After lunch, when Xiao Linye returned to the company, his first act was to summon Lai Shuo to his office.
Lai Shuo was currently very worked up over the Manlang affair. He had worked by Xiao Linye’s side for years and had always handled his tasks competently. However, this Manlang situation... Especially when even their odd-jobber was unwilling to come over, he couldn’t help but doubt his own abilities.
"Forget about the Manlang matter," Xiao Linye said, picking up the water cup before him.
Lai Shuo’s expression froze. What did he just say? Forget about it? That woman toyed with them like that, and he’s just going to let it go? That’s letting her off way too easily!
As Lai Shuo stared in disbelief, Xiao Linye lit a cigarette, took a drag, and said, "Initiate the public bidding immediately!"
"Seriously? We’re just letting Manlang off the hook like that?"
Lai Shuo still couldn’t believe it. That woman was toying with them!
Xiao Linye’s face darkened. "If we don’t let it go, then what? Hold a grudge against a woman?"
Considering the image he had in that young woman’s mind, if he provoked Manlang again, who knew what kind of beast he’d become in her eyes.
Listening to his boss’s annoyed tone, Lai Shuo had no idea what had set him off! However, if Xiao Linye said to drop it, then it was definitely dropped.
Lai Shuo nodded. "Alright, I understand. What about the two designers who agreed to come to our company?"
"Write them letters of recommendation for other companies!" Xiao Linye waved his hand dismissively, clearly annoyed. He clearly wanted nothing more to do with Manlang.
After Ye Yuning returned to her studio, now that she had vented her frustrations to Xiao Linye, her mood had noticeably brightened. She paid no mind to Xiao Linye’s dark expression. She had disregarded his good intentions, so he was bound to be upset. But she figured she’d be fine in a few days.
Chen Wei saw Ye Yuning smiling more than once. When Chen Wei saw her smile for the fifth time, she finally couldn’t resist asking, "Did you land another big client?"
Ye Yuning asked, "Why do you say that?"
"Because you look so happy!"
Whenever a big deal was about to be secured, her spirits would lift. Speaking of big deals, the smile on Ye Yuning’s lips widened.
She nodded. "Barring any surprises, the Blue Island project will be ours as well."
"Blue Island? That’s a massive project!" Chen Wei was astonished.
Ye Yuning nodded. "Mm-hm."
If that project came through, it would perfectly replace the collaboration with Xiao Corporation. Actually, if it weren’t for Seventh Master’s truly problematic character, she would have been quite reluctant to let go of the Xiao Corporation collaboration. The incident with Xiao Shuo was indeed a bit awkward, but one can’t let pride get in the way of money, can they? However, when it came to choosing between money and her life, the choice was obvious! Collaborating with Xiao Corporation was simply too perilous.
Chen Wei asked, "In that case, can we completely ignore Xiao Corporation from now on?"
"Aren’t we already ignoring them?"
After Lai Shuo’s little performance last night, they had completely fallen out. Anyone who still tried to cozy up to Xiao Corporation after this would be an idiot.
Chen Wei had initially felt a pang of regret about severing ties with Xiao Corporation. But upon hearing about the Blue Island project, that flicker of regret instantly vanished.
In Ye Yuning’s mind, the further she could boot Xiao Corporation away, the better!
Yet, while she was racking her brains to avoid any collaboration, others were desperately trying to cling to that very same perilous connection...!
「For half a month, life passed peacefully.」
Since that day, Xiao Linye hadn’t mentioned work to her again, which allowed Ye Yuning to relax.
This particular morning, Xiao Linye drove her to the underground parking garage of her studio. As she was getting out, he thoughtfully unbuckled her seatbelt. The close proximity meant his warm breath fanned across her cheeks. Her heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.
"You know," Ye Yuning mumbled, "I don’t feel like steak for lunch anymore!"
Lately, Xiao Linye had been joining her for lunch every day, always at the restaurant downstairs. It was always either pasta or steak, and she was getting thoroughly sick of it. Xiao Linye, on the other hand, wasn’t a picky eater and seemed fine with anything. Ye Yuning, however, couldn’t stand it anymore. It was all too rich.
Xiao Linye hummed. "Mm, decide what you’d like to eat this morning, and I’ll come pick you up for lunch."
"Okay," Ye Yuning nodded.
She turned to open the car door. However, just as she had one foot out of the car and was about to step down, a sudden twinge at the back of her head made her instinctively recoil. Unbeknownst to her, her sudden movement caused Xiao Linye, who had been leaning in, to also move forward, and just like that, they bumped into each other.
She stumbled right into Xiao Linye’s embrace. As he lowered his head, their breaths instantly mingled. For a fleeting moment, their soft lips brushed against each other, and Ye Yuning’s heart nearly leaped out of her chest.
"I... I... I...!" she stammered, words failing her completely.
Although they had been living together during this period, they had always maintained a respectful distance. Xiao Linye was a true gentleman, impeccably proper! Ye Yuning had often admired his handsome features and, in the quiet of the night, even entertained romantic fantasies, but she would never have actively thrown herself into his embrace. But now...! Were they... actually embracing?