Chapter 123 - Rotten Advice
In front of the office, stood Zhang Xin.
After jumping out of his warm, comfy bed, crossing all the red lights along the road in haste, haphazardly parking his car, he rushed up Li complex straight to the President's office, now awaiting his Boss's arrival by the door.
His hair was disheveled, his appearance untidy, his eyes sleep-deprived. Despite everything, he managed to pull out a stoic face.
Li Luxian arrived in no time, his grim expressions was a promise of torture for Zhang Xin.
Zhang Xin's face twitched.
'Just, why he had to forward that email to Boss? He thought that now that Boss stayed the night at his parents, it would be easily ignored. But who knew...his Boss behavior had been so unpredictable lately.'
Zhang Xin respectfully pulled open the door for his Boss. Internally he prepared his poor soul for what was to come.
"Is there anyone left in the office?"
"It's way past work hours. No one's in the complex," replied Zhang Xin.
Li Luxian nodded, walking towards his chair. He put his legs over the table taking out a cigar and lighting it up.
Zhang Xin. "..." Wasn't I rushed all the way here to discuss that...email? This does not look like the precedent of the business proposal discussion.
After a long satisfying drag, Li Luxian extinguished the cigar. His eyes hazy, his mind replaying the encounter with Chen Yi in an endless loop, analyzing each detail, deciphering each word and action. He had not felt the need ever since Chen Yi came into his life. But today, he lost to his urge.
"You have accompanied me ever since I was little." Li Luxian's eyes focused, he looked up at Zhang Xin catching him off guard. "What do you say?"
Zhang Xin back stiffened. He was more than confirmed that there was not going to be some business-related talk tonight.
He was not that stupid to admit. "Boss, I have no idea what you are referring to."
A trace of a smirk was revealed at the corner of Li Luxian's mouth. "Oh, I believe you do."
Zhang Xin felt a chill. Boss couldn't have known, could he? As he gulped down the saliva gathering in his throat, Li Luxian suddenly said. "You told Li Yuan about Chen Yi."
Zhang Xin choked on his saliva, his expressions were like a person being caught committing treason. "Boss, I can explain...I told Second Young Master intentionally to help Boss and-"
"No need." It required a simple wave of the hand from Li Luxian to end Zhang Xin's frantic attempt at explanation. "Just be mindful not to cross boundaries in the future."
Li Luixan was never angry at Zhang Xin. If anything, he was grateful. If not for Zhang Xin, Li Luxian would never have gotten in the same room as Chen Yi and with Chen Yi's persistent avoidance, they would never have moved forward.
A moment of silence passed. Li Luixan looked outside through the glass panels into the beautiful night, the image of the crying woman flashing across his eyes. Inescapable suffocation prompted another deep drag.
"So what do you say..." After a long pause, Li Liuxian finished his sentence. His impassive tone refuses to let out any emotion. But his following words bared his misgivings. "Should I give up?"
Li Luxian didn't need to extrapolate, Zhang Xin understood at once what Li Luxian was referring to.
Zhang Xin paused before responding.
This was his Boss, the perfect mighty God of business Empire, the one with whom even the royal family won't dare to mess, the one who stood tall amidst every violent storm that took the capital and laughed at the face of those challenges. And he actually...exposed a trace of uncertainty?
How could Zhang Xin not be shocked?
He took a deep breath, putting his utmost to be the best relationship adviser he could be with his zero dating record. "Boss, do you remember when you were little? Your Uncle's eldest daughter had bullied Second Young Master to the point that he locked himself up in his room, refusing to eat or drink. Once your grandmother had taken sides with your Uncle, everyone advised you to let it go...to just give up. They said there are some things that you can't just find a solution for. But you stuck for Second Young Master. You never gave up. Until you found evidence of everything and brought it in front of their eyes. And your grandmother had to begrudgingly punish your cousin." Go ahead, Boss. Forget everything about the Empire we so painstakingly built, let it burn to its ruin. Chase your woman, pursue your heart, you have my permission.
Recalling the specific memory, Li Luxian was intrigued Zhang Xin would still keep it in mind. "What do you mean to say?"
"Nothing can take away your right to pursue the thing in your heart."
'At least I would be spared the attack of your eternal terrifying mood if you succeed. And if you fail...' Zhang Xin refused to think otherwise for the mere thought gave him unpleasant shudders.
Li Luxian's eyes hazed, his fingers bringing the cigar back to his mouth paused.
He had only asked Zhang Xin casually. Who knew his quirky right man of his would say such wise words.
Li Luxian recalled her hands caressing his face, her trembling lips, her reluctant fingers. As he had put his arms around her, not even once had she tried to push him off. Instead, her response had become even more and more intense as they indulged in passion.
She did not dislike his touch, that was for certain.
She had just...changed her mind for whatever reason.
All was not lost. The spark, the attraction was still there.
As long as the spark was there, who said he could not seduce his way back into her mind, prompting her to change her decision? He still had a lot of time.
"She can't take away my right to pursue." Gloomy clouds of depression scattered away, a fresh fragrant air revitalized the surrounding.
Zhang Xin could see his Boss reviving resolve, his heart dropped as an evil smile unfolded over Li Luxian's face.
Boss, this doesn't feel right, eh...
Why hadn't he ripped his tongue out before giving that rotten advice to his Boss?