Chapter 45 "If a dog bites me, I'll bite it back..."
The man opposite, speaking with a British accent, breathed a sigh of relief and continued his work-related conversation.
Pei Shuwen said, "Okay."
Lin Chaoyue felt that Pei Shuwen's "okay" might also be directed at her.
She stood there hesitating for a long time, unsure and wanting to confirm.
Pei Shuwen didn't look at her, but he obviously guessed what she was thinking. He casually wrote a few words on the note and pushed it back to its original position.
Lin Chaoyue became a little nervous before she saw the words on it.
They sat at a table.
It felt like I was back in my student days, passing notes in class for fear of being caught by the teacher.
But then she thought, no matter how fierce the teacher was, he wasn't as fierce as Pei Shuwen. She wanted to see what he had written.
The paper strip was spread out.
The handwriting on it was still flamboyant. The note was torn off casually; it wasn't big, and some of the writing had covered her own.
However, it's still legible; it says: 'I won't rush you.'
She actually hoped he would hurry up.
Never mind.
We're already living together, so a few more days won't make a difference.
We're not even sleeping in the same bed, what could possibly happen?
And even if it really happens, it's hard to say who will benefit more.
She's recently become quite close with Mu Fenglin, and they occasionally exchange a few words. Mu Fenglin always mentions that Pei Shuwen was her crush during their school days, and that the doll-like girlfriend he has a lot of online rumors about is most likely fabricated.
After all, gods don't descend from their pedestals, so people can only rely on their own imaginations to enrich their entertainment.
If it's true.
Who knows, her romantic history might be even more extensive than Pei Shuwen's.
Thinking this way, Lin Chaoyue felt somewhat relieved.
I've decided to completely ignore everything I've heard recently and pretend I didn't hear it.
But life can be quite dramatic sometimes.
She's moved on from this.
Just one noon, and in the afternoon we were forced to turn back to square one.
It was the same tea room, and the same old gossip about her. Even the comment about her being a "pretty face" hadn't changed. Several people even had an in-depth discussion about how she and Pei Shuwen were not a good match, and they thought she might be a "gold digger."
Whose gold digger is in such a miserable state? She's really been unfairly blamed.
But this time she wasn't alone.
Pei Shuwen was also there.
Even Mu Fenglin was there.
Mu Fenglin tried to interrupt halfway through, but Pei Shuwen stopped her with a look.
They stood there and listened to the whole thing.
After everyone left, Mu Fenglin's face turned green.
Oh shit.
This time, they really embarrassed themselves right on their own doorstep.
She went to great lengths to invite them, handed over both companies to Pei Shuwen, and planned to pursue further cooperation later.
Well, this work isn't completely over yet.
They were talking behind each other's backs, and they were so stupid that the person in question overheard them.
Mu Fenglin's face turned green, but she kept observing Lin Chaoyue and Pei Shuwen's expressions.
Lin Chaoyue had heard the exact same words once before. She wasn't surprised, but she felt a little embarrassed, feeling embarrassed for the people who had spoken.
As for Pei Shuwen...
Her face was expressionless, making it impossible to guess what she was thinking.
Lin Chaoyue felt that it wasn't right for them to just stand there, so she tried to make light of the situation: "Actually..."
Pei Shuwen interrupted her: "This shouldn't be the first time you've heard this."
The gaze was questioning, but the tone was assertive.
Even though they were talking about her behind her back, Lin Chaoyue still felt a little guilty.
"Yes, I heard a few words about it the day before yesterday."
This wasn't the first time; Mu Fenglin directly raised her hand and pressed it against her philtrum.
Please save her.
Someone, please save her.
Pei Shuwen thought for two seconds and asked, "Is it because of this?"
"What?"
"Oh, I guess so..."
That's definitely one of the reasons she wants to move out.
Pei Shuwen gave Lin Chaoyue a deep look, but didn't ask any further questions.
He simply said to Mu Fenglin in a deep voice, "The summary meeting tomorrow has been rescheduled to this afternoon?"
Mu Fenglin quickly stated, "I have no objection."
The two of them stared at Lin Chaoyue.
Two very imposing gazes.
She had no objection to what she did.
"I'm fine with either."
--
The afternoon debriefing meeting was called at the last minute, and those who were called in were a little confused because although the work was mostly completed, there was still a small loose end left, and it wouldn't be completely finished until at least tomorrow.
Despite their confusion, no one dared to disobey the boss's order.
In fact, when the work is going smoothly, everyone assumes that the summary meeting is the same as the praise meeting.
Everyone was relaxed before taking their seats.
But soon, those with a keen sense of smell realized that something was wrong.
The boss wasn't sitting in the main seat; Pei Shuwen was.
Although he had been sitting there the whole time, that was only because President Mu wasn't there.
Moreover, Mu Fenglin, who had been riding high lately, didn't look well.
Especially when they saw the legal and acceptance team member, Sister Ma, arrive late.
His eyes were so cold they could freeze ice crystals.
Just as everyone's hearts began to pound with anxiety, Pei Shuwen, sitting in the main seat, finally lifted his eyelids and asked, "Is everyone finally here?"
A casual remark was enough to convince someone in Yin Yang to be arrogant and arrive at the meeting right on time.
The legal team had a natural awe of Pei Shuwen, but Sister Ma from the finance department didn't care about that, since the boss hadn't said anything yet.
Sister Ma: "Attorney Pei, the finance department has been piling up work because of this project. I even turned down the leaders who were coming to inspect. I wouldn't have done that before."
Pei Shuwen: "Sister Ma, do you deal with the higher-ups a lot?"
This is what Ma Xiaoya is most proud of: "My husband works in our district, and our financial work also has to go through their review system."
Lin Chaoyue raised an eyebrow, suddenly remembering something.
The day after she was taken to a bar and then thrown into a drinking party, Pei Shuwen made her sign a "contract of servitude" to become his special assistant, casually tossing her detailed information on dozens of companies and law firms to memorize.
She complained about the use of such a record.
But because I felt guilty, I obediently memorized it.
She remembered that one of the tech companies had a finance manager named Ma Xiaoya, and her husband worked in the government.
At the time, a large 'risk' sign was marked on the side with a red marker.
That company happens to be located in Yuntai.
Is it really possible for such a coincidence to happen in the world? Lin Chaoyue silently took out her phone and searched for information about that technology company under the table.
Legal person: Zeng Ming.
Major shareholder: Mu Fenglin.
Key management personnel: xxx, xxx, xxx, Ma Xiaoya.
Pei Shuwen glanced at her and said, "Since we've brought up financial issues, let's focus on the recent loopholes that have appeared in this area..."
Can a financial loophole be bigger than a loophole in the execution and acceptance process?
Ma Xiaoya sat there calmly, seemingly waiting for praise rather than for loopholes.
But for the next half hour...
Every time Pei Shuwen mentioned a point, she would sit up a little, and then sit up a little more as he continued talking.
When it comes to other people, they just gloss over it lightly, occasionally offering a few words of affirmation.
Everyone knows that this elderly man from Mu's Construction Company is being targeted.
After Pei Shuwen finished speaking, she looked at Mu Fenglin and asked, "Is there anything else you'd like to add?"
If someone has to play the bad cop, someone else has to play the good cop. Mu Fenglin said a few words, mostly to appease her.
Lin Chaoyue thought that things should be about over by now.
But Pei Shuwen didn't seem satisfied.
Whether Mu Fenglin noticed it or not, Lin Chaoyue did. She noticed Pei Shuwen tapping the table lightly with his fingertips. Every time he did that before, she couldn't get home on time.
Sure enough, Pei Shuwen casually added, "Since we have this opportunity, I'll also briefly mention the matter with Linfeng Technology."
Linfeng Technology is an independent company that has developed well in recent years. People in Mu's Construction know that it is the boss's private property, and only his confidants can interfere in the projects there, including Ma Xiaoya.
Ma Xiaoya's attitude indeed became more assertive again.
Mu Fenglin sighed inwardly. If she still couldn't guess what Pei Shuwen meant, then she would have wasted all these years of her life outside.
This time, even the way she looked at Ma Xiaoya was tinged with pity.
Pei Shuwen: "Lin Feng has professionals overseeing everything else, and there are no issues with the technology and patents, except for the costs and taxes..."
Pei Shuwen didn't finish her sentence this time.
Ma Xiaoya slammed her hand on the table and stood up: "The costs were all reviewed by President Mu, and the taxes are fully in compliance with relevant laws and regulations. What's the problem, Attorney Pei? What did I do to offend you? Why are you targeting me like this?"
"you say."
Lin Chaoyue was still gossiping and looking on the sidelines when Pei Shuwen called her name, and she was completely bewildered.
Ma Xiaoya scoffed, "She said? What does she know? Would it be funny to say it?"
Pei Shuwen's gaze remained firm. He suggested, "You found out about this problem yourself. If someone wants to know, then tell her."
Pei Shuwen is really something... he takes revenge on the spot.
Lin Chaoyue knew what Pei Shuwen was talking about. She had glanced at it casually and even asked Pei Shuwen about it out of curiosity. He only told her to remember that it happened.
Lin Chaoyue spoke quietly: "There are indeed some problems with taxation."
"Okay, then you tell me." Ma Xiaoya rolled her eyes so hard they almost reached the sky.
Lin Chaoyue: "In response to the preferential policies of Yuntai City, emerging software companies can enjoy a 15% tax reduction, and Linfeng Technology just meets the requirements."
Lin Chaoyue paused for a moment, then continued, "But I've checked, and there were no reports submitted in the previous quarters. There was a report submitted this quarter, but it was stopped midway for some reason. Are they trying to save money in business?"
Pei Shuwen had shown her the relevant documents of Linfeng Technology a long time ago, but she only matched those reports with the company today.
She swore she wasn't into yin and yang; she was just genuinely curious. And she'd been curious for a long time.
But those words clearly struck a nerve with Sister Ma. Her face turned deathly pale, and she stammered for a long time without being able to say anything coherent.
The young accountant standing to the side, however, had a hint of relief on his face.
The situation became very awkward.
But Pei Shuwen didn't care about all that. Once he finished what he had to do, he didn't plan to worry about anything else.
"I've finished speaking. It seems Mr. Mu has some internal matters to attend to. I'll take my men and leave now."
Of all the people in the room, only Lin Chaoyue could be considered 'his person' in Pei Shuwen's words, and she wisely followed silently.
She could sense that Pei Shuwen was still angry.
Did those words really make him that angry?
Actually, most of them are criticizing her.
She was a little hesitant, wanting to ask but hesitant to follow.
After getting in the car, Pei Shuwen leaned back and closed his eyes to rest. Lin Chaoyue tried to comfort him, saying, "It's no wonder people overthink things. They're probably just watching the drama unfold. Who would have thought we were right next door?"
So you agree with their assessment of you?
"What? A pretty face? Or just lazy?" She wanted to say that they weren't entirely wrong.
But Pei Shuwen still had a sour face.
Lin Chaoyue finally understood that Pei Shuwen was extremely protective of his own people.
She could only offer a roundabout explanation: "We can't shut them up if they want to say something..."
"And...and if a dog bites me, I can't bite the dog back."
She couldn't think of a more suitable explanation, so she'd just use this one for now.
Pei Shuwen suddenly opened her eyes.
He gave a cold "heh".
Lin Chaoyue trembled, but remained in a sideways position.
And this posture.
That's when her gaze fell on Pei Shuwen's lips.
The broken area had scabbed over, leaving only a small scar.
But that mark...
An inopportune thought flashed through her mind.
This thought was like an axe, ruthlessly splitting open a tightly closed gate, and memories flooded in.
Lin Chaoyue's pupils dilated in shock, and she broke out in a cold sweat.
"You, you, you..."
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