You, CEO’s Secret Wife

Whenever Li Xiangrong was still their manager, they often worked overtime, so Jian Yun was used to the heaping amounts of paperwork. Whatever documents Xia Bingbing decided to throw at them, she could easily maneuver around it, getting it done as seamlessly and perfectly as possible. Turned out their previous manager had already prepared her for the worst. Sighing, she glanced at her phone. Zhou Shaolong had invited her out to eat several times in the past two days, but she was far too busy to accept his invitation.     

    

On Wednesday, while she was arranging for her her schedule for the day, a voice called out for her, "Jian Yun? Is there someone here by the name of Jian Yun?"     

    

Wu Wenjing immediately tilted her head from the cubicle and peered at the doorway to see that it was the flower delivery services. As her sharp eyes fell on the brightly colored bouquet, her jaw fell open. "Oh my gosh!" Trying to stifle her squeal, she placed a hand on her mouth, but even that wasn't enough to stop her from staring in awe. "They're so beautiful!"     

    

"Here!" Jian Yun signed and accepted the bouquet. As she moved one of the roses, she saw a small card perched on top of its stems with the name 'Zhou' written in cursives. A small smile slipped into her lips, but before she could give him a call, her phone already rang out.     

    

It was from Zhou Shaolong.     

    

"Jian Yun, I'm already in the lobby," he chirped the moment the call was connected. "Let's have lunch together."     

    

Seeing as she couldn't refuse the offer anymore, she glanced up at Wu Wenjing and asked, "Is it okay if I bring a friend?"     

    

"Of course!"     

    

Once they have finished fixing up their workspace, the two women didn't go to the company's dining hall as they usually did during their lunch break. Instead, they took the elevator all the way to the first floor. "I'm finally going to see what this Zhou guy is all about," Wu Wenjing teased, but before Jian Yun could respond to her, the elevator doors had already opened.     

    

Zhou Shaolong was standing by the reception table. When he saw them walking towards him, he immediately came up to greet them, "It's nice to see you again."     

    

"It's nice to see you too." Smiling, Jian Yun motioned to her friend, introducing them to each other. Once they were better acquainted, they all headed out of the entrance.     

    

"Where would you ladies like to eat?" Being the courteous gentleman that he was, he turned to them.     

    

"Anywhere with Sichuan food, if you don't mind!" Wu Wenjing was the first to answer. As she was walking behind him, she couldn't help but eye the man from head to toe, before crossing her arms over her chest. This was the first time she had come across with one of Jian Yun's dates, given that he was the only one her friend hadn't scared off with her over-the-top make-up. While he wasn't paying any attention, she leaned over to whisper, "He looks pretty good, and he's quite polite."     

    

"I think so too." Jian Yun nodded, staring at him. This was one of the main reasons why she had entertained him. Although he wasn't totally her type, he was definitely a close second, with his easy-going smile and sweet gestures. She could find herself liking him in due time.     

    

"But, compared to President Huo, he isn't much of a viable candidate either," she said as an afterthought.     

    

The corner of Jian Yun's mouth twitched, but she didn't say a word, not wanting to encourage her.     

    

"But then again, I don't understand! The diamond that President Huo gave you obviously shows that he likes you and that he wants to pursue you." Even then, Wu Wenjing still didn't look as if she had gotten her point. Instead, she continued to blabber on, "He's so handsome and rich, and you obviously get along with him more, right?"     

    

"Do we really have to talk about him here?" Jian Yun glanced at Zhou Shaolong, who happened to walk right beside her. Although she wasn't sure whether he had heard their conversation or not, she couldn't help but pinch Wu Wenjing's side, shooting her a warning look.     

    

"Fine, whatever. I'll discuss it with you tonight." Sticking her tongue out, Wu Wenjing got the point and quieted down. After all, there were some topics better discussed privately.     

    

Noticing that the two were glancing up at him, Zhou Shaolong returned their gazes with a gentle smile.     

    

Wu Wenjing grew up in Sichuan, so she was really fond of spicy food. Although Jian Yun, wasn't fond of Sichuan Cuisine at first, she had grown used to the heat after hanging around with her friend most of the time. Due to this, she now had a really high tolerance when it came to different spices. Zhou Shaolong, however, lived near the Jiang Zhe area and had a penchant for the sweeter taste in life, so tolerating the heat was definitely not his forte. Sweat and tears beaded down his face as he huffed out the hot air, trying to get a hold of himself. His composed features were gone as he struggled to take another bite of meat.     

    

Jian Yun and Wu Wenjing struggled not to laugh at him as they ate, and Zhou Shaolong was a good sport about all of it. Not bothering to hide his tears, he teased, "This is by far the spiciest dishes I've ever ordered in the last thirty years of my life! Tell me, is this the reason behind your flawless skins?"     

    

"Ah, we're just born this way!" Striking a pose, Wu Wenjing flipped her hair over her shoulders.     

    

Jian Yun giggled. "Oh right, thank you for the flowers. They were lovely."     

    

"No need to thank me. As long as you like them, then I'm happy." The outline of his lips was bright red, while his entire face looked like an advertisement for chili peppers. His smile was wide as if he was trying to suck up all the cold air left from their surroundings.     

    

Afraid of busting out into laughter, Jian Yun immediately lowered her head, focusing on her own plate.     

    

By the time they've finished their meals, their lunch break was almost over. Zhou Shaolong brought the two women back to the entrance of Ming's Building, but before he left, he quietly asked her, "Jian Yun, are you free tonight?"     

    

Sighing, she shook her head apologetically. Knowing their manager, Xia Bingbing would likely give them more paperwork to do at the last minute. That way, they'd have no other choice but to stay in and finish them. That was also one of the reasons why the staff had hated her, although none of them had the guts to actually complain about it. Although Li Xiangrong was the same, at least he was more reasonable. "I've been working overtime a lot recently," she apologized. "So I don't have time in the evenings."     

    

"That's fine. How about we have lunch tomorrow then?" He nodded in understanding.     

    

"But, don't you have work to get to?" Hesitating, Jian Yun glanced up at him. She knew that Zhou Shaolong's office was located on another side of Qinghu City, and a drive to Ming's would probably take at least half an hour if he was lucky.     

    

"It's fine. I've been running a few errands in the last days, so it's really not in the way." He smiled.     

    

This time, she didn't refuse. "All right then. Just be careful on your way back, okay?"     

    

After bidding farewell to Zhou Shaolong, they finally entered the company.     

    

"Yun, did President Huo kiss you already?" Wu Wenjing nudged her as they stood inside the elevator. Ever since she had heard that Huo Liancheng had given Jian Yun an expensive diamond necklace, she'd been at it nonstop in trying to get all the little details from their 'romantic' encounter.     

    

Jian Yun fidgeted, focusing on the buttons. How was she going to tell her that she had forcefully kissed him while she was drunk? Or how she had forced him to carry her all the way up to her apartment, and even to her bedroom? Her cheeks colored with shame, and she ducked her head. Perhaps it was a good thing that she hadn't seen him in the last two days, or else she'd be at a complete loss for words.     

    

"Of course not!" Refusing to tell Wu Wenjing any details, she finally stepped out of the elevator. Even the thought of President Huo had sent shivers down her spine.     

    

Jian Yun was about to tease her friend until she reached her cubicle. There, she saw that her documents were re-organized, and her pens were tilted to the other side. It seemed that someone had moved around her desk–this time, in a more subtle manner. Did Xia Bingbing try to pry the necklace from her again? "Someone moved my desk," she announced.     

    

"Same goes for my table!" Wu Wenjing shouted, furrowing her eyebrows.     

    

"That's me." A young woman giggled as she approached them, bowing her head. "My name is Li Hui. I was the one who wiped everyone's tables while they were out eating."     

    

"She's our new janitor," Sister Xiao butted in. "Manager Xia was the one who had invited her in."     

    

"Oh, hello!" Jian Yun greeted, but she already didn't trust the woman in front of her.     

    

Li Hui was wearing a pound of makeup on her face, none of them fitting her pale skin tone. Her eyes were covered with bright shadows that it almost look like a canvas. Even if the woman had tried her best to act harmless and innocent, she still couldn't hide the shrewdness in her features–one that was enough to match a rat's face.     

    

Furthermore, she was recruited by Xia Bingbing.     

    

Jian Yun licked her lips. For the last few days, Xia Bingbing still hadn't made a move, and the silence had become unnerving than peaceful. Even then, she understood that the woman would not stop at it till she had the upper hand. After all, if the Lover's Heart was truly such a prized possession, she could tell that Xia Bingbing would be utterly furious if she were to have heard the news.     

    

After the lock picking incident that day, Jian Yun didn't bring the necklace to work anymore. Instead, she hid both the earrings and the necklace in her safe. Even if she wanted nothing to do with them, she couldn't let Xia Bingbing have it for herself. Besides, if anything, she still planned to return it to Huo Liancheng. Having it stolen wouldn't help her case.     

    

With a sigh, she turned to her desktop and continued to type.     

    

For the next two days, Jian Yun continually received roses from Zhou Shaolong, and they had lunch every noon. The two had gotten to know each other a bit better, and had become quite better friends over their conversations. It was obvious that the man was quite satisfied with her, with her wishful proclamations of seeing her every day of the week.     

    

On Friday night, the HR department was tasked to work overtime until eight. By the time they were finished, Wu Wenjing had already rushed out of her cubicle to attend to her date, leaving Jian Yun alone. Not wanting to go home just yet, she decided to walk around the sidewalk, lost in her thoughts.     

    

Ming's Building was located in one of the busiest streets in Qinghu City, and at this time, it was already crowded with various people. Being surrounded by various colors and sight, she couldn't help but be alone in a large sea of strangers. A settled feeling settled in her chest as she proceeded to walk even further down the street. It was weird to feel so alone in such a loud area, and she couldn't help but wonder if there was anyone else in the world who felt the same way.     

    

Musing to herself, Jian Yun suddenly stopped by a jewelry store. Seeing her darkened reflection staring back at her, her gaze slowly rested on the diamond necklace wrapped around the model's neck. It also held a pink diamond, but it was much smaller compared to the one that Liancheng had given her. However, when she glanced at the price, she had almost jumped back in shock. She clutched her chest. The number of zeroes on that thing was enough to make her faint!     

    

Jian Yun turned away and walked the other direction. However, before she could get any farther, her phone rang out. Who could that be? She peered at the screen, but once she did, her heart had stopped beating. Immediately, it was as if the entire crowd had silenced all around her, and all she could hear was the soft ringing from her eardrums.     

    

It was Huo Liancheng!