The CEO and Her Gentle Director - Chapter 2

The expression on Lin Su’s face remained exactly the same as it had been since the very first day they met a faint, unchanging smile. Meeting those deep, unfathomable eyes, Ye Tong put on her own polite smile and reached out to grasp the woman’s hand.

“Hello, President Lin. I have long looked forward to meeting you.”

As their hands clasped, the chill radiating from Lin Su’s palm mirrored the coolness in her gaze. It was an icy touch, as though she lacked the warmth of an ordinary human being.

The November weather was by no means freezing, yet a sudden shiver rippled across the skin on the back of Ye Tong’s hand. For a fleeting second, it felt as if the woman before her was using the pad of her thumb to lightly brush against her skin. She quickly lowered her eyes to look, but the sensation vanished before she could confirm anything. Lin Su simply maintained her faint smile, leisurely releasing her grip. The gesture was so subtle and transient that Ye Tong wondered if it had merely been a trick of her own mind.

When it came to professional matters, Ye Tong drew a strict line between public duties and private affairs. Regardless of who the client was, she always treated them with utmost courtesy even if she would recognize Lin Su even if the woman were burned to ashes.

“After you, President Lin.”

The building’s VIP elevator doors slid open. Standing just outside, Ye Tong held the door with one hand. Her voice remained soft and gentle, yet she carried herself with a poised dignity that was perfectly courteous without being submissive.

Lin Su glanced at her, their eyes locking once more. Ye Tong met her gaze with unflappable composure. Retracting her line of sight, Lin Su stepped into the elevator, positioning herself near the control panel as she watched Ye Tong enter. “Which floor?”

“Twenty, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Lin Su pressed the button for their destination, her slender finger then resting lightly on the door-close button.

Standing on opposite sides of the elevator, Ye Tong maintained a balanced distance from Lin Su neither too close nor too far. Her tall, statuesque figure stood perfectly upright, a lukewarm, professional smile anchored firmly on her face.

The reflective walls of the elevator were exceptionally bright, mirroring the sharp, efficient silhouette of the young woman in the white blouse. The unbuttoned collar of her shirt exposed a hint of porcelain skin. Her long, jet-black hair fell over her shoulders, with the strands on the right side neatly tucked behind her ear, highlighting a flawless, soft profile.

Lin Su quietly observed the reflection for a long moment. Turning her gaze directly onto the other woman, she asked, “Is this Director Ye’s first time in S City?”

Ye Tong was momentarily taken aback. Whether or not this was her first time in S City was something this woman knew better than anyone. Was Lin Su merely asking a question she already knew the answer to, or was she intentionally fishing for a conversation?

A woman of Lin Su’s temperament was entirely immune to flattery; commercial sycophancy had absolutely no effect on her, let alone attempts to play the emotional card. With these thoughts racing through her mind, Ye Tong kept her voice mild as she replied, “No. I have been here before.”

Lin Su offered a faint smile. “I heard that Director Ye was only recently transferred to the XM Group as the Financial Director?”

“In name, yes. However, that will not hinder the collaboration between XM and LT. Should you have any questions regarding the project, President Lin, you are welcome to come to me directly.”

“Any questions at all?”

“Naturally. That is my duty.” Ye Tong maintained her calm exterior. Lin Su’s words sounded dangerously close to intentional baiting. She was well aware that before entering a partnership, Lin Su favored using overwhelming psychological tactics to dismantle the opposition’s defensive walls, thereby seizing absolute control of the negotiation.

She had to remain vigilant at every turn, lest Lin Su catch even the slightest vulnerability. Ji Huaiqiu was entirely correct Lin Su was a cunning old fox.

Despite the few paces separating them, a faint, elusive fragrance drifted into Ye Tong’s senses with every breath she took, lingering at the tip of her nose. Stealing a glance at Lin Su from the corner of her eye, she rationalized that the cramped, enclosed elevator was simply too stuffy, making it difficult to breathe properly.

Right on cue, the elevator arrived with a soft chime. Ye Tong held her ground and made a graceful gesture for Lin Su to exit first, her impeccable etiquette leaving no room for criticism. Lin Su’s eyes swept over her features, a fleeting amusement dancing deep within her gaze. In a smooth, even tone, she murmured, “I look forward to our collaboration.”

“President Lin, may we have a successful partnership,” Ye Tong replied, the corners of her lips curving into a light smile.

The project discussions haven’t even begun, yet she is already wishing for a successful partnership. She certainly knows how to build a graceful exit for herself, Lin Su thought. A profound expression surfaced at the edge of her lips as she abruptly took a step directly toward Ye Tong.

Seeing the woman advance instead of exiting the elevator, Ye Tong’s posture instantly rigidified. The subtle, manufactured smile she had conjured once again froze solid on her face.

No matter the time or place, the woman before her always maintained this calm, detached demeanor. It was as if absolutely nothing in the world could ever penetrate those deep, dark eyes to stir a single ripple of emotion. Ye Tong felt a spark of irritation at Lin Su’s refusal to play by the rules, but her upbringing and professionalism kept her face perfectly composed. She watched unflinchingly as Lin Su closed the distance, stopping a mere step away.

“President Lin, it is already 2:50 PM. It is time for our meeting. After you.”

Lin Su stood more than half a head taller than Ye Tong. Lowering her gaze, her eyes landed squarely on Ye Tong’s hand, which was tightly clutching the hem of her own blouse. “We haven’t seen each other in so long. You appear to have changed quite a bit, yet you are still fundamentally yourself.”

Subconscious habits never lied.

In that exact instant, Ye Tong froze.

With neither woman making a move to exit, the elevator doors began to slowly slide shut again. Keeping her eyes fixed unblinkingly on Ye Tong, Lin Su reached out a hand to casually block the closing doors, then gracefully stepped out into the hallway.

Several managers from the Project Department alongside Li Qian had been waiting outside. The moment Li Qian saw Lin Su emerge, she hurriedly prepared to step forward to receive her. Before she could take more than a few steps, the calm, clear voice of the LT Group’s big boss rang out through the corridor:

“Director Ye, I give you my word that I won’t bully you during the meeting. Surely you don’t intend to stay inside that elevator until the New Year?”

This incredibly dry, deadpan joke effectively pinned Ye Tong’s feet to the spot. Lin Su watched as the expression on Ye Tong’s face shifted, her otherwise flawless smile beginning to look distinctly strained.

“Come on out.”

“I won’t bully you.”

Ye Tong had intended to ignore her and simply walk out, but Lin Su’s casual, secondary remarks shattered the last remnants of her composed smile. What absolute nonsense was this woman spouting with a straight face?

“Director Ye and I share compatible personalities, so I was merely jesting. You don’t mind, do you, Director Ye?” The faint smile on Lin Su’s face never wavered as she looked calmly at Ye Tong, who was now standing directly in front of her in silent defiance.

This was a tactic even high schoolers had outgrown, and Ye Tong desperately wanted to fire back with a sharp “How childish.” However, she swiftly reined in her emotions, offering a gentle nod and a smile. “In that case, please ensure you don’t bully me later, President Lin.”

“Of course.” Lin Su nodded, the corners of her lips curving slightly. She leaned down toward the other woman’s ear, her voice dropping to a whisper meant only for the two of them. “I will not let personal grudges interfere with business, nor will I show leniency out of past sentiment.”

Internally, Ye Tong cursed the old fox. Did Lin Su truly believe that invoking the past would shatter her defenses? Taking a deliberate step backward, she fought to keep her tone perfectly measured and calm. “You are truly an interesting person, President Lin.”

“Director Ye is far more interesting. Our upcoming collaboration is bound to be highly entertaining.”

“In truth, I share the exact same sentiment.”

Sensing the tense atmosphere and terrified that the two corporate powerhouses might clash right then and there, the assistants from both sides quickly stepped in to smooth things over. The project negotiations hadn’t even commenced, yet the two leads were already locking horns upon meeting. How could they possibly maintain a pleasant partnership at this rate?

The moment Lin Su entered the conference room and took her seat, before she could even settle in, Ye Tong smoothly pulled a commercial partnership proposal from Li Qian’s hands. Turning on her heel, she walked over and presented it to Lin Su with a radiant smile.

“Since President Lin is a straightforward person, let us both save time. We can launch straight into Project A of the XM and LT partnership.”

Hearing this, Lin Su raised an eyebrow. She accepted the document from Ye Tong, resting it against the edge of the table as she flipped it open. “There is no rush.”

“The market changes rapidly, and opportunity waits for no one. The faster our two entities cooperate, the better.”

Lin Su remained noncommittal. She turned directly to the final page of the document, her gaze lingering on the signature Ye Tong in the bottom right corner. In a clear, even voice, she inquired, “Is Director Ye only handling Project A?”

“Yes.”

Ye Tong returned to her seat. Meeting the cool, detached gaze Lin Su directed toward her, she waited until the woman had finished reviewing the final page before offering a light smile. “Project A is an apparel brand venture initiated by our two conglomerates. The specific objectives and detailed division of labor are explicitly outlined within the document. Should you find any issues, President Lin, please feel free to raise them so we may resolve them together.”

“I have reviewed it thoroughly. There are no major issues, but I hope your team pays closer attention to the minor details. The production capacity of the various garment factories under the XM Group is currently too low. Once the various seasonal collections are scheduled, your output will fail to keep pace with the demands of a mass-market launch.”

“We have already taken that variable into account,” Ye Tong countered. “Since this is a joint venture between our two conglomerates, the apparel factories under the LT Group will naturally need to be mobilized as well, correct?”

Lin Su smiled, closing the commercial document. Resting her right hand on the cover, her slender, elegant index and middle fingers began to lightly, alternately tap against the surface.

Sitting directly across from her, Ye Tong’s delicate features had completely shed the naivety of her youth over the years. Her eyes carried a soft, refined grace, and every subtle expression radiated an understated elegance. Most importantly, she had grown significantly more mature and composed no longer the impetuous, clumsy little assistant she once was.

In the blink of an eye, the personal assistant who used to run errands at her beck and call was now sitting opposite her as an equal, negotiating the terms of a major corporate project. Looking at the calm, collected woman before her, the faint smile on Lin Su’s lips deepened.

As Lin Su sat in absolute silence without offering a response, Ye Tong waited patiently before prompting, “What are your thoughts, President Lin?”

“I have only one requirement.”

Ye Tong’s eyelid gave a involuntary twitch. “Please, go ahead.”

“Project A is the very first venture launched by our two groups. I am certain Director Ye wishes to execute it flawlessly and beautifully, correct?”

Ye Tong nodded. “Naturally.”

“I am entirely at ease leaving the execution of this project fully in your hands. However, my schedule is exceptionally demanding, and I have no desire to waste time traveling back and forth. Therefore, I require Director Ye to temporarily relocate your core team into the LT Group headquarters.”

Ye Tong’s hand froze mid-air as she reached for her documents. The color drained from her face, and a flash of trepidation flickered deep within her eyes.

Staring at Lin Su, who sat less than three meters away, she saw that the woman was still smiling faintly. Even while seated, she possessed an undeniable, captivating elegance.

Having spent a considerable amount of time with her in the past, Ye Tong understood her personality and behavior all too well and right now, everything about her looked incredibly infuriating. The LT Group was where she had completed her past internship, and it was entirely Lin Su’s home turf. Facing her every single day would do nothing but bring immense frustration.

As if reading the thoughts racing through Ye Tong’s mind, before the director could voice a refusal, Lin Su added in an even tone, “The duration will not exceed six months at most. Once Project A is finalized, your team may depart. Your big boss has already agreed to my terms.”

“My apologies. Please excuse me for a moment while I step out to make a call.” Seeing Lin Su nod in acknowledgment, Ye Tong turned and hurriedly exited the conference room.

Sitting beside Lin Su, Xiao Ziyu had been silently witnessing the entire display of hidden corporate warfare, her eyes nearly popping out of her head. Has the domineering CEO finally seen the light? Intentionally pulling the girl right under her nose with them spending day and night together, what problem couldn’t be resolved?

Xiao Ziyu leaned in close to Lin Su, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Boss, did you pick up these seduction techniques from your little niece, Lin Sheng?”

A formidable, commanding glare shot directly from the CEO. Xiao Ziyu immediately pursed her lips and drew a horizontal line across her mouth with her finger, signaling her absolute silence.

Based on her past understanding of her employer, if Lin Su possessed even half the thick-skinned flirtatiousness of her young niece, she wouldn’t have spent all this time failing to win back the white moonlight of her heart, remaining single even at thirty-five.

Meanwhile, outside the room, Ye Tong’s call connected. She enunciated every single syllable with cold precision:

“Big Boss Xu… how on earth did you manage to sell me out while you’re away on your honeymoon?”