Chapter 57: Separation – Summer Vacation Begins

With exams approaching, students at Xinxing could still be seen chasing and playing without restraint, completely lacking the tense atmosphere of other schools.

In fact, most people studying at Xinxing didn’t care much about grades. For some heirs of family businesses, as long as they obtained proof of attendance, it was enough.

Sometimes Fang Chuning would think, if only she could be like that too!

In reality, although the Fang family was wealthy and prominent, Fang Hong still had high expectations for her. In her words: “My requirements are low, as long as you can maintain a position in the top ten of your grade, I won’t interfere with your time outside of academics.”

It was precisely because she always maintained a top ten position that she could be so free.

She had been quite busy lately, but didn’t want to neglect Xu Muzhou, so their date location became the school library. Being able to study quietly together was also a kind of happiness.

However, recently she noticed that Xu Muzhou seemed a bit distracted, with a hint of melancholy between his brows, looking gloomy.

At first, Fang Chuning thought he was nervous because of the upcoming exams, but later realized she was overthinking. For a top student like him, such exams were nothing to worry about.

“You mean, your father wants you to accompany him to F country during the summer vacation?”

Under the emerald willow tree, their shadows seemed to merge into one. The rustling leaves calmed one’s mood.

Xu Muzhou looked at her, willing to stay with her at all costs if she showed even a hint of wanting him to stay.

But Fang Chuning didn’t, and even thoughtlessly expressed happiness for him, “That’s great! This way you won’t be so bored during the summer vacation.”

Xu Muzhou’s eyelashes drooped in disappointment, his voice soft: “Is that what you think…”

Seeing he was still unhappy, Fang Chuning realized, “You don’t want to go?”

The young man lowered his head, fidgeting with his fingers, “Then we won’t have a chance to see each other…”

Thinking it was just because of that, Fang Chuning sighed indulgently, “How could there be no chance, we can still video call.”

Xu Muzhou pressed his lips together silently, feeling extremely disappointed inside. The young woman still had little possessiveness towards him. He knew this kind of thinking wasn’t normal, but he longed to be controlled by her, longed for her eyes to be filled with only him.

On the day before the exam, Fang Chuning noticed that Xu Muzhou became unusually clingy, even taking the initiative to kiss her.

Although it was a bit strange, she didn’t delve into it.

Until the evening, when Fang Chuning sent him back to the apartment, before the lights were even turned on, the young man actively clung to her. The two entwined from the entrance to the sofa, with the moonlight faintly shining through the floor-to-ceiling windows making the room appear more sensual.

Fang Chuning could feel his passion; his whole body seemed sweet, even his saliva.

As their tongues intertwined, transparent liquid flowed down the corner of the young man’s mouth, and he would occasionally let out weak moans.

However, for Xu Muzhou, this was far from enough. He wanted to go further, but was hindered by his last bit of reserve. He took her hand and gently pressed it against the buttons of his shirt.

Fang Chuning suddenly stopped.

Xu Muzhou was breathing slightly heavily, pursing his lips in dissatisfaction.

“Um, I need to go back.”

Nothing could break the mood more than this.

In the darkness, Xu Muzhou sat on her lap, silently staring at her, his gaze resentful.

Fang Chuning awkwardly averted her eyes, then felt the weight on her legs lighten as the light above her head turned on.

The strong light forced her to squint, and Xu Muzhou was standing in front of her, his face flushed with passion from their deep kiss earlier. “Will you stay and keep me company tonight?”

Fang Chuning was shocked by his bold words, her eyes widening, not knowing how to respond: “This, this isn’t appropriate! We’re not adults yet!”

The young man gently bit his red lips, “I mean, you can sleep on the sofa.”

“……”

Fang Chuning, who had misunderstood, felt embarrassed, “That, that’s still not okay, I’m afraid I might sleepwalk.”

Xu Muzhou sat down beside her, tilting his head to rest on her shoulder, “We won’t be able to see each other for a long time…”

“Summer vacation will pass quickly.” To comfort him, Fang Chuning tried to sound casual, “After you go abroad, you can take some photos of where you visit and send them to me. If they’re nice, we can go together next time.”

To Xu Muzhou, these words sounded like she was planning for their sweet honeymoon in the future. He smiled happily, no longer dwelling on the issue of separation.

…

The exams went smoothly. Fang Chuning thought she could rest for a day after the exams, send Xu Muzhou to the airport, then play for a day before going to the company.

However, everything was just her wishful thinking.

Fang Hong had already arranged everything clearly for her, without even notifying her. On the first day of summer vacation, she was informed to prepare for work while she was still in bed.

Fang Chuning sat on the bed, ruffling her messy hair, looking confused, “So soon? I’m not ready yet. Can I go tomorrow instead?”

Housekeeper Ye went over to open the curtains in the room, saying kindly: “The family head is waiting downstairs to have breakfast with you, young miss.”

This meant there was no room for negotiation.

Feeling a bit dazed, Fang Chuning first sent a message to Xu Muzhou. She had originally planned to send him off at the airport, but now it seemed impossible.

By the time she went downstairs, Fang Hong had already finished eating. Fang Tianli was eating while gloating at her predicament.

As soon as she sat down, she heard the woman say: “Someone will arrange your work at the company later. Pay attention to the time.”

After the woman left, Fang Tianli said with a look of schadenfreude, “You’re in trouble. Mom seems to know about your relationship.”

Fang Chuning paused, narrowing her eyes, “Did you tell her?”

“Of course not!”

It was actually within expectations. After all, Xinxing was all hers. If she wanted to know, there was nothing she couldn’t find out.

However, what Fang Chuning found strange was, if Fang Hong really knew about their relationship, why didn’t she mention it at all?

When she finished breakfast and came to the living room, Fang Hong was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper. Fang Chuning thought she was waiting for her and said, “We can go now.”

Fang Hong glanced at her, “Mm, you can go to work now.”

“……Aren’t we going to the company together?”

Fang Hong turned a page of the newspaper, saying slowly: “From today, for one month, you can forget about me and focus on working at the company.”

Fang Chuning didn’t quite understand what she meant, but it didn’t matter. She had to go to the company anyway, so if there was no car to take her, she would just take public transportation.

It was the peak rush hour, and because of the summer vacation, there were twice as many cars on the road as usual. Although the sun had just risen not long ago, the streets were already crowded, mostly with young people.

It took Fang Chuning half an hour to finally hail a cab, but as expected, they got stuck in traffic. By the time she arrived at Century Building, she was exactly one hour late.

At this moment, she still hadn’t realized the seriousness of the situation and walked into the first-floor lobby of the building as usual.

An unfamiliar female security guard stopped her, “What are you here for?”

Fang Chuning pointed upwards, “I’m here for work.”

The security guard looked her up and down, “It’s almost eleven o’clock and you’re coming to work? Show your work ID.”

“……It’s my first day at work today.”

The girl in front of her looked no more than seventeen or eighteen. Recently, with students on summer vacation, there were more interns in the company, but this was the first time seeing someone late on their first day.

“Wait here for a moment.” After saying this, the security guard walked towards the reception desk.

Shortly after, Fang Chuning was called over. The receptionist was also an unfamiliar face. He frowned slightly, looking at her with displeasure.

Fang Corporation had always been the top choice for many talented graduates, not only because of its salary and benefits far exceeding other companies but also due to its global reputation. Some people would do anything to get in, and now an intern was late on their first day, which was truly unacceptable.

“Why are you late?”

“I got stuck in traffic,” Fang Chuning answered honestly.

“That’s not an excuse for being late. Time management is very important. Why else would you come here to work?”

Fang Chuning was left speechless. The receptionist stared at her face for a while, his tone softening a bit: “I’m not sure if I can help you keep this hard-to-come-by internship opportunity. Let me try asking for you.”

“Ah, thank you.”

The receptionist looked at her again.

After making a phone call, he used a card to open the gate to the elevators, “Take the elevator to the 11th floor. Someone will guide you there.”

Fang Chuning finally realized that Fang Hong seemed to have no intention of giving her any special treatment, letting her enter the company completely as an intern.

Originally thinking she would have a comfortable private office, now all those hopes were shattered. She was assigned to the general staff area. The department manager recognized her and while arranging her position, quietly apologized: “Miss Fang, I’m sorry about this. These are all arrangements from above. I can’t show you too much preferential treatment. Please understand!”

Fang Chuning’s mouth twitched: “It’s fine.”

The office space was quite spacious. After the department manager left, she felt bored.

Fang Chuning looked around. Everyone was busy, either typing on keyboards or on phone calls. Only she had nothing to do.

The young woman at the neighboring desk glanced at her. Fang Chuning instinctively gave a polite smile, “Hello.”

The young woman nodded at her indifferently and continued working.

Fang Chuning didn’t mind and took out her phone to check her messages. The pinned chat showed 9 new messages. She clicked in to see photos Xu Muzhou had sent her before boarding the plane, with text complaining that she hadn’t come to see him off.

Just as Fang Chuning finished replying to him, she heard a stern rebuke from above: “You can’t play with your phone during work hours. Don’t you even know this basic rule?”

The man was in his thirties or forties, wearing a crisp suit, with a somewhat harsh expression, looking unapproachable.

Fang Chuning quickly put away her phone.

“If there’s a next time, you can just leave.” The man left after saying this.

Being scolded by someone else in her own family’s company felt quite strange.

The woman at the neighboring desk leaned over again, “You should know how to make PowerPoint presentations, right?”

Fang Chuning nodded, and the woman immediately handed her two documents, “Here, make these two documents into presentations. Try to be quick, they’re needed this afternoon.”

“Okay.”

At first, Fang Chuning was quite enthusiastic, but later she discovered that the surrounding employees, seeing she was willing to help, all started handing her one or two documents. Soon, the documents on her desk piled up like a small mountain.

She didn’t quite understand. Were these people really so trusting of a newcomer to handle these tasks?

Fang Chuning was busy until she didn’t even have time for lunch, working until the afternoon when most people in the office had left except for one or two working overtime.

“So diligent? Working overtime on your first day.”

A man’s gentle, magnetic voice sounded right by her ear. Fang Chuning, immersed in work, was startled and frowned: “Don’t appear silently behind people, it can cause psychological trauma.”

The man chuckled lightly: “Alright, I won’t do it next time.”