50: Well, This Is So Damn Awkward

"What concern is that of yours, stranger? Since Caier clearly isn't interested, I suggest you stop pestering her from now on," Shen Yifei (a young man with a casual demeanor) stepped closer, addressing Gao Jun (a rival suitor) with a cool, measured tone.

The moment the words left his lips, a sweetness bloomed in Lin Caier's (the woman they were disputing over) heart, an overwhelming urge to lean into the man before her.

Gao Jun's face immediately clouded over. He scrutinized Shen Yifei, recognizing no trace of him. This had to be some insignificant, anonymous clerk within the company.

Such insolence! A mere employee dares to cross me? Does he not know I'm the Marketing Manager?

A flicker of disdain crossed Gao Jun's features.

Yet, striving to maintain an air of gentlemanly decorum, Gao Jun cleared his throat and inquired, "And to whom do I have the pleasure of speaking, sir?"

"My name is Shen Yifei, and I'm the Public Relations Manager. And to be frank with you, Lin Caier here is my girlfriend. So, I'd appreciate it if you'd stop bothering her," Shen Yifei shrugged, his right arm effortlessly settling around Lin Caier's slender waist.

Lin Caier's cheeks flushed crimson, a deep blush spreading to her earlobes, like a perfectly ripe apple. Far from resisting, she leaned into his embrace, a picture of quiet acquiescence.

At his declaration, countless eyes across the restaurant snapped to Shen Yifei, and the women from the Public Relations Department gasped, their eyes wide with surprise.

It was as if they'd stumbled upon a hidden truth. No wonder Shen Yifei and Lin Caier had grown so close, so intimately, so soon after he'd joined the company. So he was Lin Caier's boyfriend! Perhaps Shen Yifei had even taken this job at Lingya International (a fictional multinational corporation) simply to be with her.

Gao Jun, finally, was stunned. If this young man was merely spouting nonsense, Lin Caier would never allow such intimate embrace.

Witnessing their unreserved intimacy, a profound imbalance churned within Gao Jun.

Shen Yifei was young, just as handsome as himself, and held the position of Public Relations Manager. For the first time, the habitually arrogant Gao Jun found his sense of superiority utterly lacking. This realization only deepened his instant dislike for Shen Yifei.

"Ah, so you're the new Public Relations Manager," Gao Jun sneered, his tone dripping with veiled contempt. "Quite the young talent, indeed. I am Gao Jun, the Marketing Manager."

"'Gao Jun?' Shen Yifei repeated, then shook his head. 'Never heard of him.'"

"You—" Gao Jun began, fuming. Shen Yifei's blatant disregard infuriated him, yet he found himself unable to erupt.

"I don't care who you are. Caier is my girlfriend, and I expect you to stop harassing her from this moment on. Understand, I have a rather short fuse. If you cause Caier any more distress, I worry I might act on impulse and give you a beating. And that, I assure you, would be... unfortunate for you," Shen Yifei, his arm still casually around Lin Caier, spoke with undisguised contempt to Gao Jun.

Gao Jun exploded, his fury barely contained. He no longer bothered to mask his contempt for Shen Yifei. "Shen," he snarled, his voice a dangerous growl, "are you threatening me? You've barely warmed your seat in this company! Do you honestly believe Gao Jun is easily intimidated?"

Just then, a ripple of murmurs spread from the restaurant entrance. "General Manager Su has arrived!" echoed through the room.

Gao Jun's heart leaped with glee. "A mere greenhorn dares to threaten *me*?" he thought triumphantly. "Now that the CEO is here, just wait until I tell General Manager Su Muqing (the stern and beautiful CEO of the company). We'll see how long you last in this company then!"

Typically, General Manager Su Muqing would finish her lunch well before the main staff rush, often leaving a good ten minutes early. But today, a demanding workload had kept her occupied, and she was only just now preparing to eat.

She preferred to dine in her private, luxurious suite, as Su Muqing was wary of making her employees uncomfortable or self-conscious during their meals.

Upon arriving, however, Su Muqing noticed an unusual clamor echoing through the main dining area.

Moments later, Gao Jun was striding briskly towards her.

Su Muqing recognized Gao Jun—the Marketing Manager. Though relatively young, his capabilities were commendable, and she had already earmarked him for significant career development.

As Gao Jun approached Su Muqing, he instinctively lowered his head, his usual swagger replaced by a sudden, uncharacteristic deference.

Even though Su Muqing was a woman of breathtaking beauty, a captivating ice queen, not a single man in the company dared to entertain any inappropriate thoughts about their alluring CEO.

Some had tried their luck in the past, foolishly believing they could capture the CEO's attention. The next day, they found themselves unemployed.

Su Muqing was intensely dedicated to her work, never allowing personal emotions to cloud her professional judgment. She had no patience for employees who overstepped their bounds.

'You wish to pursue me? Then you may as well pursue a new job first!'

It was precisely this unyielding professionalism that ensured no male employee in the company dared to harbor any inappropriate thoughts about her. At most, they'd indulge in private fantasies, safely confined to their dreams.

"Hello, General Manager Su."

"Manager Gao," Su Muqing began, her delicate brows subtly furrowing. "What's all this commotion? Why is the dining area so unusually loud today?"

Gao Jun's heart swelled with private delight. 'This is my moment,' he thought, 'my chance to shine.'

To maximize the impact, Gao Jun adopted a gravely serious expression. "General Manager Su, it's rather scandalous. There's a newly hired Public Relations Manager who, moments ago, outright threatened me in front of everyone, even boasting he'd 'beat me up'! It's simply unacceptable—"

Before he could finish, Su Muqing cut him off with a sharp frown. "Such behavior in *our* company? I'd like to see this employee of such… questionable character for myself. Where is he? Take me to him."

Gao Jun's heart soared with wild triumph. He immediately began to lead Su Muqing towards the commotion.

"General Manager Su, it's *him*!" Gao Jun declared, pointing a finger. "He's the Public Relations Manager, and he was just threatening me, even saying he'd beat me! Everyone in this restaurant witnessed it; they can all corroborate my story!"

Gao Jun spoke with feigned outrage, a triumphant smirk playing on his lips, hidden from view. Given General Manager Su's strict temperament, he was certain Shen Yifei's employment was now forfeit.

'The nerve of this boy, trying to flaunt himself in front of me!' he thought. 'Utterly delusional!'

At last, a sense of equilibrium settled over Gao Jun. With Lin Caier's supposed boyfriend stripped of his job, there was no way she'd remain interested in such a loser. All he needed to do was subtly fan the flames, and winning Lin Caier's affection would be a mere formality.

Indeed, Su Muqing's initial thoughts mirrored Gao Jun's. She had every intention of ruthlessly dismissing any employee proven to have so brazenly threatened another colleague.

But as she parted the assembled crowd and her gaze landed on Shen Yifei, standing conspicuously amongst them, Su Muqing froze. Her exquisitely beautiful face became utterly blank, her expression one of stunned disbelief.

It wasn't just Su Muqing who was shell-shocked; Shen Yifei himself was utterly dumbfounded.

'What the—?' Shen Yifei's mind screamed. 'Why is *she* here?'

Could it be that she'd already discovered his presence in the company and had come specifically to confront him?

Shen Yifei and Su Muqing's gazes locked, a strange, profound silence falling between them…

Lin Caier, however, was overcome with worry. Seeing the CEO's arrival, she quickly stepped forward, intent on explaining. She absolutely did not want Shen Yifei to be embroiled in any more trouble because of her.

"General—General Manager Su," Lin Caier stammered, rushing her words. "It's like this: my boyfriend, Shen Yifei, only got into a dispute with Manager Gao because of *me*. Manager Gao had just given me flowers during lunch, and my boyfriend got jealous, which is why he said those things. In short, it's all my fault. Please, General Manager Su, I beg you, show him some leniency! Please, please don't fire my boyfriend!"

The moment Lin Caier finished her hurried explanation, General Manager Su Muqing's already icily beautiful face stiffened even further.

After a protracted, tense silence, Su Muqing's lips finally parted, barely moving. "Your *boyfriend*… Shen Yifei?"

Shen Yifei felt a furious blush creep up his neck. 'Well, this is just damn awkward,' he thought.