Chapter 017　Li Chengshi, have you really fallen in love with me?

  *

  Liang Wenya frowned, saying nothing.

  Lao Zhang slapped the table and said angrily, "You can't go! The company has nurtured you for so many years, and it's heartless to leave just because your ex-lover calls. —That's what I said on behalf of General Manager Liang. Now for my honest thoughts: Go."

  Liang Wenya shot him a glare, then sighed and said, "I'm only worried that he has an ulterior motive. He's bringing you, his ex-girlfriend, close—does his wife know? If she knows, will she cause you trouble? You'll be in a foreign country with no one you know nearby; who can help you if something happens? He's exploiting the fact that you might still have feelings for him to lure you."

  "I have no residual feelings for him!" Su Xian stated firmly.

  "Then what else can I say? I won't block the good future of any of you."

  Li Chengshi knocked on the door and brought in Su Xian's hot tea.

  Lao Zhang's eyes lit up. "Xiao Li, come here."

  **

  Zhao Nanfeng arrived at the reserved private dining room early. Exactly at 7 PM, the waiter opened the door and ushered Su Xian in. He nodded, motioning for her to sit, but then realized that Liang Wenya and Lao Zhang had followed her in.

  Zhao Nanfeng paused, then immediately stood up and said, "Please, all sit down. I originally wanted to first confirm Su Xian's intentions, and if she wanted to go, then talk to General Manager Liang. But I overlooked one thing: after all these years of shared hardship, you are already more than just colleagues—you're like family. I was too narrow-minded."

  Liang Wenya first expressed her gratitude for his support of Anliang on the current project. She then spoke about not hindering Su Xian's future, but finally raised a point of skepticism: "Heidi Group has only reached a cooperation intention with you, meaning no written agreement has been signed. It's difficult for us to discern whether this is true or false. Are you really without any other motive for luring Su Xian over with a hypothetical project?"

  "General Manager Liang, all opportunities come with risks. Su Xian is an adult, and she will consider this clearly." He turned to Su Xian. "Have you thought it over?"

  "I have. I'll go."

  Heidi Group is a company focused on operating distinctive personalized hotels. They have built many famous, unique hotels worldwide, including the Hokkaido snowy forest hotel that Liang Wenya mentioned earlier, which costs over ten thousand yuan per night. They grant designers complete freedom, allowing them to fully realize their architectural ideals. Young designers all over the world are scrambling to collaborate with them. Su Xian had always worked on relatively mundane projects, and she craved this opportunity.

  "I didn't misjudge you."

  Meeting Zhao Nanfeng's admiring gaze, Su Xian said, "However, I have one small request."

  "Tell me."

  "Can you also sign my boyfriend?"

  *

  This was Lao Zhang's terrible idea, but after consideration, Liang Wenya was fully supportive too.

  At the time, Su Xian thought they were crazy. They knew the two weren't a real couple, yet they insisted on pretending she was serious about taking her "boyfriend." They argued that if Zhao Nanfeng's wife ever came looking for trouble, Li Chengshi would be her best protective color.

  Do I even need his protection?

  Okay, maybe sometimes it could be useful.

  Liang Wenya had another reason: to secure a good opportunity for Li Chengshi in passing.

  This reason was one Su Xian could not refuse. If someone had given her such an opportunity 10 years ago, she would have been grateful for life.

  She asked Liang Wenya and Lao Zhang to leave and asked Li Chengshi one question: "Why do you want to go?"

  "For my career!" he said righteously, knowing this was the answer she wanted to hear.

  Su Xian nodded. "Then I'll fight for you with Zhao Nanfeng, but there's one condition: If this works out, then I no longer owe you for what happened on Youlu Island that night. You can't ask me to buy you breakfast or anything anymore."

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  "Deal." Buying breakfast was to create interaction. If this works out, the rest of our lives will be nothing but interaction!

  *

  Zhao Nanfeng looked troubled. "Xiao Li lacks experience and has not yet obtained any professional certifications. Honestly, he doesn't meet my employment standards."

  "He's N4 level in Japanese; I only know 'Ohayo.' I can mentor him professionally, and he can help me with life matters. Besides, I finally found a boyfriend ten years younger; I'm afraid of losing him if I don't keep an eye on him."

  Zhao Nanfeng sneered. "Boyfriend, are you serious about this?"

  "No, we are the real thing."

  Liang Wenya interjected, "Engineer Zhao, if you are sincere about promoting Su Xian, then be more accommodating. She doesn't speak Japanese. Once in Japan, she'll have to rely on you for everything, but you have a family, so it's inconvenient to have too much contact in life. If Xiao Li can go with her, they'll look out for each other as a couple, and you'll have less to worry about. Plus, Xiao Li only seeks the opportunity; any salary will do, so the cost is very low."

  After considering it for a while, Zhao Nanfeng said, "Visa processing takes about six months. Tell him he must pass the Japanese N1 exam in July, or even if the visa comes through, I won't hire him."

  "No problem!" Liang Wenya stood up and called Li Chengshi, who was waiting outside the door, to tell him the good news.

  Li Chengshi excitedly bowed deeply to Zhao Nanfeng, promising that he would pass the N1 exam.

  Having been outmaneuvered, Zhao Nanfeng had lost his appetite and excused himself, leaving the restaurant.

  *

  Li Chengshi thanked Liang Wenya, Lao Zhang, and Su Xian one by one, happily offering to treat the three of them to dinner. But Liang Wenya had a client meeting that evening, and Lao Zhang had plans to shop with his wife, Wang Jing. The two got up to leave. Before going, Lao Zhang didn't forget to tease, "Su Xian, Xiao Li is crazy missing about you. Go on, comfort the boy properly."

  "Engineer Zhang, don't talk nonsense!" Li Chengshi's face flushed. He quickly opened the menu and handed it to Su Xian. "Team Leader, what should we eat?"

  Su Xian looked at him with amusement. "Li Chengshi, have you really fallen in love with me?"

  "If I say yes, what will you do? You really love to ask, even though you clearly know you can't handle the consequences!"

  Su Xian was amused by his indignant expression.

  "Fine, I won't ask. It's been a long time since I got off work this early. I need to relax properly tonight."

  **

  For Su Xian, today was a very important day. Besides the major life-changing opportunity for her career, it also meant she could settle her debt to Li Chengshi and draw a perfect end to this little interlude. She was very happy.

  Seeing her expression of unburdened freedom, Li Chengshi couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. It was clearly his fault, yet he had always pretended to be the victim. Now, she had not only bought him breakfasts and clothes but had also helped him secure such a coveted job opportunity.

  Am I too much of a bastard? Maybe I should just confess. If she gets angry, she can hit and scold me.

  But what if she tells Zhao Nanfeng not to hire me?

  ...Maybe I should wait until the matter is finalized before confessing.

  His mind was in turmoil. The waiter knocked and pushed the food cart in, introducing the ingredients and using a culinary torch to sear the 5A Wagyu beef right there. By the time the waiter left, he had completely lost his courage. However, out of guilt, he decided to offer some compensation. "Team Leader, that dance I learned at the KTV last time—would you like to see it again?"

  *