Qu Xiao merely glanced at him indifferently and said coldly, “What is it?”
Qu Bai smiled lightly. “Elder brother, Grandfather asked me to tell you that he’s celebrating his birthday in a few days. He hopes you’ll bring Second Uncle back. If you don’t have time, I can go pick up Second Uncle instead.”
Qu Xiao’s face darkened. “The company isn’t the place to discuss these matters. If you have nothing else, leave.”
Liang Yan chimed in with a sarcastic tone, “Exactly, get lost already. Seeing you ruins the whole day’s mood.”
Qu Bai looked at Liang Yan but showed no anger. He simply stated, “Liang Yan, if I were you, I wouldn’t follow behind others all day like a dog. If you have time, you should care more about your own family.”
“You!” Liang Yan stood up and strode toward him, determined to teach him a lesson today.
“Ah Yan.” Qu Xiao’s voice stopped him.
Yu Yang also stepped forward to restrain Liang Yan. “Yan Shao, the boss doesn’t like people fighting in the company.”
Liang Yan glared at Qu Bai with gritted teeth, thinking this bastard truly deserved a beating.
Qu Xiao set down the documents in his hand and looked at Qu Bai, his voice icy. “If you have nothing to do in the company, I’ll transfer you to oversee the African branch.”
Qu Bai gave him a faint glance before turning and leaving his office.
Liang Yan shook off Yu Yang’s hand and looked at Qu Xiao with resentment. “Brother, why didn’t you let me beat that bastard? He really asked for it.”
Qu Xiao frowned slightly as he looked at Liang Yan. “Ah Yan, I’ve taught you many times—you must first learn patience. If you can’t endure verbal provocation, you won’t last long. I can’t protect you every moment.”
Liang Yan lowered his head and muttered, “I understand. I just can’t stand him.”
“Alright, go back and spend time with your aunt. Didn’t your father want you to join the company? Go back and see about that.”
Just as Liang Yan was about to nod, he suddenly remembered something and looked up sharply. “Brother, are you trying to get rid of me?”
Qu Xiao frowned at him, quickly realizing he was overthinking. He stood and walked over, patting his shoulder. “You’re overinterpreting. I’m not pushing you away. You’ll inherit the family business sooner or later, and this is a good time to familiarize yourself with your father while you’re in the country.”
Hearing this, Liang Yan finally nodded and left.
Yu Yang closed the door and looked at Qu Xiao, who stood by the window deep in thought. After hesitating, he asked, “Boss, what are you thinking about?”
Qu Xiao lit a cigarette but extinguished it without taking a puff.
He turned to Yu Yang and said, “Personally take some men and secretly move Second Uncle to a safe location. Don’t let him stay at Rose Garden anymore. They’ll definitely try to make him return.”
“Yes, Boss.”
After Yu Yang left the office, Qu Xiao returned to attentively reviewing the documents.
……………
Liang Yueran went home to shower and change clothes, then received a call from her brother asking her to go to The Qu Corporation to retrieve a document for him.
She initially didn’t want to go, but her brother insisted. Afraid that further discussion might lead her to reveal what happened last night, she had no choice but to brace herself and drive there.
She parked her car at the entrance of The Qu Corporation, grabbed her bag, and got out.
Entering the building, she headed straight for the elevators.
Just as the elevator doors were about to close, a hand suddenly reached in, causing them to reopen.
Watching the person entering the elevator, Liang Yueran’s face darkened.
Qu Bai was also surprised to encounter Liang Yueran at The Qu Corporation, noticing her meticulously applied makeup.
He couldn’t resist sneering coldly, “Couldn’t stand the loneliness and came looking for Qu Xiao already? Weren’t you satisfied enough just last night?”
Liang Yueran’s face turned pale. She raised her hand to strike him, “Bastard!”
Qu Bai caught her wrist and trapped her in his embrace, “Liang Yueran, did you really think I’d let you hit me again?”
Liang Yueran sank her teeth into his arm, drawing blood without releasing.
Qu Bai shook her off in pain, “Liang Yueran, have you gone mad?”
Thrown against the elevator wall, Liang Yueran saw stars from the impact.
Seeing her crouched on the floor, Qu Bai gritted his teeth and pulled her up, “What’s wrong? Not dying, are you?”
Shaking off his hand, Liang Yueran looked at him with disgust, “Qu Bai, someone like you doesn’t deserve to live.”
“You!” Qu Bai glared at her fiercely.
Just then, the elevator doors opened. Liang Yueran strode out without looking back – even sharing space with him made her nauseous.
Qu Bai’s expression turned thunderous. As he moved to exit, he noticed a bracelet on the floor. After a moment’s hesitation, he picked it up before leaving.
In the office:
Qu Xiao frowned at Liang Yueran’s pallid complexion, “Yueran, are you unwell? You look terrible.”
Hearing him call her, she quickly responded, “Cousin, I’m fine. Really, I’m perfectly alright.”
Noting her flustered demeanor, Qu Xiao’s frown deepened.
Liang Yueran rose from the couch, “Cousin, my brother sent me to collect some documents. Where are they?”
Qu Xiao handed her the files, studying her carefully. She forced a smile as she accepted them.
Hesitating, she asked, “Cousin, could you have Yu Yang escort me downstairs?”
Qu Xiao stood immediately, “Are you in some kind of trouble?”
She shook her head hurriedly, “No, it’s fine. If he’s busy, I can go down alone.”
Seeing her reluctance to explain, Qu Xiao didn’t press further. Grabbing his jacket from the chair, he said, “I need to go out anyway. I’ll walk you down.”
Liang Yueran nodded, “Alright.”
With her cousin accompanying her, she wouldn’t have to fear encountering that bastard Qu Bai.
Emerging from the break room, Qu Bai saw Liang Yueran smiling as she entered the elevator with Qu Xiao. His face instantly hardened.
…
Around five o’clock:
After work, Qu Xiao had his driver take him directly to Gu Corporation’s entrance. He called Gu Yan.
She answered promptly, “Uncle Qu, what is it?”
His voice softened, “Finished work? I’m here to take you home.”
Hearing he’d come for her, Gu Yan responded eagerly, “Wait for me! I’ll be right down!”
Looking at the ended call, Qu Xiao smiled.
Just as he was preparing to pick her up after work, his phone rang again.
Seeing it was Old Master Qu calling, he hung up without hesitation.
But the phone rang again immediately. With visible disgust, Qu Xiao answered.
“Speak.”
Old Master Qu wasn’t angry at all. He smiled and said, “Xiao Xiao. In a few days, it will be my birthday celebration. Bring your second uncle back, your grandfather misses him.”