Chapter 362 The female employee is really enjoying the gossip, I'll help you!

Jiang Yan, like a startled rabbit, snapped out of that dazed state.

She sprang away from Jiang Jing, hurriedly straightening her slightly disheveled shirt collar and the hair that had fallen loose.

She took several deep breaths, trying to suppress the flush on her face and her racing heart.

Watching her flustered appearance, Jiang Jing found it incredibly amusing, but he cooperated by sitting up straight and putting on the look of a perfect gentleman.

He quickly went to open the door, then returned to his seat, looking perfectly serious.

"P-please come in." Jiang Yan tried hard to make her voice sound calm and normal, but there was still a hint of an undetectable tremor at the end.

The door was pushed open, and a female employee in a professional suit, looking sharp and capable, walked in holding a document.

She caught sight of Jiang Jing sitting in the main chair with a relaxed posture, visibly stunned for a moment, before her face immediately broke into a respectful yet slightly nervous smile: "Mr. Jiang! Hello!"

"Hmm, hello." Jiang Jing nodded with a smile, his manner gentle.

The female employee then turned to Jiang Yan: "CEO Jiang, this is the preliminary proposal for next quarter's marketing, I need you to take a look."

She handed over the document, her eyes involuntarily darting back and forth between Jiang Jing and Jiang Yan.

Jiang Yan tried to appear calm as she took the file, feeling the other woman's probing gaze like a hook, making her feel completely uncomfortable.

She even felt her cheeks were still burning.

This female employee was a key member of the administrative department with sharp observational skills; although she appeared respectful on the surface, her flickering eyes clearly spelled out— "I think I've discovered some incredible gossip."

Anyone with eyes could see her excitement and curiosity.

Oh my god, Mr. Jiang is actually in CEO Jiang's office!

The two of them had the door closed just now...

CEO Jiang's face seems a bit red?

Her clothes are a bit wrinkled too?

There is definitely something going on between them!

The female employee's mind had already played out countless office romance dramas, and she was so excited her fingertips were trembling slightly.

Jiang Yan felt like she was sitting on pins and needles under her gaze, unable to focus on the document at all, just wanting to send the person away as quickly as possible.

She flipped through two pages hurriedly, then closed the file, trying to use a steady tone as she said: "Alright, I'll look over the proposal first and get back to you later."

"Very well, CEO Jiang. Then... I'll head out first." The female employee quickly replied.

As she turned to leave, she couldn't help but steal one last quick glance at the two sitting side-by-side before gently closing the door.

As soon as the door closed, Jiang Yan immediately deflated like a punctured ball, slumping against the back of her chair and glaring resentfully at the calm and composed Jiang Jing: "See! It's all your fault! Now it's done for, I bet by the end of the afternoon, the whole company will be gossiping about us behind our backs!"

Watching her shy and anxious appearance, Jiang Jing couldn't help but laugh out loud.

He stood up, walked over, and without a word, pulled her up from the chair and back into his arms, resting his chin gently on the top of her head as he said nonchalantly: "Let them gossip. It's human nature to love gossip."

"Besides, I don't believe they would dare say anything to our faces. Our CEO Jiang is capable and beautiful; it's perfectly normal for me to admire and pursue you, isn't it?"

His embrace was warm and strong, carrying a reassuring scent.

Being held like this by him, listening to his overbearing yet protective words, the embarrassment and worry in her heart actually dissipated quite a bit.

She, of course, knew that with Jiang Jing's unquestionable authority in the company, no one would dare to gossip recklessly; she was just... thin-skinned.

Burying her face in his solid chest, inhaling the clean, pleasant scent on him, Jiang Yan gave a soft "Hmm" and quieted down.

Jiang Jing keenly sensed that although the delicate body in his arms was soft, there seemed to be a lingering, subtle sense of heaviness.

He tightened his arms and asked in a low voice: "I can feel that you still seem to have something on your mind? Is it... about my neighbor, Su Yingxue?"

He felt Jiang Yan's body stiffen instantly.

The office fell into a brief silence, with only the sound of each other's slight breathing audible.

Jiang Yan didn't answer immediately, seemingly struggling and hesitating.

Jiang Jing didn't rush her, just held her quietly, giving her silent support.

After a long while, Jiang Yan sighed softly.

She lifted her head gently from Jiang Jing's arms, her eyes looking out the window in a daze, as if seeing the distant past through the glass.

"Yes..." Her voice carried a hint of vagueness, "It is about her, but not entirely about her."

She paused, gathered her thoughts, and summarized that unbearable past in as concise a manner as possible:

"Actually, our family and her family used to have a very good relationship, and Su Yingxue and I... were once close friends who could talk about anything."

"But later, I don't know why, our family's company suddenly fell into difficulties, the capital chain broke, and it soon declared bankruptcy."

"And just when our family was in the most difficult time, the Su Family... not only did they not extend a helping hand, but they took the opportunity to acquire at a low price and swallow up many of the Jiang Family's original industries and resources."

Speaking of this, Jiang Yan's voice carried a hint of undetectable choking and coldness: "This matter has always been like a thorn stuck in my heart."

"I investigated privately for a long time, always feeling that the bankruptcy back then came too suddenly, too suspiciously; there seemed to be more to it than simple causes."

"I wanted to find Su Yingxue and ask her clearly in person, to know if she knew about it, or... what role her family played in it."

"But... she always avoids talking about it, or changes the subject; she refuses to say anything."

Having poured out the grievances and doubts that had been buried in her heart for years, Jiang Yan felt a bit lighter, but what followed was a deeper exhaustion and confusion.

Jiang Jing listened silently, his arms tightening, and he lowered his head to look at Jiang Yan's slightly reddened eyes and furrowed brows, a surge of protective instinct welling up in his heart.

"Alright, it's all in the past." His voice was deep and gentle, "No matter what the truth was back then, and no matter what you decide to do in the future, remember, I will support you."

"If you can't find it out on your own, or need any help, tell me, and I will help you."

No flowery promises, no exaggerated oaths, just this simple and firm sentence, yet it was like a warm current that instantly broke down the last line of defense in Jiang Yan's heart.

She lifted her head, her beautiful big eyes staring blankly at Jiang Jing, filled with emotion.

She hadn't expected that this man, who usually seemed cynical and surrounded by beautiful women, would stand on her side so unhesitatingly at this moment, willing to share this burden for her.

"Jiang Jing..." She murmured his name, her voice trembling slightly, "Thank you..."

Looking at the emotion and reliance almost overflowing from her eyes, Jiang Jing knew that her heart's defenses were at their weakest at this moment.

He didn't say anything more, just responded with action.

He slowly lowered his head, his gaze locking onto her red lips, which gleamed with an alluring luster.

Jiang Yan watched his handsome face slowly magnify before her eyes; this time, she didn't dodge, didn't refuse.

Her long eyelashes fluttered gently, then slowly closed.