Chapter 52 Complaining

Qin Xi called Chu Linchen and asked, "Why didn't you wait for me before leaving?"

Her voice carried a hint of grievance, vibrating softly through the telephone line and tugging at Chu Linchen's heartstrings.

Standing at a street corner where the lights were fading, Chu Linchen was gently enveloped by the night. The faint glow of his mobile phone screen reflected his slightly apologetic face.

He glanced at the small café not far away, where the warm yellow light spilling from the windows contrasted sharply with the chilly desolation of the surroundings.

Chu Linchen explained softly, "I'm sorry, Xixi. Something urgent came up at the company, and I couldn't wait for you."

Dissatisfied, Qin Xi asked, "Then are you still coming back to pick me up?"

Her voice, mingled with discontent and a trace of imperceptible expectation, traveled through the wire to his ear.

Chu Linchen paused slightly, his expression softening even more as he gazed into the hazy night distance.

A wave of irritation washed over him, causing his brows to knit together unconsciously. However, recalling how he had neglected Qin Xi over the past few nights due to heavy work—remembering those slightly reddish eyes that still held back tears—a surge of guilt and tenderness arose in his heart, granting him extra patience.

Taking a deep breath, he tried to keep his voice steady and gentle: "Xixi, go wait for me at the café. I'll finish up here as quickly as possible and rush over to pick you up, okay? Don't make me worry, hmm?"

With that, he gently hung up the phone.

As the night deepened, Chu Linchen drove over in a hurry. Outside the small café, Qin Xi's figure was stretched long by the warm yellow light, looking somewhat lonely.

The moment she saw him, a radiant smile bloomed on her face, and she trotted over. The car door was yanked open, and a wave of warmth accompanied by her soft whisper poured into the vehicle: "Why did you take so long?"

Afterward, as if opening a floodgate of words, she chattered all the way about the new desserts at the café, a stray cat she encountered at the street corner, and her little emotional fluctuations while waiting.

Chu Linchen listened attentively, occasionally casting a tender glance her way. Outside the car windows, the night was as dark as ink, but inside, her laughter and chatter made the space cozy and bright.

Qin Xi called him, her jealousy entirely obvious. Chu Linchen felt annoyed, but remembering how he had over-teased her the other night, he mustered up extra patience. He drove Qin Xi home, and upon arrival, she hooked her arm around him, pulling him inside, eager for intimacy. Chu Linchen made an excuse to leave, but she was unsatisfied with this and wanted much more.

Knowing that Chu Linchen had left, Bai Yu stayed beside Lu Qiqi and sent the private nurse away. Shortly after, Lu Qiqi regained consciousness. Bai Yu fiercely denounced the scoundrel's behavior and showed her a photo of herself almost kissing Chu Linchen, driving her desires wild. Lu Qiqi recalled the minute details of that night and began to suspect: could that man have been Chu Linchen?

Certain that Lu Qiqi would agree, Chu Linchen left with absolute confidence. Lu Qiqi refused to answer Si Qinyu's calls and even wanted to move out, but fearing that Si Qinyu would become suspicious and make it difficult to reclaim half of the assets, she deliberately stayed late at the office handling work before returning home. Si Qinyu offered a gentle apology for treating her that way. Seeing the shadow of his former self in him, Lu Qiqi couldn't help but feel saddened. With her guard down, she drank the milk Si Qinyu had laced with an aphrodisiac. As her body grew feverish, she finally realized what he had done. Panicking, she tried to escape and locked the bedroom door from the inside. When Si Qinyu couldn't break it open, he demanded the housekeeper bring the spare key.

Once Si Qinyu forced his way in, Lu Qiqi ordered him to get out, threatening to divorce him if he didn't. Realizing these deterrents were useless, she pressed a dagger against her own throat. Terrified that she would hurt herself, and even more distressed that she would go to such lengths to avoid his touch, Si Qinyu handed her the antidote. Not trusting him, Lu Qiqi had already notified Bai Yu. Bai Yu arrived just in time to take her to the hospital. Supporting the weak and struggling Lu Qiqi, they happened to run into Chu Linchen and Qin Xi, who were also there. Chu Linchen stepped in to help. Far from feeling repulsed by him, Lu Qiqi leaned in and almost kissed him, vaguely recalling that unforgettable night.

Chu Linchen had come to discuss a business partnership in detail. Lu Qiqi disagreed with his proposal, hinting at high risks, but Chu Linchen stated bluntly that the Chu family could cover the bottom line. He argued that since they were right at the crest of the economic trend, they had to increase investment to ensure maximum profits in the shortest possible time. Convinced by his words, the two finalized the plan.

The joint venture between Chu Linchen and Lu Qiqi was heavily reported by the media, elevating Lingwei Group's exposure to unprecedented heights. Many wondered why the Chu family had chosen this particular firm to partner with. Yet, through this collaboration and market wave, Lingwei Group's financial strength now rivaled that of the Lu family.

Unable to bear seeing Lu Qiqi succeed so smoothly, Shen Manyi incited Si Qinyu against them, claiming that Lu Qiqi had been acting very strangely lately and was getting far too close to Chu Linchen. Consumed by jealousy—having never shared any deep intimacy with Lu Qiqi in all their years together—Si Qinyu heavily punished Shen Manyi in bed before taking a bouquet of flowers to the office to pick Lu Qiqi up after work. Refusing to leave just yet because of pending work, Lu Qiqi was pushed past Si Qinyu's limits; he grabbed her wrist forcefully and dragged her away. In the parking lot, they bumped into Chu Linchen. Si Qinyu was forced to greet him respectfully, while Chu Linchen casually instructed him that women are meant to be cherished.

Treating Lu Qiqi with newfound politeness and no longer daring to be rough, Si Qinyu watched as Chu Linchen—who had come to discuss further business matters—provided Lu Qiqi the perfect excuse to shake him off and leave with the Chu heir. Convinced more than ever that something was amiss between the two, Si Qinyu was consumed by anger and the fear of losing Lu Qiqi. He made a phone call to source aphrodisiacs from the black market, plotting to take her by force.

Back in her office, Lu Qiqi received Chu Linchen and expressed her gratitude. Seeing that the partnership was now stable, Chu Linchen attempted to buy a stake in her company. Unaware of his hidden agenda but well aware that she was no match for his wits, Lu Qiqi politely declined.

Expressing slight regret, Chu Linchen bid her farewell and left in high spirits. Her phone was ringing off the hook; thanks to the new government policies, her once-desolate company was suddenly being approached by numerous parties seeking cooperation. Too exhausted to cope, Lu Qiqi instructed Julian to screen for capable partners and tried to slip away. Just as she was about to get into her car, she was grabbed from behind by Si Qinyu.

Si Qinyu took her to the restaurant where they used to date, pampering her attentively and dropping hints throughout the meal about wanting her to come home and rest, masking his control under the guise of concern. When Lu Qiqi firmly refused, Si Qinyu backed down slightly, demanding a cut of the profits instead. Lu Qiqi didn't mind, on the condition that Si Qinyu hand over shares of his own company.

Si Qinyu argued that she shouldn't covet his company, claiming all he wanted was the single port project and insisting he was only doing it for her own good to save her from such exhausting labor. He tried to coax her into dropping the demand for shares while still letting him have a piece of the pie. Knowing she didn't yet have ironclad proof of their illicit affair and that it wasn't the time to tear off the mask, Lu Qiqi feigned sudden illness to cut the conversation short. When Si Qinyu insisted on driving her to the hospital, she refused. Amidst the tug-of-war, Julian burst in to announce that Chu Linchen had arrived at the company. Lu Qiqi immediately told Si Qinyu to leave so she could meet Chu Linchen in the conference room.

Though the pressure weighed heavily on her shoulders, Lu Qiqi believed that neither Chu Linchen nor Si Qinyu would take an interest in the port project without good reason. Soon after, she received a call from Chu Linchen summoning her to his company. Upon arrival, Chu Linchen relented slightly, offering her a maximum twenty percent share.