Volume One, Chapter 20: Reminiscences of the Past

Deep into the night, the two found a 24-hour convenience store. Li Guang held an iced cup and some fruit juice, his eyes crinkling with a smile.

"I remember you used to love drinking this. I wasn't sure if your tastes had changed."

Watching him expertly pour the exact ratio she preferred, Qiao Ye felt her nerves slowly unwind. "I didn't expect you to still remember, Senior."

"You drank it all the time back then, and you even told me you invented this recipe yourself—that it was one of a kind. I thought it was quite novel."

Li Guang’s tone was filled with nostalgia, and a strange feeling flickered in Qiao Ye’s heart. Back then, before her parents had passed away, her life had truly been happy. But not long after graduation...

A sense of desolation flashed in Qiao Ye's eyes, and she only snapped back to reality when the iced cup was placed in front of her. "Thank you."

She took a sip; it tasted exactly as it had before.

"How is it? Is it the same as the one you used to drink?"

"Yes. It’s amazing that you still remember, Senior." Qiao Ye’s eyes were full of warmth, and her face seemed to brighten with life.

Li Guang looked at her tenderly and began to bring up other memories. What had once been blurry became increasingly clear under his prompts, and the corners of Qiao Ye’s mouth turned upward.

"I really couldn't believe back then that you were so good at billiards, clearing the table in one go. It was so impressive!"

"I practiced a bit when I was a kid, it’s nothing," Li Guang said, blinking shyly.

As their conversation shifted to work, Li Guang hesitated before speaking. "Lin Liang is currently a manager in my department. He has great working ability—you trained him very well."

"He is clever and diligent, though sometimes a bit emotional. But I haven't heard any complaints lately, so it seems he’s doing quite well over there."

"No matter how good a job is, it’s just a means of making a living. Having a pleasant work environment is what really matters." Li Guang paused and looked at the woman before him. "Actually, I’ve always wanted to ask: are you happy with your work now?"

Qiao Ye froze, pressing her lips together. "I have never felt particularly happy. I’ve just been forcing myself to keep moving forward."

"Because of family matters?"

Qiao Ye was stunned, but reflecting that those things were hardly secrets, she nodded. "I didn't have the right to choose at the time. Being able to join the Lu Corporation was a way to gain financial independence, and after staying for so long, I’ve developed some attachment to it."

"That’s called habit, not attachment." Li Guang cut straight to the point. Seeing the weariness in Qiao Ye’s eyes and sensing she didn't want to discuss it further, he smiled and stood up. "It’s getting late. I’ll send you back; I’ve already called for my driver."

Qiao Ye did not refuse; she did not mind Li Guang doing this. Throughout the evening, he hadn't once forced an invitation for her to join his company, yet his words had offered her complete autonomy.

On the way back, Qiao Ye asked out of the blue, "Senior Li, if I were to join your company, could you guarantee me a certain level of freedom?"

"I could." Li Guang answered without hesitation. "The reason Yuansen Company has remained strong and prosperous all this time is that we fully trust our employees. If you’re willing to come over, I can reserve the position of President of our branch for you. You wouldn't even have to go abroad; you could stay right here in the city."

Qiao Ye’s eyes widened in surprise. Even for a branch office, a presidency carried considerable weight. And not having to go abroad...

"Actually, I have been thinking about changing my workplace."

"Then come with me. I hold a significant number of shares in Yuansen, and I can ensure that no matter where you are, you can live freely and do what you want to do." Li Guang’s tone was firm.

Qiao Ye wanted to ask why, but the words died on her lips. They had only just reunited; to press further would only make things awkward. Among adults, some things don't need to be asked too clearly—everyone knows more or less what is implied.

When they arrived at the Lu residence, Qiao Ye stepped out of the car. Li Guang rolled down the window and smiled to bid her farewell. Qiao Ye nodded, but as she turned around, she saw Lu Tingxiao. He carried a faint scent of alcohol, appearing to have just returned from a business dinner himself.

"Who is he?"

Staring intently at Qiao Ye, Lu Tingxiao’s eyes betrayed a jealousy he hadn't yet realized.

"A senior from my university days. We happened to run into each other and talked for a while."

"It’s so late, and you let another man drive you home? Did the family not arrange a driver for you?"

The jealousy in his tone was too obvious. Recalling how he had denied liking her when she asked just two days ago, a sense of grievance welled up in Qiao Ye. She looked up at him, her red lips curving slightly. "Is my uncle going to interfere with this, too?"

Lu Tingxiao’s brows furrowed; he understood that the woman before him was intentionally using that title to spite him. "These are critical times. I’m simply worried about you giving others leverage."

"What leverage? A child born out of wedlock has already shown up at the doorstep. Even if I were to get close to another man, he, Lu Qi'an, would have no face to reproach me!"

"Fine. Go inside and rest."

Lu Tingxiao gave her a meaningful look and walked away without another word. Qiao Ye followed behind him, feeling inexplicably vexed. This was her own heart; it was only natural that Lu Tingxiao hadn't responded to it. She shouldn't be complaining. After all, she had never really held onto any expectations to begin with.

The next day, as soon as Qiao Ye arrived at the office, she was cornered by Lu Qi'an and several shareholders. With a rough motion, he slammed a project file down in front of her.

"Our original share in this project was clearly 50 percent. How is it that only 34 percent remains in your hands!" Lu Qi'an was aggressive, his tone heated. "This was our development! Even if we are collaborating with another firm, we shouldn't have conceded this much profit, right?"

The shareholders chimed in one after another.

"That’s right. We were supposed to make over thirty million, but now it’s shrunk to just over twenty million. We’ve lost nearly ten million—the project’s rating will have to be downgraded..."

"I recall that Director Qiao never used to make such losing deals. Could it be that since she knows she’s on her way out, she’s intentionally causing the company to lose money?"

"Director Qiao is a veteran; she shouldn't be using company interests to curry favor and play the nice person for others, should she?"

The biting sarcasm made Qiao Ye frown slightly. "I have full authority over this project. Isn't it inappropriate for Vice President Lu to step in and interfere with my work now?"

"The Lu family will be under my management in the future. As Vice President, I cannot simply watch you act recklessly!" Lu Qi'an stood righteously, chin raised in triumph. "If you sign a contract like this, you might as well resign from the board of directors out of shame."

"What mistake have I made? What you are holding is only an estimate; the actual situation is subject to the signed hard copy of the contract!" Qiao Ye replied coldly. "As it happens, I have invited the partners to come to the company to sign the contract this morning. The time is almost up. Why don't we all wait and see?"