It was simply a matter of not caring.
She dispersed the emotions in her eyes and accompanied Qin Ningyi to move to a new office.
Downstairs, in the brand design department.
Wang Wanrou had been feeling unhappy ever since she met Huo Rou. How could someone have such a similar aura to her? She had worked so hard to maintain hers, yet in front of Huo Rou, she felt like a fake.
Especially Huo Rou's face, the kind that would evoke pity even in men. It was naturally alluring, yet she didn't fully utilize it. If she had such a face, she would definitely have Qin Ningyi now.
"Who are the people coming to the company to discuss business today?" she asked the receptionist.
"Quite a few people are coming today." The receptionist got along well with her. Although Wang Wanrou's voice was a little affected, she was a kind person and often gave them little gifts.
As they were talking, Huo Nanru came down from upstairs and walked out of the company. Wang Wanrou noticed Huo Rou was no longer by her side, which made her even more curious. She pointed at Huo Nanru and turned to ask, "Her, and before that… there was someone even prettier who came with her."
"Oh, them. They are from Yuda Security Company, an information security firm."
"Information security? Computer science?" Wang Wanrou never expected someone who looked like that to be in a STEM field.
"Yes. And the pretty one used to come to the company often too." The receptionist hadn't been there long, but she had seen Huo Rou a few times.
"Don't be fooled by her looks. Her clothes are all worn out, so she probably doesn't have much money at home." The receptionist gossiped. "You're the impressive one, Sister Wanrou. You're a graduate student from a prestigious overseas university, with great temperament and a good family background."
Hearing herself praised so highly, Wang Wanrou felt quite pleased. She took off a ring from her finger and handed it to the receptionist. "My brother gave me several yesterday. I'll give this one to you."
The receptionist, delighted with the gift, praised Wang Wanrou even more effusively.
When they left work, Wang Wanrou went home in the same car as Qin Feifei. As they came out of the garage, they saw Qin Ningyi seeing Huo Rou off. Wang Wanrou's face instantly contorted.
"Heh, I told you my brother wouldn't like you." Qin Feifei followed her gaze and couldn't help but mock her.
"Sister Qin." Wang Wanrou turned to Qin Feifei and forced a smile. The meaning in her eyes was clear. Qin Feifei, remembering a certain incident, turned away and stopped talking.
Whatever. Her brother wouldn't like this Wang Wanrou anyway. She'd tolerate her for a few more days, just for the sake of the next quarter's new product launch.
Wang Wanrou harbored a suppressed anger. When she returned to the Qin family villa for dinner, she didn't see Qin Ningyi. She vaguely guessed what was happening.
"Feifei, has Ningyi been working late again?" Su Nianzhu hadn't seen Qin Ningyi this evening either. Looking at Wang Wanrou's anxious, pitiful gaze, she finally asked.
Qin Feifei knew her mother's personality and decided it was best not to tell her certain things too soon. She smiled, "Mom, Ningyi has been very busy with work lately."
"No matter how busy he is, he should come home for dinner!" Su Nianzhu looked at Wang Wanrou and sighed.
Wang Wanrou frowned and ate her food daintily. She and Qin Feifei had seen Qin Ningyi and Huo Rou leave together, yet Qin Feifei now said Qin Ningyi was working late. Her suspicion grew stronger: Qin Ningyi and Huo Rou definitely had something going on!
After dinner, Qin Feifei didn't want to be with Wang Wanrou and went back to her room.
"Aunt Su, Brother Qin seems to have someone he likes. I don't have a chance anymore." Wang Wanrou choked back tears and sobbed to Su Nianzhu.
"How could that be? My son hasn't had any women around him for so many years." Su Nianzhu didn't believe it.
"It's true. This afternoon, he left work with a woman, and they looked very intimate." Wang Wanrou gently took Su Nianzhu's hand, crying dramatically. "Aunt Su, even if Brother Qin doesn't like me, I can still be your daughter and be filial to you."
"Don't say such foolish things!" Su Nianzhu felt heartbroken and gently embraced Wang Wanrou. "You're such a good girl. Ningyi will definitely like you."
"As for the person you mentioned, I think it might be An An's mother." Su Nianzhu guessed.
"An An is the illegitimate son you mentioned Brother Qin has?" Wang Wanrou was extremely surprised. Wasn't that woman a lowly Chinese woman?
"Most likely. Ever since An An found me, she moved to Yuchang City too." Su Nianzhu nodded. "So what if she's good at growing orchids? In the end, she's just someone who digs in the dirt."
She looked approvingly at Wang Wanrou's elegant posture. "No matter what, I won't allow my daughter-in-law to be that kind of person. Wanrou, Auntie truly likes you."
"From what I've seen over the years, you're the most suitable for Ningyi. And now, with such a good reason to stay and spend time together, Auntie will help you." Su Nianzhu patted her hand and smiled benevolently. "An An is a very sensible child. If you're willing to accept An An, Ningyi will know how good you are."
Wang Wanrou nodded obediently, then her eyes showed a struggle. "But Brother Qin doesn't even want to say more than a few words to me. No matter how hard I try, it's useless."
"Tomorrow evening, I'll arrange for Ningyi to come out. You'll have dinner together, have a few drinks, and sort things out. He'll then know how good you are." Su Nianzhu revealed her plan.
"Brother Qin will definitely refuse if he hears we're having dinner together." Wang Wanrou's eyes lit up, then she lowered her head, calculating in her mind. "If Brother Qin disagrees, it might hurt your mother-son relationship."
Hearing this, Su Nianzhu felt even more that Wang Wanrou was sensible and considerate, strengthening her resolve to match her with Qin Ningyi. "Then I'll say I want to meet that Huo Rou and send someone to pick her up for dinner."
Upon hearing this, Wang Wanrou's satisfied look was hidden by her lowered hair.
"But… isn't that deceiving Brother Qin?" Wang Wanrou hesitantly spoke, wanting to refuse the suggestion.
"I'm his mother, can he really be angry with me?" Su Nianzhu stroked her head. "Wanrou, you should dress up nicely tomorrow. With your talent, beauty, and family background, you're sure to impress Ningyi."
"Thank you, Aunt Su. You're so good to me." Wang Wanrou smiled sweetly, just like a young girl fresh out of school with no guile.
Su Nianzhu hadn't thought much of it before, but after spending a few days with Wang Wanrou, she increasingly felt that Huo Rou, having An An, was a scheming person.
But An An was a good child. If Huo Rou's intention was to use An An to tie down her son, that plan was doomed to fail. She would never let An An remain in Huo Rou's hands, used as a tool to get close to Ningyi.
Tomorrow, she would find someone to give Huo Rou a sum of money, enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life.