Chapter 15: Romance is prohibited during the contract period.
As Qiao Shu left the meeting room, he loosened his tie and threw it into the trash can with a displeased expression.
The force was so great that it felt like it had hit Yu Zeheng in the face; doing so would certainly be satisfying.
The warmth of his tight grip still lingered on her wrist; the heat from his fingertips seemed to burn into her blood. She clenched her wrist, feeling extremely uncomfortable; she hated this feeling.
Qiao Shu returned to the hotel and washed herself thoroughly.
The excessively hot water scalded her pale skin, and she walked out, dripping wet. She picked up a towel and impatiently dried her hair. As she dried her hair, the hot air buzzed in her ears. She thought expressionlessly, "Where does he get the confidence to think I have ulterior motives towards him?"
After drying her hair, she called a spa therapist to come to her home. The scent of freesia essential oil relaxed her body and mind, and her unhappiness dissipated considerably.
Qiao Shu felt warm all over, wearing a silk nightgown, lying on the sofa, smelling sweet and soft. She finally had the time and the mood to return Qiao Kaiyu's call.
The call connected, and Qiao Kaiyu asked anxiously, "How did it go? Did Yu Zeheng agree?"
Qiao Shu looked at her newly done nails, a light golden brown that suited autumn and made her skin look even whiter. She pursed her lips, her voice low with barely concealed sadness: "I've never been humiliated like this in my entire life."
She sounded tired and exhausted, her voice sounding like she had been crying.
Qiao Kaiyu had seen the arrogant and haughty Qiao Shu before. Even outside the old man's hospital room, she was more calm and composed than him. He rarely saw this side of her. After a moment of silence, he asked, "He still won't agree? Why did you two get divorced? Does he hate you that much?"
It's not so much hatred as it is a deep emotional bond between them; it's more like dislike.
After playing with his fingernails for a while, Qiao Shu hugged his pillow tightly and said in a sullen voice, "Big brother, I think I should go back to Australia. Maybe I shouldn't have come back in the first place."
Qiao Kaiyu was at his wits' end. He pressed his hand to his forehead and tried to calm her down: "Didn't you tell your sister-in-law that you would come to the company to help me? How about tomorrow? I'll show you around the company."
"No." Qiao Shu's voice was even lower. "You know I'm not interested in company management. I've only ever been around my grandfather, and I don't know anything about it."
Qiao Kaiyu coaxed her, "It's okay, they're all just easy jobs. You can just take a nominal position if you don't like them. Besides, I'm here at the company. I'll pick out an office for you, come and see if you like it."
Qiao Shu remained silent for a long time, neither saying anything nor saying anything was wrong.
After much persuasion, Qiao Kaiyu finally got the young lady to reluctantly agree: "It's settled then. I'll pick you up from the hotel at nine o'clock tomorrow morning. Don't forget."
Qiao Shu gave a soft "Okay, but then again, I don't like turning around and leaving."
"Alright, alright, you're in charge. I can't force you to stay, can I?"
After hanging up the phone, she lay back on the sofa, staring blankly at the ceiling. She had known since she was very young that everything comes at a price, and every reward she received was because she had done something right.
Qiao Kaiyu arrived at the hotel at 9 o'clock sharp.
Qiao Shu walked out of the hotel revolving door, wearing a pink and white short jacket and patent leather ankle boots. As she walked towards the car, her hair bounced up and down like her breath.
She opened the car door, bringing with her a fresh scent, and sat down in the passenger seat.
As Qiao Kaiyu drove, he told her about the company's situation. He said while steering the car, "You don't need to be nervous. Your auction house is doing very well. All jobs are interconnected, so there's nothing difficult about it."
Qiao Shu leaned back in the car seat, playing with her phone. At this moment, she seemed like a naive young lady who had never experienced hardship: "That's because of Song Yue. She does everything. I don't have to worry about anything. I just have to count the amount of money that comes in from the bank every month."
Qiao Kaiyu smiled and said that she was a princess from birth. With two older brothers, what else did she have to worry about? A princess only needs to be beautiful and have afternoon tea with her sisters.
Qiao Shu remained noncommittal, a hint of sarcasm in her smile.
Her languid demeanor made her look more like she was on vacation than going to work.
"Do you want to do administration or human resources?" Qiao Kaiyu looked at the road conditions. "Don't worry, I'll arrange a cushy job for you. You won't be too busy, but you'll still have things to do."
Qiao Shu blinked: "Let me think about it."
She saw the company building, standing tall in the golden sunlight, its glass reflecting a cold light. She rarely came here, and even less often went inside. The old man's expectations for her were never here; getting too close would only ignite ambitions that shouldn't belong to her.
Now, Qiao Shu pushed open the car door and got out. Her high heels stepped onto this prime piece of land. She stood steadily, and after a moment, she walked in with light steps.
Qiao Kaiyu had a tight schedule in the morning and didn't have much time. After quickly saying a few words to Qiao Shu, he called his assistant and took her to the company's administration and human resources departments.
The assistant pushed up his glasses and came over.
"He Zhu, it's been a long time." Qiao Shu greeted him with a warm smile.
The assistant smiled sheepishly: "Miss, you still remember me."
Qiao Shu smiled and said, "Why wouldn't I remember? I hear my older brother praising you all the time for your meticulous work. I'm so sorry, I just came to the company suddenly and I don't know anything, so I can only trouble you."
"Not at all, this is all part of my duty. Besides, I am honored to be able to help Miss."
There's no doubt she's beautiful. Add to that her arched eyebrows, the faint dimples at the corners of her lips, and her friendly smile, and she's like a brightly colored cocktail—sweet at first, but with a lingering intoxication that makes you feel like you're floating on clouds, dizzy and disoriented.
During the conversation, the assistant did not go to the administration and resources department as the boss had instructed. By the time he realized it, they were already in the investment and development department. The assistant explained that this department was mainly responsible for the company's external investments, as well as decisions regarding the company's entry into markets or new fields, or the construction of ecosystems.
"That sounds cool." Qiao Shu finalized her choice of department with a smile.
When Qiao Kaiyu heard the department she mentioned, his first reaction was to frown, and even feel a bit of a headache. He tried to explain to Qiao Shu that the Investment and Development Department would determine the future direction of the company, and it was definitely not a place to hide away and relax.
"Go to administration. There's not much work there, and you can go out for afternoon tea with your girlfriends every day."
Qiao Shu's reasoning was sound: "You know my only skill is dealing with people. If it's about going out to discuss a project, I think I can handle it. Besides, you're there for me, aren't you? You'll keep an eye on me and won't let me do anything reckless, right?"
Qiao Kaiyu fell silent for a moment, clasping his hands together, still believing that this was not a rational decision.
His idea was to assign Qiao Shu to an unimportant position, so it didn't matter whether she stayed or left. Even if she was happy with her job and wanted to stay, it wouldn't pose a threat to him.
Qiao Shu had lost his patience: "If you think I can't do it well, then forget it."
Qiao Kaiyu took a deep breath and gritted his teeth, saying, "Go ahead. I just don't want you to be too tired, otherwise your sister-in-law will say I'm deliberately making things difficult for you." "I know my sister-in-law cares about me, and you care about me too. Don't worry, brother, I won't cause you any trouble." Qiao Shu smiled slightly, her eyes shining brightly like stars. "Is vice president okay? It sounds like a high-ranking position, but it doesn't seem like there's that much work involved."
Qiao Kaiyu chuckled at her words: "Okay."
Originally, it was just a casual title to give her; whether it was a principal or a deputy title didn't really matter.
He was willing to nod because he knew that Qiao Shu posed no danger to him.
When the two mentioned Yu Zeheng again, Qiao Shu said with little interest that she would try again.
Qiao Kaiyu said seriously, "You need to take this to heart. It's okay to mess around as much as you want normally, but Grandpa's health really can't take any more stress now."
"Okay." Qiao Shu waved and left.
Before she could even start her job, a phone call came in.
Qiao Shu looked at the number. Since it was a local call, she chose to answer. She held the phone to her ear and asked, "Hello?"
There was silence on the other end for a while. Just as she was wondering if it was a prank, a deep voice rang out: "It's me."
Qiao Shu raised an eyebrow, already recognizing the voice, but still asked knowingly, "Who is it?"
"...Yu Zeheng."
Qiao Shu suddenly realized, a hint of amusement in her voice: "Oh, it's President Yu. May I ask what's the matter?"
Yu Zeheng couldn't tell if his emotions were stirred by her not recognizing his number or not hearing his voice. He frowned and said briefly, "Go check the news. You've been photographed."
Qiao Shu was taken aback for a moment: "Huh?"
With her computer right next to her, she saw a link sent by Song Yue on her phone, clicked on it, and saw photos of herself entering and leaving a hotel.
In the four photos, she is wearing different clothes and hairstyles, and the angles are quite good. Even though her face is not very clear, it still looks like she is putting on a fashion show.
Song Yue said that the other party had been watching her ever since she returned to China, and she would investigate who the other party was.
Qiao Shu subconsciously got up and walked to the French windows. She lifted the curtain with her fingertips and looked down. She didn't see any suspicious figures, only passersby and dark bushes.
She was completely oblivious when she was photographed. This wasn't the first time such a thing had happened; given her family background, it was inevitable that she would attract attention.
"They're actually quite nice photos." Qiao Shu held her phone and looked through the four photos one by one, her tone light and cheerful, seemingly unaffected by the news reports about separation and divorce.
Yu Zeheng fell silent briefly because of her thought process. He pinched the bridge of his nose and asked, "Why don't you go somewhere else?"
Her whereabouts have been exposed, and it's clear she can no longer stay at this hotel.
Qiao Shu didn't plan to stay in the hotel for long; it was very inconvenient. Even the suites felt too small to her, and it wouldn't be convenient for a long stay. She suddenly asked, "Has the house in South Bay been sold?"
Why sell?
Yu Zeheng's voice was cold: "Taking your anger out on the house because of a failed marriage?"
There was a hint of sarcasm in her words. Qiao Shu, convinced she hadn't said anything, chuckled and said, "Who knows? You can't see into someone's heart. How would I know what you're thinking?"
"The house has neither been sold nor rented out."
That means the house is still there.
Qiao Shu was quite satisfied with this; if she were to move in, she would hope that no one had lived there before.
"That's fine."
Qiao Shu, holding the phone, sat down on the sofa: "I'll move in and pay the rent. Given our current situation, I think it would be better if you moved back too. Let's play the part."
Nobody knows when a few more photos will surface, or when a few news reports will emerge that they've divorced; for them, that would be a hassle.
Yu Zeheng hummed in agreement, and there was no further follow-up.
Qiao Shu waited, but a few seconds later, the call ended.
As always, it's really annoying.
After many twists and turns, Qiao Shu returned to South Bay once again.
After receiving her message, Aunt Chu took Xiao Xi back to China and returned to South Bay with her. She looked at the house critically and found it very different from when they were there. The house had not received the maintenance it needed and had become gloomy and scary.
“This house looks like it’s been empty for a hundred years. It’s such a waste. It used to be so beautiful. All the neighbors came to visit.” Aunt Chu went to every room and was critical and disgusted with the current state of the house. The house she had carefully maintained had become what it is now.
Qiao Shu nodded: "But with Aunt Chu here, I believe this house will regain its vitality."
"Young Miss".
Qiao Shu was surprised to see Uncle Lin again. He explained to her that Yu Zeheng had not fired him, but had instead allowed him to continue taking care of the garden. As a result, the garden had not been abandoned and remained the same as when Qiao Shu left, except that the season was different, the flowers in bloom were different, and the mood of the people who looked at the flowers was also different.
Uncle Lin said, "It's so good to see you come back, Miss. This house has been deserted ever since you left. Even when people come, they only do routine cleaning, sweeping away dust and ventilating the rooms. It's too quiet, so quiet that there's no human presence at all."
Qiao Shu smiled sincerely and said thank you.
All afternoon, Qiao Shu held the soft and adorable Xiao Xi and explained to the moving staff where everything should be placed. The paintings and antiques she brought all had their proper places. Before they even moved in, fresh flowers had already been placed in vases and were blooming vibrantly. Aunt Chu brewed some black tea to quench their thirst.
As Yu Zeheng drove back to Nanwan, Qiao Shu's laughter drifted in through the car window, like a gentle breeze hitting a wind chime. The wind had already passed, but the wind chime continued to sway.
He turned his head and saw a woman holding a small dog on the lawn.
She was wearing a long skirt that covered her knees, a long, loose-fitting knitted cardigan, and her long hair was curled in lazy waves. The snow-white puppy in her arms stared blankly at everything that was happening in front of her.
Qiao Shu picked up the puppy, nuzzled its head affectionately with her chin, and saw that it had round, dark eyes and a wide smile.
He hadn't been here in a long time.
Even though it's already autumn, there are signs of everything coming back to life here.
Yu Zeheng got off the bus.
When Qiao Shu saw him, she held Xiao Xi's hand and raised it, tilting her head to greet him: "Xiao Xi, this is your ex-father."
Xiao Xi stared at the tall, unfamiliar man in front of her, shrinking back nervously and fearfully, her eyes warily fixed on him.
Yu Zeheng frowned, his face cold: "I don't like dogs."
Xiaoxi's blank expression turned pitiful, as if she had been cruelly abandoned.
This answer is not surprising.
"So what? You don't like me anyway." Qiao Shu's smile became meaningful, with a blatant "So what? I still moved in."
She remained as self-centered as ever, caring nothing for anyone else's feelings as long as she was happy.
Yu Zeheng didn't argue with her about it and turned to go inside.
Qiao Shu patted Xiao Xi's little head, handed her to Aunt Chu, and then she trotted upstairs: "Which room do I sleep in?"
Things are different now; she has gone from being the mistress of the house to a tenant, and her attitude has changed as well.
Yu Zeheng didn't turn around: "You sleep in the second bedroom."
Just as Qiao Shu had imagined, she had no problems. The layout and size were the same. She called someone to bring the mattress, her clothes, and shoes to the second bedroom. She then stepped into the second bedroom to inspect it again. The window was open, and the sunlight poured in without reservation. After confirming that it was clean and there was nothing extra, she came out and bumped into Yu Zeheng in the hallway.
Qiao Shu crossed her arms, the wind blowing in from behind ruffling her hair, her presence barely perceptible in the house.
In contrast to her satisfied and relaxed expression, Yu Zeheng's expression was indifferent, and his eyes beneath his tousled hair showed no emotion whatsoever.
Qiao Shu extended her hand: "President Yu, let's get along well from now on."
Yu Zeheng's gaze fell on the hand that was being extended toward him.
The fingers are slender and pale, with healthy pink edges on the nails.
Yu Zeheng looked up and slapped a stack of documents into her palm: "This is the specific agreement for this cooperation. If there are no problems, sign it."
Qiao Shu frowned.
When he looked at the thick stack of papers in his hand, he pressed down on his lips.
Yu Zeheng turned and went into the room. She reacted after half a second, clutching the documents, and followed him from the hallway to the master bedroom: "What does this mean?"
"A written agreement provides protection for both of us," he said in a detached tone.
But Qiao Shu flipped through the first few pages and saw that what she called mutual protection was actually a one-sided protection for him. For example, she said he was Party A, and Party A had the right to decide when to end the contract. She also said that the number of times Party A and Party B cooperated was equal, and that Party B could not overstep the boundaries during the contract period. It was as if she was certain that only she would breach the contract...
If the above terms are violated, the contract will be void, and the party with the right to claim all losses from the other party will be liable.
“Is this necessary?” He said last night that he would make the rules, and Qiao Shu agreed, but she thought that the only rules he mentioned were those three.
Isn't that enough? She felt she had endured enough.
Yu Zeheng drew back the curtains, opened the window, and let in fresh air. After doing all this slowly and deliberately, he turned back and said, "What's the problem? This is what I learned from my previous marriage."
In his previous marriage, she also forcibly intruded into his space, using her silver tongue to proclaim the benefits of marrying him. In reality, the benefits she claimed were nothing but castles in the air and were never delivered.
Qiao Shu paused for a second, then smiled and said, "It seems that our previous marriage wasn't entirely without merit."
Yu Zeheng didn't say a word. His things had been moved over earlier and he hadn't had time to unpack them yet. Cardboard boxes were piled up by his bedside. He opened one of them and found some books and documents.
Qiao Shu walked to the windowsill, leaned against the edge of the bed, and flipped through the remaining clauses. Her fingers paused, landing on the last clause. After silently reading it aloud in her mind, she looked up in disbelief: "No dating during the contract period?"
Yu Zeheng closed the cardboard box. This was supposed to be sent to the study, but they had made a mistake. He marked it with a pen, his eyes showing concern: "I don't want you to be photographed. I still need to explain to the media."
Qiao Shu imagined the scene: Yu Zeheng facing the media, his cold face revealing that they were just friends, just normal social interactions, and maintaining the social distance of normal friends.
The scene was strangely bizarre.
With the documents tucked to her lap, she tilted her head and smiled, brushing aside the stray hairs ruffled by the wind: "Don't worry, I'm good at hiding it. Even if we really do date, no one will find out."
She leaned against the windowsill, every smile and gesture exuding indescribable vibrancy. The window frame seemed to hold a beautiful woman with a graceful figure, but she was not still; rather, she was dynamic, flowing like a cool mountain stream.
Yu Zeheng capped the marker, gave a curt "oh," and asked indifferently, "So how many have you been hiding these past two years?"
It's more ironic than a direct question.
Qiao Shu gritted her teeth secretly, determined to win this battle. She smiled sweetly and said, "There are many. There are innocent puppy lovers who are still in college, with bright and sunny smiles. There are also professional tennis players with top-notch figures. If you include those who have dated, there are too many to count. Which one do you want to know about?"
"Which part do you want me to know?" Yu Zeheng asked after listening quietly to her finish speaking.
Having already made the boast, Qiao Shu's mind went blank. She had lost all interest in men in the past two years, and could only quickly grasp the fleeting image in her mind, her mouth making up a lie faster than her brain: "A whole night on a yacht? It's good to be young, with unlimited stamina."
Yu Zeheng lifted his eyelashes: "Croatia?"
"Um?"
Yu Zeheng's brows were gloomy, his face expressionless, and his tone remained unchanged: "That's us."
On their first wedding anniversary trip, the waves surged rhythmically. She lay on the deck, her fingertips flushed pink. Her voice was hurried and urgent as she said that if she got seasick, it would be his fault.
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Author's Note: My ex-husband is quietly listening to the princess's boasting :)
50 red envelopes, kiss kiss!
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