her a single cent. During her three years in America, she focused her attention on studying car model design. All the money she had saved up was being used up in tuition money and rent. It came to a point when she would need to find a job while balancing school at the same time.

However, when she was forced to find a job dealing with car model design, she was met with a cold reception. No one believed in her.

On that particular day, dark stormy clouds hovered over the sky. She stood by the small river, clutching her car design in her hand. The fruitless job search left her disheartened, cold, and hungry. She was at her wit’s end and had nowhere else to turn to. Her face was as overcast as the sky above her.

Walking towards her was a man wearing a casual denim T-shirt and a peaked cap. Though his dress was casual, his temperament seemed to speak of his good spirits and welcoming attitude.

His movements were relaxed and calm. A faint smile could be seen on his face.

That day, he happened to see Mu Qingzhu’s design and ended up chatting with her for a long time. He saw that she had potential and encouraged her.

Then, life made a drastic turn. That man’s company called and she eventually became the designer of Jingrui Group.

Who could’ve known that in less than a few months, the car model she designed would receive such notoriety that it would become world-famous?!

Mu Qingzhu was just getting used to her success, but something had happened at home!

She was left with no choice but to drop everything and rush back!