Shen Xi took the elevator straight downstairs. As soon as she reached the first-floor lobby, she was called back by Zhao Ze.
“Miss Shen, please wait a moment. Could I have a word with you privately?”
Shen Xi looked at him, panting, in surprise. “Assistant Zhao, is there something you need me for?”
“Yes. There are some things that have been weighing on my mind for a long time, and I must clarify them with you in person. Otherwise, I won’t be able to sleep or eat in peace.” Zhao Ze said with a distressed expression, his gaze sincere as he looked at her.
Seeing this, Shen Xi couldn't help but show a hint of a smile. “What exactly is it? You’re making it sound so dramatic.”
“I won’t take up too much of your time, just ten minutes. Please.”
Zhao Ze extended his hand towards her. Shen Xi couldn't refuse, and they went to a temporary seating area in a corner of the lobby.
“What I’m about to say is all related to our President. I hope Miss Shen can listen to me calmly,” Zhao Ze said, looking at her intently, giving her a heads-up.
Shen Xi was slightly taken aback and replied, “Okay, go ahead.”
“Half a month ago, when you and Assistant Jian went to Haicheng to meet Zheng Jinghe, the two people you encountered downstairs were ours. That day, when you and Assistant Jian went to Haicheng, the President was very worried…” Zhao Ze began to explain, trying to detail the entire incident.
“What are you saying? Those two people were sent by Mr. Qin to keep an eye on Zheng Jinghe?” Shen Xi’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Zhao Ze replied, “Yes. I didn't handle the matter of the photos properly, and the President saw all of them. He appeared very calm that day, and I don't know what happened afterward.
However, I’ve noticed that the interactions between you two have been very unusual recently. I suspect it’s still because of that incident, which is why I need to clarify things with you.”
Shen Xi’s heart skipped a beat. So, he hadn’t been sending people to track her, but rather to discreetly monitor that person for him.
The photos weren’t taken secretly, but rather because he was worried about her and wanted to check on her situation.
Seeing her lowering her head in thought, Zhao Ze seized the opportunity and continued, “During this period, the President has been silently paying attention to you from behind the scenes. He put in a lot of effort to help you auction Zheng Jinghe’s assets and establish the pharmaceutical company, even personally intervening at times.”
Hearing this, Shen Xi was even more shocked. Many issues had gone smoothly during this time, and she had attributed it to Jian Fan’s strong capabilities. She hadn’t realized that it was Qin Siye who had been helping her in secret.
Seeing her remain silent, her expression constantly changing, Zhao Ze knew she must have been touched. He continued, “For example, tonight, you went to meet Director Sun of the Drug Administration.
When the President found out, he personally went downstairs, wrote a note for Director Sun, sent in three cups of juice, and repeatedly emphasized to the waiter that they must tell Director Sun that you cannot drink alcohol.”
“Ah? Those three cups of juice were from him?” Shen Xi exclaimed in surprise after hearing his words.
Zhao Ze replied, “Of course. He was dining on the fifth floor tonight, otherwise, why would he suddenly appear on the third floor?”
He had clearly seen the recent encounter between the President and Shen Xi at the washbasin in the restroom, and they seemed to have argued again. That was why he had run down from the stairs to tell her all this.
Just then, Zhao Ze’s phone rang. It was Qin Siye calling.
“Where are you?”
Zhao Ze glanced at Shen Xi and said in a low voice, “Downstairs, I ran into an acquaintance.”
“Come up quickly,” Qin Siye said on the phone.
“Okay, I’ll be right there.”
Zhao Ze hung up the phone and looked at Shen Xi, who was still deep in thought. “Miss Shen, the President needs me for something, so I have to go up now.
I’ve said so much to you today, and I hope it can resolve the misunderstanding between you and him.
I’ve worked at Zhuosheng for eight years, and he has never had a woman by his side (excluding Lu Yushan). You are the only woman who has made him care this much.”
Watching his hasty departure, Shen Xi remained motionless. Her mind was a whirlwind, and she replayed everything he had just said.
So that man hadn't let go. Instead, he had retreated to advance, changing his "offensive" strategy.
Afraid of upsetting her or putting pressure on her, he was quietly helping her from the shadows.
Hearing this, it was impossible not to be moved.
But what kind of response could she give him?
That night, Shen Xi lay quietly in bed, opened WeChat, and looked at the last message Qin Siye had sent her.
“Love, affection, have long been etched in my heart.”
These words relentlessly impacted her hardened heart. As she read them, tears slowly streamed down her cheeks.