Chapter 113: I’m Not the Type to Spill Everything

At this moment, the Director of the Operations Department looked no different from a beaten dog. After suffering consecutive blows from Yuan Hang and Chen Lie, he was visibly trembling with anxiety and fear.

He was terrified that what Yuan Hang said was true—that those photos really had been taken and kept as evidence.

If those photos really existed, losing his job would be the least of his worries. What mattered was whether he’d end up being charged with indecency...

He was also afraid of the strikingly handsome man in front of him. He couldn’t gauge this man’s depth, but judging by his demeanor and bearing, he probably came from a powerful family.

If this man’s background—or his own abilities—were formidable, then even if he escaped Yuan Hang, he wouldn’t be able to escape him...

“When are you planning to book your return ticket?” Chen Lie asked directly.

The Operations Director was stunned. He couldn’t believe it—was this man still treating him like a leader? Actually asking for his opinion?

“Uh... today?”

Chen Lie frowned. “What time today?”

“E-evening...” Startled by Chen Lie’s invisible pressure, the director stammered, trying to push the time forward, “A-after...”

“Finish securing the order first, then go back!” Sister Li smiled at the director. “You still haven’t closed your deal, so we’re going to try a bit harder. Isn’t that right, Director?”

The director looked evasively at Sister Li, but out of the corner of his eye, he was sizing up Chen Lie. Seeing nothing from him, he turned to Su Qinghu.

Su Qinghu wore a half-smile.

He couldn’t read her either.

In the end, trusting his instincts, he decided to go along with Sister Li. “Yes, we’re going to try a bit more! Maybe... maybe... maybe we’ll leave tomorrow.”

As he spoke, he watched Sister Li’s expression. Seeing her relax, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He’d made the right call!

“Tomorrow... we’ll leave at noon,” the director said. He wanted to say they’d leave in the afternoon, but there were rules for business trips, so the latest he could push it was noon. “That way, we won’t delay reporting back the day after tomorrow...”

As he spoke, he watched Chen Lie’s face. Seeing no impatience or further frowning, he felt so relieved he almost collapsed.

But as his eyes wandered, he suddenly met Yuan Hang’s gaze.

He thought, ...Is this guy going to make demands too?

If he did, he’d have to find a way to get some leverage back!

“Do you need our help with your business calls?” Yuan Hang asked.

“Huh?” The director was caught off guard. Was this guy also treating him like a leader?

Sister Li explained, “What Yuan Hang means is, if you’re going out to drum up business and you don’t need our help, does that mean we’re free to do as we please?”

Yuan Hang nodded, confirming her interpretation.

“You... you go ahead and do as you like,” the director said. Who did he dare try to control now? Even if they still seemed to treat him as their superior, none of them were to be trifled with. It was safer to just go along with them.

If they were satisfied, maybe they’d let him off the hook.

Yes, as long as this matter didn’t reach the higher-ups or become public knowledge, and as long as Su Qinghu and the other two let him go, he could keep his job at the newspaper.

If he really could stay, he’d make sure to steer clear of these three from now on—never crossing them again.

Chen Lie glanced at the now-deflated director, then said to Su Qinghu, “If anything happens, don’t panic.”

Su Qinghu almost blurted out, “Should I take out my phone and snap a photo first?” But remembering that there were no cell phones at this time, she quickly shut her mouth. Realizing she hadn’t responded to his advice, she quickly said, “Mm.”

Chen Lie was a bit exasperated by her reaction and sighed inwardly. “When I say don’t panic, I don’t mean let yourself get caught. Do you understand?”

Su Qinghu: ...Does this man think I’m a child? Does he really think I’d just surrender without a fight?

She never believed in “suffering in silence is a virtue,” after all~~~

“Everything I taught you—you can use it if something happens,” Chen Lie said, still uneasy, and emphasized, “But don’t go overboard. If you can hold back, hold back. Ideally... just don’t give anyone a chance to retaliate.”

Su Qinghu grinned. “Got it!”

“...Did you really understand?” Chen Lie was suspicious of her quick answer. Did she just pick out the parts she liked and ignore the rest?

For example, she remembered “You can use what I taught you,” but did she just tune out the part about not going too far, about holding back?

“I understood! I’m not that slow, you know,” Su Qinghu said, a bit annoyed.

She didn’t have any bad track record in front of him, so why was he being so naggy? Not only setting rules for her, but also checking if she understood...

“You understood? Then repeat it back to me,” Chen Lie said sternly.

Su Qinghu was already standing next to him. Now, annoyed, she bumped her head against his chest and grumbled, “I don’t want to say it~~~”

How could such a tall, handsome, man—one so beloved by Nuwa—be so annoying sometimes?

Chen Lie froze, looking at Su Qinghu, whose hair was now all mussed up from rubbing against him, not knowing what to do.

Sensing the stares from others, he took a deep breath, put his arm around Su Qinghu’s shoulders, and practically half-carried her away from the scene.

Su Qinghu let him, but started to complain, “You haven’t even figured out how to be a husband, and now you’re trying to be my dad? I’m your wife, not a three-year-old, you know?”

Chen Lie: “...”

“And just now... you scared me. When you told me to repeat it back, I was instantly transported back to high school, especially those days before the college entrance exam,” Su Qinghu said. “I might have nightmares now~~~”

Chen Lie said seriously, “You don’t know your own strength. I have to remind you, regardless of your age.”

“How am I too strong?” Su Qinghu protested. “My arms and legs aren’t that powerful. If it weren’t for my explosive strength, I’d be the one getting bullied!”

By the end, she sounded truly aggrieved.

Chen Lie opened his mouth, hesitated, then decided to tell her—he’d seen the two people she’d beaten up yesterday, and the extent of their injuries...

He reported their injuries in detail.

Su Qinghu: “...”

Seriously? This guy had such a good memory? He’d only taken a quick look yesterday, and he could remember exactly where and how badly those two were hurt?

Did he actually read the injury reports?

But—

“Fine, I get it,” Su Qinghu relented, compromising. “If anyone else is dumb enough to mess with me, I’ll do as you say and hold back a bit. I won’t hurt them so badly.”

A smile flickered in Chen Lie’s eyes. He nodded. “I’ve got things to do during the day. I’ll come find you tonight.”

He pulled a folded envelope from his pocket. “Here’s some money. Use it as you need.”"