"The restroom has a step. Be careful not to fall."
Bo Jingyu specifically reminded, his eyes and eyebrows full of tenderness.
Shen Ximan had never seen him with such an expression before.
"O-okay." Li Xiaoru replied, feeling puzzled.
What was wrong with him today? He was speaking softly to her and being so considerate. There was always a strange feeling, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
After watching her figure disappear around the corner, Bo Jingyu withdrew his gaze and folded his hands on the dining table.
"Your company's initiative to cooperate is not just for publicity."
It was a statement, not a question.
How could such a smart person not see through it?
A Kun replied expressionlessly, "What do you mean, Second Young Master?"
"Since it's a cooperation, show your sincerity. I know that the cufflinks you provided last time were defective. You agreed to cooperate with Juan Yi just to cut losses and recover costs. It's a win - win situation."
Bo Jingyu got straight to the point, "But this time, I hope you can provide the genuine products. Don't just try to deceive honest people."
Shen Ximan's heart grew colder and colder as she listened.
He was actually protecting that woman named Li Xiaoru so much.
"Who do you think you are to tell us what to do?"
Yan Kun spoke boldly, his tone seemingly tinged with anger.
He must be standing up for her. Even an outsider like him couldn't put up with it. If it were in his own field, he might have thrown a punch already. How could he just be arguing here?
"Because I'll sponsor Juan Yi's cooperation this time."
Bo Jingyu said it without even thinking, looking directly into Shen Ximan's eyes.
He did it on purpose, deliberately for her to hear.
To show off how much he cared about Li Xiaoru, how much he cared about her struggling company, even willing to be an opponent to his ex - wife.
This kind of cheesy drama actually happened to Shen Ximan. If she told others, they might laugh their heads off.
"The Bo family has a great influence. Aren't you afraid of getting into trouble by sponsoring a small company with quality inspection issues?"
Shen Ximan placed the materials in her hand on the table. "According to my investigation, quality problems were pointed out at the last fashion show. Our company agreed to cooperate with Juan Yi only out of past friendship."
"Defective products were the maximum concession. Genuine products are absolutely out of the question."
Playing the psychological warfare, she wanted to see who could outwit the other!
"Just produce them again." Bo Jingyu looked confident, and one could even see the faint smile on his lips.
Yan Kun was stunned.
Producing them again was a huge project. Whether it was choosing a factory or selecting fabrics, it would be time - consuming, labor - consuming, and money - consuming.
He must be crazy to invest in such a small company.
At this moment, Li Xiaoru came back. Her smiling face froze awkwardly.
What was going on with this atmosphere? It was so cold that it gave people goosebumps.
Bo Jingyu took this opportunity to hold her hand and said, "If I don't support my fiancée's company, who else will?"
The surrounding air instantly went from freezing to boiling.
Li Xiaoru's face turned red all the way to her ears. Unaware of what was going on, she tried to shake off his hand, but the harder she tried, the tighter he held it.
"Since Second Young Master has already made his decision, our company will also treat this cooperation sincerely. I hope we'll have a pleasant cooperation in the future."
Shen Ximan was the first to speak, breaking the deadlock.
Her abnormal calmness made A Kun beside her shiver. He was even afraid that she would suddenly stand up and overturn the table the next second.
"Representative, do you have any other opinions?"
He looked at her smiling face and swallowed hard.
"No."
"Then let's both sign. We can take it back to report."
Bo Jingyu directly took it from Shen Ximan's hand and quickly signed his name. He didn't even ask Li Xiaoru's opinion. He made the decision on his own.
He was asserting his sovereignty.
Because the woman blushing in front of him, too shy to even say a word, was his fiancée, the one he loved whole - heartedly.
Shen Ximan's heart suddenly went numb. It didn't seem to hurt that much anymore.
"I'm not feeling well. I'll excuse myself first."
With that, she picked up her handbag and quickly left the scene.
Seeing this, A Kun also said a few words to deal with the situation and then quickly followed.
Li Xiaoru couldn't get out of her confused state. "This signing process was too smooth... Jingyu, what did they say to you just now?"
Bo Jingyu darkened his face and pushed the contract in front of her.
"Take it and leave."
He seemed like a different person. The sense of distance suddenly widened.
"You've been really strange today." She hugged the contract in her arms. Her mood wasn't any better, and she was even holding a lot of anger.
"Is it strange that I helped you secure the cooperation?"
Bo Jingyu stood up and stared down at her.
All the soft words and tenderness had vanished into thin air at this moment.
"Of course I'm happy that you helped me get the cooperation. But from my feeling just now, you were using me as a tool to show off. What fiancée? What support?" Li Xiaoru felt very uncomfortable.
"Grandpa threw you at me. Isn't he hoping that we'll develop a relationship?"
He seemed to have given up struggling or was just being stubborn.
"But in my opinion, you're targeting that Miss Wen. Did you know her before? Or do you have some grudges with her?"
Bo Jingyu lowered his eyes. "I don't know her."
"Then..."
"Stop asking. Aren't you annoying?"
He interrupted her, frowned tightly, and quickly walked out of the hotel.
He didn't want to stay in this suffocating place for a single moment longer.
"General Manager Shen, General Manager Shen!"
A Kun chased after her in a hurry.
Shen Ximan was shivering all over, and her lips couldn't stop trembling.
The dim streetlights were flickering. When she was in a daze, she accidentally sprained her foot and fell to the ground without any warning.
"General Manager Shen!"
A Kun exclaimed and quickly stepped forward to check on her. "Why are you walking so fast? The streetlights here aren't very bright. You..."
A soft laugh escaped from her lips.
He stood there, stunned.
"I'm sorry, General Manager Shen. I shouldn't have blamed you. It's all my fault!"
Shen Ximan was completely calm now. "I'm fine."
She slowly got up and found that her ankle wasn't as serious as she thought. It was just a little swollen.
"Stay where you are. I'll drive the car over right away!"
A Kun ran guiltily all the way to where the car was parked. When he drove back, Shen Ximan was nowhere to be seen.
No. 21 Alley Bar.
"This one, this one, and this one. Bring me a bottle of each."
She pointed at the bottles with English letters on them in front of her, speaking casually with a light tone.
The bartender was speechless and paused. "Are you sure you can drink all of them? Maybe you should start with one glass at a time. Moderate drinking is good for your health."
Shen Ximan forced a smile. "What, are you afraid I can't afford it?"
"You misunderstood me. I mean..."
"I want to drink!"
"... Please wait a moment." The bartender compromised helplessly.
"By the way, open a private room for me. The biggest one."