Chapter 125: Always Able to Snatch Someone Away

Shen Ruizhang was taken aback. Even though he had the heart to advise her otherwise, he knew it was futile, so he could only nod. "Alright."

After the legal department worked through the night with everyone in the company to review the contract and correct several issues, they informed Jiang Yunzhou, "Manager Jiang, the problems are minor. Only a few details need adjustment."

"Understood." Jiang Yunzhou nodded, took the document, and scanned it. "I see."

The issues were not major, and the contract was standard.

Jiang Yunzhou contacted Xu Wan immediately. "Ms. Xu, I've reviewed the contract. It's fine, and I can sign it, but there are a few minor details that need to be changed."

"Then let's meet at the same café as last time," Xu Wan said with a gentle smile. "Two o'clock in the afternoon. I hope to see you on time, Ms. Jiang."

"Certainly."

1:50 PM.

Jiang Yunzhou arrived at the café on time, a steaming cup of coffee placed before her.

At exactly two o'clock, the café's wind chime rang. A tall figure entered from the door and stopped in front of her.

The first thing to enter Jiang Yunzhou’s line of sight was a pair of high-quality leather shoes. Her gaze moved upward, taking in long, straight legs, then slowly ascended until it landed on that familiar face.

She froze.

Shen Tingxiao.

"Long time no see." Shen Tingxiao looked down at her, his Adam's apple bobbing as he squeezed her name from his throat. "Zhouzhou."

As if burned, Jiang Yunzhou dropped the contract in her hand to the floor.

However, her loss of composure lasted only a split second. She quickly regained her focus and bent down to retrieve the document.

A hand with distinct knuckles picked up the contract before she could and placed it in front of her.

Jiang Yunzhou lowered her eyes, suppressing all emotions in an instant. Her tone was flat. "Is Ms. Xu unable to come today?"

"I can sign on her behalf." Shen Tingxiao sat down across from her, his gaze lingering on her face for a long time before he suddenly remarked, entirely out of context, "You've lost weight."

"I need to confirm this with Ms. Xu," Jiang Yunzhou said, ignoring his comment. "If Ms. Xu wants you to sign for her, she should have notified me in advance."

Shen Tingxiao hummed. "I'll call her."

It was a video call.

When it connected, Xu Wan's face appeared on the screen. Shen Tingxiao lowered his gaze, his expression indifferent, his attitude arguably cold. "Zhouzhou wants to speak with you."

When he said her name, there was a deliberate tenderness, as if the intimacy between him and Jiang Yunzhou was something no outsider could intrude upon.

Jiang Yunzhou could no longer maintain her cold front and couldn't help but glare at him.

She needed this contract to break into the Beijing social circle. If Shen Tingxiao’s behavior displeased Xu Wan and caused her to make things difficult for her at work, she would be the one to suffer.

Unfortunately, Shen Tingxiao did not interpret her look correctly. In fact, he smiled with genuine pleasure, turned the phone around to show Jiang Yunzhou the screen, and said, "Talk to her yourself."

"Ms. Xu," Jiang Yunzhou said, adopting a posture that suggested she had absolutely nothing to do with Shen Tingxiao. "I will ask again: do you intend for Mr. Shen Tingxiao to sign the contract on your behalf? If so, he cannot sign your name."

"I know," Xu Wan’s voice sounded somewhat chilly. "Congratulations, Jiang Yunzhou."

Jiang Yunzhou was no fool; she could hear the resentment in Xu Wan's tone. Although she didn't know exactly what had happened, she could vaguely sense that something had transpired between Xu Wan and Shen Tingxiao.

After ending the video call, Jiang Yunzhou unscrewed her pen. "Mr. Shen, let's sign the contract."

"No rush," Shen Tingxiao said, his demeanor relaxed. "Why don't I have any coffee?"

Jiang Yunzhou glanced up at him, her voice dry. "What kind of coffee would Mr. Shen like? I'll have the server order it for you now."

"You don't know?" Shen Tingxiao asked in return.

Jiang Yunzhou felt a spark of irritation, but since the contract wasn't signed yet, she swallowed her anger. "Should I know?"

"Shouldn't you?" A hint of a smile tugged at the corner of Shen Tingxiao's mouth.

Jiang Yunzhou took a deep breath. "What is my relationship with Mr. Shen? Why should I know Mr. Shen's preferences?"

"Zhouzhou." The smile on Shen Tingxiao's face faded. He straightened his back slightly and leaned forward. "Are you angry?"

"Mr. Shen, what coffee would you like to drink?" Jiang Yunzhou had already calmed herself during the breath she took. She couldn't lose her composure, and she certainly shouldn't. "If you don't say, I'll order whatever. If you aren't satisfied, please bear with me."

Every word was "Mr. Shen," her attitude distant and rigid.

There was no need to over-analyze what that meant.

Shen Tingxiao understood perfectly. Just as he was about to speak, Jiang Yunzhou didn't give him the chance; she called the server over and ordered a coconut latte.

After it was served, Shen Tingxiao glanced at her and smiled slightly. "Perfect. It's my favorite flavor."

"That's for the best. Can we sign the contract now?" Jiang Yunzhou handed it to him.

This time, Shen Tingxiao signed it quite readily.

The contract was in triplicate. Jiang Yunzhou signed her name with two quick strokes and then stood up. "We'll be in touch regarding the follow-up."

Her attitude was strictly professional.

Without waiting for Shen Tingxiao’s reply, Jiang Yunzhou walked away.

Shen Tingxiao remained seated, lost in thought. About five or six minutes later, he also stood up, left, and got into his car.

Inside the car, Xu Wan was sitting on the other side. She slowly turned her head. "Signed?"

"Mm," Shen Tingxiao said, tossing the contract onto her lap.

Xu Wan clicked her tongue. "Judging by your attitude... I suppose Ms. Jiang didn't give you a warm welcome."

"Why does it sound like you're quite happy about that?" Shen Tingxiao asked slowly, resting his cheek on his hand.

Xu Wan shrugged. "Of course I'm happy to see someone finally putting you in your place."

Shen Tingxiao tilted his head slightly.

"The contract is signed, so what do you plan to do next?" Xu Wan asked with interest. "Trick her onto the filming set?"

Shen Tingxiao leaned back. "Now that the contract is signed, it's easy. I'll be able to get her eventually."

After obtaining the contract, Jiang Yunzhou returned.

Shen Ruizhang asked about the situation.

"Mm, it's signed," Jiang Yunzhou said, taking a sip of coffee without further comment.

Shen Ruizhang sensed that something was off with her state of mind and raised an eyebrow. "Why does it feel like you're not very happy?"

"No," Jiang Yunzhou forced a smile. "It's nothing. With this contract, it will be easier for us to proceed."

The contract specified that the Xu family and Shen Tingxiao would jointly fund and support several artists under Jiang Yunzhou's company to participate in a variety show.

But naturally, once the star-making venture succeeded, they would expect their share of the benefits.

As it happened, there was currently a reality show focused on acting in the country.

Jiang Yunzhou could take her people there.

Xu Wan's side would send someone to coordinate the follow-up matters with Jiang Yunzhou, but she never expected that the person assigned to coordinate would be Shen Tingxiao.