Chapter 235

Chapter 235: Just Consider It Fulfilling One of My Birthday Wishes Shu Mingyue called out to Jiang Shixu. "A Xu, what a coincidence, you're also here to see Chu Tang. Is it about the company's lawsuit?" Shu Mingyue and Chu Tang's relationship could now be described as friends. Ever since Shu Mingyue was saved by Chu Tang last time, she had been extremely grateful to her. After deeper contact, Shu Mingyue was impressed by Chu Tang's character and integrity, and developed a feeling of "regretting not having met her sooner." But even though she was close to Chu Tang, her feelings toward Jiang Shixu hadn't changed in the slightest. Seeing Jiang Shixu come to the law firm to find Chu Tang, Shu Mingyue felt a bit unhappy inside. Jiang Shixu stopped in his tracks and looked over. "Not for the company's case. I just wanted to see her, so I came." That was a very straightforward answer. The smile on Shu Mingyue's face froze for a moment. But she quickly adjusted her expression. "I'm here to see her too. Let's go up together." Chu Tang walked out of her office and went to Yu Jiaojiao's workstation to assign her work tasks. As she was speaking, Chu Tang caught sight of a man and woman approaching from the corner of her eye, and her gaze paused. Why were Jiang Shixu and Shu Mingyue here together? As soon as the two appeared, whispers broke out around them. To be honest, their appearing together like this did invite speculation. Walking side by side, the handsome man and beautiful woman were quite a sight to behold—no wonder those colleagues loved to gossip. "Chu Tang, I happened to run into A Xu downstairs, so we came up together." Shu Mingyue walked over with a smile to greet Chu Tang. Actually, Shu Mingyue's words already carried a hint of explanation. As if she was afraid Chu Tang might misunderstand. Chu Tang withdrew her gaze and gave a faint "Mm" in a very indifferent tone. "We didn't come here together." Jiang Shixu explained again. "We just happened to run into each other downstairs." "She already said that just now." Chu Tang's expression was calm, as if she didn't care at all. She continued discussing work with Yu Jiaojiao. "Then I'll wait for you in your office." Shu Mingyue said. Chu Tang: "Alright." Shu Mingyue turned and walked toward Chu Tang's office. Jiang Shixu said, "I'll sit in the meeting room and wait until you're done." This was him keeping his distance—not wanting to be alone with Shu Mingyue. Quite considerate of him. A barely perceptible smile flickered in Chu Tang's eyes. Jiang Shixu had always been meticulous with details. She gave a nonchalant "Mm" in response. After Jiang Shixu left, Yu Jiaojiao whispered gossip: "Chu Tang-jie, did you and President Jiang make up?" Chu Tang was slightly taken aback. Instead of answering directly, she asked in return, "Why do you ask that?" Yu Jiaojiao lowered her voice and said mysteriously, "Women's intuition." Intuition? Pretty accurate. Yu Jiaojiao continued, "Did you two really make up? Chu Tang-jie, we're so close now, just tell me the truth. I'm the head of your CP fan club, you know." Chu Tang found it amusing and lightly tapped Yu Jiaojiao on the back of the head, joking, "Focus on your work. Chatting with your boss about gossip during work hours—do you want to get fired?" Yu Jiaojiao immediately made a zipping-her-lips motion. "Then we'll talk after work." Chu Tang continued discussing things with Yu Jiaojiao for a while longer. After finishing the work assignments, she returned to her office to receive Shu Mingyue. Shu Mingyue had been coming to Chu Tang's office so often that she'd practically made herself at home at the law firm. Chu Tang enjoyed drinking tea, and her office had many varieties of fine tea leaves. Every time Shu Mingyue came, Chu Tang would brew tea to host her. But having lived abroad for so long, Shu Mingyue wasn't that fond of tea. Compared to tea, she preferred coffee. Moreover, Shu Mingyue was extremely particular about coffee. From selecting the coffee beans to the brewing technique, she had her preferences. She couldn't stomach just any ordinary coffee. Just two days ago, she had even specially bought a coffee machine and some of her favorite coffee beans to keep in Chu Tang's office, just so she could brew her own coffee when she came here. Chu Tang walked into the office, and a rich aroma of coffee greeted her. Shu Mingyue was already skillfully brewing coffee. "Want a cup?" Shu Mingyue smiled at Chu Tang. Chu Tang shook her head. "I still prefer tea." "Fine then." Shu Mingyue walked over to the sofa with her coffee and sat down, smiling. "Not getting to taste the coffee this young lady personally brewed for you is your loss." Chu Tang walked to her desk and set down the document folder. "What a terrible shame." "What brings you here today?" Chu Tang walked over and sat down on the sofa. She boiled water, rinsed the teacup, and brewed herself some tea. "Can't I come see you if there's nothing wrong?" Shu Mingyue thought of what Jiang Shixu had said downstairs just now—"I just wanted to see her, so I came." She deliberately mimicked Jiang Shixu's manner and teased, "I just wanted to see you, so I came." Chu Tang made an "I can't take this" face. "What's wrong with you? So cheesy? I'm getting goosebumps all over." "Learned it from A Xu." Shu Mingyue said with a sour tone. "That's exactly what he said just now." Chu Tang shot Shu Mingyue an amused look. "You're really something else—the man you like is like this with another woman, and you can still imitate his way of speaking to tease me." Shu Mingyue pursed her lips. "Just finding joy in misery, that's all. What else can I do? Put a knife to his throat and force him to love me?" Chu Tang had nothing to say to that. She quietly brewed her tea. Shu Mingyue took a sip of coffee, then raised her head with a serious expression and asked, "So you two have made up, haven't you?" "Yes." Chu Tang didn't hide it. "Ugh, I knew you two would get back together sooner or later." Shu Mingyue let out a sigh. "I've been back in the country for so long now, and it's truly hard to even get a chance to see him. These past few months, aside from the few words we exchanged at the very beginning under the pretense of cooperation, I've barely said more than five sentences to him since." "In my relationship with him, I've always been the one chasing after him." Shu Mingyue's gaze carried a somewhat plaintive quality. "But you're different. In your relationship with him, you hold the higher ground—he's always the one coming to you." Chu Tang said helplessly, "Alright, back to the main topic. Did you really come to see me just to chat? Nothing else?" Shu Mingyue put away her plaintive expression and asked, "I wanted to ask if you're free next Saturday?" "Next Saturday?" Chu Tang picked up her phone and checked her schedule. "I'm free. Why?" "Next Saturday is my birthday. I'm planning to throw a party on a cruise ship, and I hope you can come." Chu Tang thought for a moment, then nodded. "Sure." Shu Mingyue seemed to hesitate, as if wanting to say something more. "What's wrong?" Chu Tang looked at her with confusion. Shu Mingyue's expression turned awkward, and she hesitated for a while before speaking. "We're considered friends now, so I'll be honest with you—I'd also like to invite A Xu. After all, a birthday only comes once a year, and he's never attended any of my birthday parties before. Could I ask you to bring him along this time? Just consider it fulfilling one of my birthday wishes."