"Secretary Lu is in a very good mood."
Su Qingyao's gaze passed over Li Hua, who was cowering in the corner, and fixed directly on Lu Qingzhou's face.
"Manager Lu from the planning department said you were discussing important business. I thought it was some big, important project."
With half a cigarette butt in his mouth, Lu Qingzhou forced a smile that looked more like a grimace through his twitching lips.
He tried to explain, but the cigarette butt was stuck in his throat, and he could only make two indistinct grunts.
"What's wrong? Are you mute?"
Su Qingyao slightly raised her chin, looking at Lu Qingzhou with a cold face, exuding the aura of a domineering female CEO.
Li Hua frantically stubbed out his cigarette in the ashtray made of folded A4 paper, but the paper instantly burst into flames. This left him in a complete panic. At that moment, he wished he could disappear into the ground.
Lu Qingzhou finally couldn't help but spit out the cigarette butt, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously: "Qing... Su... President Su, I just wanted to talk to Manager Li about some work-related matters!"
The words were on the tip of his tongue, and he almost instinctively called out "Qingyao," but when he met her sharp gaze, he forcibly changed his address.
Su Qingyao snorted coldly and pressed on, "Oh, what kind of work did you talk about? Tell me about it?"
Lu Qingzhou tugged at his tie, only to find that the collar was pulled too tight.
His eyes darted around nervously: "Manager Li said he was interested in the operations of the marketing department, so we... will share some practical experience with each other."
"Practical experience?"
Su Qingyao's approaching figure was almost pressed against his chest; the delicate scent of perfume mingled with the pungent smell of cigarettes in the confined space.
"Should I teach him how to use an A4 sheet of paper as an ashtray in a non-smoking area, or demonstrate how to suck on a cigarette butt like a lollipop?"
She bent down to pick up the crumpled ashtray from the ground, her slender fingers gently shaking the piece of paper covered in ash: "This is the third time you've secretly smoked since the no-smoking order was issued. How does Secretary Lu plan to explain this?"
Li Hua suddenly felt a chill on the back of his neck.
He could tell that this was a battle between Lu Qingzhou and his wife, and he was completely innocently caught in the crossfire.
He quietly moved half a step towards the stairwell exit, wishing he could escape this place of trouble immediately.
Lu Qingzhou's Adam's apple bobbed as he caught a glimpse of Su Qingyao gently stroking her lower abdomen. He suddenly remembered how Su Qingyao had curled up on the sofa and vomited the night before—and felt a pang of shame.
Lu Qingzhou lowered his eyes, staring at the shadow at Su Qingyao's feet. "I accept the punishment, but Supervisor Li is innocent. He... I dragged him here."
Su Qingyao's eyelashes trembled, but she quickly regained her sharp expression: "Oh, I didn't know you were so loyal. Fine, we'll each have 20% of our monthly performance bonus deducted. The surveillance cameras in the no-smoking area will be installed tomorrow. You better watch out, and see how I deal with you when we get home."
As she spoke, she glared fiercely at Lu Qingzhou, then glanced at Li Hua, who was hiding in the corner.
She took small, quick steps toward the stairwell exit.
Li Hua slumped heavily onto the steps like a deflated balloon, letting out a long sigh.
He glanced sideways at Lu Qingzhou, a meaningful smile playing on his lips: "Hahaha, Brother Lu, your family status... tsk tsk."
His head-shaking and swaying made Lu Qingzhou even more embarrassed.
Lu Qingzhou's earlobes felt a little hot, his gaze followed the direction Su Qingyao had left, and his fingers unconsciously scratched the back of his head, looking like a child caught red-handed.
After a moment, he forced himself to remain calm, waved his hand, and his voice unconsciously rose: "Sigh! A man should be more magnanimous. Why bother arguing with a woman like her?"
Even so, the slightly trembling tone at the end of her voice betrayed the panic in her heart.
He forcefully pulled open the fire door in the stairwell, the metal clanging together with a piercing sound.
As he turned around, he deliberately straightened his back.
Li Hua watched Lu Qingzhou's seemingly nonchalant back as he burst into unrestrained laughter. But as he laughed, his face suddenly froze. The thought of the 20% performance bonus being deducted felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, and all his joy vanished instantly.
He hung his head, looking miserable: "Brother Lu, you're such a troublemaker, you've really ruined my life... I'll never smoke with you again."
Although the company had issued a no-smoking order, Li Hua had been secretly smoking here for the past few days without incident. But as soon as Lu Qingzhou arrived, he was caught.
At this moment, even if he were stupid, he would understand what kind of "secret" was hidden behind the company's sudden no-smoking order—the culprit was none other than Lu Qingzhou, that scoundrel.
Inside the office, Su Qingyao looked quite depressed.
Leng Yue looked her up and down, a knowing smile playing on her lips: "What, caught him?"
Su Qingyao pouted, feeling wronged, her voice tinged with annoyance: "We caught you. This is the third time."
Leng Yue stepped forward, gently patted her shoulder, and laughed, "It's alright, I'll avenge you."
That seemingly comforting tone actually concealed a hint of "wanting more trouble than it's worth."
Night falls and the city lights come on.
Champs-Élysées Villa!
Leng Yue embellished the story as she recounted Lu Qingzhou's "crimes" to Zhang Ruoshui.
From the health hazards of secondhand smoke to its impact on children's growth environment, and ultimately even to the well-being of the whole family, the message is clear.
His impassioned tone and exaggerated expression made it seem as if he were accusing someone of an unforgivable crime.
Lu Qingzhou looked at the women sitting around him with piercing eyes, as if they could see right through him.
His lips twitched uncontrollably a few times, and his gaze toward Leng Yue held an unusual ferocity.
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