Xiao Ming was not at all surprised by Yang Hanqing's attitude.
It's said, "Ice three feet thick does not form in a single day," nor can it be expected to melt in an instant.
In the past, he had done too many reprehensible things, things so bad that he himself wanted to give himself a good beating, let alone how others felt.
In fact, the reason he chose to seek out Yang Hanqing, apart from protecting Jiang Xue, was primarily aimed at reversing the perception of himself held by those around his wife.
The influence of one's environment is significant, and if the people in the company realized he was not like what the rumors suggested, Jiang Xue's change of heart would naturally become much easier.
"Ms. Yang doesn't want to know about her own father's affairs?"
"Scum like you, no better than cockroaches, don't even deserve to touch my father's shoes. How could you possibly know anything about him?" Yang Hanqing retorted coldly.
"Xiao, I'm warning you for the last time: get lost before I lose my temper!"
"Fine then. I thought Ms. Yang cared a lot about the cause of her father's death, but it seems I was wishful thinking."
Xiao Ming shook his head, sighed, and left with a decisive stride.
Yang Hanqing's pupils dilated sharply.
The police concluded that her father died of natural causes, and her husband, along with all other relatives and friends, accepted this. She was the only one in the world who doubted it.
Why did Xiao Ming know?
Could it be that he had information not even the police had uncovered?
As the thought crossed her mind, Yang Hanqing called out without hesitation, "Stop right there!"
Xiao Ming turned around: "Does Ms. Yang have any further instructions?"
Yang Hanqing clenched her teeth: "Tell me what you know.
If it's true, I will give you a hundred thousand yuan, no need to pay it back."
Xiao Ming chuckled: "Sorry, I don't feel like talking anymore."
Having said that, he opened the door and walked out.
Yang Hanqing pounded her fist on the table with force, her expression alternating between light and shadow, her chest heaving for a long time. Still, she was unwilling to miss even the slightest chance and got up to chase after him out of the office room.
By the time she arrived at the company's reception, she just saw Xiao Ming's elevator doors slowly closing.
"Mr. Xiao, please wait, Xiao..."
The elevator doors were firmly shut, beginning to move downward; Yang Hanqing glanced at another elevator showing it was on the twentieth floor, gritted her teeth, took off her high heels, and dashed into the stairwell.
The receptionist's eyes nearly popped out in astonishment.
The CEO was actually running barefoot after Designer Jiang's husband!
What was happening?
After her initial shock, and remembering the profound impression Xiao Ming had left on her, the receptionist's heart was ignited with burning curiosity.
At that moment, the thing Yang Hanqing was most grateful for was that her father had rented the company office space on the fifth floor, not any higher. Running fast and then slow, she finally caught up with Xiao Ming outside the building.
"Xiao... Mr. Xiao, please wait..."
Xiao Ming turned around and saw Yang Hanqing, one hand holding her high heels, the other supporting her knee, panting so hard that the buttons on the front of her shirt strained, her hair disheveled and her face flushed, completely lacking the poise of a CEO.
In his past life, Xiao Ming would have had no less than ten methods to bring this woman to his bed tonight, but now, having seen his wife alive, his soul had completely resettled. His mindset was different, and he no longer entertained thoughts of conquest.
After catching her breath for a moment, Yang Hanqing straightened up and said, "If you truly know the cause of my father's death, please tell me."
Xiao Ming scoffed, "How could scum like me, no better than a cockroach, even qualify to touch your father's shoes? How could I possibly know anything about him?"
This asshole, why is he so petty?
A gambling addict living off his wife, if not a cockroach and scum, what is he? Did I say anything wrong?
Cursing inwardly, Yang Hanqing let out a breath and slightly bent towards him.
"I apologize, Mr. Xiao. I was presumptuous earlier, and I was rude to you. I beseech you, seeing as I am your loved one's superior, to please share that information with me, and I will be sure to reward you handsomely afterward!"
"Are you suggesting that if I don't tell you, you will make my wife's life difficult?"
Xiao Ming's voice was even, but his expression was chilling, especially his eyes, which seemed to pierce through flesh and reach into the heart, causing Yang Hanqing to shiver involuntarily.
"No, no, no, that's not what I mean.
Designer Jiang is an indispensable elite backbone of our company—even if the information Mr. Xiao provides is worthless, I will not take it out on her.
I only hope to borrow her favor to obtain Mr. Xiao's forgiveness."
With a snort, Xiao Ming asked, "What about my three conditions?"
Strangely enough, even though he was an unremarkable man, Yang Hanqing felt he had a presence more formidable than any major boss she had ever met in her life, more powerful, exerting greater pressure on her, leaving her with no thoughts of bargaining.
"I agree."
A faint smile flickered across Xiao Ming's eyes.
"Firstly, you're right to doubt. Your esteemed father's death was not due to a sudden illness but murder!"
His words were startling, causing every hair on Yang Hanqing's head to stand on end.
What shocked her most was not the cause of her father's death, but that Xiao Ming actually knew about her suspicions.
Her husband hadn't even been aware of them.
"Mr. Xiao... do you know who the murderer is?"
"I do."
Yang Hanqing instinctively stepped forward, "Who is it?"
Instead of answering, Xiao Ming asked, "Ms. Yang, why do you think I demanded to acquire 37.5% of the shares?"
Yang Hanqing froze, then a chill ran from the soles of her feet to her head, her legs buckled, and she collapsed into Xiao Ming's arms.