Chapter 46

After leaving the café, Cheng Li glanced down at her clothes.

She was wearing a blue coat that day. While inside, she had kept it unbuttoned but hadn’t taken it off, resulting in coffee stains all over her body.

Night had already fallen outside. In the winter days of Shanghai, darkness always seemed to arrive early.

The streets were alive with a constant flow of vehicles, their red taillights forming a winding, luminous river. Viewed from above, it would undoubtedly be a spectacular sight.

Cheng Li called for a ride-hailing car, deciding not to return to the office and instead heading straight home.

As soon as she got into the car, the driver noticed the stains on her clothes and exclaimed, “Miss, what happened to you?”

“Coffee,” Cheng Li replied with a faint smile.

The driver made sympathetic noises before commenting, “How careless! This kind of stain is hard to clean off.”

“It wasn’t me,” Cheng Li clarified, still smiling.

“Who would throw coffee at you? Did you make them pay for the damages? A stain this big will never come out—you should demand compensation!”

Cheng Li chuckled lightly and said, “I doubt that’s possible.”

After all, Gao Zhihe was currently in detention, likely being questioned at this moment.

The driver shook his head. “What an uncivilized person. You’d better stay away from people like that.”

Cheng Li was amused by his words and replied, “You’re absolutely right.”

While in the car, she sent a WeChat message to Zuo Qingqing, letting her know she wouldn’t be returning to the office and advising everyone else to head home early.

She also gave Han Xiaolin a quick call.

Han Xiaolin seemed to have been waiting anxiously, as she answered immediately. “How did it go?”

“The person has been taken away. Someone might question Wu Ke about it later, but she just needs to tell the truth—she didn’t take any money,” Cheng Li said calmly.

Han Xiaolin nodded. “Got it.”

After a brief pause, she asked, “What about Mr. Ren?”

“I’ll talk to him tomorrow. At the very least, we need to wait for Wen Si to secure the authorization letter first.”

“Do you think Wen Si will go through with it?” Han Xiaolin asked hesitantly.

“She has two kids. A mother’s determination can be surprising—she’ll think it through,” Cheng Li said confidently.

The driver glanced at her through the rearview mirror but, wisely, refrained from interrupting this time.

When Cheng Li arrived home, she immediately took off her coat and tossed it onto the floor, intending to throw it away later.

Her coat was light blue, and coffee stains on such a color would inevitably leave marks, no matter how thoroughly cleaned.

She went straight into her bedroom bathroom, taking a long, satisfying shower. She even washed her hair twice before finally stepping out.

The intense coffee aroma that had clung to her body was finally gone.

From a young age, Cheng Li had been praised for her gentle and quiet demeanor.

She rarely argued with others, let alone encountered something as dramatic as being doused with coffee.

After her shower, she emerged with a towel draped over her shoulders, drying her hair as she gathered the rest of her soiled clothes into a bag. She planned to throw them all out.

Just as she opened her door to fetch the coat from the living room, she bumped into Rong Qi, who had just returned home.

Their eyes met, and Cheng Li froze.

Why was he home so early today?

Rong Qi seemed equally surprised. He glanced at her, then stepped forward, bent down, and picked up her coat with a faint smile. “Why are you back so early today?”

As soon as he asked, his expression shifted upon noticing the stains on her coat.

He unfolded it to reveal a large, dark stain covering half of the coat.

“What happened?”

His face instantly darkened, the light smile vanishing as his lips pressed into a line and his brows furrowed.

Afraid he’d worry, Cheng Li quickly explained, “A coworker spilled it on me, so I came back early to change and take a shower.”

After all, Gao Zhihe technically still counted as her coworker.

She wasn’t lying—just choosing her words carefully.

“How careless,” Rong Qi said, his expression easing slightly. He took the bag from her hands. “It’s so dirty—don’t bother washing it. I’ll buy you a new one later.”

“Later?” Cheng Li echoed.

“Since we’re both home early for once, why not go shopping?” Rong Qi suggested with a smile.

Cheng Li perked up. “Sure! Let me blow-dry my hair first.”

“I’ll do it,” Rong Qi said, tossing the bag onto the floor and pulling her into the bathroom.

The hairdryer was already in her bathroom. Rong Qi positioned her between himself and the counter, grabbed the dryer, and began gently brushing through her hair.

Cheng Li stood quietly at first.

But when she glanced up at the mirror, she caught a reflection of Rong Qi’s gaze lifting to meet hers.

For a moment, their eyes locked, and an unspoken tension filled the air.

Though it was an ordinary domestic scene, the hum of the hairdryer and the charged atmosphere made it feel deeply intimate.

Cheng Li was the first to break, lowering her gaze to avoid the accelerating rhythm of her heartbeat.

But before she could step away, Rong Qi suddenly wrapped his arms around her from behind, letting the hairdryer fall to his side. Its hum continued, filling the silent bathroom.

He didn’t move further, simply resting his chin on the top of her head, gently rubbing against her.

The small bathroom felt suffocatingly still, as though even the air had stopped moving.

Cheng Li eventually asked softly, “Do you still want to go shopping?”

Her voice surprised her—it was soft and tender, almost like a coquettish murmur.

She startled herself with how uncharacteristic it sounded.

Rong Qi chuckled quietly and placed a light kiss on the top of her head.

That gentle, fleeting kiss sent ripples through Cheng Li’s heart.

Being people of action, the two quickly finished preparing to head out. Cheng Li, freshly showered, left the house with her long hair down and a bare face.

Fortunately, she had inherited her mother’s fair and flawless skin. Sometimes, she’d even accidentally buy foundation darker than her actual complexion.

Their apartment was in the city center, not far from Shanghai’s most luxurious shopping mall.

After a ten-minute drive, they arrived.

In the parking garage, Rong Qi asked, “Do you want to eat first?”

“At this time, the restaurants will definitely be crowded. Let’s shop first and eat later.”

Rong Qi asked, “Not hungry?”

Cheng Li shook her head. “Not at all.”

They entered the first floor, where an array of high-end brands was in full display. Some stores even had long queues outside as people waited to enter.

Cheng Li hadn’t planned to shop on the first floor.

Though her income was decent, these stores were better avoided unless necessary.

Previously, she had bought a Chanel bag for her mother, Ms. Ling, who was so delighted that she personally cooked meals for Cheng Li for an entire week.

But indulgences like that were rare, a luxury she allowed herself only occasionally.

However, Rong Qi noticed her intent to leave and led her into a store without a long queue at the entrance. Cheng Li glanced at the large logo by the door.

“How about this one?” Rong Qi asked after browsing the women’s section.

He picked out a camel-colored long coat, similar in style to the one she had worn before. However, this one featured lambskin accents on the pockets and cuffs, giving it a distinctive look.

A store associate smiled and said, “This coat is made of cashmere and wool. Feel free to touch it; the texture is exceptionally soft and smooth.”

Even without touching it, Cheng Li could tell the fabric was of exceptional quality.

“Try it on,” Rong Qi said directly.

Cheng Li initially wanted to decline, but under his gaze, she took the coat and entered the fitting room.

The first thing she did was check the price tag.

Although she had mentally prepared herself, seeing the label marked at 67,000 yuan still made her heart tremble slightly.

Amazing.

This store could just as easily be robbing people, yet they had the audacity to call it selling clothes.

She changed carefully, taking extra care not to damage the garment.

It wasn’t as though Cheng Li was unfamiliar with quality clothing—most of her winter coats cost four to five thousand yuan. Even Ms. Ling had once said that winter coats should emphasize quality and design; it’s better to buy fewer but better pieces.

But an extra zero on the price tag? This was the first time she had even tried something so expensive.

When she walked out, Rong Qi, who was waiting, looked up. His eyebrows lifted slightly, and a smile appeared.

“I feel like it doesn’t suit me,” Cheng Li said, putting on a slightly doubtful expression as if she wasn’t impressed.

The associate immediately countered, “It suits you perfectly! This type of structured coat looks best on tall, slender women like you. The color complements your skin tone beautifully and makes you look even fairer.”

Before Cheng Li could say more, Rong Qi approached her, studied her for a moment, and said, “It looks great.”

Cheng Li widened her eyes slightly, then heard him add without hesitation, “You look stunning.”

This man—why couldn’t he hold back his compliments when it mattered most?

If he’d said just one less flattering thing, Cheng Li might not have been so tempted.

And so, before she knew it, Cheng Li walked out of the store with two new coats. When Rong Qi asked if she wanted to look at handbags, Cheng Li couldn’t help but blurt out, “I think I’m hungry now.”

Cheng Li realized that shopping with Rong Qi was probably a mistake.

How could she expect him not to spend money on her?

But today, Rong Qi, who usually listened to her opinions, took her hand and said softly, “I just want my wife to look her best.”

Every time he called her “wife,” Cheng Li’s heart seemed to skip a beat.

It was a tingling sensation that started from her spine.

“What am I, a doll for you to dress up?” Cheng Li teased with a soft laugh.

Rong Qi looked up and said, “Then today, let me dress you up properly.”

And so, Rong Qi led Cheng Li through the mall for another hour. For the first time, Cheng Li realized that some men genuinely didn’t mind shopping.

Two days later.

One morning, as they prepared for work, Rong Qi noticed her outfit and asked, “Why aren’t you wearing the coat we bought earlier?”

Cheng Li paused. While not everyone could recognize high-end brands, she didn’t want to risk someone in the office noticing and starting gossip.

“Not a fan?” Rong Qi nodded as if understanding. “In that case, I’ll leave work early today. We can go shopping again and pick something you like.”

“No!” Cheng Li interrupted immediately. “I love it. I’ll change into it now.”

When she returned wearing the coat, Rong Qi looked at her, leaned in, kissed her on the cheek, and whispered, “You look amazing.”

Cheng Li stood still, caught between laughter and exasperation.

At that moment, she realized Rong Qi had a way of knowing just how to handle her.

*

Cheng Li met Wen Si again. This time, Wen Si wore a tasteful, elegant coat, her entire demeanor glowing. It was hard to believe that her husband was currently detained at a holding center.

“You were right,” Wen Si said. “Since Gao Zhihe was detained, he finally remembered that I’m the one he can trust most. He signed the authorization contract, granting me full authority to handle the transfer of his shares. So, if you plan to sell the company, I can sign directly. He probably thinks that as long as we don’t divorce, the money will still belong to him.”

This time, Wen Si was calm and poised, showing glimpses of the confidence she had back when she worked in Silicon Valley.

Cheng Li didn’t concern herself with what would happen between the couple later.

She simply nodded. “Good. I can now inform the buyers. Let’s hope everything goes smoothly.”

The two of them were not particularly close, so after discussing the important matters, Cheng Li got up to leave.

As she was about to say goodbye at the door, Wen Si suddenly said, “Thank you.”

Cheng Li was slightly taken aback. “You should thank the person who decided to acquire our company. After all, he’s the one footing the bill.”

However, just before leaving, Cheng Li recalled something significant.

She asked, “If you really want to thank me, could you tell me if anyone else worked with you to expose the affair between Gao Zhihe and Zhao Yihan?”

Wen Si froze for a moment. After a long pause, she said, “There was indeed someone else.”

“Who?” Cheng Li pressed.

“I don’t know,” Wen Si replied with a bitter smile. “Someone suddenly sent me a message saying that Gao Zhihe was cheating.”

“Honestly, I had a vague suspicion myself but didn’t want to believe it. The person offered to provide evidence.”

“So, I gave them my email address, and they sent me the photos. I’ve never met this person, only have their email.”

Cheng Li thought for a moment and asked, “Did you deliberately choose that day to expose Gao Zhihe?”

“The timing wasn’t my choice,” Wen Si admitted. “It was the same person who emailed me, saying the paparazzi would expose the affair that day. If I wanted to punish those two, I should post on Weibo as well.”

Wen Si let out a self-deprecating laugh. “At the time, I hadn’t decided to divorce yet. I posted on Weibo because I wanted to ruin that mistress—she’s a celebrity, and I wanted her to never recover. As for Gao Zhihe, he’s not a public figure, so at most, he’d just get scolded for a few days.”

Wen Si had clearly targeted Zhao Yihan, knowing the actress would bear the brunt of the public’s anger.

“I truly didn’t expect this to implicate your company,” Wen Si said, looking guilty.

Cheng Li considered this for a moment. “Can you give me that person’s email?”

“Of course,” Wen Si said without hesitation.

Though the whistleblower had helped Wen Si, it was clear they had their own motives. Without much burden, she handed over the email address and the phone number used to send her the initial text.

Cheng Li then made a trip to the hospital in person.

Ren Kuang had just undergone heart surgery and was recovering well.

Cheng Li felt it was necessary to inform him personally.

“Gao Zhihe really went to jail?” Ren Kuang was stunned to learn that this was how things ended for him.

Back when Ren Kuang co-founded the company with Gao Zhihe, it wasn’t just because of Gao’s strong business skills but also because they were close friends. After Ren Kuang graduated from J University, he went abroad for further studies.

Unlike Gao Zhihe, who stayed in the U.S. to work, Ren Kuang returned to China, joined a major corporation, and gained extensive experience.

So when he decided to start his own business, Gao Zhihe was the first person he thought of.

Even during tough times for the company, Gao Zhihe stayed. Ren Kuang had never imagined that Gao Zhihe would secretly do so many things to harm the company. It was likely his trust in Gao Zhihe that gave him the opportunity to act.

Cheng Li said, “Yes, Qiyu Technology’s sole condition for the acquisition was that Gao Zhihe must leave.”

Ren Kuang gazed out the window in silence for a long time.

“Let it be,” he finally said. “After all, he did break the law.”

Cheng Li, however, felt nothing. Unlike Ren Kuang, she had no deep bond with Gao Zhihe. To her, he had nearly dragged the company into ruin. This outcome didn’t feel the least bit undeserved.

“The acquisition will still be handled by you,” Ren Kuang said, breaking the silence. “I… I can’t manage it in my current condition.”

Suddenly, Cheng Li spoke. “President Ren, you must know about my relationship with Rong Qi, right?”

Ren Kuang paused, visibly startled.

Cheng Li had a keen understanding of Ren Kuang. He wasn’t the type to completely delegate such a critical matter like the acquisition negotiations. While his health was a factor, it wasn’t the sole reason.

He had likely guessed her relationship with Rong Qi.

When Cheng Li was sick, Rong Qi had personally requested leave from Ren Kuang. Though Ren Kuang hadn’t explicitly asked about it, he must have surmised something.

There was also the Maybach that often picked her up and her sudden, unexpected marriage.

“Four hundred and twenty million yuan—that’s the acquisition price, and I won’t raise it further,” Cheng Li said with a faint smile. She wasn’t angry about being used but chuckled lightly. “After the acquisition, the money you’ll receive will be enough for you to live comfortably, basking in the sun and watching pandas in Chengdu.”

Ren Kuang gave a wry smile. “Cheng Li, I used to think I understood you well, but now I realize maybe I don’t.”

“I will uphold the company’s interests and want Fanhai to thrive, but that doesn’t mean I’ll harm Rong Qi’s interests. So, even though I’ll continue handling the negotiations, other terms may be up for discussion—but the price will not change.”

Though business was business, Cheng Li could sense the concessions Rong Qi had made for her.

Perhaps Ren Kuang had also banked on this when he entrusted her with the task.

She didn’t want Rong Qi to back down because of her, so she decided to make things clear to Ren Kuang early on, ensuring their eventual parting wouldn’t be messy or devoid of dignity.

Ren Kuang let out another bitter laugh. “Cheng Li, do you realize that sometimes your clarity surprises me? After all, raising the acquisition price would benefit you as well.”

Cheng Li owned 3% of the company shares—a decision Ren Kuang had made himself.

At the time, it had sparked controversy.

After all, for someone so young to hold 3% of the shares was uncommon.

Ren Kuang was right. A higher acquisition price would benefit Cheng Li financially.

“No one dislikes money,” Cheng Li admitted with a nod. “But my parents taught me from a young age that a gentleman loves wealth but obtains it in a just way.”

She couldn’t let her personal gains dictate Rong Qi’s concessions.

Ren Kuang remained silent for a moment but soon said with relief, “Alright. Since I’ve already decided to entrust the acquisition case to you, there’s no going back. I’ll accept this price.”

Cheng Li tilted her head slightly, smiling. “As expected of my senior.”

“Alright, cut it out with the flattery. Save it before I regret my decision.”

After the candid conversation with Ren Kuang, Cheng Li felt significantly lighter.

Upon returning to the office, she immediately called Wan Zichen. “President Wan, we can officially proceed with the acquisition now.”

“You…” Wan Zichen was surprised. It had only been a little over a week since their last discussion. He asked, “You got Gao Zhihe to leave the company?”

Cheng Li replied calmly, “More or less.”

Curious, Wan Zichen asked, “President Cheng, I’m genuinely interested in knowing what you did to make him agree to sell his shares so quickly.”

There was a long pause on the other end.

Finally, Cheng Li said indifferently, “I simply had him sent to the detention center.”

Wan Zichen: “…”

*

At Qiyu Technology’s headquarters.

After ending the call, Wan Zichen shook his head in disbelief. Yet he wasted no time contacting Secretary Rong to confirm if Rong Qi was in the office.

Upon receiving confirmation, he scheduled a meeting and arrived twenty minutes later as agreed.

Wan Zichen entered Rong Qi’s office with a grin. “President Rong, I’ve just received word from Fanhai. Gao Zhihe has agreed to sell his shares and will no longer hold any position at the company starting today.”

Rong Qi chuckled lightly. “Well done.”

Wan Zichen nodded enthusiastically. “Indeed. President Cheng may appear mild-mannered, but her methods are quite impressive.”

“Methods?” Rong Qi raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Wan Zichen chuckled, “You asked her to ensure Gao Zhihe left the company, but you’d never guess how she accomplished it.”

Seeing Rong Qi’s intrigued expression, Wan Zichen quickly elaborated. “She had him thrown into the detention center! It’s true what they say—better to offend a villain than a woman. When a woman gets serious, even familial ties mean nothing.”

“Gao Zhihe has nothing to do with her,” Rong Qi immediately corrected.

So, this wasn’t a case of disregarding familial ties.

Wan Zichen nodded. “True enough. Still, I can’t help but admire her. Before, I thought she was just a tech-savvy, good-looking woman—gentle and probably not suited for corporate management. But now, I see I was wrong.”

His tone was full of respect and praise for Cheng Li.

Rong Qi glanced up at him and suddenly reminded, “She’s married.”

“Huh?” Wan Zichen was momentarily stunned.

Given the youth of Qiyu Technology’s founders—both under thirty—the management team was also notably young, with an average age of under forty. This made them the youngest executive team among major tech companies.

Though Wan Zichen had risen to the position of investment director, he was still relatively young and unmarried.

“I didn’t mean anything by it,” Wan Zichen quickly clarified. “She’ll soon be my colleague, and I know the company discourages office relationships. Rest assured, President Rong, I have no such intentions.”

Even if he had entertained any thoughts before, being called out by the big boss instantly quashed them.

A beautiful woman could be admired, but that was all.

Still, curiosity soon got the better of him. “President Rong, how do you know she’s married? She doesn’t wear a wedding ring.”

The quickest way to identify a married individual was often by checking for a ring.

Having attended meetings with Cheng Li, Wan Zichen had noticed she didn’t wear one.

“If I say she’s married, then she’s married,” Rong Qi replied coldly, giving him a sharp glance.

Though dying of curiosity, Wan Zichen wisely chose to shut his mouth.

*

That evening, Cheng Li texted Rong Qi, asking if he’d be home for dinner.

Rong Qi: [I’ll be home for dinner.]

To make it back in time, Rong Qi wrapped up his work early. When he arrived, Cheng Li was already busy in the kitchen.

Standing at the doorway, he saw her wearing an apron and holding a spatula, intently watching a cooking tutorial on her phone. Occasionally, she’d pause and rewind the video to review a specific part.

“Ten grams of ginger, two small chili peppers, a bit of spring onion,” she muttered as she worked. After a while, Cheng Li sighed. “How much is a ‘bit’? Thirty grams? Fifty?”

As someone with a STEM background, Cheng Li found these vague instructions in recipes particularly annoying.

How many grams or milliliters counted as “a bit”? Couldn’t they be more precise?

“Who puts thirty grams of spring onion in a dish?” Rong Qi’s unhurried voice sounded behind her.

Cheng Li turned to see him leaning casually against the kitchen doorframe in a sweater, his long legs crossed. His relaxed and handsome demeanor made her momentarily feel that her actions that afternoon had been justified—an indulgence in good looks.

“Come here,” Cheng Li said.

Rong Qi walked over at his usual unhurried pace. As he stood before her, Cheng Li looked up and suddenly smiled. “Can I claim my reward now?”

“Reward?” Rong Qi was momentarily taken aback.

Cheng Li untied her apron. Some things were better not overthought—the more she thought about them, the more she’d regret it. That afternoon, she had confidently told Ren Kuang she wouldn’t leverage her relationship with Rong Qi to push for a higher acquisition price.

But during the car ride home, she realized that every ten million yuan added to the acquisition price would mean an extra 300,000 yuan for her shares.

For a company as large as Qiyu, ten million was pocket change.

But 300,000 yuan was almost half a year’s salary for her.

Not to mention, based on their previous funding valuation, the company should be worth 460 million. If the deal were closed at that price, she wouldn’t even blink before buying twenty six-thousand-yuan coats.

Cheng Li had always been sensitive to numbers. She thought numbers were wonderful—precise to the centimeter, easy to calculate and understand.

But some things, no matter how you tried, couldn’t be calculated.

Like what she had done for him today.

She couldn’t bring herself to say it, yet the more she thought about it, the more she felt like she was at a loss. So she tilted her head up, gazing at his handsome features. Lightly, she reached out and tugged at the sweater on his chest. “I’ve taken care of what you asked me to do. Doesn’t that deserve a reward?”

As soon as she finished speaking, Cheng Li pulled him close, raised her head, and kissed him.

It had been a long time since the two of them had been this intimate. There was no hesitation—it was as if a rush of heat surged around them in an instant. Their hearts pounded wildly. Rong Qi raised a hand, cupping the back of her head, while the other hand firmly circled her waist, pressing her back against the kitchen counter.

Before long, the pot on the stove began to bubble and boil.

“Aren’t we eating?” Rong Qi murmured. Though he meant to pull away, his lips stayed close, and his words came out muffled, like the steam swirling in the kitchen air—thick and hazy.

Cheng Li looked up at him, her gaze blazing with heat. Yet what she said next was enough to drive someone mad.

“Let’s finish kissing first.”

As soon as the words left her mouth, her lips were captured again—fiercely this time.

Rong Qi didn’t hold back. His tongue pressed past her lips, invading with a force that carried an unprecedented intensity. Clearly, her words had completely provoked him.

Cheng Li’s thoughts were scrambled by the searing, all-encompassing kiss. But amidst the chaos, a single thought surfaced unexpectedly:

For beauty like this, it’s absolutely worth it.