Chapter 4 — Kissing the CEO by Mistake, Winning the Ideal Husband

I lifted my gaze, meeting the undisguised contempt shining clearly in her eyes. She was the cousin of Shen Mo, a young woman named Moon. From the very moment I had stepped foot inside, she had scrutinized me with a harsh, merciless glare. My heart skipped a beat—I knew trouble was brewing.

Indeed, I nodded in response.

So you and my cousin... probably do not have all that much to talk about, do you? she asked with a feigned, innocent curiosity, My cousin always discusses multi-billion-dollar contracts. You... could you possibly understand any of that?

The ambient air in the room instantly froze. Everyone set down their chopsticks, shifting their undivided attention toward me. I felt as though my face had been heavily slapped right across the dining table. The chasm of social class was stark, glaring, and nakedly exposed. I clenched my fists tightly, preparing to open my mouth and launch a counterattack. However, Shen Mo spoke up before I could. His voice was not particularly loud, yet it resonated with absolute clarity:

I am looking for a girlfriend, not a business partner.

He picked up a piece of succulent pork rib and placed it neatly into my bowl.

She does not need to understand multi-billion-dollar contracts. It is quite enough that she understands... that I adore her.

The entire table fell completely silent. Moon’s face flushed as red as a roasted pig's liver. I stared down at the glistening rib sitting in my bowl, a turbulent wave of emotions crashing over me. This man... was actually defending me. Even if it was all merely an act, in that fleeting moment, I genuinely felt sheltered and protected. The car ride home was draped in quiet stillness. I gazed out the window, my mind a chaotic tangle of thoughts.

Today... thank you, I said softly.

For what? His eyes never wavered from the steering wheel.

Thank you for... getting me out of that tight spot.

We are business partners, he replied coldly. Allowing you to lose face in front of my family serves neither of us any advantage.

There it was again—the word business partner. The fragile spark of warmth that had just ignited within my chest was instantly extinguished. Of course, how could he possibly harbor genuine feelings for me? Everything was nothing more than a calculated transaction. I let out a self-deprecating chuckle, offering no further remarks. The car finally came to a halt beneath my apartment building. I unbuckled my seatbelt, preparing to step out into the night.

Forest Evening.

He called out to make me pause. I turned my head, catching the sight of his deep, fathomless eyes shimmering brilliantly in the darkness.

Your acting was not half bad, he remarked. Keep up the good performance next time.

I froze for a second, before realizing he was actually complimenting me. I could not help but laugh softly.

Naturally, I am a trained professional, after all.

With that, I pushed the car door open and hurried away toward the building entrance as if fleeing from a crime scene. Upon returning to my apartment, I pressed my back against the closed door, my heart still hammering wildly against my ribs. Everything that had transpired today felt utterly surreal, much like a dream. My impression of Shen Mo... seemed to have shifted ever so slightly. It appeared as though... he was not entirely the emotionless machine I had originally imagined him to be.

Monday mornings are invariably accompanied by an endless tide of drowsiness and a profound aversion to labor. Sporting heavy panda-like dark circles under my eyes, I punched in at the absolute last microsecond before rushing frantically into the office. The moment I settled into my chair, I immediately sensed that something was amiss in the surrounding atmosphere. Colleagues were gathered in small clusters of three to five, whispering amongst themselves, their faces etched with unmistakable astonishment and suppressed excitement.

Something huge has happened! Our company has just been acquired!

A coworker leaned close to my ear, whispering with an air of profound mystery.

What on earth are you talking about? I nearly spat out a mouthful of soy milk. Who bought us out?

Who else could it possibly be? It is none other than the undisputed industry titan—the Shen Corporation!

My head rang with a dull, echoing roar. The Shen Corporation? Was that not Shen Mo’s company?! This world... was truly far too small! Before I could even begin to digest this colossal piece of news, an official email from the human resources department landed directly in everyone's inbox: Notice: In alignment with the strategic development goals of the conglomerate, the current design department director will be reassigned to a different position. Her successor, Ms. White Snow, will officially assume office starting today. Please take note accordingly. White Snow? That name sounded chillingly familiar. While I was frantically searching my memory banks, the conference room doors swung open dramatically. A woman draped in a Chanel suit and towering four-inch heels strode into the room, escorted by an entourage of high-ranking executives. Her makeup was immaculate, her aura overwhelmingly oppressive, and every single step she took felt as though she were trampling directly upon my heart. And when I finally managed to focus on her face, I froze completely, turned to stone. It was her! The very same woman who had sat right beside Shen Mo during the dinner party at his home, the one who had exchanged gentle smiles and shared such an intimate rapport with him. So she turned out to be White Snow! The childhood sweetheart... of Shen Mo? My heart felt as heavy as if it were weighed down by a boulder. The meeting commenced, and White Snow assumed the posture of a formidable new leader, delivering a passionate, stirring speech. Her gaze swept across the entire room, finally coming to a sharp, precise halt... directly upon me. That look made no effort to conceal its inherent hostility and probing suspicion. My heart skipped a beat. Sure enough, right after the meeting concluded, White Snow summoned me specifically into her private office. Her office was by far the largest in the entire company, boasting a panoramic view of the sweeping cityscape. She seated herself regally in the director's leather chair, slowly stirring her cup of coffee with deliberate, unhurried movements.

Forest Evening, am I correct? Her voice was as cold as glacial ice.

Yes, Director White, I replied deferentially.

I have thoroughly reviewed your employment file, and it is remarkably... mediocre, she said with a mocking, disdainful smile. I honestly cannot fathom how you ever managed to worm your way into the Shen Corporation.

The Shen Corporation she referred to clearly extended far beyond the physical company—she was implying that I was utterly unworthy of being associated with it, let alone with Shen Mo himself.

I...

I heard that you attended a banquet at the Shen family estate over the weekend? Her voice curled tightly around the words, her eyes locked unblinkingly onto mine.

My body stiffened rigidly. She knew?!

And furthermore, you attended in the capacity of... A-Mo's girlfriend? She heavily emphasized the word girlfriend, treating it like a physical slap across my face.

I gripped the hem of my blouse tightly, remaining entirely mute. Silence... was equivalent to a silent confession.

Ha. She let out a dry, scornful laugh, as if she had just heard the most ridiculous joke in the world.

Forest Evening, let me offer you a word of advice: learn your place. You and A-Mo simply do not belong to the same world.

He and I grew up side by side, and both of our families implicitly acknowledged our relationship long ago. And you? You are nothing more than a fleeting plaything to him.

He might amuse himself with you when he is in the mood, but do not ever dare to harbor foolish delusions of reality. The one who will ultimately lose face and be humiliated is you.

Every single word felt like a sharp needle piercing straight through my heart. While I was abundantly aware that the relationship between Shen Mo and myself was built entirely upon a contractual agreement, being subjected to such blatant, unadulterated humiliation still hurt with an excruciating intensity.

If there is nothing further, I will return to my duties.

I forced myself to maintain a semblance of composure, turning on my heel to leave.

Hold on. She casually tossed a thick dossier down onto her desk. The western city cultural tourism project is of paramount importance to the conglomerate right now. You have three days. I expect to see a fully completed proposal on my desk by then.