Qiao Xi pushed him away and roared.
"Shang Beichen, what do you want?"
Shang Beichen, with his broad shoulders and wide back, a tall, inverted triangle figure, stood on the deck like an ice sculpture.
His sharp profile was even more distinct and cold in the water's light.
"Qiao Xi, do you regret it?"
He spoke, his tone carrying a hint of mockery.
Regret?
Seeing her eyes full of confusion, he added.
"Do you regret divorcing me? If you had held on a little longer, all of this would have been yours."
"From then on, you would have had whatever you desired."
His eyes held a smug mockery.
However, Qiao Xi understood.
He was showing off, and also humiliating her.
"I regret it very much."
She calmly uttered three words.
"Oh?"
Shang Beichen raised an eyebrow, seemingly satisfied with this answer.
"I regret getting the marriage certificate with you; marrying you was simply an insult to sacred marriage."
Qiao Xi spoke with unwavering conviction, her eyes filled with undisguised hatred.
She had trusted him too much, which was why she lost so completely.
Shang Beichen sneered.
"Qiao Xi, I hope you can always be this tough in the future."
This woman always managed to infuriate him.
Since that was the case, he wouldn't be polite.
Before long, two men in suits and leather shoes, accompanied by beautiful female companions, boarded the boat.
"President Shang, we've kept you waiting."
"President Wang, President Li, please come in."
Inside the luxurious space of the yacht, a card game was already set up.
The men played cards while discussing investment projects worth hundreds of millions.
Shang Beichen crossed his legs and gestured to Qiao Xi.
"Pour the tea."
Qiao Xi bit her lip, picked up the teapot, and poured tea for each of the big shots.
Refilled their drinks.
Handed them towels.
She was like an emotionless server, waiting by their side.
The ten-centimeter high heels on her feet were a company dress code requirement.
Standing for almost the entire night, the muscles in her calves were trembling, aching uncomfortably.
Seizing an opportunity when no one was paying attention, she secretly bent her legs and massaged her tense muscles.
The next second, an ice-cold gaze fell upon her.
Shang Beichen was looking at her.
The man frowned slightly, then waved his hand impatiently.
"You're not needed anymore, get out."
Qiao Xi felt as if she had been granted amnesty and immediately turned to leave the cabin.
She walked to a corner of the deck, took off her high heels, and slumped onto a chair, letting out a long sigh of relief.
It was late at night.
The yacht finally slowly docked.
After Shang Beichen bid farewell to his two friends, the driver had already brought the car over.
He glanced at Qiao Xi in the corner and said coldly.
"Get in the car."
Qiao Xi was truly exhausted.
The physical fatigue overwhelmed all other emotions. She leaned against the car window and fell asleep almost instantly.
The car was quiet, with only the sound of steady breathing.
When the car arrived downstairs from her apartment, she was still asleep. Shang Beichen signaled the driver to be quiet.
He turned his head and quietly looked at her peaceful sleeping face.
Four years.
How many times had he dreamed of this face?
Now, it was right before his eyes.
As if possessed, he reached out his hand, his fingertips almost touching the skin of her cheek.
Qiao Xi suddenly opened her eyes.
Those clear, sober eyes met his gaze directly.
Shang Beichen's movement froze in mid-air.
He abruptly withdrew his hand, his expression instantly turning extremely cold.
"We're here."
"Get out."
Qiao Xi didn't dare to linger for a second and quickly got out of the car. She suddenly turned back and smiled.
"Thank you, President Shang, for sending me home. I hope you have a good night's sleep and don't dream of vengeful spirits coming to claim your life."
With a "bang," she slammed the car door shut.
Even the driver felt sympathetic; this was a limited edition Phantom worth over 20 million.
Shang Beichen curled his lips; this little venomous sprite.
He said calmly to the driver, "Take the car for an appraisal tomorrow. Once she slams it a few more times, you can send her the bill."
The driver was startled and said, "President Shang, I'm afraid Miss Qiao can't afford it."
Shang Beichen said impassively, "She can afford it. Her ex-husband is rich; she just needs to ask."
"Yes." The driver quickly nodded.
Boss, when did you become so ruthless?
..
The next day.
Back in the office, Qiao Xi's eyes were rimmed with dark circles.
She had gotten home, washed up, and it was already three in the morning. She had to get up at seven, which was more exhausting than working on a construction site.
Now, when she looked at documents, the words appeared doubled.
In contrast, Shang Beichen was full of vigor.
At 8:30, he, dressed in a sharply tailored dark grey suit, entered the office precisely on time.
His figure was tall and straight, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist. As he moved, the custom-made trousers of his suit hugged his long legs, their lines smooth and full of power.
Qiao Xi's intercom suddenly rang, its sharp tone making her heart skip a beat.
"Secretary Qiao, coffee."
The male voice on the other end was clear and commanding.
He paused, then added a warning.
"If you put sugar in it again, I'll kill you."
A moment later, Qiao Xi entered with a cup of scalding hot black coffee.
She also brought a tablet, ready to report on the day's schedule.
"Good morning, President Shang."
She gently placed the coffee beside him and then stood still.
"At ten in the morning, President Sheng from Ke Ying Company will come to sign the contract."
"Lunch at 12:30 PM will be at Shi Wan Hotel."
"There's an overseas video conference at 3 PM."
"At 7 PM, we have dinner with President Gu to discuss the smart corridor project. The address is..."
Shang Beichen raised his hand, stopping her.
He picked up the coffee and took a sip, the rich bitterness filling the air.
After listening, he only said one thing.
"For other arrangements, Secretary Qin and Secretary Su will handle them. At 7 PM, you will accompany me."
Huh?
Her again?
Qiao Xi's expression instantly darkened, her entire being radiating resistance.
He was doing this on purpose, trying to work her to death!
Shang Beichen keenly caught the change in her emotions and added.
"Also, go and book a tattoo artist."
Qiao Xi looked at him with a question mark on her face.
"What do I need to book a tattoo artist for?"
Shang Beichen suddenly threw down the pen in his hand.
The expensive pen rolled twice on the desk before stopping.
He leaned back into the large leather chair, crossing his arms over his chest, his posture lazy yet full of a sense of oppression.
He spoke lightly.
"I want to get 'I am the CEO' tattooed on my forehead."
"This way, my secretary will remember that I am her superior."
"And will obey my work arrangements."
That sarcastic tone.
Qiao Xi was so stunned by his retort that she couldn't speak for a long time, her chest feeling blocked.
She suddenly smiled and said.
"President Shang, I suggest adding three more words."
"What?" Shang Beichen raised an eyebrow.
"'I am human'!"
The air froze.
Shang Beichen slowly raised his eyes to look at her, his gaze extremely cold.
"Are you finished?"
Qiao Xi: "I'm finished."
"Get out."
..
Busy until 5 PM, Qiao Xi finally finished the "Project Investment Intent Letter" that Shang Beichen had requested at the last minute and placed it on his desk.
Then she fled.
Her mother wasn't feeling well today and was resting at home.
She needed to take Little Bean to Xia Cheng; the poor baby had been waiting at kindergarten for over an hour.
She drove at 80 km/h straight to the kindergarten.
Unbeknownst to her, a Rolls-Royce was following her.
She picked up Little Bean from kindergarten and affectionately kissed her little face.
"Handsome Daddy."
Little Bean suddenly called out again.
Qiao Xi's scalp tingled. She turned around and, as expected, saw Shang Beichen's annoying icy face again.
Was this man bored and addicted to following her?
"Shut up, don't call him that."
Qiao Xi hissed, and Little Bean pouted.
"President Shang, what a coincidence, are you picking up your child too?"
"Yes, I just wanted to see your sister again," he said.
Your sister!
Qiao Xi thought back at him.
"I want a single strand of her hair," he said frankly, without beating around the bush.
Once the seed of doubt is planted, it will take root and sprout.
After all, the last time, he had taken something and fought with her several times. Who knew if this woman had taken any medication afterward.
Qiao Xi: ...
He really wanted to do a paternity test!
✦✦✦