Chapter 55: A Subtle Stratagem

Yang Changfeng summoned all the willpower he possessed not to take Anya, who seemed to have resigned herself to her fate.

"Sit properly. Let's talk," Yang Changfeng said, knowing now was not the time for reckless behavior. The setting was wrong; he could not disrespect a woman like that—he was not an animal.

Anya bit her lip, a hint of sweetness rising within her.

This man, when he's bad, he's terrifying, but when he's good, he could move a person to tears.

Her suit was torn, so Yang Changfeng carried her to the stool behind the desk, then went to open the door.

He felt it too—Anya was no naive simpleton, how could she not sense it? But to restrain himself here, at the very least, he still respected her.

This way, no one passing by outside would notice the door was locked and suspect anything untoward, thus preserving her dignity as the boss's secretary. And with the desk in front, she wouldn't be indecently exposed.

Even if it was for his own sake, not wanting others to see her disheveled, the fact that he could consider a woman’s situation like this was already quite commendable.

Anya pursed her lips, a small smile appearing on her face.

She resented herself too—he'd bullied her, yet she felt as if she had been conquered. How could she be so cheap?

But she couldn't really get angry; was this fate?

Like she'd let him off so easily!

Yang Changfeng opened the door, fetched another stool, and sat facing Anya. "Alright, let's talk. Tell me, why did you come running to me so recklessly to cause trouble?"

"I wasn't causing trouble, I just..." She started out boldly, but as soon as Yang Changfeng raised his hand, she faltered, her face flushing with embarrassment and frustration. Lowering her head, she murmured, "I was just worried your forceful ways might cause trouble for President Chen."

Was she talking about last night?

"Why don't you think I solved a problem that was about to happen?" Yang Changfeng was puzzled. He hadn't wanted to go to the bank; why look at the issue from another angle?

Anya mumbled, "I was just too angry to think straight."

"No acting cute!" Yang Changfeng snapped.

Anya kicked the table in frustration.

Who was acting cute?

"Don't think like that again. You need a new perspective, otherwise, you might as well go home early and give me a son," Yang Changfeng chided.

Anya was at a loss for words.

Where was his shame?

Where was his sense of decency? He acted as if he’d really done something to her—what gave him the right to speak like that?

Yang Changfeng, angered, said, "What were you thinking with? Big chest, no brains!"

Her chest...

Annoyed, she glanced down and nearly fainted with rage.

He really said it: big chest, no brains.

Damn it, if she could beat him, she’d show him what for. Saving the nation’s fabric, was she? There were plenty with bigger chests—how many were prettier than her?

If he doesn’t like it, why does he touch it? Hasn’t he touched enough?

"Hmph, not as big as President Chen’s," she muttered, a trace of jealousy in her tone.

Yang Changfeng ignored the comment and stood up. "Sit tight and wait here."

Anya stared at him. "Where are you going?"

"Don’t tell me you don’t have a spare outfit here. Look at yourself—how could you go out and face people?" He reached out. "Hand over the keys."

So domineering.

Anya grumbled inwardly, her cheeks flushed. Today had been so strange—he’d taken such liberties, yet she wasn’t truly angry. He wasn’t handsome, nor rich, so why did she find herself obeying? Just because he dared touch her there?

She handed him the keys, adding, "No peeking!"

Oh, there were more private clothes hidden away?

Yang Changfeng scoffed, "Do I need to peek? Besides, it’s just some underwear—nothing worth seeing."

As if!

She was about to roll her eyes when Yang Changfeng teased her again.

He actually dared to touch her chest once more!

"One day, you’ll model all your sexy outfits for me—wear that set and do it!" Yang Changfeng grinned, giving her a squeeze before dodging her furious kick and striding away.

Shameless man, does he think he’s king of the world?

Anya was fuming, but deep down, she felt a strange longing.

She knew her own beauty. Usually, when she wore those daring outfits, she admired herself in the mirror, wondering who would eventually be worthy of seeing her like that.

If it were this bad, overbearing man watching her...

Oh, what a scandalous thought! How could she imagine something so shameless?

The elevator reached the upper floor. Yang Changfeng knocked on Chen Aijia’s office door. Chen Aijia was still speaking with Vice President Su, who had finally relaxed. Miss Chen was not pretending; she truly wanted to change.

The position of Group Vice President wasn’t exactly coveted by Su; the salary was higher, but so were the burdens. Most importantly, without Chen Aijia’s trust, the role would be pure torment.

Now, it seemed sitting in that seat wouldn’t be so difficult, but Su still couldn’t be sure if Chen Aijia was making a spur-of-the-moment decision or genuinely seeking change.

The knock interrupted Vice President Su, who had been about to press Chen Aijia on her true intentions.

"Come in," Chen Aijia signaled Su to pause.

Several vice presidents and mid-level managers would need to be let go; Chen Aijia wasn’t ready for them to know yet.

It was Yang Changfeng who entered, surprising Chen Aijia.

"What is it?" she asked casually, then added, "If it’s not urgent, why not speak with Xiaoya? I’m discussing restructuring with Su."

Vice President Su glanced at Yang Changfeng, this newcomer who seemed to hold Chen Aijia's esteem. Their relationship was unusual—clearly more than a typical superior and subordinate dynamic. Chen Aijia treated him differently than anyone else.

Yang Changfeng said, "Oh, it’s nothing. Anya was talking to me and twisted her ankle. I wanted to see if you had any medicinal oil here."

Once he clarified it was nothing serious, Chen Aijia replied, "You! Don’t treat Xiaoya like everyone else—she’s not an outsider. Go easy on her. There’s some in her office; look around. And sometimes she’s a bit scatterbrained—if she says something off, don’t lose your temper."

Yang Changfeng retorted, "Can’t you speak properly? Do I seem so hot-tempered?"

Chen Aijia laughed. "What do you think? Alright, go find it and let us talk in peace."

Fine, you’re the boss—you have the final say.

Yang Changfeng felt a small surge of pride. He was pretty quick-witted. But this Vice President Su—was she really so close and trustworthy to Chen Aijia?

A company restructuring was no trivial matter. Personnel changes were always sensitive; Chen Aijia, you’d better not be careless and confide in just anyone!