?
Su Banxia was somewhat surprised. "You know?"
Although Su's father ran a company, it didn't seem like the business was big enough for everyone to know who he was, right?
Yan Xin nodded, speaking calmly. "Shaoze had me prepare the contract for their collaboration yesterday. Why did you go find Lin Tongze? With two major companies simultaneously seeking cooperation with the Su family, they're bound to rake in a hefty profit."
He hadn't expected Su Banxia to approach Lin Tongze for help. If Lin Tongze got involved too, the Su family would be incredibly fortunate.
Su Banxia was even more astonished. Pei Shaoze had clearly refused—how could this be? "What? Didn't President Pei reject working with the Su family?"
That was exactly what puzzled Yan Xin, but who could ever guess Pei Shaoze's thoughts?
"Exactly, I find it strange too. He'd been consistently refusing to cooperate with the Su family, but yesterday, out of nowhere, he suddenly agreed."
"He agreed to collaborate with the Su family?"
Su Banxia felt a mix of surprise and regret. If she'd known he'd agreed, she wouldn't have bothered Lin Tongze or let him misunderstand.
"Yeah. What's your connection to the Su family? Why would you think of asking Lin Tongze to help them? You're also surnamed Su—could it be that you're...?"
Compared to the reason Pei Shaoze agreed to work with the Su family, Yan Xin was more curious about why Su Banxia was helping them.
"No connection. I have nothing to do with that Su family. It's just that Su Sinian saw I'm President Pei's secretary and begged me. I knew President Pei wouldn't want to work with them, but since I'd promised her, I didn't want to let her down."
She quickly denied it, making up a random excuse.
Yan Xin didn't suspect anything. He found it hard to link this Su Banxia with that Su family anyway.
"No wonder. I thought you might be related."
Su Banxia smiled. "Today's situation was also odd. President Pei always eats at his private restaurant—why would he suddenly go there? I don't think it's that simple."
She already considered Yan Xin a friend, and this was just a friend's complaint. She really couldn't figure out who in Dingsheng might have it out for her!
Yan Xin's face suddenly flushed, and he coughed awkwardly. "Cough, Banxia, about this... actually... it's my fault!"
Su Banxia was confused. How could it involve him? "What happened?"
Yan Xin scratched his head sheepishly. "I usually eat with President Pei at his private restaurant, but I got tired of it. I wanted a change of pace and finally convinced him to agree. I didn't expect you two to be in there—I'm sorry!"
He genuinely felt bad. He hadn't anticipated Su Banxia and Lin Tongze would be on a date there...
Su Banxia finally understood. She looked helpless. "President Yan... this time... sigh..."
She didn't know what to say. She knew Yan Xin hadn't meant any harm, but the damage was done.
At least it wasn't someone in the company trying to harm her by deliberately tipping off Pei Shaoze about her whereabouts. Otherwise, she'd have to waste time figuring out who it was.
Yan Xin looked apologetic, too embarrassed to meet her eyes. "Banxia! I'm sorry... Don't worry! Shaoze isn't one to hold grudges. He's just angry right now. Once he calms down, everything will be fine."
He knew Pei Shaoze's temperament well—impulsive, but once he cooled off, all would be well.
"Yeah, I guess that's all I can do."
She nodded, then looked down to see Yan Xin holding Pei Shaoze's documents, with some fresh annotations on them. "Why are you sorting President Pei's files? Nothing else to do?"
Yan Xin hadn't wanted to bring up this embarrassing matter, but since Su Banxia had asked, he couldn't let her think he was snooping into Pei Shaoze's secrets.
"...Sigh. I saw you two outside the restaurant and tried to stop Shaoze, but I couldn't. So this is my punishment."
He wore a bitter expression, looking wronged.
That made Su Banxia laugh. She hadn't expected Pei Shaoze to be so petty. "Pfft... President Yan, thank you so much. Get back to work—I've got a mountain of files too!"
After all, it was work Pei Shaoze had given her. With today's incident, if she couldn't even finish her tasks, she wouldn't know how she'd end up dead.
Time flew by, and in what felt like no time, the afternoon was over. Yan Xin's work efficiency was truly admirable—what others would take a day to finish, he completed in half a day.
As for Su Banxia, her pile of files remained untouched.
Yan Xin stretched and looked at her. "Banxia, you're not done yet? Want me to help?"
She appreciated his kindness, but giving him this work would be a waste of his talent. "No need, thanks. You've been busy all afternoon too. I can just work overtime and finish it—I'm used to it anyway."
"Alright then, take care. If Shaoze knew what a dedicated secretary you are, he'd be really moved!"
Yan Xin didn't insist. Besides, he'd been stuck at his desk all day and was genuinely tired.
"President Yan, don't tease me."
Su Banxia felt a bit embarrassed. Would Pei Shaoze be moved? More likely, he'd suspect her hard work had ulterior motives.
Yan Xin smiled, packed up his files, and left.
"Hey, Shiqing, could you pick up the two little ones today? I haven't finished my work yet, so I might be late coming back."
As soon as Yan Xin was out, Su Banxia quickly called Fang Shiqing, worried no one would get the kids.
Fang Shiqing agreed without hesitation. As the godmother of the two little darlings, it was the least she could do.
That put Su Banxia at ease. Without Fang Shiqing's help watching the kids, raising two alone would have been exhausting!
Pei Shaoze was drinking alone at a wine bar, fuming over today's events. Why did Su Banxia have to be involved with Lin Tongze? And why did he care so much?
As evening fell, he hurled a glass to the ground, shattering it into pieces.
"Check, please!"
He slammed his card on the table, his voice furious.
The waiter knew Pei Shaoze was a major client and dared not offend him. Seeing his state, he carefully took the card.
"President Pei, that'll be 88,000 in total."
Pei Shaoze said nothing, just glared coldly, signaling him to hurry up so he could leave.
Noticing Pei Shaoze holding car keys with no one else around, clearly planning to drive himself, the waiter grew concerned. "President Pei, should I call you a cab?"
After all, Pei Shaoze had drunk quite a bit. Though he seemed sober now, the alcohol he'd had was strong and slow-acting—the buzz might hit him once he left.
"Enough! No need."
Pei Shaoze snatched his card back, snapping.
Even though he knew the waiter meant well, he resented the unsolicited advice.
The waiter worried but dared not interfere with Pei Shaoze's affairs, so he kept his mouth shut.
On the road, Pei Shaoze drove as if no one else existed, his speed terrifying. Other cars gave him a wide berth, afraid of accidents or scratching his vehicle—his car was worth millions, and even a minor collision could cost them tens of thousands.
Somehow, he found himself driving to Dingsheng. He laughed bitterly, about to leave, when he noticed the light still on in his office.
At this hour, who else but Su Banxia would be there?
He took the elevator up, the alcohol slowly hitting him. He should count himself lucky the buzz hadn't kicked in while he was driving.