Chapter 91: I Have Come to Apologize

“Be friends?”

Ruan Mianmian felt dizzy at these words. Why was everyone suddenly taking on such a humble tone? At least with Jiang Ce, his unrequited love for her had built up over time. But what was Jian Yanzhi up to now?

She didn’t believe for a second that Jian Yanzhi could fall for her so easily. Most likely, seeing that she had lost interest in him, he felt unsettled and wanted to claw back her attention in any way he could.

Jian Yanzhi squirmed under Ruan Mianmian’s scrutinizing gaze. “Could you not look at me like I’m your mortal enemy? What terrible thing have I done to make you reject me so fiercely?”

Of course she had cause! Plenty of cause!

Ruan Mianmian blinked, then withdrew her gaze. “How about this: transfer me to the design department. I want to do something I actually enjoy.”

“Design department?”

The shift in her thought process was so abrupt Jian Yanzhi could barely follow. He remembered her major in college was management, so why did she suddenly want to dabble in design?

Though Ruan Mianmian was known for her fleeting interests, Jian Yanzhi still asked, “What would you do in the design department?”

“Interior design, obviously! Isn’t your company in real estate?”

Jian Yanzhi let out a long, helpless sigh, his expression troubled. “You know, not just anyone can get into the design department. Do you have any real skills?”

What nonsense was this?

Ruan Mianmian arched a brow. “As the company’s largest shareholder, do I need a reason to parachute into the design department? Can’t I do as I please since I have the money? And what’s your deal, anyway? If you don’t agree, I’ll see you in HR!”

“Fine, fine.” Jian Yanzhi nodded reluctantly, but he decided to lay out the conditions first. “You can transfer, but you’ll have to follow my instructions, and don’t expect a high position. So think carefully.”

“Tsk tsk!” A true businessman indeed—still so clear-headed at a time like this.

Ruan Mianmian curled her lips, not at all concerned. “You don’t need to give me any title. I’m already the director; I’ll join the design department as director.”

Jian Yanzhi was speechless.

But watching the proud, exuberant look on her face, he suddenly broke into a genuine smile and nodded. “It’s rare to see you this excited. Alright, I’ll agree.”

What?

Ruan Mianmian swayed in surprise, utterly unprepared. She’d thought Jian Yanzhi would refuse, so she could continue with her plans to resign. Who would’ve thought this devious man would actually agree!

She stared at him in disbelief. “Are you serious? I’m about to meddle in your precious design department! And you’re just letting me?”

This was nothing like the plot she imagined.

Jian Yanzhi simply pulled out his phone and dialed Zhou Xin from HR. He put the call on speaker.

Zhou Xin’s voice came through: “President Jian, Director Ruan already spoke to you? Should I prepare the resignation forms?”

“Yes, she did,” Jian Yanzhi replied, then continued, “But there’s no need for resignation forms. Bring over the transfer forms instead.”

He paused, glancing at Ruan Mianmian. “She’ll need an interdepartmental transfer form. From today onward, Director Ruan will be officially assigned to the design department.”

What?

This news struck Zhou Xin like a thunderclap, leaving her momentarily stunned.

Moments later, the rest of the HR team saw their manager rummaging frantically through drawers for transfer documents.

Before long, word spread that Ruan Mianmian was moving to the design department.

HR acted quickly; by noon, the sign on Ruan Mianmian’s office already bore the design department prefix.

Jian Yanzhi looked at Ruan Mianmian, who seemed awkward and ill at ease, and boasted, “Well? Are you satisfied?”

Satisfied, my foot!

Ruan Mianmian rolled her eyes at him in exasperation. She’d only suggested this to make things difficult for him, and now she’d been forced into a corner. She was barely an art student with the most basic skills—what did she know about design? Annoying!

After noon, as the lunch break began, Ruan Mianmian prepared to go find something to eat. She hadn’t even left the doors on the thirty-second floor when she noticed a stir outside, as if some uninvited guest had arrived. Everyone wore peculiar expressions.

Curious, she followed them out and, spotting Shen Ting, immediately understood the cause of the commotion.

From the way Shen Ting stood there, staring straight at her, Ruan Mianmian could tell she’d been waiting specifically for her.

Sure enough, as soon as she appeared, Shen Ting approached.

“Let’s have lunch together.”

Ruan Mianmian raised her brows slightly, chuckling, “Are we really that close?”

Shen Ting replied directly, “I’m here to apologize.”

Apologize?

How interesting.

Ruan Mianmian hadn’t expected that answer. She nodded readily. “Alright, let’s go to that new café downstairs.”

Shen Ting’s expression shifted—it was the place Ruan Mianmian had mentioned during the phone call when Shen Ting was kidnapped.

Once downstairs, the two of them entered the café. The environment was pleasant, clean, and peaceful, accompanied by soft piano music—a good choice.

They settled into a quiet corner, ordered two coffees and some desserts, setting the stage for an early afternoon tea.

“Go on,” Ruan Mianmian said, arms crossed, looking at Shen Ting with a hint of anticipation.

Shen Ting seemed awkward, unsure where to begin.

“Ladies, your coffee. Please enjoy.”

The waiter’s arrival broke the silence. After thanking him, Ruan Mianmian looked at Shen Ting and said coolly, “Don’t bother thinking up an apology. I won’t believe it anyway. Just tell me why you’re really here today.”

Shen Ting glanced at her in surprise, then said, “I’m going back to Lan City.”

Ruan Mianmian nodded slowly, unsurprised. After all, there was nowhere else for her to go.

“I’m sorry… for what I did to you before.”

Shen Ting’s expression was conflicted; it was clear apologizing didn’t come easily to her. But her attitude was sincere, so Ruan Mianmian didn’t say anything harsh.

Shen Ting went on, “After everything that’s happened, I’ve done a lot of thinking. Sometimes I don’t even know why I did those things, as if someone was always pushing me from behind.”

She looked up. “I’m not saying this to shirk responsibility—it’s just how I truly feel. Even now I can’t understand where all that hatred toward you came from. Looking back, so much of it was unnecessary. So this time, I really wanted to apologize sincerely. I hope you understand.”

Ruan Mianmian glanced at her in silence, a flicker of emotion surfacing in her eyes.

In the end, weren’t these characters all just puppets, forced into roles the author had assigned them? They acted out their parts, doing things in line with their character profiles.

Thinking of it this way, Ruan Mianmian found that she didn’t dislike Shen Ting quite as much anymore.