Yi Qingju glanced at Qi Weiran across from her, who seemed to be lost in thought. She silently took out her own phone.
Whoever speaks first is the puppy.
Qi Weiran: "......"
You don't have the guts to say it.
Of course Yi Qingju didn't have the guts. She was busy checking trending topics.
When she saw the exploded #Qi's Group Terminates All Cooperation with Huiye Group#, her eyes instantly widened.
Huiye Group!? Isn't that Wang's company? My god, Qi Weiran is furious. He's leaving the Wangs with nothing. Now the Wangs are truly finished.
Could it be he's wanted to make a move against the Wangs for a while now, but didn't have a proper justification until me, who's always clashing with the Wangs, gave him the perfect opportunity to use me as a scapegoat?
Qi Weiran: "......" How many TV dramas has she been watching?
The more she thought about it, the more it made sense to Yi Qingju. She raised her head sneakily to glance at Qi Weiran across from her, but was unexpectedly met with a pair of amber eyes.
She was startled.
"Sir, did you terminate your cooperation with Huiye Group for my sake?" Her eyes flickered expectantly.
Yi Qingju immediately changed the topic.
This is none of your concern, Yi Qingju. Just focus on your own matters. Leave everything else alone, she imitated Qi Weiran's tone.
But as if to deliberately oppose her, Qi Weiran simply replied, "Yes."
Yi Qingju: ?
Old Qi, how am I supposed to respond to that!? Don't you know that according to my clingy persona, I should be crawling into your arms right now!?
Qi Weiran put down his crossed legs and repeated, "Yes, it was for your sake."
Yi Qingju: "......"
Well, I started this so I have to smooth it over somehow.
She immediately cast her eyes down demurely, her long lashes quivering like a small fan. "Sir, if that wasn't your intention, you can just say so directly."
"If you have to make up excuses to pacify me, that would be too tiring. I only hope you can be yourself in front of me. Even if you're cold and heartless, I won't leave you."
——for the inheritance.
She couldn't even stand her own excessive fawning.
Right then, the car came to a stop. The chauffeur got out and respectfully opened the door for Qi Weiran. "Sir, we've arrived."
Qi Weiran nodded coldly and exited the car.
But he was actually feeling quite frustrated inside.
He had wanted to say, I'm not placating you. Everything I said was true.
But no matter how much he wanted to say it, not a fart would come out. He completely lacked the ease he had at the Zhou family banquet that night.
When he turned to courteously help Yi Qingju out of the car, he saw her nimbly hop out in three quick movements, steady even in high heels.
His outstretched arm swung back to straighten his own tie instead.
Seeing that, Yi Qingju walked over voluntarily. "Sir, let me."
Then her slender fingers rested on Qi Weiran's bow tie as she tilted up her fair face, concentrating seriously on tidying the man before her.
Qi Weiran lowered his eyes, automatically relaxing his hands, staring intently at Yi Qingju without blinking.
The Qi Group staff coming and going at the entrance: "......"
Seriously, it's too sweet this early in the morning before we've even eaten!
"Sir, is there a problem with the site I chose for my company?"
Wan Sui carefully minimized his presence, lightly placing two cups of black tea before Qi Weiran and Yi Qingju.
Then he demonstrated his insight by promptly leaving the room, standing guard outside the door.
Qi Weiran added a little milk to her tea. He remembered Yi Qingju always took milk with her black tea.
Unfortunately, Yi Qingju was too preoccupied pondering what she had overlooked that she completely missed this thoughtful detail.
"The industrial park."
Qi Weiran spoke.
Unlike usual when he would sit in the ergonomic chair behind his desk, he sat down on the reception sofa as if accompanying a guest.
Side by side too.
Yi Qingju's brows furrowed lightly. "The industrial park?"
Her clear cat-like eyes peered at Qi Weiran in puzzlement, not noticing their close proximity at all.
He nodded, unconsciously tapping his knee with the hand resting on it.
"When selecting a company location, the development philosophy of the industrial park you choose is very important. What types of companies are surrounding it, and whether those types can integrate with your company's growth, as well as bring potential customers and appreciation, are all crucial factors."
He spoke slowly. When Yi Qingju showed bewilderment, he would slow down. And when she asked questions, even very simple ones, he would think first before answering concisely.
He would also praise her appropriately, patiently leading the originally nervous Yi Qingju to gradually relax, immersing herself in the learning atmosphere.
His entire demeanor exuded mature masculine charm.
It was in this moment Yi Qingju suddenly understood why so many people were infatuated with Qi Weiran.
"Do you understand?"
Noticing her distracted gaze, Qi Weiran asked.
Yi Qingju promptly regained her senses and sincerely nodded. "Sir, you're so amazing."
After a two second pause, still not hearing Yi Qingju's inner thoughts, Qi Weiran felt somewhat surprised.
That was actual sincere praise.
Although he felt a little happy inside, Qi Weiran's expression remained indifferent as he lightly nodded. "Mm."
Yi Qingju was not surprised at all. Of course, since the day he was born, the praises surrounding him could probably fill the entire earth. His ears must be calloused by now.
"But the industrial parks I can choose from are limited, and the rest are too far away....." She muttered softly, brows knitted, looking somewhat troubled.
Qi Weiran adjusted his posture, his clear amber eyes darkening as he evenly stated, "Qi's Group has an unused floor."
Yi Qingju's gaze shifted, almost instantly grasping his implication.
But it also carried deep perplexity.
He used to wish me blind and avoid seeing me at all costs. Why is Qi Weiran being so nice to me recently? What is his aim?
Is there anything on me he wants to obtain? He doesn't even look up to Second Eldest Brother.
Qi Weiran naturally thought, of course it's you I covet. But he couldn't say that, so he only stood up indifferently. "Your identity as Second Eldest Brother's real boss is already known. And you can't continue using the name Qi Yuan. Naturally countless people will be eyeing you, openly or not."
"If something happens to you, it's equal to slapping my face."
"Also, you can't receive special treatment. You need to pay market rate rent."
Seeing her vacant expression, Qi Weiran wondered, did I say something wrong?
Yi Qingju instead thought, This is the longest Qi Weiran has spoken to me since I met him.
Qi Weiran: "......" Is that important?
Hearing about paying rent, Yi Qingju felt slightly relieved. But she obediently said, "I understand, Sir. I won't cause you any trouble."
Having said that, she picked up the tea and took a sip.
Huh, it has milk. Wan Sui is pretty thoughtful.
Qi Weiran: !!
Outside the door, Wan Sui shuddered violently, thinking maybe he should start wearing thermal underwear tomorrow....