The Female CEO Falls in Love with Me

"I can't directly offend Director Ye, so I'll call you in a little while. Right now, I've been brought here by Director Ye... They're still having a normal discussion. I came out to the restroom to take your call. The plan is to have lunch here afterward..."

Huang Ying briefly described the entire process. At this moment, because Li Yan was listening, she finally felt at ease. But she also thought she might be a bit foolish, knowing that she might get betrayed yet not finding an excuse to stall. She weakly added in explanation: "I... already know about this. I'll be very careful myself. Whether it's drinking water or eating, I'll be cautious and not drink alcohol... They wouldn't dare force me to do anything, I should be able to handle it."

Li Yan wasn't angry at her for not resisting. He understood that even if Huang Ying acted foolishly, it was an unwinnable situation for her! Because for her, directly offending the director would undoubtedly lead to losing her job. Even Li Yan couldn't help with that; the most he could offer was some financial and living assistance. Faced with greater power, he couldn't do anything either and would only get implicated.

So, in such situations, those who haven't experienced it can talk cynically, but when it actually happens, they can only handle it cautiously. For the low-income masses, even switching jobs requires preparation and arrangements. Suddenly losing a decent job means losing one's support, and who can guarantee how many days it will take to find another similar job? Living in a city costs for rent, utilities, food, transport, and communication... all have expenditures. These are just basic costs, not including entertainment or shopping. Paid separately, they might not seem much, but once a job is lost, the living costs add up, becoming a real daily pressure.

"Don't worry! I'm here for you!"

Li Yan couldn't reveal more about his identity to Huang Ying. In her eyes, he was just a slightly better new supervisor, so to avoid making her anxious, he reassured her.

"Okay!" Huang Ying already considered him a support. All morning, the anxiety, nervousness, fear, terror, and anger she felt, although she hadn't seen him yet, hearing his voice gave her much strength and confidence. She believed this man would not let her down. Even though he wasn't powerful, he would definitely help her when she most needed it! "So at that time... I'll say a friend came to see me and use that as an excuse to leave, how about that?"

Li Yan chuckled; this girl still didn't understand enough about the wickedness of society! Huang Ying must have already been quite stimulated; he didn't want to increase her mental stress further to avoid a breakdown. He said: "Fine, your tactic is effective. Just say your boyfriend is here to pick you up!"

"Oh..." Huang Ying responded softly. She didn't mind using "boyfriend," only worried Li Yan might think it would affect him poorly. Seeing Li Yan agree so quickly, she became slightly unsure, "Will it really work? I'm probably oversimplifying it?"

Of course, it's oversimplified! Which of them aren't social experts? Not to mention having accomplices. You, a weak girl, think you can handle it alone? If you say you won't drink, do you expect them to courteously respect you? In that environment, as everyone works together to coax you, you'll eventually take a small sip, a half glass, a glass, step by step losing ground. Saying a friend came to pick you up, will that allow you to leave? Not to mention those wolves with keen eyes, even Ye Jiahong's pride wouldn't allow it.

"Don't worry; I'll be there soon. In the beginning, they will always pretend to be courteous and won't do much to you. Keep me updated about the situation via texts anytime. Let me know where you are seated, which restaurant, and which private room you enter. I will come to protect you!"

"Yes... but," Huang Ying worriedly said, "If you come to take me away, wouldn't that directly offend Director Ye? That would implicate you, and you can't stand against him... I can't let you do that for me..."

"What are you to me?" Li Yan suddenly asked.

Huang Ying hesitated for a moment and, making sure no one else was in the restroom, whispered, "Your... kept lover..."

Li Yan felt a bit dizzy, surprised she valued this notion so much. He solemnly corrected: "What happens later, we'll talk about later. For now, at least, you are my woman, and I protect my woman. How can you say it would implicate me?"

"Understood..." Huang Ying obediently replied. When she heard him say, "you are my woman," she felt warm inside, a secure and fulfilling warmth without any awkwardness.

Li Yan gave a few more careful instructions and agreed to keep in touch, then hung up.

After ending the call, he dialed a local number, "Hai Bo, let's have lunch together? My treat."

Duan Haibo understood the implication. Li Yan wasn't just inviting him for a meal, but had some special task in mind. He also noted it was an invitation to him, not them, meaning no spouses involved. "No problem, time and place, I'll be there!"

Duan Haibo's friendship with Li Yan wasn't long, only about two years, since Li Yan came to S City. Yu Mocheng had asked Li Yan to look after him. But it was profound, because back then, some of his enemies wanted revenge. If Li Yan hadn't stepped in to clear them out, who knows if he would have survived intact or at all! That's why he valued it. He didn't want his woman to get hurt or know about his identity, to avoid worry.

So, regarding Li Yan, he was always very grateful. Over these two years, they interacted like friends. A retired assassin and a retired mercenary, able to chat freely while both keeping their secrets from others, was a refreshing experience. Repaying Li Yan was only for the Chen Aiyuan incident when Li Yan asked for a favor, but that wasn't much. The real help was at Harmony Square, but that was at the request of his boss, Yu Mocheng. Anyway, he always felt he owed Li Yan.

In fact, he didn't see Li Yan asking for help as exploitation, because it was simply a matter Li Yan found inconvenient to do himself, not something impossible. To him, it was a small diversion during times of eager boredom. Sometimes, he even looked forward to an exhilarating battle with no strings attached.

...

By noon, in the restaurant of the grand hotel, Ye Jiahong and the business department, along with the clients, entered the ritziest private room. Shortly after, Li Yan appeared in the restaurant and after finding the private room, chose a table with the best view and sat down.

"Hello, are you by yourself?" A female lead originally thought he was looking for someone. Seeing him sit alone at a large table, she approached to accommodate him. "Why not switch over there? You can enjoy the outdoor scenery."

Li Yan glanced over. She pointed to a small table. Although it offered a view outside, it wouldn't let him see the scenery he wanted. "Two people."

"Even for two, it might be more comfortable there..."

"I'm ordering a lot of dishes, that table wouldn't hold them. Can I just stay here?" Li Yan smiled and winked.

The female lead felt slightly embarrassed, quickly smiling. "Of course, as you wish. What tea would you like? Pu'er, Tieguanyin, Jasmine, Longjing..."

"Jasmine then." Li Yan casually picked several dishes from the menu and said he'd add more once his friend arrived, dismissing her.

Soon, a male waiter brought over the tea.

"Hello, your Jasmine tea."

Li Yan didn't look at the tea; he watched as the waiter poured, the tea forming a smooth arc from mid-air. He smiled, "Long time no see."

The waiter was slightly surprised by his words, but his hand was steady, filling the cup to the brim without spilling. "I don't know you."

"Haha, but I know you. Our promising cleaning brother Chen Junwei, how come you're serving now?"

This was the mysterious janitor who popped up during the anthrax virus scare at the Prince Hotel and the terror attack at the Crown Prince Hotel. Li Yan had previously kept an eye on him, suspecting he might be an agent of sorts. But it turned out Chen Junwei hadn't paid him much attention, so Li Yan hadn't pursued the matter, keeping their distance.

Seeing that Li Yan had called him by name, after setting down the teapot gently, Chen Junwei asked in a low voice, "Who exactly are you? Why do you keep haunting me? I've switched hotels several times, stopped being a janitor, and even stopped using my ID card. How do you keep finding me?"

Li Yan felt a bit dizzy at this. "Cough... honestly, I haven't been following you or looking for you. Those encounters were coincidental, just happenstance. This time, I'm here to meet a friend for lunch, nothing more. How could I know you'd changed jobs and IDs?"

"Hmph! You're very suspicious!" Chen Junwei quickly scanned the surroundings.

"Seeing your reaction, I think you're the one with an interesting background. In fact, I've also suspected your identity, but it turns out we both have been doubting each other for nothing. We're friends by fate, right? Let's keep it that way. I won't specifically inquire about you, or your whereabouts, and you return the favor."

His tea-pouring skill made Chen Junwei frown, but before he finished speaking, Chen Junwei turned back, looking cautiously at the back with a dangerous gaze.

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