In the evening, Pei Yueran called Director Zhou. Han Yichen was in his room reading at that time, so they spent some time talking.
Pei Yueran told her about the recent happenings—her close relationship with Li Chuanmo and his family, their fight and eventual reconciliation, and the worries she had.
Director Zhou advised her the same way Su Qianhua did. She also added, "It's not as if he proposed marriage. Just go with the flow. Have friends. Perhaps it would grow into something more in time, but for now, just enjoy the ride."
'We haven't even talked about love, much less a proposal', she mused. "You're right. Thanks Mum."
"Anytime dear. Alright, let me go and call Chen'er."
Shortly afterwards, Han Yichen joined them in the living room. "Hi Mum, how are you?"
"I'm fine. How are you Xiao Chen?"
"Fine. Studying. Exams soon."
"Alright. That reminds me, I wanted to ask you, since you haven't found a middle school you like in City A yet, how about schooling in City M? I found a reputable school that offers full scholarships, though you would have to live in the dormitory. What do you think?"
"Okay. Name?" Han Yichen had already research schools in City M and he found one already, though he wasn't sure if it's the same one his mother was talking about.
"Anping First Middle School."
"I like it."
Just like that? Pei Yueran was surprised. On second thought, she knew he must have known about it and done his research.
"Okay, but let's do more research and see if it's really suitable, okay?"
"Fine. Thanks Mum."
"You're welcome", Pei Yueran smiled. Sometimes she felt like she loved this boy so much that she could do literally anything for him.
After several more minutes of conversation, they said goodbye and hung up.
*****
By 10am on Monday afternoon, Min Shiyi knew something had definitely changed between her two bosses.
How to explain it? It was like they were back to how their relationship was before, but then again, a bit different.
At the height of their interaction before, they talked easily like friends, shared ideas and moved around together. Now, although they had gone back to talking, there was a bit of showing affection—their gazes, a light touch here and there, and a more relaxed atmosphere.
When Gong Anwei, Li Chuanmo's PA came out of the office to get something, Min Shiyi stopped him.
"Assistant Gong, have you noticed anything going on between Chairman Li and Special Assistant Pei?"
Gong Anwei looked at her suspiciously, "Like what?" He had not paid much attention to them today as he was busy sorting out the chairman's schedule.
"Can't you see their public display of affection? something must have changed over the weekend. Any news? Did you follow them anywhere during the weekend?"
Gong Anwei: "...." He said incredulously, "Secretary Min, you realize that they have only been at work for two hours right? And most of it has been spent in the chairman's office. So how did you see them and make such conclusions so fast?"
Min Shiyi said proudly, "It was so obvious. You must be blind to not notice. So do you know or not?"
"I'm sorry I don't know." He gave her a look and then walked away. He knew she liked to gossip, but was shocked that she involved him today. On his way back, he didn't even spare her a glance.
Min Shiyi stuck her tongue out at him. She would definitely get to know what she wanted to know.
Gong Anwei knocked shortly before opening the door to Li Chuanmo's office. Subconsciously, he began to look for the clues Min Shiyi talked about.
Li Chuanmo and Pei Yueran were sitting across each other as usual, head bent over a document. Or more precisely, Pei Yueran's head was bent as she read. Li Chuanmo was looking at her with a gaze Gong Anwei could not properly explain.
Gong Anwei blinked. What was he seeing?
Pei Yueran found what she was looking for and raised her head excitedly, to catch Li Chuanmo staring at her. She blushed while Li Chuanmo smiled.
Gong Anwei felt like his three worldviews had collapsed. Was this still their ever serious, workaholic Chairman?
He cleared his throat to relieve the discomfort he felt, and the sound drew their attention. He quickly walked forward, presented what he had to and left as if something was chasing him.
Min Shiyi was right after all? Wow, never say never!
Pei Yueran wanted to cry in her heart. What was going on? But in a second thought, she didn't even do anything wrong, why should she be the one feeling embarrassed? She pretended like nothing happened and they continued their discussion.
Both of them refused to bring up what happened that night, but they were back on good —perhaps better— terms.
By the end of the week, everyone in the company knew and believed that "the top management couple" as they were secretly called, were back on talking terms again.
Everyone heaved a collective sigh of relief. The past few weeks had been horrible. The managers especially were very happy. No more fear of being frozen mid-presentation!
*****
All was well in the Li Conglomerate, but the Fu company was in chaos. In just the space of a week, they had lost more than five contracts, and their partners were calling to terminate partnerships. The shareholders were also putting pressure of them.
Fu Minghao sat in his office, very worried. He didn't know what went wrong. All he had worked for was crumbling just like that and he felt helpless.
After some contemplation, he decided to call Li Qianye for help. The two of them were not very close, but because of the relationship of their wives, they had a decent working relationship.
"Chairman Fu, I've been meaning to call you, but I've been very busy." Li Qianye said by way of greeting. It had truly skipped his mind to inform Fu Minghao of his daughter's actions.
"No problem at all. Chairman Li, you must have heard of the crisis my company is facing currently. Please I need your help", Fu Minghao begged.
"Ah, as you know, I'm no longer the chairman, I've retired. I spend most of the time at home with my wife now. I don't keep up with the business world that much."
It was a blatant lie and they both knew it, but Fu Minghao could not tell Li Qianye to his face that he was lying. He sighed.
"Please help me for old times sakes, please." Fu Minghao didn't want to give up just like that.
"Alright, I'll talk to the new chairman and see what he has to say. But Chairman Fu, let me give you a word of advice: You better keep that daughter of yours in check, lest she puts your entire family into trouble."