Chapter 15 Would you still accept me like this...?

"A magnifying glass customized overseas." Chen Jiashu pinched the temple and took it off. "I use it specifically to read documents, and occasionally to watch videos."

Picking up his white cane and carrying his glasses, Chen Jiashu walked around the table toward her.

As the sofa sank in, Chen Jiashu sat down beside her, handed her the glasses, and patiently explained, "Right now, I can only barely read the words with these glasses. The higher the magnification, the more tiring it is for me to read. A line of text may have to be divided into several paragraphs."

Qin Qiao held it; it was quite heavy, and there were two adjustment buttons on the temples.

After studying it for a while, she found it quite interesting, put it on, and the bookshelf on the opposite wall suddenly appeared in front of her.

She was startled, hurriedly took off her glasses, put them on the coffee table, and then her eyes welled up with tears.

"Isn't this... very tiring?"

“Hmm…sometimes reading through a page of financial reports feels like climbing Mount Everest.” Chen Jiashu nodded seriously.

Qin Qiao blinked twice quickly. Then she noticed that his tie was a little loose. Feeling agitated and wanting to do something, she took the initiative to re-tie his tie.

Chen Jiashu was caught off guard, and his body quickly tensed up and stiffened like Mount Everest.

Her slender, pale fingers danced amidst the pink hues, occasionally brushing against his chin with a cool touch that stimulated his senses.

Push it upwards, and the full Windsor knot is complete.

Qin Qiao said, "Okay."

*

The board meeting will begin at 9:00 AM.

Qin Qiao was seated at the last table of the long table. None of the directors had been notified that the media would be present today, and they looked at each other in bewilderment.

After Chen Jiashu explained a few things, the meeting officially began. Standing to Chen Jiashu's left was his assistant, Wang, who would occasionally lean close to Chen Jiashu's ear and whisper data from the reports on the PowerPoint presentation.

Qin Qiao looked down and wrote a few strokes in his notebook. When he looked up again, a forecast table of the rate of return for the construction of a factory in Tujia Town, City B, appeared on the projection screen.

Assistant Zhang finished reading the report and straightened up. Chen Jiashu looked at everyone and said, "Let me do some calculations for you."

He started with fixed costs, including factory buildings, equipment, and land ownership fees... He completed the mental calculation in three minutes without pausing, arriving at 88.9 million.

Then, when calculating the labor and social security costs, he looked at Director Sun of Tujia Town's Investment Promotion Office, who was on the first page on the left: "The report estimates 2,000 workers. Social security is calculated at the minimum base, with an average monthly payment of 1,200 yuan per person. The annual expenditure is 2,000 × 1,200 × 12 = 28.8 million yuan. Over five years, it would be 28.8 million × 5 = 144 million yuan, or 144 million yuan."

However, starting next year, the social security base in City H will be increased by 12%. Based on 2000 people, the average monthly social security expenditure per person will increase by 1200 × 12% = 144 yuan. Therefore, the total additional monthly expenditure will be 2000 × 144 = 288,000 yuan; the cumulative additional expenditure over five years will be 288,000 × 12 × 5 = 17.28 million yuan. This 'dynamic cost' is not included in the compound interest calculation in the table.

The air conditioning in the conference room was set low. Director Sun frantically pressed the calculator buttons, but kept making mistakes. The cold air made the back of his neck feel chilly, while fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.

The board members couldn't help but chuckle as they watched the director, who was flustered and disorganized because he hadn't done his homework properly.

Some people have photographic memory, but Chen Jiashu's skill is that he can remember what he hears. The key is that his mental calculation ability is faster and more accurate than a calculator, and he has never made a mistake.

After Director Sun finished pressing the calculator, Chen Jiashu continued, "Based on the error propagation selection, each data point is left with a 10% margin of error, which adds up to a 30% deviation. Director Sun, I'll have to trouble you to take this report back and recalculate it."

The finance director glanced through the reports submitted by his subordinates and realized that he had overlooked the 'dynamic costs'. He closed the file, folded his hands, and calmly turned to stare at Chen Jiashu.

Qin Qiao was sitting diagonally opposite the CFO. She took in the CFO's micro-expressions and pretended to have a sore throat, covering her mouth to suppress a laugh.

The investment promotion director offered a few more explanations, and Chen Jiashu remained gentle and patiently listened to him finish.

However, the director ultimately failed to turn the situation around.

Chen Jiashu raised his eyes: "My opinion is to postpone the Tujia Town project until the other party completes the formal land approval and the supporting factory signs a binding contract, and then re-evaluate it. Now, let's vote by raising our hands."

"Those who agree to postpone the project, please raise your hands."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Ao was the first to raise his hand, followed by the CFO, the legal director, and all the directors... Chen Jiashu was the last to raise his hand.

Wang Zhu leaned down again to inform Chen Jiashu of the results: "15 people raised their hands, and 1 person abstained."

Chen Jiashu glanced at everyone and said, "Since the vote has passed, let's proceed with the postponement plan." He paused, "Let's move on to the next item."

The investment promotion director pulled out a chair and quietly left the room, looking dejected.

...

This is Chen Jiashu's daily work routine. He can't see the reports clearly, but he can slowly look at them with his vision glasses; he can't see the various data on the PPT, but he will have his assistant read out the core data so that he can analyze and organize it himself.

The once proud man, who was unwilling to even hire a driver, gradually began to rely on others. But this was not a sign of incompetence; rather, it was a kind of work wisdom.

Just as some people use audiobooks instead of reading with their eyes, it is essentially an adjustment of tools and methods, not a lack of ability.

Qin Qiao buried himself in writing down what he had heard and witnessed.

"Did everyone go online to see what happened at the Dongting factory last time? Netizens are now calling us a 'live-streaming company.' Chairman Chen is asking netizens to help find fault and investigate cases. Well, now there are people 'solving cases' in the comments section of our official Weibo account every day. The day before yesterday, someone was even analyzing that the prices of vegetables in the main factory's canteen were too high..." Director Huang, standing next to Zhu Ao, said with exaggerated gestures.

A few soft laughs rang out in the conference room.

After they finished laughing, Chen Jiashu turned around in his chair, pointed with his pen at the chart on the backdrop behind him, and said, "Gentlemen, my eyesight isn't good. Could you please confirm whether this stock price chart from the finance department shows a 23% rebound a week after the public information is released?"

The people who were laughing fell silent, looking at each other.

Zhu Ao said, "Indeed, 23%."

“The stock price rebound is a good thing, as it relates to everyone’s dividends,” Chen Jiashu said, turning back to the topic. “I care more about the real money involved than the memes netizens are making.”

He put down his pen, his gaze shifting from the group to them again, his tone becoming more serious: "Let's get down to business. Last quarter, our market share in the high-end home appliance sector declined by 5%, while our competitors saw their sales increase by 12% after their new product launches..."

Chen Jiashu delivered a lengthy analysis and instructions on future market strategies for nearly ten minutes. He spoke at a slow pace to ensure everyone could hear him clearly, his logic was tight, and he rarely used pauses or thoughtful words like "then" or "after that."

After speaking, Chen Jiashu pointed at Director Huang: "Since Director Huang is so perceptive about public opinion, why don't you analyze why, every time our competitors launch a new product, the trending search terms are 'This feature is really great,' while ours are 'The cafeteria food prices are outrageous.'"

When Director Huang was speechless at the question, Chen Jiashu looked away, leaned back slightly, and said, "Director Huang needs time to consider. Time is precious. Let's move on to the next item."

After the meeting, Qin Qiao followed Chen Jiashu to the canteen. There was a separate area of ​​about 30 square meters in the staff canteen, which was the dining area for the management; further inside, there was a small room of less than 20 square meters, which was the simple dining room for the senior management.

Inside were seven long tables, six of which were full of people. Before Chen Jiashu came in, everyone was enjoying their meal, the bamboo chopsticks tapping against the ceramic plates, making a soft "tap tap tap" sound.

"Chairman Chen." Someone saw Chen Jiashu and looked up to greet him.

One shout after another, even the rougher, more rugged men would shout along with their food in their mouths.

Just as Qin Qiao and Chen Jiashu sat down, Zhu Ao appeared at the door. Amidst repeated calls of "General Manager Zhu," he walked straight to their table and sat on a bench with Chen Jiashu.

Zhu Ao asked her, "Has this place changed a lot?"

Qin Qiao nodded: "There have been many changes."

The Qiaoshu Group was founded seven years ago in this same headquarters building. After the upgrade, it features a more modern, simple, and elegant design with sophisticated gray and pure white as the main colors.

The waiter brought over a tray with the business set meal that had been pre-ordered through the system yesterday. Qin Qiao also had one; Chen Jiashu had his assistant order it for him last night.

Braised beef brisket with tomatoes, pine nut and shepherd's purse, stir-fried mushrooms and asparagus, and a small bowl of clear soup with several kinds of mushrooms.

"Where's Jiayue?" Qin Qiao asked casually.

Zhu Ao replied, "I went to Japan on a business trip."

“He went to Japan,” Chen Jiashu said.

The two of them started talking at the same time and ended up exchanging words.

Her face turned half an inch to the left, meeting Chen Jiashu's intense gaze.

"Let's eat," Qin Qiao said calmly.

So she picked up the chopsticks from the ceramic plate, but her gaze froze when she caught sight of Chen Jiashu eating.

I inserted my chopsticks into the tomato and beef brisket dish in the upper left corner and stirred it slightly, as if trying to distinguish which piece was tomato and which was meat by touch.

Then Chen Jiashu picked up a piece of beef with broth, placed it on the rice, lowered his head, and shoveled a big mouthful of rice into it.

A stinging sensation spread from the back of her eyes to her nerve endings. Qin Qiao lowered her head in a panic, her thick eyelashes blinking. She picked up some food and put it in her mouth.

If it weren't for work, she really wouldn't want to be in the same space as him; it's too stuffy... It feels like a wet sheet of paper has been placed over her face, making her chest ache.

Qin Qiao deeply regrets her decision to have Chen Jiashu make a documentary.

After finishing their meal, Qin Qiao went back to the office. She went out to make a phone call, while Chen Jiashu sat in front of the computer and wrote an email to a major overseas client.

The two finished at the same time. Qin Qiao pushed open the door and came in. Chen Jiashu was standing in front of her.

"I want to come find you," Chen Jiashu said with a smile.

The man had removed his tie, and one button of his shirt collar was undone, revealing a perfectly proportioned neck with firm, bony bones and a slightly protruding Adam's apple. His neckline was truly captivating, at least in Qin Qiao's opinion.

Every inch of this place has been touched by her kisses.

Startled by her own thoughts, Qin Qiao's eyelashes trembled, and she quickly turned her gaze away. However, the sunlight reflected off the facade of the building opposite her stung her eyes, so she closed them briefly and had to turn back to face Chen Jiashu.

"Have you set off yet?"

They are going to the main factory in the new district this afternoon.

Chen Jiashu said, "Let's set off now."

The two went out together, and the driver and assistant, who had been waiting outside, quickly followed them.

In the basement, Qin Qiao and Chen Jiashu remained silent for a minute or two, because she insisted on sitting in the passenger seat or driving herself. Chen Jiashu couldn't persuade her otherwise, so he had to agree.

Since the passenger seat was occupied, Assistant Ye had to drive another car and follow behind.

The weather at the main factory was rather gloomy. Although it was in a large city, the weather was two different things. Dark clouds blocked the sun, not a single gap was visible, and it looked like it was going to rain.

Assistant Ye glanced at the sky, then looked at Chairman Chen and his female friend. Their relationship seemed more complicated than it appeared. They had been chatting and laughing at the company entrance that morning, but by the afternoon, there was an unsettling feeling of impending storm.

Several general managers and factory directors stood in front of the administrative office building with beaming smiles to welcome Chen Jiashu. It was quite strange, really; Chen Jiashu never made a big fuss when he came, but these people always seemed to get inside information.

Chen Jiashu said, "I'm just taking a walk, you don't need to follow me."

The three walked to the entrance of the assembly workshop and stopped there.

Qin Qiao followed Chen Jiashu's gaze and her eyelids twitched slightly.

He slowly said, "Three days before the Lunar New Year that year, all the workers went home. There was an order that needed to be shipped out in containers immediately after the New Year. We hired a large group of uncles and aunts, but we still didn't have enough people. You didn't even tell me, but came to help me with the assembly and then helped with the shipping and container loading."

Qin Qiao really didn't want to hear about the past. These words were like a fishbone stuck in her mouth—not fatal, but painful if she swallowed even a little.

A smile crept into the man's eyes, his gaze gleaming, yet his eyes seemed distant, as if lost in memories.

Qin Qiao turned her eyes away impatiently: "Stop talking."

But out of the corner of his eye, he still caught a glimpse of the look of surprise and hurt that flashed across Chen Jiashu's pupils beneath his thick eyelashes after he lowered his eyes.

She pinched her palm hard with her fingertips; the pain brought her back to her senses, and this time she even stopped looking out of the corner of her eye.

Afterwards, they went into the workshop. The air conditioning was on, the air was slightly cool, and the thousands of square meters of space were bright and clean. The gray epoxy flooring was so clean under the incandescent lights that it could reflect light.

Eight assembly lines, workers sit in front of them, silently and methodically doing their jobs.

The workers merely raised their eyelids slightly as they entered, showing no surprise at the blind boss who was a regular customer.

Qin Qiao ran forward, took out her phone, and started filming backwards. Suddenly, with a "click," her heel got stuck in the ditch guardrail.

Before the call could even be uttered, the person lost their balance and fell backward.

The moment my buttocks slammed heavily onto the ground, a piercing pain shot through my hip bone, as if the bone itself had cracked.

The surroundings fell silent for a moment.

The aunt who was closest to her let out a soft "Ah!" and reached out her hand.

The others also straightened up with expressions of surprise. Assistant Ye rushed over and squatted down in front of Qin Qiao: "Reporter Qin, are you alright?"

"Qiaoqiao!"

The urgent, tense, and clear voice jolted Qin Qiao awake.

Looking up, she saw Chen Jiashu staggering towards her, his cane tapping frantically, completely lacking the calm and control he had displayed at the board meeting.

As Assistant Ye helped her up, Qin Qiao hissed, then called out to Chen Jiashu, "I'm fine!"

With a loud crash, the white cane fell to the ground.

Chen Jiashu slightly shifted his body to lock onto the direction, then rushed over in a few steps, grabbing her shoulders. He then bent down, his hands sliding down her arms and then up, his wide eyes straining to see her clearly: "Where are you hurt?"

His hot breath sprayed onto her forehead, burning hot, and spread amidst the murmurs of conversation.

He didn't control the force in his hands and used a little too much force. Not only did Qin Qiao's buttocks hurt, but now even her arms were in pain.

But it actually made her more aware.

Before she could even struggle, she was suddenly lifted into the air and picked up horizontally by Chen Jiashu.

The rich, familiar masculine scent made Qin Qiao's heart skip a beat, and her body involuntarily tremble.

But the concerned, surprised, and inquisitive gazes around her were like cold knives, cutting into her skin.

In a flash, Qin Qiao wondered: They must be wondering what her relationship with Chen Jiashu was.

Yes, what is their relationship?

She struggled, but Chen Jiashu only held her tighter and coldly ordered, "Lead the way for me."

Assistant Ye, having picked up the white cane, immediately stepped forward and guided Chen Jiashu by supporting his right arm. The three of them then gradually disappeared from the chaotic scene under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

They went to the factory clinic, where the female doctor gave her a simple physical examination and concluded that she had a mild coccyx contusion, meaning it was not serious and would get better with rest.

Outside the glass door of the infirmary, seven or eight factory leaders were standing there.

When Chen Jiashu barged in with such a grand display, carrying people in his arms, how could these people not be curious about what extraordinary event had occurred?

Everyone craned their necks to look inside.

Standing in front of the half-closed clinic door, Qin Qiao felt like a monkey being watched.

"Qiaoqiao..." Chen Jiashu's voice came from outside the door, and then he walked up to her with his white cane.

Where is Assistant Ye?

Did Chen Jiashu determine that she had come out by hearing her footsteps?

As he was pondering this, Assistant Ye came in from outside, and soon the group of people at the door dispersed.

"Doctor, is Ms. Qin's injury serious?"

Seemingly knowing she wouldn't answer honestly, Chen Jiashu bypassed her and asked the doctor who had just treated her.

"Mr. Chen, Ms. Qin only has soft tissue contusion; she'll be fine after some rest," the doctor said as he walked out.

This fall forced them to return home early.

On the way back, the two squeezed into the back seat. Qin Qiao had been tricked by Chen Jiashu, who told her to lie down in the back for comfort, but little did she expect that he would sit down next to her.

My butt hurt, and I was too lazy to argue with him, so I just let it go.

She twisted her body, leaning her upper body against the car door, gazing at the receding city street scene outside the window.

But the man didn't want to let her go and insisted on moving closer. Qin Qiao instinctively wanted to escape, but there was nowhere to go.

He gently took her arm and said, "Come here, lie on me, it'll be more comfortable."

"No need," Qin Qiao said coldly.

Inside the car, Chen Jiashu's remaining vision was reduced to a faint light sensitivity.

If it weren't for her slightly heavy breathing floating in this cramped space, and if it weren't for that faint fragrance that lingered around his nose like a wisp of silk, he wouldn't even have been able to sense her presence.

But her resistance to him was also very clear.

It seems to have started in the cafeteria. For a moment, Chen Jiashu even wondered if she was 'scared' because he ate so ugly?

He just wanted her to know about his daily life. He was definitely testing her—could she still accept him like this?

Chen Jiashu regretted his hasty decision to expose his "misery" to her without any buffer.

Eating independently is the most basic survival skill. Let alone her, even to this day, he can't completely ignore it. This thought occasionally pops up, like a fine needle pricking him from time to time.

Qin Qiao suddenly let out a painful groan, ending his wild thoughts.

The finger bones suddenly tightened, and Chen Jiashu asked anxiously, "Does it hurt again? Should I take you to the hospital?"

"Let go."

She said calmly.

Chen Jiashu ignored her and continued to hold on, but his grip gradually loosened.

He couldn't see her, so he wanted to hold onto her even more.

Chen Jiashu: "Xiaojun, go to the hospital."

Qin Qiao: "I'm not going." Her words were calm.

After that, neither of them spoke; the only sounds were their alternating, rising and falling, increasingly tense breaths.

Xiao Jun, being Chen Jiashu's driver, naturally obeyed him. They were still on the elevated road, and would go to the hospital once they came off the road. Xiao Jun planned the route in his mind.

But he also keenly sensed a dangerous atmosphere, so he gripped the steering wheel tightly and didn't dare to breathe.

The car drove off the elevated road and merged into the dense traffic. More than ten minutes later, Chen Jiashu's suppressed voice rang out:

"Xiao Jun, call Assistant Ye and tell him to stop the car." He added, "You take Reporter Qin back."

"Never mind, let's take it slow." Chen Jiashu let out a soft breath and lowered his hand.

The car windows were tightly closed, and a cold draft seemed to be coming from nowhere. Xiao Jun roughly understood what Chairman Chen meant.

In the rearview mirror, Chairman Chen had already sat on the other side, his well-defined features hidden in the shadows, his eyes as black as ink.

Xiao Jun quickly glanced out the window, looking for a place to park nearby, while simultaneously dialing Assistant Ye's number.

But then, a cold female voice caused the temperature inside the car to plummet:

"Chen Jiashu, what's wrong with you?"

Xiao Jun stiffened; Ye Zhu was still feeding him through his earpiece, and he had forgotten to speak.

"You get out of the car... I was in your car, and you let me have it while you got out?"

The woman's voice suddenly rose, her tone sharp: "Chen Jiashu! Is it my injury or yours? Do you need to decide for me how to get there?!"

A note from the author:

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