Xiao Li'er was nearly frightened to tears upon hearing those words. She hadn't even brought in her proposal yet, but she was already being summoned. And what did Liu Bo mean by saying that if she loses her job, he would marry her?
"Who would want you to marry me?" Xiao Li'er said indignantly, blushing with shame.
Liu Bo knew this situation was caused by him, so he didn't dare make a sound.
When Xiao Li'er entered the office, she saw Xu Xiuhe standing with his arms folded in front of the massive floor-to-ceiling window, his back facing the desk. Upon hearing the knock, he said, "Come in."
Xiao Li'er took small steps, feeling afraid as she didn't know what grave mistake she had made to warrant a personal summons from the CEO that could lead to her dismissal.
Xu Xiuhe turned around, walked to the sofa, and sat down, his weight visibly sinking into the leather couch.
Xiao Li'er was extremely nervous, her head lowered as she didn't dare look up. Her hands were tightly clenched together, her nails digging into her palms, yet she felt no pain.
"Am I not romantic enough?" Xu Xiuhe asked flatly, deliberately feigning indifference.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Li'er's mind went blank. Her high heels could no longer support her standing, and her legs trembled as she dared not speak.
"You can sit down," Xu Xiuhe said, pointing to the sofa opposite him.
"No, no," Xiao Li'er hurriedly waved her hands, her voice quivering.
"Don't be nervous, just sit down," Xu Xiuhe said after taking a sip of water.
Xiao Li'er was still afraid, wondering if this was a final perk before being fired.
"Answer the question from earlier - am I not romantic enough?" Xu Xiuhe pressed, eager to know the answer.
After sitting down, Xiao Li'er finally regained her composure. Why would the CEO ask her this question? Suddenly, it dawned on her - the message she had sent.
"I didn't mean it, Mr. CEO," Xiao Li'er said, no longer questioning how Xu Xiuhe knew about her message. She only wanted to explain, for talking behind her top boss's back and getting caught was truly a tragic event. She must not have read her horoscope before leaving home that morning.
"You and Liu Bo are quite alike. Don't be nervous, just answer honestly. I don't hold grudges," Xu Xiuhe lied smoothly. If Chang Zhiyuan were present, he would have laughed his teeth out - a fine example of not holding grudges, when Xu Xiuhe gave him the cold shoulder for a month after Chang got him drunk at their wedding.
"Here's what we'll do - tell me why I'm not romantic."
"If I speak the truth..."
"Tell me."
"In TV shows and novels, tyrannical CEOs would prepare all sorts of surprises for their wives, like placing citywide advertisements to publicly declare their love. Grand, public gestures. Our son is already two years old, but we didn't even know what the Madam looked like before."
Xiao Li'er spoke softly, occasionally glancing at Xu Xiuhe to see if he was angry.
Xu Xiuhe fell into contemplation. Could he use those methods? Wouldn't placing ads scare Shen Yin away when he hasn't even won her over yet?
"So you're saying I should do things that would make her feel happy and joyful?"
"Yes."
"Then what should I do first?"
"You could buy her clothes, handbags, jewelry, and so on."
"We already purchase the latest items every month at home," Xu Xiuhe said.
Xiao Li'er felt like she was sitting on pins and needles, at a loss for words. Indeed, she didn't understand the world of the wealthy. Why did she send that message saying the CEO wasn't romantic enough? No, the bigger question was how the CEO found out she sent it.
"Mr. CEO, it's not the same as you accompanying the Madam to shop for those things yourself."
"Good, go draft a proposal on how to be romantic. If it's well done, you'll get a raise."
Xiao Li'er could hardly believe her ears. Didn't Liu Bo say she would be fired? But the next statement plunged her back into despair.
"If it's not done well, we'll settle all new and old scores - you can leave the company."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Li'er immediately resolved herself, "Mr. CEO, I will do my best." After leaving the office, she let out a deep breath at the entrance. She never wanted to experience that kind of oppressive atmosphere again in her life.
The office assistants, including Liu Bo, were all paying close attention. Seeing Xiao Li'er come out, they immediately asked what had happened.
Yang Mo was the first to speak, "Xiao Li'er, what's going on?"
"The CEO is in our 'Conquer and Distant Group' chat room."
Instantly, the air froze again. The other assistants opened their phones to see a new person had joined the group. Yang Mo asked unnaturally, "It couldn't be this, could it?"
Xiao Li'er shook her head. The person had just joined, but the CEO had summoned her 20 minutes earlier.
Liu Bo sighed beside them, not only had the CEO just joined, but he had also been using a small account in the group for half a year.
"Wait," Xiao Li'er gave Yang Mo and the other assistants a look, indicating that Liu Bo was still there.
"Assistant Liu, were you in the 'Conquer and Distant Group' chat from the beginning?" Yang Mo questioned him.
"Stop, stop, it was my fault. I didn't mean to expose it." Liu Bo had no choice but to surrender and explain everything.
Xiao Li'er didn't hear anything else except that Liu Bo had told the CEO about her "The CEO isn't romantic enough" message. If looks could kill, Liu Bo would have been slain by Xiao Li'er several times over.
"Xiao Li'er, so what's your situation now?" Yang Mo asked cautiously.
"I have to draft a proposal on how the CEO can be romantic," Xiao Li'er said dejectedly.
"Oh my, the CEO is so adorably contradictory. I've never heard of having a proposal to learn how to be romantic. This is too funny, I can't take it anymore!" Yang Mo roared with laughter.
"Don't laugh, if I don't do well, I'll have to leave," Xiao Li'er said somberly.
The others stopped laughing, for leaving one's job was indeed a sorrowful affair.
Yang Mo spoke up, "Assistant Liu, do your words from earlier still count? Xiao Li'er might lose her job because of you."
"But she hasn't lost it yet," Liu Bo thought there was still hope. "Xiao Li, let me help you with the proposal."
Inside the CEO's office, Xu Xiuhe recalled what Xiao Li'er had suggested - accompanying Shen Yin to shop for clothes seemed like a good idea.
With a plan in mind, he had to act swiftly. Seizing opportunities had always been Xu Xiuhe's guiding principle, whether it was starting a company or pursuing his wife.
As the sun's piercing rays gave way to the evening glow, the ever-changing western clouds caught Xu Xiuhe's gaze through the floor-to-ceiling window. He had never noticed how beautiful the office could be at this hour.
"Assistant Liu, come in."
Upon receiving the call, Liu Bo hurriedly entered the office.
"There are still a few documents left. Handle them. I'm going to pick up Zhengzheng," Xu Xiuhe said, grabbing his coat and car keys before leaving without turning back. What he wanted to say was, "I'm going to pick up my wife."
