Shen Ximan held Shen Shiyu in her arms, smiling faintly with a cold glint in her eyes.
"Don't blame Hao Zhibin. He just wanted to arrange a surprise for you and Zhu Kai so that you two could have a good outcome."
"Humph, it's no surprise at all. It's clearly a shock!"
She pulled away from Shen Ximan's embrace and said through gritted teeth resentfully.
"If it weren't for him, would so many people have known about me and Zhu Kai?"
After saying that, Shen Shiyu was startled by her own words and quickly covered her mouth.
"Ruirui, you just said you wouldn't tell Siming about this, right?"
Shen Ximan nodded. "Of course. Don't you trust me?"
"I do! I trust you 200%! But..."
Looking at her hesitant expression, Shen Ximan immediately guessed what was on her mind.
"Are you worried that those people at the venue yesterday might leak the news? Don't worry. I knew you'd be concerned about this, so I gave them strict orders before leaving yesterday that they weren't allowed to breathe a single word."
Shen Shiyu immediately beamed with joy. "Really! Ruirui, you're so good!"
She planted a noisy kiss on Shen Ximan's cheek.
It took all of Shen Ximan's self - control not to show how disgusted she was.
If it weren't for having to pretend to be her good sister, she would have surely slapped her.
"Since you've pleaded for Hao Zhibin, I'll let him off the hook this time."
Shen Ximan smiled and said, "I'm just being nosy, but who do you like better now, Bo Siming or Zhu Kai?"
The smile on Shen Shiyu's face froze.
The uneasiness in her heart resurfaced invisibly.
Why would she ask such a question?
Was she just waiting for her to say she liked Zhu Kai so that she could snatch Bo Siming away?
"Of course I like Siming more." She cleared her throat and said.
"Zhu Kai saved me on the yacht. Out of gratitude and his persistent pursuit, I started dating him. This relationship won't last long."
Shen Ximan scoffed inwardly.
How could she say it was his persistent pursuit? Wasn't it because she lusted after his good looks and figure and took the initiative to get close to him?
"It's better for you, Bo Siming, and Zhu Kai to cut your losses in time."
Shen Shiyu smiled warily. "I know. What about you? When are you going to find a boyfriend? I think the second young master is a good match."
What a schemer!
"The second young master has a fiancée. How could I possibly interfere?"
"Even married people get divorced. What's so special about a fiancée? They're not legally together yet. Everyone has the right to fall in love freely."
She tried to lead her into the trap with her words.
Seeing how hard she was trying, Shen Ximan didn't want to waste her efforts, so she just casually responded.
"You're right. I do have a crush on the second young master."
The uneasiness that had been weighing on Shen Shiyu's heart was finally dispelled.
She liked Bo Jingyu, not Bo Siming.
Then she could openly pit Wen Jinrui against Li Xiaoru.
"If you like him, go for it. Otherwise, you'll regret it later! When you're unsure, come to me. I'll come up with a plan for you."
She patted her chest confidently.
Shen Ximan took Shen Shiyu's hand and smiled naturally.
"It's so nice to have you by my side. By the way, there's something I need to tell you in advance so that you won't get into unnecessary trouble."
Shen Shiyu looked confused. "What is it?"
"Don't go to the company for the next month. Be careful of the rumors."
Shen Shiyu was silent for a while before she understood her intention.
"But you just said you'd given orders to the people at the venue. They won't spread the news about me and Zhu Kai."
"We can't be completely sure. It's better to be cautious just in case."
Shen Ximan patted her on the back to comfort her. "Think about it. Zhong's Petroleum is now a major company that can't be underestimated. You, as the vice - president, have contributed a lot to its success."
"If this little incident causes rumors to spread throughout the company, not only will it be difficult for you to get promoted, but it might even be hard for you to keep your position as vice - president. Think about it carefully."
Her words did shake Shen Shiyu's resolve.
She shouldn't have doubted her just now!
"Ruirui, what should I do? It's all my fault. I'll break up with Zhu Kai right now and never contact him again!"
Without hesitation, she was about to take off the matching ring on her ring finger.
"Don't. That would hurt his feelings too much."
Shen Ximan quickly stopped her and calmly soothed her anxiety.
"I have a way to make it up to both sides. It just depends on whether you agree or not."
Shen Shiyu was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan.
"Tell me!"
"I can temporarily take over your position as vice - president."
Buzz! Her mind went blank all of a sudden.
Seeing her dazed eyes, Shen Ximan looked a bit disappointed.
"What, you don't want me to?"
"Ah, ah, I... it's not that..." Shen Shiyu was unsure.
"You can go on a nice trip abroad this month. I'll keep an eye on the company to see if any rumors spread. If there are, I'll solve them for you in time.
The company will still operate normally. Any cooperation and projects I negotiate will all be yours in the end."
Shen Ximan pressed on. "It just so happens that Ahaorui is cooperating with your company. Even if I take over your position, no one will suspect anything. After all, we're well - known good sisters."
"But what if Siming asks about it?"
Shen Ximan was completely at a loss and indecisive.
"Don't worry. I'll talk to him. Besides, if he knows that he can get nearly half of the profits from the commercial building built on the original land of the Shen family's villa, he'll surely agree."
"Half?"
After hearing her words, Shen Shiyu almost screamed.
The Shen family's villa used to belong to the Shen family. If it weren't for that bitch who died in the detention center, it wouldn't have been sold to Wen Jinrui! Now that there was a chance to get half of it back, she definitely wouldn't let it go.
"Okay. I'll go get dressed and go to the company to handle the hand - over procedures right now."
Shen Ximan's gentle expression relaxed. "Okay. I'll wait for you downstairs. The new clothes I prepared for you are in the wardrobe."
With that, she took the elevator and got into the car that had been waiting for her.
"General Manager Shen, Bo Siming sent over the cooperation agreement before the operation. Please take a look and sign it." Yan Kun handed over the tablet.
"Watch your words. Shen Shiyu will get in the car later."
He was taken aback and quickly corrected himself. "Yes, General Manager Wen."
After arriving at Zhong's Petroleum, Shen Shiyu immediately drew up the proxy agreement. After Wen Jinrui signed it, she held a meeting to announce the news.
"Starting tomorrow, Ruirui will be your new boss. If you don't do your job well, just wait for me to come back and teach you a lesson!"
She said fiercely in front of Hao Zhibin.
"Don't worry, I'll definitely do my job well!"
He grinned foolishly.
"If it weren't for Ruirui pleading for you, you would have been fired long ago. Hurry up and thank her! You stupid oaf!" Shen Shiyu scolded with her hands on her hips, but she didn't seem really angry.
"Okay, okay. I'll go right away!"