Three years after our breakup, you came back to China, and I'm just giving up. Why are you cryi

Did I ask you to do it?

Xiao Xiyue looked at Lu Hao with a half-smile.

"I..." Lu Hao opened his mouth, wanting to say something but not knowing where to begin.

Yes, didn't Xiao Xiyue make him do it?

No.

In the end, it was all just wishful thinking on his part.

That morning, he woke up in Xiao Xiyue's bed and overheard her arguing with her subordinates on the phone. He heard the words "Yunlan Clothing" and the weariness and helplessness in her voice.

Then, he presumptuously thought that he could help her.

When they met again at the coffee shop, seeing her slightly haggard face from staying up all night, his heartache was amplified, and he ultimately made the decision that now seems incredibly foolish.

From beginning to end, it was all just wishful thinking on his part.

If... if he hadn't meddled, Lin Ran wouldn't be facing this problem, and he might still be slacking off at his old company, living a mundane nine-to-five life.

As for Xiao Xiyue, Manager Zhao might not expose herself so quickly; she will still engage in fair and square competition with Yunlan Clothing in the business world.

Instead of being put on the defensive because of a leaked plan, as we are now.

After sorting things out, Lu Hao leaned back weakly in his chair.

He raised his eyes, his gaze filled with resentment, making a final struggle: "But you still used it."

"Why shouldn't I use what you gave me?" Xiao Xiyue retorted confidently.

That "I got the better deal and I'm still in the right" attitude made Lu Hao's teeth itch with rage.

He pursed his lips, forcibly changing his approach in an attempt to save face: "Actually... I guess I've done you a big favor, haven't I?"

"Heh..." Xiao Xiyue chuckled lightly, "Help me make the company's reputation known to everyone?"

"You can't say that!" Lu Hao exclaimed urgently, leaning forward again. "If it weren't for this incident, would you have seen through Manager Zhao's true colors? Every day this kind of mole lurks in your company is a ticking time bomb! Right now, it's just reputational damage, but if it had been any later, and she had done something even more ruthless, your entire company might have been finished!"

Xiao Xiyue did not respond.

She had to admit that Lu Hao's twisted logic hit the nail on the head.

Although this incident plunged the company into a media storm, it also allowed her to eliminate Manager Zhao, the mole, ahead of time.

Losing a finger is better than losing an arm.

"Alright, I'm not teasing you anymore."

Xiao Xiyue laughed, then said seriously, "We still haven't found Manager Zhao. Her phone is off, and her place is empty. I don't know how much information she gave to Yunlan Clothing, but one thing is certain."

She paused, looked into Lu Hao's eyes, and said, word by word, "She knows the plan was given to her by you."

Lu Hao felt a chill run down his spine; the worst-case scenario had indeed occurred.

Since Manager Zhao knew this, it was obvious even to a fool that she must have sold her name to Yunlan Clothing as another big gift for her defection.

"I'm just wondering, how did she know?" Lu Hao was completely baffled.

"Your electronic signature is in the header and footer of the proposal."

"..."

Lu Hao was stunned for a moment, then slapped his forehead hard.

Damn it! How could I forget something so important!

Well, this is completely over.

It seems I need to communicate with Lin Ran about this as soon as possible and discuss how to handle it so that she can avoid being affected.

Seeing Lu Hao's worried expression, Xiao Xiyue's eyelashes fluttered. She rested her chin on her hand and stared at him with interest: "Is your former manager really that important to you?"

"Well... it's alright," Lu Hao's tone softened, tinged with helplessness. "I've been with the company for two years, and she's always taken good care of me."

He sighed, "Now, because of my situation, she might lose her job, and I definitely feel terrible about it."

"If she really loses her job, how do you plan to compensate her?" Xiao Xiyue pressed.

"Perhaps... I'll let her come to my company, provided she's willing."

"Oh?" Xiao Xiyue raised an eyebrow. "As a secretary?"

Lu Hao rolled his eyes, not wanting to discuss the matter with Xiao Xiyue anymore. He simply picked up his chopsticks, turning his grief and anger into his appetite, and began to eat in silence.

Seeing this, Xiao Xiyue said no more.

The private room fell silent for a moment, with only the soft clinking of bowls and chopsticks.

Xiao Xiyue wiped her alluring red lips with a napkin and then stood up.

She walked to the door of the private room, and only when her hand was on the doorknob did she turn back and leave a sentence.

"I'll talk to Yunlan Clothing on your behalf and try my best to get them to stop pursuing your previous company."

After saying that, without waiting for Lu Hao's response, she opened the door and the crisp sound of her high heels hitting the floor gradually faded into the distance.

Lu Hao stood there, stunned, feeling a huge weight lifted from his heart.

With her involvement, this matter might actually be resolved.

But then he frowned again.

Given her irreconcilable enmity with Yunlan Clothing, would the other party so easily give her face?

Or... will she have to pay an even greater price for this?

……

After parting ways with Xiao Xiyue, Lu Hao got into a taxi and gave her the address of the old town.

The neon lights outside the car window rushed past, but he still didn't call Lin Ran.

Right now, he only hopes that Xiao Xiyue can resolve this matter. As for what happens next, he'll see how things go and take it one step at a time.

The car stopped at the alley entrance. Lu Hao paid the fare and dragged his heavy steps inside.

The old town at night sheds the hustle and bustle of the day, leaving only the dim streetlights standing silently, casting the shadows of pedestrians long and short.

The air was filled with a damp smell.

Lu Hao took out a cigarette case from his pocket, shook out a cigarette and put it in his mouth. With a "click", the flame flashed and went out in front of his eyes, and the scarlet cigarette butt flickered in the night.

He looked down, and a discarded aluminum can came into view.

He absentmindedly lifted his foot and kicked it forward.

"Clang... Sizzle..."

Lu Hao was like a child struggling with himself, kicking the poor jar again and again, using it as a tool to vent his frustration.

Suddenly, a pair of clean white shoes came into his view. With a gentle step, the battered can was completely deformed.

Lu Hao paused, then slowly raised his head, following the shoes.

Slender, straight calves, a white skirt bathed in moonlight, a waist so small it could be encircled by one hand, plump and full, rounded shoulders, and delicate collarbones.

Above that... was Su Yu's beautiful face.

Her long, jet-black hair cascaded smoothly down her back, and the simple white dress she wore seemed to have a soft glow, making her look clean and pure.

She wore a faint smile, and her bright almond-shaped eyes curved into crescents, shining even brighter than starlight.

Lu Hao frowned, took the cigarette from his lips, held it between his fingers, and asked in a deep voice, "What are you doing here?"

"Wait for you."

"Why are you waiting for me? Why aren't you home sleeping so late?" Lu Hao's tone was not pleasant, and it carried a hint of impatience.

Su Yu seemed oblivious to his words, her smile unchanged: "I want to eat barbecue."

"Then go eat."

"We'll eat together when you get back."

Looking at her self-righteous demeanor, Lu Hao felt the veins on his forehead throbbing.

He shook his head slightly, trying to end the conversation with the simplest and most direct reason: "I just finished eating."

Su Yu blinked, as if she had thought about it for a moment, and then gave an answer that almost made Lu Hao choke on his smoke.

"Then watch me eat."