Yan Xia watched him from afar, smiling without saying a word.
Apparently, Peng Shiyi had already told Peng Zixu that she was Lu Sheng, which was why he could recognize her at a glance.
"Long time no see. I didn't expect that after Ms. Cheng became Cheng Yan Xia again, she would be even more charming than before," Peng Zixu said as he walked into the office. His slender eyes sparkled as he placed a bouquet of roses on Yan Xia's desk. "Congratulations on your promotion, President Cheng. Welcome back to Shengshi."
With a smile on his face, he reached out his hand to Yan Xia.
Having interacted with him a few years ago, Yan Xia didn't have a good impression of this man.
He was selfish and greedy, even hoping to achieve success without effort. At that time, if it hadn't been for his younger sister Peng Shiyi competing with him for the family fortune and vying to show her worth in front of their father, he might have been even lazier. To some extent, Peng Shiyi had indeed inspired some of his fighting spirit back then.
Now, after Peng Shiyi contacted the media to publish that article full of conspiracy theories that twisted the truth, the Peng family's company could hardly continue to operate. Suppressed by Lu Qianzhou's connections, it had been on the verge of bankruptcy.
In the end, Peng Chao couldn't keep it going anymore and simply declared bankruptcy. Now he was working as a manager in a small company.
These details didn't matter, and she didn't care. But Peng Zixu had said that he was welcoming her?
"Welcoming me?"
Only then did Peng Zixu seem to suddenly realize and explain, "I forgot to introduce myself. Thanks to President Fang, I've been the supervisor of the investment department at Shengshi since a year ago."
Everyone knew that he was introduced by Fang Jiangyi, so they would naturally be more polite to him.
Fang Jiangyi hadn't mentioned this to Yan Xia. She was quite surprised that Peng Zixu came to see her today.
But thinking of Peng Shiyi's arrogant tone in the past, Yan Xia couldn't help but sneer, "I thought you and your sister were so high - minded that you would never work in a place like Shengshi no matter what."
So, it was really important to leave some leeway for future encounters.
Peng Zixu's expression was a bit forced. "President Fang has always been my idol that I strive to get closer to and learn from. Shengshi is also a place that I highly respect. It's my honor to work with President Fang at Shengshi."
This speech was neither over - humble nor over - arrogant. It seemed that Peng Zixu had now learned how to use his words skillfully.
Yan Xia smiled slightly. "How is your sister doing now?"
After so many years, she was really a bit curious about the current situation of her old rival, Peng Shiyi.
Peng Zixu didn't suspect anything at all. Although Cheng Yan Xia had a different face and looked completely different from before, her temperament remained the same. It was that kind of untouchable aura. Although she was approachable on the surface, there was an innate arrogance in her that set her apart from others. This temperament had always held him in thrall.
Moreover, she was the one that Fang Jiangyi and Lu Qianzhou liked. What one couldn't get was always more alluring.
"Shiyi is still the same. She's completely infatuated with President Fang and is still waiting for him. She's been unemployed for these years. Come to think of it, President Fang arranged for me to join Shengshi because of Shiyi."
Peng Shiyi had accompanied Fang Jiangyi through the most difficult times. So even after their rift, he would still help the Peng family to a certain extent.
"She's really infatuated," Yan Xia said. Although she didn't like Peng Shiyi in other aspects, there was no denying that she had been really good to Fang Jiangyi.
"I just don't know if she still has a chance now. President Fang has always kept silent about your relationship. Have you been together these years?" Peng Zixu probed.
"No," Yan Xia denied without hesitation. "Go back and tell Peng Shiyi that President Fang is still single. She can pursue him with confidence. But based on my understanding of him, no matter how much effort she puts in, she probably won't get a response."
Both Fang Jiangyi and she had their own knots. Before these knots were untied, they probably wouldn't easily fall in love.
Peng Zixu's eyes landed on Yan Xia's face with an ambiguous look. "It's better to have a chance than none at all."
Yan Xia saw the blatant flirtation in his eyes. This man used to be a silent person, but now he had become more outspoken. Since he had managed to stay at Shengshi through Fang Jiangyi's connection, he even dared to flirt with her openly.
So she pushed the bouquet of flowers on the table away. "Mr. Peng, please take back the roses. The meaning of these flowers is inappropriate."
But Peng Zixu didn't care. He still left the flowers on the table and casually sat on the edge of her desk.
"Beautiful flowers match beautiful ladies. There's nothing inappropriate. Ms. Cheng is single now, which means everyone has a chance to compete. The meaning of the flowers is exactly what I want to express," he said with an ambiguous smile. "In my eyes, Ms. Cheng is like a rose lying on black satin. Although it's a forbidden fruit that one knows one shouldn't touch, it makes people willing to be trapped."
...
Originally, Yan Xia thought she wouldn't get a response from Lord Lu San for the next few days. But unexpectedly, she received a call from him that afternoon. The moment she saw the caller ID, she knew that Lord Lu San had made up his mind.
Sure enough, he handed over several underground casinos under his control to Yan Xia to manage, and also offered a PPP project to Shengshi.
But this was just the beginning. If Yan Xia could manage the casinos and the PPP project well, proving her ability and sincerity, Lord Lu San would give her more in - depth cooperation opportunities.
Yan Xia thanked Lord Lu San and promised that she would do a good job and never let him down.
After getting a positive reply, Yan Xia tried to contact Shangguan Yao to see if he was available.
"Shangguan, are you there?"
There was a buzzing sound in the earpiece, like the sound of an electric current passing through. Shangguan Yao replied to her.
"I'm here."
Originally, he had only said that he would be online when she met with Lord Lu San, Lu Qianzhou and others. But unexpectedly, he was always available.
"Why are you always online?" Yan Xia frowned. "Does that mean you've heard everything I've said on a daily basis?"
Although it was a cooperation, being spied on was intolerable, especially since it might involve her privacy.
Shangguan Yao explained, "I'm not that idle. I just turned on the microphone to see what you were doing. I accidentally heard Peng Zixu talking to you, so I listened for a while. Then Lord Lu San's call came in, so I just listened to the whole conversation."
But Yan Xia still minded. She didn't like the feeling of being monitored all the time.
"Remember to tell me before you turn on the microphone next time, or I'll take off the necklace and earrings."
"Don't worry. This was just an accident. I'm not a pervert. I won't always monitor you. But that Peng Zixu seems to have a crush on you."
Yan Xia said, "I've known that for a long time."
She didn't need him to tell her. She had already seen it from Peng Zixu's behavior when they danced together. But even if this man had the intention, he wouldn't have the courage.
"Heh," Shangguan Yao laughed. "I've inexplicably gained another love rival."