Volume 1, Chapter 6: There is no need to add me on WeChat

Roger knocked on the door and, upon receiving permission, stepped inside and stood before the sofa, his expression respectful and composed.

However, inwardly, he was quite unsettled. He had not expected to encounter such a scene on his very first day meeting the CEO's wife. His career as an executive assistant had just suffered its first major blow.

Lu Jinchuan lifted his chin. "Go find me a lawyer."

Roger’s expression shifted from confusion to surprise, and finally to seriousness. "Has there been an issue with the project? I will contact the legal department immediately."

Lu Jinchuan exhaled, his voice rising in volume, colder and sharper than it had ever been. "I want a divorce lawyer! Now! Immediately! Right this instant!"

A chill crept up Roger’s spine. He picked up his phone, bowed his head, and retreated out of the room.

Since Lu Jinchuan insisted on finding a lawyer, Ji Shu obliged him. "Fine. If you want a lawyer, then as you wish. Once the lawyer has reviewed everything, we will go handle the paperwork."

She cast a fleeting glance at the man, stood up, picked up her bag, and walked around the sofa to leave.

"Wait."

Lu Jinchuan stared at her inscrutably for a few seconds, his fingers tracing the edge of his desk. He spoke nonchalantly, "Add me back on WeChat. I’ll send you the new agreement once it’s drafted."

Ji Shu paused for a few seconds, a faint curve appearing on her lips. "No need. I just added Assistant Roger on WeChat. You don’t need to send the divorce agreement to me directly; just have Assistant Roger notify me."

With that, she turned and walked away. Just as she pulled the door open, Assistant Roger happened to be pushing it open from the outside.

Ji Shu offered a smile, nodded, and said, "Thank you for your hard work, Assistant Roger."

Roger watched the CEO’s wife leave with a bewildered expression, then turned to meet his CEO’s gaze.

Lu Jinchuan raised his eyes, his gaze cold and heavy, the oppressive weight of his presence hitting Roger head-on.

Roger recited the 'Executive Assistant’s Code of Conduct' in his mind, pressed his lips together, swallowed hard, and stepped forward, speaking cautiously. "Mr. Lu, the divorce lawyer has been found. Should I have him come over now?"

Lu Jinchuan’s face was dark. He took a deep breath, as if trying to inhale all the air in the room into his chest. He squeezed a furious question through his teeth: "Assistant Roger, are you in such a hurry?"

Roger: "..."

*Oh, heavens! Please judge who is loyal and who is treacherous!*

...

After leaving Shijia, Ji Shu went to the café where she had arranged to meet Gao Xia.

The café was not far from Shijia, and the environment was quiet and pleasant. Perhaps because it was a weekday, only a few scattered guests were sitting around; in contrast, there were more servers behind the bar than customers.

Ji Shu scanned the café and soon spotted Gao Xia waving enthusiastically from a corner.

As she approached, she saw that the small table was covered with all sorts of desserts and drinks.

Gao Xia was beaming, her hands spread wide to show off her 'trophies' to Ji Shu. With a mischievous grin, she excitedly began introducing them one by one.

It took a moment for Ji Shu to recover, her expression one of disbelief. "So many? Did you order the entire menu?"

Gao Xia didn't mind, shrugging her shoulders with a carefree, mock-helpless gesture. She walked around the table, wrapped an arm around Ji Shu, and said, "They say dessert can heal everything. Quickly, have a taste and see if you feel healed."

Ji Shu turned, nodded, and hugged her back. "Thank you, Xiaxia."

Gao Xia patted her back comfortingly. "Don’t overthink it. Tell me, what’s going on? How far along is the divorce process? Are you in the cooling-off period yet?"

Ji Shu gave a brief summary of what had happened that morning.

After listening, Gao Xia slammed her cup onto the table with a loud *thud*, drawing the attention of everyone nearby. She frowned, looking indignant. "How can Lu Jinchuan be so sluggish even when it comes to getting a divorce?"

Ji Shu remained calm. "It’s only a few days more. As long as he drafts the new divorce agreement, we can proceed with the paperwork."

Gao Xia nodded in agreement. The two raised their coffee cups and touched them together.

Ji Shu had originally thought that divorce would be agonizing, but the moment she truly made up her mind, she realized it wasn't as difficult as she had imagined.

It was like a wisdom tooth erupting—it causes inflammation, swelling, and pain, making it impossible to eat or drink. But once you muster the courage to go to the hospital and have it pulled, the pain disappears completely.

For Ji Shu, divorcing Lu Jinchuan was the same.

This time, she decided to surrender herself to reason and pull out the pain buried deep in her heart once and for all.

In the afternoon, Ji Shu was called back to her studio by a phone call, so her plans to eat with Gao Xia had to be rescheduled.

The head of the studio was her direct senior from two years above her, nicknamed 'Old Zhou.'

After graduating from the Fine Arts Academy, Old Zhou had secured investment to start the 'Everything Grows' studio, which focused on murals and wall paintings. Over the past few years, it had slowly built a reputation in the Beicheng design scene.

This was the first time Ji Shu had been called back while on leave. Along the way, she wondered if some earth-shattering event had occurred.

She rushed into the studio, fired up, only to push open the door to Old Zhou’s office and find him unhurriedly and contentedly brewing tea.

Still in the mood to brew tea—it seemed nothing major had happened.

Ji Shu’s tense nerves instantly relaxed. She pulled out a chair, sat steadily across from Old Zhou, rested her chin on one hand, and stared intently at him.

Ji Shu said, "Old Zhou, I remember asking for leave this morning. Don't you know that calling me back like this violates labor laws?"

Old Zhou remained calm and collected. He poured a cup of tea without haste and slid it slowly toward Ji Shu, smiling with scholarly grace. "Don't be so impatient. Have a sip of tea to moisten your throat first; this is freshly pried old white tea. Young people, don't let your temper flare so high."

Last year, 'Everything Grows' had competed for the same project as a neighboring design firm. Thinking it was a sure win, Old Zhou had started celebrating early. Not only did the project fall through, but he also ended up in the hospital in a fit of rage and had to undergo a minor surgery.

After that, Old Zhou seemed like a different person, shifting his focus from the pursuit of wealth to the art of wellness. Every day he practiced Tai Chi and Baduanjin at home, and he had hung a sign in the office that read, 'A broad heart brings its own blessings; a calm mind opens its own wisdom,' living out the life of someone who had entered their golden years early.

Old Zhou looked up and met her eyes. "Ji Shu, do you remember the Hilton Hotel project?"

Ji Shu pondered for a moment. "The relief mural in the Hilton lobby?"

Old Zhou nodded slightly.

Ji Shu frowned, asking suspiciously, "Wasn't that decided six months ago? They just never revealed which design firm got it."

Old Zhou frowned at the mention, waving his hand. "I heard wind of it yesterday. It seems that design firm intends to partner with an outside studio to complete the project."

The teacup was a bit hot, so Ji Shu set it aside.

"Partnering with an outside studio? Are they that desperate to not make money?" Ji Shu asked, confused.

"I had the same expression as you when I heard the news. The Hilton project is like the God of Wealth handing money directly into your bowl. I don't know what kind of background that company has; it's the first time I've ever seen someone turn the God of Wealth away at the door."

Old Zhou continued, "But this situation is all benefit and no harm to us! There’s less than half a year left until the official opening of the Hilton Hotel. Other studios are going all out to win this project, and naturally, 'Everything Grows' cannot let this opportunity slip by."

Ji Shu joked, "I thought you were disdainful of money?"

Old Zhou retorted, "I can't refuse money when it comes knocking at my door. How much we get for this year’s year-end bonus depends on whether we can land the Hilton project. Put in some effort and come up with a proposal in the next few days!"

Ji Shu nodded. "That shouldn't be a problem, but I have some private matters to handle recently. I probably can't do it alone."

Old Zhou’s lips curled up slightly. "Don't worry about that. I've already found you a capable helper. He will come to find you himself in a little while."