Afterward, she called Jun Wanwan. Finding that Jun Wanwan was free, the three friends agreed to meet at Nanyueju at six o'clock.
Shen Xingling prepared to call Mu Tingshen to tell him he didn’t need to pick her up after work. However, after scrolling through her contacts repeatedly, she realized she didn't have his phone number or WeChat.
"Forget it," Shen Xingling said. "I'll just tell him in person when he comes to pick me up later."
Han Xinyue teased, "What’s this? Can't wait until you're off the clock to see your President Mu? Shen Xingling, you’re in trouble!"
"How am I in trouble?" Shen Xingling asked.
"You’ve fallen in love," Han Xinyue declared.
Shen Xingling gave her a deadpan look. "I just don't have his number or his WeChat. I have to tell him in person, don't I? Unless you want me to use telepathy? Stop with the wild fantasies in your head."
"What! You two are married and don't even have each other on WeChat? Hahaha!"
Shen Xingling couldn't be bothered to explain; she looked at her friend as if she were an idiot. What did being married have to do with it? They had only known each other for a day.
After the two friends chatted a while longer, Han Xinyue headed home, and Shen Xingling returned to her office chair to bury herself in paperwork.
***
4:30 PM. Meanwhile, at the Mu Group headquarters.
The spacious office featured a dark mahogany desk and bookshelves, complemented by a leather executive chair. Opposite the desk sat a leather sofa and a coffee table, while the back of the chair faced a floor-to-ceiling window that offered a view of half the city.
Though it was not yet time to leave, Mu Tingshen could not sit still. His slender fingers tapped rhythmically against the desk as he checked his watch, watching the second hand sweep around.
It was almost time. He should go pick her up.
Mu Tingshen pressed the intercom button on his office phone. "Assistant Jun, go get the car ready for me."
"President Mu," Assistant Jun replied, "where are you heading? Do you need me to drive?"
"No need," Mu Tingshen replied, his voice devoid of emotion. "I’ll drive myself. You go home; there’s no need for overtime today."
Once Mu Tingshen left, Assistant Jun let out a sigh of relief and pulled out his phone to open WeChat. The group chat, titled "Mu Group Gossip 1" (500 members), buzzed to life.
Group Owner (Assistant Jun): *What has gotten into the President today? Our workaholic President is actually leaving work early?!*
*And not just a little early—he’s leaving an hour and a half ahead of schedule.*
Employee 1: *Is this for real? I’ve been here for years and I’ve never heard of the President leaving early. He almost always works overtime in his office.*
Employee 2: *Exactly! It’s his dedication that’s made our company so successful. Our salaries are 30% higher than other firms.*
Employee 3: *My god, the President is actually skipping work? I can't believe it!*
Employee 4: *If the President is skipping work, I’m putting in overtime! ╥﹏╥*
Employee 5: *If the President is skipping work, I want a raise.*
Group Owner (Assistant Jun): *@Employee 5 We all want a raise. Go ask the President yourself—I salute you on behalf of the entire Mu Group.*
Receptionist: *The group owner wasn't lying! I just saw the President drive away. How do you always get the inside scoop before us? Are you actually Assistant Jun?!*
***
Ten minutes later, Mu Tingshen arrived at Chenxing Entertainment and parked his Rolls-Royce at the front entrance. He strode into the lobby with his long legs. The bustling lobby fell silent the moment everyone saw him walking in with his steady, imposing gait. The receptionist was so intimidated by his presence that she didn't dare approach him.
Although Mu Tingshen felt the unnatural stares from the staff, he walked directly to the front desk.
"Where is your President Shen?" he asked in a deep voice.
"Hello, President Mu," the receptionist replied. "President Shen is still in her office." Everyone knew who Mu Tingshen was, especially after their "wedding of the century" just yesterday. "Would you like me to take you up?"
"Yes."
The receptionist led him to the executive elevator. "President Mu, our President's office is on the top floor." Once she pressed the button, she returned to her desk.
Upon arriving at the top floor, Mu Tingshen was directed to Shen Xingling’s office. He raised his hand and knocked.
"Knock, knock."
"Come in," Shen Xingling said coolly.
Mu Tingshen pushed the door open to find her hunched over some documents. "Not finished with work yet?" he asked softly.
"Why are you here?" Shen Xingling asked, surprised.
"It’s time to clock out, President Shen," he teased. "It's already five o'clock."
"Oh, sorry," Shen Xingling remembered. "I got lost in my work and completely forgot you were coming to pick me up."
Mu Tingshen walked toward the sofa. "It's fine. Keep working; I'll wait here for you."
Shen Xingling hesitated, steeling herself to tell him she couldn't go home with him. It was their first day of marriage, after all; he had proactively come to pick her up, and now she was standing him up. She felt truly guilty.
"Mu Tingshen... I have plans to go out to dinner with some friends tonight."
Seeing Mu Tingshen remain silent, she hurried to explain, "I wanted to send you a WeChat, but I don't have your WeChat or your phone number. I haven't seen them in ages, so I'm really sorry! How about this? Next time I'll come pick you up, and you can stand me up. Then we’ll be even."
What a strange line of reasoning!
Mu Tingshen found her panicked explanation somewhat endearing and the corner of his mouth quirked upward. He pulled out his phone, opened his WeChat QR code, and placed the screen in front of her.
Shen Xingling understood immediately.
"My WeChat is my phone number," he said, his tone still neutral. "Where are you eating? What time? I’ll drop you off."
"Nanyueju, at six," she said as she keyed in his number.
As soon as she finished speaking, Mu Tingshen’s phone rang.
"That's my number," she said.
Seeing he remained expressionless, she wondered if he was angry. *Well, it’s understandable. If it were me, I’d be angry too. Someone goes out of their way to pick you up and you blow them off—it’s quite hurtful.*
Noticing her distracted expression, Mu Tingshen guessed her thoughts. "Do you think I'm angry because you blew me off?"
"Isn't that the case?" she asked.
"I am the President of the Mu Group," he replied. "Do you really think I’m that petty?"
He walked over to her side and offered his arm. "Come on, don't overthink it. Let's go. I'll drop you off, and I’ll come pick you up when you’re done."
Shen Xingling smiled and naturally looped her arm through his. "Okay, let's go."
The two headed for the elevator and descended to the lobby. When the handsome man and beautiful woman appeared in the lobby, they drew envious gazes from everyone around them.
It was exactly like the wealthy power-couple marriages in novels—the cold, powerful CEO picking up his lovely wife from work. It was as if a novel had come to life! Their looks were so stunning they put the entertainment industry's celebrities to shame.