70
As dawn broke, Wen Xueyan was still asleep when she was awakened by a gentle knock on the door.
She opened the door and saw Xi Mingyuan standing outside, his expression somewhat solemn.
"I'm sorry to bother you so early," Xi Mingyuan said calmly. "I was planning to meet with President Cheng at the Cheng Group this morning, but his secretary told me last night that he's on a business trip out of town. Could you please confirm if he's really on a business trip?"
Wen Xueyan rubbed her sleepy eyes: "I'll contact them later."
She gently closed the door. In the morning light, she stood by the window, hesitating for a moment.
She recalled the unpleasant argument she had with Cheng Boyan on the phone yesterday.
At that time, Wen Xueyan felt that since there was no solution to the current predicament, she decided not to call Cheng Boyan.
Before going to bed, she dialed her best friend Ning Zhiyi's number. The sound of turning pages came from the other end of the line, and Dr. Qi was explaining grammar to her.
"Xueyan?" Ning Zhiyi's voice was tinged with laughter. "Your call comes at the perfect time. I'm about to be driven crazy by all this English. Dr. Qi said I have to pass this hurdle for the postgraduate entrance exam."
"So you still have time to answer my call?"
"Of course I'll answer," Ning Zhiyi's tone brightened. "Answering my best friend's call is much more important than memorizing all this gibberish. Besides..." she lowered her voice, "it's a good excuse to take a break."
A helpless chuckle came from the other end of the phone, followed by the sound of footsteps fading into the distance.
Wen Xueyan explained the situation.
"If you ask me, your most important task right now is to stay happy. Remember, a pregnant woman's mood directly affects the baby's appearance. If you're always frowning and have a little crybaby, don't blame me for not warning you."
Wen Xueyan was amused by her words: "It's not that exaggerated."
"Of course I am!" Ning Zhiyi replied. "Your Mr. Cheng is, after all, a man of strong character; it's normal for him to be jealous. I suggest you don't think about those complicated matters before bed. Watch some lighthearted American dramas on your iPad. Your most important thing right now is to take care of yourself and the baby. Leave the rest to time. Remember my wise words! Irreconcilable conflicts are best left alone. This isn't escapism; it's a strategic postponement."
After hanging up the phone, Wen Xueyan followed her best friend's advice, opened her iPad, selected a light and heartwarming American drama, and fell asleep shortly after watching it.
In the morning light, Wen Xueyan's gaze swept across the towering buildings outside the window.
She had originally considered revealing Xi Mingyuan's secret about his sexual orientation to Cheng Boyan so that Cheng Boyan would no longer be jealous.
But Cheng Boyan's resolute decision to acquire Shiming Group in his rage yesterday made her suddenly realize that this man was terrifyingly powerful and difficult to control.
The ruthless and decisive CEO Cheng displayed a destructive power when heartbroken, which terrified her. She dared not tell him this secret for the time being.
With that in mind, she picked up her phone and finally sent a message in a businesslike tone: "Mr. Cheng, I apologize for bothering you. Are you traveling for work today? If so, when would be a convenient time to meet?"
At that moment, Cheng Boyan was eating breakfast. A flicker of joy crossed his eyes when he saw the number on the screen.
However, after opening the message, the businesslike wording gradually dampened his expectations. A faint sense of disappointment welled up in his heart.
"I just got back from a business trip last night. I'll be at the office this morning, do you want to come over?"
Looking at the quickly replied message, Wen Xueyan only gave a vague reply: "Not yet confirmed, I need to follow the leader's instructions."
This reply dimmed Cheng Boyan's gaze.
After finishing his meal, Cheng Boyan stood in front of the mirror in the dressing room, tying his tie. The man in the mirror remained composed and capable, but a hint of melancholy in his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil.
At the dining table, Xi Mingyuan ate breakfast and asked, "Have you managed to contact President Cheng?"
"He said he would be at the company this morning," Wen Xueyan replied.
Xi Mingyuan said calmly, "In that case, I'll visit the Cheng Group this morning."
In the morning, Xi Mingyuan personally visited the Cheng Group.
"I'm looking for General Manager Cheng." His voice was steady.
The receptionist gave a professional smile: "Do you have an appointment?"
"I made an appointment yesterday, but I couldn't get one," Xi Mingyuan said frankly. "This is a serious matter, so please let me know."
The receptionist dialed the internal line, spoke in hushed tones, and then politely replied, "I'm sorry, Mr. Cheng is not in the office. We suggest you make an appointment another day."
Xi Mingyuan frowned slightly, walked aside, and dialed Wen Xueyan's number, but she was in a meeting on another project and didn't answer. So Xi Mingyuan dialed his secretary's number: "Have the technical director come to Cheng's Group immediately and arrange a driver to pick him up."
However, half an hour later, it was Deputy Director Lin who appeared in the lobby of the Cheng Group. She had a confident smile on her face.
"President Xi," she said quickly, stepping forward, "Director Wen has other work to do. Perhaps I have more experience handling unexpected situations in this project."
Xi Mingyuan's gaze darkened slightly.
Deputy Director Lin maintained a polite smile, "Considering the complexity of the project, I believe it's more appropriate for me to handle it. After all, I've been in this industry longer than Director Wen."
In fact, Deputy Director Lin had already secretly allied with the HR Director and bribed President Xi's secretary, all while waiting for such an opportunity to demonstrate his abilities.
She reasoned that if she could resolve this crisis, she would definitely improve her position within the group.
Xi Mingyuan was displeased. He walked to the front desk again and said, "Our technical director has arrived."
The receptionist dialed the internal line and immediately asked, "May I ask your surname, Technical Director?"
"My surname is Lin," Deputy Director Lin answered first.
After repeating the message over the phone, the receptionist shook her head again: "I'm sorry, Mr. Cheng is not in the office. Please make an appointment another day."
Xi Mingyuan's gaze suddenly turned cold; he sensed that his secretary might have been bribed.
Several business representatives in the waiting area were whispering among themselves: "President Cheng's schedule is already full for the day after tomorrow; we're afraid we've made a wasted trip."
The middle-aged man on the other side sighed: "I heard that the boss of Xingtu Technology waited a whole week just to see President Cheng. In the end, he chased after President Cheng on his way to the airport and talked with him for ten minutes at a highway service area."
Xi Mingyuan decided not to wait any longer. He walked aside and dialed the company's CFO's cell phone: "Director Wang, please go to the office of Technical Director Wen Xueyan immediately. If she's not in her office, go to the project conference room and tell her there's an urgent matter that needs her attention. Ask her to come downstairs; the driver, Lao Wu, will be waiting for her at the door."
Although the CFO was puzzled, he immediately complied.
Three minutes later, Wen Xueyan, who was chairing the meeting, was quietly called out of the meeting room.
When Wen Xueyan appeared in the lobby of Cheng's Group, Xi Mingyuan finally breathed a sigh of relief.
This time, the receptionist called the president's office, and soon she smiled and gestured, "Please come upstairs. Other staff members can wait in the lounge area; they don't need to come along."
Led by his secretary Qian Yuyu, the office door was pushed open, and Cheng Boyan stood by the window, his posture as upright as a pine tree.
Wen Xueyan held the coat she had just taken off, and the misty blue cashmere sweater she wore shimmered softly under the office lights, further highlighting her intellectual and gentle temperament.
This was one of the items Cheng Boyan bought for her that afternoon at the summit.
When he saw the misty blue sweater Wen Xueyan was wearing, his eyes flickered for a moment. The emotions that had been suppressed by reason quietly awakened at that instant.
"President Cheng," Wen Xueyan greeted softly, her voice as gentle as spring rain in Jiangnan.
"Please have a seat, both of you."
Xi Mingyuan and Wen Xueyan sat side by side opposite Cheng Boyan.
Xi Mingyuan cut to the chase: "Mr. Cheng, regarding the termination of the project, I hope we can renegotiate."
Cheng Boyan remained silent, gesturing for them to continue.
Wen Xueyan said softly, "President Cheng, this project is not just a business collaboration, but also the culmination of the hard work of hundreds of employees. I believe that with your foresight, you won't make an impulsive decision based on momentary impulse."
Every word she spoke was like spring rain, gently tapping on Cheng Boyan's heart. He thought of the phone call that had been hung up on yesterday, and the regret he felt this morning. Now, seeing her sitting in front of him wearing that sweater, all his resolve was quietly melting away.
"The fate of the project depends on the attitude of Shiming Group." Cheng Boyan's voice remained calm, but it was much more gentle than before.
Cheng Boyan calmly scrutinized Xi Mingyuan. Only the faint sound of the air conditioner humming in the office remained.
"Excuse me, I'll be right back in ten minutes." Xi Mingyuan stood up. "I'm going to the restroom. I'll be back in ten minutes."
As soon as the office door closed, Cheng Boyan quickly locked the door from the inside.
Before Wen Xueyan could react, he had already pulled her to her feet and gently drawn her into his arms. The embrace came suddenly but was exceptionally tender.
"Bo Yan, this is the office..." Wen Xueyan's words were cut off by his lips.
The kiss carried the scent of spring, as gentle as an April breeze and as lingering as a May drizzle. His lips were warm and firm, as if telling of all the longing he had felt over the past few days.
Wen Xueyan could sense his restrained emotions, a deep and profound feeling, calm on the surface but turbulent beneath. She tried to break free, but he held her even more gently in his arms.
Cheng Boyan stepped back slightly, gazing at her flushed cheeks: "I know it's an office, but this is my office."
In this realm that belongs to him, he can temporarily set aside the constraints of the outside world.
She leaned gently against his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat. His hand gently slipped under the hem of her cashmere sweater.
The movement was extremely slow, tentative, and reverent. When his fingertips touched her delicate skin, they both trembled slightly involuntarily.
Wen Xueyan closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his palm. The warmth seeped slowly through her skin, unhurried and gentle, like the warm winter sun shining through the clouds and softly sprinkling on the snow.
His hands were large, just big enough to cover the curve of her waist. His fingertips had calluses, marks left from years of holding pens and flipping through documents, but now they were a comforting touch.
Cheng Boyan's hand slowly moved upwards, his fingertips gently stroking every inch of her back. Wen Xueyan could feel the tenderness and restraint in his movements, and this gentleness made her nose tingle.
When his fingers touched the clasp on her back, Wen Xueyan gently pressed down on his arm.
"No..." Her voice was soft, but it carried an undeniable determination.
Cheng Boyan immediately stopped and gently took her hand in his.
His palm completely enveloped her slender fingers. "I'm sorry, I missed you so much."
Under Wen Xueyan's insistence, Cheng Boyan finally temporarily loosened his embrace.
He walked to the sofa and sat down, letting Wen Xueyan sit next to him. Then Cheng Boyan gently pulled her onto his lap.
"Just a few minutes," he pleaded, "I'll let you go after I've had my fill of holding you."
Held in his arms, Wen Xueyan still asked, "Are you really going to acquire Shiming Group? What can I do to make you change your mind?"
"Yes," Cheng Boyan answered without hesitation, "unless you divorce Xi Mingyuan. I thought I could accept it on our wedding day, but now I regret it."
"That won't do." Wen Xueyan shook her head.
"You can't bear to part with him?" Cheng Boyan still held her hand, his tone tinged with bitterness.
Wen Xueyan looked him straight in the eye: "What do you think?"
Cheng Boyan still had his arm around her waist, resting his chin on her neck, and asked, "Why did you turn off your phone the night you went for your prenatal checkup? Why didn't you answer my calls? After we argued last night, I wanted to call you again, but I was worried you'd find me annoying."
"It's easy to feel sleepy when you're pregnant," Wen Xueyan's tone softened. "I went to bed very early that day. Besides, arguing with you would affect my mood, which isn't good for the baby either. You surely want the baby to be handsome or beautiful, right?"
Although he wasn't 100% sure, he felt a glimmer of hope in his heart.
"Xueyan, how about I arrange for someone to send you abroad?" Cheng Boyan suggested. "To a safe place, away from all this trouble. Would you like to go to America or Canada?"
Welcome all readers and fans to leave comments and vote! Thank you for your support.
President Cheng's rationality and emotions were locked in a battle between his left and right hemispheres. The system completely collapsed the moment Xueyan appeared. Whatever you say is fine, it's even better if she comes back (マ).
Yes, that's a very insightful analysis! Thank you for reading! ^_^
Do I really want to go abroad to give birth?
Thank you for reading and for your prediction! The answer will be revealed in the next chapter.
Wow! A year later! Curious.
Will there be an update today?
Yes, thank you for reading.
Thank you for reading! Just updated!
Thank you for reading! Just updated!
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