Director Fang Ping, her high heels clicking crisply, approached Sun Zhewen's desk. A mysterious smile played on her face, as if she had something to say.
"Xiao Sun, do you know?" Fang Ping lowered her voice, as if sharing a top-secret piece of information. "Chairman Chen is going to be transferred to Chengguan Town. You should seize the opportunity, and have Chairman Chen help you get transferred out of here! This place isn't suitable for you."
Sun Zhewen was taken aback. Fang Ping usually didn't pay him much attention, so her words today moved him a little. He looked up, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes. "Director Fang, transfers are for those with ability. I don't have anything, so how could I dare to think about a transfer?"
Fang Ping sighed, a hint of regret in her eyes. "Oh, that's true. It's a pity for a highly educated person like you. You've been here for six years, and if things continue like this, your future development will be limited."
Sun Zhewen understood that Fang Ping was speaking the truth. He had been working in the Women's Federation for six years, and he still hadn't found his place. He had no money, no connections, and it was as difficult as ascending to the heavens to make any achievements. Bitterness welled up in his heart. If he could become a clerk in even the most remote town, at least there would be a glimmer of hope. Here, he didn't even have that. He could only sigh helplessly, "Thank you, Director Fang. By the way, Director Fang, did you need something from me?"
Fang Ping suddenly slapped her forehead and laughed, "Look at me, talking nonsense for so long. I actually have something important to discuss with you."
Sun Zhewen immediately sat up straight, a serious expression on his face. "Director Fang, tell me what it is. I'll do whatever I can."
"It's like this. I see you're not so young anymore, and I want to introduce you to someone," Fang Ping said with a hint of teasing in her tone.
Sun Zhewen nearly fell out of his chair, a wry expression on his face. "Ah, Director Fang, about this... I'm afraid there's nothing I can do. I'm already married."
Director Fang's eyes widened instantly, staring at Sun Zhewen as if he'd just revealed a monumental secret. "You're married? How long have you been married? You're not joking with me, are you?" Her voice was filled with disbelief.
Sun Zhewen smiled faintly, a hint of helplessness and awkwardness in his eyes. "It's true, I'm married, I just haven't told anyone!"
Director Fang frowned, continuing to probe, "Which department is your wife in?"
Sun Zhewen shook his head. "She's not in the system."
Director Fang's curiosity intensified, her eyes sparkling. "Can you tell me who it is?" Her tone was thick with gossip.
Sun Zhewen was a little embarrassed, unsure whether to say anything, but eventually, everyone would find out anyway, so he said, "My wife's name is Li Zhiyan, and she works at Fengyun Group."
The moment Director Fang heard the words "Fengyun Group," an image of a tall, beautiful, and extraordinary woman executive immediately flashed in her mind. She exclaimed, "It's General Manager Li! Who knew? You, my friend, managed to marry such a beautiful and capable woman. Really, you had me worried for nothing."
Sun Zhewen forced a smile. "Fang Ping, thank you. At least you're concerned about me."
Chairman Fang waved her hand, chuckling. "Just worrying for nothing, worrying for nothing." But inside, she was already bursting to share this big news. She quickly said, "Sun, you get back to work. I'm leaving."
Sun Zhewen nodded. "Goodbye, Chairman Fang."
As soon as Chairman Fang left the office, she couldn't resist pulling out her phone and quickly dialed her best friend's number. "Hey, Old Li, you won't believe this! That Sun from our department got married, and it's to General Manager Li from Fengyun Group! Yes, that Li Zhiyan!"
As soon as Sun Zhewen sat down, the office's noise surged back like a tide. He looked down at the documents in his hand, wondering how to handle this sudden "interrogation." Several colleagues had already gathered around, their eyes gleaming with gossip.
"Zhewen, I heard Li Zhiyan is your wife? When are you bringing her to meet us? We want to see this powerful woman!" Zhang Li spoke first, her voice filled with undisguised curiosity.
"Sun, such a big event as your marriage, and you didn't even tell us in the office! Were you afraid we'd eat all your food?" Wang Fang chimed in, deliberately drawing out her words.
Sun Zhewen broke out in a cold sweat. He knew that once these women started gossiping, they wouldn't let him off easily. He could only force a smile. "Some other time, some other time, I'll treat you all to dinner."
"Great! Everyone remember, Sun Zhewen is treating us to a meal!" Zhang Li announced immediately, as if she could already taste the delicious feast.
Just as Sun Zhewen was trying to figure out how to escape, Chen Qingyan appeared at the door. The atmosphere in the office immediately became even more lively.
"Congratulations, Chairman Chen!" Everyone offered their congratulations in unison, as if they had rehearsed countless times.
Chen Qingyan raised an eyebrow and asked with a smile, "What are you all discussing here that's so lively?"
Wang Fang immediately jumped in to answer, "Chairman Chen, you don't know? Sun Zhewen is married! And his wife is Li Zhiyan, General Manager Li from Fengyun Group! If Director Fang hadn't been trying to set him up today, we wouldn't have known. Sun Zhewen said he's treating us to a meal."
Chen Qingyan's smile stiffened slightly, but she quickly recovered. She turned to Sun Zhewen, and a hint of displeasure flashed in her eyes. "Sun Zhewen, is this true?"
Sun Zhewen felt a cold wind rise from his feet, quickly spreading throughout his body. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and mumbled, "Chairman, it's true."
A trace of barely perceptible anger flashed in Chen Qingyan's eyes, but she still maintained her smile. "In that case, when will you be treating everyone to a meal?"
Sun Zhewen's heart thumped. He quickly found an excuse, "Um, later. She's been busy lately."
"Oh, you're already being considerate to your wife? That won't do. We're practically your family too, you know? Can't play favorites," Chen Qingyan deliberately drawled out the words.
Sun Zhewen felt his scalp tingle, and he silently groaned inwardly. This woman was unbearable when she got jealous. He quickly put on a smile, "Of course, of course, we're all family."
Sun Zhewen looked at Chen Qingyan with a pleading expression, his voice laced with helplessness and entreaty: "Chairman, please spare me."
The others, hearing this, all assumed that Little Sun was asking the Chairman to postpone the dinner. But only Sun Zhewen and Chen Qingyan knew that this wasn't just a simple matter of a dinner invitation.
Chen Qingyan snorted coldly, glanced around, her gaze like a knife sweeping over everyone: "All of you, work hard. Little Sun knows when he's going to treat us, right, Little Sun?"
Sun Zhewen nodded repeatedly, his tone ingratiating: "Yes, yes."