Crafty

Meanwhile at Qing Tian Group, Cree faced the solemn face of Ye Nantian and the shareholders as they informed him of the acquisition of the publisher that Qiao Ruo worked at. As he was capable of hiding his emotions well, his face was devoid of emotion and he maintained his composure, coldly staring at the people before him. He attended the meeting as Cree, being a shareholder of the group.

"I had no idea the management was interested in such a mundane company," he remarked.

"The company has been indebted to us for a large sum of money," the Chief Financial Officer Miss Lee, also a shareholder of the group, stated. "Since their day to day operations have incurred much loss and their business is in dire straits, we resolved that this is the best decision that would benefit both parties."

"So your decision is that you want it to be led by Ye Qi, and turn it into a means of publicity for Qing Tian," Cree deduced in his icy tone. He was a fast thinker, and he knew his father too well. Ye Nantian was an incredibly money-minded person, and he would not do anything that would not benefit himself. His wife, on the other hand, was a very controlling and sensitive woman who insisted that Cree go on political dates. She had strongly hoped that she would find the perfect daughter-in-law to tie Cree down, so that he would keep up the reputation of the group and as a Ye. As Ye Qi was his alter ego, he would be the one naturally to do all the publicity work they wanted him to.

A wave of silence enveloped the room, and Cree, receiving no responses, sat down and flipped through the meeting notes. He entertained himself with his reading until finally, the management concluded the meeting. Cree didn't need to use his special abilities at all; with the exception of his adoptive father, everyone appeared slightly shaken by the fact that he had seen through their plans in just a wink.

"Why do somehow I feel that there's something more to this?" Cree uttered, after everyone had left and he and Ye Nantian were the only people who remained in the room. Ye Nantian was seldom around, and had left Cree and his alter ego, along with the trusted members of his organization, to manage most of the day-to-day business. Cree had built a reputation of creation and innovation while he was Ye Qi, the head designer of Qing Tian.

"Son, do not think we do not know anything." Ye Nantian looked at Cree without a care. The old Mr Ye was the person who had taught Cree to be cold and distant from people, as it was his personality all along. Ye Nantian, on the other hand, was emotionless and cared less about his people. Perhaps, he only loved his riches, Cree thought. He could not remember how he had come about to become their adoptive son.

"About the girl, or about the interview?" Cree said coldly. "Do you even care, Dad?"

Dad. The way he had greeted Ye Nantian felt so foreign to the two of them, as if they were strangers. Cree stood up and pranced around the room, heading to the front of the room where the whiteboard was. He fingered each whiteboard marker meticulously, reminding himself he was just a pawn to Ye Nantian. Just as everyone was, he thought.

"Stay out of trouble," Ye Nantian said, and exited the conference room without a further word. Cree knew exactly what his father was referring to, and it had been the news he had created along with Qiao Ruo, starting from the day they had met at the gym to now. He then glanced at his watch, and calmly extracted his smartphone from his pocket.

The on-screen notification on his smartphone announced that he had fifteen missed calls from Qiao Ruo.

.......................

Qiao Ruo had struck up a fast friendship with the student. She admired her flawless skin and prominent facial features, envying the fact that the girl appeared to come from a well-to-do family. But considering Yueling's family was richer, why had she not turned her nose down at Qiao Ruo, like the others, yet? Maybe it was the fact she was a student after all, and she should butter up to the seniors.

"I may be not much help, Xiaoyue. I will be leaving this place soon for a better offer."

"Don't worry about it," the girl flashed her an amiable smile. "We have just been talking for half an hour, and I like you already."

Qiao Ruo was pleased that the girl was the straightforward kind, one who spoke her mind.

"Do you have anywhere to go for lunch?"

Yueling shook her head. "I'm new here, and I don't have many friends. I'm staying at the temporary accommodation provided by my university. I don't even know where to go."

Qiao Ruo heard her phone ring. Finally, Cree had called her back. Just before she could answer the call, the call was promptly terminated and a notification popped up for a message from Cree.

"I'm waiting for you downstairs. Come and accompany me for lunch."

"I've got to go," she waved at the girl. "I have a lunch date." The girl smiled meekly.

As Qiao Ruo rushed down the stairs, Yueling curiously watched her from the storey above. She scratched her head confusedly as she recognized the sportscar that Qiao Ruo had boarded.

While he was driving, Qiao Ruo grilled Cree for an answer to the actuality that Qing Tian had acquired the publishing company.

"My old man's decision," he said, with his eyes focused on the road. "Why are you worried? You're going to leave."

She pouted. "If I knew, I could... I could see you more often."

"Missy, we're in a relationship, have you forgotten?"

"The fake relationship," she pronounced. "Doesn't mean I cannot control your movements. What if another girl in the office liked you?"

"Xiaoruo, the person in charge is Ye Qi, not Cree Ye. A workaholic who doesn't give a damn about relationships, because he has no time for such trivial matters!" Cree made his statement. "Ye Qi is not a rich playboy."

"I know, head of fashion. But why are you to handle and lead the publisher?" she clenched her fist while having it hidden at her side, at the thought of her rivals being closer to Cree while she had jumped ship to a different publisher.

"I am telling you, it's not my choice."

He parked his car under a shady tree. Qiao Ruo then realized they were in a secluded spot that resembled a beach.

"What are we doing here, Cree?" She unbuckled her seat belt and peered from the window at the environment outside her window.

"I don't know," he said with a grin, before freeing himself from the seat belt and inching towards her, pulling her into a hug. She caved and allowed him to indulge in her warmth. They exchanged kisses passionately while he teased her with his invigorating touches. She felt a particular sensitivity in her hips as they hugged each other.

"Xiaoruo, you know I might lose myself to you one day. My self-control is limited, and I may turn into a beast."

She shuddered at his words, and stammered. "I..."

How could she tell him she desired him and loved their intimacy, without appearing cheap?

"I can keep the beast under control, for you," he explained. "But I've reached a point where I can't wait too long. I need you, Xiaoruo. You make my world complete."

Qiao Ruo blushed. She couldn't help but feel that she was enjoying his cheesiness and his glib tongue. What if she made an exception, and tried to give him a chance? Most people in her hometown were mothers by her age, and after all, he had promised her that nothing about her life needed to change. Maybe she would be happy with him, since he had proven so much to her, from their dates to trying to cook breakfast for her.

She wanted to give him her answer, but then a rumble from her stomach interrupted them.

"I've got lunch." He reached to the back passenger seats of the vehicle and produced two handy steel lunchboxes, which he had packed neatly in a cooler bag.

"Cree, you are full of surprises," she giggled, before tucking into the meal with relish. "Where did you buy it?"

"It's a secret," he chuckled. "I'll bring you there, after you have accepted me."

"Bully," she teased him, pinching him on the thigh.

"I would suggest for you not to do that," he informed her. "Because I can have my revenge trifold."

She shrieked as he pinched her thigh. "Cree!"

"I told you," he said. They finished their meals in serenity. "How is your handover going?"

"I made a new friend today. She's from the university of Xuehua."

The place appeared to trigger him, and he gazed at her. "What's her name?"

"Yao Yueling."

"Hmmm."

Hmmm? What did it mean? She responded with a quizzical look in her eyes.

"Hmmm?"

"Nothing. She's a friend."

She attempted to grill him for more details, but then he playfully teased her, "If you're afraid of losing me, you always have that one option. You know what it is."

Qiao Ruo sighed, and he just grinned even more craftily. He knew that his happy moments were about to come.