Tian Sheng Group.
This is the place all corporate drones aspire to, the leading enterprise in Jiang City. They offer good benefits, don't force overtime, and most importantly, their president is handsome.
Top floor.
"Clink!" The teacup met the desk with a soft sound.
The sound was quiet, but Ak felt an immense pressure he couldn't explain.
He cautiously glanced up. The person seated behind the desk had no discernible expression, yet it sent a chill down his spine.
The sunlight reflecting off the massive floor-to-ceiling windows felt glaring to Ak, but he dared not move, standing still as he awaited the man's instructions.
"You may go," the placid words were a great relief to Ak. He bowed respectfully and withdrew, only daring to take a deep breath once the door was shut.
Wiping the sweat from his brow, Ak sincerely felt that Mr. Song had become increasingly unpredictable these past two years.
He still remembered the first time he met Song Duanli; he was only 20 then, still a bit green. In just a few short years, he had grown into the undisputed authority of the Song family, whom no one dared to cross. His temper had also become more restrained, and now, few people could discern his true thoughts.
With this thought, Ak shook his head and quickly left. Mr. Song's affairs were beyond his speculation; he only needed to do as he was told.
Inside the office, steam rose from the cup on the desk. Song Duanli traced the rim of the cup with his finger, recalling the previous night's events, and scoffed, "What a little liar."
And yet, he found himself believing her.
*
Yes, today Shen Jianxi had returned home early from her usual spot.
She planned to do something big tonight.
Song Duanli had learned the news even earlier than she had. The moment he knew she was returning, he began to wonder what she was up to. Had she finally given in?
Song Duanli: [Continue observation.]
Subordinate: [Yes, boss.]
Tapping his fingertips on the desk, he pondered what she wanted. Money? Documents? Or a contract?
Song Duanli considered all possibilities.
77: "Ding! Affection points -5. Song Duanli's current affection level is 0."
On the other side, Shen Jianxi, busy preparing a surprise at the villa, almost crushed the flowers in her hand upon hearing this dire news.
Was this scoundrel ever going to stop?!
She suppressed her anger and continued her preparations. She couldn't give up halfway.
She took out her homemade bomb-shaped confetti popper and rigged a simple mechanism, ensuring it would activate the moment Song Duanli opened the door.
77: "Ding! Affection points -5. Song Duanli's current affection level is -5."
Taking a deep breath, she thought, it's just -5, she could endure it.
She sprinkled her homemade special sauce packet into the dish she was stir-frying.
77: "Ding! Affection points -5. Song Duanli's current affection level is -10."
Smile, smile, she could still endure.
Then, wearing rubber gloves, she coated her carefully carved small gift with a special adhesive. Once dried, this little wooden carving would be exceptionally shiny.
77: "Ding! Affection points -10. Song Duanli's current affection level is -20."
She could endure... she couldn't endure anymore!
"77, what on earth has Song Duanli imagined?"
77 was silent for a moment, then said, "This is probably not Song Duanli's fault. It's just that the person he hired to watch you is too foolish."
Subordinate: [Reporting to boss, Miss Shen has set up a bomb at the door.]
Subordinate: [Reporting to boss, Miss Shen has sent the cooking auntie away and put something in the food.]
Subordinate: [Reporting to boss, Miss Shen has coated a wooden carving with poison.]
Subordinate: [Reporting to boss, Miss Shen is standing still, possibly planning to lay mines.]
...
This time, it was Shen Jianxi's turn to be silent. What else could she say...
Where did Song Duanli find such an unremarkable genius at reading comprehension based on pictures!
She felt like spitting blood.
Regardless of what Song Duanli was thinking, Shen Jianxi endured the heartache and painstakingly finished preparing everything.
Checking the time, Song Duanli would be back soon. Shen Jianxi touched up her lipstick, then casually held it in her hand, ready to go out and greet him.
Subordinate: [Reporting to boss, Miss Shen is holding an unidentified object, suspected to be a gun, and is heading to the door to await you.]
Shen Jianxi: ...
Damn it!
She was tired, truly tired.
Seeing the car approaching from afar, she tidied her hair. When the person emerged from the car, she jogged over to him.
"Mr. Song, you're back!" Her voice was filled with a profound sense of surprise.
"Mm." Song Duanli's expression was nonchalant. He gave a faint reply and walked past her, as if he hadn't received the text message this afternoon.
Shen Jianxi followed him, watching as he stopped at the door and turned to ask her, "Do you think I should go in?"
Song Duanli's pupils contracted as he looked at the girl before him. He feigned composure and replied, "This is your home, of course you should go in."
Song Duanli's gaze turned icy in an instant.
He pulled her hand, and to her shocked gaze, the corners of his lips curved into a faint arc. He said gently, "Come in with me."
Enchanted by his smile, the girl obediently nodded.
As the door creaked open, Song Duanli vaguely heard the sound of a mechanism, his eyes growing increasingly sinister.
Glancing at the girl beside him, who was nervously watching his hand opening the door, he let out a self-mocking laugh.
He had given her a chance.
No longer pretending, Song Duanli's hand suddenly clamped around her neck.
His voice, incongruous with his fierce action, was as gentle as a lover's whisper:
"I've always been curious why you approached my brother. So it was for my life."
His grip tightened, and he watched as the girl's fair face turned red. She seemed to have given up struggling.
Shen Jianxi used the last of her strength to violently kick the door. Her movement was so swift that Song Duanli didn't have time to react.
"Bang—" With a loud noise, Shen Jianxi was thrown to the ground, followed by a shower of streamers.
Looking at the scene before him, Song Duanli stood frozen.
"...Cough cough cough!" On the ground, Shen Jianxi clutched her neck, gasping for air and coughing continuously, pulling Song Duanli back to his senses.
"You..." Suddenly remembering something, he strode into the house and fell into thought as he looked at the table full of dishes.
Shen Jianxi slowly walked over, leaning on the wall. She immediately understood what he was thinking. With a cold laugh, she stepped forward and, one by one, ate every dish in front of him.
The next second, she overturned the entire table of meticulously prepared dishes.
Plates and bowls clattered to the floor, shattering into pieces.
She then picked up the gift she had carved and smashed it to the ground in front of him.
The auntie, terrified by the commotion, stood frozen.
Having done all this, Shen Jianxi's tears finally couldn't be held back. She smiled at Song Duanli and said, "I'm sorry for wasting Mr. Song's time today. I'll go back to my room now."
With that, she bowed and turned to leave.
Unlike her timid demeanor in the preceding days, her back now appeared remarkably straight, though it seemed shrouded in despair and sorrow. Sudan Novel Network.
77: "Ding! Affection points +40. Song Duanli's current affection level is 20."