Chapter Nineteen: Who Is So Good at Flattering?

“Beep beep...”

Assistant Liu’s phone was on the verge of meltdown from the barrage of messages coming in from the Finance Director, the Human Resources Director, the Administration Director, and a slew of other executives. Especially after Luo Yuan had intercepted him midway and sobbed to him for over half an hour, his mind was filled with the incessant chattering of these people.

After fending off wave after wave of inquiries about Luo Yuan, he staggered, utterly spent, into Fu Zhichen’s office and finally let out a sigh of relief.

“President, the upper management at Fu Corporation is reacting very strongly to President Pei’s intention to dismiss Vice President Luo. There are even rumors circulating in the company group chat that Vice President Luo is your lover and can’t be fired.”

Fu Zhichen nearly choked on his tea. “Cough, cough—”

Assistant Liu showed him the chat records. “President, look at these photos—they look quite convincing, almost real.”

Fu Zhichen glanced through them. They were all candid shots of him and Luo Yuan during handovers, taken from various angles. His face darkened when he saw one particularly incriminating backlit photo where the two appeared to be kissing; he almost swore out loud.

“Who’s so skilled with a camera? Last time, I was in a rush to a meeting and accidentally bumped into Luo Yuan!”

Assistant Liu checked the ID and recalled, “It was posted by a junior assistant in the news department. She does have quite a talent for photography.”

Fu Zhichen pressed his hand to his forehead in exasperation. “Delete the chat records, have PR issue a clarification, send Luo Yuan her dismissal letter, and release the surveillance footage and photos that Security recovered as a public announcement.”

Assistant Liu noted down the instructions. “And the junior assistant?”

Fu Zhichen’s long, pale fingers were interlaced atop his black suit trousers. “If she hasn’t violated any work principles, keep her. Just warn her not to spread rumors.”

Since the photos were already taken, why weren’t there more? He’d met with his sister so many times at the company—did she never notice? Hiding their relationship was so exhausting; he wanted nothing more than to be with Pei Susu openly.

—

When it was discovered that Luo Yuan had leaked information to Liang Wenru, she was expelled from Fu Corporation.

The incident had happened so suddenly that the deputy general manager’s position was left vacant, with no suitable subordinate to immediately step up. The HR Director was urgently recruiting suitable candidates.

Pei Susu shouldered the workload of two people, working overtime alongside the directors and department heads—sometimes staying until the early hours, even pulling all-nighters.

At three in the morning, the Technical Director and Administration Director handed her the completed project reports. “Susu, the bidding project is almost over. You haven’t had a proper night’s sleep all week. Get some rest.”

The HR Director had been up all night sifting through candidates for the deputy general manager position and was finally about to go home. Glancing up, he saw that Pei Susu’s office was still brightly lit.

“Susu, I’ve found three promising candidates. We can schedule interviews tomorrow. Once someone is hired, you’ll be able to hand off some of your work and go home to rest.”

They had all expected that Pei Susu would give up halfway, beg Luo Yuan to return, or collapse under the workload. After all, Fu Corporation was demanding, and it was nearly impossible to find a replacement on such short notice.

Yet, against all odds, she maintained the stable operation of every part of the company under intense pressure, earning everyone’s admiration.

Meanwhile, Luo Yuan used a stolen access card from a friend to sneak into Fu Corporation. Hiding in the shadows, she watched with seething jealousy as those who once fawned over her now showed concern for Pei Susu and bid her farewell.

In less than a week, they had all defected to curry favor with Pei Susu!

As they finally left and Pei Susu remained alone on the entire floor, Luo Yuan’s hesitation vanished. She resolutely pulled from her backpack a bottle of concentrated sulfuric acid.

Pei Susu, once your vixen’s face is ruined, I refuse to believe Fu Zhichen will keep you.

A wide, manic grin stretched across her lips as she watched that cold, ethereal beauty, so focused on her documents. Luo Yuan crept forward, silent and deliberate.

Fu Zhichen had just finished reviewing the last proposal of the day and was coming downstairs to pick up Pei Susu and take her home. As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, he spotted a shadowy figure brandishing a bottle of amber liquid, heading straight for Pei Susu.

“Pei Susu, I want you to know what it feels like to fall from the clouds into the mud!” Luo Yuan twisted open the cap and flung the sulfuric acid toward Pei Susu.

Fu Zhichen’s pupils contracted. He dashed in from the nearer doorway, tackling Pei Susu to the ground and shielding her with his body.

Some of the acid splashed onto his back, instantly searing his flesh.

“Zhichen!” The acrid smell of acid and blood filled Pei Susu’s nose, making her heart pound wildly. She quickly dialed emergency services, trying to check his injury.

Fu Zhichen gently pushed her under the desk. “Susu, stay hidden. She might have more dangerous things on her.”

Fighting through the agony, he forced himself to stand, keeping Luo Yuan in his sights.

Terrified by the murderous intent in his eyes, Luo Yuan bolted, using every ounce of strength to flee.

Wasn’t Pei Susu supposed to be Fu Zhichen’s lover? Why would he shield her so desperately? That look in his eyes—it was enough to kill.

Fu Zhichen surveyed the area cautiously. Only when he was certain there were no accomplices did he reach out to help Pei Susu from under the desk.

“Susu, are you hurt?”

He steadied her shoulders, his usually cold eyes filled with worry.

“I’m fine. How’s your back? Let me see.”

The thickening scent of blood nearly drove Pei Susu mad with fear. She pressed Fu Zhichen into a chair and moved behind him.

A patch of his pale, taut back—about the size of a grown man’s hand—had been eaten away, raw and bloody.

Meeting the tears misting her eyes, Fu Zhichen forced a casual tone. “It hurts—a lot. I’m sure it’ll scar. With a wound this big, if you don’t want me anymore, I’ll never find a girlfriend again.”

“You’ll have to take responsibility for me, Susu.”

From downstairs came the faint wail of an ambulance. Pei Susu helped him to the elevator.

“Nonsense. I’ll find medicine and see what I can do.”

Fu Zhichen gave a faint laugh, wrapping an arm around her waist and leaning into her. “Then I’ll trouble you to take care of me, Susu.”

The EMTs, seeing the two of them arrive together, rushed to treat Fu Zhichen’s back. “Take off his shirt.”

Without hesitation, Pei Susu tore open his shirt and pulled it off.

Fu Zhichen buried his head against her neck. “Susu, you’re quite adept at ripping off clothes.”

His voice, usually magnetic and cool, now carried a soft teasing note that made Pei Susu’s ears flush. She stroked his dark hair, murmuring, “Zhichen, bear with it. It’ll be over soon. I’ll buy you your favorite cake tomorrow.”

Actually, she’d bought pastries for him after joining Fu Corporation, but Luo Yuan had called her away for drinks, and the cakes had melted by the next day—they’d never reached him.

The doctor quickly cleaned Fu Zhichen’s wounds. As they finished, the ambulance arrived at the hospital.

“Come with me to the surgery department. Sulfuric acid burns need prompt treatment or they’ll leave serious scars.”