Chapter 13: Chapter 13
Chapter 13 - Ambitious boss Shang Yueli, Long Shiqian stalked, Zhang Yuchen seeks quick progress.
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While Chen Mu was busy plotting sinister schemes against various protagonists, the rest of the city remained calm and unaware.
Not far from Business Street stood the towering structure of Startheft Design. Its modern yet humble architecture was a symbol of innovation.
On the third floor, past the creative bustle, was a glass-walled office exuding authority.
This was the domain of Miss Shang Yueli, the young head of Startheft Design. Inside, a stunning woman in her late teens sat on a chair with her hands folded together.
Shang Yueli was a captivating presence. At just 19, her porcelain skin had a soft, inviting warmth. Her deep brown, almond-shaped eyes, framed by long lashes, held a captivating intensity.
Her full, naturally rosy lips promised sweetness and a passionate smile.
Her long, black hair flowed in luscious waves down her back, contrasting seductively with her slender neck and graceful collarbones.
She wore a tailored white shirt that subtly accentuated her bust, and a skirt that emphasized her narrow waist and full hips, creating a breathtaking silhouette.
In short, she was irresistibly cute and seductive, while carrying herself with a reserved and authoritative aura, which is hard to gain without years of experience.
In the office, she was known as the cold-blooded beauty who wouldn't spare words unless necessary.
Yet, she showed no attitude towards the woman standing across from her, who was looking at herself—this woman, of course, was Long Shiqian.
Yes, this was also Long Shiqian's office where she worked as an intermediate designer. Ever since her son had left, she had been searching for a job to sustain her life.
This opportunity was presented to her by Shang Yueli, an equally frustrated girl at the time, who was still a school student.
Shang Yueli's mother used to operate the company, but Shang Yueli eventually became the head of the office
"Sister Shiqian, please have a seat. Oh my god... You look absolutely gorgeous, even more beautiful than before... and why are mine so small? But why do you have these dark circles under your eyes? Tell me, Sister Long..." Yueli said playfully, gesturing to the chair opposite her desk.
In the past, Shiqian had unwittingly rescued Yueli from a potential molester. Back then, Yueli was naive, mistaking the man for a piano teacher.
This incident not only led to Shiqian securing a job in Yueli's company but also stirred up a mix of complex emotions in Yueli towards this beautiful big sister.
Shiqian sat down, trying to steady her nerves. "Thank you. I wanted to talk to you about something... Actually, I need to take leave for at least four days."
Long Shiqian had always been an enthusiastic workaholic because her work helped her forget the pain in her life. However, what happened a few days ago was devastating. She blamed herself for not seeking help from the company, underestimating how far the thugs would go.
There was something else weighing heavily on her mind. Yesterday, she received a call from a man with the moniker "Evil Spirit." In a hoarse voice, he said her son would be meeting her soon. The problem was, he sounded like a kidnapper.
"Is it possible that my son was kidnapped when he went to America? Is that why he hasn't called or spoken to me for so long?" she wondered, her mind racing.
Frightened, Yueli stood up from her chair, her eyes wide with concern.
"What? Are you sick, Sister? Why didn't you tell me sooner? We should go to the doctor right away. If something happens to you, then who am I going to... We can't let that happen, big Sister."
She reached out to touch Long Shiqian's forehead, her fingers lingering a moment longer than necessary, and in that moment, she blushed slightly.
"I've been feeling... overwhelmed lately," Shiqian lied.
She didn't want to talk about her son now, knowing Yueli used to hate him for abandoning his own mother, so she choseher words carefully.
"The projects have been demanding, and I haven't had much time for myself. I was hoping I could leave a bit earlier today and take a few days off, just to catch my breath and calm down."
Yueli observed her for a moment, her eyes now filled with a tender, loving gaze. This big sister of hers rarely took time off and was a diligent worker, but most importantly, she was special to Yueli.
She even dreamed of running the company together with this big sister as... more than just 'friends'.
"Sister Shiqian, you've been one of our most dedicated designers. Your work is exceptional, but I can see the dark circles around your eyes. You deserve some rest... and in a few days, I'll come by to give you a nice, relaxing massage."
"Thank you, Yueli... but there's no need to trouble yourself. I just need a little rest. It's getting late, so I should be leaving," Shiqian said.
Soon ...Long Shiqian stood up, eager to leave. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, primarily fixated on her adopted son. The possibility that he might have been kidnapped was both terrifying and strangely comforting; if he had been taken, then he hadn't abandoned her out of hatred.
"Wait, Sister Shiqian? What happened with those thugs who were threatening you? You said you didn't need my help then. How about I drop you home?" Yueli suggested, unwilling to part ways.
Shiqian blushed slightly, a rare sight. "No need to worry, Yueli. Someone helped me."
Yueli's curiosity turned into a worried frown. "Who? Tell me! Was it a man? No, my sister isn't like that."
Shiqian laughed softly, shaking her head. "I need to leave early, Yueli. I'll tell you another day."
Yueli pouted playfully. "Wait, Sister, just a minute."
Yueli's thoughts raced with jealousy and concern at the idea of a man saving Shiqian, fearing she might fall for him. But she trusted that Shiqian was stronger and wiser than that. Despite her desire to stop her, Shiqian left swiftly, not giving Yueli a chance to intervene.
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Two hours had passed since Long Shiqian had evaded Shang Yueli's relentless questioning. Now, she found herself wandering aimlessly through the bustling vegetable market near her building, her mind still tangled in the events of the previous day.
She felt a shiver of fear as she remembered the terrifying ordeal of being harassed by thugs. The fear was still fresh, and now she was plagued by a new worry: the possibility that her son hadn't abandoned her but had been kidnapped under unknown circumstances.
In great anxiety, she recalled her promise to her savior from yesterday, Zhang Yuchen, even though his intentions and gaze were dishonest and ambiguous. Nevertheless, she had pledged to prepare a delicious meal for him as a gesture of gratitude for saving her.
Currently, market was alive with the sounds of vendors calling out their prices and customers haggling for deals. Long Shiqian weaved through the aisles, selecting fresh fruits and vegetables, but her mind was elsewhere. An unsettling feeling crept over her, and she couldn't shake the sensation that someone was watching her.
She hurriedly picked out some ripe tomatoes, her heart pounding as the feeling grew stronger. Her eyes darted around, searching for any sign of danger, but all she saw was the usual throng of shoppers. Trying to dismiss her fears as mere paranoia, she quickly paid for her items and left the market.
The cool evening air did little to calm her nerves. Clutching her bags tightly, she glanced over her shoulder repeatedly, her pulse racing. At last, she reached her building and sighed with relief. Just as she was about to enter, she collided with someone.
Startled, she looked up and found herself face-to-face with a man—none other than Zhang Yuchen himself. The sudden impact caused her head to bump into his chest, and the bags in her hand scattered, sending fruits and vegetables rolling across the cement floor.
"Ouch! Mr. Yuchen... you," she exclaimed, her voice a blend of surprise and relief.
"Mrs. Shiqian, it's nice to see you again," Zhang Yuchen replied with a warm smile. "Are you alright? You seem a bit flustered."
Zhang Yuchen himself was weighed down by his own troubles. He had experienced a day filled with unsettling events, from an ominous encounter with the protagonist to meeting a suspiciously cute girl in a café and realizing he had landed on the Destiny villain's hit list, none other than his boss.
The pressure was quite immense, and he wanted to complete his system tasks and grow stronger without attracting unwanted attention, which now seemed almost impossible. He felt like a lamb on the verge of slaughter, desperate for a way to calm his nerves. Unexpectedly, his path had crossed with destiny heroine Long Shiqian.
"I... I'm fine, just a little tired from work and the market," she said, trying to compose herself. She had planned to surprise him with a meal tomorrow, nothing extravagant, but a gesture of gratitude.
She thought it might be wise to maintain a friendly relationship with this gangster, even though she had no intention of betraying her late husband.
"Let me help you with those," he offered, bending down to pick up the scattered items. They collected everything together, but one apple still lay on the floor, shining in the streetlight.
Unaware, she bent down to pick it up, and at that moment, her hand touched something other than the apple. Her hand was enveloped by a warm, strong grasp. Zhang Yuchen, too, was reaching for the apple, and unknowingly, he committed the forbidden and sinful act of holding hands.
"Thank you, Mr... Yuchen," she said softly, her gaze meeting his green eyes, which were ambitious and dishonest as always. He didn't care that she was a widow; he wanted to see everything. Her cheeks flushed under his intense gaze.
After a moment...
She quickly pulled her hand back, startled by the intimate contact.
"Sorry, Mr. Yuchen... I'm really sorry. I didn't see you," she mumbled nervously.
"It was my fault, Shiqian," he replied, looking into her eyes with a gentle smile. Although he wanted to hold her delicate hand for a little longer, he managed to control himself. It wasn't easy for a man in his early twenties; just being around such a beautiful woman was intoxicating.
A warmth spread through her, but she focused on gathering the rest of the groceries.
"You really don't have to..."
"I insist," Zhang Yuchen interrupted, finishing picking up the scattered items.
Standing up, he noticed her uneasy expression. "Is everything really okay? You seem a bit off."
She hesitated, then decided to share her feelings. "I... I felt like someone was following me from the market. It was probably just my imagination, but it scared me, especially after what happened yesterday."
Zhang Yuchen's expression turned serious. "Do you want me to look around? Make sure no one's lurking?"
Of course, as the system owner, he could feel someone nearby, and most of the warnings he got from the system were screaming at him to be careful. He knew who that was, but for the time being, he wasn't concerned because that thing was blind.
"No, it's alright. I'm sure it was nothing," she said, though she appreciated his concern.
They chatted for a few more moments, then reached the building's main door. She turned to face him. "Thank you again, Zhang Yuchen. You've been very kind to me lately. I deeply appreciate what you have done for me."
"I hate this," he replied, his gaze turning disappointed.
Her smile faded, replaced by a look of confusion and fear.
"What...do you mean? Did I say something wrong, Mr. Yuchen?"
"You're not a kid, Shiqian. I thought I made myself clear enough. Maybe not... You know why I saved you, and since then, you've been putting up a wall between us. I don't want us to be strangers. I want you... It's something I've wanted to tell you for so long, but you always manage to slip away from me, scared of me... I hate this."
Although he felt it was too fast to approach a woman like this, he had no time to care. This world was more complicated than he had thought, and he needed to make quick progress with her. There was no time to waste; he needed to express his feelings as quickly as possible, or risk everything falling apart.
"I... um, could we maybe talk about this over dinner tomorrow?" she stammered, feeling confused and anxious.
Moments ago, they were chatting casually, but his sudden intensity had left her unsettled. She didn't want to lose him. Her first marriage had been arranged by her father, and she hadn't even slept with her late husband.
This lack of dating experience made her feel shy and uncertain.
"Then, goodnight, Mrs. Shiqian," he said, giving her one last smile before turning to leave. Zhang Yuchen himself wasn't interested in a long conversation; he had a lot to figure out.
The three days of the future he had seen were concerning and full of opportunities he didn't want to miss. He also had to ensure that his presence didn't seem threatening to the villain, as it would be impossible to confront him at this stage.
Long Shiqian watched him walk away, feeling a strange mix of security and warmth. She found herself more excited for tomorrow's dinner with him than she had been about meeting her son. But such was life—unexpected, uncertain, complicated, and emotions even more so.
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(End of this Chapter)
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