C1 Enemies Always Cross Paths

The atmosphere in the conference room was solemn.

Nian Wanwan, dressed in a light coffee-colored business outfit, had just turned on the projector when a photo of a couple kissing passionately appeared on the big screen. The room collectively gasped, their eyes turning to the woman standing by the projector. It wasn't just any photo; the man in it was Wanwan's husband, the boss of the company—Qin Yanting.

The man in the photo was handsome and elegant, and though the woman's face was obscured, Wanwan recognized her instantly.

"Is everyone that free?" Wanwan raised an eyebrow with a casual smirk, glancing around the room. Everyone quickly averted their eyes, understanding the cue. "Meeting adjourned."

With a calm and graceful stride, Wanwan left the room, ignoring the whispers behind her, as if none of it mattered.

"Miss Nian, long time no see." A deep, magnetic voice filled with a hint of teasing reached her ears. The familiar tone made Wanwan shiver slightly. She looked up, disbelief flashing briefly in her eyes.

The man before her wore a gray trench coat, his tall and slender frame as striking as a model's. His relaxed yet noble demeanor was complemented by his sharp short hair and handsome features. His narrow eyes, reminiscent of a leopard's, narrowed slightly, gleaming with a sharp, focused gaze fixed on her.

Nian Wanwan felt a storm raging inside her, yet her face remained calm and composed. She never imagined their meeting five years later would unfold like this.

Pei Chenglin, her first love, the deepest scar hidden in her heart.

Wanwan's lips curved into a subtle, serene smile as she extended her slender hand. "Mr. Pei."

Pei Chenglin raised an eyebrow, reaching out with his familiar warm, dry grip, pulling her closer with a bit more force than necessary. "A handshake should be closer, Miss Nian. Didn't your company teach you that in etiquette training?" His smile was charming but carried a hint of mischief.

Wanwan's smile faltered slightly, her eyes growing distant. "Thanks for the reminder."

As she tried to pull her hand back, he held on tightly.

Her smile turned cold. "Is there something else, Mr. Pei?"

"I have something I'd like to give you personally." Pei Chenglin said with a casual air, retrieving an item from his pocket and twirling it between his fingers. "Does this look familiar, Miss Nian?"

His nonchalant tone made Wanwan's eyes follow his hand, and her expression changed abruptly.

Between his long, elegant fingers was a jade hairpin, the kind she'd searched for a long time to find. The magnolia flower at the tip was about to bloom. She'd lost it a few nights ago when she went to a bar.

Nian Wanwan clenched her fists, thinking that night had been nothing more than a dream.

"Seems like you remember something," Pei Chenglin said, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. He pulled her closer with a firm grip, leaning in slightly. "Next time... be more careful."

His voice was gentle, but his warm breath on Wanwan's neck felt like a cold snake slithering over her skin, leaving a chilling sensation.

Wanwan bit down hard, her fingertips turning cold. Pei chuckled softly, effortlessly placing a hairpin back in her hair.

"Returning it to its rightful owner," he said with a confident smile.

"Mr. Pei," a calm voice interrupted. Wanwan turned to see Qin Yanting approaching with several others.

Instinctively, she pulled her hand back. Pei didn't stop her, merely watching the newcomers with a relaxed smile. "Director Qin, always busy, I see."

"Not at all, sorry for not greeting you sooner," Qin replied, his handsome features sharp and clear. He glanced at Wanwan, frowning slightly. "Wanwan, are you feeling unwell?"

"Wanwan?" Pei repeated the name under his breath, his eyes darkening.

"Let me introduce you. This is my wife, Nian Wanwan," Qin said, elegantly pulling Wanwan to his side. "And this is Mr. Pei, as you already know."

Nian Wanwan lowered her eyes and nodded absentmindedly, her brow furrowing slightly.

“Are you feeling okay?” Qin Yanting noticed her subtle gesture and asked with concern.

“No, I’m fine. I just have some things to take care of, so I’ll be leaving now.” Wanwan gave a polite but distant smile as she awkwardly pulled away from Qin Yanting's embrace.

“Mrs. Qin,” Pei Chenglin said in a deep voice, intentionally raising it a notch, “take care of yourself.”

Wanwan glanced sideways at him. His handsome face wore a faint, enigmatic smile, his eyes holding a teasing glint.

Crazy.

With a cool demeanor, Wanwan turned and walked away with graceful steps, her back as straight as a bamboo stalk.

“Miss Nian, a call for you.” Her assistant, Sheng Yuan, approached, noticing her pale face and expressing some concern. “Do you need a break?”

She had heard about the incident in the conference room earlier, but it wasn’t her place to comment on her boss’s personal affairs. Wanwan simply waved her hand dismissively.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Mr. Qin.”

Mr. Qin?

As soon as Wanwan stepped into her office, the phone on her desk rang again. She frowned slightly and responded, “Got it, cancel my evening plans.”

Mr. Qin called again shortly after, insisting that Wanwan must come home tonight. She had just left work and hadn’t even reached the door when she heard the sound of something being smashed inside.