After Breaking Up with the Stoic CEO - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: She Refuses to See Her

As an assistant, the ability to observe words and read facial expressions is the most basic and essential skill. In this regard, Du Lin is one of the top talents in the industry.

A graduate of Peking University with dual degrees in Finance and Psychology, she beat out more than a dozen competitors with similarly rich resumes and experience during her interview to successfully secure a position at Li Group. Du Lin can accurately judge a visitor’s intentions based on subtle micro-expressions.

However, even after being by Li Jin’s side for over five years, she still cannot accurately guess her boss’s thoughts every single time.

At this moment, as the words fell, Li Jin’s brow furrowed slightly, and her lips parted in a tiny arc. She didn’t say yes, nor did she say no.

For ordinary people, silence often represents hesitation and wavering. For Li Jin, it was exactly the opposite. She is the Second Miss of the Li family and the current CEO of the group. She possesses the right to say no to anything that doesn’t interest her. The more one wavers without making a decision, perhaps the more it represents a subconscious inclination.

The silence ended the moment they entered the private elevator. Du Lin spoke tentatively: “Miss Lu… do you want to see her?”

With her thoughts exposed, Li Jin’s footsteps paused briefly, but she spoke in a slow, measured tone: “No.”

Another unexpected answer. Du Lin kept her gaze lowered, seeing that her boss seemingly didn’t want to bring this matter up again, so she simply said tactfully: “I understand.”

Li Jin nodded faintly: “Mhm.”

Du Lin didn’t mention it again and continued her report: “There is one more thing. Director Li is waiting for you in the lounge.”

Li Jin was somewhat surprised: “When did she arrive?”

Du Lin explained: “Just a short while ago.”

In the Li Group, “Director Li” could refer to two people.

Li Chunhua—The Elder Director Li. She is Li Jin’s mother and a first-generation entrepreneur who built Li Group from scratch into a Fortune Global 500 company. She holds over 50% of the group’s shares and possesses absolute control over its development and planning.

Li Yan—The Younger Director Li. Li Jin’s older sister. She worked in the group for a period before eventually leaving the country to pursue further studies in Country Y. She has never been interested in the group’s trivial affairs; though she also holds shares, she is viewed by most as a mascot.

Li Chunhua always concerned herself with work, so if she came, she would inevitably head straight for the office. Based on Du Lin’s description, the visitor was clearly Li Yan.

Li Jin’s office was on the 11th floor, which occupied the entire level with reception rooms and lounges. Among them, the lounge directly faced a nearby park. Li Yan loved the scenery there and had even specially prepared a hanging chair for herself.

As Li Jin walked in, she saw the woman curled up in the rattan hanging chair with a serious expression. Her long, curly, light chestnut hair draped behind her head, and as the sunlight filtered in, Li Yan’s eyelashes were tinted gold. With soft features, warm pink lips, and a spring-green cardigan, she gave off a particularly gentle and bright impression.

Li Yan held a heavy book in her hands. The title wasn’t visible, but given her personality, it was likely another work by Shakespeare. Hearing footsteps, Li Yan turned to look at her, her beautiful eyes curving into a slight arc.

“Xiao Jin, you’re back?”

Li Jin sat down across from her. “It’s rare for you to return to the country; why didn’t you say something in advance so I could arrange for someone to pick you up?” Her tone carried a hint of a complaint she hadn’t noticed herself—a display of emotion reserved only for close family. It had been this way since they were very young, and it remained so now.

Li Yan set the book aside and said with a smile, “It’s very convenient in the country now. It only takes a few seconds to hail a car on a phone. The driver who came was very professional, too—wearing a suit and gloves.” To ensure Li Jin believed her, she picked up her phone to show the navigation screen of the map app. Finally, she added humorously, “He looked more the part than Uncle Wang.”

Uncle Wang was the family driver who had worked diligently for the Li family for twenty years. He had recently been diagnosed with presbyopia and was preparing for retirement. These two things weren’t comparable, and Li Jin knew that Li Yan was just trying to avoid their mother’s nagging.

She asked again, “Where is Rui Rui?”

Li Yan: “Out playing with her best friend. She’ll be back later.”

Recalling Li Chunhua’s urgent tone during their previous phone call, she confirmed: “You mentioned before that Rui Rui wants to come back to attend junior high?”

“Mhm.” Li Yan stood up to stretch, her tone casual. “She said she wanted to experience life in the country.”

Li Xinrui was taken abroad by Li Yan when she was four years old. Growing up in an environment that emphasized autonomy, her personality became independent early on. Coupled with being pampered since childhood, she grew up to be free-spirited and impulsive, often acting on whims. Returning to the country for junior high was Li Xinrui’s own idea, and Li Yan respected her opinion, specifically taking time to bring her back.

Li Jin raised an eyebrow: “And what about Mother?”

Having managed a small enterprise into the behemoth it was today, Li Chunhua’s style as a manager was always strict and rigorous. Remarkably, the Elder Director Li was also a qualified mother and grandmother; she reserved her only indulgence for her family, rarely uttering a harsh word to her juniors.

Undoubtedly, receiving a more open and autonomous education abroad versus experiencing the localized education system both had their advantages and disadvantages. As long as the decision was cautious and stable, Li Chunhua wouldn’t interfere with Li Yan’s choices regarding her daughter’s education. But if it was a fickle, reckless decision, she would be the first to stand against it.

A reason like “experiencing life” was, in the old woman’s eyes, as reckless as it could get. Not to mention, ever since the year Li Yan abandoned the company to go abroad, the relationship between mother and daughter had been in a state of stalemate where neither side was willing to back down.

Li Yan leaned against the window railing, her tone casual: “She’s still mad at me, you know that.”

Li Jin paused. “I’ll give Mother a call later to chat about it.”

Li Yan turned back to look at her, a smile in her eyes: “Thank you, Xiao Jin.”

Out of habit, Li Jin offered a piece of advice: “Why don’t you try to soften your stance with Mother? She would understand you now.”

Li Yan acted as if she hadn’t heard her. “Rui Rui mentioned that you personally went to get an autograph from an author she really likes. She’s looking forward to it.”

Li Jin couldn’t do anything with her sister. She sighed softly and followed her lead: “I just happened to be passing by.”

Li Yan looked intrigued: “Where is the book? Let me see it too.”

The book had been placed in the study after she brought it back, untouched. Li Jin went to fetch it and handed it to her. As she idly flipped through it, Li Yan suddenly seemed to remember something and looked up: “Xiao Jin, the corner of your mouth… were you bitten by something?”

“Miss Lu, I am truly sorry, but President Li’s schedule is full and she cannot make time for now.”

“I see…”

“If Miss Lu has something urgent, I can relay it on your behalf.”

“No need, thank you for your help.”

“You’re welcome, it’s my job.”

The business card handed over at the signing was the only link between Lu Wu and Li Jin. It contained only a job title and a lonely phone number. But since it was handed over personally, Lu Wu had naturally assumed the number belonged to Li Jin herself.

Considering she was to meet her, she had done quite a bit of psychological preparation before making the call. But when the call connected, the voice on the other end was completely different from the expected cold indifference; it was sweet and gentle, sounding unfamiliar. It wasn’t Li Jin; it was her assistant. The assistant agreed to relay the request for a meeting, and this was the return call.

“Cannot make time.”

Lu Wu threw herself back onto the bed. As she stared blankly at the pure white ceiling, images of the previous night flashed through her mind. After that accidental kiss, the awkward state between them didn’t last long. Li Jin quickly steadied herself and silently retreated to a safe distance.

Lu Wu had also stood up immediately, taking several steps back, fearing that being a second too slow would make her look like she had ulterior motives or a pre-planned scheme. Fortunately, Li Jin didn’t call the police on the spot to arrest her for suspicious behavior or sexual harassment.

The woman’s brow had furrowed slightly, and those beautiful eyes held a trace of shock from just escaping that feeling of weightlessness, but more than that, it was an emotion named bewilderment.

Lu Wu kept her eyes lowered, looking at Li Jin’s chin. Her peripheral vision caught the messy, smudged marks on the rear side of the car, and for a moment, she didn’t know which matter to apologize for first. Was Li Jin surprised that she had so rudely kissed her lips? Or was she surprised that she had willfully created that “painting” on the car?

In any case, neither was something one could speak of proudly. If there were a specialized “Awkwardness Championship,” Lu Wu felt that at this moment, she could win first place without any suspense.

The air solidified. Time continued to flow, but every second was far harder to endure than usual. After an unknown amount of time, Li Jin finally spoke. She didn’t mention the kiss, nor was there the expected anger or severity. Her tone was flat: “You drew this?”

Lu Wu started to apologize: “I’m sorry, I didn’t know this was…”

Li Jin didn’t let her finish, giving a slight nod: “I see.”

Lu Wu opened her mouth, but the draft she had prepared in her mind was useless. Li Jin opened the car door, but before getting in, she looked back and said meaningfully: “Since you can’t handle alcohol, it’s better not to push yourself.”

Lu Wu’s face flushed at the words. Her fingers tangled unconsciously behind her back for a while before she finally lowered her head and promised: “I will pay for it.”

The response was a thud. The car door had closed, and Li Jin left.

Back to the present. Lu Wu wasn’t sure if Li Jin was truly busy or if she was still holding a grudge. But all in all, the other woman refused to see her.

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