Chapter 49 It's your mouth that's always tempting people to commit crimes.
Shen Yu's gaze subtly swept between Yan Tingnan's hand holding the phone and Su Ruan's.
What's Yan Tingnan doing here?
Is he still with Su Ruan?
A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it, replacing it with his usual lazy smile.
He withdrew his hand and casually put it back in his pocket.
"I never expected to meet you on Hong Kong Island."
Shen Yu wore a relaxed and polite social smile; his upbringing as a young master from a prominent family allowed him to handle the situation with ease.
"You live here too?"
Yan Tingnan nodded slightly.
"A temporary stopover."
Shen Yu continued with polite small talk.
"Is Mr. Yan here in Hong Kong on official business?"
"Asia-Pacific Summit".
Yan Tingnan's words were concise and to the point, which served as an explanation of his appearance.
He then turned to Su Ruan and handed the phone back.
"Young Master Shen and Miss Su, are they very familiar with each other?"
Yan Tingnan's gaze swept between the two.
"An old friend."
Shen Yu laughed openly, completely unaware of the invisible tension in the air, taking it as just a senior's normal concern for a junior's social circle.
“As a fellow alumna of the Central Academy of Fine Arts, I’m doing my best to be a good host in Hong Kong, since you’re unfamiliar with the place.”
"Um."
Yan Tingnan responded with only one syllable, then turned his gaze to Su Ruan, his expression suggestive.
"The host's hospitality was very thorough."
"Yes, we owe it all to Shen Yu for making the connection today."
"The workshop contract has been signed, and the construction period has been pushed to the limit."
Su Ruan broke the delicate stalemate with a slightly relaxed tone.
"We're just waiting for good news from Yunnan."
"Is that so?"
A slight smile curved Yan Tingnan's lips.
"It seems that Miss Su has gained a lot from this trip to Hong Kong Island."
Shen Yu was unaware of the undercurrent between the two, assuming that Yan Tingnan was concerned about Qingyan's collaborative project, and replied with a smile.
"That stubborn old man, Uncle Li, was almost scared away by the 15-day construction period. It took a lot of persuasion before he finally agreed."
"Softie has amazing courage and a great gambling spirit."
His tone was familiar, with a hint of teasing towards an old friend.
"Assistant Su's abilities are outstanding, as expected."
Then, Yan Tingnan turned to Su Ruan and gave her some instructions.
"Although Tiangongfang has excellent craftsmanship, the production schedule is tight, so we need to keep a close eye on it afterward."
"Don't make any mistakes."
"We will immediately update you with any news from Yunnan."
"Understood, Mr. Yan."
Su Ruan agreed readily.
"The details of the subsequent Qingyan exhibition need to be discussed in advance."
"good."
Shen Yu became a complete outsider.
He casually remarked, "President Yan seems quite interested in Assistant Su's project?"
"Qingyan is following up on her project."
Yan Tingnan's tone was cold and businesslike.
"Coincidentally, I also need to personally oversee the affairs on Hong Kong Island."
Su Ruan's heart skipped a beat, and she almost burst out laughing.
What a coincidence!
The summit happened to be on Hong Kong Island, the hotel happened to be the same one she stayed at, and the elevator happened to be at the same time she returned.
The odds of this happening by chance are even lower than winning the lottery.
Shen Yu remained oblivious and extended the invitation with undiminished enthusiasm.
"Mr. Yan rarely comes to Hong Kong Island, would you like to go for a drink together?"
"I know a few good bars with private environments, perfect..."
"No need."
Yan Tingnan interrupted decisively.
"The project is in a critical phase and needs someone to keep an eye on it."
"I appreciate your kindness, Young Master Shen."
His statement about needing someone to keep an eye on him was vague.
Should we focus on the project or the people?
"I still have some work details that I need to finalize with Ms. Su."
"Young Master Shen, I won't take up any more of your time."
Yan Tingnan's order to leave was both elegant and direct.
Shen Yu simply assumed he was a workaholic and shrugged with some regret.
"That's a pity."
"Next time there's an opportunity, I'll treat you. Mr. Yan, you must do me the honor of attending."
After saying that, he turned to Su Ruan.
"Mr. Yan, Ruan Ruan, you two can talk about serious business."
"Ruanruan, call me anytime if there's any news from the workshop."
Shen Yu waved casually and turned to walk towards the elevator.
"Chen Yu, please walk slowly."
Su Ruan raised her hand and waved at him with a smile.
The corridor fell silent, and an invisible tension permeated the space between the two.
Yan Tingnan did not move immediately, but suddenly spoke.
"Young Master Shen is very enthusiastic."
"Old friends, they're loyal."
She answered easily.
"Isn't it quite a coincidence for President Yan as well?"
Su Ruan raised an eyebrow slightly, meeting his calm gaze.
Yan Tingnan seemed not to have heard the sarcasm, and her voice deepened.
"Why didn't you come to me when you encountered such a huge mess?"
Upon hearing this, Su Ruan's heart skipped a beat.
That old fox really knows everything.
Looking for it? How do I look for it?
Just like how she used to cling to Yan Yunye, she grabbed his sleeve and cried about Wen Wanwan's underhanded tricks?
She still took advantage of that vague ambiguity and demanded that he use Qingyan's power to clear away obstacles for her.
What she wanted was never anyone's charity.
"Is Mr. Yan referring to the breach of contract by the craftsman?"
"Um."
"The reason is simple."
Su Ruan gave a faint smile.
"President Yan, SoftVoice and Qingyan have a cooperative relationship, not a dependent one."
"Since the performance-based agreement has been signed, I should bear the risks and responsibilities myself."
"If you step in and apply pressure to resolve this once, what about next time?"
She paused, her eyes clear and bright, devoid of any grievance or ingratiation, purely rational.
"This is a crisis for SoftVoice, not for Qingyan."
"The foundation of a brand lies in its ability to solve problems independently."
"If everything is handled by you, SoftVoice will always just be a vine clinging to Qingyan, unable to stand on its own."
"If you can't even withstand this little bit of wind and rain, how can you be qualified to discuss the next step with me?"
Yan Tingnan looked at her silently.
Her analysis was watertight, entirely based on business logic.
Independence, risk, cost-effectiveness—the only option not being dependent on him.
"So, you'd rather push yourself to the edge of a cliff than speak up even once?"
"yes."
Su Ruan answered decisively, tilting her head slightly and asking a question in return.
"Mr. Yan, do you think there's anything unreasonable about my decision-making process?"
What's unreasonable about it?
Yan Tingnan's heart tightened for a moment.
She took every step precisely to maximize profits, and he couldn't find any flaws in her business logic to refute her.
This is what makes his chest feel so tight.
He took a step forward, so close that they could feel their breaths mingling.
"Su Ruan, you really are..."
His hot breath brushed against her forehead.
He didn't say the rest, as if he was trying his best to restrain himself.
His gaze lingered on her slightly pale face for a moment before his tone abruptly changed.
"Have you taken all the medicine as prescribed?"
Su Ruan was taken aback.
medicine?
Last night's comforting stomach medicine and light late-night snack...
Not Shen Yu?!
She suddenly recognized the gentleman the waiter had mentioned.
Su Ruan suddenly looked up at him.
My heart felt like it had been squeezed lightly by something.
It was him.
This cold-faced Buddha has a long reach and a deep hidden heart.
She remained expressionless, only giving a vague reply.
"Um."
"President Yan is so busy with so many things, does he even care whether his employees have taken their medicine?"
Su Ruan's tone was teasing, with a slight upward slant at the end.
"staff?"
Yan Tingnan's voice was even lower and hoarser than before, with a hint of amusement.
"Which employee is worth me personally delivering medicine to?"
Su Ruan's ears burned at those words, but she refused to show any fear on her face.
"President Yan is right."
"He is definitely not an ordinary employee."
"Which ordinary employee would be lucky enough to have their mouth personally sealed by their boss in an elevator?"
"You've got cause and effect backwards. It's not that I'm trying to shut you up."
Yan Tingnan suddenly grabbed her waist and pulled her into his arms.
"It's your mouth that's always tempting people to commit crimes."
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