Chapter 85: When Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road

Chapter 85: A Narrow Road for Old Enemies

Perhaps to proclaim the excitement in her heart, after work the proud and pretty boss not only ordered a company dinner for all the employees, but then personally led the charge to a nightclub.

Because of the trouble from last time, Ximen Lu did not choose an open-style club this time. Instead, she picked a large karaoke and performance venue, where one could sing in private rooms or watch stage shows. Compared with that previous nightlife spot, it was much quieter, yet still a place where the young of the metropolis cast caution to the wind.

“Now that we have a new office environment, the next step is to expand our staff as soon as possible.”

Ximen Lu was in especially high spirits today. After a few subordinates kept toasting her, her cheeks soon turned rosy and her eyes hazy with drink.

Her charming gaze swept over the several team leaders and mid-level managers present. “From here on, it’s up to you. Hurry up and submit your lists of staffing needs, so we can formally establish the hiring plan.”

“Don’t worry, Boss. I finished the team’s list ages ago. I’ll bring it to you first thing tomorrow morning.” The speaker was Li Changying, the leader of the sixth team. Because of the humiliation he had suffered from Chu Fei before, he had been keeping a low profile in the company for some time. At the moment, he was clearly a little drunk. Hearing Ximen Lu’s words, he immediately thumped his chest in assurance. His eyes were somewhat red from drinking, and the way he looked at Ximen Lu was distinctly heated.

A wave of disgust rose in Ximen Lu’s heart, though nothing showed on her face. She smiled coquettishly. “Then I’ll have to trouble Team Leader Li.” As she spoke, she raised her glass in a toast.

“No trouble at all. It’s my honor to serve you, Boss.” Seeing Ximen Lu smile at him so alluringly, Li Changying suddenly felt parched. In excitement, he lifted his glass and drained the red wine in one gulp, bold and carefree.

Ximen Lu, however, truly found him unpleasant now. To be honest, Li Changying was capable, and since he had been introduced by Su Yanan, she had never intended to target him. But at this moment he was plainly going too far. What did he mean, serving her? Anyone who didn’t know the circumstances might think he meant something indecent. Did he not know how to speak properly?

It had to be said that there were differences between people. If those words had come from Chu Fei, Ximen Lu would not have cared at all—she might even have shot him a flirtatious glance. But since it was Li Changying speaking, the feeling was entirely different. Who was he to her, really?

Still, in a setting like this, Ximen Lu could not erupt. She could only turn to the others, especially glancing at Chu Fei, and smile brightly. “You heard what Team Leader Li said. All of you should hurry as well. Go back and think carefully tonight, and hand in your staffing needs list to me before work tomorrow. No problem with that, right?”

“Don’t worry, Sister Lu.”

“Exactly, Sister Lu. You can rest assured. We’ll definitely complete the task…”

The other team leaders and supervisors also smiled and made their promises. They were all shrewd enough to understand that Li Changying’s earlier gaze had clearly displeased the boss, so naturally none of them wanted to be foolish. Each answered readily enough. It wasn’t as if they were hiring people immediately anyway; they only needed to prepare a proposal.

Ximen Lu nodded in satisfaction and, with a haughty wave of her hand, said, “All right, I know you can’t relax with me here, so I won’t make things difficult for you. Go on out and have some fun.”

Everyone immediately stood up.

Chu Fei rose with them, but before he even moved a step, he heard Ximen Lu say, “Chu Fei, wait a moment. I have something to tell you.”

The way the others looked at Chu Fei instantly turned ambiguous, and they scattered in haste. Even Su Yanan and Zhang Qing, who had originally planned to stay and keep Ximen Lu company, quickly got up and left as well, though their eyes on Chu Fei were all somewhat strange.

Soon, only Chu Fei and Ximen Lu remained in the private room.

“Hey, why are you standing so far away? Afraid I’ll eat you?” Ximen Lu looked up and saw Chu Fei lingering by the door, and her brows immediately arched.

“Boss, with just the two of us here, it’s better to be careful or people might get the wrong idea,” Chu Fei said with a smile. He had clearly seen the looks from his colleagues just now.

“Pfft. I’m not afraid, so what are you afraid of? Come here.” Ximen Lu snorted. She had meant to keep Chu Fei behind to thank him properly, but his one sentence had stirred her irritation.

Chu Fei obediently came back, though he said, “You’re single, so of course you’re not afraid. I’m a man with a fiancée. If rumors spread, I’ll be in trouble.”

Ximen Lu froze. “You’re engaged?”

“Yes. What, I’m not allowed to be engaged?” Chu Fei was also taken aback. Only then did he remember that Ximen Lu knew nothing about this. He had been thinking about the Fu family and, without thinking, let the words slip. It was already too late to take them back.

“Oh! And who is the one you’re engaged to?” Ximen Lu leaned in curiously, all gossipy delight.

“Even if I told you, you wouldn’t know her,” Chu Fei said casually, trying to move past the subject. But Ximen Lu had no intention of letting it go. Seeing him shift away, she raised a brow. “Why are you hiding from me like that? Are you really that afraid your fiancée will misunderstand? Don’t worry—if she does, I can explain it to her for you.”

“You?” Chu Fei quickly shook his head. Ximen Lu had the face of a little vixen; if she went, it would only add fuel to the fire.

“What do you mean by that?” Ximen Lu said unhappily.

“Nothing. By the way, what exactly did you keep me here for?” Chu Fei hurriedly changed the subject.

Ximen Lu rolled her eyes in exasperation, but she did not pursue the matter further. Instead, her eyes flicked as an enchanting smile once again bloomed on her face. In a soft, coaxing voice, she asked, “Chu Fei, what do you think of my character?”

“You treat your subordinates well, and when it comes to important matters you’re straightforward. You’re basically a tough girl,” Chu Fei answered after a moment’s thought, very earnestly.

Ximen Lu’s face immediately darkened. Was that supposed to be praise? The first half was passable, but what was that last line? How did she look like a tough girl?

Still, she did not get angry. Instead, she continued in a sweet voice, “So you think my character is pretty good too?”

“Very good, absolutely outstanding. So, why are you asking?” Chu Fei laid it on thick at once, even more curious about her purpose.

Ximen Lu looked at him, then suddenly slapped the coffee table and said with grand generosity, “Since you’ve helped me so much, sister is going to give you a chance to make a fortune.”

“What chance?” Chu Fei asked, puzzled.

“Didn’t you mortgage your house and pay a two-hundred-thousand deposit for the company’s new office space? I plan to convert that two-hundred-thousand deposit into ten percent of the company’s shares for you. That’s founder’s stock. Our company isn’t listed yet, but once it goes public, you’ll be sitting pretty. How about it? You helped sister out, and sister is treating you well too, right?” Ximen Lu said sincerely.

Chu Fei stared at her, dumbfounded, and it took him more than ten seconds to react.

“Damn, all that talk and you just don’t want to pay me back, do you?” Chu Fei was speechless with pain and immediately exposed Ximen Lu’s lie. This woman’s skin really was thicker than most.

“What do you mean I’m not paying you back? Isn’t my company stock money too?” Ximen Lu pouted.

“As if. If your company can’t go public, then does that mean I’ll never get my money back? And what if your Feilu goes bankrupt someday?”

“Your company’s the one that’ll go bankrupt. Chu Fei, can’t you speak properly?” Ximen Lu said angrily.

“Fine, that was my bad. But I’m really not interested in your shares. Just give me the cash,” Chu Fei said with a shrug.

“No money!” Ximen Lu shook her head, her answer crisp and firm.

“If you’ve got no money, why are you still so stubborn?” Chu Fei was utterly exasperated. Watching Ximen Lu raise another glass of red wine, he could not help saying, “Ximen Lu, you’ve already borrowed so much money. Why care about this little bit from me? Forget the deposit for now—where’s the rent you owe me?”

“What rent? That lousy hovel of yours could sell for how much, and you still want me to pay you a hundred thousand? Do you think I’m an idiot? Anyway, I’ve got no money right now. If you want money, I don’t have any; if you want my life, take one,” Ximen Lu said, glaring at him without the slightest reasonableness.

Then she smiled seductively. “Or how about this—tonight sister will go all out and pay the debt with her body. I’ll keep you company in bed for one night, and we’ll call it even.” After saying that, she threw Chu Fei another flirtatious glance.

Chu Fei’s heart heated at once, but he quickly came to his senses and gritted his teeth. “You’re taking me for a fool. One night in bed for three hundred thousand? Do you think you’re the superstar Mu Qingyan?”

With that, he stood up and walked straight out. He truly had grown afraid of Ximen Lu. This woman, with her flushed cheeks and charming eyes, was far too alluring. Just looking at her was enough to make one burn with frustration—especially when she was something one could not taste.

“How am I any worse than Mu Qingyan?”

Ximen Lu ground her teeth in irritation too. She stood up and turned before the mirror a couple of times, only to sink into gloom. Though proud and confident, she had to admit that compared with Mu Qingyan, the nation’s goddess and heavenly diva, she really did fall short by more than just a little…

—

“Yo, isn’t that my old classmate Chu Fei? What a coincidence. You’re here to sing too?”

As Chu Fei stepped out of the private room, cigarette in mouth, just about ready to go watch the stage show and pass the time outside, an odd, sneering voice suddenly came from behind him.

He turned back, and his brows immediately knitted together.

What terrible luck—what a narrow road for old enemies.

Chapter 2 delivered!