Chapter 32: When Something Unusual Happens, There Must Be a Reason

Shen Ling felt as though all her frailty and shame were laid bare before Xu Shengye’s eyes; in that moment, she wished the earth would swallow her whole, bitterness welling up inside. The night around her was as bleak and dim as her heart.

She turned away. “Don’t ask. I don’t want to talk about it.”

Though curiosity and concern brimmed within Xu Shengye, he saw the pain etched on her face. Respecting her wishes, he suppressed his questions, speaking with worry, “Alright, I won’t ask. Will he do anything to hurt you?”

Shen Ling shook her head. At that moment, even the strength to utter a word seemed to have drained from her body.

She feared that Bo Jinhan might come downstairs and see them together, which would only make things worse. Almost pleading, she said, “Can we leave this place?”

A slight tremor passed through Xu Shengye’s heart. He agreed immediately, saying nothing more, and escorted her to the parking lot. He shielded her as she got into the car, and only then did Shen Ling allow herself a quiet sigh of relief.

Once Xu Shengye was in the car and had fastened his seatbelt, he turned to her, his face full of concern. “Where do you want to go?”

Shen Ling lifted her head, forcing a faint smile onto her lips. “Anywhere. I just want to feel the wind. Thank you.”

“No need to thank me. No matter what’s happened, I’m glad you can turn to me. If you hadn’t disappeared all those years ago, perhaps…” Xu Shengye’s words trailed off. He knew some things were better left unsaid in moments like this. Changing course, he added, “Perhaps we wouldn’t be so distant now.”

Shen Ling responded with a silent smile, gazing out at the neon lights beyond the window.

She didn’t return home until very late.

Pushing open the door, anxiety lingered in her heart. In the cramped apartment, just a few steps revealed everything clearly. After confirming Bo Jinhan wasn’t home, she finally relaxed a little.

The unpleasant ending that night left Shen Ling uneasy for days, fearing Bo Jinhan would come looking for trouble. Gradually, as she saw no calls from him and he never showed up, she was able to breathe a bit easier.

Since he wasn’t seeking her out, she devoted all her energy to work. Her mother still lay in the hospital, and the daily expenses ran into several thousand—if anything went awry, the costs would soar, and even two hundred thousand wouldn’t be enough.

She sent out her resume and, within a day, scheduled several interviews. Arranging her time carefully, she went to each one. But after a day spent rushing between companies, each interview ended with the HR apologizing, “Sorry, Miss Shen, there is a more suitable candidate for this position.”

Shen Ling was exhausted from all the running around. Frowning, she chose her words carefully, “My resume should be quite comprehensive, and I've managed numerous projects. I have plenty of experience, and my profile matches your company well. I don’t understand why—”

Before she could finish, the HR interrupted, spreading her hands, “We know, but there really is a more suitable candidate. The decision was made before you arrived. But with your experience, finding a job shouldn’t be difficult. Try other companies.”

Shen Ling wasn’t surprised by this answer; nearly every company she’d interviewed with had said the same. She didn’t press further and stood up, “Thank you.”

Yet doubts kept swirling in her mind. She hadn’t applied to stricter state-owned enterprises or foreign firms—these companies, seeing her experience, should at least give her some consideration, if not hire her outright. But it seemed, as if by tacit agreement, all had rejected her without hesitation.

Something was amiss. This was far from normal.