Chapter 55 Shen Qingyue, could she like me?
Chapter 55 Shen Qingyue, could she like me?
After finishing his meal, Chen Mo returned to his workstation and opened Lin Wei's WeChat Moments.
Her post is still up, and there are already quite a few likes and comments.
Chen Mo glanced at the crowd and, sure enough, people were asking questions like "Is he your boyfriend?" and "His back view is so handsome."
Lin Wei's replies were all vague.
They neither admitted nor denied it.
It seems she did it on purpose to cause a misunderstanding.
Or is she trying to subtly suggest through her social media posts that she likes her?
Chen Mo turned off his WeChat Moments, leaned back in his chair, and rubbed his temples.
This woman usually seems quite smart, how come she's so stupid this time? Posting something like this on her WeChat Moments, at least block your colleagues from your company!
Alternatively, it can be made visible only to oneself.
Wouldn't this easily bring unnecessary trouble to both her and myself?
Never mind, the innocent will clear themselves.
Anyway, there's really nothing between him and Lin Wei right now, so let others say what they want.
Two o'clock in the afternoon, during a work break.
When Chen Mo went to the break room to make coffee, he happened to run into Lin Wei there.
She stood in front of the water dispenser to get some water, and when she heard footsteps, she turned around and saw Chen Mo. She then smiled.
"Team Leader Chen..."
"Um."
Chen Mo nodded, walked to the coffee machine, and began operating it.
The two had already discussed it, so he wasn't too keen on talking to her much at the company right now.
The break room was quiet for a moment, with only the hum of the coffee machine.
After getting the water, Lin Wei did not leave immediately.
She hesitated for a few seconds, then said softly, "Um... about the WeChat Moments post, I'm sorry."
Chen Mo turned to look at her, feigning confusion, and asked, "What?"
"It's... the photo I posted."
Lin Wei pursed her lips, her eyes filled with apology, and said, "I took pictures of you without your permission and then posted them online, causing everyone to talk about you and me."
"fine."
Chen Mo smiled and said jokingly, "But next time you're going to post something, post my face. I'm not that bad-looking."
"Haha~, I'm glad you don't mind."
Lin Wei breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this and smiled, "I was just worried that the rumors circulating around you would bother you and affect your work."
"It's not that bad."
Chen Mo took the coffee cup, stirred it gently, and said, "The innocent are innocent. We were just hiking together. It'll be fine in a couple of days."
"Yes, it's good that you think that way."
Looking at his calm expression, Lin Wei nodded and said, "That's what I think too."
After a brief chat about work, the two left the break room one after the other.
Chen Mo thought that the matter was over and done with.
What he didn't know was that while he and Lin Wei were talking in the break room, a conversation about him was taking place in an office of a senior executive in the company.
Shen Qingyue sat behind her desk, reviewing a project report.
Sitting on the sofa opposite her was Zhao Mingyuan, one of the company's vice presidents in charge of human resources.
Zhao Mingyuan was in his early fifties, with his hair neatly combed and wearing gold-rimmed glasses. He looked refined and scholarly, but his eyes always held a hint of scrutiny and calculation.
"Mr. Shen, I have reviewed the recruitment plan for this quarter, and there are no problems."
Zhao Mingyuan closed the folder, adjusted his glasses, and suddenly said, "However, there's a small matter at the company recently that I'd like to remind you about."
Shen Qingyue raised her head: "Please speak, Mr. Zhao."
"It's about Chen Mo from your project's technical department."
Zhao Mingyuan leaned forward, his tone seemingly casual, but his eyes sharp as he said, "I heard that he's recently started dating another female colleague in the department."
Shen Qingyue's heart tightened, but her expression remained calm: "What does President Zhao mean?"
"I think her name is... Lin Wei?"
Zhao Mingyuan smiled and said, "Of course, I heard it from my subordinates. They said the two of them went hiking together on the weekend and even posted photos on their WeChat Moments."
Although only a silhouette was visible, the overall impact was still negative.
"..."
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingyue's fingers tightened slightly.
He said he had "something to do" over the weekend and declined my invitation to hot pot. Turns out he went hiking with another woman.
Zhao Mingyuan smiled.
"But Mr. Shen, as you know, the company strictly prohibits office romances."
Especially between management and subordinates, or between colleagues in the same department, this can easily affect work and cause other problems.
He paused, looked at Shen Qingyue meaningfully, and said, "Chen Mo is now the team leader of your key project. If something goes wrong because of this, it will be bad for you, the project, and the company."
Shen Qingyue sensed the warning in his words.
Zhao Mingyuan is one of the company's veterans, and the two have many disagreements on the company's development strategy and personnel arrangements.
This time, seizing on Chen Mo's "weak point" was clearly an attempt to use it as an excuse to make things difficult for himself.
"Mr. Zhao is overthinking it."
Shen Qingyue put down her pen, looked directly at Zhao Mingyuan, and said, "First of all, you also said that the photo only shows a back view, so it's not certain whether it's Chen Mo or not."
Secondly, even if it really is him, hiking with colleagues doesn't necessarily prove they're dating.
That's one way of putting it.
Zhao Mingyuan said unhurriedly, "But gossip is a fearsome thing. It's already spreading that the two of them are dating."
If this rumor is confirmed, I, as the person in charge of human resources, will be in a difficult position. You know our company isn't a court; everything requires evidence.
"I know what to do with my own people."
Shen Qingyue said coldly, "Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Zhao, but you don't need to trouble yourself."
"That's good."
Zhao Mingyuan stood up, straightened his suit, and said with a smile, "President Shen, I'm just trying to be helpful and remind you, don't overthink it."
After saying that, he smiled meaningfully, turned around and left the office.
After the door closed, Shen Qingyue leaned back in her chair, feeling inexplicably irritated.
It wasn't Zhao Mingyuan who started the trouble, but other factors.
She called her assistant over and asked, "Do you have a WeChat Moments account for someone named Lin Wei from the tech department?"
"Yes, Mr. Shen."
Shen Qingyue said expressionlessly, "Find it out and let me see it."
"Yes, Mr. Shen."
Upon hearing this, the assistant knew that President Shen had found out about what everyone had been talking about privately that morning.
Seeing that President Shen's expression was not good, she quickly found it and handed it over.
Shen Qingyue picked up her assistant's phone and carefully looked at Lin Wei's WeChat Moments, focusing on the photo that had caused the misunderstanding.
The man's back in the morning light was upright and serene.
Although it was just a simple silhouette, it was indeed Chen Mo.
Shen Qingyue stared at the photo for a long time before handing the phone back to her assistant.
The assistant, holding his phone, tentatively asked, "Mr. Shen, should I call Team Leader Chen now?"
"No need, you can leave."
After her assistant left, Shen Qingyue took out her phone and opened her chat with Chen Mo.
The last message he sent was on Friday night: "I'm home."
She did not reply.
Shen Qingyue's finger hovered over the screen, hesitating whether to ask something.
...From what standpoint did she ask this?
Senior? Boss? Or... a friend?
Shen Qingyue rubbed her temples, and finally picked up the internal phone, dialed her assistant's number, and asked Chen Mo to come to her office.
She told herself that she had called him over for work.
Yes, it's just for work.
Ten minutes later, Chen Mo knocked on Shen Qingyue's office door.
"Mr. Shen, you wanted to see me?"
"Um."
Shen Qingyue looked up, pointed to the chair opposite her, and said, "Sit down."
After Chen Mo sat down, Shen Qingyue did not speak immediately, but instead picked up her water glass and took a sip.
Then she looked at Chen Mo and asked in a calm tone, "How's the project progressing?"
"all the best."
Chen Mo reported: "The joint debugging and testing of the data interface has been 70% completed, and the first round is expected to be completed by Friday."
The backend performance optimization plan will be released on Wednesday, and I will organize a technical review...
"Hmm, the progress is well managed, but..."
She paused, then changed the subject casually, "I heard today that you've been getting quite close to some female colleagues in the department lately?"
"..."
Chen Mo's heart skipped a beat, but he calmly asked, "Is Mr. Shen referring to the photos?"
"Um."
Shen Qingyue looked into his eyes and said, "Some people have said that you two are dating, is that true?"
"..."
Chen Mo paused for two seconds, then said frankly, "President Shen, Lin Wei and I did indeed make plans to go hiking together this weekend, but we are just ordinary colleagues."
As for the gossip within the department, it's all just gossip and speculation.
"Then you two should also be a little careful."
Shen Qingyue raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Chen Mo, you should know that the most taboo thing in the workplace is this kind of scandalous rumor."
You're currently a project team leader, in the prime of your career. Being labeled as having an "office romance" would be very detrimental to your future development.
"I see."
Chen Mo nodded and said, "But the innocent will clear themselves. Lin Wei and I are indeed just colleagues, and there is no other relationship between us."
If such nonsense affects your work, then it's truly a case of losing more than you gain.
Looking into his calm eyes, Shen Qingyue felt even more agitated.
His nonchalance suggests either he truly has a clear conscience, or... he simply doesn't care about her opinion.
"Do you really think we're just colleagues?" Shen Qingyue's voice unconsciously carried a hint of emotion that she herself was unaware of.
"..."
Chen Mo paused for a moment, keenly noticing the unusual tone in her voice.
He raised his head and looked at Shen Qingyue.
Her eyes were complex, seemingly... hiding an indescribable emotion.
Chen Mo suddenly remembered the slightly disappointed figure on Friday night when she asked him out for hot pot and he was rejected.
Could it be that she... cares a lot about this?
The thought flashed through Chen Mo's mind, but he quickly suppressed it.
impossible.
Shen Qingyue is his boss and a senior executive in the company. How could she possibly care who he goes hiking with or who he has a romantic relationship with?
Besides, shouldn't leaders be able to meddle in their own private affairs?
"President Shen."
Chen Mo said seriously, "Lin Wei and I are really just colleagues. We did not violate any company rules. We went hiking together on the weekend because we had made plans beforehand and I didn't want to break my promise."
As for the rumors circulating among my colleagues, I will be careful and try my best to avoid such misunderstandings with Lin Wei in the future.
Hearing his words, Shen Qingyue's inexplicable irritation instantly dissipated.
She didn't know what was wrong with her.
"It's good that you know."
Shen Qingyue shifted her gaze to the documents on the table and said casually, "Although the company doesn't explicitly prohibit office romances, they are actually not allowed."
If they are discovered, one of them will leave!
Especially now that you're on the same project and have a superior-subordinate relationship, it's even easier to attract criticism.
"I see."
Chen Mo nodded and said, "I will be more careful in the future."
A brief silence fell over the office.
"Alright, I just wanted to give you a heads-up."
Shen Qingyue said, "Don't have any other thoughts in your mind, go and get busy."
"Yes, Mr. Shen."
Chen Mo stood up, preparing to leave.
As he reached the door, he suddenly stopped and turned to look at Shen Qingyue.
"Sister Qingyue."
He changed his form of address and softened his tone, saying, "Lin Wei and I are really just colleagues and friends."
The reason Chen Mo said that was not for any other reason.
With just one word, "sister," their relationship instantly changed from superior-subordinate to senior-junior.
So, shouldn't you take care of the younger students?
He just wanted to play the emotional card and get the matter over with as soon as possible.
Upon hearing this, Shen Qingyue's hand holding the pen stiffened slightly.
She looked up and met Chen Mo's gaze, a soft spot in her heart being gently touched.
So she replied softly, "Yes, I understand."
"Thank you, Mr. Shen."
Chen Mo smiled, reverted to his original form of address, opened the door, and walked out.
The door closed gently.
Shen Qingyue sat in the chair, looking at the door with a somewhat surprised expression.
When they need me, they call me "sister"; once they've achieved their goal, they call me "President Shen" again?
She smiled helplessly. Chen Mo's transformation was quite natural.
A moment later, Shen Qingyue had Lin Wei summoned again!
Chen Mo may have been acting passively in this matter.
But Lin Wei was the culprit behind this whole thing!
It needs a tap!
Soon, Lin Wei arrived at Shen Qingyue's office.
This was her first time in the other person's office, and she guessed what it was about.
Lin Wei called out, "President Shen, you were looking for me?"
"Hmm." Shen Qingyue began to carefully examine the other person as soon as they entered.
He has a good figure and is indeed quite handsome; no wonder I heard so many people in the company like him.
"I won't beat around the bush."
Shen Qingyue withdrew her gaze and said coldly, "I received rumors today about you and Chen Mo. How do you explain that?"
"President Shen."
Lin Wei was surprised that the company actually cared about this matter. She replied, "I don't know why everyone is spreading rumors that I'm dating Team Leader Chen."
But I want to say that this has nothing to do with Team Leader Chen. That figure wasn't him; it was just a friend of mine.
"Oh?"
Shen Qingyue raised an eyebrow and asked in return, "Really not Chen Mo?"
"no."
"What if the company assumes it's him? And that you two are dating?"
Shen Qingyue asked meaningfully, "So you also believe that the two of you are dating?"
Lin Wei argued, "President Shen, the company can't just assume that Team Leader Chen and I are dating based on some speculations."
"But your actions have already had an impact on the company."
"But this is my private life, and I should have my freedom."
"I understand that you can have your private life, but the company also has the right to make personnel decisions."
Shen Qingyue said coldly, "The company is not a court. Everything is based on evidence. As long as we feel it is right, we will take action."
Lin Wei: "..."
"What if someone seizes on this and won't let it go?"
Shen Qingyue said, "The company wants one of you to leave? What's your choice? Will you leave, or will Chen Mo leave?"
"If the company really wants to do this, I'm leaving."
Lin Wei hesitated for a moment, took a deep breath, looked directly into Shen Qingyue's eyes, and said, "President Shen, this matter has nothing to do with Team Leader Chen. Please don't make things difficult for him."
Lin Wei's choice surprised Shen Qingyue.
But this also made her keenly realize that Lin Wei's feelings for Chen Mo were probably not just those of ordinary colleagues!
Shen Qingyue said, "Of course, things haven't come to that point yet."
I called you here specifically to tell you to be mindful of your behavior so as not to cause unnecessary misunderstandings or negative impacts.
Once is enough; I don't want it to happen again.
You may not care about your own future, but you cannot affect the future of others.
Furthermore, in order to eliminate the influence of both you and Chen Mo, you should voluntarily withdraw from Chen Mo's project team.
But don't worry, the company will still pay you your due commissions and bonuses according to the original project completion percentage.
"I see."
Lin Wei clenched her fist tightly, responded, and said, "President Shen, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now."
"Um."
At this moment, Chen Mo, sitting at his workstation, was not entirely at peace.
He was still thinking about what Shen Qingyue had said to him, her gaze, and the subtle changes in her emotions...
Something's very wrong, absolutely very wrong!
Chen Mo murmured, "Shen Qingyue, could she possibly like me?"
Has my charm increased that quickly?
But as soon as I thought about it, I realized it was impossible.
After all, the other party is a worldly, outstanding, and capable businesswoman with high standards.
She's not some clueless young girl.
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P.S.: I'll be testing the waters with recommendations tomorrow. 14 words, first round, let's go!
MMB