CHAPTER 216: CHAPTER 216: DO AS SHE SAYS

Bian Yue picked up the documents from the ground. Her movements were sluggish, and after a long while, she softly said, "Jiaojiao, I’m fine. I just want to be alone quietly for a while... I’ll be okay soon."

At the same time, in the back row of the business-class seats, Lu Zhonian’s eyebrows and eyes were serene as he quietly looked at the scenery outside the window.

The assistant noticed Lu Zhonian’s expression in the rearview mirror and asked curiously, "President Lu, what did you show to Miss Bian?"

"It was nothing much. Just some hints, fearing she might not understand people’s hearts," Lu Zhonian said indifferently, with a detached tone. "Bian Yue is very smart and ambitious enough, but she still has one fatal flaw."

The assistant hesitated, "What... flaw?"

"She is too soft-hearted, yet she doesn’t realize that countless smart people have perished because of their soft-heartedness." Lu Zhonian’s gaze was cold as he closed his eyes and instructed, "I’m a bit tired. Push back this afternoon’s meeting by half an hour. I need to rest."

"Yes." After the assistant responded, he discreetly raised the partition behind them...

Bian Yue had been coming and going early and late for several days. The drama "Shengshi Yan" she was involved with was consistently topping the TV ratings charts without falling, establishing an unbreakable lead.

This undoubtedly gave her the perfect reason to be busy.

Shen Jinci did not say anything, but every day as she left for work, he did not forget to prepare food for her journey.

His cooking skills had improved over time. Each day, the extra bites of food Bian Yue ate would appear in her lunchbox the next day.

He seemed to put his focus entirely on himself, as if the entire Lixing Group was nothing but an insignificant backdrop.

Bian Yue felt that she had come to understand less of Shen Jinci as a person.

It was still a beautiful, sunny day. Having wrapped up her work, Bian Yue finally felt at peace and contacted Shen Zhaoli.

Shen Zhaoli arrived quickly, bringing a bag of food with him.

He casually took a seat on the sofa, raising his eyebrows at Bian Yue with a smile. "Yo, you busy person finally thought to look for me?"

"This is the viewership data for ’Shengshi Yan’, and these are all the companies currently interested in establishing a partnership with Honey." Bian Yue placed a thick file on the table.

The smile on Shen Zhaoli’s face faded a bit. He looked at Bian Yue leisurely, his tone tinged with an inscrutable resignation. "Bian Yue, do we really need to keep our discussions strictly business to this extent? What does your collaboration with Lixing have to do with all this?"

"Because I cannot provide the conditions that Lixing wants," Bian Yue said calmly, her emotions cool as she looked at Shen Zhaoli. "Zhaoli, I know that you are here representing Lixing Group to talk with me, so between us, there’s only the possibility to keep it to business discussions."

Bian Yue’s demeanor was suddenly much firmer than the last time they met.

Although Shen Zhaoli did not know the reason, he couldn’t help but feel a sigh of regret within. "You’ve just started, and you’ve already picked up the ways of the business world? Bian Yue, I don’t like this side of you; you seem distant to me now."

"Previously, I sat in front of you as the wife of Shen Jinci. To that extent, you were family to me. But now, I am here as the head of Honey. Since I’ve already come this far, I cannot afford any mistakes."

Shen Zhaoli rubbed his glabella, his handsome and delicate face showing hesitation.

He did not know how to continue the conversation with Bian Yue. So far, he did not want their relationship to sour.

But Bian Yue’s words left no room for maneuvering.

As Shen Zhaoli wondered how to change the topic, Miss Wen pushed the door and entered.

Miss Wen had been busy with her wedding arrangements lately and always visited Bian Yue in a whirlwind.

Seeing Shen Zhaoli inside, she paused, then couldn’t help but laugh, "Big brother, you came again? Recently, Bian Yue and I have truly been busy and don’t have time to entertain you. Kid, go home first!"

Shen Zhaoli looked at Miss Wen leisurely, ignoring her request for him to leave. His gaze fell on the red wedding invitation in her hand, and he raised his eyebrows with a smile, "Is this your invitation? Are you getting married soon?"

Miss Wen, quite generously, placed the invitation in front of Shen Zhaoli, her voice carrying a hint of pride, "Have not seen one before? Don’t worry. When my wedding comes, I’ll definitely invite you."

A fleeting sense of congestion rose in Shen Zhaoli’s heart.

He pursed his lips, his smile not reaching his eyes, sounding somewhat hollow yet teasing, "You’re not going to stand me up again, are you?"

Miss Wen answered, how could that be? Last time was an accident. I’m usually not one to stand people up.

Although it was still a benign exchange, it broke the suffocating atmosphere between him and Bian Yue from earlier.

After Miss Wen left in a huff, holding the wedding invitation that was criticized for poor taste,

Shen Zhaoli chuckled and said slowly, "I brought these snacks for you so you can eat something when you’re not too busy. Take care of your health. Bian Yue, I don’t know why you suddenly became so resolute, but I still hope you will consider the collaboration with Lixing Group. I’ll await your response."

Bian Yue simply said calmly, "There’s nothing to consider. I’ve already had an idea when I asked you to come over today. I will attend Lixing Group’s board meeting tomorrow."

Shen Zhaoli thought he had misheard, startled, "Tomorrow..."

"Yes, please pass the word along to the higher-ups in Lixing for me. As for the rest, I can handle it myself and won’t make things difficult for you or Jinci," Bian Yue finished, even offering Shen Zhaoli a smile.

However, in Bian Yue’s smile, Shen Zhaoli read a sense of estrangement.

He was sure that she was hiding something from both himself and Shen Jinci.

That day, Shen Zhaoli relayed the matter to Shen Jinci.

Actually, Shen Jinci had already had a premonition. Bian Yue coming and going early and late these past days could naturally be because she was busy, but on the other hand, it wasn’t impossible that she was avoiding him.

In the office, Shen Zhaoli took a drag on his cigarette, his expression complex, filled with doubt, "Tell me, what’s going on with Bian Yue? Everything was fine, so why has she suddenly become so earnest?"

Shen Jinci did not speak. His gaze lowered, his usual cold and noble demeanor intact, his elegance evident, but he appeared completely detached, showing no urgency. He said, "Just do as she asked."

"Listen to yourself, Shen Jinci!" Shen Zhaoli exclaimed in shock, trying to point out the right direction, "That’s your own wife. What good does it do you to push her to a dead end? Don’t you understand the board of directors? They are a group that would eat people without spitting out bones! What are you letting Bian Yue negotiate with them for?"

Shen Jinci did not immediately answer. He calmly finished reading the document in front of him, then after signing his name, he looked at Shen Zhaoli, "Do as Bian Yue said."