Arrogant Man VS Unyielding Woman

"The follow-up work for the Qi Group?" Jean stunned for a while and shook her head. "Boss, I haven't been in our company long enough. And I am afraid that there are still many things..."

"Do not worry, John will help you." Sonny seemed to have already made this decision. Jean still wanted to talk more about this issue. But when she realized that Sonny would not be deterred from his decision, she gave up her intention to reject such an embarrassing assignment. "But boss, she is just a new employee who knows nothing about our company. After all, the Qi Group is an important client. If Jean makes any mistake... all our efforts will be in vain. Consequently, it will damage the interests of our company."

Although Sonny was a famous photographer, he had been working in the investment industry for many years. Naturally, he knew that the senior employees would have doubts about this assignment. So he cleared his throat and said, "You have already seen the pictures of different thematic groups showed on PowerPoint. I can tell all of you that some were taken by Jean on her business trip. Although she is a newcomer, shooting experience is not new to her."

Till this moment, every person in that conference room had their own assumptions about Jean, be it because they had heard the rumors about the Weibo incident or the gossip about her possible intimate relationship with Sonny. None of them had actually thought that she had earned this apprenticeship because she was skilled. It was thus, surprising to them that some of those amazing photos had been taken by Jean. As the realization sunk in, they went quiet. Some fidgeted while others glanced at Jean with guilt. The conference room was so silent that even a pin dropping on the floor would be clearly heard. For a newcomer like Jean to show such skill was enough to

Settle the disagreement among the employees. After the meeting, Jean followed Sonny to his office.

"Boss, can you assign someone else to deal with this matter? I have not been here long. There is still so much for me to learn..."

"No, you are qualified to take this assignment." Sonny put down his notebook computer and tidied up the photos on his table. He lowered his head and said, "I saw the news about you and Zed Qi, the CEO of Qi Group, not long ago. I didn't know that you were his wife. But I don't think your relationship is that intimate. I guess the reason that you don't want to be responsible for this assignment is that you are concerned about meeting Zed when going to his company."

The last time Sonny went to the Qi Group, he happened to see Jean and Zed talk at the door of the elevator. The atmosphere between them had obviously been strange, which made Sonny imagine that they might have had a quarrel.

Jean was highly gifted in photography. Sonny expected to make her an extraordinary photographer under his tutelage. He was absolutely certain that if given the chance, she could improve her professional ability. What was more important was that he was not willing to see his only apprentice be influenced by her family affairs.

At the meeting today, Sonny could clearly see that Jean was somewhat absent-minded. He did not know what she was thinking about, but he was sure that her thoughts must be related to Zed Qi.

Only at this moment did Jean realize that Sonny had already known about the relationship between Zed and her. Rumors about her had spun out of control on Weibo. And almost everyone in the city had been talking about her personal affairs since the incident first came to light. However, Jean had thought that Sonny was not interested in such news and might not know about her personal challenges. Suddenly her thoughts were verified wrong as her marriage and other intimate details were known to Sonny. She was somewhat embarrassed.

"But I..."

"Don't be hesitant anymore. You have to focus on your work with all your heart. Don't think about anything else. You need to take your photos to the Qi Group and show them to related personnel this afternoon. I must leave now to catch my flight. Let's talk about it later." After seeing Sonny out, Jean returned to her seat. She felt like a deflated ball and seemed to have no strength. Different thoughts flooded through her mind.

Jean was determined to forget what happened that night at Kim Village and choose a good time to divorce Zed. But she worried that her resolve would be shaken after going to the Qi Group and meeting Zed.

But no matter what was going on in her mind, she had to go. She no longer had a choice.

For now, it would be easier if she did not think about anything. Jean remembered what Sonny had said and decided to devote herself to finishing this assignment successfully.

Jean accompanied John to the Qi Group later that afternoon. And luckily, she did not encounter Zed when she arrived. After sending the photos to the Propaganda Department, Jean spent about two hours waiting for the results. It was said that her photos had small problems and needed to be modified.

They had a simple discussion during which Jean learned of the problems and the modifications required.

"You are going to handle these small problems. Is that all right?" In the elevator, John asked Jean in a sweet voice.

Jean shook her head and said, "No problem." After looking at the time, she then realized that it was already way past her working hours.

John also noticed the time and said, "You don't have to go back to the company. Can these photos be modified by tomorrow afternoon?" "Yes."

"That's great!" The elevator took them to the first floor. As John and Jean stepped out from the elevator, Zed appeared. Jean had worried about meeting Zed. The whole afternoon and evening had gone past, and they hadn't seen Zed. She had been relieved and had found herself focusing on her work. However, at Zed's sudden appearance, she felt shaken.

Jean didn't want to see Zed for fear that she would become flustered and distracted. But when she saw Zed, she was a little surprised and delighted.

Zed stood by the elevator. His tall and thin frame was dressed in black. With the expression on his face, he looked very gloomy. When he noticed who had been in the elevator, he raised his head as if to show his arrogance and superiority.

"Zed... Mr. Qi." She corrected herself in front of the outsiders. She wanted to ask him how he was doing. The words were on the tip of her tongue, but somehow, she couldn't bring herself to say anything.

John stood by Jean and was a little taken aback. He also knew about the situation between Zed and Jean. So he greeted Zed before excusing himself from building awkward situation. "Mr. Qi, lovely to meet you. Unfortunately, I have to return home for some personal business. Have a great evening!"

"You..." Jean stood on tiptoe as she tried to stop John. However, he had disappeared in the crowd. He walked so quickly that it was clear that he had deliberately left space for Zed and Jean to talk.

"Tonight do you have..." asked Jean with expectation.

"No." Zed's voice was unusually cold. Jean had never heard Zed speak with her like that before. Jean shivered at his tone and wondered why he had become so indifferent to her.

Jean's entire body trembled and the smile on her face seemed frozen in place.

Since it was the end of the working day, several employees were leaving their offices and heading home. When they noticed that their boss and a beautiful lady were standing by the elevator, they all stopped to gawk. After Jean and John had come down from the elevator, no one dared to use it.

Just as the doors of the elevator were closing, Zed quickly stepped through them. And then the doors closed tightly.

Jean felt as though the sky had fallen and everything was lost. Her head throbbed as she tried to fathom what had changed Zed's feelings. She stood there in utter confusion. Overwhelmed with heartache she kept asking herself, 'Why?

Why was Zed's attitude so different from before?'

That night, was she really so drunk as to have imagined that Zed had treated her gently? Did she dream that Zed had said that he loved her?

Jean was so dazed that she didn't know how she walked out of the Qi Group building. Her heart was empty, and every time she thought of his cold answer, a spasm of pain rushed through her.

Jean found a bus station nearby, waited there for the bus to arrive, and then got on the bus.

Lately, she had found comfort in a long bus ride. Since she had no one to talk to and nowhere in particular to go, a bus ride seemed a great option. She found it soothing to stare out of the window as the bus rumbled through the busy city roads from its starting station to the terminal. A destination in particular, seemed unimportant. This time as well, Jean took the bus. She found a comfortable spot near a window and leaned against it to watch the world whisk by. It was rush hour and there was a traffic jam. Jean was lost in her thoughts as she watched the crowd coming and going.

This was the most bustling street in the city. There were people everywhere; in cars, in buses, on cycles and the pedestrian walk. There was so much noise!

But Jean felt completely isolated from the world. The jollification and business around had nothing to do with her. At that moment, she could not hear anything.

In her mind, there was only the indifferent voice of Zed. She replayed their meeting in her mind again and again, and each time, it was like a knife through her heart.

It felt so ridiculous, that she could not help laughing. Just as quickly as she had started, Jean stopped. Tears threatened to escape but Jean pursed her lips together in order not to cry out. She wiped away the few that had fallen against her will.

The next day, Jean went to work and pretended as though nothing had happened. She modified the photos and sent them back to the Propaganda Department of the Qi Group. This time her photographs were approved. Since Jean's work was done, she decided to take a break.

She went to the water cooler and made herself a cup of coffee. When she came out, she happened to meet John.

John had been holding a cup. They didn't know each other well and shared little common ground. Although John was one year younger than Jean, he was exceptionally calm. He was Sonny's assistant, but his skill in photography was not inferior to any person employed by Sonny.

Since John had a very attractive and handsome face, most female colleagues at the company fawned over John.

It was mid-afternoon, the window near the water cooler was wide open, and the sun slanted in. The warm sunlight shone on John as he entered the room. Dressed in causal clothes, with his hair neatly done, John looked charming. ☐☐☐☐☐