Yan Xia lowered her eyes. Remembering Fang Jiangyi had said that they would announce their relationship after some time, she asked again.
"Shangguan won't spread this around, will he?"
Fang Jiangyi said, "How could he do something so self - deprecating?"
Shangguan Yao was a man who cared a great deal about his face. He had pursued Yan Xia so fanatically some time ago. Now that he had failed, it would be too embarrassing if it got out. To save face, he should probably find a girlfriend before Fang Jiangyi announced their relationship.
She let out a sigh of relief. "That's good."
Although Fang Jiangyi had proposed they start dating, she didn't feel that their interaction had changed in any way. Everything was still the same as before.
Fang Jiangyi stared at her intently. "The Personnel Department will issue a notice this afternoon. You'll take over as the new deputy general manager of Shengshi."
Yan Xia was a bit surprised. She had thought it would be postponed for some time no matter what. She never expected things to progress so smoothly. She was going straight to the position of deputy general manager. It seemed that this feigned - injury plan had really worked well.
She widened her eyes. "The board of directors has made a decision so soon?"
"You were one of the strongest candidates before, and this time you got the Xinghaiwan project for Shengshi. Everyone agreed that you deserved this treatment."
This decision was made by the entire board of directors. Although there were still a few people who opposed it, once Fang Jiangyi made a decision, the situation was basically settled.
"I see." She was eager. "What about Wang Keding? When can we get the reclamation approval again?"
Fang Jiangyi looked at her for a moment and suddenly laughed.
"You're really a workaholic. You just recovered from your illness and you're already thinking about work." He said, "I've made a dinner appointment with Wang Keding this afternoon. You'll go with me. Let's try to settle this as soon as possible."
She left the office.
Sure enough, as Fang Jiangyi had said, the Personnel Department issued a notice this afternoon. Lu Sheng would take over as the deputy general manager and become a member of the board of directors as of today.
Several colleagues who had never liked her before came to congratulate her on her promotion. They were really good at sizing up the situation and were just like weather - vanes. Hearing that Lu Sheng had a special relationship with Fang Jiangyi, they immediately tried to get on her good side and show their loyalty.
She was quite calm. This was well within her expectations.
This afternoon, she went to the dinner with Fang Jiangyi. This was the last chance to get the reclamation approval from Wang Keding.
They were still having Chinese food. Fang Jiangyi had booked a private room.
Thinking about how many meals they had treated Wang Keding to in these days. He always brought Yuan Qiuping with him. To outsiders, their relationship seemed really stable. They were such a loving couple.
Yan Xia and Fang Jiangyi sat on one side. When Wang Keding and Yuan Qiuping came towards them, they stood up to greet them. But the moment they stood up, Fang Jiangyi reached out and held her hand.
Yan Xia looked down at their clasped hands and tugged at his arm, trying to ask him what he was up to.
But Fang Jiangyi calmly turned his head and whispered four words.
He said, "Asserting sovereignty."
They all knew what Wang Keding had in mind before. Now they were openly asserting sovereignty in front of him. After all, they were about to get the reclamation approval. There was no need to worry about other things. He wanted Wang Keding to know that he would no longer have the chance to harass Lu Sheng.
From afar, both of the approaching people saw their clasped hands. Their expressions both changed subtly.
Yan Xia took the initiative to speak. "Director Wang, I'm really sorry. I had an urgent matter last time and couldn't come to the appointment on time. Please forgive me."
If Wang Keding was suspicious, he might misunderstand that she was giving him the cold shoulder.
Wang Keding's meaningful gaze landed on Yan Xia's face. He curved his lips. "Miss Lu, you're being too polite."
They sat down accordingly. But even after sitting down, Fang Jiangyi didn't let go of her hand immediately.
Yuan Qiuping's gaze kept wandering between them. Her aura today was not as sharp as usual. There was a hint of gentleness between her eyebrows. She suddenly asked.
"I heard some rumors by chance. I don't know if they're true. Are you, General Manager Fang and Miss Lu... going to get married soon? Can we attend your wedding soon?"
Fang Jiangyi replied smoothly. "There is good news, but it's too early to talk about the wedding."
Wang Keding laughed heartily. "I just saw General Manager Fang announce his breakup with Peng Shiyi the other day. I didn't expect there would be good news today. General Manager Fang's speed is really beyond reach."
The sarcasm in his words was obvious.
More importantly, he didn't think there could be any real feelings between Lu Sheng and Fang Jiangyi. It was just that Fang Jiangyi had given up the small - scale Peng family and instead relied on the more prestigious Lu family.
He thought it was ridiculous. Pretending to be so high - minded in front of him, but in the end, he still couldn't resist the temptation and showed his true colors.
Fang Jiangyi naturally understood the implication in his words, but he didn't feel embarrassed at all.
"The breakup was a mutual decision. We broke up a long time ago. We just didn't announce it to the public. And now." He turned to look at Yan Xia, his gaze gentle and doting. "Since we've chosen to be together, of course we should do it openly."
This meal was hard to swallow. The four people at the table were all scheming.
Wang Keding promised during the meal that he would personally send someone to deliver the approval to Shengshi.
Finally, Yan Xia went to the restroom, and Wang Keding left first because of a phone call. Only Fang Jiangyi and Yuan Qiuping were left at the table. It was deathly silent. Finally, Yuan Qiuping spoke first.
"Are you really together with Lu Sheng?"
Fang Jiangyi gave a soft hum.
"Why didn't you tell me in advance?" Yuan Qiuping ran her fingers through her hair. Her emotions were anxious and restless. "Are you just acting with her? To get help from Third Master Lu?"
Fang Jiangyi let out a chuckle. "Maybe."
Yuan Qiuping couldn't accept such an answer. She had stayed by Wang Keding's side for him, only because Wang Keding had what Fang Jiangyi needed. Everything could be discussed, but matters of the heart were no joke.
She was silent for a moment before saying, "You'd better give me an accurate answer and explanation as soon as possible. Don't push me, or I don't know what extreme things I'll do."
Fang Jiangyi raised his eyes and looked at her silently.
"I've endured for many years. I don't want to endure anymore." Yuan Qiuping raised her head and sniffed. "Lu Sheng is not a good person. You'd better watch out for yourself."
After saying that, she got up, grabbed her handbag and turned away. She almost bumped into Yan Xia who was returning from the restroom.
The winter night was long and unbearable.
Before going to bed, Yan Xia tossed and turned for the eighteenth time in the quilt. She checked her phone again, but there was still no message.
What was Lu Qianzhou doing? Why didn't he contact her?
He had said before that he would properly handle their relationship after things were over. But wasn't what he did yesterday obvious enough? Wasn't that his explanation to her?
If not, then what was she to him?
What on earth was he thinking?
Yan Xia was extremely anxious. She tried to hypnotize herself. Maybe it was because Lu Qianzhou was too busy.
Unexpectedly, when she scrolled through the Moments before going to bed, she saw Lu Qianzhou's figure in Jiang Yue's Moments.