Chen Xiao thought about what he had just said, then looked at his body's current reaction... A real slap in the face.
"Do you want to or not?" Luo Qingli's cool voice drifted over. "Consider it your reward for helping me teach that scummy couple a lesson."
Chen Xiao swallowed and rolled over to pin her down. "What do you think?"
"Hah... Weren't you just saying there was nothing good to look at? Weren't you pretending to be so proper?" Luo Qingli sneered, her hand stopping its movements abruptly. "You want it? Dream on! Go sleep in the guest room!" She thrust her foot out, trying to kick him off the bed.
"You're going to start a fire and then try to walk away unscathed?" Chen Xiao grabbed her delicate foot and pressed her down.
"You... Get lost, or I'm calling for help!"
"Go ahead," Chen Xiao said nonchalantly. "I won't be the one who's embarrassed."
Soon, an overwhelming, tingling numbness swept over Luo Qingli. She gradually lost herself in the sensation, stopped struggling, and instead, frenziedly took the initiative...
「The next morning.」
Chen Xiao climbed out of bed, feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Luo Qingli, however, was already dressed and made up. Her gaze toward him was distant and cold, as if the wild passion of the previous night had been nothing but a dream.
"Hurry up and wash. We're leaving," Luo Qingli said coldly.
Chen Xiao yawned. "Leaving? Where to?"
A faint curve touched Luo Qingli's lips. "Didn't you say you'd do three things for me? Today, I'll give you a chance to prove yourself." These three tasks were naturally not simple; she was deliberately trying to make things difficult for Chen Xiao.
"Fine. You'd better give me all three tasks today so I can get the Jade Pendant back sooner."
Not one to dawdle, Chen Xiao immediately got up, washed, and joined her for breakfast.
During the meal, Luo Qingli spoke up. "Grandfather, the position of deputy manager in the marketing department just opened up. I'm going to put him there to gain some experience. What do you think?"
Luo Chenggong pondered for a few seconds. "Do as you see fit."
After receiving Old Master Luo's approval, Luo Qingli finished her meal and drove Chen Xiao directly to the Luo Group headquarters.
On the way, she said to him lightly, "The first task is for you to collect the outstanding payment from the Zongheng Chamber of Commerce."
Chen Xiao glanced up. "Is that all?"
"All?" Luo Qingli's lips curled into a smirk. "The Zongheng Chamber of Commerce is backed by the Zhang Family, one of the three titans of Yuncheng City. The men they employ are the kind who have licked blood from the edge of a blade."
"They're wealthy, ruthless, and no one in Yuncheng City dares to cross them. Even our Luo Family... is nothing more than a slightly larger ant before the Zhang Family."
"I hope you can still talk so big after you return from the Zongheng Chamber of Commerce."
Currently, the Luo Group was divided into two main factions. One was centered around her as the CEO, while the other was loyal to her second uncle, Luo Baifeng. By placing Chen Xiao in the marketing department as deputy manager, her main goal was to block Luo Baifeng from installing one of his own people.
As for collecting the payment from the Zongheng Chamber of Commerce, she held no real hope. It was just a way to deflate Chen Xiao's arrogance. Besides, she suspected that woman might be pulling the strings behind the non-payment issue. If so, the task would be even more difficult.
Three tasks? He won't even be able to complete one.
"Wake me when we get there," Chen Xiao said, slowly closing his eyes.
Upon arriving at the company, Luo Qingli immediately processed the paperwork, effectively parachuting Chen Xiao into the marketing department.
She closed the file. "I'll have the marketing department manager show you around. Remember, cause me as little trouble as possible."
Not long after she finished speaking, the door to the CEO's office was pushed open. A mature, curvaceous woman in professional attire walked in, her every step exuding a bewitching charm.
Upon entering, Qin Lan's beautiful eyes swept over Chen Xiao. His lazy, casual appearance made her doubt his ability to handle the position. Still, he's quite handsome and has a very masculine air about him. No wonder Qingli chose him as her shield. I wonder... is he all flash and no substance?
She offered a dazzling smile. "Follow me."
Chen Xiao nodded and trailed behind her.
Entering the marketing department office, Qin Lan announced to the staff, "This is our new deputy manager, Chen Xiao."
Her words sent a ripple of shock through the office. A new deputy manager parachuting in out of nowhere? And he didn't look particularly capable.
One man stared at Chen Xiao with a dark expression. "Manager Qin! This guy doesn't look like he has any skills. What makes him qualified to be deputy manager?"
His name was Wang Chong, the marketing department's supervisor and one of Second Master Luo Baifeng's men. The deputy manager position had been all but his, yet Chen Xiao had swooped in and snatched it away. How could he possibly accept that?
Qin Lan responded calmly, "This was the CEO's appointment. If you have a problem, take it up with her."
"HMPH!" Wang Chong snorted. "Who's going to work hard if this is how things are done? We slave away diligently, only to have our position stolen by some country bumpkin who came from who-knows-where. The CEO will have a hard time getting everyone on board with this!"
Many others murmured in agreement, clearly unconvinced by Chen Xiao.
Qin Lan's voice was firm. "The CEO has her reasons for this decision, and it's not for you to gossip about. Supervisor Wang, do not stir up dissent here."
She and Luo Qingli were as close as sisters, while Wang Chong belonged to Luo Baifeng's faction. She certainly wasn't going to let him sow discord and disrupt morale.
Wang Chong was seething but could only offer a cold sneer. "I hope he truly has what it takes to keep that seat warm."
Chen Xiao couldn't be bothered with him and walked straight into his office.
Qin Lan followed him in, closed the door, and leaned in close to size him up. From his vantage point, Chen Xiao had a perfect view of the snowy valley of her cleavage. That, combined with her seductive face, made it difficult for him to remain calm.
He stared at her brazenly. "What are you looking at?"
Qin Lan smiled with a hint of mischief. "How strange... Qingli must be crazy to enter a contract marriage with an ordinary guy like you."
"You know about that?"
"Of course. We may be superior and subordinate at work, but in private, we're like sisters. We tell each other everything. But don't you try to act like some big shot around me. Qingli doesn't actually like you; she's just using you to keep her second uncle in check."
Chen Xiao stretched lazily. "Cut the crap. When are we leaving to collect the debt?"
"You wish! You really think you can collect that debt? Nine out of ten men from our department have tried, and all of them came back beaten to a pulp."
"And you... won't succeed either."
Qin Lan shifted her ample hips, perching on the edge of the desk in front of him. She leaned even lower, the expanse of white nearly filling his vision as her subtle fragrance drifted into his nostrils.
Chen Xiao stared at her unabashedly. "Hasn't anyone ever told you that you should never tell a man he can't get the job done?"
"Even as a shield, she wouldn't marry you if you didn't have something that caught her eye. I'm very curious... what's your specialty?"
"You're welcome to find out," Chen Xiao replied with a flippant grin.
"Heh..." Qin Lan laughed scornfully. "Usually, men who boast like that are all talk. If you've got the guts, let me test your skills for myself!"
With that, she playfully reached out her hand.
Chen Xiao slapped it away, his expression darkening. "Are you nuts?"
Qin Lan giggled, her body quivering and setting off a series of ripples. "Relax, my standards are very high. If Qingli isn't interested in a man, neither am I."
"I was just teasing you."
"But let me give you a warning: don't get any funny ideas about me. I'm already twenty-six or twenty-seven; I can see right through you men and your dirty thoughts."
"We leave in ten minutes!"
With that, she turned and swayed out of the office. Her departing figure stirred Chen Xiao's blood. This woman is just as beautiful as Luo Qingli, but her mature charm is even harder to resist.
Chen Xiao averted his gaze and yawned. As long as I complete the three tasks from Luo Qingli, I can get the Jade Pendant back. The thought brought him a sense of relief.
「Half an hour later.」
Chen Xiao stepped out of the car in front of the Zongheng Chamber of Commerce.
Beside him, Qin Lan, clad in high heels, tossed her curly, chestnut-colored hair. "The Zongheng Chamber of Commerce is the top chamber in Yuncheng City. They started out using shady methods and have a horde of enforcers on their payroll. Remember to keep a low profile inside. Just stay behind me."
"While I'm not particularly concerned about whether you live or die, it would be difficult to explain to Qingli if something happened to you."
"Besides, Miss Zhang of the Zhang Family doesn't get along with Qingli. I'm worried she might try to make trouble for you on purpose."
Chen Xiao frowned. "Don't get along? Why?"
Qin Lan gave a faint smile. "Because Qingli and Miss Zhang are known as the Twin Beauties of Yuncheng City. However, our Qingli has an additional title: the number one beauty CEO of Yuncheng City. Understand now?"
Chen Xiao was speechless. To put it bluntly, it was just the so-called competitive streak between women at play, wasn't it?
Qin Lan said no more and walked ahead. The way her pencil skirt hugged her rounded hips sent a jolt through Chen Xiao, and he had to force himself to look away. This woman is a true seductress, naturally bewitching. An ordinary man wouldn't stand a chance against her.
Even as they walked, the guards they passed stared openly at Qin Lan's figure, gulping audibly.