Chapter Twenty-Three: The Hare’s Death, The Fox’s Lament

“Aren’t you going to use your connections to ask for help? Surely things can’t have gotten so bad that you’ll end up homeless, sleeping under a bridge.”

Luo Yuan scoffed at the suggestion. “How many people in business are truly sincere? No one is foolish enough to cross Fu Zhichen for my sake. I’m not about to waste the last of my personal favors on a lost cause.”

Chu Qingzhu pulled a black credit card from her wallet and handed it over. “You’re certainly clear-eyed, Vice President Luo. But do you really want to spend your life with beggars, sleeping under bridges? Come with me. I’ll give you money and resources. You can use Xingye as a stage to show your talents. Once you rise again, you can leave the capital and head abroad, and you won’t have to worry about Fu Zhichen’s reach or spend your days hiding.”

The hatred in Luo Yuan’s eyes wavered, her hand twitching beneath her hem. If she stayed, she would forever be trapped under Fu Zhichen’s shadow, never able to rise again. All her contacts meant nothing under the pressure of the Fu Corporation. Unless she escaped the capital, only abroad would she have a chance to develop freely. With her abilities, she could quickly climb to the upper echelons of any major company.

“Fine, I’ll go with you. What do you want me to do?”

Chu Qingzhu’s lips curved into a mysterious smile. “You’ll know when the time comes. But don’t worry—I won’t have you do anything illegal or land you in jail.”

Her gaze turned toward the Fu Corporation, burning with ambition.

At the Fu Corporation, Pei Susu and Zhou Haoyue were working together with increasing harmony. After the chaos caused by Luo Yuan’s abrupt departure, they had reorganized and reassigned the workload, and with everything back on track, Pei Susu and the other executives finally didn’t need to keep working overtime.

In the office, the two exchanged a glance and smiled in tacit understanding, as if they were old friends.

“President Pei, Vice President Zhou, I’ve placed the contracts on your desks.”

“Vice President Zhou, there’s a dinner tomorrow morning—will you attend? President Mo from Mo Corporation said you’re old friends and is hosting a special welcome for your return to the industry.”

“President Pei, President Fu asked you to come to his office before you leave today. He wants to confirm some details about future cooperation with Mo Corporation.”

“Alright, I’ll head there right away.” Pei Susu’s usually cool and indifferent face softened instantly, a helpless smile appearing on her lips.

At first, she hadn’t realized and dutifully went to report her work, planning to leave right after. As expected, before she could go, Fu Zhichen caught her and used the opportunity to hold and kiss her, carefully watching the clock.

She picked up her water cup from the desk, tucked it into her bag, organized her things, and, carrying a thick stack of documents, made her way to the president’s office.

The young man inside was as clear and bright as a moonlit night, his long brows raised slightly, expression cold. Under his dark lashes, his deep, limpid eyes rested absently on the desk, his slender, powerful hand poised with a pen, signing documents.

“You’re such a good girl. This time you didn’t stay late in your office, you came to see me right on time.”

He heard the creak of the door, and his frosty features immediately softened. Tenderness sparkled in his gaze, nearly enveloping Pei Susu.

Moved by a sudden impulse, Pei Susu braced one hand on the desk, leaned down, and lifted his fair chin with her fingertip.

“Are you using business as an excuse for personal motives, Ah Chen? You’re becoming mischievous.”

Fu Zhichen looked at her delicate face, so close his gaze grew darker, emotions roiling beneath the surface.

“You’re too clever. You can always tell whether I really have work for you, or if I just want an excuse to see you. Then you choose whether to come or not.”

Pei Susu’s thumb traced his sculpted lips, but she did not take things further. “You’re too obvious. You have a habit.”

“If it’s really about work, your messages are short and precise, only naming the project, never giving details—strictly business. Only when you have personal motives do you ask to talk about follow-up details or have me explain a particular part of the plan, or why I’m on good terms with a certain partner.”

Fu Zhichen was utterly captivated by the pride and mischief twinkling in her eyes, his Adam’s apple bobbing.

“You’re so observant. But even knowing I’m using work as an excuse to be playful, you still come. That makes me very happy.”

Pei Susu’s earlobes flushed pink, and she withdrew her hand awkwardly from his chin. “You already told my assistant. It would look bad if I didn’t go to the president’s office. If I didn’t, the staff would think I was ignoring our president’s instructions.” Her heart, usually so steady, skipped a beat, racing as she explained herself again and again.

Fu Zhichen noticed her blush, a pleased smile curving his lips as a low, magnetic chuckle escaped him.

“So that’s how it is. I’ve made things difficult for you. From now on, I’ll message you directly. You can decide whether to see me, and then I’ll have your assistant give you a reason to come.”

Pei Susu nearly lost herself in the gentle allure of his eyes, forgetting she was still in the office. She awkwardly averted her gaze. “Try to restrain yourself at work. Don’t call me to your office too often. If I report to you too many times a day, people will think I’m incompetent and always need the president’s help.”

Fu Zhichen set the contract aside, his hand encircling her waist as he leaned in.

Surrounded by his warm, heady presence, Pei Susu was pressed back against the desk, her eyes darting nervously toward the half-closed door, body flushed with nerves.

“Fu Zhichen, behave yourself.” She pressed her hands against his hard, hot chest, glaring at him in embarrassment.

“Everyone’s left for the day, it’s just us.” Taking advantage of her distraction, Fu Zhichen stole a quick kiss.

After their deep kiss, Pei Susu’s breath came fast, her heartbeat unsteady. Her hands gripped his neck for support.

She pinched his waist hard—his body was firm and toned, and she could barely gather any flesh, so she gripped the thin skin all the more.

Such pain was nothing for Fu Zhichen, who had endured military training and survived countless storms. He bent his head, whispering in her ear.

“With the new vice president taking over smoothly, you don’t have to work overtime until midnight anymore or skip meals. Let’s stop by the grocery store downstairs—I’ll cook you something delicious tonight.”

Pei Susu broke free and hurried out. “I’ll wait for you under the trees near the building.”

Fu Zhichen grabbed his car keys, pulled on his suit jacket from the black leather chair, and caught up with her. “Will you go home and keep thinking about work tonight?”

He snatched away her overstuffed bag. “Pei Susu, you’re taking files home again!”