Fatal Desire

Chapter 18 You're certainly meddling in other people's business.
Song Xi was slightly taken aback.

She hadn't expected Zhao Yansen to speak up.

Zhou Ji'an understood Zhao Yansen's meaning and said to Song Xi, "A husband-and-wife workshop is too risky. If you have internal conflicts, wouldn't Zhongrui's efforts be in vain?"

Having said that much, Song Xi had no choice but to understand.

They were worried that her falling out with Shang Shixu would affect their cooperation and cause Zhongrui Group to suffer losses.

But she and Shang Shixu weren't even a couple, so where did this husband-and-wife workshop come from?
Just as Song Xi was about to deny that she and Shang Shixu were not lovers, she suddenly remembered that two years ago, in order to get rid of her suitors, she had been in a fake relationship with Shang Shixu for a long time.

"Have you considered breaking up?" Zhou Ji'an asked.

Song Xi said, "One thing at a time. Business is business. I can refuse other requests, right?"

Zhongrui is indeed the best choice for Morningside.

Song Xi would definitely choose the best partner, but if Zhong Rui took advantage of her, she wouldn't need to grovel and beg.

Cooperation is for mutual benefit, not for being subservient to others.

A sliver of sunlight pierced through the clouds and through the glass window, lying right at Zhao Yansen's feet. His long, slender fingers tapped the sofa armrest casually, his posture relaxed yet exuding an air of nonchalant nobility and a subtly frightening cynicism.

Even if a man is wearing a tattered burlap sack, he still far outshines those meticulously dressed male celebrities on television.

Zhao Yansen was too perceptive; Song Xi's slight hesitation just now did not escape his notice.

As if he had thought of some possibility, he couldn't help but smile lazily.

Zhou Ji'an had already decided whether to cooperate or not, and as for making Song Xi break up, it was just going with the flow.

He glanced at his friend beside him.

Zhao Yansen propped his head up with one hand and lazily relayed Song Xi's words: "President Zhou, she means she's refusing."

Upon hearing this, Song Xi suddenly looked up.

What are you refusing? A breakup, or a partnership?

Zhao Yansen looked at her amusedly: "What's with that expression? Did I say something wrong?"

"……without."

Song Xi felt he could still be saved, so he took out his business card and placed it on the table: "President Zhou, I hope you can consider Morningside. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact me."

The cooperation details have been finalized, and the golf skills have been learned. As for whether the cooperation will be successful, that's up to fate.

Song Xi politely took his leave.

Zhou Ji'an watched her departing figure, then shifted his gaze and noticed that the business card on the table had disappeared.

He turned his head to look.

Zhao Yansen's long, slender fingers held a white business card between his fingers as he leisurely examined the information on it.

Song Xi, CEO of Morningside Biotech.

Zhou Ji'an sipped Da Hong Pao rock tea and said, "Song Xi is quite stubborn. She won't take the paved road; she insists on forging her own path."

Zhao Yansen flicked his business card. "What, you want to block her way?"

"Sons should avoid their mothers when they grow up, and daughters should avoid their fathers when they grow up." Zhou Ji'an smiled gently. "Song Xi has grown up, and you can't really figure her out. She's back with a boyfriend now, which means she doesn't want you to interfere. I think you'd better not ask too many questions, or you'll just annoy people."

Zhao Yansen chuckled lightly, not taking it to heart.

He stood up, casually stuffed the business card into his trouser pocket, hooked his long fingers around the suit jacket hanging on the back of the chair, held it in his hand, and walked out with steady, unhurried steps.

Chi Wang had just returned when he ran into Zhao Yansen, who was about to leave. He quickly stopped him, saying, "Where are you eating tonight? Count me in. It's no fun eating alone."

"Get lost," Zhao Yansen said. "Have I become someone who dines with you?"

Chi Wang laughed and waved his hand, "Fine, don't take me with you. Who knows what you're up to tonight? I won't bother you. I'll go find Ji'an."

Leaving the fragrant rest area and entering the reception room, the sounds of clinking glasses and the melodious strains of Suzhou storytelling filled the air. Song Xi chatted with Jiang Shangxue and Meng Boyu for a few moments, which took some time. Just as she was walking towards the main entrance, Shang Shixu called.

In front of me stood a red oak tree with dense foliage and a symmetrical crown. A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, creating undulating waves of red.

She stood under the big tree, picking up a crimson leaf, and answered the phone.

Shang Shixu's voice came through the receiver: "The meeting is over. How's it going on your end?"

“Everything that needs to be said has been explained. The rest depends on Zhou Ji’an’s decision,” Song Xi said. “Based on his reaction, we have at least an 80% chance of success. Zhongrui has no shortage of large companies to cooperate with. Qiao’s and Liu’s are no different to them. Chenxing has a unique antibody, which is at least special in the field of innovative drugs. Moreover, according to Zhongrui’s strategic plan over the past three years, they will not choose a company like Qiao’s that is complacent and closed off from the status quo.”

"I trust you to handle things," Shang Shixu said with a smile. "I'm near the club, shall we meet and talk later?"

"Okay, see you later."

After hanging up the phone, Song Xi noticed new unread messages on WeChat.

Qin Fanghao: "My dear CEO Xi, you're going to cooperate with Zhou Ji'an?"

The big star is probably worried that Zhou Ji'an will torment her best friend.

Song Xi: "Snow White's fate was full of hardships because she had many villains around her."

Song Xi: "I am not Snow White, and I have no villains around me. You can rest assured that I will become a future Best Actress."

Qin Fanghao: "Okay, if he tries to make things difficult for you, remember to tell me. We'll find a dark and stormy night, stuff him with a plastic bag, and give him a good beating!"

Song Xi replied, "No problem."

She looked down at her phone, happily texting Qin Fanghao, completely absorbed and smiling.

"Standing guard here."

A familiar voice suddenly rang out above her head, and she turned to look.

The first thing that catches the eye is a pair of strong and powerful long legs, followed by broad shoulders and a narrow waist, and an impeccably handsome face.

Song Xi looked up, staring blankly at the man.

The golf course stretched out endlessly, and the wind blew wave after wave. Zhao Yansen smelled the familiar fragrance of lychee and roses again.

He glanced at the girl's neck; it was fair and slender, easily grasped with one hand.

There was a moment of silence.

Zhao Yansen's sharp, cold black eyes lazily gazed at her.

"If you have a mouth but don't speak, you might as well sew it up."

"Brother," Song Xi called out tentatively.

"So you can talk. I was standing here dumbfounded for so long, I thought you had aphasia."

Zhao Yansen was never patient. Song Xi looked up at him with her bright, dark eyes and asked, "Aren't you going back?"

A gentle breeze blew by, and several leaves drifted down lightly. One of the red leaves landed on Song Xi's golf cap.

Zhao Yansen flicked his fingertips, brushing the leaves off her hat brim, and said casually, "You're quite nosy."

He wasn't smiling, but for some reason, Song Xi felt that he seemed to be in a very good mood.

"No, I was just asking. Brother, I'll be going now."

After finishing her speech, Song Xi was about to leave.

Zhao Yansen stood still, looking down at her figure as she passed by, then reached out and grabbed the back of her neck to pull her back.

"where to?"

(End of this chapter)