Could it be that Hua Xiaomo was on his, Qi Longbing’s, side all along, deliberately deceiving him with a fake budget?
Before Long Shangxuan could ponder further, Yin Chenbai stood up. "Hahaha, our company’s quote is 128 million! President Qi, you’ve really shown us great consideration this time!" he exclaimed, his slick, powdered face wreathed in smiles as he looked at Qi Longbing.
The representatives from the other three companies heard this and shook their heads in disappointment. It seemed the advertising contract was inevitably going to Tengfeng Century.
Hua Xiaomo took the pen, but the next second, the sight of Yin Chenbai’s smug expression sent a surge of anger lodging in her chest.
Previously, Tengfeng Century’s quote had been the closest to Qi Imperial Court’s initial budget. How could they still be so accurate after the price revision?
However, after the discovery of the listening device in the SIM card, Qi Longbing’s decision to change the financial quote was, therefore, understandable.
What she didn’t know was that this was all a trap laid by Qi Longbing himself. He had simply anticipated that the other party would try to use Hua Xiaomo and had played them at their own game.
Qi Longbing looked over at Yin Chenbai, a roguish smile playing on his lips. Seeing Yin Chenbai extend his hand enthusiastically, he promptly shook it.
"It’s a pleasure to collaborate, Master Yin," Qi Longbing said with a charming smile.
"Likewise, likewise! Working with President Qi is something I’ve always dreamed of," Yin Chenbai replied with an equally bright smile. He then turned to Hua Xiaomo and added meaningfully, "Tonight, I’m hosting at the COS Aima Imperial Dynasty Club to celebrate properly. You and Miss Hua absolutely must come!"
"Let’s skip today. We can celebrate after the press conference," Qi Longbing said with a faint smile. He noticed Yin Chenbai was still gripping his hand, seemingly reluctant to let go, and couldn’t resist giving it a firm squeeze.
A sharp pain shot through Yin Chenbai’s hand.
"President Qi, you certainly have a strong grip!" Yin Chenbai said with a laugh.
Qi Longbing gave a cold smile but said nothing. He quickly withdrew his hand and looked towards Long Shangxuan. "Director Long, please convey my regards to Director Mo."
"Will do." Long Shangxuan smiled. Clad in a dark blue suit, his handsome and elegant bearing made him appear very refined and gentle.
"I’ll take my leave now." Without another word, Long Shangxuan’s gaze flickered from Qi Longbing’s face to Hua Xiaomo. He said nothing further, quickly averted his gaze, and strode briskly toward the conference room door, his expression indifferent.
Hua Xiaomo watched him, an inexplicable ache tightening her heart.
From his deep, bright eyes, she could clearly see it: he was blaming her...
Hua Xiaomo didn’t have time for further thought. She rushed towards the conference room door, wanting to catch up to him, but as she was about to pass Qi Longbing, he grabbed her arm.
Harsh words followed, "Where do you think you’re going? The meeting isn’t over yet!"
Hua Xiaomo looked at him, her amber eyes filled with worry. She quickly found an excuse, "I’m sorry, I suddenly need to use the restroom."
With that, she wrenched her arm free from Qi Longbing’s grip and walked toward the conference room door.
Watching her resolute departure, Qi Longbing’s handsome face darkened. Urgent need, my ass! Just how urgent can it be? Damn woman!
At the elevator bank, Hua Xiaomo finally caught up to the figure about to depart.
"Brother Long!" Hua Xiaomo called out. Looking at his retreating figure, she suddenly felt a deep pang of heartache.
In a flash, Long Shangxuan’s eyes held an icy glint, but the moment he turned, a sunny smile appeared on his handsome face. "Miss Hua, is there something you need?"
She was rendered speechless. This sudden, formal, and distant inquiry made Hua Xiaomo feel extremely awkward and embarrassed.
A pallor instantly spread across her delicate face. After a moment, she managed a twitch of her lips, but no words came out.
Just then, the elevator light illuminated, and the doors opened.
Long Shangxuan glanced at her, clearly not intending to say more, and was about to step into the elevator.
Suddenly, a pair of slender hands grabbed his arm. "I’m sorry..." Hua Xiaomo looked at his seemingly gentle yet utterly indifferent eyes, her heart feeling as if it were being twisted by knives.
Long Shangxuan gave a sudden laugh but didn’t pull his arm away. His tone was flat and devoid of warmth as he said, "An apology? I’m afraid I can’t accept Miss Hua’s ’sorry.’ Please let go."
Hua Xiaomo’s hands trembled. As she looked at him, the gentle, spring-like smile had long vanished from his face, replaced by an icy coldness that pierced her heart.
"Brother Long, please don’t treat Xiao Mo , okay?" Hua Xiaomo pleaded, clinging to his elbow, her eyes instantly filled with a complex emotion she herself couldn’t decipher.
Long Shangxuan’s eyelids drooped slightly. He smiled faintly. "In your heart, I don’t believe I hold much significance, Miss Hua. So please, let go..."
Hua Xiaomo’s arms trembled. Looking at him, all her words caught in her throat, and her grip on his arm grew progressively weaker.
She was numb to the stinging in her nostrils, the burning in her eyes, the crushing weight on her heart.
Until the elevator doors opened once more.
Long Shangxuan didn’t look at her, but his words were very soft, "Take care."
Then, without further hesitation, he stepped into the elevator. He didn’t look back, leaving only his tall, retreating figure for her to see.
She watched the person inside, suddenly wanting to laugh, but she couldn’t.
Take care... What did he mean by that? Was it a veiled attempt at consolation, or a rejection?
Hua Xiaomo stared at the closing elevator doors for a long time, unmoving, as if her soul had departed her body.
When she dejectedly returned to the conference room, it was already empty. Hua Xiaomo stared blankly at the now-deserted office.
Suddenly, a woman’s voice came from behind her. "Xiao Mo, what took you so long? President Qi is waiting for you in his office. You should hurry over."
Hua Xiaomo turned, forcing a smile. "Thank you, Ms. Lin. Understood."
「President Qi’s office.」 Googlᴇ search 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹~𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮~𝚗𝚎𝚝
Hua Xiaomo had just stepped back into the President’s office when a sarcastic voice drawled through the air.
"You remembered to come back? I was beginning to think your ’urgent need’ had caused you to faint in the restroom." Qi Longbing’s voice was frigid. A subtle, dark fire simmered in the depths of his blue eyes.
Hua Xiaomo looked at him, silent for a long while, the color continuing to drain from her exquisite face, leaving it increasingly wan and somber.
Under Qi Longbing’s intense gaze, she finally uttered, "I’m sorry."