Chapter 18 Using Beauty to Commit Crimes
After the interview, everyone got into their cars.
After closing the car door and being in her own space, she no longer needed to put on a fake smile. However, when she thought about what had just happened, she felt a little irritated and unsure if her momentary loss of control had been captured on camera.
The car drove to the old house.
Qiao Zhenkai's room had been cleaned and carefully arranged early on, making it more suitable for patients who needed to recuperate. He had exhausted himself on the way back, so he waved for them to leave and told them not to call him for meals. He then closed his eyes to rest.
The group left the room one after another.
The eldest uncle called Yu Zeheng over to thank him for attending today.
Yu Zeheng replied in a flat voice, "Of course."
Qiao Shu pursed her lips, showing no interest in what followed. She went downstairs first. Qiao Yan couldn't go to the hospital, so she stayed at the old house beforehand. As soon as the little guy saw her, he ran out quickly and affectionately called her "Auntie."
After barking, he complained because his mother wouldn't allow him to bring the puppy.
"Then next time you come to your aunt's house, okay? You can bring it with you and play with Xiaoxi." Qiao Shu pinched his nose, and he felt ticklish and wrinkled his nose with a grin.
The adult world is too complicated, which makes the innocence of children all the more precious.
She felt a little regretful when she thought that he would grow up and probably wouldn't genuinely call her "little aunt" anymore.
When Yu Zeheng came downstairs, Qiao Shu was playing with Qiao Yan, and Chen Yi was taking pictures with her phone. He walked out and paused on the grass for a moment, when he heard footsteps behind him.
Qiao Kaiyu handed him a glass of wine.
"Thank you." Yu Zeheng accepted it, his attitude neither warm nor cold.
Qiao Kaiyu gazed into the distance, let out a long breath, and said, "Actually, if you hadn't come, my family would have understood. We're already divorced, so we have no obligation to do so. So, really, thank you."
Yu Zeheng did not respond.
If he needs to show basic courtesy to his elders, he will give a few perfunctory replies, but if they are his peers, he will not even bother to maintain a semblance of politeness.
Qiao Kaiyu took a sip of wine and said, "We've always believed that the problem with you and Xiaoshu lies with Xiaoshu. You know, she's our only daughter, and the whole family dotes on her, especially the old man, who is quite spoiled. This time, she suddenly decided to go to the company again. What can she actually do? She's always like this, doing whatever she feels like without considering the consequences."
Yu Zeheng turned to look at him, his brows furrowed.
Qiao Kaiyu believes that he shares the same idea.
"To be honest, it's my Qiao family who owes you something. We are very grateful that you stepped in because of the old man's kindness. If you need anything in the future, just let us know, and we will do our best to help if it's within our power."
Inside the room, Qiao Shu sat at the piano, playing a duet with Qiao Yan, who was sitting on the piano bench and couldn't reach the bottom. She tilted her head, her bright smile full of patience.
The sound of the piano drifted out intermittently.
Yu Zeheng sneered, his voice flat and emotionless: "If that's the case, why didn't you come to me yourself in the first place? Pushing her out is your Qiao family's way of showing affection?"
Qiao Kaiyu choked up and took a step forward to explain, "It was an emergency, and I had no other choice at the time."
After the divorce, Yu Zeheng felt extremely disgusted with the Qiao family.
Qiao Shu was certainly hateful, but the Qiao family was not innocent either; in fact, they were even more repulsive to him than Qiao Shu.
Yu Zeheng slowly lifted his eyelashes, his dark eyes landing on the silent face of the person opposite him.
"The old man dotes on her? When has she ever done the most work but received the least? Who is the two million a year in the will supposed to pay? She can buy a few bags a month when she's happy and that's it. She used so little money for our wedding, and I still have to worry about whether something has happened to her. Is this how the Qiao family spoils people?"
He chuckled and remarked, "This is truly eye-opening."
Qiao Kaiyu was speechless.
He thought that Yu Zeheng hated Qiao Shu to the extreme, and he didn't think there was anything wrong with the will. Qiao Shu had already married, and the fact that she had a share of the family property was already a sign of the old man's doting affection.
Yu Zeheng lowered his eyebrows, his expression was blank, but the oppressive feeling was almost overflowing: "I know what kind of person Qiao Shu is in my heart. You and your family are the least qualified to judge her."
Qiao Kaiyu was speechless for a moment, not knowing where to refute.
More than anything, I'm confused. I can't figure out what their relationship is. If it's hatred, then why would he protect her?
Qiao Shu had finished playing the piano, and the kitchen was serving the food. She came out, crossed her arms, and invited them to eat.
Yu Zeheng brushed past Qiao Kaiyu's shoulder and walked away.
Qiao Shu sensed that something was off about their atmosphere. As he approached, she wanted to ask but then shut her mouth, knowing that their relationship was not what it used to be.
The last meal was somewhat silent.
Qiao Kaiyu, who is usually the most talkative, was unusually silent, and Qiao Shu had no intention of livening up the atmosphere. She planned to finish her meal hastily and leave.
Yu Zeheng had the same idea as her. Less than half an hour later, they put down their chopsticks and prepared to go home.
The atmosphere in the car was even more oppressive than on the way there. Qiao Shu leaned back in her seat and chatted with Song Yue. Song Yue asked if she wanted to take her to the company. Qiao Shu smiled and asked if she was used to being her own assistant and that she was not used to going alone this time.
While replying to the message, I suddenly heard the person next to me speak, their voice cold and indifferent: "Qiao Shu."
Qiao Shu stopped what she was doing and looked at him.
Yu Zeheng didn't look at her. His profile was striking, with a high and straight nose. He asked, "Why did you come back? I don't want to hear your nonsense. Honesty is the prerequisite for cooperation."
This sentence came out of nowhere, and Qiao Shu frowned: "What did my brother say to you?"
Yu Zeheng turned his head and met her gaze. There was a surge of emotion in his eyes, an emotion that was being amplified day by day. It was clear that the entanglements of the Qiao family had nothing to do with him.
Even though he thought Qiao Shu was selfish, arrogant, and disdainful of others, the same words sounded grating to him when spoken by someone else.
"Now I'm asking you a question," Yu Zeheng asked. "Why did you come back? Why did you come to me?"
When Qiao Shu approached him, he didn't ask her anything. He didn't care about her or anything about her; she was already insignificant to him.
But now, he wants to know the answer. He doesn't think Qiao Shu is the kind of woman who would compromise herself for the sake of family.
After a moment of silence, Qiao Shu replied casually, "Maybe I'm greedy; I want more."
I'm not reconciled; it feels like I've lost.
She really, really dislikes the feeling of losing.
As expected, Yu Zeheng's emotions subsided: "The old man might remember this at any time, and what you want may not be what you get."
Qiao Shu: "How will you know if you don't try?"
“I thought about giving up, but during the two years I moved to Australia, I became more and more aware that I could never give up in this lifetime. I’m no worse than them, so why can’t it be me?”
In the past two years, the more silent she has become, the more her appetite has been nourished.
Since the old man is going to step down, that position can be held by Qiao Kaiyu or Qiao Yizhou, so why can't it be held by Qiao Shu?
Qiao Shu smiled gently, her beauty captivating: "Now, do you think I'm even more greedy?"
She hadn't mentioned these words to anyone, including Song Yue; subconsciously, she believed he was trustworthy.
After talking it out, I felt much more relaxed.
Yu Zeheng reacted calmly, replying in a similarly understated manner: "This is the Qiao Shu I know."
Qiao Shu smiled. Her impression of her had long been terrible, so he seemed unsurprised. She leaned on the armrest and asked with a smile, "Aren't you afraid I'll drag you down with me?"
Clearly, these things have nothing to do with him.
Yu Zeheng crossed his long legs and looked back at the tablet in his hand. After a long while, he heard a low and indifferent reply.
"If you can do it, that's your skill."
Qiao Shu curled her lips and let out a very subtle sneer.
At that moment, it was as if something had been punctured, like a balloon quickly deflated and then vanished without a trace.
—
Qiao Shu started work the next day.
Three days later, her office was completely renovated and arranged entirely according to her preferences. The commotion caused during those three days was considerable, and the entire department knew that a vice president would be parachuted in, and that the person in question was Chairman Qiao's granddaughter.
Before Qiao Shu joined the company, the staff inquired about her personality and received unanimously positive reviews. Her beauty was undeniable, but what was rare was her cheerful, kind, and easy-going personality, without any arrogance that made her feel superior.
Coffee was served even before Qiao Shuren arrived that day.
Upon arriving at the company, Qiao Shu greeted them generously and accepted everyone's scrutinizing gazes with composure. She said gently, "To everyone, I am a newcomer, and you are all my seniors. If I have done anything wrong, please give me your guidance."
Qiao Shu's boss, Guan Han, is also the head of the investment and development department. She is a capable woman in her forties who usually wears a business suit, has long hair in a low ponytail, and is tall and thin.
Guan Han has worked at Zhongcheng for eighteen years, basically since graduation, and has worked his way up to his current position through hard work and perseverance.
Qiao Shu, holding a coffee, knocked on Guan Han's office door.
Guan Han was still unsure of Qiao Shu's strength and intentions, so she maintained a wait-and-see attitude, neither cold nor overly friendly. She clasped her hands together and said, "Miss Qiao, you're too kind."
Qiao Shu put down her coffee and smiled, "President Guan, you can call me Xiao Shu, that's what my friends call me."
"Let's go with President Shu," Guan Han said.
"I am new here, so please guide me in the future. I have always heard my grandfather talk about you, so I chose to learn from you first when I had the opportunity. Please don't think I am too stupid. If I have any questions, please don't hesitate to teach me."
"How could that be? Like father, like son. Mr. Shu must have the same style as Chairman Qiao."
Qiao Shu smiled, propped her hand on the table, looked around the office environment outside the office, wrinkled her nose, and said with the lazy coquettishness unique to young ladies, "I still prefer places with more women, the air is much fresher there. Mr. Guan, you go ahead and do your work, call me if you need anything."
The next second, she pushed the door open and went out.
His silhouette is clean and striking.
Guan Han looked at the cup of coffee and thoughtfully tapped the table.
—
As night falls, the city lights gradually come on, each illuminating its own corner of the world, occasionally intersecting with each other.
Yu Zeheng came out of the Bocheng building and got into the car. The driver asked, "Mr. Yu, are we going to Tang Palace or back to Nanwan?"
The driver has been working there for over a year and is used to picking up his boss downstairs at the company and then driving to Tang Palace. It's become a fixed route, but recently it's deviated from that. He goes back to South Bay more often and stops at Tang Palace instead.
He didn't know what his boss was thinking.
Yu Zeheng was slightly taken aback by the question, and after thinking for a moment, he replied, "Back to Nanwan."
The Tang Palace is now fully operational and there are no major flaws. Whether he goes or not is no longer a problem.
As for why I went back to South Bay, the answer was revealed the moment I entered the house.
A subtle fragrance wafted in the air, and gladiolus, lisianthus, and bell-shaped wind chimes were scattered everywhere. The oil paintings that Qiao Shu had taken away when she left were hung up again. Her favorite was a sunset seascape painting. The painter used a palette knife instead of a brush, and the paint bloomed like petals. On the waves, there were specks of molten gold.
Further inside, Qiao Shu sat on the sofa, and Xiao Xi was pulled into her arms. Xiao Xi jumped up lively, its front paws stepping on her shoulders, and its soft laughter reached his ears.
Qiao Shu was holding a book and had no time to pay attention to Xiao Xi, only occasionally taking a moment to let Xiao Xi sit down.
Yu Zeheng lowered his head to change his shoes. He was thinking that Qiao Shu had no sense of responsibility as a tenant and was marking things wantonly in every corner. If he didn't come back soon, Nanwan would change hands.
Aunt Chu came out and asked what we wanted to eat tonight.
Yu Zeheng ordered a steak, and after he went upstairs to take a shower, the steak was served. He pulled out a chair, sat down at the table, and dried his hands.
Qiao Shu didn't look at him directly, but out of the corner of her eye, a tall man with decent taste in clothes walked past her. It was hard for her not to notice him. For a moment, she was distracted, and the professional knowledge in the book became increasingly boring.
The fragrance attracted Xiao Xi's frequent attention; she was no longer content to stay quietly by Qiao Shu's side.
Yu Zeheng picked up his knife and fork and noticed a small dog not far away that was smiling because it was craving food.
He cut off a piece of meat, but didn't rush to put it in his mouth. He held the piece of meat up against the plate with his wrist.
Little Xi frantically pawed at its front paws.
“No, a mother’s baby needs to have the same willpower as her mother.” Qiao Shu couldn’t see but could feel Xiao Xi’s excitement. She sat cross-legged on the carpet and focused her energy on holding its front paws.
Xiao Xi tilted her head, staring at the side and back of the sofa, and grinned ingratiatingly.
Qiao Shu covered its face, refusing to look at or smell it; her little dog couldn't be so spineless.
Xiao Xi couldn't see, but it sniffed her soft palm with its wet nose. Qiao Shu felt sorry for it, so she opened its snack bag and fed it two pieces of chicken breast jerky. Its dark eyes were unusually bright, and it happily lay down at her feet and gnawed on them.
The conversation from the sofa drifted over.
Yu Zeheng curled his lips and put the quickly cooled piece of meat into his mouth. He chewed slowly, and every now and then someone would mutter in his ear, how could anyone think that a puppy could understand her? He lowered his eyes, his mind calmer than usual.
After flipping through most of the book, Qiao Shu suddenly remembered something she had forgotten. She looked up and saw that Yu Zeheng had already finished eating. She called out to him in time, "Wait, there's something for you."
"What?"
Yu Zeheng had already walked over.
Qiao Shu held a small square box in his hand, which was empty when you ran your fingers over it: "This is for your wedding ring. Luckily, the last photo didn't capture your hand, or it would have given us away."
She only remembered it later when she saw the photo; she was clinging to his arm, the diamond on her ring finger sparkling.
Yu Zeheng's gaze fell on her fingers. He frowned, as if he wanted to say something, but then he held back. When he bent down to take it, the ring box was put away again.
Qiao Shu looked up at him, her eyes clear and bright: "I'll send you the bill, remember to transfer the money."
Of course, she needed to calculate things clearly, especially given their current relationship.
Yu Zeheng didn't intend for her to spend any money. He simply hummed in agreement, "You'll receive it tomorrow."
"very good."
One was standing, and the other was sitting cross-legged. There was a clear height difference, so Yu Zeheng had to bend down to reach it. Qiao Shu didn't let go. As they got closer, Qiao Shu asked, "There's one more thing I need to confirm."
"Um?"
Qiao Shu frowned and asked curiously, "What exactly constitutes crossing the boundary?"
Yu Zeheng's cold and stern features softened slightly. He felt a tightness in his chest as he repeated her question in his mind.
Qiao Shu's eyes flickered, and she asked with utmost sincerity, "I need a standard, otherwise I'll have a hard time distinguishing whether you think this distance is too close, a transgression, or harassment?"
Her long, black hair swung behind her as she moved, revealing her entire face. Her skin was fair and delicate, and her features were beautiful on their own. Coupled with her lively eyes, she was beautiful even when still, but when she moved, even the strands of her hair exuded a flamboyant and domineering energy. Instead of being annoying, she easily captured the attention of those around her.
No one understands how to use one's beauty to get away with things better than Qiao Shu.
She knew she was beautiful from a young age, and when everyone around her kept praising her beauty, she found it hard to pretend to be oblivious.
Yu Zeheng's gaze faltered for only a moment before he calmly said, "You overestimate your charm."
Qiao Shu said "Oh": "Based on the love letters I've received since I was a child, and the number of times I've been confessed to, I'm sorry, there aren't any."
She never hides her superiority; the word "humility" should be removed from her dictionary.
Yu Zeheng stared into her eyes, her confidence evident. He muttered that she knew what boundaries to draw, and took the ring box from her hand.
“If I knew the answer, I wouldn’t have asked, don’t you think?” Qiao Shu smiled.
The shallow dimples at the corners of her lips resembled a trap she had fallen into after letting her guard down.
Yu Zeheng once stepped into it.
He was bewitched by her; it wasn't a complete disaster, but it certainly left him in a very embarrassing situation.
Yu Zeheng suddenly squatted down, his palms resting on the coffee table. He leaned forward, their faces almost touching, his straight nose nearly poking hers.
His breath brushed against her face, a touch of heat and a slight tickling sensation. Qiao Shu clenched her hands, remaining motionless.
Yu Zeheng twitched his lips: "That doesn't count."
Qiao Shu's heart skipped a beat.
He moved closer, and this time his lips almost touched hers: "So, do you want me to be clearer?"
-----------------------
Author's Note: I want it! ...
50 red envelopes, kiss kiss!
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