You've Pissed Me Off

"Lin Xuan, what did you just say?" Shen Mao abruptly stood up from his seat, his face dark with anger. "You want to kick my daughter out of the Shen family?"

"Chairman Shen, isn't that what you implied? That profits matter more than women. Once I take control of Shen Corporation, Shen Qianqian will have outlived her usefulness. Then I’ll marry a wife with power and influence—someone who can actually help me. What do you think, Chairman Shen?"

"Fine, fine, fine." Shen Mao let out a bitter laugh. "My daughter isn’t desperate for you, Lin Xuan. You’ve crossed a line."

Never in all his years since founding Shen Corporation had anyone dared speak to him like this!

Tianmu Group—oh, they were something else!

"Just wait for Tianmu Group to go bankrupt," Shen Mao said coldly.

Lin Xuan remained unfazed. "I think Chairman Shen should worry less about other companies and more about his own. From what I hear, Shen Corporation hasn’t been doing too well lately."

Shen Mao’s expression shifted rapidly.

Lately, his company had been under relentless pressure, and dealing with the fallout had left him exhausted.

Who could be behind such a ruthless attack?

He couldn’t fathom who he might have offended to deserve this.

Lin Xuan casually picked up his chopsticks and sampled the dishes on the table, nodding approvingly.

"Not bad. Chairman Shen, don’t forget to pay the bill before you leave—after all, this was your invitation, wasn’t it?"

"You—!" Shen Mao was seething.

"Lin Xuan, just you wait!"

Once his company recovered, he’d make sure Tianmu Group was crushed. Then he’d see how smug Lin Xuan could be.

With that threat, Shen Mao stormed out.

"Chairman, if you leave now, what about Miss Qianqian’s condition…?" his secretary hesitantly asked.

"A man like Lin Xuan is cunning and uncontrollable. If he really married Qianqian, it’d be like inviting a wolf into our home. Not only would the company fall into his hands, but Qianqian would end up on the streets," Shen Mao said grimly.

"I refuse to believe Qianqian’s illness can’t be treated without Lin Xuan!"

Shen Mao was about to leave when he spotted Su Hua entering the lobby.

The head of Su Corporation!

Su Hua rarely attended social events—ordinarily, Shen Mao wouldn’t even get a chance to meet her.

A thought crossed his mind.

With Su Corporation’s support, Shen Corporation could weather this crisis.

But just as quickly, his hope dimmed.

No, Su Corporation would never work with him.

They’d already terminated their partnership.

"Why did Shen Mao leave?" Su Hua frowned. "Where’s A-Xuan?"

"Master Lin is still in the private room," Jiang Qing replied.

Su Hua narrowed her eyes dangerously as she watched Shen Mao’s retreating figure.

"Chairman Su," Shen Mao greeted her respectfully as he approached.

"Chairman Shen, hello," Su Hua acknowledged, pausing.

Shen Mao was stunned.

Su Hua had actually responded to him.

"You look troubled, Chairman Shen. Has something happened at Shen Corporation?" Su Hua arched a delicate brow.

Shen Mao was even more shocked.

Su Hua was speaking to him at length—about his company, no less.

What did this mean?

Could it be…?

Hesitantly, he ventured, "The company is facing some minor difficulties. If Su Corporation could lend a hand, I’d be sure to repay you generously."

"Then let’s talk," Su Hua said, her tone light.

Shen Mao’s face was a picture of disbelief.

Was Su Hua actually considering a partnership with Shen Corporation?

Why would she…?

Quickly, he convinced himself—despite its current troubles, Shen Corporation was still one of Yundu City’s top companies. It was a sound investment.

If they could reestablish ties with Su Corporation, the crisis would be over.

Excitement surged through him.

"Chairman Shen, after you," Su Hua gestured.

"Chairman Su, please," Shen Mao replied, unable to suppress a smile.

Su Hua gave a slight nod and walked ahead.

She led them straight to a private room on the third floor.

Shen Mao frowned.

Wasn’t this the same room where he’d just confronted Lin Xuan?

Why would Su Hua choose this one?

This wouldn’t do.

If Lin Xuan was still inside, he might sabotage the negotiations.

"Chairman Su," Shen Mao stepped in front of her, "this room is already occupied, and the third-floor rooms are rather plain. Why don’t we discuss this on the eighth floor instead?"

Su Hua’s expression remained impassive. "This one will do."

She was here for A-Xuan, not to humor Shen Mao’s business talks.

"But—" Shen Mao hesitated.

"Chairman Shen, is there something in there you don’t want me to see?" Su Hua’s sharp eyes glinted.

"No, absolutely not!" Shen Mao hastily denied.

Jiang Qing cut in coldly, "Then stop blocking our Chairman’s way."

Reluctantly, Shen Mao stepped aside.

Tianmu Group was only a year old—someone like Lin Xuan wouldn’t even register on Su Hua’s radar.

Even if Lin Xuan tried to interfere, he wouldn’t stand a chance.

With that thought, Shen Mao relaxed slightly.

The door swung open.

Lin Xuan, mid-bite into an oyster, froze.

Hua Bao? What was she doing here?

Su Hua’s lips curved as she noticed the oyster in his hand.

Good. A-Xuan knew to replenish his energy.

Shen Mao hurried to pull out a chair. "Chairman Su, please have a seat," he said obsequiously.

Su Hua ignored him, walking straight to the seat beside Lin Xuan and sitting down.

Shen Mao blinked in confusion.

With so many seats available, why would Su Hua choose the one next to Lin Xuan?

Did she… take an interest in him?

The moment the thought crossed his mind, he dismissed it.

Impossible.

Su Hua was famously indifferent to men. There was no way she’d be drawn to Lin Xuan.

It had to be a coincidence.

Shen Mao took a seat as well.

"Chairman Su, what a coincidence—I was just discussing business with Mr. Lin in this very room. These dishes were freshly ordered, but they might be cold now. Shall I order another set?"

"No need. These will do," Su Hua said.

"Of course, whatever you prefer."

Shen Mao signaled to his secretary. "Call the office immediately. Have them send over the documents, print copies, and bring them here—fast."

He couldn’t risk Su Hua changing her mind.

The sooner the contract was signed, the better.

"Right away, Chairman."

The secretary nodded and rushed out.

With the secretary gone, only four remained in the room: Shen Mao, Lin Xuan, Su Hua, and Jiang Qing.

Shen Mao cleared his throat. "Chairman Su, shall we discuss the partnership between our companies now?"

"Go ahead," Su Hua leaned back, her slender fingers tapping the table, a faint smirk playing on her lips.

"Of course. Shen Corporation is currently developing a high-potential project, and we’ve made significant progress. However, it requires substantial investment. The project—"

Shen Mao was explaining things with a parched throat off to the side.

Su Hua and Lin Xuan began whispering to each other.

"What are you doing at the hotel, hmm?" Su Hua's voice carried a hint of danger.

Lin Xuan's heart tightened.

He had to explain himself properly today—there was no way he could let Hua Bao misunderstand.

"Hua Bao, don’t get the wrong idea. I came to see him today only because—"

Just as Lin Xuan was about to speak, Shen Mao glanced over.

"President Su," he said with a smile, "this is the general outline of my project. Do you have any concerns?"

Lin Xuan clicked his tongue in annoyance.

Still angling for a partnership with Hua Bao’s company?

He never forgot a slight. If Shen Mao had crossed him, did he really think he could still work with his girlfriend? Not a chance.

Lin Xuan laced his fingers behind his head and smirked. "Chairman Shen, with your company in this state, you still expect Su Corporation to invest?"

Shen Mao’s face darkened. "Lin Xuan, I’m discussing business with President Su. What does the state of my company have to do with you?"

He pointed toward the door. "Get out. Now."

Lin Xuan crossed his legs defiantly. "Why should I? I’m staying right here."

"Fine. Lin Xuan, if you refuse a toast, you’ll have to drink the penalty." Shen Mao’s expression was livid.

"Security!" he barked.

Two bodyguards entered. "Chairman," they said respectfully.

"Drag him out. Throw him out of the hotel!" Shen Mao ordered, pointing at Lin Xuan.

No matter what, he wouldn’t let Lin Xuan ruin today’s negotiations with Su Hua.

The fate of Shen Corporation depended on this deal.

"Yes, sir."

The bodyguards moved forward.

"Wait." Su Hua’s voice cut through the tension.

"President Su, what do you need?" Shen Mao’s tone turned ingratiating.

Su Hua spoke coldly. "Chairman Shen, did you forget I was here the moment you decided to have someone dragged away?"

"President Su, I just thought his presence would be a nuisance—that he might bother you. So I wanted him removed," Shen Mao said deferentially.

"I don’t find him a nuisance at all." Su Hua’s red lips curled slightly.

If anything, he was quite the sight.

Seeing the look on Su Hua’s face, Lin Xuan knew Hua Bao wasn’t angry. He exhaled in relief.

As long as she didn’t misunderstand.

In the past, the slightest hint of trouble would land him in her "dark room."

But now, Hua Bao was starting to trust him.

That was progress.

"This…" Shen Mao frowned.

He still didn’t want Lin Xuan staying. Something told him that if Lin Xuan remained, things would go south.

"President Su, I really think it’s better to remove him. Our discussion involves trade secrets, and having an outsider present—"

Before he could finish, an icy glare shot his way.

"Are you questioning my decision, Chairman Shen?" Su Hua narrowed her eyes.

Shen Mao wiped sweat from his brow. "President Su, I wouldn’t dare."

For some reason, he felt like Su Hua was shielding Lin Xuan.

But someone like Lin Xuan had no connection to her. President Su had never been one for men—there was no way she’d fall for him at first sight.

He must be overthinking it.