Chapter 45
The next morning, Chu Yue and Ji Mingfei went to a real estate agency. Based on their requirements, the salesperson recommended two apartments, both in the same neighborhood.
"Wouldn't it be too close for Ji Mingfei to live in the same neighborhood?" Chu Yue was worried that Ji Mingfei would feel pressured if he ran into her parents in the neighborhood every day.
Ji Mingfei got along very well with Chu's mother during this time, so she didn't mind too much, saying, "Living closer makes it easier to visit June every day!"
The salesperson, observing the situation, interjected at the opportune moment: "Both of these apartments are beautifully decorated. If you don't absolutely need to move into a brand new house, you basically don't need to decorate. Renovations take time to air out, and you can't move in immediately. Considering the baby's health, we suggest you buy one where the renovation took a little longer. Why don't we go see the apartments first?"
The first apartment was directly opposite theirs; standing in front of the window, they could see the clothes drying on the balcony. The decorating style was also a simple style that older people would like.
Chu Yue took some photos and sent them to her parents, who both said they were quite nice. After basically finalizing the purchase of this apartment, Chu's father drove over that afternoon, and he and Chu's mother went to see the apartment in person. Once everything seemed fine, Chu Yue quickly completed the transfer of ownership, and the elderly couple moved in a week later.
After no longer having to take care of the child, Chu Yue and Ji Mingfei resumed their life as a couple.
…
The rumors circulating in the company about Ji Mingfei and Chu Yue first started because someone noticed that Ji Mingfei, despite not owning a car, always went to the underground parking garage after work. Anyone paying close attention would eventually spot Ji Mingfei getting into Chu Yue's car.
Rumors spread that Chu Yue and Shen Qing'an had actually broken up long ago. In a fit of anger, Shen Qing'an sent Chu Yue to Shanhe Law Firm. During her time single, she met Qin Zhou from a law firm and recruited him into the company's legal department. Chu Yue then secretly married an omega from Shanhe Law Firm, and upon her return, transferred her back to the marketing department.
The once inseparable "close lovers" have now parted ways, and those with ulterior motives have begun to covet the shares held by Chu Yue.
As soon as the olive branch was extended, Chu Yue immediately knew who was behind it.
Currently, the only person qualified to compete with Shen Qing'an for the chairmanship is the group's second-largest shareholder, Shen Qing'an's aunt.
Top floor of K Hotel.
"You've gone to so much trouble to treat me to dinner at such an expensive place, Mr. Shen." Chu Yue took off her coat and sat down on the other side of the long table.
Shen Man gestured to the waiter to serve the dishes, saying, "This meal is to thank President Chu for giving Shanhe to my daughter."
"You've taken quite a long time to prepare this gift." Chu Yue smiled, watched the waiter pour the wine, and then picked it up and drank it all in one gulp.
Shen Man held up her glass, her smile frozen on her lips, before she could utter the words she was about to say.
"Does Mr. Chu intend to be a project director for life?"
Chu Yue picked up her knife and fork again to cut the steak, saying as she ate, "Even I feel tired, Director. I've been thinking about switching to a less demanding job lately."
"You currently hold 7% of the shares. If you want to sit back and receive a share of the profits, you'd have to at least double it?" Shen Man's offer was very tempting.
Unfortunately, Chu Yue didn't take the bait, instead asking, "Does the company have that many shares for me right now? If you could scrape together 5%, you wouldn't be treating me to dinner."
"Anyway, you don't like Shen Qing'an. I can give you more, why not? Helping me doesn't require risking your life."
Shen Man accurately hit Chu Yue's sore spot. She put down the steak knife, leaned back, and said, "It seems you've done a lot of research."
Shen Man swirled her wine glass. "I have to take you very seriously. Everyone thought you risked your life to help Shen Qing'an back then because of love, but who would have thought you were actually a gambler? Does Miss Ji know you're this kind of person?"
Chu Yue smiled helplessly and said, "We sleep in the same bed every day, and she knows exactly how many moles I have."
"People with families can't do whatever they want anymore. Spending time with your children is more important than traveling all over the world. Give me your shares, and I'll keep your shareholder status. Once I become the chairman, you'll be the second largest shareholder in the group."
"Do you think Shen Qing'an is a fool? If I were to side with you, my shares would become worthless. Let me give you a piece of advice: money can't be earned forever, maintaining the status quo is in your best interest. You've already gained a lot that doesn't belong to you because of the favor you showed by being the first to stand up for Shen Qing'an back then. Just because she didn't mention some things doesn't mean she doesn't know. That's all I have to say, farewell!"
Chu Yue had just stepped out of the hotel when her phone rang. She glanced at the caller ID but didn't answer.
When the phone rang again, she glanced at Deng Jie, who was driving, before pressing the answer button. Qin Zhou's laughter came through the phone.
"Director Chu, why aren't you answering my calls? Are you busy changing sides?"
Chu Yue leaned against the car window, looking rather downcast, and said bluntly, "Shen Man wants my shares; she wants to be the chairperson."
"It seems that Ms. Shen Man's offer is not enough to tempt you."
Chu Yue said impatiently, "What's there to be tempted about! She's been busy acquiring scattered shares lately. Tell Shen Qing'an to be careful. Zhou Yaomin is the kind of person who'll do anything when cornered. Be careful he doesn't bite you."
"Since getting married, President Chu's sense of smell isn't as sharp as it used to be. Shanhe's financial report showed a loss last quarter, and young girls like Shen Qian are busy dating, how can they have time to manage production?" Qin Zhou said sarcastically.
Suppressing her anger, Chu Yue retorted sarcastically, "Then you go and handle it! How can Shen Qing'an's new advisor only know how to sleep around?"
Qin Zhou said indifferently, "I'll only step in when the company goes bankrupt. I only care about death, not life."
Chu Yue hung up the phone immediately and asked Deng Jie, "Did you tell Qin Zhou that I came to see Shen Man?"
"My sister asked me where I was, and I thought she needed to talk to me... so I told her." Deng Jie didn't know what had happened, but he could sense something was wrong from Chu Yue's emotions.
The last time she was this angry was when she publicly announced at the board meeting that Shen Jianan's father had been diagnosed with a serious illness and was disqualified from running for chairman.
"Boss...where are we going now?" Deng Jie asked nervously.
Chu Yue leaned back in her chair. "Let's go home."
Deng Jie turned the car around at the next intersection.
…
Ji Mingfei was watching TV in the living room when he heard the door open and got up to look. He saw Chu Yue staggering in, reeking of alcohol.
"Is everything settled? Would you like me to make you a hangover soup?"
Chu Yue threw down her bag and started taking off her clothes as she walked towards the bathroom. "No need, I didn't drink much. I'll go take a shower first."
Ji Mingfei sensed something was off about her when she came home tonight. She picked up the clothes that were scattered all over the floor and knocked on the bathroom door. "Are you alright?"
"It's okay, could you please wash my clothes for me?" A muffled voice came from the bathroom.
Ji Mingfei took the clothes she had taken off to the balcony and threw them into the washing machine.
Chu Yue took a little longer than usual to shower, so Ji Mingfei pressed her ear against the door to listen for any sounds inside. She didn't leave until she heard a noise.
The two lay in bed that night, neither speaking first. It wasn't until Ji Mingfei turned off the light and prepared to sleep that Chu Yue suddenly hugged her from behind.
"Honey, if I stop being a project director in the future, will you and the kids look down on me?"
Ji Mingfei finally noticed something unusual. She placed her hand on Chu Yue's hand and said, "Then you must work hard to make money no matter where you are."
"I definitely will." Chu Yue gently nuzzled against Ji Mingfei's neck.
After hesitating for a long time, Ji Mingfei couldn't help but ask, "Did something happen at work?"
silence.
"Did you know? I am the youngest project director in the history of AXA Group."
Ji Mingfei first learned about Chu Yue from this impressive title.
"Do you know that I am also the longest-serving project director?"
Ji Mingfei bit her lip, feeling a lump in her throat, unsure how to respond. In other words, Chu Yue had held this position for a long time, but had never moved from it.
Was there no further promotion to be made, or was Shen Qing'an wary of something? But why did she choose to leave at this time? Shouldn't the best time to retire gracefully be when Shen Qing'an becomes the chairman? As intelligent as Chu Yue is, she couldn't possibly have missed this point.
“I’ve taken care of all of Shen Qing’an’s uncles, cousins, and anyone who threatened her. There was only one aunt whom Shen Qing’an spared. Shen Man was the lock that kept me in check, and now that she has broken that balance herself, it’s time for me to leave the company.”
Ji Mingfei rolled over and looked at Chu Yue, puzzled, and asked, "You mean, President Shen never trusts you? Doesn't she like you a lot?"
"Love is nothing more than a pheromone rush; as long as there's a suppressor of self-interest, people will eventually come to their senses. Perhaps she just wants to tie me down through marriage; who knows?"
Ji Mingfei couldn't imagine what love would be like if it were mixed with too much self-interest, but from Chu Yue's words she could probably understand that it must be a feeling of both love and hate, wanting to give you everything, yet fearing that you would run away with the money.
Are you planning to resign?
"That depends on how fast Shen Qing'an acts. Anyway, it won't be much later than Shen Man going bankrupt! Have you thought about where you'll live in the future? Takiteng still has our house."
Ji Mingfei climbed onto Chu Yue's shoulders and wrapped his arms around her neck. "Anywhere is fine, as long as I'm with you."
Chu Yue rolled over with her in his arms and unbuttoned her pajamas. "Are you planning to fall in love with me starting tonight?"
"I fell in love with you the moment I first saw you." Ji Mingfei expressed his love in a casual tone, but he didn't want to lose too badly in front of Chu Yue.
Chu Yue touched the ring on her ring finger, slowly spun it off, and placed it on the bedside table. "I don't believe it."
Ji Mingfei tilted his head to one side and asked in a persistent tone, "What would it take for you to believe me?"
"Unless you let me mark you a thousand times." Chu Yue leaned down and gently kissed her lips.
Ji Mingfei tilted his head back and replied, "I think you want to bite my neck off."
"Tonight, even if you beg for mercy, I will not stop."
"Then give it a try."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
