Volume One, Chapter 14: Do You Want to See How Wanton You Look?

“Secretary Li, you can leave. I can handle things here,” Gu Qiuying said after pouring a cup of coffee for Shen Yubai, issuing her instructions to Li Ruochu as though she were the true boss. Now that this crucial project had been handed over to her, it was indeed inconvenient for Li Ruochu to remain.

Li Ruochu paused for a moment, her gaze instinctively drifting toward Feng Yizhou, a subtle hint of scrutiny flickering in her eyes. Though she still couldn’t fathom what this man was truly plotting, since a decision had been made, she knew she no longer belonged here.

With poise, she turned and left in full view of everyone, never once glancing at Shen Yubai, as if he had never existed in her world at all.

Jiang Mu stood aside, quietly observing the entire scene. He was thoroughly fed up with Gu Qiuying’s smug, self-satisfied demeanor—the face of someone who had finally achieved her petty ambitions. He snorted coldly, shoved his hands in his pockets, and followed Li Ruochu out.

As the office door closed behind them, Jiang Mu couldn't help but mutter, “What on earth is our president thinking? Why insist on handing this project to Gu Qiuying of all people?”

His tone carried a clear note of disbelief, as if questioning the utter absurdity of Feng Yizhou’s decision.

“Gu Qiuying? Isn’t it supposed to be Sister Ruochu?” Chu Xi, who had been absorbed in his game on the side, suddenly sprang up as if lit by a fuse. His eyes widened in astonishment and confusion.

He had come to work here precisely for Li Ruochu, eager to help her and share her burdens. Now, with the project abruptly reassigned, he found it impossible to accept.

“The decision has been made. Cooperation among three companies is no trivial matter. Don’t let this breed any negativity—focus on your work,” Li Ruochu said, stopping and turning to face Chu Xi and Jiang Mu with a look of sober resolve.

Though her heart was unsettled by the turn of events, she knew full well this was a pivotal collaboration for the company’s future. She couldn’t allow personal feelings to affect the greater good.

“Then I quit, too! I’ll go talk to my brother right now…” Chu Xi’s face flushed, looking ready to storm off and raise a commotion.

“Young Master Chu, don’t be rash. This is your first time involved in family business and a rare chance to hone your skills,” Li Ruochu hurried forward and grabbed his arm, speaking in earnest.

Though Chu Xi came from privilege, a true child of wealth, she knew opportunities like this were invaluable for his growth. She didn’t want him to lose out because of a moment’s impetuousness.

After persuading Chu Xi, Li Ruochu turned slightly to look at Jiang Mu, her eyes tinged with curiosity. “Does President Feng really dislike anything strawberry-related?”

She racked her brains, but apart from that trivial incident involving strawberries, she couldn’t recall ever crossing Feng Yizhou.

“Strawberries? Not at all. In fact, our president rather likes strawberries. As for anything else, I honestly have no idea,” Jiang Mu replied, spreading his hands in helplessness.

He, too, felt a smoldering annoyance. Remembering his last encounter with Gu Qiuying, he couldn’t help but bristle. That woman, emboldened by Shen Yubai’s backing, behaved with such arrogance, barking orders at him as if he were beneath her.

The thought of having to work with someone like her made Jiang Mu frown in undisguised reluctance.

“There’s nothing else here for me. I’ll be heading back—contact me if you need anything,” Li Ruochu sighed softly, waved to Jiang Mu and Chu Xi, and took her leave.

By midday, the office was so quiet that the faint hum of the computer was all that could be heard.

Seated at her desk, Li Ruochu focused intently, organizing her tasks one by one and carefully sorting the documents yet to be processed. She was well aware how precarious her marriage to Feng Yizhou had become—divorce might force her resignation at any moment.

Determined not to let her subordinates be caught off guard, she readied everything in advance.

Glancing at the time in the bottom right corner of her screen, her stomach rumbled on cue. She reached for her phone, intending to order lunch, when the office door suddenly slammed open.

In strutted Gu Qiuying, proud as a peacock, her steps exaggerated and brimming with triumph. The mocking curl of her lips seemed to proclaim her victory to the world.

“Gu Qiuying, did your mother never teach you to knock before entering someone else’s office?” Li Ruochu put down her phone and fixed her with a frosty stare, her voice low but edged with chill.

She loathed this kind of rude, intrusive behavior—especially from someone like Gu Qiuying.

“I only came to see how dejected and wounded you look now,” Gu Qiuying replied, folding her arms and tilting her chin, her gaze full of scorn.

She was here purely to enjoy Li Ruochu’s misfortune, to savor the thrill of trampling on someone else.

Instead of anger, Li Ruochu smiled, her expression tinged with mischief. She slowly raised her phone, the screen displaying the scandalous video Gu Qiuying had previously sent her. “Then perhaps I should watch your wanton performance in this video right here in front of you?”

She swung the phone lightly as she spoke.

“You—” Gu Qiuying’s face instantly flushed as red as a ripe tomato, rendered speechless by rage and shame. She’d never expected Li Ruochu to turn the video against her.

But she quickly regained her composure, recalling the disappointment she’d glimpsed on Li Ruochu’s face in the office earlier. Smothering her anger, she sneered, “You’re just trying to score points with your words.”

“Of course, you’re absolutely right,” Li Ruochu replied, stretching out the syllables and keeping her smile even.

She saw clearly through Gu Qiuying’s intent—to provoke her and make her lose control. But she refused to give Gu Qiuying the satisfaction.

At that moment, Shen Yubai also entered, neglecting to knock as well.

Li Ruochu could only sigh in resignation. “Mr. Shen, you and Gu Qiuying truly are a match made in heaven. If you two don’t marry, you’d be letting fate down.”

A flicker of displeasure crossed Shen Yubai’s face. He turned to Gu Qiuying. “Qiuying, leave us. I need to speak to Ruochu alone.”

Gu Qiuying shot her a smug look before swaying out in her high heels.

Now, only Shen Yubai and Li Ruochu remained.

Leaning back in her chair, Li Ruochu gazed up at him. “Mr. Shen, what instructions do you have for me?”