Volume 1 Chapter 18 The Truth Surfaces

Yan Yongfei, standing to the side, said, "Mr. Ji, I don't think so. Madam has been working overtime every day during the National Day holiday. I’ve checked thoroughly, and Su Rongze has only visited the office once."

Ji Yanli’s brow relaxed slightly. "Working overtime every day? Is she trying to start a pharmaceutical factory?"

The investigation report on the last page that Yan Yongfei had prepared said the same thing. Ji Yanli’s brow, just smoothed, knitted together again. He spoke as if to himself, "Why on earth would she want to open a pharmaceutical factory? Can’t I support her? Or is she trying to leave me?"

Shu Xingruo's unusual behavior during this period, combined with her recent running away from home, left him feeling unsettled. He didn't know what was wrong with him, but he suddenly felt a sense of fear at the thought of Shu Xingruo leaving.

Yan Yongfei could not answer such speculative questions and remained silent. Ji Yanli recalled the past six years—Shu Xingruo’s meticulous care for him, and how she had always put him and their son first.

He said with confidence, "It won’t happen. How could Shu Xingruo ever bear to give up the position of Mrs. Ji?"

He repeated, "That's right, she couldn't bear it."

Yan Yongfei reminded him, "President, it is time for the meeting."

Ji Yanli closed the report and headed to the conference room. No sooner had he left than He Xin arrived. She had been coming and going from Ji Yanli’s office as she pleased lately, and no one dared to stop her.

Once inside, she curiously glanced at the desk and discovered the report. She opened it, feeling a tremor in her heart. Why was Ji Yanli investigating Shu Xingruo? Were old flames being rekindled? But there had never been any real affection between them.

He Xin flipped through the report quickly. Upon reading the conclusion at the end, a scheme formed in her mind. She swore to herself, "Shu Xingruo, I won't let you have your way. I will certainly trample you under my feet."

After Ji Yanli finished his meeting, Yan Yongfei informed him that He Xin had arrived. As soon as he returned to his office, He Xin threw herself into his arms.

Ji Yanli pushed her away with a hint of disgust, though his tone remained concerned. "Xinxin, what’s wrong?"

He Xin was displeased at being pushed away so heartlessly, but her voice remained soft. "Ali, I want to start a career. Will you support me?"

Ji Yanli glanced at the report on the table and asked, "Do you want to open a pharmaceutical factory?"

He Xin’s pupils dilated in shock; she was stunned by Ji Yanli’s insight. He had seen through her intentions in an instant. This man was too terrifying; she would have to use every ounce of her wits to handle him.

A blush spread across He Xin’s face as she said gently, "Ali, you know my father ran a pharmacy. This idea of mine is, in a way, following in his footsteps. My parents returned to Haishi, and they would be so happy to see me succeed. Besides, if I do well, it won't make you look bad."

Ji Yanli was moved by her words and said softly, "Very well. The group owns Ruixiang Pharmaceuticals. You can take the position of CEO, and I will have Uncle Chang assist you. If the performance is good, I will give you shares."

He Xin was overjoyed. She hugged Ji Yanli and moved to kiss him, but he raised his hand to block her.

He Xin asked with dissatisfaction, "Ali, why do you refuse to be intimate with me since I returned?"

When they were dating years ago, Ji Yanli had kissed her plenty of times. During this period, Ji Yanli had been incredibly good to her, giving her whatever she wanted—buying heaps of clothes and jewelry, and even gifting her a house. But she truly couldn't understand why he refused to touch her. Now, he wouldn't even allow an embrace or a kiss. She didn't understand what had happened to him.

Ji Yanli refused to answer her question, saying coldly, "Xinxin, I have work to attend to. I will have Assistant Yan take you to Ruixiang Pharmaceuticals for the handover."

He Xin left, looking unwilling. Before she departed, she performed a show of deep longing that made Ji Yanli feel a knot in his stomach. He couldn't help it; whenever he was close to He Xin, he felt disgusted and felt an uncontrollable urge to push her away.

Back on Shu Xingruo’s side, the technicians who had returned to work looked at the experimental data and exclaimed that their boss was a workaholic, having spent the entire holiday working overtime. At the same time, they felt their own future fate was grim, likely facing a 996 work schedule. Everyone wanted to quit, but leaving immediately after being hired would look bad on their resumes.

Seeing their mixed expressions, Shu Xingruo smiled and said, "My son went away for the National Day holiday, so I had nothing to do and came to the company to research medicine. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had the time to work overtime like this. Don't feel burdened; I won't force you to work overtime. I’ll leave on time today to go home to my son. Everyone can work with peace of mind."

The technicians finally breathed a sigh of relief. No one wanted a 996 schedule; a balance between work and life was the only sustainable path.

Everyone returned to their posts. Shu Xingruo went to her office to hold a bidding meeting with the marketing department. Although their team had been formed recently, Chen Yunuo had recruited elite professionals and industry experts. Shu Xingruo lacked bidding experience; she had become Mrs. Ji shortly after graduating from university.

Her team, however, was experienced and savvy. Marketing Manager Yuan Jing said confidently, "Ms. Shu, the bid for this plot of land will not exceed 80 million. Even though our opponent is Ruixiang Pharmaceuticals, they have the conservative style of a large group. I estimate their price will be around 70 million."

Yuan Jing had twenty years of experience in the industry and was a very steady and capable person. With about two weeks left until the bidding day, the entire team was quite confident.

At noon, Shu Xingruo treated them to a nearby Sichuan restaurant for what was considered the company's first team-building event. Since the team was small, they only occupied two tables.

Everyone was enjoying the meal when Shu Xingruo went to the restroom. Just as she was about to leave, she heard the voices of He Xin and Tian Yufen. Having detested them both, Shu Xingruo knew their voices by heart. Knowing these two were definitely up to no good, she stopped and decided to eavesdrop, quietly turning on her phone’s voice recorder.

She heard Tian Yufen scolding, "Why haven't you had a child with him yet?"

He Xin sighed, "Do you think I don't want to? I don't know if he’s impotent or what, but he won't touch me at all."

Tian Yufen was so shocked she almost cried out, "He’s so young and already impotent?"

He Xin: "Shh, keep your voice down."

Tian Yufen cursed again, "You idiot! Don't you know how to drug him like you did back then? I think the little slut only kept him from divorcing her because she had a child. If she can have one, you can have two. Then wouldn't they have to get a divorce?"

He Xin immediately stopped Tian Yufen: "He’s too clever. Back then, the little slut took the fall, which is why he hated her so much. If I drug him now, he’ll suspect what happened back then. If they end up making up, it won't be worth the loss. We have to plan the child thing carefully. Let’s focus on squeezing out more money first."

The mother and daughter walked out, leaving Shu Xingruo alone in the restroom, her hands and feet ice-cold.

"So, it really was He Xin who framed me back then!"

But what she couldn't fathom was why He Xin, who was Ji Yanli’s girlfriend at the time, would have sent her to Ji Yanli’s bed.