Chapter 73: You’re the Boss

Meng Xingzhe didn’t heed Yao Jia’s words; he didn’t wait for her in the corridor.

He took the elevator downstairs.

In the elevator, through the reflective walls, he saw his own ashen face, filled with confusion.

Looking at himself, he thought, leaving was the right decision. If he stayed and waited for her, what would there be left to say between them?

If she were just an ordinary girl, even if she were Yue Xuran’s girlfriend, he could secretly like her—there was nothing illegal about that.

But she wasn’t an ordinary girl; she was Yao Bingkun’s daughter, the daughter of the boss of the rival company he was infiltrating. Although he hadn’t actually stolen any trade secrets, only learned from them, it was still unethical. Could he justify his actions?

So how should he interact with her now?

His thoughts were a tangled mess.

Should he reveal his true identity to her? If he did, how would he explain his three months as a corporate spy and the unethical actions that came with it?

If he didn’t reveal himself and continued as before, what would be the point? She was, after all, someone else’s girlfriend.

What meaning was there in this painful entanglement?

In an instant, he saw a hint of resolve in his reflection’s eyes.

A resolve that tugged painfully at his heart.

He thought perhaps it was best to sever ties with her, to return to their respective rightful paths.

The elevator doors opened, and he strode out.

As he was about to leave the lobby, he heard the sound of high heels clacking urgently on the marble floor behind him. The footsteps were quick and anxious.

Then a voice called out, “Meng Xingzhe.” It was clear and sweet, like a refreshing mountain spring, soothing yet capable of stirring a deeper thirst.

Meng Xingzhe didn’t stop; instead, he quickened his pace, striding out of the building.

As he descended the steps, the footsteps behind him grew closer.

She had gone from a fast walk to a jog.

She called out as she ran, “Meng Xingzhe, wait!”

He remembered she was wearing high heels. If she ran any faster, who knew if those delicate heels could hold up?

Afraid she might fall, he finally stopped.

He stood on the steps, turned around, and watched her run towards him, breathless.

Her long hair fluttered behind her, and her rapid breathing flushed her cheeks. She ran towards him like a fairy with flowing hair.

His heart ached.

This was someone else’s fairy.

She finally stopped in front of him; they stood on the same step.

She looked up at him, a mix of annoyance and reproach in her eyes. “Didn’t I ask you to wait for me?” She suddenly smiled, a smile that held a hint of negotiation and appeasement. “I’m the Chairman’s daughter. Was this too sudden? Did I scare you? I really didn’t mean to deceive everyone. My dad just wanted to put me at the grassroots level to temper my character…”

He watched her, her smile like a blooming flower, trying hard to explain herself. He forced himself to keep a straight face and told her, “You don’t need to stand up for me against Li Wangli. I’ve already decided to resign.”

Her expression turned to shock.

“Why?” she asked, looking up at him.

Because it’s better to end the pain quickly than to prolong it. Since it hurts anyway, why not end it now?

“I never intended to stay in Kunyu’s Customer Service Department for long. Now that you’ve been promoted, it’s time for me to leave.” He himself wasn’t sure what logic he was following.

She looked at him, biting her lip, trying to find some logic for him. “Are you afraid of what others might say? Afraid they’ll say you got ahead by being close to the Chairman’s daughter? But you…”

—But you clearly aren’t that kind of person. Aren’t you just looking for a top-notch rich girl to save you twenty years of hard work? Why would you care what people say?

But Yao Jia didn’t voice that last thought.

She changed her tone, “Don’t worry about what others say. You have real talent. Staying in the Customer Service Department is a waste. How about this: technical, marketing, product development, whichever department you want, I’ll help you transfer! Let people say what they want. After all, we’re sworn siblings!”

“Anyway,” she smiled at him, “don’t leave. Staying is the right choice! And don’t worry about whether I’m Yao Bingkun’s daughter. Even if I am, I’m still the Yao Jia you knew!”

He looked at her bright demeanor, listened to her earnest attempt to prevent her true identity from distancing them, and felt a pang in his heart.

He deliberately let out a mocking laugh and said, “You don’t care? I do.”

Her smile gradually faded, turning into an apology. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to hide my identity… But you really don’t need to resign because of it. How will you live if you quit? Do you have money? You still owe me money! Where will you live? You don’t even have a place!”

Meng Xingzhe thought, how could she be so innocent and kind?

He deliberately let out another mocking laugh, interrupting her, “Why are you so concerned about me? Could it be you like me?”

His question was flippant, the casual tone enough to hurt any self-respecting girl.

He saw her face suddenly flush, then the color drained, leaving a pale hurt. That flush finally settled in her eyes.

“Meng Xingzhe, don’t joke about liking someone, okay?”

She said it loudly, her voice trembling.

He thought, fine, let’s cut off any future chance of joking about liking each other.

From now on, you’re the Kunyu Heiress, and I’m the Xingbei Boss.

He laughed, a carefree and mischievous grin, and told her, “I’m doing you a favor. Too many people like me; don’t try to squeeze in, you won’t make it to the front.”

He saw a tear roll out of her eye as he finished speaking.

A large tear, trailing down her upturned cheek.

His heart ached, but he didn’t relent, “Don’t cry in front of me. I’m not your boyfriend; I won’t comfort you if you cry. Alright, I’m resigning now. Let’s meet again if fate allows.”

She looked at him, her eyes shifting from hurt to anger to determination. She raised her hand, quickly wiping her face with stubborn defiance.

She gave him one last hard look, then turned and walked away.

He watched her ascend the steps, her slender frame embedded in the cool autumn air, each step exuding fragility and thinness. Each step left a bitter taste in his throat.

He restrained himself from chasing after her.

His mind was a chaotic mess, unsure of what he’d just done or what to do next.

Only after she entered the building did he turn and continue down the stairs.

As he descended the last step, he suddenly remembered her saying she never cried, and if she did, it was only for one man.

His heart ached and pained as he thought, well, now he had the same status as Yue Xuran.

Meng Xingzhe returned to his luxurious mansion.

He pulled himself together and messaged Tian Huasheng, telling him he had resigned and would no longer be going to Kunyu or living in the dormitory. From now on, he wouldn’t need his share of dinner. As for his belongings in the dorm, if Tian Huasheng didn’t mind, he could have them all.

Tian Huasheng quickly called, but he declined the call, sending another message: [I don’t want to talk right now. In a few days, when I’m feeling better, I’ll treat you to a big meal.]

He put his phone on silent, granting himself some peace.

He surveyed his luxurious, high-quality home. A sprawling flat villa designed by top designers, furnished with the most expensive and luxurious materials, all appliances of the highest grade and intelligence.

Every inch of this space exuded the quality of an upper-class lifestyle.

This was the home that truly matched him, the home that suited all his refined tastes.

He told himself that the three months of living like a pauper were over. From now on, he would fully embrace his high-taste, enjoyment-loving self.

He also told himself that tonight, he must sleep soundly on his custom-made king-size bed.

Meng Xingzhe didn’t get the restful sleep he had hoped for.

He was sleepless for most of the night.

He lay on the bed, the king-size luxurious bed he once loved dearly, tossing and turning, unable to find a comfortable position.

He sat up and thought for a long time, realizing the discomfort was likely due to the mattress being too soft. After all, the bed in the Kunyu dorm was a low-end temporary version, with a hard mattress.

He was shocked to find that after three months of sleeping on a cheap bed, he was no longer accustomed to a good one!

He forced himself to lie down again, but after turning over countless times, he still couldn’t sleep.

He got up decisively and poured himself a glass of wine. It was a Burgundy, a 1990 vintage from the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, with an auction price that was exorbitantly high. He always felt that only such a wine could match his taste and palate.

But today was truly strange. As he sipped this expensive wine, he found himself thinking it wasn’t as satisfying as canned beer.

It was as if he had seen a ghost.

He set down the wine glass and angrily returned to bed, trying once more to fall asleep.

However, he tossed and turned, unable to find comfort or sleep.

Frustrated, he sat up, angrily threw the blanket and pillows onto the bedroom carpet, and lay down on the floor.

Finally, he felt comfortable. No more tossing and turning.

…He actually found a familiar, firm feeling.

Lying on the floor, he thought somewhat sadly…

He had to sleep on the floor at home to feel comfortable!

Just three months, and he had become so accustomed to this…

The next morning, he got up from the floor and walked into the bathroom. After washing up, he began to groom himself.

During his three months in Kunyu, he had nearly died of simplicity. Aside from shaving every day, he hadn’t bothered with anything else.

Looking at himself in the mirror, he took a deep breath and told himself—

In those three months, he had met her, fallen for her. To him, it was just a brief chapter in his life, an unexpected detour. Now, he needed to return to his previous path, to become once again the self-serving, pleasure-seeking, quality-pursuing, ever-refined, and aloof Meng Xingzhe.

He shaved cleanly, tidied up his appearance, and styled his hair. With his forehead exposed, he looked every bit the domineering and handsome CEO.

He walked to the walk-in closet.

Rows of suits and shirts, rows of ties and shoes. A whole cabinet of watches and cufflinks.

It was like a fashion exhibition hall.

This was his world, the world that suited him. He couldn’t fathom how he had survived three months in that small room in Kunyu.

He selected a bespoke suit he had specially ordered from England. As he fastened the gold and diamond cufflinks, he looked at himself in the mirror and thought, this was him—the kind of person who could casually lose a button worth tens of thousands.

Yet, as he tied his tie, he found himself a bit rusty. No matter how he tried, it was slightly off. He couldn’t help but feel irritated, thinking that during his time working in Kunyu, where he didn’t need to wear ties or match cufflinks and watches, he seemed more at ease.

He sighed and adjusted his tie.

Out the door, down the stairs, into the garage. After three months away, he wanted to keep a low profile, so he decided not to drive the Phantom and opted for the Porsche instead.

He arrived at the company, parked the car, and took the elevator upstairs.

In the elevator, he stood straight, expressionless, with his chin slightly raised and hands in his pockets.

He knew there were two girls sneaking glances at him, whispering to each other.

Their voices weren’t low enough; he heard them clearly.

They were saying, “Oh my God, he’s so handsome!”

He remained expressionless, maintaining his aloof demeanor.

The elevator doors opened.

He stepped out.

In the hallway, everyone he passed widened their eyes, almost with hearts in them.

Those who came to their senses immediately greeted him, “Good morning, Manager Meng!”

The bolder ones added with admiration, “Manager Meng, you’re so handsome!”

With a stern face, he walked through the company, commanding respect and admiration with every step: “Good morning, Manager Meng!” “Manager Meng, you look great!”

This was his true life. Majestic, noble, the life of a CEO who commands with authority.

Entering the office area, the receptionist stood up and respectfully greeted him.

He nodded coolly.

Just as he was about to turn towards his office, the receptionist called out to him.

“Manager Meng, a lady claiming to have a business relationship with you is here to see you. She’s been waiting in the reception area for quite some time!”

As she spoke, she gestured toward the open reception area.

He turned, looking over casually.

At that glance, his heart skipped a beat, and his thoughts and emotions froze in that moment.

Yao Jia slowly stood up from a chair in the reception area, looked at him without blinking, and said:

“So you really are the owner of this company.”