Chapter 3 – Then You’ll Be in Charge

The next morning, Sheng Xia got up early and used thick foundation to cover up the bruises on her face until there was no flaw to be seen. When she arrived at the company, there was still half an hour before work officially started.

Most of her colleagues were the kind to arrive right on time. Sheng Xia wanted to learn more about the latest Tang Iron products in advance, so she sent two messages in the team group chat, but no one responded.

That was understandable. Everyone was either rushing to work in a frenzy, speeding in their cars like it was Fast & Furious, or dashing through crowded subway stations—who had time to look at their phones?

Left with no choice, she rummaged through the office file cabinets alone. In the large office, only the sound of flipping papers could be heard.

Suddenly, the sharp clack of high heels echoed on the tile floor. Then, a familiar female voice with a pleasant tone broke the silence.

“We’re still a bit early for office hours. Our product manager probably hasn’t arrived yet. President Qi, I really must apologize for our inadequate reception…”

President Qi?

The first person to pop into Sheng Xia’s mind was the one she had run into in C City just a few days ago. But surely, it couldn’t be that much of a coincidence… right?

But of course, it was that much of a coincidence.

They had been broken up for five years, living in the same city, and hadn’t crossed paths once in over 1,800 days. Yet recently, these two people—who should have been nothing but parallel lines—kept colliding.

She then heard that cool, aloof voice from her memories. Qi Youbai was speaking to her boss, Sister Wen:
“No need to worry, President Wen. I’m the one who arrived ahead of schedule. I’ve long heard about Zhenbao Company’s acclaimed intangible cultural heritage products. Since I had a free morning, I couldn’t wait to visit and see the Tang Iron collection for myself.”

A young CEO like him—handsome, capable, with a stellar background—could dazzle anyone just by standing still. Add in a few generous compliments, and Sister Wen was practically beaming.

Just as she was about to engage in a little mutual flattery with the charming guest, she glanced through the glass door and saw Sheng Xia holding a booklet in front of the file cabinet.

Qi Youbai followed her gaze and his steps paused too.

His gaze was unreadable, like still water—no sign of emotion, only those deep, unfathomable black eyes.

His eyes lingered on her for just a second before shifting away, as if they were nothing more than strangers.

Sister Wen broke into a smile. “Oh, Curator Sheng is here?” She opened the door and said, “President Qi, this is the talented and beautiful curator I mentioned—Sheng Xia. She’ll be in charge of the Tang Iron exhibition for our collaboration with Junli.”

“Xiaxia, come say hello to President Qi from Junli. He’s our new partner.”

Sheng Xia composed herself, walked over with a bright smile, and extended her free right hand. “Hello, President Qi. I’m Sheng Xia. It’s a pleasure to work with you.”

“Hello, Miss Sheng.”

Outwardly calm and courteous, Sheng Xia’s heart was in absolute chaos. It was already bad enough that her ex-boyfriend had seen her at her most embarrassing—dirty, disheveled, and begging like a fool outside his car window—but now, she had to pretend like nothing had happened and work with him? Every time she looked at him, she remembered how pathetic she’d been.

As she struggled to maintain her smile, Sister Wen suddenly pinched her nose and said, “Xiaxia, what perfume did you wear today? It smells awful.”

Sheng Xia’s smile stiffened. She had deliberately sprayed more perfume to mask the lingering stench from her undercover mission, but apparently, the combination made it worse.

She’d probably absorbed the smell. She couldn’t even detect it anymore. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have come to work today and would’ve stayed home to air it out.

Sister Wen, who had worked with Sheng Xia for years and was known for being blunt, realized her blunder right after saying it. Criticizing a young woman’s body odor in front of such a handsome man—definitely not appropriate.

She hurried to cover it up. “Maybe it’s a new kind of perfume? Smells bad at first, but the more you smell it, the better it gets, hahaha…”

“Pfft—” the man beside her couldn’t help but laugh, quickly covering his mouth and clearing his throat. But the coldness on his face had melted away. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t return to the composed President Qi who had first walked in.

Sheng Xia gave them both a hard side-eye and quipped, “Sister Wen, you’ve got food stuck in your teeth.”

Sister Wen: “……”

Qi Youbai’s assistants, standing behind him, lowered their heads and stifled their laughter.

But Sister Wen wasn’t offended. She knew Sheng Xia too well and figured the girl was just embarrassed. Besides, Sister Wen had already checked herself thoroughly before leaving the house—there was no way she actually had food in her teeth.

“Please don’t mind her, President Qi. Our company is full of young people. They like to joke around.”

At 8:55 sharp, the rest of the employees arrived. Many of the female staff were stunned by Qi Youbai’s good looks and presence. Even after the group entered the meeting room, discussions continued outside.

Sheng Xia brought up her prepared PowerPoint presentation and began introducing the history, production techniques, materials, and decorative elements of Tang Dynasty iron kettles—some even created by famous artists.

Though the meeting was scheduled to end soon, Sheng Xia was only halfway through her presentation. President Qi was listening intently, eyes fixed on her. Sister Wen, seeing this, mouthed a pleading look at Sheng Xia and quietly exited to attend her next meeting.

Left on her own, Sheng Xia drank some water. A drop dripped from her lip onto her white blouse, leaving a wet stain. She casually wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

At this point, there was no need to pretend to be elegant. He’d already seen her at her worst. Might as well be comfortable.

Qi Youbai subtly gestured to one of his assistants, who immediately retrieved a pack of tissues and walked it over to her.

“No need,” Sheng Xia said with a wave.

But the assistant was tall and fast. He handed them to her before she could stop him. She took a few tissues, wiped her hands, and tossed them into the bin with a clean shot. Then she turned back to the screen. “Next, I’ll explain the health benefits of using cast iron kettles for boiling water or tea…”

This was the second time they’d met in five years, and it was only now, while presenting, that Sheng Xia dared to look directly at him.

Back in college, Qi Youbai had been aloof and withdrawn, rarely speaking and socially awkward. Years in the business world had refined his edges. He was still distant, but there was a quiet maturity in how he conducted himself now.

Under his leadership, Junli International had grown immensely. The city’s government even designated Junli as the official hotel for hosting foreign guests.

Watching someone she once loved so deeply become more and more outstanding—Sheng Xia was truly happy for him. He deserved the best. That was why she had stepped aside back then, for the sake of his future and his white moonlight.

After wrapping up the presentation, Sheng Xia was about to start improvising historical significance when Sister Wen’s meeting ended. Catching the pleased look on President Qi’s face, she gave Sheng Xia a thumbs-up and quickly finalized the contract time and place.

When Sister Wen started bragging about Sheng Xia’s college GPA, Sheng Xia had to politely interrupt. No one knew better than Qi Youbai how bad her grades had actually been.

It was time to cut the ties. No more lingering feelings. You shouldn’t keep staring at a meal you’re never allowed to eat.

“Sister Wen, I have a request. I’d like to take a break. Could we assign someone else to handle the Tang Iron exhibition?”

The moment the words left her mouth, Sheng Xia felt Qi Youbai’s icy gaze sweep toward her.

“Take a break?” Sister Wen frowned. “Xiaxia, if you hadn’t already agreed to take this on, I might consider it. But now that President Qi is satisfied and everything’s set, can’t you just finish this one project? Then you can take time off.”

“Agreed? When did I agree?” Sheng Xia looked stunned.

“I texted you last night. You replied, ‘Okay, got it.’”

Qi Youbai chimed in, “It was Miss Sheng’s presentation that got me interested in Tang Iron and intangible heritage. If we switch project leads now, we’ll have to renegotiate the contract.”

Sheng Xia: “……”

Sister Wen had her confirmation. If she wasn’t sure something was going on between them before, she was now. Junli’s CEO was definitely interested in her girl.

Sister Wen quickly clapped Sheng Xia’s shoulder. “Xiaxia, I’ll leave our VIP guest to you. Take your time, no rush to return to the office.” Then she walked off without waiting for a reply.

Junli’s CEO was the city’s most eligible bachelor, and Sheng Xia was talented and likeable. If they got together, it would be a great match.

After Sister Wen left, the atmosphere turned cold again.

Standing outside the building, Sheng Xia glanced back at the two assistants who had stayed far away and looked thoughtful.

“What is it?” Qi Youbai asked.

“Nothing.”

After a brief silence, Qi Youbai said, “Zhang Zhu didn’t quit. His mother fell ill, so he took extended leave to return home.”

That one sentence sent a ripple through Sheng Xia’s heart. Could two people who truly loved each other really pretend to be strangers?

No. No matter how good an actor you were, your eyes and actions would always betray you.

“Is… is his mother okay?”

“She’s in the late stages of cancer. I’ve contacted the best medical experts for him.” Qi Youbai shook his head. “There’s not much time left.”

The topic was too heavy. Thinking of the gentle young man who used to follow her around calling her “Miss Xia,” Sheng Xia sighed faintly.

“Oh, and… about the 2,800 yuan I owe you from C City…” she forced herself to swallow her pride. “Can I transfer it back to you? Do you have a payment code?”

“What money?”

Qi Youbai blinked innocently, like he truly had no idea what she meant.

Sheng Xia snapped, “C City.”

Still pretending. She almost rolled her eyes.

Seeing her about to lose it, Qi Youbai’s eyes glinted with amusement. “Oh, that money? No need to pay it back. That was a charitable donation to a pair of hungry siblings.”

Then, without waiting for her reply, he walked straight to his car.

As the wind blew and the luxury car vanished from view, Sheng Xia stood there—utterly humiliated, her emotional HP bar drained to zero.

On an upper floor of the office building, a group of female employees leaned against the window, craning their necks to get a better look at the famously handsome CEO of Junli. They saw him say something to Sheng Xia… and then watched Sheng Xia stomp her foot, scream toward the sky, and shadowbox mid-air like she was possessed.

“What’s going on? Are they fighting?”

“No way. Sheng Xia’s just a junior employee. How would she dare argue with a CEO? She must’ve been scolded.”

“Still, he is handsome. But he must have a terrible personality to make her so mad. I was jealous she got to work with him, but now… no thanks.”

“Shhh, Sister Wen’s back! Everyone, back to your seats!”

…