Chapter 47: Jealousy Unveiled

At the company, Shen Manli constantly heard people praising Lu Randan.
In the hallway, several colleagues gathered together, discussing Lu Randan's newly completed project with glowing excitement and boundless admiration. "President Lu is simply amazing! She is our ultimate role model," a female colleague said while gesturing, her eyes sparkling. Not far away, in the pantry, a few employees were also huddled around the notice board, pointing at Lu Randan's name and whispering praises.
Shen Manli walked past in silence, a complex storm of emotions churning in her heart as her gaze drifted involuntarily toward Lu Randan's office.
Shen Manli returned home.
Under the soft lighting, Si Qinyu's figure appeared exceptionally gentle. He was looking down at a book, his profile sharply and clearly outlined by the warm glow.
Shen Manli gently approached, the surging emotions inside her making her voice tremble slightly. "Qinyu, I've missed you so much."
With those words, she softly wrapped her arms around Si Qinyu's waist, burying her face in his chest as if she could hide all her exhaustion and envy within this single embrace.
Si Qinyu put down the book in his hand, returned her embrace tenderly, and gently stroked her back.
His voice was deep and magnetic, tinged with a hint of incomprehension and concern. "What's wrong with you today?"
He gently pushed Shen Manli back slightly and cupped her face, his deep, profound eyes seemingly capable of seeing straight into the human soul.
"I just missed you, that's all," Shen Manli said.
With that, a faint smile curved the corners of her lips—a smile carrying a touch of coquettishness, while her eyes shimmered with starlight.
Si Qinyu frowned slightly, his tone carrying an accidental curiosity. "How has Lu Randan been doing at the company lately?"
A slight shudder rippled through Shen Manli's heart as the image of her colleagues' lavish praise for Lu Randan flashed before her eyes. She bit her lip, a flicker of complexity crossing her gaze. "She? Oh, she's truly brilliant. She finished her new project wonderfully, and everyone is singing her praises. In the hallway, in the pantry—her name is everywhere. The whole company is cheering for her."
As she spoke, Shen Manli involuntarily clenched her hands into fists. A flash of imperceptible envy and self-drive flickered in her eyes, as if she were secretly competing in her heart, determined not to be left too far behind by the dazzling Lu Randan.
With a calm expression, Si Qinyu nodded and said, "Her taste has been quite good this time."
The jealousy in Shen Manli's eyes churned like a hidden undercurrent. Deliberately lowering her voice, she spoke with a trace of subtle, hard-to-detect bitterness, "President Lu has been getting along quite well with Chu Linzhen lately. The two of them have been spending a lot of time together."
As she spoke, she offered a soft smile, one that harbored a layer of indescribable emotion.
Hearing this, Si Qinyu furrowed his brow slightly, his deep gaze fixing on Shen Manli as if trying to capture more information from her expression.
A subtle atmosphere hung heavy in the air. Even the lamplight seemed to dim a fraction in that instant, and the entire room grew still, leaving only Shen Manli's deliberately lowered voice echoing slowly through the night.
Si Qinyu's voice was deep and powerful, carrying an unquestionable authority. "What is that supposed to mean? Randan and Chu Linzhen growing close—is there something going on here that I don't know about?"
His gaze was as sharp as a blade, as if determined to pierce through every corner of Shen Manli's inner thoughts.
Shen Manli shook her head gently, her strands of hair brushing against Si Qinyu's arm and sending a subtle, imperceptible chill through the air. "Well, you see, they're always getting together to discuss new projects, and they chat about other things outside of work too. Naturally, they've grown closer."
As she spoke, she lowered her gaze, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the hem of her clothes as she struggled to make her words sound more natural.
Si Qinyu's expression gradually darkened, a flicker of subtle jealousy flashing through his eyes.
Recalling the years he and Lu Randan had been together, he realized he had never once had the opportunity to have such deep, engaging communication with her. A nameless wave of restlessness welled up inside him.
He abruptly stood up and began pacing back and forth across the room, every step seemingly venting the dissatisfaction burning within him.
Seeing this, Shen Manli's heart tightened; she had never seen Si Qinyu so uncomposed before.
Si Qinyu stopped in his tracks, fixing his burning gaze on Shen Manli. His voice was low and resolute. "From now on, I want to know everything about Lu Randan in crystal-clear detail."
His tone was filled with unquestionable finality.
Shen Manli nodded gently, her voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz. "Okay."
Her eyes reflected Si Qinyu's slightly gloomy visage, while her own heart remained a turbulent mix of a hundred flavors.
After punishing Shen Manli harshly in their intimacy, Si Qinyu left.
He drove straight to the company, gripping a bouquet of brightly blooming red roses tightly in his hand, their petals still glistening with crystalline morning dew.
Arriving downstairs at the company, he straightened his suit and stepped steadily into the lobby, drawing sideways glances from everyone around him.
The elevator doors opened slowly, and he stepped out, heading straight for Lu Randan's office.
After he gave two gentle knocks on the door, Lu Randan's soft voice drifted through: "Please come in."
Si Qinyu pushed the door open and stepped inside to find Lu Randan looking down as she organized documents. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft golden rim over her silhouette.
A meaningful smile curved the corners of his lips. He walked straight up to her, gently extended the bouquet of flowers, and spoke in his deep, magnetic voice, "Randan, work is over. I'm here to take you home."
Lu Randan looked up, her gaze meeting Si Qinyu's as a flash of surprise crossed her eyes.
She bit her lip gently, offering a soft yet apologetic smile. "You go on ahead first. I still have work to finish."
Before her voice had even faded, she quickly lowered her head again, resuming her task of organizing the papers in her hands. Her fingers danced among the sheets, producing a faint, crisp rustling sound.
Sunlight filtered through the window and caught the tips of her hair, framing her focused and earnest profile.
Looking at her, Si Qinyu felt a trace of helplessness flash through his eyes, though the meaningful smile remained on his face.
"Let's go home. You can finish tomorrow," Si Qinyu said gently yet firmly.
He took a soft step forward, reached out, and gently brushed a lock of hair that had fallen over Lu Randan's shoulder, tucking it tenderly behind her ear.
Lu Randan looked up, meeting his deep, profound eyes.
She shook her head softly, her brows locked in determination. "No, there's still a lot that needs to be done."
Her fingers continued to glide swiftly across the documents, her focus resembling that of an artist devoted to a masterpiece.
Si Qinyu's gaze fell upon the tightly gripped tip of the pen in her hand; every movement felt like a strike against his heart, filling him with an indescribable sense of anxiety and helplessness.
His patience reached its absolute limit. He suddenly leaned forward, his hand gently capturing Lu Randan's slender wrist with a grip firm enough to prevent her from pulling away, while his eyes flashed with an unquestionable refusal to take no for an answer.
Caught completely off guard, Lu Randan dropped the pen from her hand, sending it rolling across the desk with a sharp, crisp click. She looked up in astonishment, meeting Si Qinyu's slightly hardened gaze.
Before she could even utter a word, Si Qinyu took her hand and pulled her toward the door without giving her room to object, his strides steady and irresistible.