Chapter Twelve: Schemes

Li Ran listened, her face burning with embarrassment, her hand hesitating on the door, torn between rushing in to catch the adulterous pair or holding back. Before she could move, the voices of the two inside reached her ears.

“Your wife is still at home, and yet you’re here with me in my room. Are you sure this is right?” An Qi’s voice was soft and sweet.

At the mention of Li Ran’s name, Zhang Fanfan’s face darkened. “Hmph, she’s got no spark at all. She’s nothing like you, you little enchantress. Every time, you drain me completely.”

“But… she’s carrying your child. We can only meet in secret like this…”

“That child isn’t even mine!” Zhang Fanfan declared, pulling An Qi closer and whispering beside her ear, his breath warm. “What I really want is for you to have my child…”

Li Ran didn’t listen any further. She already knew what they would say. At this moment, her heart was so cold, she felt numb.

In Zhang Fanfan’s eyes, was she truly just a dull, uninteresting woman? Who could she blame for that?

…

The next day, Li Ran left for the office early. She didn’t want to see her husband leaving another woman’s room.

An Qi arrived late, and upon seeing Li Ran, didn’t greet her, instead diving straight into her work.

Zhang Dechuan’s assistant came in to announce a meeting. In the conference room, the entire sales department had gathered.

“The main purpose of today’s meeting is to discuss this month’s performance…”

After summarizing the sales numbers, Zhang Dechuan swept his gaze across the room, finally resting his eyes on An Qi.

“I’d like to give special praise to An Qi. She did an excellent job on her last business trip, so I’ve requested approval from the higher-ups. From today on, you are officially the Sales Manager!”

“Thank you, Mr. Zhang!” An Qi immediately stood and expressed her gratitude, glancing at Li Ran as she did so.

“There’s a dinner with clients tonight. You should come as well.”

“Of course! But… I’m worried I might get nervous. Could Sister Ran come with me?”

Zhang Dechuan nodded his approval. After all, they were both sales managers now; meeting clients together made sense. Li Ran wasn’t sure what An Qi was plotting, but since it was required by her superior, she had no choice but to go.

With half an hour left before the end of the workday, An Qi came to find Li Ran.

“Li Ran, we should head out. Let’s not keep the clients waiting.” Now that she’d been promoted, An Qi didn’t even bother with honorifics.

Li Ran said nothing. She shut down her computer and followed her out.

In the private dining room, several men were already seated. Li Ran recognized them as regular clients of the company, but one among them, Hu Jinhong, was notorious for his lechery.

The moment Li Ran entered, his eyes lingered on her with an unmistakable lasciviousness.

Suppressing her disgust, Li Ran forced herself to greet everyone before sitting down. An Qi took the seat beside her.

“Mr. Hu, it’s been a long time. Allow me to toast you first!” An Qi lifted her glass and downed the liquor in one gulp, then proceeded to toast the others.

Yet Hu Jinhong’s gaze never left Li Ran, watching her from start to finish.

An Qi had noticed this early on, a cold smile hidden beneath her pleasant facade. Nudging Li Ran, she said, “Sister Ran, you know Mr. Hu—why haven’t you greeted him yet?”

Li Ran had been Sales Manager for several years and had only encountered Hu Jinhong at company events or client dinners, but he always had a different manager assigned to his account. There was no reason for her to toast him.

“I can’t drink at the moment,” Li Ran replied bluntly.

Hu Jinhong’s face darkened. To be refused so publicly was a blow to his pride.

“Manager Li, I’ve heard your team is looking to boost performance. I happen to have an excellent business opportunity. Are you sure you want to turn it down?”

“Why would we ever refuse, Mr. Hu? Your business would be an honor!” An Qi quickly interjected. “But it seems you’ve had a bit too much to drink tonight. Why don’t I have Sister Ran escort you upstairs to rest?”

She shot Hu Jinhong a meaningful glance, and he caught on immediately.

Li Ran sensed An Qi’s intentions and wanted to refuse, but Hu Jinhong had already come over and grabbed her hand.

She tried to pull away, but his grip was too strong. With no alternative, she had to support him as they went upstairs.

The second floor was reserved for guests to rest. As soon as they reached the landing, Hu Jinhong’s hands grew restless, stroking her back before sliding down to her hips.