Chapter Two: Neither Near Nor Far

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The phone rang, and Shang Qi answered. “Hello?”

“Why did you take so long to answer? Were you thinking about me?” Luo Yichen’s voice came through the phone, laced with suggestive warmth.

Shang Qi’s thoughts had been seen through. Her face flushed, and she stammered, “N-no… I…”

The corners of Luo Yichen’s lips lifted slightly. “You obviously were thinking about me. Why bother pretending otherwise?”

Shang Qi had to admit that she was always at a disadvantage in front of this man. She chose silence.

Luo Yichen already knew the answer and stopped teasing her. In a serious tone, he said, “We need to move quickly on the labor contract. Give it some more careful consideration.”

“Yes.”

After hanging up, Shang Qi realized that she still had a great deal of work left unfinished today. It looked as though she would have to work overtime again. She had no time to waste, so she immediately collected herself and began working. The reason Shang Qi had risen to her current position was that Luo Yichen’s assistance had merely given her a push; far more important was her own ability. Over the past three years, she had truly worked day and night. The fact that she was constantly working overtime naturally owed something to Luo Yichen as well.

Luo Yichen went to the liquor cabinet and poured himself a glass of red wine. He had prepared it especially for today, intending to celebrate with Shang Qi. But she had fled faster than a rabbit. Still, it did not matter. She had him in her heart, after all. Given enough time, this “little chili pepper” would certainly not escape him.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Luo Yichen said.

His executive assistant, Mu Lichen, entered the room. When he saw the wineglass in Luo Yichen’s hand, he could not help frowning slightly. Mu Lichen was the son of the Luo family’s butler. He and Luo Yichen had grown up together, and were both friends and classmates. Naturally, he knew all about Luo Yichen’s troubles.

He said, “Drinking in broad daylight? Are you worried about Shang Qi, or can’t you let go of Gui Zhen?”

“Neither. I’m celebrating my newfound freedom.”

“Gui Zhen has loved you for years. Why are you treating her like this?” Mu Lichen struggled to keep his emotions under control and not become too agitated. After all, Luo Yichen was still his employer.

A cold light flashed through Luo Yichen’s eyes. Parting his thin lips, he said, “Five years ago, the Yin family took a plot of land from the Luo family at an absurdly low price. I never approved that contract, yet it bore my seal. Other than her, I truly cannot think of anyone else who would have had a motive to betray me.”

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Mu Lichen’s heart tightened. He wanted to say something, but stopped himself. Instead, he said, “Many employees are very concerned about signing the new employment contracts, but the Administration Department has yet to give them an answer. I’m afraid that if this drags on, it will affect everyone’s morale.”

“That would be for the best. It would save me the trouble of laying people off myself. Especially those who are getting older—it’s time to replace them with fresh blood.”

“They’ve worked for the Luo family their entire lives. Wouldn’t it be heartless to dismiss them just like that?”

Luo Yichen disliked people defying his orders, but Mu Lichen was an exception. The two of them were remarkably tolerant of each other. He explained, “As the group’s president, I have to take responsibility for everyone. The Luo family’s management structure has grown increasingly complicated in recent years, while the number of employees has doubled. I estimate that the global economy will undergo considerable fluctuations in the short term. If the company refuses to make layoffs, it will be crushed beneath the burden of its enormous labor costs. When that happens, everyone will lose their jobs. Is that what you want?”

Mu Lichen looked at Luo Yichen and saw that the earnest determination in his eyes left no room for argument. Almost despite himself, he said, “All right.”

While Shang Qi was frantically busy, Xi Jingpeng called her. She stared at the name flashing repeatedly on her phone, feeling that she truly had no time to answer. However, the current president of the Xi family was not someone she could afford to offend. Shang Qi set down her pen and answered the call.

“Hello!”

Xi Jingpeng was gentle by nature, and his words were always considerate. He asked, “You took so long to answer. Are you very busy? Did I interrupt you?”

“I’m all right. Did you need something?”

“Can’t I call you if I don’t?”

There was a deeper meaning in Xi Jingpeng’s words, and an unmistakable hint of flirtation.

Shang Qi felt a headache coming on again. She had met Xi Jingpeng through a corporate loan. This refined and elegant man had helped her considerably. But later, when she began receiving his messages every day, asking after her, she realized that the favor would not be easy to repay.

Still, Xi Jingpeng was not as domineering as Luo Yichen. He knew how to accommodate others in every matter, and his care for Shang Qi was meticulous. Shang Qi, however, remained alternately close and distant with him. The relationship between them was extraordinarily delicate.

Shang Qi had no time for idle chatter with Xi Jingpeng and spoke frankly. “Could you be serious? If there’s nothing else, I’m hanging up.”

“I heard you’re recruiting accounting staff. I have the resumes of several suitable candidates here. Would you like them?”

Shang Qi had been worrying about this very matter lately. Joy entered her voice as she replied, “That would be wonderful! But I have to work overtime today. I’ll come by and pick them up tomorrow!”

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“Why are you always so busy? Are you going to be working late again?” Xi Jingpeng silently cursed Luo Yichen, blaming him for driving his employees so mercilessly.

Shang Qi answered helplessly, “I can’t help it.”

“I’ll pick you up after work tonight. I’ll wait outside your company. Don’t keep me waiting.”

Before Shang Qi could respond, the call ended with a series of beeps. She sighed helplessly. She had not been entirely unmoved by this man, who was always thinking of her. But with Luo Yichen tying her heart in knots, she simply could not accept him without reservation.

Shang Qi did not leave the office until quite late. As soon as she reached the entrance of the company, Xi Jingpeng’s car drove over. He lowered the window and said, “Get in!”

Shang Qi frowned slightly. “There’s no need to trouble yourself, **!”

Xi Jingpeng had waited there for three hours. How could he possibly be willing to let her leave just like that? He opened the door and got out, blocking Shang Qi’s path.

“Don’t always push people away as though they were thousands of miles distant.”

Shang Qi was in a hurry to leave and nearly collided with him. She made an emergency stop, her body tilting slightly forward. The hair at her forehead brushed against his chin. Xi Jingpeng felt a delicious itch in his heart, and heat began spreading through his body.

He suddenly smiled devilishly. “You’re being so forward. I don’t think I could take it.”

In all the time they had known each other, Shang Qi had never heard him make such an explicit insinuation. Her small face flushed crimson as she stared at him in astonishment, unsure how to respond.

Xi Jingpeng immediately resumed his gentle, refined smile. “Don’t be nervous. I was only joking. Hurry and get in the car.”

As he spoke, he reached for Shang Qi’s hand to pull her toward the car.

Suddenly, a tall figure lunged at him. Before Xi Jingpeng could touch Shang Qi, his hand was already caught in another man’s powerful grip.

While shaking his hand, Luo Yichen greeted him warmly. “**, what an unexpected guest you are! What brings you to the Luo family so late at night? Is there something important?”

!!

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