Chen Wei stood just behind Lai Shuo. When she heard his ’loud’ apology, she was startled.
She subconsciously exchanged glances with Ye Yuning, her lips twitching in bewilderment.
Seeing Lai Shuo standing there with a resentful expression, waiting for her response, Ye Yuning couldn’t help but clear her throat twice.
"AHEM!" she coughed. "You’re saying sorry to me?"
"Yes, I’m sorry. Please, Boss Ye, forgive me," Lai Shuo gritted his teeth.
At this moment, he still hadn’t fully understood why Seventh Master Xiao had made him apologize to this woman. Didn’t he himself also hate this woman to death?
Ye Yuning took a deep breath and raised an eyebrow at Lai Shuo. "But why do I get the feeling you’re not here to apologize?"
"Boss Ye, you’re overthinking it. I’m just here to apologize."
Ye Yuning paused. She had clearly heard him grinding his molars as he bit out, "Of course!"
This didn’t seem like an apology at all; it was more like he wanted to tear her apart.
Not understanding the situation and not wishing to waste words with Lai Shuo, she waved her hand. "Fine, then I forgive you. May I ask you to leave now?"
Her tone was extremely polite. Since she couldn’t grasp the situation, she tried her best not to provoke him.
Fortunately, Lai Shuo didn’t linger and left with a cold HMPH!
The moment the door closed, Ye Yuning and Chen Wei exchanged bewildered glances again.
Ye Yuning asked, "Did he HMPH at me?"
Chen Wei nodded. "Yes, Boss!"
"Was he really apologizing just now?" Ye Yuning queried.
"Yes, Boss!" Chen Wei affirmed. "He came to apologize, but he still let out a cold HMPH when leaving."
This behavior and attitude starkly contrasted with an apology; it was clearly done with great reluctance.
Undoubtedly, Lai Shuo’s actions made Ye Yuning even more dissatisfied with Xiao Corp.
She sighed. "Xiao Corp is a century-old enterprise, yet this is the caliber of their employees. And he’s the president’s assistant, no less! His actions utterly lacked grace."
Chen Wei couldn’t help but add, "Exactly! What on earth was he really here for?"
In any case, she didn’t believe Lai Shuo had come to apologize to her boss.
Ye Yuning mused, "Perhaps someone forced him. It’s hard to say."
At Xiao Corp, the only ones who knew she was injured were the person who had hit her and Xiao Linye. And Lai Shuo had shown up right after lunch. Could it be that Xiao Linye had influence with Seventh Master Xiao and had reported Lai Shuo?
Upon this thought, Ye Yuning’s expression became rather intriguing.
She hadn’t expected Xiao Linye to tattle, but his doing so was immensely satisfying. How had she never noticed this endearing side of him before?
Watching her ever-changing expressions, Chen Wei’s lips twitched. "Boss, are you alright?"
Being apologized to with such an attitude... most people would be annoyed, yet the Boss seemed pleased instead? Chen Wei was puzzled.
Ye Yuning shook her head. "I’m fine!"
So much had happened in the last two days; it was all rather chaotic. But this didn’t diminish her enthusiasm for work in the slightest.
She worked with calm and composure, yet unbeknownst to her, many people were becoming restless because of her.
Although Ye Tong knew for a fact that Xiao Shuo would definitely complain about Ye Yuning to Seventh Master Xiao, she had also thoroughly witnessed Ye Yuning’s cunning over the past few months.
Initially, because of the Nanjia Peak project, she had felt a sense of triumph over Ye Yuning. But now, seeing Ye Yuning’s private interactions with Seventh Master Xiao, she couldn’t shake off a growing unease.
When Ye Tong returned home for dinner that evening, she told Zheng Cai and Ye Shilong about this.
A look of profound shock flashed across their faces. "She has a good private relationship with Seventh Master Xiao?"
"Exactly! Xiao Shuo and I have run into them eating together several times outside," Ye Tong said in a dejected tone.
Zheng Cai and Ye Shilong exchanged a glance. Zheng Cai’s tone was sharp. "Seventh Master Xiao only just returned, and she’s already latched onto him? What a vixen!"
Zheng Cai had always been displeased with Ye Yuning. Now, learning about Ye Yuning’s close private relationship with Seventh Master Xiao, she was even more furious.
Ye Shilong also looked displeased. He glanced at Ye Tong and said, "All the more reason you must ensure the Nanjia Peak project is handled exceptionally well."
"Yes, I know," Ye Tong nodded.
She agreed verbally, but inwardly she felt extremely unconfident. After seeing the 3D topographical map of Nanjia Peak, her confidence had completely evaporated. The subsequent designs were all just haphazardly cobbled together. The two designers in her studio weren’t very capable, and she had been utterly exhausted these past few days, almost driven mad by the pressure.
Zheng Cai seethed, "That little wretch! If I had known back then that her mother wouldn’t return, I should have strangled her when I had the chance!"
Hearing her venomous words, Ye Shilong shot her a fierce glare.
Then he said, "Father’s birthday is approaching. Make thorough preparations."
Speaking of the Old Master’s birthday, Zheng Cai felt even more resentful. She was seething with anger; how could she possibly be in the mood to prepare for some birthday banquet?
However, Ye Shilong paid no attention to her mood, adding, "This year he’s turning 70. It needs to be grand!"