Chapter 74

In the Jingyan office, Chi Wanzhao hung up the phone. The pen tip rested on the blank paper, where she slowly wrote the character "Yan." Then she set down the pen and pressed the intercom. "Zhou Sheng."

Zhou Sheng quickly put down the documents in his hands and strode into the office.

He stood behind Chi Wanzhao, head bowed. "CEO Chi."

Chi Wanzhao capped the fountain pen and looked up at him. "Look into Tong Yue..."

"Never mind."

Since Kong Xiyan hadn't wanted to tell her what it was about, why should she go behind her back to investigate? It would only upset her. Chi Wanzhao changed the subject. "What's the situation with Wei Yan and He Wei now?"

Zhou Sheng kept his head lowered as he answered quickly. "Wei Yan is entangled in lawsuits lately; I doubt he can hold out much longer. On He Wei's side, the He family has been trying to mediate."

Chi Wanzhao stood and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. She pulled open the curtain. Outside, the wind was biting, and snowflakes drifted. After a moment's thought, she said, "Mediate?"

Zhou Sheng followed her gaze outside. "I believe it won't take long. The He family has suffered heavy losses this time. He Wei's income stream has been cut off. The He family, accustomed to a life of luxury, will likely fall into internal strife before long."

Chi Wanzhao's gaze was indifferent. "Is that so?"

"How much longer?"

Zhou Sheng hesitated. "Another month perhaps. He Wei's current focus is all on her studio."

Chi Wanzhao turned her gaze from the window and looked at him sidelong. "A month? Zhou Sheng, do you need me to pave the way for you as well?"

Zhou Sheng's expression stiffened. "My apologies, CEO Chi. I'll arrange it as soon as possible."

"No need."

Chi Wanzhao said calmly, "Hand over all matters regarding He Wei and Wei Yan to Jiang Yuan. He knows what to do."

Zhou Sheng's brows furrowed slightly. "Jiang Yuan?" Then he nodded. "Understood."

Chi Wanzhao pressed her lips together. "How is the investigation into that accident on the show going?"

Zhou Sheng replied, "All the staff have been investigated so far, with no anomalies. I plan to go through all the outsiders who were present that day one by one."

"Also, the 'Meet on Friday' crew has temporarily labeled it an accident."

Chi Wanzhao nodded. "Expected."

"For now, focus on investigating that incident. Avoid everyone else."

"Leave He Wei and Wei Yan to Jiang Yuan."

"I'll have him coordinate with you."

After Chi Wanzhao finished speaking, Zhou Sheng nodded. When he returned to his own office, he noticed there was an extra desk inside. His office had originally been private, so the additional desk stood out conspicuously.

Just as he was about to call someone, a knock came at the door, followed by a man's voice. "Assistant Zhou."

"A pleasure to meet you."

Zhou Sheng tilted his head to look at Jiang Yuan, shaking his outstretched hand while furrowing his brows. "Jiang Yuan?"

Jiang Yuan was naturally handsome; in a black suit, he looked even more striking. His smile was disarmingly harmless as he greeted Zhou Sheng. "Jiang Yuan. I presume CEO Chi has already informed you."

Zhou Sheng had a bad feeling. He glanced quickly toward Chi Wanzhao's office.

Jiang Yuan followed his gaze. "It seems CEO Chi hasn't yet explained to Assistant Zhou. Should I introduce myself first, or shall we get straight to business?"

Zhou Sheng released their handshake. "No need. I already know why you're here."

With a businesslike tone, he returned to his desk, picked up a few folders, and handed them over. "These are the files on He Wei and Wei Yan. Also, here's the action plan."

Jiang Yuan took the documents, glanced through them, then closed them and asked, "How about lunch together later?"

"Consider it a welcome."

Zhou Sheng, still frowning, met Jiang Yuan's eyes and gave a light laugh. "You're hardly new."

He picked up another file and headed downstairs.

Behind him, Jiang Yuan clicked his tongue, turned, and walked back to his own desk. There were a few stray files on it, along with a nameplate lying flat. He tapped it with his fingertip and sighed. "I'm pretty new."

Zhou Sheng was busy. He only surfaced around noon, carrying a lunchbox into Chi Wanzhao's office and setting it on the coffee table. Chi Wanzhao rarely went to the company cafeteria and disliked eating out, so ordering takeout had become routine. Over time, Zhou Sheng had learned her preferences.

That was why he'd been able to tell Kong Xiyan what Chi Wanzhao liked.

He hadn't expected the consequence to be losing a sizable bonus.

Truly—regret it deeply.

Curiosity killed the cat, as they say.

Zhou Sheng set down the lunchbox, then said, "CEO Chi, please eat."

Chi Wanzhao closed the documents and stood. "Met Jiang Yuan?"

Zhou Sheng: "Mm."

"Is he reliable?"

Chi Wanzhao knew what Zhou Sheng was worried about, and she smiled. "Don't worry. Jiang Yuan is someone from my brother's side. I'd long wanted to introduce him to you, but never had the chance. Now that he's at the company, take him around and help him get familiar."

Zhou Sheng relaxed. "Understood."

Chi Wanzhao broke apart her chopsticks. "Also, leave the Changning Village matter to him as well."

Zhou Sheng: "Got it."

After giving instructions, Chi Wanzhao dismissed Zhou Sheng. She stared at the dishes before her, suddenly remembering the figure of Kong Xiyan bustling in the kitchen. She picked up her phone and sent a message: Where are you?

Kong Xiyan had just gotten into the car when she heard her phone buzz. She took it from her bag and saw it was from Chi Wanzhao.

She curved her brows into a smile and replied: About to head back to the apartment. What's up?

Chi Wanzhao: Nothing. Just thought of you not being here for lunch—who's going to take care of Yanyan?

Yanyan. Yanyan. Yanyan.

Your obsession with that cat is incurable!

Kong Xiyan gritted her teeth and typed: CEO Chi, your attention right now shouldn't be on Yanyan—

She hadn't finished typing when the car hit a bump. Her hand slipped, and the message sent.

She wanted to keep typing, but then she saw Chi Wanzhao's incoming message.

—Does Ms. Kong mean, on you?

Kong Xiyan's pretty face flushed instantly. Her eyes shimmered with emotion, and she smiled at the words on her phone, brows curving. Fu Qiu leaned close, reaching out to poke her cheek. "Sister Kong."

"Who are you texting?"

Kong Xiyan put away her phone and glanced at her. "A friend."

Fu Qiu sidled closer, unconvinced. "A friend? Sister Kong, do you like this friend of yours?"

Kong Xiyan froze for a second, then didn't answer Fu Qiu's question.

The van soon arrived at the apartment entrance. Kong Xiyan got out, waved goodbye to Fu Qiu, and shortly after, the vehicle drove off.

Kong Xiyan stood there, mulling over Fu Qiu's question.

Sister Kong, do you like this friend of yours?

Did she like Chi Wanzhao?

Like her?

Perhaps a little, yes.

When she left Changning, she'd even thought: if she could test Chi Wanzhao's feelings for her, she might be willing to try.

But every attempt had failed.

That woman's eyes were only on the cat. Cat, cat, cat!

The thought made Kong Xiyan angry. She walked quickly to the apartment door, pushed it open, and saw Yanyan sitting on the floor, wagging her tail, head raised, staring with big blue eyes. Kong Xiyan's simmering frustration vanished in an instant.

Alright.

She'd signed a contract with Chi Wanzhao to take care of Yanyan. She should've known how much that woman cared for the cat. And here she was, jealous of Yanyan.

When had she become so unreasonable?

Kong Xiyan sighed, walked into the apartment, set down her bag, and picked up Yanyan. She ran her fingers through the cat's white fur—soft and smooth, incredibly pleasant. She rubbed her for a good while before getting up to prepare the cat food.

Meanwhile, Chi Wanzhao, waiting for Kong Xiyan's reply, kept glancing at her phone. The WeChat page with Kong Xiyan had stopped at—Does Ms. Kong mean, on you?

Kong Xiyan hadn't sent a reply.

Chi Wanzhao read that sentence over and over and arrived at a conclusion.

She didn't want to.

That must be why she hadn't responded.

Chi Wanzhao was preoccupied with this thought, so distracted during the meeting that when everyone had finished reporting and waited for her instructions, she just sat there with a detached expression.

Zhou Sheng smiled stiffly, gritting his teeth. "CEO Chi."

"Your turn."

Chi Wanzhao snapped back to attention. Seeing everyone's eyes on her, she parted her lips, which bore traces of lipstick. "Meeting adjourned."

Not only the meeting attendees but even Zhou Sheng was stunned for a moment.

But Chi Wanzhao was the first to stand and walk out. Zhou Sheng hurried to catch up, puzzled. "CEO Chi, what's wrong? Is something the matter?"

The person ahead stopped abruptly, without the slightest warning. Zhou Sheng choked back a breath and forced himself to halt just in time to avoid bumping into Chi Wanzhao.

"CEO Chi?"

Chi Wanzhao's brows knit tightly. Slowly, she asked, "Zhou Sheng, have you ever been in love?"

Zhou Sheng: ...

He wanted to refuse to answer that question.

Chi Wanzhao caught his expression and nodded. "Never mind. Have Jiang Yuan come to my office."

Zhou Sheng looked aggrieved. "Alright."

Jiang Yuan was in his office reviewing documents. Zhou Sheng opened the door, hesitated for a moment, then walked up to his desk. After a beat, he asked, "Jiang Yuan, have you ever been in love?"

"Huh?"

Jiang Yuan looked up at Zhou Sheng, a glint of amusement in his starry eyes. "What did you ask?"

Zhou Sheng pressed his lips together and repeated the question.

Jiang Yuan shook his head. "Too busy. No time."

Zhou Sheng seemed satisfied. He waved a hand grandly. "CEO Chi wants you in her office."

Jiang Yuan watched Zhou Sheng's mood brighten again, lowered his gaze thoughtfully, then rose and headed to Chi Wanzhao's office.

About twenty minutes later, he returned.

Zhou Sheng, still seated at his desk, asked with barely concealed schadenfreude, "What did CEO Chi ask you?"

Jiang Yuan sat down, his expression normal. "She asked me some questions about relationships."

"I gave her a few pointers."

Zhou Sheng's face changed slightly. "Didn't you say you've never been in love?"

Jiang Yuan shrugged. "Right. I've never eaten pork, but I've seen pigs run."

He then shot a dubious glance at Zhou Sheng and said slowly, "Assistant Zhou, you haven't even seen pigs run, have you?"

Zhou Sheng: ...

Ha ha.

Wishing you a lifetime of watching pigs run and never tasting pork!