Chapter Sixty-Eight: Encountering Trouble

Fortunately, the work that followed went extremely smoothly. Manager Qin had long harbored intentions of collaborating with the Fu Group, though the right opportunity had never presented itself until now. With Pei Susu and Zhou Haoyue making the introductions, the partnership was a foregone conclusion.

"Let me see Manager Qin out," Pei Susu said, closing the file before her and preparing to rise, but Manager Qin cautioned, "Perhaps Vice President Zhou should go instead? The person downstairs hasn’t left yet—it wouldn't be appropriate for a young lady like you."

Only then did Pei Susu recall the troublesome matter awaiting her downstairs. The negotiations had gone so effortlessly that she’d completely forgotten about Liang Wenru.

"It’s clear Pei is the victim here, but letting him loiter downstairs could damage your company’s image—and Pei’s reputation," Manager Qin smiled. "Of course, I’m not concerned, so rest assured. Still, it’s best to deal with him soon."

"Thank you for the reminder," Zhou Haoyue replied with a gracious smile, escorting Manager Qin downstairs. Upon her return, she shook her head at Pei Susu.

"I must say, Liang Wenru is shameless. He’s drenched to the bone, still refusing to leave. Maybe he’s suffered some shock and gone mad?"

Pei Susu felt a headache coming on. She certainly had no desire to go down in the pouring rain and negotiate with a lunatic.

But soon, the office phone rang. Pei Susu stepped forward, adopting her usual businesslike demeanor, and answered the internal line. A familiar, tingling voice came through.

"Trouble?"

Though nothing specific was said, Pei Susu felt an inexplicable grievance rising in her chest. Hearing Fu Zhichen’s gentle voice, she murmured, "Yes."

"I’ve already sent the security guards down. If he still refuses to leave, they’ll take him away."

If persuasion failed, then special measures would have to be employed.

"The guards report he seems a bit deranged, as if he’s taken something he shouldn’t. Otherwise, he wouldn’t insist on staying downstairs."

Pei Susu found this plausible. Liang Wenru was indeed a rogue, but one with considerable pride—his dignity mattered to him more than anything. In the past, he’d never have behaved like this, even if regret gnawed at him.

"Should we call the police directly?" she asked. Liang Wenru’s recent activities were unknown, and if he’d become involved with the sort of substances they suspected, Pei Susu knew she must be doubly cautious.

"I’ve already called the police—said his mental state seems off and requested a medical check."

If the security guards simply threw him out, someone might capture it on camera and use it against them. But if the police took him away, it would be different.

Pei Susu couldn’t help but smile, lips pressed together. "You always have a solution."

Zhou Haoyue paid little attention to their conversation, busy at the window, watching as a police car stopped in front of Liang Wenru downstairs.

Despite the heavy rain, several officers leapt out, swiftly subdued the uncooperative Liang Wenru, and bundled him into the car. The red roses he’d clutched fell to the ground, trampled into fragments. Zhou Haoyue glanced down, realizing every sheltered spot beneath the eaves was crowded with colleagues eager to watch the spectacle.

Even the downpour couldn’t dampen the company’s appetite for gossip. Soon, videos of Liang Wenru circulated within the company group chat.

Who could say, upon seeing these when sober, whether Liang Wenru would wish he'd never existed?

Pei Susu certainly felt embarrassed on his behalf.

Meanwhile, Liang Wenru huddled miserably in the police car. A drug-sniffing dog nosed at his trouser leg, then began barking furiously, making the cramped space feel all the more oppressive.

"Officer, I really haven’t taken any drugs! Please, just let me go!"

His face was pale, eyes bulging from days of sleeplessness, giving him a deranged appearance. Clearly, his words carried no weight. Seeing his desperate attempts to ingratiate himself and plead, the officer snorted coldly.

"Every drug user says this when we catch them. Whether it’s true will be determined by the urine test."

With no mercy, Liang Wenru was taken to the police station. He struggled so much that two officers had to restrain him, then forcibly removed his trousers...

The scene was unbearable to witness.

...

Back at Fu Group, the troublesome situation downstairs resolved at last, everyone’s work returned to its proper rhythm. Pei Susu reviewed the latest reports, aiming to deliver a proposal to Manager Qin as swiftly as possible.

Sitting motionless before her computer for ages, her vision blurred, but with progress stalled for so long, she knew she had to make up for lost time—even if it meant sacrificing her rest.

Occasional murmurs about the earlier events drifted by, but Pei Susu paid them no heed.

"Still discussing what happened earlier?" she heard someone say. "Is all your work done?"

A cool, clear voice pierced the space and reached Pei Susu’s ears. She looked up to find Fu Zhichen standing not far away, upright in his suit—a far cry from his demeanor at home.

Meeting her gaze, he blinked playfully.

Thanks to his recent admonition, everyone was focused on their tasks, heads down, oblivious to the subtle tension between the two.

For some reason, in this secrecy, Pei Susu thought of a word—how much this resembled an illicit affair.

She shook her head, banishing such absurd notions. Fu Zhichen, after a brief silence, said, "Pei Susu, come to my office."

Without hesitation, he turned and strode away.

Pei Susu sensed a hint of jealousy, feeling helpless. Conveniently, she had a few documents needing his signature, so she gathered them and followed him to the office.

"Why is President Fu so stern today?" Zhou Haoyue whispered. "I’ve never seen him show any expression besides a cold face. He looked strange just now—you should be careful."

Hearing Zhou Haoyue’s comment, Pei Susu couldn’t help but smile, but such caution was unnecessary.