Zhang Wenbin caught the fleeting trace of panic in President Xing’s eyes, but it quickly disappeared as he regained his composure. Smiling, he explained, “President Xing, I was just about to take her home. She’s just throwing a little tantrum.”
Wen Yao knew Zhang Wenbin was deliberately muddying the waters again—saying things that would make others misunderstand, making it seem like there was something ambiguous between them.
“Manager Zhang, I’ve already refused your offer to take me home. And I’m not throwing a tantrum.”
Zhang Wenbin shot her an annoyed glare, his eyes carrying a warning. “Wen Yao, watch how you speak!”
Wen Yao knew she had completely offended him today. She would probably be fired within a couple of days anyway, so there was no reason to fear his threats.
“Manager Zhang, because of your actions, people in the company have misunderstood our relationship. It has seriously affected my mood at work. I hope you won’t do anything misleading in the future.”
Restrained by Xing Yu’s presence, Zhang Wenbin didn’t explode in anger. Instead, he said coldly, “Wen Yao, do you realize this is slander?”
Xing Yu looked at the two of them. No matter how he saw it, they didn’t look like a couple. Wen Yao’s dislike for Zhang Wenbin was practically written all over her face.
Still, even the company’s vice president had said they were in a relationship—that was strange.
“Manager Zhang, are you two in a relationship?”
Zhang Wenbin forced an awkward smile. “President Xing, there’s been some misunderstanding between me and Wen Yao. We’re not in that kind of relationship.”
Xing Yu’s gaze immediately darkened. “If that’s the case, then don’t spread rumors in the company about being in a relationship. It creates a negative impact.”
Zhang Wenbin quickly put on a flattering smile. “President Xing, I’ll be more careful. There won’t be such misunderstandings again. I’ll take my leave now.”
Unwilling but with no choice, Zhang Wenbin got into his car and drove off.
Wen Yao turned to Xing Yu. “Thank you, President Xing, for helping me out.”
“I’ll take you home.”
Wen Yao politely declined. “Thank you, President Xing, but there’s no need, I—”
Before she could finish, Xing Yu cut her off. “It’s on the way.”
His tone left no room for refusal. After hesitating for a moment, Wen Yao nodded. “Thank you, President Xing.”
The weather was getting hotter, and the car’s air conditioning was already on.
Xing Yu sat with his long legs crossed, one arm resting on the armrest, exuding an air of authority.
He didn’t speak, and naturally, Wen Yao didn’t take the initiative either.
Xing Yu slightly raised his eyes, looking at Wen Yao sitting stiffly beside him. Her back was straight, her hands neatly folded on her lap—clearly a bit uneasy.
It reminded him of someone.
Wen Yao.
When she felt nervous, she would twist her hands together.
When she was with him, her back would often be stiff and straight.
That habit hadn’t changed even after two years.
From the first moment he met Wen Yao, he had felt a sense of familiarity.
Still, there were differences between them.
Compared to Wen Yao, Wen Yao seemed a bit bolder.
If it were the old Wen Yao, she wouldn’t have dared to talk back to Manager Zhang just now.
“If Manager Zhang gives you trouble again, you can tell me directly.”
Hearing this, Wen Yao withdrew her gaze from the window and looked at Xing Yu. His deep eyes were fixed on her.
That cold, indifferent look was no different from five years ago.
But she knew clearly—
He was only helping because he couldn’t stand someone abusing their power to bully a weak employee.
Just like before, when he couldn’t stand others bullying her.
“Thank you, President Xing.”
She noticed that Xing Yu had been staring at her the whole time without saying a word.
That scrutinizing gaze made her feel immense pressure.
After a moment of silence, Wen Yao finally couldn’t bear it anymore and guiltily looked away.
Then Xing Yu spoke—
“Have we met before?”
Wen Yao subconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes.
Had he seen through her?
She forced herself to stay calm and replied, “President Xing must be joking. We’re from completely different worlds—how would I have had the chance to meet you?”
“Maybe I was mistaken.” Xing Yu withdrew his gaze and said nothing more.
But Wen Yao didn’t dare relax for even a moment.
When the car stopped at the kindergarten entrance, Xing Yu pushed the door open and got out. Wen Yao followed shortly after.
Only then did she realize that Xing Yu was there to pick up Xu Ziyang.
When Xu Ziyang saw Xing Yu, he ran all the way toward him and threw himself into his arms. “Uncle Xing!”
Xing Yu picked him up. “I’m taking you to see your mom today.”
Xu Ziyang hadn’t seen his mother for a long time. Hearing this, he broke into a happy smile. “Really, Uncle Xing?”
Looking at his excitement, Xing Yu knew that the visit today would be to see his mother one last time.
He was still too young—he might not understand what separation truly meant.
“Really.”
Wen Xin sat obediently on a small stool. When she saw her mother at the door, she happily stood up and ran over.
“Mommy, you came so early today.”
Wen Yao picked her up. “Mm, I came in President Xing’s car today, so it was faster.”
Wen Xin looked toward Xing Yu standing nearby and greeted him with a smile. “Hello, Uncle Xing!”
Xing Yu looked over. On Wen Xin’s chubby little face, her smile was always so sweet.
“Hello, Xinxin.”
Wen Yao looked at Xing Yu. “President Xing, I’ll head back now.”
Xing Yu replied, “Mm.”
Wen Xin waved at him. “Goodbye, Uncle Xing.”
“Goodbye.”
After waiting several days, Wen Yao still hadn’t received any response from the company she had interviewed with. She knew it was hopeless.
She applied to several more companies and waited for news.
Ever since Xing Yu had helped her out last time, Zhang Wenbin had indeed restrained himself somewhat—but her design drafts kept getting rejected.
If they didn’t pass the department manager’s review, they wouldn’t reach higher management.
And if they couldn’t reach higher management, they wouldn’t even be considered for production and sale.
But she didn’t want to resign on her own.
Between resigning voluntarily and being laid off, although the former sounded better, she would suffer more financially.
She had no choice—she desperately needed money.
When Xinxin was younger, she had been in poor health and required hospitalization. Wen Yao could barely save a single cent.
Only after her condition improved and she started kindergarten did Wen Yao manage to save a little.
In two years, Xinxin would start elementary school. Without a house, she wouldn’t even qualify to attend school in the capital.
Just as Wen Yao was feeling troubled, she received a call—it was Xing Yu.
After answering, she asked politely, “President Xing, is there something you need?”
“Why hasn’t your design draft been submitted yet?”
Wen Yao hadn’t expected that he would call just to ask about this.
She had heard of reporting upward—but this was the first time she’d encountered a superior personally asking about a subordinate’s work progress.
“My draft didn’t pass the initial review. I’m revising it now.”
There was a brief silence on the other end before Xing Yu said, “Bring your design draft to me. I’ll take a look.”
Wen Yao hesitated for a moment. “Alright, President Xing.”
After hanging up, she picked up the design draft that had recently been returned to her and walked toward the CEO’s office.
She knocked on the glass door.
“Come in,” Xing Yu said.
Wen Yao pushed the door open and entered. Seeing Xing Yu seated at his desk, she placed the draft on his right-hand side.
“President Xing, this is my design draft.”
Xing Yu set aside his work, picked up the draft, and began flipping through it.
Watching him review her work so seriously, Wen Yao couldn’t help but feel nervous.