Chapter Eighteen: Veiled Accusations

As soon as the door opened, someone standing at the entrance exclaimed in surprise, “President Shang, you’re here?”

The speaker was the new assistant from the administrative department, clutching a document and clearly anxious to get Shang Qi’s signature. She had been the one knocking earlier. Dedicated to her work, she had waited by the office door, worried Shang Qi might leave before she could get the signature.

Shang Qi wore a surprised expression, though inside she was utterly unsettled. Trying to maintain composure, she asked, “What is it?”

Out of the corner of her eye, the assistant saw Luo Yichen stepping out from inside. She thought to herself: I’ve been waiting here for over ten minutes, yet these two didn’t open the door—what were they doing in there? Could it be…? The thought startled her. If President Luo found out she had walked in on something, her newly acquired job might be at risk.

Luo Yichen strode out and asked directly, “Was it you knocking repeatedly just now?”

The assistant was momentarily at a loss for words. Silence fell around them. Luo Yichen’s imposing presence was almost suffocating. The assistant dared not delay and stammered, “Y-yes.”

Having dealt with countless people, Luo Yichen immediately sensed that the assistant had guessed what he and Shang Qi were doing inside. He scolded sharply, “Don’t delay urgent work until so late! You just disrupted my discussion with President Shang about company secrets. I nearly mistook you for a corporate spy.”

The assistant broke out in a cold sweat, hastily apologizing, “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to.”

A faint smile tugged at Luo Yichen’s lips. His tone seemed comforting but was actually a warning: “Don’t be nervous! Even if you overheard confidential information, as long as you keep your mouth shut, nothing will happen. On the other hand, anyone who betrays Luo Corporation will face the consequences.”

The assistant was nearly in tears from fear. She had just graduated this year and had been with Luo Corporation for only a week. She had never encountered such a scene. Seeing this, Shang Qi quickly intervened to smooth things over. “President Luo, I will handle things carefully from now on.”

“Hmm. For President Shang’s sake, I won’t hold it against you.”

Luo Yichen left the role of the ‘good guy’ to Shang Qi. Before leaving, he added, “See you at the parking lot in ten minutes.”

Shang Qi nodded and led the assistant back into the office. “Give me the document.”

The assistant’s nervousness had left her palms sweaty, soaking the papers needing co-signature. Shang Qi, noticing this, inwardly thought Luo Yichen had been a bit harsh. She gently soothed her, “Have a seat first.”

The assistant remained standing.

Shang Qi continued, “President Luo’s words were stern, but he’s a good man and quite tolerant of employees. Don’t take it to heart or feel too pressured.”

Feeling somewhat relieved, the assistant replied, “I understand. Thank you just now, President Shang!”

Shang Qi signed the papers without further comment and sent her off. She hurriedly grabbed her bag and headed to the parking lot. Luo Yichen disliked waiting; arriving late might invite complaints from him again. After getting into the car, Luo Yichen asked, “What do you want to eat? You didn’t answer that earlier.”

Still shaken from the earlier incident and wary of being seen with Luo Yichen, Shang Qi replied, “You drive first. We can talk about things after leaving the company.”

“Nope, I’m not driving off yet.”

Luo Yichen was completely unfazed by any complications. Having pursued Shang Qi for years, they inevitably had moments of closeness at work. Especially in the beginning, when he wanted to meet her privately, he couldn’t manage it, so they had to “connect” while working together. Even Luo Yichen’s caution couldn’t withstand the passage of time. Staff around them always noticed something was up.

But outsiders, including Yin Guizhen, could find nothing on Shang Qi. This was mainly because Luo Yichen controlled all the power at Luo Corporation; no one dared to gossip behind his back. These employees were just earning a living and had no interest in confronting the CEO. So even if someone caught them together, they would pretend not to see.

Confident in this, Luo Yichen felt free to “harass” Shang Qi at the office from time to time. She knew he used many methods behind the scenes, but seeing the assistant nearly cry earlier made her uneasy. Shang Qi was growing increasingly uncomfortable with their awkward, unspoken relationship.

Seeing her silent, Luo Yichen started the car. Shang Qi’s greatest weapon when angry was her calmness—the only thing that could rein him in. He didn’t fear women’s quarrels, threats, or seductions, but he could not bear being ignored by her when she held his heart captive.

After driving three kilometers, Luo Yichen finally asked, “What exactly are you sulking about?”

Shang Qi didn’t dare reveal her true thoughts. She made up an excuse, “She’s just a young girl and was quite frightened by your tone. I don’t like how you threaten people.”

Luo Yichen believed her and explained, “I was just being indirect; I didn’t do anything to her. She’s an employee of Luo Corporation, not some child in her parents’ arms. If she can’t handle this, how can she manage the job?”

Shang Qi didn’t bother to argue. She only wanted to satisfy his question.

Luo Yichen grew impatient, “So, what do you want for dinner?”

Shang Qi remembered he had already asked three times, but she truly didn’t know how to answer. She rarely ate with him to avoid being seen. The few times she had, he chose the places. With Luo Yichen’s status, Shang Qi’s usual modest eateries were out of the question. The restaurants he frequented were almost all unfamiliar to her.

Suddenly, Luo Yichen pulled the car over and snapped, “Isn’t it just about picking a place to eat? Is it that hard? I haven’t eaten all day, and my stomach hurts from hunger.”

Seeing the faint pain on his face, Shang Qi knew he was serious. Luo Yichen threw himself into work recklessly; she was well aware. Concerned, she said, “No matter how busy, you must eat! Your stomach can’t take this.”

Luo Yichen’s heart swelled at her concern. He smiled wickedly and pulled her close. “I’m starving. How about I eat you now?”

Shang Qi was growing accustomed to this man’s “impertinence.” She smiled in return. “You know, whenever you’re moved, you cover it up with strange words.”

Luo Yichen laughed, the earlier irritation vanishing. No longer the aloof, unfathomable CEO, he was just a man tenderly sharing the evening with his woman. Feeling sorry for his stomach, Shang Qi said, “Let’s go to the place where we ate last time. It’s quieter there.”