After Setting Me Up With My Ex, The Aloof Alpha Regrets It - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: Zhu Yunqi Said It Didn’t Look Like Playing House, So It Didn’t Look Like Playing House.

It was nine in the evening.

Zhu Yunqi arrived at Building B of Xing Shang Group Headquarters. She looked up and saw that only the top floor and the 23rd-floor windows were still lit. The security robots were dutifully patrolling.

The first floor was a public area open to anyone, while the second floor and above were for employees, requiring identity verification to enter.

Five minutes ago, Zhu Yunqi had messaged Shi Li to let her know she had arrived. Shi Li replied quickly, saying she would be right down.

The elevator flashed, showing “1,” and an Omega walked out of the elevator, still on a call.

Shi Li smiled at Zhu Yunqi without stopping her conversation. “Don’t use such a hard material for the elbow joint; a hardness of about five is sufficient. We have clearly marked the recommended materials on the detailed drawings.”

“The key to linking with the control unit is the joints, in the exact same position as human joints. Muscles only assist in movement, so don’t place the key connection points on the muscles.”

“Yes, it shouldn’t look too thin, as it would make the user feel insecure. The robot’s BMI should look like it’s between 18 and 22, at least from the outside.”

…

“No need to apologize. Contact me anytime if there are any issues.”

Shi Li ended the call. She curved her eyes at Zhu Yunqi. “Sorry, there was a temporary issue on the factory production line while assembling the robots. The design department has to follow up until the problem is solved.”

Shi Li was wearing a navy blue casual pantsuit today. She had fair skin, and navy blue made it look even fairer. Under the lights, her skin seemed to be reflecting light.

Her hair was clipped up with a fluffy, large clip. Due to the thickness of her hair, she had to use the largest size clip, which made her whole person seem a size smaller. Her hair was just grabbed and clipped up, a little messy, with a few mischievous strands not combed into the clip, sticking out crookedly like small blades of grass on top of her head. Her lipstick color had faded, revealing the original pale pink of her lips. Her face also showed a hint of unhidden fatigue.

The previous two times Zhu Yunqi saw Shi Li, she was dressed perfectly and meticulously. With small high heels, a light and appropriate makeup, perfectly combed hair, and accessories like necklaces, earrings, and a belt that complemented her clothes. Even at the hospital, when the shot was so painful it brought tears to her eyes, her elegance didn’t fade.

She was like a doll that always maintained a perfect appearance. After working for 12 continuous hours, the doll finally showed its tired and vulnerable side. Even though it was only a little bit revealed through her hair and lipstick, Zhu Yunqi felt she had suddenly caught a glimpse of another side of Shi Li. The side that felt more like a living person.

This Shi Li was the one who would cry until her voice was muffled.

Shi Li led Zhu Yunqi inside.

“It’s not convenient to sign the contract here. I’ll take you to my office. Only I am in the office.”

“Okay. What about the others? You said there was a problem with the production line?”

Shi Li rubbed her tired brows, taking a brief rest as the elevator ascended.

“It’s just a small issue that one person can solve; it just takes a little longer. As the person in charge, it’s better for me to follow up. The production line has a new person in charge. He was just transferred from the mining robot production department and is not very familiar with home robots, so he set the parameters for a few connection points incorrectly. Fortunately, we found out in time.”

She was a little tempted to apply for special remote work arrangements. When she first joined, the company said some confidential overtime work could be done from home, only requiring an application for the relevant network access. Shi Li had never applied, partly to motivate herself to improve work efficiency and avoid overtime, and partly because she had a strange idea that home was not a place for work. Bringing work home seemed to pollute the atmosphere of home. As she got older, Shi Li’s original idea began to waver.

The elevator stopped on the 23rd floor. The entire floor was the design department’s territory, and Shi Li’s second group occupied the southeastern part of the 23rd floor.

Shi Li pointed to an empty workstation for Zhu Yunqi. “This is a seat for my team member. You can sit here while I get you a drink. Juice, tea, soda, coffee, mineral water—what would you like?”

Zhu Yunqi was not picky about food or drinks and didn’t have a particular preference for anything. So she handed the choice to Shi Li. “Whatever you’re having.”

“Then I’ll decide.”

Shi Li went to the pantry next door and returned shortly with two glasses of iced lemonade. Brightly colored fresh lemon slices floated in the water, bringing a bit of coolness to the tedious overtime. Crushed fruit particles sank and rose in the cup, like catkins floating in spring.

Shi Li was wearing a blue tourmaline bracelet on her wrist. It was probably a couple’s bracelet with Wen Yue.

Zhu Yunqi asked, “Is your body doing okay?”

She remembered Dr. Ji’s warning to Shi Li not to overwork, not to be emotional, and to get as much rest as possible. But Shi Li was now working overtime for Xing Shang Group and working hard to mend her relationship with Wen Yue, essentially working two jobs. Zhu Yunqi was worried that her body couldn’t handle it. If she got sick before she could get things done, it would be a loss for both parties. As the client, Zhu Yunqi felt it was necessary to pay more attention to the well-being of the contractor.

“It’s not bad.” Shi Li answered without thinking.

In her eyes, this was just a polite formality, often used in semi-acquainted relationships. Although her actual situation was not good, it could even be called terrible. These days, she had trouble sleeping, a poor appetite, and had to deal with work, rack her brain to deal with Wen Yue, and report her progress to Zhu One Billion—she had changed Zhu Yunqi’s contact name to “Zhu One Billion” to remind herself to take this job seriously. She had an inhibitor patch on the back of her neck at all times and used nutritional supplements to keep her body running when she couldn’t eat.

Shi Li really wanted to say, “I’m not doing well. I don’t feel good at all; I’m so miserable I could die.”

But a polite question required a polite answer. “It’s not bad” was a suitable answer for 90% of polite questions.

Shi Li got to the point: “Wen Yue said her combat department had to work overtime tonight, so I couldn’t get a date with her. It’s like a reunion after a short separation; seeing each other every day can easily get boring. Let’s sign the contract. You can go home after we’re done; it’s getting late.”

It sounded like a polite way to dismiss her. Zhu Yunqi narrowed her eyes slightly. Then she thought, she was just here to sign the contract with Shi Li. It was only right to leave after it was signed. Could they go for a late-night snack together or something?

Zhu Yunqi took out the two copies of the prepared contract. “Have a look. If there are no issues, you can sign. I’ve already signed my copy.”

Shi Li took the contract and quickly scanned the contents. The contract was concise and clear, stating the obligations of both parties. Zhu Yunqi, as the client, had to pay the compensation on time, not demand the already paid compensation under any name, provide legal and financial support at any time, and ensure Shi Li’s personal safety from any form of harm as much as possible.

Shi Li, as the contractor, had to do her best to maintain her relationship with Wen Yue, with the ideal goal of marrying her. At the same time, she had to keep the contract content strictly confidential and report progress to the client, Zhu Yunqi, in a timely manner…

And the last point: If you want to cry, you have to cry loudly. It is strictly forbidden to hold it in.

Shi Li pointed at this clause, unable to believe it was something that could be included in a contract. “This clause doesn’t need to be included, right?”

Zhu Yunqi glanced at it. “Why? You clearly agreed to my three additional conditions that night.”

Shi Li said truthfully, “Because this clause makes the entire contract look like we’re playing house.” With a large corporation like Zhu Holdings, there were countless legal elites. Even if they found a random employee to help modify it, they wouldn’t produce such a sloppy contract.

“Does it? I don’t think so.”

Zhu Yunqi didn’t think it looked like playing house at all. Before her missions in the Black Star Belt, she often gave training to her team members. During operations, she would not only restrict how and when to cry, but sometimes even laughing was forbidden in special circumstances. Other times, she would organize her team members to release their emotions, which made it easier to carry out missions after they had vented. Besides, she had checked on the internet; holding back tears is very bad for your health.

Okay. If Zhu Yunqi says it doesn’t look like playing house, then it doesn’t look like playing house. The client is always right.

Shi Li signed her name on the contract and then stamped it with the certified seal. The seal flashed a hidden blue light on the contract, signifying that the contract was officially in effect.

Each of them held a copy. The most important purpose of the trip was achieved. Zhu Yunqi took her copy and was about to get up and leave. She didn’t need a key card to exit, but as a host, Shi Li insisted on seeing Zhu Yunqi downstairs.

They walked toward the elevator. Thinking that Shi Li didn’t have a car, Zhu Yunqi was worried about how she would get home so late. “Do you have to wait much longer to get off work? I can give you a ride home. I’m on vacation, so I have a lot of time.”

Shi Li politely declined. “I’ll take the city shuttle. The weather is good, and the shuttle runs 24 hours a day.” Zhu Yunqi had nothing to do; that was Zhu Yunqi’s own business. She couldn’t keep bothering her just because she was free.

“Okay. Be safe,” Zhu Yunqi said. She had forgotten about the option of public transportation.

Through the layers of glass doors in the design department, Zhu Yunqi’s peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of an elevator in operation. The display next to the elevator was rapidly increasing from “1.” Someone other than her and Shi Li was using the elevator. Currently, only the top-floor office and the design department on the 23rd floor had people. When she took the elevator on the first floor, Zhu Yunqi had habitually observed that there was a special luxury elevator in the elevator bank for the top-floor office.

Looking in the direction of the elevator, Zhu Yunqi said, “Someone came back to work overtime with you.”

Shi Li also followed her gaze. But besides a small red light on the display, she couldn’t see the numbers on the screen at all. Their location was at least 30 meters from the elevator, and the numbers on the display were only an inch high.

An Alpha’s eyesight is truly terrifyingly strong.

Shi Li said casually, “Maybe a colleague forgot something and came back to get it…”

Before she finished, a message popped up on her optical computer.

Lin Xiaonan, head of Design Group 3: “Little Shi, did you see your girlfriend? Wen Yue knew you were working overtime and wanted to give you a surprise. She happened to have my contact information, so she asked me to grant her remote access. My end just showed that she’s already entered Building B. I thought it would be better to let you know. Have a good night, you two~”

Shi Li was a little stunned by this message. The person who came was Wen Yue?

She grabbed Zhu Yunqi’s wrist. “What floor is the elevator on now?”

Zhu Yunqi was caught by surprise and raised an eyebrow. She didn’t understand why but answered, “Thirteenth floor.”

“Come with me!” Shi Li immediately turned around, dragging Zhu Yunqi toward the pantry. Zhu Yunqi was tightly held by her, quickly following with her long legs.

Pushing open the pantry door, Shi Li shoved Zhu Yunqi inside, placed a finger on her lips, and made a “hush” gesture. “You hide here for a moment. Wen Yue is coming.”

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