Chapter 43

“You came here early in the morning just to ask me that?” 

Moving is quite a hassle, and Lin Yuxi, being a bit of a perfectionist, couldn’t rest until everything was organized. She had been busy until 5 a.m. and had only slept for four hours before Zhou Yanjing woke her up with his banging on the door. 

Lin Yuxi felt exasperated, but her mind was still foggy. Her voice carried a soft nasal tone as she said, “I was packing last night.” 

Zhou Yanjing was so angry his chest hurt. 

Right after receiving Yu Jiaxiao’s call, he immediately called the hospital, only to be told that Lin Yuxi hadn’t shown up for work. His heart had sunk, and he sped over, imagining the worst possible outcome. 

And yet, she was only “packing.” 

“You couldn’t take a call while packing? How long would that have taken?” 

Lin Yuxi frowned in confusion, not understanding why he was being so aggressive. “Is ignoring phone calls your exclusive right? So you can start fires, but others aren’t allowed to light a candle?” 

“I had a special situation yesterday. Xiao Fan drove recklessly and hit Jiang Nan, so I took her to the hospital. I left my phone in the car.” 

“You don’t need to explain. I wasn’t interested in knowing.” 

Lin Yuxi’s dark eyes calmly met his. “Besides, yesterday wasn’t the only time you’ve ignored my calls.” 

Zhou Yanjing was rendered speechless. 

At that moment, the elevator dinged, and Yu Jiaxiao burst out, wailing as she ran over to Lin Yuxi and grabbed her, shaking her wildly. 

“You scared me to death! I thought something had happened to you, I was panicking looking for you everywhere!” 

Lin Yuxi quickly hugged her and patted her back in comfort. She gently wiped Yu Jiaxiao’s tears with her sleeve, her voice soothing:  

“I’m fine, I’m fine. Don’t cry.” 

Yu Jiaxiao shouted, “Why didn’t you answer my calls? And your phone was off! Don’t you know how terrifying it is for young people these days when their phone suddenly shuts off?” 

“I’m sorry, I was moving last night and didn’t finish organizing until 5 a.m. I must’ve lost my phone in the chaos. I searched for it but couldn’t find it.” 

She had set her phone on silent during a night shift and forgot to change it back. While packing, she had so many things around that when she put her phone down, it vanished. It probably ran out of battery and shut off. She was so exhausted that she gave up searching and went to bed. 

Lin Yuxi explained, “I was worried you couldn’t reach me, so I sent you an email and left you a message on QQ. Didn’t you see them?” 

Zhou Yanjing stood by, watching coldly. 

Her explanation was much more detailed than what she had given him, and she had even been concerned enough about Yu Jiaxiao to leave messages for her. 

The difference in treatment couldn’t have been more obvious. 

Feeling indignant, Zhou Yanjing muttered, “You weren’t worried I’d be concerned?” 

Still hugging Yu Jiaxiao, Lin Yuxi gave him a sidelong glance. 

Her expression clearly said: “You? Yeah, right.” 

Zhou Yanjing’s chest ached again. 

All of Yu Jiaxiao’s anxiety and worry from the journey here culminated in a single word: “Damn!” 

Who would have thought it would turn out like this? 

“I just got to the office early this morning. I didn’t have time to check my email, and my QQ account got hacked ages ago I haven’t been able to log in for a while!” 

Lin Yuxi replied, “If you couldn’t reach me, why didn’t you come here to check? I told you last time I was planning to move back.” 

It suddenly dawned on Yu Jiaxiao that she had unintentionally set off this whole missing-person panic. Feeling guilty for a second, she muttered, “So it’s my fault?” 

“It’s not your fault, not your fault. It’s mine.” Lin Yuxi, knowing she was in the wrong, adopted a sincere attitude, especially since Yu Jiaxiao had been so worried that she cried. “You came at just the right time help me find my phone.” 

Yu Jiaxiao, still angry, growled, “When I find it, I’m going to smash it to pieces!” 

“Alright, alright, you can smash it.” After soothing her, Lin Yuxi turned to look at the man who had followed her over. 

It was then that Zhou Yanjing finally noticed Chu Weidong. 

Chu Weidong first nodded politely as a greeting. “Second Young Master,” he said, and then introduced himself briefly to Lin Yuxi: “I’m Chu Weidong.” 

“Oh, so you’re Jiaxiao’s boss,” Lin Yuxi realized. 

“She mentions me often?” Chu Weidong asked. “What does she say about me?” 

Well, nothing good just some curses about him never having a sex life, being infertile, and other colorful insults. 

Yu Jiaxiao quickly pinched Lin Yuxi hard, desperately signaling with her eyes. 

Lin Yuxi winced at the pain in her arm. ” She says you’re great at managing your team.” 

Chu Weidong glanced meaningfully at Yu Jiaxiao, who was avoiding his gaze with a guilty expression that clearly said she was hiding something. 

“Doesn’t sound like she’s been saying nice things about me.” 

“Who says? Everything I’ve said is good!” Yu Jiaxiao elbowed Lin Yuxi. “Quick, make up something else!” 

Lin Yuxi almost coughed up blood from the jab. 

“Alright, I’ll let it slide today,” Chu Weidong said. “Your friend just moved, so she must still be busy. I’m giving you the day off. Stay here and help her.” 

Yu Jiaxiao protested half-heartedly, “Oh no, boss, I haven’t finished my proposal yet. Everyone else is working; how could I take a break?” 

“Please, you’re in no shape to work. If you go back, you’ll just cause trouble for the rest of my team.” 

Lin Yuxi politely chimed in, “I’m really sorry for the trouble today. If you don’t mind, please come in for a cup of tea.” 

“I won’t intrude,” Chu Weidong replied. “I didn’t know you had just moved, so I didn’t bring a housewarming gift. But I’ll definitely bring something next time. Congratulations on your new home.” 

Lin Yuxi realized that Chu Weidong was very different from what she had imagined. Based on Yu Jiaxiao’s descriptions, she had pictured someone short, ugly, and as malicious as a modern-day Ouyang Feng. 

She hadn’t expected him to be so polite and rather handsome. 

“Thank you, but there’s no need to be so formal.” 

“It’s only right.” 

The two exchanged polite words, with Lin Yuxi’s attitude notably friendly. 

Zhou Yanjing, standing off to the side, was feeling increasingly uncomfortable at being ignored. 

“Why aren’t you inviting me in for a cup of tea?” 

Lin Yuxi glanced at him, clearly not intending to invite him. 

Yu Jiaxiao added, “What tea? Get lost!” She then grabbed Lin Yuxi and pulled her inside, ready to close the door. 

But Zhou Yanjing caught Lin Yuxi’s wrist. 

His hands were hot, heated from his rush to get there, and the warmth burned Lin Yuxi’s smooth, pale skin. 

“We need to talk,” he said. 

Lin Yuxi tried to pull her hand away, but his grip only tightened. 

Zhou Yanjing glanced at Yu Jiaxiao, who was glaring at him, clearly ready to punch him at any moment. “You, step aside.” 

Yu Jiaxiao stuck out her neck. “Why should I” 

Before she could finish, Chu Weidong pulled her aside. 

“Your friend probably needs some things. Come with me, we’ll go buy them.” 

With that, he forcibly dragged her away. 

Once they were gone, the previously chaotic hallway fell into sudden quiet. 

The silence between them grew heavy and awkward. Lin Yuxi twisted her wrist, finally breaking free from Zhou Yanjing’s grasp. 

As his hand emptied, Zhou Yanjing felt a hollow emptiness in his chest too a black hole of emptiness. 

“Let’s talk inside,” he said. 

Lin Yuxi hesitated. 

Zhou Yanjing let out a soft, mocking laugh, adjusting his collar with elegant motions. “What are you afraid of? I haven’t touched you in over two years. 

 We’re about to get divorced. Do you really think I’m going to try to sleep with you here? You think you’re that irresistible?” 

Lin Yuxi really wanted to throw a slipper at his infuriating face.