"If you didn’t say it, how could I pick up on the aning?" When it ca to verbal sparring, no one could match Cheng Qiaobei. "Speak with evidence—when was it? Where? What kind of information did he trade with that would benefit ?"
Of course, there was no evidence. Everything was purely speculation based on the situation.
"Denying it so strongly—looks like you’re feeling guilty," said Cheng Xiangheng, constantly watching Cheng Qiaobei’s expression, trying to determine if he was lying.
To his surprise, Cheng Qiaobei was even more composed than him. "Whether I deny it or not is irrelevant now. You only trust your own judgnt. Once you start suspecting , there’s no trust left between us. Whatever I say won’t matter."
"How could that be? I still trust you; you’re my son."
Cheng Qiaobei countered, "If you truly trusted , I wouldn’t be sitting here. That has nothing to do with whether I’m your son."
Cheng Xiangheng: "..."
Cheng Siluo chid in from the side, "How can you talk to Dad like that? No respect at all. Is this how your mom raised you?"
Cheng Qiaobei’s eyes turned cold as he glanced over, clasping his fingers together and leaning on the armrest. He spoke in a chilling tone, "Cheng Siluo, my lack of manners has nothing to do with my mom; it depends on the person I’m dealing with. If you’re decent, I naturally show respect. If you aren’t, I don’t mind being an asshole. ntion my mom again, and I won’t hesitate to beat you up right here."
Despite his nonchalant deanor, the words he spoke were laced with a savage intensity that showed he wasn’t joking.
"In this office, if I really decide to take action, who’s going to stop ?" Cheng Qiaobei turned to Cheng Xiangheng, adding, "Mr. Cheng, take this heartfelt piece of advice: listen less to company gossip—none of it’s true. The more you hear, the harder it is on your heart. As for today’s matter, let tell you outright—I’m not in the wrong, and I won’t apologize. She splashed Secretary Deng with water first, then wanted to throw coffee on him. The coffee on her was indeed from —she got anxious and tried to slap , so I grabbed her wrist. That’s all there is to it. Do I still need to explain further?"
The room fell silent after his comnt.
Cheng Qiaobei glanced at his watch. "President Shen is still waiting for my call, concerning the company’s partnership next year. Should I stay here and chat with you all, or go handle business?"
"President Shen? The one from Jixiang Travel?" Cheng Xiangheng’s expression softened.
Cheng Qiaobei nodded. "Yes."
Cheng Xiangheng showed so skepticism. "You managed to get in touch with him?"
Cheng Qiaobei: "I did. Took a bit of ti, but I finally made the connection."
Cheng Xiangheng had arranged to et with a manager today to help establish contact with Jixiang Travel.
Jixiang Travel had shown explosive growth in the past six months, targeting a younger demographic and rapidly catching up to Huilv Group as the second-largest travel company in the country.
Zheng Rongxi couldn’t help but think that Cheng Qiaobei was saying all this intentionally. He knew how much Cheng Xiangheng cared about the company’s interests, so he’d obviously prioritize the partnership. This matter, as long as it wasn’t resolved clearly today, would end up swept under the rug.
"Old Cheng, are you just letting this go? My daughter was hit for nothing?" Zheng Rongxi finally tore down all pretense.
"Didn’t you hear clearly? Siluo started it. Qiaobei was simply defending himself," Cheng Xiangheng said.
Cheng Qiaobei remained calm, quietly looking at Cheng Xiangheng, waiting for his next decision.
Cheng Xiangheng said, "Still, she’s a girl, and her wrist is bruised. Just apologize to your sister."
Zheng Rongxi glared. "Apologize and that’s it?"
Cheng Xiangheng: "What else do you want?"
Zheng Rongxi opened her mouth but hesitated. "...He hit your daughter, and then started forming cliques in the company, doing who knows what behind the scenes. You’re not going to investigate?"
Cheng Xiangheng: "It’s all just gossip. You, as a senior mber of the family, can’t be so muddled."
Zheng Rongxi beca infuriated, pointing at Cheng Qiaobei. "So just because he’s negotiating a deal, you shield him?"
"What does that have to do with anything?" Cheng Xiangheng said irritably. "Just apologize to your sister already."
Cheng Qiaobei stood up, looking at Cheng Siluo. She waited for him to admit his mistake, but instead, he walked out of the office without saying a single word—not even hinting at an apology.
After the door shut, Zheng Rongxi froze for two seconds before she burst with rage, "No apology! He’s practically riding on the backs of the three of us and shitting, and you’re still favoring him!"
Deng Yan tactfully exited the office.
Wei Lai saw Cheng Qiaobei return and followed him into his office.
Cheng Qiaobei turned on his laptop, while Wei Lai placed a cup of coffee on his desk and tentatively asked, "I heard people say..."
"Don’t listen to what you shouldn’t," Cheng Qiaobei said, tapping away at his keyboard.
Wei Lai: "Are you really okay?"
Cheng Qiaobei focused on the screen. "Don’t ask what you shouldn’t."
Wei Lai still worried about him. "I think you’re too aggrieved."
Cheng Qiaobei: "Don’t think what you shouldn’t."
"Alright then." Wei Lai knew that even when Cheng Qiaobei felt wronged, he wouldn’t show it to others. In the eyes of outsiders, he was an indestructible figure. "The matter you assigned to is already in progress. I’ll have news by tomorrow."
Cheng Qiaobei paused, opened a drawer, took out a card, and pushed it toward her. "The password is my birthday."
Wei Lai pocketed the card. "Once there’s an update, I’ll notify you imdiately."
Cheng Qiaobei: "Get back to work."
In reality, he had already established contact with President Shen. The earlier comnt was just to extricate himself from their confrontation.
Before leaving work, Cheng Qiaobei sent a ssage to Chen Ningxi.
north: Wife, I’m having dinner with Lin Hanrui tonight, don’t wait up for .
Chen Ningxi replied: Got it.
Ye Yujun happened to call. "Ning Xi, I made beef tonight. Why don’t you and Cheng co ho and eat?"
Chen Ningxi said, "He’s dining with friends, so I don’t need to cook."
Cheng Qiaobei parked in front of Lin Hanrui’s company. Upon entering, he noticed three new employees, signaling that the company’s business was booming and Lin Hanrui’s situation had improved.
The receptionist saw him. "Cheng, our boss just stepped out, but he hasn’t gone far. He’ll be right back."
"Alright, I’ll wait in his office," Cheng Qiaobei said.
In Lin Hanrui’s office, one wall was covered with file shelves. Cheng Qiaobei sat on the sofa and casually grabbed a book from the magazine rack to read.
About ten minutes later, Lin Hanrui walked in, carrying two durians.
Honestly, he didn’t just arrive—the sll got there first.
"How co you had ti to visit today?"
Cheng Qiaobei put down the magazine. "I’m treating you tonight. What do you feel like eating?"
Lin Hanrui said, "I have to go ho to be with Leizi. Eating whatever—she’s been dealing with morning sickness."
Cheng Qiaobei, not a fan of durian sll, frowned and said, "Didn’t you say she didn’t have morning sickness?"
"Yeah, I did. She wasn’t sick at all before, but starting last week, she’s randomly nauseated by certain slls." Lin Hanrui sat next to Cheng Qiaobei, who recoiled because of the odor. "Sit farther away. You sll like you’ve soaked yourself in that stuff—it’s awful."
Lin Hanrui sniffed his collar. "Is it really that bad?"
Cheng Qiaobei covered his nose. "You’re holding two durians; what do you think?"
Lin Hanrui glanced at the durians on the table. "Leizi gets nauseous but sohow stops when she slls durian. Isn’t it weird? She doesn’t eat them, just slls them to ward off nausea. If I keep them at ho too long, they’ll spoil, so I have to eat them."
Cheng Qiaobei: "Makes sense."
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