Chapter 31: When the Boss Smiles, Fate Hangs in the Balance

Such a show-off.

Yun Chuxia’s lips twitched. It was amusing to imagine Si Yuchuan typing those words out with his usual icy expression. Her features softened into a gentle smile, her long lashes curling upward as her eyes seemed to shimmer with scattered light.

Si Haochen found himself unable to look away.

Fortunately, everyone’s attention was fixed on Yun Qingqing, and only Su Muxue noticed. Her expression remained impassive, but her hands, resting on her knees, tightened quietly. *Yun Chuxia is definitely trying to seduce Si Haochen.*

In contrast to the chaos here, the atmosphere in the adjacent private room was frigid.

Si Yuchuan had suddenly insisted on changing the location and time for today’s project meeting, leaving everyone on edge. Yet, if he truly cared about the meeting, why did he spend the entire time staring at his phone?

An silent boss is far more terrifying. Project Manager Li had already drafted three resignation letters in his mind, constantly signaling Peng Lei with his eyes.

Manager Li: *Special Assistant, help me.*
Peng Lei: *I can't help you.*
Manager Li: *What should I do?*
Peng Lei: *Pray for your own soul. I’ll chant scriptures for you.*
Manager Li’s eyes widened, his face turning the color of ash.

Si Yuchuan’s phone lit up. Yun Chuxia had replied: [No need, I’m leaving right now.]

Thinking for a moment, she felt truly grateful for his willingness to stand up for her, and added: [Thank you, it’s really good to have you.]

Si Yuchuan’s lips curled upward.

Manager Li trembled: *When the boss smiles, your life is in jeopardy.*

Si Yuchuan pocketed his phone and stood up abruptly. Everyone else in the room stood up instantly, watching him with nervous tension. Si Yuchuan shoved his hands into his pockets, his cold gaze sweeping across the room as he spoke softly:

"Good performance. Annual bonuses will be doubled."

With that, he strode out with his long legs.

Everyone let out a sigh of relief, feeling as if they had been granted a new lease on life. Manager Li, in particular, was nearly moved to tears.

Peng Lei hurried after him. Suddenly, Si Yuchuan stopped dead in his tracks. Peng Lei couldn't brake in time and nearly collided with him.

"S-Si, sir, are we not leaving?"

Peng Lei adjusted his glasses, flustered. People always said he was the best at reading the boss's mind, which was why he had become the sixteenth special assistant to hold the post after fifteen others had been fired. But now, he had absolutely no idea what his moody boss was planning.

Was he… waiting for someone at the door? Who could possibly be important enough for that?

Si Yuchuan stood tall and straight right outside the door to Yun Chuxia’s room, waiting for her to emerge so he could take her home. But he waited, and waited, and she never came out.

Yun Chuxia had already stood up to leave, but Su Muxue insisted on holding her back.

"Chuxia, tell me, during the years I was abroad, how exactly did you help Haochen pursue me?"

Cruel. Absolutely heartless.

Si Haochen’s expression darkened. He felt that Su Muxue was being petty; they were the ones at fault in this situation anyway. Yun Chuxia’s clarification video had helped salvage their reputations—didn’t she realize that?

Yun Chuxia glanced at Su Muxue. *Trying to provoke me? Unfortunately, these words no longer have any effect.* In fact, she secretly wished the two of them would stay locked together forever.

She smiled and replied: "The young master only has eyes for you, Miss Su. Instead of asking me, why not ask him directly?"

Su Muxue didn't take the bait. "Do you dare say you haven't been tempted by the young master at all?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the expressions of everyone present shifted. Su Muxue had been hostile toward Yun Chuxia from the start; could there be some hidden secret behind the relationship between these three? Otherwise, why would the legitimate fiancée start a confrontation in public?

Si Haochen knew he should speak up to defend Yun Chuxia and maintain his own image. However, he found himself desperate to hear her answer, and he remained silent.

Since everyone was already half-doubting the authenticity of that clarification video, his silence only served to confirm their suspicions that there was something wrong with Yun Chuxia.

Yun Qingqing was dabbing at the red wine stain on her dress with a tissue. Fortunately, she was wearing a red dress, so it wasn't very noticeable. Hearing this, she wore a provocative smile.