Pei Shaoze shot him a sidelong glance, his sharp eyes seemingly piercing right through him.
Yan Xin felt a pang of guilt, his gaze drifting, afraid that any hint of his unease would be seen through by the other man.
They sat in heavy silence for a long while before Pei Shaoze finally spoke: "I came to you because I want you to investigate someone's background."
"Who?"
Yan Xin asked reflexively.
"Su Banxia."
Pei Shaoze said slowly.
"Her?"
A flicker of surprise crossed Yan Xin's eyes.
Pei Shaoze nodded. "I want to know what connection she has with the Su family."
"The Su family of Su Jin, the one we're working with?"
Yan Xin couldn't help but take another look at Pei Shaoze. "Those two have nothing to do with each other except for sharing the surname Su. Why on earth are you investigating this out of the blue?"
In Yan Xin's view, this kind of investigation was a pointless waste of effort!
"Do you need to know the purpose behind everything I want to find out?"
Pei Shaoze's gaze hardened.
Sensing the chill emanating from deep within him, Yan Xin quickly backed off, waving his hands. "No, no, no, that's not what I meant. I'm just saying, you're great!"
Yan Xin forced an awkward smile, but inwardly he was wailing. He hadn't even completed half of this month's workload—where would he find the time to investigate something else?
"I need the results as soon as possible. I'll wait for your news."
Pei Shaoze nodded, then walked out of the office.
Yan Xin stared at his retreating back, almost on the verge of tears. Was this guy always so domineering and heartless?
How infuriating!
Pei Shaoze returned to the company to find Su Banxia had already composed herself, quietly reading through documents with a focused expression.
Seeing this, he paused his steps and took a few extra glances at her. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting a glow on her face that made her look more serene.
Lately, Su Banxia had stopped deliberately making herself look plain. Though she wore only light makeup and simple attire, it was enough to outshine every other woman in the company.
"Is this month's summary report ready?"
Pei Shaoze looked at her and asked coldly.
Su Banxia was startled. "Isn't that usually done at the end of the month? I haven't prepared it yet."
"Don't tell me all you've been doing these days is handling these simple documents?"
Pei Shaoze frowned, clearly displeased.
"I'll get to it right away."
Su Banxia bit her lower lip. She knew he was picking a fight, but she had no way to argue back!
Pei Shaoze let out a cold snort and quickly left the office. This woman was like a block of wood; staying with her too long, he could hardly keep his temper in check.
At mealtime, Su Banxia went alone to the company cafeteria, ordered a few simple dishes, and ate hastily.
Fang Shiqing noticed Su Banxia's poor complexion and, thinking she might be dealing with something difficult, approached her out of concern for a friend.
"Banxia, are you okay?"
"Shiqing."
Su Banxia nodded slightly at the newcomer, offering a brief greeting.
Fang Shiqing felt a bit worried. "You've been looking unwell lately. Is it uncomfortable living with Pei Shaoze? If it's really bad, you can move back in with me. I get pretty bored on my own."
Hearing this, Su Banxia's eyes dimmed. Spotting Zhang Shanshan approaching them with a work meal tray, she forced a smile. "No need. I'd feel bad always troubling you."
"We've known each other for years. It's no trouble at all, Banxia. I really don't mind."
Fang Shiqing said quickly.
"Shiqing, I need some quiet time lately. I'm in a bad mood, and I'm afraid it'll affect you."
Su Banxia sighed, a hint of reluctance in her voice.
"Is it because of me, or because of President Pei? If it's me, I can apologize however you want, as long as you forgive me. If it's President Pei, then move out of his place right away—out of sight, out of mind."
"It's neither."
Su Banxia shook her head. "It's the Su family. Su Sinian called to threaten me, telling me to stay away from Pei Shaoze."
"She—"
Fang Shiqing was about to ask more when Zhang Shanshan had already sat down beside her with her meal.
"Secretary Su, Shiqing, what are you chatting about so intently?"
Zhang Shanshan sat down calmly, a smile on her face.
Su Banxia shot her a glance, picked up her lunch box, and stood up. "I still have documents to process, so I'll head off first. Enjoy your meal."
Fang Shiqing understood her intent and simply said goodbye.
"Secretary Su still doesn't seem willing to warm up to me."
Zhang Shanshan looked dejected.
"Shanshan, don't take it to heart. Maybe Banxia has some misunderstandings about you, that's why she's like this. She's actually a good person—you'll see once you get to know her better."
Fang Shiqing smiled faintly.
As a friend to both, she subconsciously hoped they could get along peacefully.
"Shiqing, is Banxia still blaming me for that document incident?"
Zhang Shanshan lowered her eyes, her expression gloomy. "I really didn't take it. I swear I didn't. You have to believe me."
"I know it wasn't you. Maybe someone else at home took the document."
Fang Shiqing had been troubled by that document issue for a while.
She knew Su Banxia's character well—she wouldn't joke about something so serious. But she didn't want to suspect Zhang Shanshan either.
After all, Zhang Shanshan had saved her life, and she felt grateful for that.
Yet Pei Shaoze's words that day still nagged at her nerves, putting her in a difficult spot.
"What's wrong?"
Zhang Shanshan's considerate concern and gentle tone only made Fang Shiqing feel more guilty.
Maybe everyone had misjudged her. Zhang Shanshan was such an innocent girl—even Pei Shaoze could be wrong sometimes, couldn't he?
"I'm fine. Let's finish up and head back early. A few new hires came in today, and I need to get back for their interviews."
Fang Shiqing said with a faint smile.
Zhang Shanshan didn't press further, quietly eating her meal. A glint of cunning flashed in her dark eyes, sending a chill down one's spine.
After eating, Zhang Shanshan returned to her desk. Though she hadn't caught the specifics of their conversation, one name stuck in her mind.
Su Sinian!
She had clearly heard Su Banxia mention those three words, and the name wasn't unfamiliar to her.
Wasn't the person in charge of the Su family contract that Yan Xin had handled Su Sinian?
A woman who could stir up such strong emotions in Su Banxia couldn't be simple!
With that thought, Zhang Shanshan quickly found her contact information and dialed the number.
Su Sinian, seeing the incoming call, felt inexplicably irritated, so even when she answered, her tone was thick with impatience.
"Who is this?"