The Former Assistant Seduced The Current President - Chapter 2

Yan Xi was slightly face blind and usually could not remember people he had only met a few times. However, today was an exception; he recognized the woman from the underground garage instantly because of her vibrant red lipstick.

She walked out of the elevator hand in hand with Cheng Zhen. They strolled affectionately toward the front desk, checked in, and then Cheng Zhen leaned down to whisper something in her ear. She laughed and playfully punched his arm. Cheng Zhen clutched his chest, pretending to be in pain, patted her lower back, and gave her a suggestive look, signaling for her to go up first.

The woman took her bag and stepped into the elevator, vanishing from Yan Xi’s sight. Cheng Zhen, however, walked closer and sat on a sofa in the lounge, his back against a tall indoor plant. He was typing on his phone with such intense focus that he did not notice Yan Xi hiding behind the foliage.

Yan Xi did not intend to eavesdrop, but the image on Cheng Zhen’s screen was too conspicuous. It was a box of blue packaged pills, the kind often advertised at pharmacy entrances. Their purpose was world renowned.

Yan Xi’s heart shattered instantly. There was no longer any reason to defend Cheng Zhen. He did not have any unspeakable hardships; he only had man made ones.

After sending the picture to a delivery driver, Cheng Zhen sat on the sofa, clutching his phone with his left hand while tapping impatiently on the armrest with his right. Realizing that everyone else was about to hit the highway while he was still stuck on a toddler toy, Yan Xi finally faced reality. He kicked the toddler toy aside, composed himself, and stepped out from behind the plant.

Whether due to excitement or nervousness, Cheng Zhen was restless, his eyes darting toward the lobby entrance. Yan Xi walked up behind him, bent down, and whispered coldly into his ear, “Does she know that you are not capable with women?”

The sudden presence and ghostly voice scared Cheng Zhen out of his wits. When he turned and saw Yan Xi’s face, he jumped off the sofa as if he had been stung, his voice cracking, “Why are you here?”

Yan Xi stood a step away, taking in his ridiculous reaction. “Should I not be the one asking you that?”

Cheng Zhen scanned the area quickly and hissed, “Yan Xi, stop it. If you have something to say, we can talk about it when we get back.”

It was late, but the hotel was busy with people coming and going. Cheng Zhen cared about his reputation. He had been able to handle Yan Xi with a straight face in the deserted garage, but causing a scene here would be too humiliating.

“I do not intend to cause a scene,” Yan Xi said, crossing his arms. “I just have two questions. Answer them, and I will leave.”

Cheng Zhen knew Yan Xi’s temper well; if he said he would not cause a scene, he meant it. Moreover, he was certain that Yan Xi cared about his dignity even more than he did. Reassured, Cheng Zhen exhaled and said, “Ask.”

Yan Xi: “First question: Who is that woman?”

Cheng Zhen’s expression stiffened. He swallowed hard and replied, “The daughter of our company president.”

Yan Xi narrowed his eyes. He vaguely remembered Cheng Zhen joking a month ago that the president’s daughter liked him and that he might become a live in son in law. At the time, Yan Xi had laughed, “What a pity, you will not have a chance to make a mistake.” Cheng Zhen had joked back, “Who says there is no chance? It just takes a little medicine.”

Yan Xi finally understood that truth was often hidden in jokes.

“Fine, I understand. Second question,” Yan Xi continued. “Does she know your sexual orientation?” He did not believe Cheng Zhen could change his orientation so easily.

Cheng Zhen did not answer directly. “Yan Xi, I am sorry. I will make it up to you later. Please just go back now, okay?”

Yan Xi looked down, lost in thought. “So, you lied to her.”

Cheng Zhen glanced at his phone, which showed the delivery was arriving soon. Frustrated, he ran a hand through his hair and changed the subject. “Yan Xi, we have been together for almost half a year. What is the point of you being good looking if you will not even let me touch you? I am about to burst. If we really want to argue about who wronged whom, it is not entirely my fault.”

Yan Xi watched him quietly, as if viewing a comedic play.

“You were a president’s assistant, a position of great power and promising prospects. But now you are nothing. Starting over from the beginning is not that easy.”

“You know who she is. I have worked so hard for so many years; I want to get ahead. Finally, there is an opportunity to climb up. Can you not just let me do this for the sake of our past?”

Slap.

Without warning, Yan Xi swung his hand, landing a sharp, precise slap across Cheng Zhen’s face. He had intended to use his fist but changed his mind at the last second. The sound was crisp and loud; everyone in the lobby looked toward them.

They had been dating for half a year, and this was the first time Yan Xi had lost his temper. Cheng Zhen was so shocked he could not even curse; he stood frozen, clutching his face.

Yan Xi’s cold face held a severe, stubborn resolve. “I can let you go, but you cannot deceive others. Why should she be a stepping stone for you to climb?”

The lobby fell silent, filled with eyes hungry for gossip, some even surreptitiously pulling out their phones. Fearing he would become an internet sensation, Cheng Zhen glared at Yan Xi, covered his face, and stormed out with angry, long strides. His cheek bore a lingering palm print, his plans for the night lay in ruins, and his supplements never arrived.

Shaking his wrist, Yan Xi ignored the stares of the crowd and walked calmly out of the hotel. He intercepted the delivery driver, took the paper bag, and thanked him. Estimating the time, he waited until the order was marked complete, then tossed the bag into a trash can.

Wrapped in the dark night, he felt dizzy. He realized how much of a failure he was to have been so blind. Wait, failure; his flight payment had failed.

Stopping his emotional spiral, Yan Xi rubbed his arms and hurried back to the ATM. He inserted his card, withdrew the cash, and transferred it. He reopened the booking app, but the payment had timed out, and the order was canceled.

He sat on a clean step and repeated the familiar process: log in, enter booking page, click Tomorrow, select the 9:00 a.m. flight, select a seat, confirm, and pay. The screen showed payment success. Mission accomplished.

Feeling a weight lift from his chest, Yan Xi stretched. He could finally go home to sleep. His home was a single apartment rented by the company for employees. The facilities were mediocre compared to his previous life as a top assistant, but it was convenient and close to the office. Exhausted by the emotional roller coaster of the night, Yan Xi collapsed onto his bed without even changing his clothes and fell fast asleep.

Until his phone alarm yanked him out of a nightmare the next morning.

Yan Xi reached out, half asleep, and unlocked the screen. “Hello?”

“Yan Xi, what on earth are you doing!” Manager Ma’s voice on the other end was spitting fire. “Can you not even book a plane ticket now?”

“Ticket?” Yan Xi sat up, his slightly curled hair swaying on his head. “Did I not book it last night?”

Manager Ma roared, “Which day did you book?”

Yan Xi was certain. “Today at 9:00 a.m.”

Manager Ma was even angrier. “Right now, immediately, check which day you actually booked!”

Yan Xi did not believe him. He pulled the phone away and opened the app. Seeing the payment date, he shivered instantly.

In the VIP lounge, a server opened a bottle of top tier vintage red wine and poured it slowly into a decanter. The liquid met the air, releasing a rich and enchanting aroma.

However, even the finest wine could not improve the VIP’s mood. Shi Ye sprawled deep into the sofa, extending his long legs, and checked his watch repeatedly, his face etched with impatience. The friend opposite him held his phone up to hide his face, his shoulders shaking with laughter.

When Shi Ye received the notification from the airline, he had been slightly tipsy at the bar and had put the phone down after a cursory glance. After sobering up, he had Duan Wenbin drive him to the airport. It was not until he went to check in that he discovered the flight date was 24 hours later, a full day late.

Duan Wenbin had laughed so hard he slapped his leg. The consequence of his gloating was that Shi Ye held him hostage to keep him company while waiting for the rescheduled flight. A laptop sat before him, flashing with new emails: collaborative partners, meeting adjustments, and personnel files. Among the red dotted emails, one came from an unknown sender. Shi Ye clicked it, it was an apology letter.

Waste of time. He closed the page expressionlessly.

Thanks to his irresponsible employee, Shi Ye had to spend a long half day in the lounge. The earliest rescheduled flight was at 6:00 p.m.

“Your new president has not even taken office yet, and you have already been tripped up by your subordinates. Your road ahead looks bumpy,” Duan Wenbin teased while playing a game.

Shi Ye opened the personnel file he had just received and scanned it, then sneered. “Interesting. Guess who made the mistake?”

“Heh!” Duan Wenbin chuckled, his eyes still on his game. “It would not be President Fang, would it?”

Shi Ye: “It is an employee who was recently transferred to the Administration Department.”

“Oh,” Duan Wenbin’s fingers moved rapidly. “My bad.”

“Coincidentally,” Shi Ye continued, “this employee is the former assistant to President Fang.”

“Damn, was it on purpose?” Duan Wenbin dropped his phone, ignoring his teammates’ fates. “Who gave him the guts to set up the boss?”

Shi Ye scoffed, “Do you believe it if I say no one ordered him to?”

Although he knew his return to take over the company would not be smooth, this welcome gift had arrived far too early.

“To resort to such tactics,” Duan Wenbin sneered, “how low class.”

“It does not matter,” Shi Ye closed his laptop, his face cold. “I have noted this account. I will settle it slowly later.”