Chapter 87

 

Ming Xi had just stepped out of Liang Jiancheng’s door when she heard footsteps behind her. Turning around, she saw Liang Jiancheng chasing after her.

In the elevator hallway, Ming Xi stood fully dressed, chin slightly lifted, every inch the poised workplace elite.

Then she saw the shoes in Liang Jiancheng’s hand. Her head instinctively lowered, and she realized she had forgotten to change her shoes. She was still wearing Liang Jiancheng’s house slippers…

Instantly, her mood, like her appearance, plummeted.

To leave the house this casually, neglecting even such details—was it deliberate nonchalance, or was she really preoccupied with work?

Liang Jiancheng stood tall and composed before her, his well-defined hand firmly holding her heels. With faint helplessness on his face, he walked step by step toward her.

Then, holding the shoes, he crouched down.

When Ming Xi had first walked out, she’d felt exceptionally good about herself—confident, head high, almost radiant. Now, watching Liang Jiancheng crouch in front of her, her “self” instantly crumbled and wilted to the floor.

“Boss Ming, please change your shoes.” His tone was calm. He lifted his face slightly; despite his effort to conceal it, a trace of teasing gleamed in his eyes.

Ming Xi: …

Yesterday she mocked Liang Jiancheng for being a fool, and now she’s the fool.

After all, aside from her feet, she still looked polished and capable. And Liang Jiancheng? Pajama pants below, a round-neck T-shirt thrown on in a hurry last night above, unwashed, hair slightly messy—yet he radiated a distinct early-morning charm.

Compared to his impeccably dressed appearance for work, Liang Jiancheng had a more carefree air in the morning.

He was tall; when he crouched, his shoulder was perfectly positioned for her to use as support while changing shoes. Ming Xi switched them as quickly as possible and murmured a soft thank-you.

Liang Jiancheng stood up gracefully, his gaze gently sweeping over her, and asked earnestly, “You really don’t need… me to drive you?” The deliberate pause carried a subtle expectation.

Thank you, but truly no—she could arrange things herself.

Liang Jiancheng nodded. Okay.

Ming Xi met his eyes. She almost explained herself but decided there was no need. Her brisk departure wasn’t about keeping distance after sleeping with him. It was the last working day of the year—didn’t Boss Liang also need to show up at his own company?

They lived near each other, but their offices were in completely opposite directions.

The elevator doors opened. Ming Xi stepped inside. As they slowly closed, she faced Liang Jiancheng with a contented smile. Whether it was last night or right now, she felt happy.

But she couldn’t let one beautiful night trap her inside his luxury apartment. Mingzhou’s growth this year had been strong. She needed to finish the year in high spirits and with full momentum.

At the south gate of Tianxi No. 1, Ming Xi got into Xinyu’s car and headed to the Jiemu Tower where Mingzhou was located.

Along the way, Xinyu would steal glances at her from time to time through the rearview mirror.

Ming Xi closed her eyes, knowing perfectly well what Xinyu was curious about. Some things might be kept from outsiders, but not from an assistant.

“I was with Mr. Liang yesterday,” Ming Xi said plainly. Just that one sentence. Then she leaned her head against the backseat and closed her eyes, seizing the commute to catch up on sleep.

Hearing Ming Xi’s words in the back seat, Xinyu grinned as she drove.

This was easily the most explosive and thrilling news she’d heard all year. Having worked beside Ming Xi for years, she’d always known about the friendship between Mr. Liang of Xinghai and her own boss. As an assistant, she admired Ming Xi deeply. Faced with such an outstanding suitor, her boss had truly maintained the stance of “just friends.”

However, to Xinyu, an outsider, Miss Ming’s attitude towards Mr. Liang was one of rational restraint, while Mr. Liang’s attitude towards Miss Ming was almost like a form of controlled obedience. For such a relationship to go from suppressed endurance to last night’s passionate breakthrough—it was simply too good a story.

If Xinyu was feeling anything now, aside from the emotional satisfaction of seeing a “CP” finally succeed, there was also a practical comfort regarding her career. She trusted Miss Ming’s dedication to the company, but for a private firm like theirs, having strong backing would certainly bring more security.

Ahem…

Mingzhou had been developing for three years and was considered a rapidly growing new foreign trade company in the industry. However, further development would undoubtedly require the introduction of external resources—a necessary step for any company growing from small to large.

In this process, there were many choices to be made. Either take out a bank loan, or raise equity financing, or…

If Mingzhou could form a strategic alliance—perhaps even a “marriage”—with Xinghai, it would be the most ideal outcome for both their boss and the employees.

Just as Xinyu was mentally planning everything, Ming Xi slightly tilted her head and added deliberately, “Xinyu, my relationship with Mr. Liang isn’t public yet. I hope you can keep it confidential.”

Ah!

Xinyu’s mind raced. Since Miss Ming was awake, she mustered her courage and asked the question that had been bothering her: “Miss Ming, what exactly is your relationship with Mr. Liang now?”

Ming Xi didn’t want to keep her in suspense, but the words stuck in her throat, and she couldn’t bring herself to say “lovers.” Instead, she said “family.”

The phrase “family” shocked Xinyu so much she almost bit her tongue off.

Last night, it turned out Miss Ming and Mr. Liang weren’t confessing love, they were actually forming a sworn sibling bond! They became sworn siblings of the opposite sex?

Xinyu was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. Ming Xi, sitting in the back seat, supporting her head on her hand, a smile playing on her lips.

…

Ming Xi usually slept well—five hours was enough, four of them was deep sleep. That physiology gave her stronger stamina at work than most people.

Sister CC was starting maternity leave after the year ended and came to Ming Xi’s office on the last day to submit her leave application.

As Ming Xi signed it, she lightly rubbed her brow. That subtle gesture didn’t escape Sister CC’s notice. “Didn’t sleep well last night, Miss Ming?”

Besides rubbing her temples, the sharp-eyed Wu Jingjing also noticed that the usually energetic Miss Ming had also shown faint dark circles under her thin eyelids when she appeared at the company this morning.

Ming Xi rarely felt tired, but today was an exception. Therefore, even the slightest hint of fatigue was quite noticeable to those around her.

Faced with Sister CC’s concern, Ming Xi offered an interesting excuse: “Yes, I didn’t get much rest last night; I stayed up late studying English.”

Every employee at Mingzhou knew that Ming Xi loved learning. It wasn’t surprising that a boss with a background in foreign trade needed to improve her English.

The problem was, after several years in business, Ming Xi’s English was already excellent, especially her spoken English, which was fluent and natural.

“Sigh… it’s really frustrating to compare yourself to others. Miss Ming’s business English is already so good, yet you still studies so hard,” Sister CC said with half admiration, half self-pity.

Upon hearing this, Ming Xi smiled broadly, a cheerful smile spreading across her face. She turned on the humidifier on her desk, and soon a continuous stream of citrus fragrance filled the air, refreshing and invigorating. Seeing Sister CC’s somewhat skeptical look, Ming Xi shrugged and explained, “Last night’s lesson wasn’t business English, it was classical English poetry.”

Wu Jingjing gave an exaggerated “Oh,” roughly guessing the reason. Holding her signed leave slip, she swayed out of the office—despite her large pregnant belly.

Wu Jingjing’s marriage last year was quite sudden; her husband was almost ten years younger than her, about the same age as Ming Xi, and worked as an extremely ordinary textile inspection technician. Their union was almost miraculous, but judging from Wu Jingjing’s demeanor, this usually picky woman had chosen to enter into marriage and resolutely become pregnant at an advanced age, showing her determination to walk hand in hand with her younger husband.

The first time Wu Jingjing came to Mingzhou, it was her husband who brought her. Ming Xi’s first impression: shy and mild-mannered, like a younger brother dragged unwillingly into social situations.

However, since becoming pregnant, every lunchtime, Sister CC, who used to love showing off her figure, would habitually bring out a full lunchbox, her face beaming with sweetness.

Today, on her last day of work, Wu Jingjing was leaning against the water dispenser in the office, pouring out her worries about her weight: “I planned to keep my total pregnancy weight gain under 25 jin1 jin = 500gr. Yesterday I finally gathered the courage to step on the scale—my goodness, almost 40 jin! I’m 130 jin now! I never imagined in my life I’d reach 130!”

“That’s not fat, it’s water retention…”

“Exactly! I gained 50 jin when I was pregnant—40 isn’t even dramatic!”

In a company full of women, discussions about childbirth and marriage were inevitable during downtime—topics Ming Xi had absolutely no interest in and couldn’t contribute to. However, the moment Wu Jingjing brought it up, the women who had already given birth immediately opened the floodgates, recounting how much weight they had gained during pregnancy and the damage it had done to their bodies.

Gaining weight was actually the least harmful of those “damages.”

When Ming Xi stepped out to get some water, she overheard Sister Pingping talking about the embarrassment of urinary leakage during pregnancy. Ming Xi nearly choked, the mouthful of water lingering in her throat for quite a while before she managed to swallow it.

“It’s better to have kids earlier—the damage is less,” Sister Pingping sighed.

Ming Xi shook her head inwardly; she couldn’t join the conversation. Compared to physical damage, having the baby early meant the damage wasn’t to her body, but to her career!

Luckily, she had absolutely no interest in children!

“Ming Xi.” The company’s finance officer called her over to sign a document. It was Sister Tian, an accountant twice Ming Xi’s age who had previously worked in the banking system.

In this company, the person Ming Xi felt most at ease with was Sister CC, but the one she respected most was Sister Tian. For a small boss like her, respect toward employees wasn’t just politeness—it was also a matter of not wanting to offend them. Ming Xi respected Sister Tian, and Sister Tian was the only person in the company who didn’t call her “Miss Ming,” but simply addressed her by name.

After finishing the paperwork, Ming Xi noticed Sister Tian smiling as she looked her over and couldn’t help asking, “What is it?”

Sister Tian asked, “Has our Miss Ming given any thought to her lifelong matters?”

No matter how outstanding, beautiful, or wealthy a woman was, she would inevitably be asked about marriage. Ming Xi smiled and said smugly, “Too many admirers. It’s hard to choose.”

“Then would you mind if I introduced another suitor to Miss Ming?” Sister Tian asked kindly.

Ming Xi immediately shook her head, refusing generously, “Thank you for your kindness, Sister Tian, but my heart already belongs to someone.”

As soon as Ming Xi said this, they all understood who that person was.

With such a gem by her side, other men were indeed like wooden boxes.

No one really had the mood to work today. The year’s tasks had basically come to an end. Ming Xi decided to hold a short meeting and let everyone leave a few hours early as a reward for their hard work. Having risen from a sales representative to managing a small company, Ming Xi knew she still had plenty of shortcomings.

Zhang Xia’s analysis yesterday hadn’t been unreasonable.

If possible, she hoped Mingzhou could maintain this stable development model: simple staffing, large order volumes, no excessive capital pressure, and steady annual profits in the millions. Yet she knew clearly that if she treated the extraordinary dividends brought by the industry boom as the company’s normal future state, she would be lacking foresight—perhaps even naïve and arrogant.

The market was vast, but most large orders were concentrated among top-tier companies, creating a significant siphon effect.

Unfortunately, despite Mingzhou’s good development in recent years, Haiou, as one of the earliest companies to enter the foreign trade field, remains the industry leader.

In such an environment, the share of orders a small company like Mingzhou could secure would only shrink.

She wasn’t unaware of this. She had to plan ahead.

After the meeting, employees collected their holiday gifts and headed home. Since Sister CC would begin her long leave after today, she suggested taking a group photo to commemorate the moment.

Including Ming Xi, there were ten people in the company. The only male employee, Little Tian, was in charge of taking photos.

“Is cotton candy sweet? Sweeeet!” Little Tian bent forward with a grin, trying to hype up the ladies. Unfortunately, everyone found the line cheesy and lacked impact.

After racking his brains, he tried again: “Jingle bells ring—let the sisters shine together!”

This one was barely acceptable.

Then the ambitious assistant Xinyu, clearly unimpressed with his syrupy slogans, came up with one of her own. When she said it aloud, it was obvious she understood the boss best.

“Peak Mingzhou—captured in this frame!”

Years later, Xinyu found this year-end group photo, carefully edited it, and made it a growth mark on Mingzhou’s company culture wall.

With everyone off work early, there was no reason for Ming Xi to stay either.

She remembered that Maggie had invited her for afternoon tea yesterday, but she had declined due to being busy. Without embarrassment, she messaged Maggie: “I’m free now.”

The proud Maggie replied with one word: “Scram.”

Forget it then.

Half a minute later, Maggie sent a meeting location—midway between their offices, near the Zhongjin Tower where Ming Xi had once worked.

Right across the street.

Ming Xi didn’t drive today; she took a taxi.

Before Maggie arrived, Ming Xi ordered her drink. She never wasted time waiting for others. She took out her wireless notebook and browsed international news while sipping her coffee.

Ten minutes later, Maggie appeared with a stack of documents. She plopped down opposite her, ordered a coffee to go, and got straight to the point: “Ming Xi, you have a rival now.”

Ming Xi paused slightly, looked up, and smiled confidently at Maggie: “Haven’t I always had many rivals?”

Maggie shook her head, deliberately keeping her in suspense, raising an eyebrow and saying, “But not just any rival.”

“Who is it…” Ming Xi had a premonition.

Then, Maggie said that person’s name—Ming Yue.

“I haven’t investigated your relationship, but everyone in our unit knows. Someone must have spread it deliberately. Do you know who personally came from Haiou to handle customs recently? Ming Yue. She’s now Haiou’s vice director. Ming Xi… isn’t that interesting?”

Ming Xi listened calmly, her brows furrowing slightly before relaxing naturally.

Maggie picked up her phone, opened several text messages, and handed them over: “These are the messages she’s been sending me lately. Take a look. This kind of perseverance, this skill in expanding industry connections, I can only say, you two really are sisters!”

Maggie was pressed for time and was about to leave after saying this.

Ming Xi rested her elbows on the table, fingers interlaced. When she received Ming Yue’s message that morning, she already knew their sisterly relationship would soon become common knowledge in the industry. That wasn’t a big deal—who didn’t have troublesome relatives?

But—

Ming Xi’s dark eyes shone brightly, her delicate eyelashes lifted slightly, and the corners of her lips gently pressing down as she looked directly at Maggie, revealing her true feelings for the first time to this woman who was more of a platonic friend.

“Our relationship is more suited to rivalry than partnership.”

Maggie frowned in surprise: “My God, aren’t you sisters?”

Ming Xi blinked and smiled faintly. “If we had a choice, neither of us would want any blood relation between us. Unfortunately, a man of poor character tied us together through his mistake.”

Ming Xi’s words were clear, and Maggie nodded in understanding. This kind of thing wasn’t uncommon for someone like Ming Xi, who came from an ordinary background; it was equally prevalent in her circle.

“Okay, I understand, Miss Ming.” As the waiter brought over a takeout latte, Maggie took it and made her stance clear: “No matter what, I met you first. As long as you don’t betray me, I won’t play both sides.”

Maggie declared.

Ming Xi smiled charmingly and said as if deeply moved, “Maggie, don’t you understand my feelings for you yet?”

Tch! Maggie tossed her newly dyed chestnut hair, and before leaving, pointed a finger at Ming Xi’s hair, reminding her, “Miss Ming, no matter how busy you are with work, don’t forget to take care of your appearance. During the New Year, you’re the only beautiful woman I’ve ever seen who doesn’t perm or dye your hair.”

Sigh! Ming Xi lightly tapped her forehead with her knuckles… she’d really forgotten about that. In the past, every New Year, Cai Ni would be by her side, and no matter how busy she was, Cai Ni would drag her to get her hair done. This year, she didn’t have the leisure.

No, her leisure was spent elsewhere…

Ming Xi’s explanation also fell on Liang Jiancheng: “It’s not that I don’t want to dye it, it’s that Liang Jiancheng’s aesthetic is more traditional. The market competition is fierce, I’m under a lot of pressure, so naturally I have to cater to his tastes.”

Maybe one day, she really need Xinghai to inject development energy into Mingzhou.

Maggie rolled her eyes at Ming Xi and walked away disdainfully.

Ming Xi continued browsing her emails. Not long after Maggie left, “Smiling Without Talking” messaged her on QQ: “Miss Ming, have you finished your year-end work? If it’s convenient, I’d like to invite you to dinner tonight.”

Dinner together was no problem, of course.

Ming Xi replied, “I happen to be at the coffee shop across from your company.”

Liang Jiancheng: “Would you like to come up for a bit?”

After finishing her coffee, Ming Xi left the coffee shop, carrying a leather handbag, crossed the street to the Zhongjin Tower.

Since leaving Haiou, she rarely came here.

Entering through the revolving doors, Ming Xi went to the reception desk, wrote her name and the company she was visiting—Xinghai Foreign Trade.

She remained calm throughout, but her heart inexplicably quickened when she pressed the elevator button.

Five minutes later, Ming Xi sat on the sofa in Liang Jiancheng’s CEO office, waiting for him to finish works. To avoid disturbing him, she turned her slightly agitated face towards the floor-to-ceiling window.

Over the past three years, Hiagang had continued to expand outwards, but the landscape seen from Zhongjin Tower had barely changed.

“Miss Ming, is something on your mind?” A concerned yet tentative voice brushed past her ear; it was Liang Jiancheng, who was working at his desk.

Ming Xi tilted her head slightly, her gaze falling on him. She noticed that Liang Jiancheng hadn’t stopped writing; he was simply signing documents while asking her questions.

Ming Xi prepared to tell him everything.

Liang Jiancheng put down his pen first, leaning back slightly in his chair, looking at her with undeniable charm.

“This morning in the elevator, I ran into another Miss Ming,” Liang Jiancheng said on his own initiative. His voice was rich and mature, his manner open and straightforward as he brought up something that would make Ming Xi uncomfortable—yet had to be said.

So that’s how it is… Ming Xi’s lips twitched faintly.

“So… you already know, right?” Liang Jiancheng pursed his lips, asking cautiously.

Ming Xi rose from the sofa and asked directly, “How do you know her?”

Liang Jiancheng hummed in response and explained simply, “She greeted me first—basically introducing herself.” As he spoke, he opened his desk drawer, took out a business card, and placed it on his desk.

Ming Xi walked over, picked up the card, and glanced at it.

“Oh,”

After a long moment, she responded perfunctorily and coldly, then placed the card back on his desk.

Liang Jiancheng picked up the card and threw it directly into the trash can, displaying his utter disdain.

Xinghai’s year-end work was also finished. Liang Jiancheng stood up, took his coat from the rack—holding it in one hand—and with the other took Ming Xi’s hand, ready to properly enjoy a few days of the Spring Festival holiday.

They stood together waiting for the elevator.

“Miss Ming, what would you like to eat tonight? Whatever you want, I’ll try my best to satisfy you,” Liang Jiancheng said, leaning slightly closer, his eyes beaming.

Ming Xi thought for a moment but truly couldn’t think of anything she particularly wanted. Back in Yicheng, when she had gone hungry, everything had tasted good. In recent years she had dined at many high-end restaurants—even more than a dozen Michelin-starred ones. Her craving for fine food had gradually faded. What mattered was less what she ate, and more her mood.

The elevator doors opened. Liang Jiancheng deliberately lowered his head and glanced at Boss Ming beside him, who had quickly relaxed. His own mood improved with hers. Slowly, he led her into the elevator. In the narrow space, his gaze remained fixed on her face.

If only this were his private elevator at home—he would already have pulled her into his arms.

“If you really can’t decide what to eat, I do have an arrangement,” Liang Jiancheng suddenly said.

Ming Xi turned her head. “What arrangement?”

With a mixture of mischief and slight embarrassment, Liang Jiancheng said, “I’d like to ask Boss Ming to do me the honor of meeting Brother Yang’s family.”

Ming Xi exclaimed softly: “Isn’t that tomorrow?”

Liang Jiancheng sighed and explained: “They just arrived today, and the New Year’s Eve dinner is scheduled for tomorrow. However, I received a call in advance from Director Gu—she hopes I’ll stop by tonight.”

Ming Xi: “And you’re still waiting to have dinner with me?”

Liang Jiancheng said matter-of-factly: “If you don’t want to come with me, between my mother and you, of course I’ll choose you.”

Some people really could make choices, but…

Ming Xi: “I…”

He had already softened his tone to reassure her. “Ming Xi, you don’t need to feel any psychological burden. Whether it’s today or tomorrow when we go to my mother’s for dinner, don’t treat it as a daughter-in-law meeting her mother-in-law. If you feel pressure, just treat it as a networking dinner.”

Ming Xi’s gaze paused slightly, wanting to defend herself.

“It’s fine. I’m already part of your network, and my mother can be part of your network too.” Liang Jiancheng said cheerfully.

Ming Xi stared at him as he spoke so lightly, biting her lower lip gently. “Mr. Liang is so generous.”

Liang Jiancheng just smiled, using a faint smile to mask his emotions, without saying anything more, he stood firmly behind Ming Xi.

At this moment in the elevator, Ming Xi wasn’t exactly restless, but a thought did pop into her head: when the elevator went down to the first floor, would Mingyue, whom she hadn’t seen for many years, be standing outside the elevator door?

Fortunately, the elevator arrived smoothly at the underground parking garage.

Liang Jiancheng finally took his hand out of his pocket and extended it directly to her—may I hold your hand now?

Ming Xi naturally placed her hand in his.

Then, following the line of her arm, Liang Jiancheng pulled her directly into an embrace. They weren’t elementary school students—what was the point of merely holding hands?

Exceptionally handsome, striding forward on long, imposing legs, Liang Jiancheng half-embraced Ming Xi as they walked ahead with commanding presence. From time to time he lowered his head, wanting to press closer to the woman in his arms. He simply couldn’t control himself—a purely physical, intense liking governed all his actions.

They arrived at the parking space and stood before a black sedan. Liang Jiancheng unlocked the car.

Just as they were about to get in, the headlights of an American-made car shone toward them, seemingly eager to draw attention. A tall woman stepped out, along with a familiar boss.

Sometimes, it’s not the chance encounters that were scary, but the direct confrontation.

Ming Xi’s gaze stiffened slightly. In an instant she was certain—the woman stepping out was Ming Yue.

As for the other familiar boss, there was no need for introduction—Boss He.

At that moment, Liang Jiancheng personally opened the car door for his lady. In those brief seconds earlier, he had also seen He Yuan and his second wife, yet paid them no mind. To Liang Jiancheng’s pride and emotions, neither of them was as important as opening the car door for the woman before him.

“Get in.” Liang Jiancheng gave Ming Xi a knowing look.

Oh. Without any expression, Ming Xi withdrew her gaze from Ming Yue, turned, and got into the car.

Liang Jiancheng closed the door like a gentleman, then got in himself and started the engine.

The sleek car pulled smoothly out of the company parking space. As it passed by He Yuan and his second wife, it did not slow down, tracing a graceful arc beside them before heading straight toward the garage exit.

The car drove north, gradually merging from the crowded traffic of Jianghui District onto the elevated highway, then steadily making its way toward Xujia District, where Gu Shuangyang and Yang Minwen lived.

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