Crystal held the coffee, cautiously testing Ouyang Chen's attitude towards her. Ever since her failed attempt to tip off Xu Shu Ming last time, she felt Ouyang Chen was aware of something, but she couldn't pinpoint how he suspected her. Thus, she was now extremely careful around him.
Crystal: "Mr. Ouyang, your coffee."
Ouyang Chen didn't look up, tapping the desk as he continued to pore over the documents. Crystal placed the coffee next to Ouyang Chen. Perhaps he wasn't paying attention, but as she reached out, she accidentally knocked the cup, spilling its contents.
Ouyang Chen: "Ouch..."
Crystal: "Mr. Ouyang, are you alright?"
Ouyang Chen's hand was scalded red. Crystal quickly grabbed tissues and handed them to him, then crouched down to wipe the spilled coffee from the carpet.
Ouyang Chen: "I'm fine."
As Crystal stood up, she happened to catch a glimpse of the documents on Ouyang Chen's desk. Before she could make out the contents, Ouyang Chen casually closed them.
Ouyang Chen: "Do you know Gao Bo?"
Crystal: "No."
Ouyang Chen: "By the way, Crystal, where did you work before coming to our company?"
Crystal: "Kai Shi Group."
Ouyang Chen: "Oh, also as a company secretary?"
Crystal: "Yes."
Ouyang Chen carefully wiped the coffee stains from his hand. Crystal stood there, afraid to say more, not understanding why Ouyang Chen was suddenly interested in her past employment.
Ouyang Chen: "Do you have anything else?"
Crystal: "No, nothing. I'll leave now."
Ouyang Chen: "Mhmm."
Crystal hurried out of the office, a sense of panic setting in. She quickly went to the corridor, ensured no one was following, and then called Xu Shu Ming.
—Crystal on the phone—
Crystal: "Ouyang Chen is really cooperating with Rili! I saw another agreement!"
Xu Shu Ming: "You said the same thing last time! I abandoned my dinner with Emmanuel to rush to the place you mentioned, and there was no sign of anyone from Rili!"
Xu Shu Ming's anger escalated: "Let alone Rili's manager, I didn't even see Ouyang Chen!"
Crystal: "It can't be wrong. Last time, there must have been a problem in the middle, maybe they changed the location at the last minute."
Xu Shu Ming: "I've already had people investigate. Rili has no intention of cooperating with other companies recently, nor have they received any projects involving Datong within their company..."
Crystal: "But I really saw it with my own eyes... Oh, right!"
Crystal's mind was racing. The document she glimpsed on Ouyang Chen's desk earlier also had...
Crystal: "I remember! The document I saw earlier had another company's name on it!"
Xu Shu Ming: "What was it called?"
Crystal: "It was... G... Game... Game Station!!!"
Xu Shu Ming: "What? Game Station?! Isn't that the stock that was incredibly popular two years ago?"
Crystal: "Yes..."
Crystal also sounded a bit uncertain. An investment company, a materials company, and a stock in game development – how could they be linked to sign an agreement?
Xu Shu Ming: "Find a way to get that agreement."
Crystal: "Okay."
Crystal: "By the way, you haven't been looking for me lately, is the group very busy?"
Xu Shu Ming: "Yes."
Crystal: "Then when can we meet? I miss you."
Xu Shu Ming: "Later. I have something to do, I'll hang up now."
Crystal: "Hello? Shu Ming? Hello?"
—Call ended—
Crystal held her phone, only to hear that the line had been disconnected. Crystal cautiously lingered by Ouyang Chen's side, her only comfort being the occasional sight of Xu Shu Ming and the ability to spend nights at their apartment. But lately, for a long time now, Xu Shu Ming, apart from answering her calls to hear updates on Ouyang Chen, didn't even spare her a few extra words.
When Crystal was Xu Shu Ming's secretary, it was fine; they met at the group every day and went home together at night. Crystal didn't know why, but she had started to feel insecure. Perhaps she understood Xu Shu Ming too well. She constantly spent exorbitant amounts on beauty treatments, all to maintain her youthful appearance. She knew Xu Shu Ming was a man attracted to beauty, and even when busy, he would take Crystal on business trips, which made their relationship very harmonious. This had always reassured Crystal. But now... Xu Shu Ming didn't want to see her anymore... A bad premonition crept into her mind. Xu Shu Ming wouldn't remain idle; he always needed a woman by his side! Therefore, if Crystal was no longer needed, wouldn't that mean...?
A colleague's voice suddenly interrupted Crystal's anxious thoughts.
Colleague: "Crystal, what are you doing here? The boss is looking for you. We have guests."
Crystal: "Guests?"
Colleague: "Yes, they're in the conference room."
Crystal hurried to the conference room. By the time she reached the entrance, she saw several people already seated inside. Crystal took out her phone to check Ouyang Chen's schedule for the day; this meeting didn't seem to be on it. Could it be a last-minute arrangement? Logically, they shouldn't schedule a meeting with guests without notifying Crystal... At this moment, other colleagues were carrying tea sets towards the conference room.
Crystal: "Do you know who we're meeting with?"
Colleague: "Not sure. Here, since you're here, why don't you take it in?"
Crystal entered and served tea to each guest. Ouyang Chen sat at the very back. The main speaker for this meeting was a project manager.
*Click.* The conference room lights dimmed, and a slideshow appeared on the large screen.
Project Manager: "First, we would like to thank Mr. Gao Bo from Kai Shi Group, Mr. Gao, and the colleagues from Kai Shi Group's collaboration team for attending this meeting..."
Crystal nearly jumped out of her seat. Kai Shi Group?!
Ouyang Chen: "What's wrong?"
Crystal: "Nothing, nothing..."
Ouyang Chen: "Excited to see your former superior?"
Crystal: "Yes, yes, it's been a long time..."
Crystal felt like she was sitting on pins and needles. She suddenly realized she had just told Ouyang Chen she didn't know Gao Bo! So Gao Bo was the chairman of Kai Shi Group! To get hired as Ouyang Chen's secretary at ATL, Xu Shu Ming had simply altered her resume! That Kai Shi Group was a real estate company located in the south! Who would have thought an investment firm like Ouyang Chen's would have project collaborations with Kai Shi Group! Crystal looked at the men; there were three or four middle-aged men. Which one was today's Mr. Gao! Crystal quickly took out her phone, wanting to search online for what the chairman of Kai Shi Group looked like, but the webpage refused to load. She cursed inwardly, why had the signal in the conference room suddenly become so bad!
An hour later, the conference room lights came back on. It was evident that Kai Shi Group's representatives were very satisfied with ATL's proposed cooperation plan. As the real estate industry was gradually shrinking, Kai Shi Group had increased its international tourism projects to expand into new directions. They were impressed by ATL's long-term cooperation with Glen Gla Ski Resort and had come to express their intention to join. Ouyang Chen, who was originally not very interested, played matchmaker upon learning it was Kai Shi Group. Of course, he had another motive: to see how Crystal would cover her tracks, or rather, to see if Xu Shu Ming would rescue his informant!
Ouyang Chen: "Mr. Gao, our PM has already presented the cooperation plan for the national tourism project. Do you have any other requirements?"
No one answered from the group. Instead, a voice came from the computer on the conference table. The PM immediately adjusted the computer's orientation, directing the screen towards Ouyang Chen, who was sitting at the back, and Crystal beside him.
Mr. Gao: "No, I am very grateful for Mr. Ouyang's assistance. I hope that with ATL's investment, our national tourism project can be carried out smoothly and rapidly."
Ouyang Chen: "That's wonderful. I am also very much looking forward to cooperating with Kai Shi Group. I believe we will have many more avenues for collaboration in the future."
Mr. Gao: "Yes, yes."
Ouyang Chen: "By the way, Mr. Gao, do you happen to recognize the lady beside me?"
Mr. Gao looked through the screen and shook his head. Crystal grew even more nervous. She forced a smile, knowing that even prayer was useless.
Ouyang Chen: "You don't recognize her? Crystal was your company secretary."
Mr. Gao laughed heartily.
Mr. Gao: "Apologies, I have ten company secretaries, so I may not recall them all."
Ouyang Chen also laughed, just as he had many secretaries, but he favored ordering around only one.
Ouyang Chen: "Then it's settled. Coincidentally, my new secretary used to work for you. Let her also be involved in following up on this project."
Mr. Gao: "No problem. Since Crystal is familiar with Kai Shi, let her shuttle between the two. Crystal, would that be alright?"
Crystal: "Yes, Mr. Gao, I'd be very happy to."
Ouyang Chen: "Then that's it for now. We can discuss the rest in detail when you return to the country."
Finally, Kai Shi Group's representatives departed, leaving Crystal covered in a cold sweat.
Ouyang Chen: "Crystal."
Crystal jumped, startled.
Ouyang Chen: "What's wrong? Did I startle you?"
Crystal: "No, no, Mr. Ouyang called me?"
Ouyang Chen: "Mhmm. Go to the Shangri-La Hotel and bring back next year's contract price agreement."
Crystal: "Okay."
Ouyang Chen checked his watch.
Ouyang Chen: "By the way, after you get the contract, you can go straight home. It's almost time to get off work, so you don't need to come back. Bring it to finance tomorrow."
Crystal: "Okay."
Crystal left the company in a daze. She called Xu Shu Ming countless times in her car, but all her calls were hung up. Even the messages she sent were read but not replied to. Crystal's unease fueled her negative thoughts. She truly wished to see Xu Shu Ming!
Meanwhile, Ouyang Chen received a notification.