Chapter 89: Be with Me
With those two cold sentences, Lin Chuyue slammed the door shut.
Xiao Ye froze. 'Why is she so angry?'
'Seriously, what did I do now to provoke this little princess?'
Lin Aoshan saw the expressions on both their faces and let out a long sigh.
Then, he turned to Xiao Ye with a worried look and spoke apologetically.
"That girl, Chuyue... she's wonderful in every way, but she likes to keep things to herself."
"The year she turned one, her parents suddenly disappeared, and our family was thrown into utter chaos."
"Opportunistic members of the family targeted the two of us, grandfather and granddaughter, trying to seize power."
"To protect her, I had to keep her by my side at all times."
"But I had to run the Lin Group, and I couldn't give her my full attention. I didn't care for her enough, so she gradually developed the habit of bottling up her feelings."
"Xiaoye, please don't take it personally. I'm sure it's not directed at you. She's probably just having a rough time at work."
Lin Aoshan's words were a strategic retreat. By deliberately explaining Lin Chuyue's upbringing, he hoped to make Xiao Ye feel sympathy and affection for her.
This way, even if Lin Chuyue said something hurtful in the future, Xiao Ye probably wouldn't hold it against her.
He was getting old and couldn't be by Lin Chuyue's side forever. He had truly poured his heart and soul into arranging this marriage.
Xiao Ye naturally understood the meaning behind his words. He smiled and nodded. "My destined one would never be a bad person. It's normal for her to have a bit of a temper. You don't have to worry, Old Master."
"Besides, after spending these past few days together, I already know that Chuyue just has a sharp tongue but a soft heart."
Lin Aoshan was finally relieved, and a smile returned to his face.
He kindly used the serving chopsticks to place a piece of fish on Xiao Ye's plate.
"Eat up, Xiaoye. Don't be so formal. Consider the Lin Family your home!"
"A forever home for you and Chuyue!"
---
Over the next few days, Lin Chuyue was always out of the house, leaving early and coming home late.
Every time she came home and saw Xiao Ye, she would seethe with irritation.
Because of this, Lin Aoshan specifically called her in and lectured her for a long time. The gist of it was that she should cultivate her relationship with Xiao Ye and get married as soon as possible.
'How could she marry a scumbag who was disloyal in love!'
It wasn't that Lin Chuyue had never fantasized about her own marriage.
Given her qualifications, it wasn't about marrying into a wealthy family or securing great fortune; she simply had to have one person, for one lifetime.
After coming out of Lin Aoshan's study, Lin Chuyue shot Xiao Ye a fierce glare before turning and heading back to her bedroom.
The next day, she arrived at the company early as usual.
To avoid Xiao Ye, she had been making it a point to be the first one there lately.
But today, just as she walked into her office, a knock came from the door.
It was only eight in the morning, and the Lin Group didn't officially open for business until nine.
'Who would be here so early?'
Lin Chuyue was puzzled, but she still said politely, "Come in."
The door opened to reveal a man in his early thirties.
He had average looks, but dressed in a sharp suit and leather shoes, he had the air of a successful professional.
Lin Chuyue's tense expression softened slightly. "Manager Xu, what brings you here so early?"
Xu Fang was a senior executive she had hired through a headhunter. He had previously worked at a well-known financial firm abroad and was extremely capable.
Since he'd come on board, Lin Chuyue's own workload had been significantly reduced.
Xu Fang smiled faintly. "President Lin, I noticed you've been coming in very early lately, so I made a point of coming in a little early myself today."
"I was wondering if there was a problem with work. I could help you with the load."
Hearing this, Lin Chuyue gently shook her head. "That won't be necessary."
Her problem wasn't work-related at all; it was the annoying man back at her house.
The thought of Xiao Ye made her head ache again. She raised a hand to gently rub her temples. "There's nothing wrong at the company. Manager Xu, you don't need to come in so early next time."
Xu Fang stared at her delicate face and her slender, pale fingers, swallowing hard.
Doing his best to conceal the greedy look in his eyes, he asked, "President Lin, I was wondering if you're free to have dinner together tonight?"
As he spoke, he produced a concert ticket from behind his back with a rose petal taped to it.
"President Lin, I've been completely captivated by you since the first time we met. I hope you'll give me a chance to pursue you."
"I've done so much for the company... I'm just asking for a chance. Surely President Lin won't refuse, right?"
Lin Chuyue opened her mouth to refuse, but then she suddenly thought of Xiao Ye.
'Lately, no matter how cold she acted, Xiao Ye showed no sign of leaving the Lin family.'
'If he saw her getting close to another man, maybe he would know when to back off.'
'And this Xu Fang... although he wasn't as handsome as Xiao Ye, he was at least presentable.'
"Alright. I'll see you tonight, then," Lin Chuyue said, accepting the ticket.
Xu Fang broke into a wide grin. "Great. I'll wait for you after work."
「As evening fell.」
Sure enough, Xiao Ye arrived.
He walked into Lin Chuyue's office as if he owned the place. "The Old Master told me to come pick you up and take you home."
"That's not necessary. I have a date tonight."
Lin Chuyue said with a cold expression, grabbing her handbag from the desk. Without looking back, she dismissed him, "Go back by yourself."
With that, she turned and strode away on her high heels.
When she reached the company entrance, Xu Fang rolled down his car window, a brilliant smile on his face. "Chuyue, over here!"
He'd even changed how he addressed her.
Lin Chuyue didn't correct him, instead getting right into the passenger seat.
She glanced out the car window and saw Xiao Ye, who had followed her out.
'Hmph! I hope this time he'll recognize his place and know when to back off!'
'There are plenty of men who are better than him!'
'We're destined to be from different worlds!'
Xiao Ye watched the car drive away and gave a slight shrug.
'What's this girl playing at now?'
'Does she think I'll get jealous and leave the Lin Family in a huff?'
'Could she be any more childish?'
'Oh well. That guy who picked her up looks like bad news. Guess I'll have to play bodyguard.'
Meanwhile, Lin Chuyue was sitting with Xu Fang in a high-end restaurant.
'This Xu Fang... he really is a bit... hard to look at.'
Lin Chuyue frowned slightly, wondering how she could put an end to this awkward dinner.
But Xu Fang poured a glass of red wine, pushed it toward her, and seized the opportunity to grab her hand. "Chuyue, I like you!"
"Be with me! I'll definitely make you happy!"
Lin Chuyue quickly pulled her hand back. "Manager Xu, we're just here to have a meal. I never agreed to let you pursue me."
Xu Fang's face immediately darkened. "Chuyue, are you saying you look down on me?"
"Of course not. You're a great person, but we're just not compatible."
Lin Chuyue rejected him tactfully, feeling a pang of regret.
'She never should have agreed to Xu Fang's invitation in a moment of frustration over Xiao Ye.'
As the company's president, she knew the kind of trouble an office romance could bring.
"Manager Xu, my focus is entirely on the company right now. I'm not ready to be in a relationship."
"You're an excellent man. I'm sure you can find someone much better than me."
However, Xu Fang mistook her rejection for shyness.
"Chuyue, I only want you. As long as you agree to be with me, I will definitely make the Lin Group bigger and stronger!"
With that, his hand shot out toward her again.
Lin Chuyue quickly shook it off. She hated this kind of inappropriate contact.
The disgust in her eyes was too obvious for Xu Fang to miss.
He immediately seethed with rage.
'She's just a woman, isn't she?'
'If she didn't have the Lin Family backing her, she'd be nothing!'
'I have real talent and ability, but this arrogant, self-important Lin Chuyue is just a bitch who sleeps her way to the top!'
"Lin Chuyue, you just look down on me!"
"What, is it because I'm not as good as Huo Wenhao? Or Yuan Tiancheng?!"