Chapter Twelve: Falling for the Target Spells Trouble

Shen Liqing slipped her hands out from under the covers and wrapped them around Xie Jinchuan’s neck, saying, “As you command, President.” Then, like a kitten, she nuzzled against his chest.

After breakfast, the two of them rode together to the company.

When the white-collar workers in the office saw Xie Jinchuan return to work, the cloud of impending unemployment that had hung over them for days was instantly dispelled. Everyone seemed to be filled with new energy, as if they’d just had an injection of adrenaline, and the office buzzed with life.

Xie Jinchuan led Shen Liqing toward the president’s office. Just as they approached, the frosted glass door was pushed open from the other side, and out stepped Lu Ziyi, sporting two black eyes.

In a heartbeat, the open office area fell silent, and all eyes fixed upon the three standing at the doorway.

Lu Ziyi opened his mouth, his gaze sweeping over the faces before him, each one tinged with mockery, until finally his eyes landed on Shen Liqing.

His brows drew together, and he looked at her with unconcealed disdain. “What are you doing here?”

“I brought her,” Xie Jinchuan cut in before Shen Liqing could respond.

“President Xie, the company is not a place for romance. You’ve always kept your private and professional life separate. I hope you’ll do the same this time and handle matters impartially.” The last four words were practically spat out through gritted teeth.

Even someone slow on the uptake could tell Lu Ziyi’s words were aimed right at her.

“So, Lu Ziyi, you’re saying I’m some kind of femme fatale, the downfall of the company? I must thank you for the compliment,” Shen Liqing replied.

“You know perfectly well what you are. I always thought women like you at least had some self-awareness,” he retorted.

No sooner had he finished than Xie Jinchuan landed a solid punch on his face. Shocked, Lu Ziyi wiped the blood from his mouth and stared incredulously. “Uncle, you’d hit me over a woman?”

Xie Jinchuan snorted disdainfully. “And who do you think you are? Liqing is no femme fatale. But I am the king of the Lu Corporation. If you want to keep your place here, you’d better wise up.”

With that, Xie Jinchuan pulled Shen Liqing away, not sparing a glance back, leaving Lu Ziyi standing there, awkward and alone.

“Green Cilantro, use the Soft Bone Powder from last time’s big gift pack on him. Let’s see if he dares to act so arrogant again.”

“Understood. Soft Bone Powder applied. Ten points deducted.”

Once they’d walked away, Lu Ziyi finally turned around. Seeing all the faces peeking over their desks in curiosity, he couldn’t help but shout, “What are you looking at? If you don’t want to work, get out!”

The probing gazes instantly vanished behind computer screens. With that outburst, Lu Ziyi felt a little better and headed to his office. But just as he reached the middle of the passageway, all the strength seemed to drain from his body. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the floor with a loud thud, falling flat on his face.

For a few seconds, the open office was silent—then erupted into roaring laughter.

“Ding! Congratulations, host, you’ve received ten face-slapping points.”

Hearing Green Cilantro’s voice, Shen Liqing felt a spring in her step. Holding Xie Jinchuan’s hand, she laughed as they walked. “A’Jin, you were so cool just now! But why did you lose your temper so suddenly today? You never reacted when they talked about you before.”

Xie Jinchuan ruffled her hair. “Silly girl, that’s because this time, it was about you.”

Her heart skipped a beat, a rush of sweetness and complicated feelings welling up inside. When the target of her mission acted like this, how could she not be moved? If she ended up falling for him after completing her task, that would be a disaster.

“Thank you, Xie Jinchuan. If I get the chance, I’ll definitely repay you properly.”

“Chance? I think tonight is a perfect opportunity,” he whispered in her ear, his voice low and magnetic.

Shen Liqing was startled, then her cheeks flushed red. “What nonsense are you talking about? There are people around!”

“Then should I wait until there’s no one before I say it to you?”

“You!”

Watching her entire face turn crimson, Xie Jinchuan couldn’t help but smile.

Shen Liqing glanced around and suddenly realized the figure she’d glimpsed earlier was Luo Yu, who must have been waiting for quite some time. Their eyes met, and Luo Yu, holding a folder, walked over. Noticing the blush on Liqing’s face and the smile on Xie Jinchuan’s, Luo Yu felt a pang of sourness in her heart.

But her expression only grew colder. “President Xie, the weekly meeting is in half an hour. I’ve organized all the materials for you.”

“Mm.” Instantly, Xie Jinchuan’s face returned to its usual icy calm.

“Liqing, wait for me in the office after the meeting. Don’t wander off.”

“I know, I know. Go get ready for your meeting.”

Luo Yu accompanied Xie Jinchuan to the meeting room, leaving Shen Liqing alone on the sofa in the president’s office, watching dramas on her iPad.

When the show ended, Shen Liqing smacked her lips, feeling thirsty. She took Xie Jinchuan’s water cup to the break room for a drink. Just as she was about to head back with half a cup of hot water, a tall and striking figure entered.

“Luo Yu? Why are you here? Is the meeting over?”

“An assistant only needs to prepare materials and handle preliminary work, not attend the whole meeting. Don’t you know that?”

Shen Liqing blinked twice, thinking: Well, someone’s spoiling for a fight.

With a sweet smile, she replied, “Why would the president’s wife need to know the details of an assistant’s job?”

The two women smiled at each other, their expressions polite but cold. As the lunch break began, more people streamed into the break room.

Luo Yu spoke in a voice that was neither too loud nor too soft, edging closer to Shen Liqing as she talked. “The assistant’s job is the most basic part of the president’s work. Or does Miss Shen think being the president’s wife means all she needs is a pretty face and a cute act?”

“Excuse me, coming through.” As someone jostled Luo Yu, she shifted and pressed her cup of steaming water against Shen Liqing’s delicate hand.

Reflexively, Shen Liqing pushed away the burning cup, tilting her own so that the hot water spilled all over Luo Yu’s hand.

Luo Yu cried out in pain, drawing everyone’s attention. “I was just kindly reminding you, but you got angry and poured hot water on me?”

She held up her scalded, reddened hand, looking aggrieved as she accused Shen Liqing.

Almost immediately, Shen Liqing felt the hostility from those around her: “So fair and delicate, but so vicious inside?”

“Is she a new hire? Luo Yu was just being nice, and she repays kindness with cruelty. That’s just heartless.”

The more she listened to the criticism, the more irritated Shen Liqing became. Just as she was about to lose her temper, Xie Jinchuan’s voice cut through the crowd.