Chapter 58

People often say that women have sharp intuition, but Cheng Li didn’t need intuition to realize that Qin Weiyan didn’t like her.

What she didn’t expect was for his dislike to spill into their work.

Over the next few days, as she familiarized herself with her new job and responsibilities, Cheng Li quickly noticed that she was being sidelined.

This became especially clear during a department manager meeting, held to optimize workflows and help employees from Fanhai integrate into the team. To facilitate collaboration, the department had also reassigned project group members.

When Cheng Li saw the updated list, her surprise was no less than that of the others in the room. While the other project leads retained their original teams and had new Fanhai employees assigned to them, Cheng Li’s assigned role seemed much more elevated—on paper.

She had been designated as responsible for the overall coordination of technical resources across the department.

Pan Heng, the head of the entire autonomous driving department, didn’t directly oversee specific technical projects either, but his role involved managing the department’s operations and liaising with other automotive business units. Now, Cheng Li found herself with a similarly high-level yet vague responsibility.

She couldn’t help but laugh at the irony. As the technical director, she wasn’t given authority over any project group. Instead, she was tasked with “coordination.”

In other words, she had been completely sidelined.

Meanwhile, Qin Weiyan, who she had thought to be reticent, was anything but during the meeting. He spoke extensively, stating, “The company’s ultimate goal has always been full-stack in-house development. From now on, you need to shift your mindset. Our autonomous driving system is no longer just about parking or driving systems. It’s about true integration—driving and parking as one, with seamless hardware and software development. Whether it’s algorithm research or hardware engineering, I expect all project teams to collaborate and achieve breakthroughs in core autonomous driving technologies.”

Despite Cheng Li’s frustration with being sidelined, she couldn’t help but admire Qin Weiyan’s determination and ambition.

So, no matter how she felt internally, Cheng Li maintained her composure throughout the meeting. Even though the other managers clearly noticed tension between the two department heads, her expression gave nothing away.

After the meeting ended, Cheng Li deliberately stayed behind, letting the others leave before stopping Qin Weiyan in the conference room.

“Director Qin, isn’t my job description a little too ambiguous?” she asked bluntly.

“Ambiguous?” Qin Weiyan gave her a cold glance. “In what way?”

“As the technical director, shouldn’t I be leading a project team directly? Why have all the Fanhai employees under me been reassigned to other teams?” Cheng Li didn’t beat around the bush.

Qin Weiyan responded, “First of all, there are no more ‘Fanhai employees.’ They’re now all officially part of Qiyu. You yourself suggested that we help employees integrate quickly. Assigning them to existing project teams breaks down barriers and helps them adapt faster.”

What he said wasn’t unreasonable. If the Fanhai employees were placed in a separate team, it might reinforce divisions and create an “us vs. them” mentality. Assigning them to existing teams was indeed a more effective way to promote integration.

“Isn’t this approach more effective than a few cups of coffee and pieces of cake?” Qin Weiyan added with a glance her way.

Cheng Li fell silent.

It wasn’t that she didn’t have a rebuttal; she simply knew that his prejudice against her made any argument pointless.

As Qin Weiyan was about to leave, Cheng Li couldn’t help but speak up. “Director Qin, I was previously responsible for developing sensor-based intelligent information fusion algorithms. I’d like to continue working on this area.”

This time, Qin Weiyan didn’t dismiss her outright. “I’ll make sure you’re involved in that work,” he said.

Relieved, Cheng Li felt a small sense of victory. At least she had managed to secure a role that aligned with her expertise.

Back in her office, she had barely settled in when someone knocked on her glass door.

“Come in,” she said.

Tang Ruiyuan entered, closing the door behind him before sitting across from her. In a hushed voice, he asked, “You’re at odds with Director Qin, aren’t you?”

“You noticed too?” Cheng Li raised an eyebrow.

Tang Ruiyuan glanced toward the door, his tone helpless. “I think everyone in the meeting noticed.”

Cheng Li shrugged. “Didn’t I handle it calmly enough?”

“You were calm, I’ll give you that,” Tang Ruiyuan said, clearly impressed. “I thought you might confront him on the spot, but you held back. Still, the way he assigned roles, it’s obvious he’s sidelining you. A technical director with no authority in the R&D department—how does that make sense?”

Cheng Li rubbed her temples. “He’s certainly made it pretty obvious.”

“Aren’t you angry?” Tang Ruiyuan asked. “Did they bring us in just to sideline us?”

Hearing this, Cheng Li quickly raised her hand. “It’s just me. You’re still in charge of the intelligent driving function layer algorithms. Qiyu is famous for its algorithms, so this is a great platform for you. Make the most of it.”

Tang Ruiyuan was momentarily speechless. Although he was older than Cheng Li, her position outranked his. Still, he had always respected her expertise.

“You’re still looking out for me at a time like this,” he said, exasperated.

Cheng Li laughed. “What can I say? I just got this job as technical director. You’re already predicting my downfall?”

“If I wanted you gone, I wouldn’t be giving you this advice,” Tang Ruiyuan replied, shaking his head.

“I know, Senior Brother. I appreciate your concern,” Cheng Li said with a smile, trying to appease him.

“Senior Brother when you need something, but just Tang Ruiyuan the rest of the time? You’re really something else,” he joked, unable to stay annoyed with her.

Cheng Li knew he genuinely cared.

“I’ll head back to work,” Tang Ruiyuan said, sensing he had said enough. He left and returned to his tasks.

Through the glass wall, Cheng Li gazed at the bustling employees in the open office space.

The following week, Cheng Li found herself not as idle as she had initially expected.

Just as Qin Weiyan had mentioned, she was assigned to assist in the development of the sensor information fusion algorithm. Yet, the work given to her was nothing more than the basic data analysis tasks that fresh graduates could handle.

Even so, she performed every task diligently, never showing any sign of defiance.

But despite her efforts, compared to her colleagues, she still had plenty of free time.

Taking a cue from others, she brought two sets of workout clothes from home and left them in her office.

During idle periods, she used the company gym to work out. She could spend half an hour on the stationary bike alone.

To avoid raising suspicion from Rong Qi, she didn’t always leave work on time. Occasionally, she stayed until 8 p.m., giving the impression she was as busy as anyone else. The last thing she wanted was for Rong Qi to discover her current awkward position within the department.

As the CEO of the entire group, if she were to lodge a complaint about Qin Weiyan’s treatment, it would only make sense to report it to Minister Pan Heng. Bringing it directly to Rong Qi would be an act of overstepping authority.

Many companies discouraged office romances precisely because such situations could lead to blurred boundaries between personal and professional matters.

One evening, when Tang Ruiyuan and his team were working late, they invited her to the cafeteria upstairs for hotpot.

Cheng Li joined them.

Despite her awkward position in the department, she was known for being approachable and charming. Her striking appearance only added to her appeal, earning her goodwill from nearly everyone. Some younger programmers even discreetly asked Zuo Qingqing about Cheng Li’s relationship status.

When Zuo Qingqing told her this, she proudly claimed to have responded with “I don’t know” across the board.

Fortunately, everyone maintained their professionalism and refrained from bothering Cheng Li directly.

After all, while Cheng Li wasn’t much older than them, her position as a director made her seem less approachable for romantic pursuits.

But just as they settled at the restaurant, they saw a group entering through the doorway.

Leading the group was none other than Shang Zeyan. Apparently, his team had also been working late and had come for a late-night meal.

“Cheng Li, what a coincidence,” Shang Zeyan greeted her warmly. He no longer addressed her as “Director Cheng,” opting for a more casual tone.

Cheng Li nodded calmly. “President Shang.”

Unbothered by her formality, Shang Zeyan casually took a seat at the table next to hers. The restaurant had small tables, but they were arranged closely, so he ended up sitting directly beside her.

“I told you before, there’s no need for such formality. Just call me Zeyan,” he said with a gentle smile, his tone soft and warm.

Cheng Li felt a twinge of helplessness.

She was all too familiar with this attitude. In the past, those who wanted to court her but lacked the courage often used similar strategies to approach her.

But Shang Zeyan’s status made it difficult for her to be overly blunt.

After all, he hadn’t explicitly expressed romantic interest. It would be presumptuous of her to rebuff him out of nowhere, which might come off as self-centered.

Across from them, a cheerful young woman chimed in, “Hearing ‘Director’ always makes me think of my paper husband!”

The mention of a popular fictional character drew laughter from the group.

Shang Zeyan sighed and protested, “For the record, I’ve been using this name for 31 years. Your paper husband’s been around how long—just a few years?”

The young woman laughed playfully. “Well, what can I say? My husband’s famous!”

Cheng Li chuckled along with everyone else. Shang Zeyan turned to her and asked, “Don’t tell me you play those otome games too?”

“Not my thing,” Cheng Li replied, shaking her head.

The lively atmosphere lightened the mood.

Once the food arrived, the two tables, though separate, shared dishes occasionally.

“I want some of that duck blood,” someone from the adjacent table remarked.

Seeing the plate of duck blood near her, Cheng Li picked it up to pass it along. But just as she extended her hand, Shang Zeyan, who was reaching for something in the hotpot, accidentally bumped into her arm.

Caught off guard, Cheng Li lost her grip, and the plate tipped over.

The liquid in the dish spilled across the table and onto Shang Zeyan’s clothes and pants.

“Sorry! I’m so sorry!” Cheng Li quickly grabbed napkins to help him clean up.

Shang Zeyan reassured her in a gentle tone, “It’s fine. It’s my fault for not waiting for you to finish passing it. Don’t worry about it.”

Unluckily, he was wearing a light yellow sweatshirt that night, making the stains particularly obvious.

Others helped clean the table while Cheng Li handed him some paper towels, still apologetic. “Should I cover the dry-cleaning costs?” she asked hesitantly.

“For something this minor? You’re kidding, right?” Shang Zeyan replied with mock indignation.

Cheng Li quickly took out wet wipes from her bag and handed them to him. “Use these. If it dries, it’ll be harder to clean.”

As she leaned forward, her loose hair accidentally brushed against the back of his hand.

The contact lasted only a moment before her hair lifted away as she moved.

Shang Zeyan glanced up, just in time to see her tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear with her fingers. Her delicate ear and refined features were briefly illuminated, her expression tinged with remorse.

Even frowning, she looked stunning.

“President Rong…” someone suddenly murmured softly.

The lively table fell silent in an instant.

The crowd looked up and saw Rong Qi, dressed in a black sweater and trousers, standing under the bright restaurant lights. Perhaps due to his calm demeanor, his features appeared distant and aloof, but his deep and chiseled contours were strikingly clear even from afar.

Even across several meters, his good looks dazzled everyone.

“No matter how many times I see CEO Rong, I’m always as amazed as the first time,” the young woman who had earlier mentioned her fictional husband couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

“Exactly, and his sense of style is impeccable. That all-black look? Too handsome for anyone to handle,” another female employee chimed in.

As for the male employees, while they wouldn’t voice their admiration so openly, envy was evident in their eyes.

To them, CEO Rong was the kind of man even men found flawless.

“But… is he looking in our direction?” a male colleague asked, puzzled.

Cheng Li looked up, and their eyes met midair.

Though her expression remained calm, her heart swelled with joy—it was rare to encounter him at the company.

But just after Rong Qi glanced at her, his gaze shifted to the side.

Cheng Li’s heart sank.

Was he looking at Shang Zeyan?

At that moment, Shang Zeyan lightly tapped her arm and smiled. “Cheng Li, this wet wipe you gave me works wonders. My clothes are almost clean now.”

Turning to Shang Zeyan, Cheng Li noticed that the bloodstain on his shirt was indeed nearly gone.

But within a second, she turned back toward Rong Qi.

However, by then, he had already headed for the restaurant’s exit.

By his side, there was now an additional presence: He Zhuoyuan.

So, he had been waiting for He Zhuoyuan earlier.

Cheng Li watched as Rong Qi left without looking back, then reluctantly retracted her gaze.

After that, she hardly touched her food, merely waiting for the others to finish.

About half an hour later, when the group was ready to leave, Cheng Li let out a subtle sigh of relief and stood up quickly.

She planned to take the elevator directly to the underground parking lot.

Since starting her job here, she had always driven herself. Though parking spaces were limited, it was manageable with some effort.

As she approached the elevator, her phone buzzed.

A strange sense of anticipation welled up in her chest. Cheng Li instinctively pulled out her phone and stepped aside to avoid anyone glimpsing her screen.

Upon opening the message, it was, unsurprisingly, from Rong Qi.

Rong Qi: [Done eating?]

Cheng Li quickly replied: “Just finished.”

Rong Qi: [I’m in the parking lot.]

As her colleagues began boarding the elevator, Cheng Li smiled and said, “You all go ahead. I need to stop by the restroom.”

She deliberately avoided riding the elevator with them, knowing that some colleagues might also drive.

This way, she could avoid being spotted heading toward Rong Qi.

When another elevator arrived, she pressed the button for the underground parking lot.

Walking cautiously, Cheng Li glanced around as though she were a thief. When she finally spotted Rong Qi’s Maybach in its designated parking space, she hurried over and quickly opened the car door.

In just a few seconds, she had completed the entire sequence: opening the door, getting in, and closing it.

But to her surprise, upon entering, she found the back seat empty.

Looking up, she saw Rong Qi sitting in the driver’s seat, silently observing her.

Cheng Li: “…”

Help. Just… help.

It had been a while since she felt the urge to cry for help, but the wave of secondhand embarrassment that washed over her now brought that feeling rushing back.

After a few moments of silence, she asked tentatively, “Should I… switch seats?”

“There’s no need,” Rong Qi replied, his tone indifferent. “You can stay in the back. It’ll save you from getting out to switch seats—too obvious. What if someone sees?”

The undertone in his words carried an unmistakable trace of acidity.

Cheng Li decided not to switch. Fortunately, she was wearing wide-leg pants today, making it easy for her to climb over the console from the back seat to the front.

Her agile movement left Rong Qi momentarily stunned.

Noticing that he wasn’t wearing his seatbelt, Cheng Li reached out, grabbed the front of his sweater, leaned forward, and planted a light kiss on his lips. Her voice softened: “Let’s go home, hubby.”

That one word, hubby, seemed to melt away the coldness in Rong Qi’s eyes instantly.

He started the car and drove smoothly out of the parking lot.

Since it was well past rush hour, the roads were clear. The journey, which usually took twenty minutes, was reduced to just fifteen.

Throughout the ride, Rong Qi remained silent, his focus entirely on driving.

When they arrived at the underground garage of their apartment complex, Cheng Li sensed the atmosphere becoming tense again as soon as he parked.

Rong Qi got out of the car without a word, and Cheng Li grabbed her bag and followed him.

They had only taken a few steps when Rong Qi suddenly stopped.

The garage was so quiet that the faintest sound echoed. Even their breathing seemed amplified in the stillness.

Rong Qi turned and looked at Cheng Li.

In his mind, the image from the restaurant earlier replayed itself.

She had been sitting amidst a lively group, and the man beside her was holding a wet wipe she had just handed him.

When she tucked her hair behind her ear with that small, effortless motion, the man’s gaze had followed her every move, his expression completely enraptured—his soul seemingly lost, yet his eyes full of tender focus.

That gaze—Rong Qi was all too familiar with it.

It was the same way he had once looked at Cheng Li.

After leaving the restaurant, the scene kept replaying in his mind. He had sat in his car for half an hour before finally giving in and sending her a WeChat message.

Even though she was already his, his heart couldn’t help but feel restless and uneasy.

It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her; it was more like holding a priceless pearl, while everyone else, oblivious to its ownership, brazenly coveted it.

This feeling festered inside him, growing and fermenting until it nearly pushed him to the edge of losing control.

“What’s wrong?” Cheng Li asked, her gaze lifting to meet his. In his eyes, the usual indifference and calm were replaced by something unspoken, an emotion verging on losing control.

Her gentle and cool voice lingered in his ears, yet it failed to soothe him as it usually did.

He stared at her intently, seeing concern and a deep confusion in her eyes.

She probably would never understand the fear that gripped his heart.

“Rong Qi,” Cheng Li called his name again, her voice soft and low. She reached out, taking his hand in hers.

The moment her palm touched his, he suddenly leaned forward, cupping her face with both hands. His lips captured hers in a light bite, making Cheng Li wince slightly from the sting. But almost immediately, Rong Qi softened, gently licking the spot he had bitten. His emotions oscillated—at one moment intense, the next tender.

Cheng Li’s heart fluttered, caught in the whirlwind of his unpredictable emotions.

She was aware they were in a parking garage, but even so, she didn’t push him away.

Perhaps she understood the reason behind his emotional state and chose to fully cooperate with him. She even kissed him back, her warmth and passion meeting his.

It was her response that seemed to gradually smooth out the turbulence in his heart.

They didn’t know how much time had passed before the roar of an engine broke the silence—a sports car entering the garage, its powerful sound jolting them back to reality.

Rong Qi released her and took in her flushed face, her chest rising and falling as she caught her breath.

Her cheeks were rosy, her eyes glimmering with a misty sheen, soft and coquettish in a way that made his heart ache.

Rong Qi didn’t want anyone else to see her like this. He grabbed her hand and led her toward the elevator without a second glance.

Before long, the two arrived home.

Rong Qi seemed to realize that he had lost control earlier. His dark, inky eyes fixed on Cheng Li for a long moment before his voice, slightly hoarse, broke the silence. “I want to sit with you in a crowd and eat openly.”

Cheng Li froze.

She thought he was upset about her sitting with Shang Zeyan.

After all, He Zhuoyuan had seen them together once before and must have told him about it. Though Rong Qi hadn’t said anything at the time, she wasn’t oblivious.

But she hadn’t expected to hear those words from him.

They carried an inexplicable trace of grievance.

Cheng Li didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she reached for the necklace around her neck. The clasp was tight, and after struggling for a while, she finally looked up at him. “Can you help me take off my necklace?”

Rong Qi froze at her request.

His gaze fell on the necklace—a gift from him—hanging around her neck with their wedding ring attached to it.

Was she angry at his earlier behavior?

Rong Qi’s breath hitched, but in the end, he silently reached out and unfastened the clasp.

“I wanted to do this in the car earlier,” Cheng Li said as she removed the ring from the necklace and placed it in her palm. “But I thought such things should be done in a setting with a bit of ceremony. At this hour, I couldn’t think of any place more appropriate than our home.”

She extended the ring toward him, her palm open.

“Rong Qi, will you put the ring on me?”

Rong Qi looked up in shock, meeting her radiant smile.

“Although I can’t yet tell the whole world who my husband is,” Cheng Li said, her gaze locking with his dark eyes as she spoke each word clearly, “I can tell everyone that I have a husband.”

If his unease stemmed from this…

Then she would personally dispel it.