Chapter 19

Shen Zhizhe was taken aback and, after scratching his chin, quietly protested, “Chi Xiting still has a project to handle. He can’t get away.”

Chu Yu casually leaned back in his chair, chuckling, “So what?”

What project requires Chi Xiting specifically?

Shen Zhizhe: “…”

Heartless capitalist.

He was the one pulling the strings here.

Shen Zhizhe knew Chu Yu well enough. When Chu Yu asked for someone so directly, he quickly figured out the situation.

He had already pulled up the resumes of the marketing department interns from the start.

Unexpectedly, he found himself in the meeting room, listening to the intern’s work report.

The M City project proposal had reached Chu Yu a week ago.

So, everything was part of Chu Yu’s plan from the beginning.

He had already decided to give the project to the intern, using the opportunity to train someone new.

This was just Chu Yu’s usual method.

The current head of the product department had also risen through this process, gradually working his way up to the position.

But…

Shen Zhizhe pursed his lips, his gaze sharpening slightly. He subconsciously tapped his hand against his leg.

He wasn’t too keen on letting Chu Yu interfere too much with the marketing department.

“Alright,” Shen Zhizhe sighed. “If it’s Chi Xiting, then fine.”

Chu Yu showed no change in expression, seemingly having anticipated Shen Zhizhe’s agreement.

“You can take two people with you,” Shen Zhizhe looked at Chu Yu seriously. “I’m planning to organize a team competition later. Li Yang, Huo Youshen, and Chi Xiting are the ones I’m looking at. Li Yang is currently handling a project for the product department…”

Before Shen Zhizhe could finish, Chu Yu’s gaze darkened slightly. He frowned just the slightest bit before replying, “You still want me to bring Huo Youshen?”

Shen Zhizhe nodded.

This was the result of careful consideration on Shen Zhizhe’s part. He wasn’t lying to Chu Yu; he did intend to organize a team competition and planned to use it to finalize the two candidates for permanent positions.

But competition requires fairness.

While he was relatively satisfied with Chi Xiting, the real competition hadn’t even begun yet. He wouldn’t give away the answers so easily from the start.

Li Yang had a major project, Chi Xiting was being sent on a business trip with Chu Yu, and in comparison, Huo Youshen seemed to be at a disadvantage. Shen Zhizhe had to find a way to maintain a certain balance.

He needed to keep as much control over the final selection process as possible.

Chu Yu looked at Shen Zhizhe with a deep gaze. His eyes, behind his glasses, were as dark as ink, almost blending with the night outside the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Shen Zhizhe could tell that Chu Yu had already guessed his intentions.

Chu Yu lowered his gaze.

—-

The large office grew silent.

After a moment, Chu Yu finally gave a small hum, signaling his agreement.

Shen Zhizhe’s lips curled into a smile. He lazily stood up, stretched, and said to Chu Yu, “Alright, I’ll notify them. It’s getting late, I’ll head out now.”

With that, Shen Zhizhe turned to leave.

As soon as he closed the door, he took out his phone from his pocket and tapped on Chi Xiting’s contact at the door.

[Shen Zhizhe]: Are you there?

He waited for a long time without receiving a reply from Chi Xiting. Shen Zhizhe frowned slightly but didn’t have any major issues with it. He then turned to look for Huo You Shen, notifying him to come to the office tomorrow.

Huo You Shen responded quickly and didn’t ask in advance what the matter was; he simply acknowledged it.

Shen Zhizhe was quite satisfied with this attitude, but then his teeth clenched in frustration.

Unlike that kid, Chi Xiting.

As soon as work ended, he disappeared.

Chi Xiting, who was being nagged by Shen Zhizhe, had just finished eating.

Lu Yanzhao was too enthusiastic with him, so much so that Chi Xiting didn’t know how to react, and he had no choice but to accept it all. He nearly choked as he ate, barely managing to stop in time.

Chi Heyuan was a very steady and reserved person, but he would occasionally ask if the dishes suited Chi Xiting’s taste. A few times, he seemed tense and nervous, afraid Chi Xiting wouldn’t accept his goodwill.

Chi Heyuan, watching from the side with a bowl of rice, saw Chi Xiting secretly burp several times and then kindly spoke up: “Are you full? If you’re full, let’s watch a movie.”

Chi Xiting didn’t hesitate at all, very grateful that Chi Heyuan saved him from the situation. He put down his chopsticks and nodded repeatedly, like a little chick pecking at grain. “Okay, okay, let’s go.”

Lu Yanzhao looked a little surprised, glancing from Chi He Yuan to Chi Xiting, seemingly not expecting the brothers’ relationship to have suddenly eased.

That was a good thing.

It was also something Lu Yanzhao had been working on for a long time.

“Then you two go ahead and watch the movie,” Lu Yanzhao smiled and said to Chi Xiting, “Don’t worry, I’ll clean up.”

Chi Xiting hesitated for a moment but was still pushed away from the dining table by Lu Yanzhao, going into the room with Chi Heyuan.

Before dinner, Lu Yanzhao had already told them they were staying the night. Both of them couldn’t refuse and reluctantly agreed. Fortunately, Lu Yanzhao had been keeping the rooms tidy, so they didn’t need to do much cleaning and could move in right away.

As soon as Chi Heyuan closed the door, he plopped down into the computer chair, turned on the computer, and opened a game. Before putting on his headphones, he said to Chi Xiting, “You can play for a while. We won’t watch the movie. After about an hour, just go back to your room on your own.”

With that, Chi Heyuan put on his headphones and ignored Chi Xiting’s response, immersing himself in the game.

Chi Xiting didn’t mind at all. He obediently said, “Okay,” then found an empty seat in the room, took out his phone, and started scrolling through short videos. Just as he clicked on one, he heard Chi He Yuan speak again: “You need to get up early tomorrow; there’s going to be traffic.”

Chi Xiting pouted, not caring whether Chi He Yuan saw it, and reluctantly gave a small nod.

It was bad news.

He was already sleep-deprived.

Now it was going to be even worse.

Chi Xiting lazily leaned back, sinking into the tatami mat, found the most comfortable position, and continued to scroll through videos, lost in enjoyment.

Half an hour later, Chi Xiting suddenly noticed a WeChat notification.

He paused the video and clicked on the message.

It was from Shen Zhizhe.

The message only had two empty words.

“Are you there?”

Chi Xiting’s eyelids twitched, and he had a bad feeling about it.

—-

After hesitating for a while, he cautiously replied with a question mark.

Shen Zhizhe responded quickly, almost as soon as Chi Xiting had sent the message.

[Shen Zhizhe]: It’s late; we should talk about some adult matters now.

Chi Xiting’s gaze slightly sharpened, his expression confused for a moment. After a brief pause, he replied.

[Chi Xiting]: ? Is this appropriate?

[Shen Zhizhe]: What time will you arrive at the office tomorrow? When you arrive, come to my office for a quick meeting. I have something to inform you. Wink

Chi Xiting: “……”

Damn it.

Really messed up.