Chapter 411: I’m Coming Too

It had been a while since Yang Chen had visited the Public Relations Department. As soon as he stepped into the office, he was surrounded by a group of colorful ladies, the scent of their perfumes evoking a strong sense of nostalgia.

"Yang, now that you're the director, you're acting all high and mighty, huh? Haven't seen you around to visit us sisters for a long time," one of the senior public relations ladies teased.

Yang Chen gave an embarrassed smile, "It's just that we've all been quite busy since the New Year. I've missed all you beautiful ladies."

"Sweet talker. I heard you found yourself a foxy secretary. Bet you're up to no good every day," Zhang Cai said, pouting as she munched on a sandwich cookie.

Yang Chen was taken aback. How had An Xin's affairs reached the headquarters? It seemed An Xin's reputation as a temptress wasn't just in his mind. Was it just women's intuition, or did An Xin really stand out that much?

"Don't say that. Maybe they're dating properly," Zhao Hongyan said, glancing oddly at Yang Chen.

"Properly dating, my foot. He's already married, didn't he say so himself," Zhang Cai mumbled.

"Eat your cookie and mind your own business," Zhao Hongyan said, tapping Zhang Cai's round face.

Yang Chen sensed that this close colleague might know something, but it didn't feel right to ask.

When Yang Chen walked into Liu Mingyu's office, she was sitting at her desk, engrossed in something on her computer.

Dressed in a pale blue uniform with a purple silk scarf wrapped around her slender neck, Liu Mingyu's elegant appearance was enhanced by her black-framed glasses, which added an intellectual charm reminiscent of a university professor. This sight stirred Yang Chen's thoughts and sparked a bit of mischievous fire within him.

Liu Mingyu looked up and smiled sweetly when Yang Chen entered. She was about to take off her glasses, but Yang Chen stopped her.

"Hey, don't take them off!" Yang Chen smiled as he intervened.

Liu Mingyu blinked, puzzled, and then lowered her hand, keeping the glasses on.

Yang Chen walked over to Liu Mingyu's side, tilted his head, and studied her closely. Seeing the blush rise to her cheeks, he finally said, "Mingyu, darling, where did you learn this glasses look?"

"Get out of here, what do you mean 'glasses look'," Liu Mingyu realized his thoughts, immediately took off the glasses, and tucked them into her drawer.

Yang Chen felt a pang of regret, but knowing that she might feel shy, he refrained from asking her to keep them on just to please him.

Liu Mingyu tapped her desk and directed Yang Chen, "Stop hovering around me and sit over there."

Yang Chen chuckled, "After all this time apart, you're not even a bit affectionate. Instead, you're pushing me away. It's heartbreaking."

"Stop acting cute. I've told you before, I'm not a young girl anymore. I've outgrown that phase. Who has time to act cutesy?" Liu Mingyu rolled her eyes at him, "I have serious matters to discuss with you."

"Yang Chen walked to the water dispenser, poured himself a glass of water, then casually sat down on the chair opposite Liu Mingyu's desk. Taking a sip, he asked, 'What's the matter? Tell me.'

Liu Mingyu, with a hint of concern on her face, hesitated for a moment before saying, 'My parents want to meet you.'

"Pfft—" Yang Chen almost choked on his water, spraying some out. Liu Mingyu frowned slightly, a bit displeased. 'What's with that reaction? Is this amusing to you?'

Waving his hand dismissively, Yang Chen replied, somewhat amused and bewildered, 'Did you tell your parents about us?'

'I did,' sighed Liu Mingyu. 'How could I not? I'm at that age where all my relatives and friends are either married or having children. If I didn't give my parents any news, they would start matchmaking me left and right. I had to say something. I told them we're dating, just that we've been busy and haven't informed them.'

"So, your uncle and aunt want to meet me?" Yang Chen grasped the situation.

"Is that okay?" Liu Mingyu nervously asked, somewhat anxious.

Yang Chen shrugged, "Why wouldn't it be? They're your parents. If I've run off with their daughter, they deserve to know, right? Borrowing something, you have to ask the owner; snatching a woman, how can I not ask the parents?"

"Stop being so crude! Can't you say something nicer?" Liu Mingyu blushed, but seemed relieved.

Following that, Liu Mingyu hesitated before saying, "But what if they want us to get married? You're already married, aren't you?"

Yang Chen looked straight at her and chuckled, "Do you want to marry me?"

Liu Mingyu hesitated for a moment, then shook her head. 'If I said I didn't want to, it would be a lie. But I know you won't really marry me. In your heart, I'm sure I'm not as important as Qian Ni. Not even as important as your unknown wife. Or even An Xin. The reason I chose to be with you is mostly because I need someone to rely on. Of course, I really like you and love you, but because of that, I only want things to stay as they are now. I'm starting to care less about marriage.'

"You silly woman, talking nonsense again. I'm not that biased. I'll handle this. If your uncle and aunt want to meet me, just arrange a time. It'll have to be in a few days though, I have some things to take care of," Yang Chen said after thinking for a moment.

Liu Mingyu nodded with a smile, not pressing on how Yang Chen planned to handle things. They fell silent for a while, Liu Mingyu lost in thought while Yang Chen pondered how to meet Liu Mingyu's parents.

Suddenly, Liu Mingyu said, "Hong Yan knows about us."

"Huh?" Yang Chen was caught off guard.

"I told Hong Yan about us being lovers. She came to my office a couple of days ago and asked me directly. I admitted it. She's an interesting girl, advising me not to degrade myself, not to ruin a lifetime of happiness for a fleeting emotion. Do you think she's right?" Liu Mingyu asked with a half-smile.

Yang Chen slapped his forehead. He had a feeling since that earthquake night in Sakura that Hong Yan had known about him and Liu Mingyu. After all, they shared a room, and with such a big commotion that night, she must have noticed Liu Mingyu wasn't in her room.

A woman's heart is always more delicate than imagined. Hong Yan probably pieced together the truth from many clues later on.

"She has a point. Following me, you'll never get the kind of devotion from a man that's worth it. But you have no other choice now. Being with me is like heading into a dead end, a road to nowhere," Yang Chen said firmly.

Liu Mingyu gave him a sidelong glance, "I knew you, this 'tyrant', would say that. You talk about democracy and righteousness, but you're more selfish than anyone."

Yang Chen rubbed his nose, awkwardly laughing to cover his embarrassment.

"Oh, by the way, there's a colleague gathering tonight. You should come," Liu Mingyu said eagerly.

Yang Chen asked, "From the Public Relations Department?"

"Also, it's because a few days ago I discussed it with Qian Ni. We're organizing a mixer between the Finance Department and the Public Relations Department. There are quite a few young promising guys in Finance, perfect for our sisters to scout," Liu Mingyu's eyes twinkled with gossip.

Yang Chen now understood. These two women were playing matchmakers. He hadn't expected Liu Mingyu and Mo Qian Ni's relationship to progress so quickly that they were already planning events together.

Thinking further, now that Mo Qian Ni was living with Rose, and with his three women, they were somehow building bridges in different ways, communicating their feelings with each other.

Yang Chen pondered if he should invite An Xin next time too, and have all four women play mahjong together.

"What indecent thoughts are you having now? Your jaw's about to fall off from laughing," Liu Mingyu asked disapprovingly. "Are you coming?"

"Will my presence not make things awkward for you guys?" Yang Chen asked with slight concern.

Liu Mingyu chuckled, "Do you think I'm the type to get jealous over you and Qian Ni? We'll do our thing. Inviting you is a matter of face, since you used to be part of our department. Otherwise, hmm, don't think being a branch manager makes you all that. I could still ignore you."

Yang Chen nodded knowingly, "In that case, I must go. I'm not one to forget my roots."

With that said, Yang Chen called home and told Guo Xuehua and Wang Ma that he wouldn't be coming home for dinner. After some thought, he decided to call Lin Ruoxi as well. It was a matter of respect between spouses, and after all, shouldn't he remember his "old wife"?

When Lin Ruoxi answered the phone, her voice was cool. "What's up?"

Yang Chen was used to this tone and didn't think much of it. "Are you busy? It's nothing major, just letting you know I won't be home for dinner tonight."

There was silence from Lin Ruoxi for a moment, then she suddenly asked, "What are you going to do?"

Yang Chen was surprised. Was Lin Ruoxi actually showing concern about what he was doing? That was unprecedented. Even when he was away for days, she never asked what he was up to.

"Should I be flattered that you're actually concerned about what I'm doing?"

"You called me out of respect, so I'm asking. If you don't want to say, forget it," Lin Ruoxi said, seemingly about to hang up.

"I was just saying," Yang Chen chuckled bitterly, feeling like he had touched a tender spot in Lin Ruoxi's heart, making her shy. "It's a mixer between the Public Relations and Finance Departments. I'm going to the gathering."

Lin Ruoxi hesitated before asking, "Organized by Qian Ni and Liu Mingyu?"

"Um, yeah. Is there a problem?" Yang Chen replied.

Suddenly, Lin Ruoxi said, "I'm going too."

Smack!

Yang Chen dropped his phone in surprise!