The Female CEO Falls in Love with Me

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On the drive home, Yurong didn't sit next to him as she usually does when they go back to her parents' place for dinner. She went to the back to rest by herself. Since they got married, this was the first time she had such close contact with Li Yan for so long. Previously, at most, they would hold hands for show when returning home. Today, she was not only holding hands but was also carried by him on his back for such a long distance. This was also the first time Li Yan had so strongly defended her in the capacity of a husband, making her feel something different inside.

She wanted to silently savor that feeling during this extended time apart from him, but also felt a bit embarrassed to face him, so by sitting in the back, she didn't have to speak.

Li Yan didn't mind her reaction and attitude. For him, tonight went quite smoothly. Despite attending events with three different girls for various reasons, everything went well without any hitches. Of course, the recent incident was unfortunate for Zhang Yurong. For him, however, those four people were no problem at all, and it seemed to have brought the couple closer—a rare occurrence.

Seeing Yurong leaning back with her eyes closed to rest, he didn't drive too fast, maintaining a steady pace so as not to disturb her. Yet, somehow, he felt as though Zhang Yurong wasn't actually resting with her eyes closed, but rather occasionally looking at him. However, when he looked up at the rearview mirror, he only saw her eyes closed.

When they arrived home, Mrs. Liu quickly asked if they needed a late-night snack, then went to rest after getting an answer.

The two of them quietly went upstairs. Li Yan walked in front, followed by Zhang Yurong. Just as Li Yan was about to enter the room, she called after him, "Li Yan..."

"Yes?" Li Yan stopped and turned around.

"I haven't thanked you yet. Tonight... thank you."

Her sincerity was undeniable, but to Li Yan, it provoked a bitter smile. If even a normal act of marital maintenance required a thank you, what did that say about their relationship...? Just like there's no marriage without arguments, insisting on being polite with each other often signifies a marriage in name only.

A small thank you brought Li Yan back to his usual state. He nodded, "No need to thank me."

"..."

Watching his back, Zhang Yurong felt a bit of an unexplained loss.

She realized saying "thank you" seemed ill-timed. Usually assertive and used to handling everything on her own, when needing help from Li Yan, she felt that not even saying "thank you" would be demotivating to him. But after hearing it, he obviously wasn't happy or excited...

Li Yan stopped again and said, "Why are you still going out for coffee tonight? Do you think the social engagement wasted a few hours and you want to work late to make up for it? Just go to bed early! Once you finish today's work, there will be more tomorrow. You can never finish everything!"

Seeing him turn back and adding this comment, the frustration in Zhang Yurong's heart was replaced with a hint of excitement. She didn't expect that his usual laziness could be so observant. Just from the spilled coffee incident, he could deduce that she would continue to work once home. Even more unexpected was that, despite generally them being 'minding their own business,' he would actually show concern for her life!

"It's okay, I'll hurry, it won't take long. You go to sleep first." Zhang Yurong walked over slowly. This time she was experienced enough not to thank him again but reciprocated his caring words with her own.

Li Yan looked at the approaching Zhang Yurong and suddenly sighed. "Zhang Yurong, let's have a chat for a while. There's something I need to discuss with you."

"Discuss... discuss what?" Zhang Yurong was taken aback.

Following Li Yan into the living room, her emotions were not at all calm. Normally, Li Yan seemed not to care about anything, even if scorned or despised, he didn't mind, especially at the company where he seemed indifferent to being regarded as useless. When they had something to say, it was usually during meals, both speaking expressionlessly, calm and unperturbed.

Looking so solemn and serious as he does now is a first. Zhang Yurong was surprised as she experienced multiple "firsts" from Li Yan tonight, but compared to his defense and assertiveness earlier, this made her a bit apprehensive. From what he said, it seemed he wanted to discuss something important concerning the two of them. What could it be? Has he had enough of a nominal marriage and wants her to fulfill wifely duties, or was he tired of a loveless marriage and wants to separate?

Whether it's the former or the latter, for Zhang Yurong, the pressure was immense. Both are issues she doesn't want to face, yet eventually must confront. These issues have also troubled her for a long time!

...

Seeing Zhang Yurong without her usual icy demeanor, or the high-and-mighty company leader attitude, but instead like a somewhat aggrieved young girl silently following him, surprised Li Yan. He silently exclaimed to himself: Amazing! She's already stunningly beautiful, with a captivating allure, just too aggressive and unapproachable, otherwise, it would be hard to resist. And now she's learned to act pitiful, I'll have to strengthen my defenses!

"Whatever you have to say, just say it directly!" Zhang Yurong took a deep breath and looked at Li Yan, returning to her usual calm and composed self.

This look actually makes Li Yan more accustomed, otherwise seeing her looking aggrieved, he wouldn't have the heart to speak firmly.

"Should I say it now? I've wanted to bring this up for a long time, but I believed you wouldn't accept it, so I've been holding back. Let's talk about it tonight!" Li Yan went over to grab two bottles of water, handed one to her, and opened one for himself.

Zhang Yurong already guessed what he wanted to say. Although she didn't want to face this problem, she could still deal with it calmly if she had to. "What I can't accept is usually a matter of principle, which doesn't change easily. It's the same whenever you say it. Since you've reached your limit, then let's talk openly."

The two of them took a sip of water simultaneously, as if trying to calm themselves down.

"You... you're too self-assured." Li Yan looked at her and said directly.

Zhang Yurong stared back at him, slightly surprised by his words, and couldn't help but ask, "Sorry, what did you say?"

"Haha, no one dares to say that to your face, right?" Seeing her surprised reaction, Li Yan laughed, "You are too self-assured. That's what I'm saying. So what? Can you make me sleep on the floor?"

"I'm too self-assured? Is that what he wants to say? Make him sleep on the floor? Looking at his somewhat smug expression, Zhang Yurong was between tears and laughter. What is this all about!

"Is this what you wanted to say? Be more specific!" Zhang Yurong frowned slightly.

"Specifically, it's reflected in your workaholic attitude."

"I don't think there's a problem with my work attitude." Zhang Yurong replied, "Do you think your work attitude is correct?"

"I didn't say that. As a minor employee, my attitude is definitely inadequate. But as a CEO, your work attitude is also problematic." Li Yan became serious.

"I'm all ears, please elaborate!" Zhang Yurong collected her early surprise and treated it as a formal work discussion.

"As the CEO of the company, you are the leader in the management aspect of the company and must be responsible to the enterprise, shareholders. The board appointed you to take charge, to grasp the development's major direction, make a vision for the company, design a blueprint, etc... rather than being a hard-working workaholic!"

Zhang Yurong admiringly said, "Since you can say these things, it shows you're not aiming for ignorance but who said the two can't be combined? Most CEOs combine the two, they are able to perform the duties as per the CEO's responsibilities and do more work."

"Of course, it's possible, but the result could be one of two: you could become mediocre, failing to elevate the company's development; or your health could collapse prematurely. There are many examples of the former, and numerous examples of the latter — in the distant past, the likes of Zhuge Liang, who, as a strategist, commander, chancellor, worried about everything, eventually worked himself to death. More recently, your father also worked himself to death for the development of Paradise Group. The company was upstanding, but you as his successor weren't mature enough, and he fell before you grew up. Do you want to follow in his footsteps?"

Zhang Yurong furrowed her brows and slowly said, "I get what you mean, you're just concerned I'm working too hard and want to advise me to ease off a bit?"

"Don't get the wrong idea!"

"Can you be more civil?"

"If I'm civil, you won't get it." Li Yan sighed, "You studied management, surely you understand the rationale better than I do, but you're too caught up in the moment. You might feel you're too young, if you don't make people respect you in all aspects, you might be doubted, opposed, and even ruin or undermine your father's efforts. Even if you needed to be like that at the start, now that you've achieved results, it's time for you to attempt to delegate. Your many tasks can be handled by the vice presidents, directors, managers below you, otherwise, why do you need them? Father-in-law has already paved the way ahead, in your generation, you should focus on the bigger picture!"

If you're always maintaining that only you can handle things, aren't you just a self-assured person?"

Hearing his criticism, Zhang Yurong felt a bit sour inside, being a woman, bearing a heavier burden than any man in the company, and as her husband, he can't help ease tensions, offer support, or comfort, but instead, he attacks her!

Seeing her silent, Li Yan hummed, increasing his attack strength, "Don't you think what I said makes sense? Isn't your father-in-law one to think in this way? He only realized after his health failed. You're still young, but you want to run yourself down? Once you collapse, who would steer Paradise Group? Hmm, fine, maybe father-in-law would push me up, haha, a big family company just letting me toy with it! I definitely wouldn't be working tirelessly, instead, I'd excessively delegate to let everyone have a go!"

...

Yesterday, another Squad Leader "Xiu Zhe, Mc" many thanks. Thanks also to yesterday's rewarding fellows: "Xuan010527, Rainbow After the Rain, Style98, 1=City-!, Celestial Bookworm, Bookmate100410062043461, Wuxia Sect, Ugly Fine, Feng Yiren, Ancient Dragon: Ranger, Free Flying Fish, 1013101829, __remember, Ancient Dragon: Ranger, Goose Cuddler, Sashimi81, June Rain, There's Love Called Breakup, Jun Qing, *Wind Myth*, Living by Mountains and Waters, Little Dog Abu, Nether Emperor Demon Emperor, Star of the Far East, Eagle's Wind, Star Sea, Happy Little Morning, Xiu Zhe, Mc, You Big Grandpa, Eternal, Had Been~Snow, EYE Confused, ynaB, 々martinァ (To be continued, if you want to know what happens next, please log into www.qidian.com, more chapters, support the author, support genuine reading!)