Chen Peiyuan's secret rendezvous was secretly photographed.
"Mr. Chen, this is the financial statement for the first half of this year compiled by the finance department. Please take a look."
Assistant Li handed you a stack of documents, then took the cup on your desk and refilled your coffee.
You take the report, check it, and after confirming there are no major problems, you put it down and look at Assistant Li, who is grinding coffee. Today he is wearing a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. He is putting the counted coffee beans into the coffee machine and waiting for it to start. You are quite particular about the quality of your coffee; one more bean will make it too strong, and one less will make it too weak. If you make too much or too little, you have to start over, otherwise you won't drink it. Assistant Li has been working by your side for three years, and the two of you have had enough time to get to know each other. He knows your habits and understands your every move.
You suddenly remembered the scene of his first day at the company, around this time, though you couldn't recall the exact day. You had joined your father's company as a business manager, starting from the bottom, busy competing with Chen Peiyuan for a desirable business partner. You worked day and night preparing materials, and as soon as Xiao Li reported for duty, you arranged for him to catch the next available flight. With only two hours to spare, you shoved him into the car, only managing to say, "Fasten your seatbelt, we're chasing the plane." The car sped off like a rocket, running countless red lights before the two of you finally caught the plane. Before he could even process what was happening, he was forced to take the mountain of paper money from your hands. You presented him with a stack of documents, demanding he review them. Your mission was to intercept Mrs. Li, who was on her way to J City. After a successful and satisfying mission, you sat at the dinner table, reviewing the contract Mrs. Li had just signed with you. Meanwhile, Xiao Li was vomiting uncontrollably in the restroom. When he emerged, he saw you leaning against the wall near the men's restroom entrance. You smiled and patted his shoulder, saying, "You did a great job, passing my test. You've had a hard day. I'll give you two days off to have some fun. Come back to work later." Xiao Li, weak and unable to respond, was utterly exhausted after such a long day and just wanted to rest.
After that, he worked by your side, following you from manager to president, from assistant to special assistant, for three years.
"Young Master Chen, Young Master Chen"
A steaming cup of richly aromatic coffee is placed beside you. Xiao Li uses his other hand to adjust his slipping glasses, and when you don't react, he calls out to you a few times.
You snapped back to reality, picked up your coffee and took a sip. The rich coffee slid down your throat, the warmth soothing your stomach. It was still the taste you loved.
"Yes, the report is fine. Pay attention to the balance of expenses and income in the business department in the second half of the year. Also, make sure to improve the prizes and benefits for new and old employees during holidays. Remember to plan the annual meeting in advance and send me another report then."
“Yes, Mr. Chen.” Assistant Li replied, taking the financial statements he had already reviewed.
You called him back as he was about to leave with the report.
"Wait, Xiao Li."
Xiao Li heard your voice and turned around to look at you.
"What's wrong, Mr. Chen? Is there anything else you need to tell me?"
You looked at his injured leg. After the last banquet, you took a day off the next day. Remembering that he was pushed by that person and injured his leg while saving you, you also gave Assistant Li three days off to rest. But when he came back, you could clearly feel that something was different. Although he was still dedicated and capable, it was obvious that something had changed about him.
"Have you seen a doctor about your foot since that day? This is considered a work injury, and the company will reimburse your medical expenses and other costs. If you want to rest, you can continue your leave, and your salary will not be reduced. Don't suffer in silence."
Xiao Li smiled and agreed.
"If Mr. Chen had said that earlier, I wouldn't have been afraid. I'm so grateful for the three days off you gave me, otherwise I would have had to come to work on crutches the next day. I've already applied the medicine this morning. I just twisted my ankle by accident. The doctor told me to rest for a few days and that it's nothing serious. I'll be able to walk normally again in a few days. Mr. Chen, look, my ankle is much better today. I can even dance a little."
As if afraid you wouldn't believe him, Assistant Li even took a few steps back and forth and spun around on one leg to show you. Although his steps were still a bit slow, he looked quite energetic.
Seeing his series of comical actions made me laugh, so I quickly told him to stop and waved for him to leave. If he didn't leave, I was going to laugh so hard I'd fall flat on my face.
After Assistant Li left, you slowly stopped smiling. You don't know what Chen Peiyuan said to him that day, but he refused to rest. You heard that he recently got a fitness card, saying that he would go to exercise once his injury heals.
"bite--"
"bite--"
You pick up your phone and see messages from a friend, three or four in a row.
Ning: Image
Ning: Image
Ning: Lanlan, look what this is?
Ning: It's trending on Weibo!
The first image you see is a poster with large red lettering. Interspersed throughout are several carefully chosen pictures: Chen Peiyuan, dressed in a black suit, embracing a woman in a red dress outside a Western restaurant. The woman's face is blurred; she wears sunglasses and a mask, making her features unrecognizable. Several different angles and positions are shown: Chen Peiyuan sitting and handing a tissue to the woman; Chen Peiyuan serving food to the woman in red; and the two leaning against each other, Chen Peiyuan listening intently. The largest image on the cover shows the two embracing, magnified many times compared to the smaller images. At the top of the poster, a line of large red text reads: "Shengye Group's heir secretly meets a woman in red late at night; is his marriage to the Chen family's daughter merely a formality?"
You lower your eyes, expressionless, and your fingertips touch the second picture, which is a trending topic on Weibo: "Shengye Group's heir and his mistress," with netizens from all over the country making heated comments below the topic.
Who exactly said they were mutually in love and deeply in love? It's so hard to guess! (Laughs while covering mouth)
"Rich people can talk about money and feelings at the same time. Maybe they both have their own mistresses and live separate lives."
Those who say they feel sorry for the woman should feel sorry for us working-class people instead. No matter what, are we richer than them? LOL.
'I support the woman announcing the engagement; the older sister is the only one who truly shines.'
'Maybe it's a misunderstanding, but CPY's face looks really handsome like this.'
Ning: Lanlan, are you alright?
Ning: You two are only engaged and not married yet. If this is true, we'll just dump this jerk and find someone else. It's not like he's the only one in the world who can get married.
Ning: Lanlan, I'm definitely on your side. I'll support whatever decision you make.
Ning: Lanlan?
Ning: Don't scare me! If you don't reply to me, I'm flying back from America right now to find you. I'm going to cause a scene at your company! (frustrated)
After the image pops up, you see several messages from your friend that you find both funny and heartwarming.
Lanlan: You can just stay in the US and have fun, I'm fine.
lanlan: [Transfer of 50,000 yuan]
Lanlan: Just play with it, don't worry about it.
The friend accepted the red envelope instantly.
Ning: Ahhhhhh, I love you Lanlan.
Ning: I'm so glad you're alright. Remember, I'll always be there for you!
Ning: I'm going to buy you lots of bags so you can forget about that jerk.
You laugh out loud and respond to your friend with three "hellos." The discomfort you felt from seeing those things is completely dispelled by your friend's words, and you can't help but sigh how wonderful it is to have such a friend.
You look at the message list; many people have sent messages asking questions, showing concern and inquiry. Even your father is asking what happened. You reassure your parents that it's all a misunderstanding and that Chen Peiyuan will clarify things later.
Chen Peiyuan didn't send any messages, offer any explanation, or respond. It was as if this matter had nothing to do with you, except for that one trending topic still hanging high on a certain headline.
But you know all of this is just talk; the best response is the silence of the person involved.
Although you know it's a marriage of convenience, you've taken it seriously. After all, who hasn't dreamed of a happy and fulfilling marriage? But reality is cruel, and you knew this was bound to happen.
Your marriage was originally a union bound by interests. Everyone knew it was fake, so there was no real affection involved. It would be more practical to make a few hundred million more. You try to comfort yourself, but you can still feel an emptiness inside, as if you've lost something.
You turn your head and see the vase on the table. The flowers delivered today are white jasmine, in clusters, with small, white buds that exude a delicate fragrance. But even the noblest white jasmine can't compare to the red rose in someone else's heart.
Rivals are rivals; they won't suddenly shake hands and make peace.
Suddenly, Xiao Li sent me a message.
Li: Mr. Chen, Mr. Chen's assistant, Mr. Wei, asked me if Mr. Chen had been here. I said no. He said that Mr. Chen saw the news this morning and ran out. He hasn't come back yet. He's not replying to messages or answering calls. There are many things that Mr. Chen needs to handle. The shareholders' meeting said they want an explanation.
Lanlan: Let's calm him down first. Tell him that President Chen will be going back to work tomorrow and he just needs to go out for a while.
Li: Okay. Mr. Chen.
You glanced at the time and saw it was already 4 PM. You quickly got up and called Chen Peiyuan, but his phone was switched off after four or five attempts. You had no choice but to venture to Chen's house to bother his parents. You learned that Chen Peiyuan hadn't returned home. You then checked the places you had passed by, but he wasn't there at all. You asked several passersby, but they all said they hadn't seen him. For a moment, you even considered calling the police.
A loud clap of thunder rang out, followed by a downpour of raindrops as large as beans.
You had no choice but to go back to your car to take shelter from the rain. In an instant, raindrops pattered against the car window, and pedestrians grabbed whatever they had to shield themselves from the rain and ran to their destination.
As you gaze at the rain streaks sliding down the window, you can't understand what Chen Peiyuan is thinking. It's just a scandal; a simple response to whether it's true or false would suffice. Why does it have to escalate to this point?
That's really absurd.
Zero~
You take out your phone; it's Chen Peiyuan.
"Lanlan, I'm at home." Chen Peiyuan's hoarse voice reached your ears.
The call was immediately disconnected.
"Smack!"
You had just turned on the light, changed into your slippers, and turned around to see Chen Peiyuan sitting on the sofa with his arms wrapped around himself. He sat motionless, looking at you, his face pale. He had obviously been sitting on the sofa for a long time. Lightning flashed outside the window from time to time, and the electric light sometimes shone on Chen Peiyuan's face, making his already pale face even paler.
You were startled by his appearance and wanted to scold him for not turning on the lights or answering the phone when he was home, but then you remembered what happened to him this morning and saw him like this, so you stopped yourself.
"What are you feeling sorry for? You deserve it." You turned to go upstairs with a cold face, but he grabbed your hand.
"open."
You glanced at your hand that was being held, then at him, and told him to let go.
Chen Peiyuan shook his head and wouldn't let go, his eyes fixed on you, as if afraid you would leave if he let go.
"Lanlan, you saw those things, right? If I said there was a reason behind them and it wasn't what you saw, would you believe me?"
Chen Peiyuan said with a wry smile.
You frowned and turned to look at him, feeling somewhat annoyed by his question.
"What good is it if I believe you? If it's false, shouldn't you explain it to those people? But what have you been doing all day? How old are you? You don't answer the phone, you don't explain, you just hide and disappear. You know your assistant Wei was so worried about you that he came to me looking for you. If you cared, you should go and explain to him and those people. What good is it if I just believe you, Chen Peiyuan?" You've been missing all afternoon, and you've run all over the streets looking for him, but he just plays the victim, hiding at home, not answering the phone or sending a message. Who wouldn't be furious?
Chen Peiyuan simply held your hand tightly, and you could clearly see the veins bulging on his large hand, showing his inner turmoil. But why didn't he speak or explain?
You look at the man in front of you. You've made yourself perfectly clear, yet he remains silent. You simply don't understand.
"If you want me to believe you, then tell me who that woman is. As your nominal fiancée and business partner, I have the right to know all of this."
You sit on the sofa, arms crossed over your chest, looking at him expressionlessly.
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