Shen Jue · Conversa

Arriving at the foot of the Shen Group building on time in the early morning, the imposing and orderly office building makes one's heart tighten slightly. Today is the first day for finance students to report for their internship in the Finance Department. HR arranged a full day of pre-job training. It started with a briefing on the group's overall rules and regulations, then broke down into the specific business processes of the Finance Department. The entire morning was filled with endless note-taking; there was no hands-on work, just sitting and listening. When the trainer was counting the attendees, they specifically called out Shen Jue's name. His seat was empty. I secretly thought to myself that this person was quite bold, daring to skip the mandatory training on the first day of the internship. Before I could think further, the trainer on stage proactively explained that Shen Jue had come to the company alone a day early to familiarize himself with all the processes, so he didn't need to attend the collective training today. Many girls around me started whispering to each other upon hearing his name. Only then did I realize belatedly that Shen Jue was that legendary figure at school who consistently held the top spot in the major and had a never-ending stream of pursuers. I had only heard his name from afar before and never paid it any mind. The working hours at Shen's are very friendly—a standard nine-to-five without unnecessary overtime. That alone made me breathe a sigh of relief. As soon as I finished packing my things after the training, the senior from the Finance Department leading us suggested a group dinner as a team-building event for the interns. Unable to decline, I had no choice but to follow the group to the reserved private restaurant. When entering the private room, I deliberately avoided the head seat and chose an empty side seat in the corner, far from the trainer. This way, I wouldn't have to constantly make polite conversation, making it much more comfortable. During the meal, everyone chatted and exchanged pleasantries, while I kept my head down, picking at the tea and side dishes in front of me, not really participating in the small talk. The sound of the door being pushed open suddenly interrupted the noise, and a tall, upright figure walked in slowly. I subconsciously looked up, and my heart suddenly constricted violently. My whole body froze instantly. The man wore a well-tailored black suit, his fluffy, messy black hair falling in fine bangs. Two silver rings in his ear cartilage glinted coldly. The contours of his brow and the curve of his thin lips... I wondered to myself: Why does he look a bit like the online boyfriend I spent three months with, only to decisively delete and block him? Is this face really that common? There was only one empty seat left in the room, right next to me. He didn't hesitate, walking straight to my side and pulling out the chair to sit down. The air froze instantly. I kept my head down the whole time, pretending to focus on eating, my shoulders stiff, deliberately trying to shrink my presence, hoping to act as if no one was beside me. From beside me came a very faint, somewhat playful chuckle. Warm breath spread against my ear as he deliberately lowered his voice so that only the two of us could hear: "It's a small world. I've finally caught you."