Chapter 2: Flattery

At last, under Lin Xilan’s earnest matchmaking, Song Qingli and Zhou Yuheng, these two troublemakers, finally ceased their squabbling.

Lin Xilan was quite satisfied with this outcome; she imagined Zhou Yuheng must be as well.

—

In the parking lot, Lin Xilan was just about to close her car door when suddenly a hand appeared on the frame. “What’s gotten into you?”

At the sound of his voice, Lin Xilan’s gaze slowly traveled upward from the ground. Zhou Yuheng stood before her, exuding a cold, unapproachable hostility.

“Nothing at all,” she replied.

Clutching the hem of her jacket, her eyes shimmered with grievance, innocent and watery.

“I just want the best for you both.”

Zhou Yuheng said, “Your acting is terrible. Is divorce so hard? There are plenty of men in this world, Lin Xilan.”

“I know, but you’re the only one I like, Zhou Yuheng. I don’t want a divorce. You love who you love, and I’ll love who I love, can’t we do that?”

Zhou Yuheng had half a mind to slap her right then. “Are you out of your mind?”

But Lin Xilan only repeated herself, “Say whatever you like, as long as we don’t divorce.”

How did Zhou Yuheng feel at this moment? It was as if he’d thrown a punch only to hit cotton—utterly powerless.

“…”

Lin Xilan seized the opportunity. “Zhou Yuheng, what’s done is done. Let’s face it together, all right?”

Zhou Yuheng was about to respond when suddenly his phone rang. Lin Xilan glanced at the screen—it was Song Qingli.

Zhou Yuheng removed his hand from the car door.

—

“Hello, Qingli.”

“All right, I’ll be right there.”

Lin Xilan watched Zhou Yuheng’s retreating back, her gaze turning scornful as she withdrew it. She took a bottle of disinfectant from the car and sprayed the spot where Zhou Yuheng had touched…

—

A week later, at Zhou Group, in the vice president’s office.

Lin Xilan stood before Zhou Yuheng, dressed smartly in professional attire.

“President Zhou, you wanted to see me?”

At the company, Lin Xilan was Zhou Yuheng’s secretary. However, they were secretly married; very few people knew of their relationship.

“Qingli’s out of the hospital. What do you want? I don’t like owing anyone.”

That was Zhou Yuheng for you. For anything or anyone he didn’t care about, he drew the lines very clearly.

Hearing this, Lin Xilan’s blood seemed to boil, but her expression remained composed.

“Anything I want?” Lin Xilan thought for a moment and asked.

“As long as it’s not outrageous, anything,” Zhou Yuheng replied.

Without hesitation, Lin Xilan said, “Then I’d like a chance to try handling the East China business.”

Zhou Yuheng dismissed her words as nonsense.

The reason was simple—he didn’t believe she was capable. In Zhou Yuheng’s eyes, Lin Xilan was good for nothing, especially compared to Song Qingli. One was the moon in the sky, the other dirt on the ground.

“Are you joking with me?”

—

“Take what you’re entitled to.”

Inwardly, Lin Xilan laughed. She asked Zhou Yuheng, “And what exactly am I entitled to? You tell me.”

Zhou Yuheng looked down at the file in his hands. “Come back when your brain’s working properly.”

Lin Xilan sighed to herself. Another failed attempt.

Still, she didn’t press her luck. She changed the subject. “The Emerald Lake project has launched.”

“…”

Zhou Yuheng glanced at her before returning to his documents. “Quite ambitious, aren’t you?”

Lin Xilan replied, “Just give me what you see fit. I’ll take whatever.”

She yielded, softening her tone. Then she started flattering him again. “Honestly, you don’t need to reward me. After all, Qingli is my good friend. I don’t want to see her suffer. An ectopic pregnancy is hard on a woman.”

Her words were as sweet as honey, and in the end, Zhou Yuheng relented. “Once you’ve made your choice, send me the contract.”

Lin Xilan’s eyes instantly sparkled. “Thank you, President Zhou.”

Zhou Yuheng ignored her.

As soon as Lin Xilan stepped out of the office, someone called out to her.

“Where are you off to?”

She turned around, her eyes curving into two lovely crescent moons.