Chapter 105 What exactly do you guys have...?
The morning sun was shining brightly. When Zhang Luyuan got out of the car, he was momentarily blinded by the light and instinctively raised his hand to shield his eyes.
During rush hour, the building entrance is teeming with people. The rapid clatter of leather shoes and high heels on the marble floor, mixed with cell phone rings and conversations, creates a cacophony that is quite irritating.
He took a deep breath. He had already written the script in his mind: Xia Zhiyao and Zhou Yue wouldn't have a peaceful few days. She would probably stay up all night, have dark circles under her eyes, and her makeup would be sloppy. She would subconsciously avoid his gaze when she saw him. But when that familiar black car slid into view, he froze.
The car door opened, and Xia Zhiyao first stuck out one leg, her black high heels landing steadily on the ground. After getting out of the car, she turned around and seemed to be saying something to the people inside.
Xia Zhiyao had just turned around when she suddenly stopped. She frowned slightly and looked down at Zhou Yue's chin.
"Don't move." She instinctively stood on tiptoe, her fingers lightly brushing against the left side of his chin. "It's a little..."
It was probably breadcrumbs from breakfast. Her fingertips were warm and soft, and when they brushed against his skin, they caused a slight itch. Zhou Yue's eyes darkened, and he instinctively raised his hand to grasp her wrist.
Xia Zhiyao, however, seemed to have anticipated this. She nimbly took half a step back, deliberately drawing a small arc in the air as she withdrew her hand, like a triumphant cat.
"I'm at the company, Mr. Zhou, with so many people watching." She lowered her voice, but couldn't hide her smile. Her eyes curved into two crescent moons, and the curve of her lips was sweet.
Zhou Yue smiled helplessly. That indulgent, doting expression, which he only showed in front of her, suddenly warmed this usually aloof man.
Zhang Luyuan stood ten meters away, his phone almost slipping from his hand. The scene seemed to be in slow motion. What was most striking was the... that damned tacit understanding between the two of them. They didn't need any words; a single glance was enough for them to understand each other. The moment their eyes met, there was an intimate magnetic field that belonged only to lovers.
His stomach was churning, his temples were pounding wildly, and his blood vessels felt like they were about to burst.
The two turned and walked towards the building. Zhou Yue's hand naturally rested on Xia Zhiyao's waist, about three inches behind her back. This subtle act of possessiveness made Zhang Luyuan's teeth itch.
Xia Zhiyao and the others smiled and nodded. Sunlight shone on her face, and she couldn't hide her heartfelt joy. There wasn't a trace of panic in her eyes.
The elevator was packed with people. Xia Zhiyao was jostled back half a step by the crowd, her shoulder lightly bumping into Zhou Yue's chest.
She looked up and said something, her voice drowned out by the noise, but Zhang Luyuan saw it. He saw Zhou Yue lean down slightly, his ear close to her lips, a fleeting, genuine smile on his face. The Zhou Yue who made his opponents tremble at the negotiating table was now just an ordinary man bowing his head for a woman.
Zhang Luyuan's breathing became heavy. The elation he felt when he posted those photos that day, and the smugness he felt when he imagined her collapse, now felt like a slap in the face, loud and crisp, yet burning with pain in his heart.
The elevator doors opened and closed, people went in and out, they moved a little further in, and he strode into the elevator, deliberately squeezing past a few people to stand opposite them.
"I'm sorry," he said in a low, hoarse voice.
The elevator was stuffy, and Xia Zhiyao lowered her eyes, clearly noticing something. Zhou Yue remained expressionless, but subtly moved forward a few inches, blocking Zhang Luyuan's view of Xia Zhiyao.
No one spoke; only the slight vibration of the elevator moving was heard. The floor numbers had never ticked so slowly; every second felt like an eternity.
The door opened, and the crowd poured out. Zhang Luyuan followed them out. When he looked back, Zhou Yue's hand was on the door. As Xia Zhiyao walked past him, he slightly turned to make way for her. There was no eye contact between them, but the way they protected each other was so intimate that it was impossible to ignore.
The two walked straight past him as if they hadn't seen him. Zhang Luyuan stood still, watching their backs. Xia Zhiyao walked quickly, while Zhou Yue's pace matched hers at a leisurely pace. Their shadows overlapped in the morning light, like a match made in heaven.
His lips twitched; he wanted to laugh, but instead managed an expression that was worse than crying.
Zhou Yue was supposed to be at the New Energy Company today as a representative of the investors to handle another matter, so when he arrived at the meeting room, he didn't go in but stopped and said, "Go ahead, I'll take care of my own business downstairs."
Xia Zhiyao nodded, a smile still lingering on her lips, before turning and walking into the conference room. The light and shadow accentuated the gentle tenderness she felt after being pampered.
The smile that lingered in the elevator still lingered at the corners of her mouth, and the fine laugh lines at the corners of her eyes revealed a sense of satisfaction—an expression only a woman who has been truly cherished can have.
Zhang Luyuan sat diagonally opposite her, pretending to look at documents, but his eyes were fixed on her out of the corner of his eye. Her makeup was exquisite today, and the most obvious thing was her complexion, that rosy glow from the inside out. It was clear that she had been doing well these past few days, the kind of natural glow that comes from getting enough sleep and being in a good mood.
This doesn't look like someone troubled by rumors at all! This is clearly the state of a woman in love!
She thought those photos would keep her up at night, create rifts, and cause a rift between her and Zhou Yue. But the woman in front of her didn't look haggard at all. Instead, she looked like she had been pulled out of a honey pot, radiating a sweet and luminous glow.
As the last slide of the PowerPoint presentation came to a close, the room finally quieted down. The host closed the folder, his voice ringing out crisply in the silence: "That concludes today's agenda. Thank you all..."
As if some kind of spell had been broken, the conference room instantly came to life.
"I'll send the budget for next quarter to your email later..."
"Want to grab some food before you leave? There's a decent Japanese restaurant downstairs."
"My car is parked on B2—"
The scattered conversations gradually grew louder, and people started to leave. Zhang Luyuan, however, remained seated, staring at Xia Zhiyao's back as she organized her notes and materials, occasionally pausing to add a few strokes to her notebook.
“Speaking of which…” he suddenly began, his voice deliberately casual, as if chatting, but the volume was just enough for those who hadn’t left to hear.
Instantly, the group of people who were about to leave stopped in their tracks. Some dropped their documents on the floor with a clatter, hurriedly bending down to pick them up. Others feigned a cough to cover their embarrassment. Still others quickened their pace toward the door, afraid of being caught in the crossfire.
Zhang Luyuan continued slowly, "It's been quite a lively scene outside lately." He leaned back in his chair, his fingers interlaced in front of his abdomen, looking on with anticipation. "The media, the internet, all sorts of voices are coming out."
His gaze was fixed on Xia Zhiyao without blinking, and his words were like an invisible dagger pressing down on her: "President Xia is quite... calm and composed."
Xia Zhiyao was taken aback for a moment, then understood. She thought he was referring to the rumors that the company had recently secured a new energy project, which was widely believed to have been achieved through Zheng Xiaotian's father's connections.
She raised her eyes, her tone indifferent, yet with a hint of sarcastic confidence: "President Zhang is overthinking it. The project was secured through the team's hard work, not something anyone can decide just by talking. As for those messy rumors outside, just listen to them and let them go."
It wasn't a fake smile for a professional occasion, nor was it a forced composure; it was a genuine smile from the heart. Her shoulders trembled slightly, her eyes curved into crescents, and even the fine lines at the corners of her eyes radiated joy.
What's most outrageous is that she actually laughed out loud, a clear and cheerful laugh that sounded particularly jarring in the quiet conference room.
Zhang Luyuan stared at her smile and forced a smile in return, saying, "President Xia, it would be better if you paid more attention, after all..."
"Is Mr. Zhang... concerned about me?" She tilted her head slightly, her eyes innocent yet sharp, her voice sickeningly sweet, each word like a thorn.
She stood up, placed one hand on the table, and leaned slightly forward, a posture that instantly intimidated her. "Who in business hasn't been gossiped about? Don't believe everything you hear—"
She deliberately drew out her words, her gaze calmly sweeping across the room before finally settling on Zhang Luyuan's face. In that instant, her smile grew even sweeter, but her eyes were as cold as ice. "—Then you might as well go home and retire." She emphasized the last three words heavily, each syllable like a crisp slap across Zhang Luyuan's face.
“However, Mr. Zhang is right,” she said, her smile fading, her tone still sharp, but the light in her eyes remained. “It is indeed quite lively outside.”
Zhang Luyuan's face darkened completely. She wasn't putting on a brave face; she genuinely didn't care at all, and was even happier than ever before.
He paused deliberately, staring intently at Xia Zhiyao: "President Xia is quite... calm and composed."
“There’s nothing I can do,” she sighed, her voice full of regret. “I’ve been really busy with work and personal matters lately, and I just haven’t had time to deal with those things…”
Just then, Zhou Yue's voice came in, deep and gentle: "Excuse me, is the meeting over?"
He only poked his head in, his gaze immediately falling on Xia Zhiyao. After confirming that she was alright, he glanced around the conference room. When he saw Zhang Luyuan, his eyes darkened slightly, but he quickly returned to normal.
"It's over." Xia Zhiyao's voice softened instantly, the sharpness from before vanishing without a trace. She turned to Zhang Luyuan, her smile even brighter. "I was just chatting with President Zhang."
She picked up her bag and walked towards the door. As she passed Zhang Luyuan, she paused, tilted her head slightly, and lowered her voice, but it was still loud enough for the others to hear: "By the way, Mr. Zhang, thank you for your concern, but..."
She blinked, her eyes gleaming mischievously, like a smug little fox. "Thanks to you, I'm doing quite well now."
Zhou Yue naturally took her bag, his hand gently resting on her lower back. Xia Zhiyao looked up and said something, while Zhou Yue listened intently, his brows unconsciously softening. The sunlight perfectly outlined their silhouettes, creating an ambiguous scene like a painting.
The meeting room fell into a deathly silence. The remaining few people looked at each other, none of them daring to speak first. Someone glanced at Zhang Luyuan, then immediately looked away guiltily.
Zhang Luyuan sat in the chair, his face turning from white to green, and then to ashen. They didn't say anything, but everyone could see it.
She didn't panic, didn't try to hide anything, and didn't even try to explain. That smile and that unabashedly intimate gesture were enough to say a thousand words.
Soon, he was alone in the conference room. The sunlight was still bright, shining on the empty table. Zhang Luyuan slowly stood up and walked to the window. In the square downstairs, he saw the two people.
Xia Zhiyao gently took Zhou Yue's arm and walked with him openly and naturally, as if they had tacitly acknowledged each other's status. No announcement was needed; everyone understood.
Something's not right, something's really not right. They haven't drifted apart at all; on the contrary, they're acting more like real partners. The way they communicate with each other through their eyes, the unspoken understanding, that... damn trust.
Since that didn't work, his eyes darkened, turning as black as an abyss. He decided to go for something even more ruthless.
A few days later, after the banquet ended, the crowd gradually dispersed. Zheng Xiaotian was pulled into a corner by a difficult client who lowered his voice and gestured wildly.
Xia Zhiyao chatted amiably with several other female investors and even made plans to visit one of their beauty salons in a few days.
Zhou Yue stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, his back cold and aloof. He looked down at his phone. Zhang Luyuan's gaze swept over Xia Zhiyao's back, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.
He finally stood up and walked three steps behind Zhou Yue. He stopped and said, "President Zhou," his voice as soft as casual conversation.
Zhou Yue didn't turn around, but his finger remained on the screen.
"That email from last time..." Zhang Luyuan began slowly, his hands in his pockets, his posture casual, "Did you receive it?"
Zhou Yue looked up, his eyes as cold as a frozen pool: "It's you."
It's not a question, it's a statement.
Zhang Luyuan smiled, a smile that was hard to decipher: "Just a good reminder." He deliberately leaned forward, lowered his voice, and uttered words like a viper's forked tongue.
Zhou Yue's jawline tightened, and he took a step closer, closing the distance between them to a dangerous level: "So you admit it?"
"I didn't say anything." Zhang Luyuan spread his hands, feigning innocence, but his eyes flashed with malice. "However, some people are closer than you think."
He paused, then slowly curled the corners of his lips into a smile: "I remember one time, I called early in the morning, and Zheng Xiaotian answered. He said that Xia Zhiyao was still sleeping next to me."
Zhou Yue paused for a moment, then laughed, a laugh full of sarcasm. Xia Zhiyao had already explained that matter; he knew it better than anyone else. But he didn't expose her.
"Are you done talking?" Zhou Yue's voice was surprisingly calm, which startled Zhang Luyuan.
"What, don't you want to know more?" Zhang Luyuan narrowed his eyes, trying to see through him.
"There's no need." Zhou Yue waved his hand, looking impatient. "What you know is the truth?"
Zhang Luyuan's smile froze.
“Your biggest problem,” Zhou Yue said in a low voice, his eyes sharp, “is that you always think that everyone else is like you, living in scheming and filth.”
He swept his gaze toward Xia Zhiyao, his words sharp as a knife: "Was it when Xia Zhiyao had just returned to the country and was hospitalized due to illness, or are you more inclined to believe the few lies Zheng Xiaotian deliberately made up to annoy you?"
Zhou Yue approached, his voice as cold as iron: "Remember what you're doing. If you send me this kind of thing again..." He leaned down and lowered his voice, "I'll make you understand that some people are not for you to touch."
Zhang Luyuan stared at him, his smile finally freezing, and shadows spreading inch by inch in his eyes. After a brief silence, he suddenly laughed, a low laugh tinged with coldness.
“Mr. Zhou is right.” Zhang Luyuan slowly withdrew his steps, but his voice was nonchalant: “Some people are indeed not to be trifled with. I hope you can truly understand this.”
Zhou Yue's expression was cold and stern, his eyes fixed on him, his hands clenched into fists, but he didn't move, only suppressing his anger in his eyes with a dangerous restraint.
Zhang Luyuan smiled, as if victory was assured, as if he wasn't the one who had just been rendered speechless. He turned and left, taking a few steps before glancing back at Xia Zhiyao in the distance, his expression full of provocation.
Less than half a minute later, Zheng Xiaotian finally shook off the customer and strode over. He immediately saw Zhou Yue standing by the window, his face cold and his brows furrowed, as if he were shrouded in a shadow.
"What did that grandson say to you?" Zheng Xiaotian asked in a low voice, his tone urgent.
Zhou Yue spoke calmly, his voice low: "He admitted it."
"What?" Zheng Xiaotian was stunned for a moment, and his face changed instantly when he realized what he meant. "Holy crap, he really dares to do that?"
Zhou Yue simply nodded.
Zheng Xiaotian's expression darkened instantly, his eyes blazing with fury. He strode towards the door, shouting, "I'm going to kill him!"
"Xiaotian!" Zhou Yue called out, his voice low and stern.
But Zheng Xiaotian moved too fast, like a wild beast that had broken free. He suddenly shrugged his shoulders and pushed the door open. Zhou Yue's heart tightened, and he quickly chased after him.
But Zheng Xiaotian was faster, and the elevator doors closed with a "ding," blocking his view. In the last instant, he only had time to see Zheng Xiaotian's ashen face and his tightly clenched fists.
"Zhou Yue." Footsteps sounded behind her, and Xia Zhiyao rushed over. She looked at the empty corridor and then at Zhou Yue: "Where's Zheng Xiaotian? Did he just leave with Zhang Luyuan?"
Zhou Yue did not answer immediately, his eyes still fixed on the number "-2" that had appeared on the elevator screen.
“They went to the parking lot.” Zhou Yue lowered his eyes, his brows furrowed. The elevator doors opened, and he stepped inside without a word. He then said, “Zhiyao, don’t follow.”
Xia Zhiyao ignored his words and followed him into the elevator, staring into Zhou Yue's eyes: "What exactly are you hiding from me?"
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