Chapter 31: A Good Woman's Charms

With confident strides, Ye Chenghuan entered Haoqing Company. Just as the elevator doors were about to close, crisp high-heeled footsteps echoed outside. A graceful figure flashed through - Zhao Yalin.

She was about to utter thanks when she saw him, her smile instantly freezing.

"Good morning, Director Zhao! Heh, what a coincidence meeting you in the elevator again." Ye Chenghuan completely ignored her icy glare, grinning obsequiously.

As if she could forget yesterday when this man had called her an old maid in this very elevator! Zhao Yalin snorted through her nose, "Director Ye, are you satisfied with your position here? Do you remember the marketing objectives assigned yesterday?"

"Seeing you instantly refreshes my spirit and energizes me. I can't wait to go full throttle with work."

Flattery might work on others, but Zhao Yalin remained unmoved. She glanced sideways at him, "Don't think sweet talk will make me go easy. The targets are set - even I can't change them now."

Nodding with a smile, Ye Chenghuan shamelessly let his gaze roam over Zhao Yalin's figure until goosebumps rose on her skin. "What are you looking at!" she demanded guardedly.

"Director Zhao... are you wearing shapewear today?" The question erupted like boiling water from nowhere.

Zhao Yalin's face darkened. "What did you say!"

"As Marketing Department Head, conducting client surveys falls within my duties. Naturally, we should start with our company's leader to show proper respect." He even produced a notepad with officious solemnity.

Fuming, Zhao Yalin knew this scoundrel harbored ulterior motives. Yet the regulation allowing marketing surveys on any employee had been established by her own decree. She never imagined someone would dare target her.

After prolonged eyebrow-knitting, she gritted through pearly white teeth, "Yes. So what?"

"What color?"

Her jaw tightened further. "Purple."

Ye Chenghuan savored this, "Director Zhao has unique taste. If I may guess... your bra cup size should be 35D?"

Zhao Yalin snorted.

"Impressive. Even your cup size exudes majesty."

"Enough!" Her face turned ashen.

"Last question... What's your opinion on thongs?"

Harassment! Blatant sexual harassment!

How could such a proud woman tolerate this? She glared furiously, "Ye Chenghuan! You—"

"Director Zhao, no need for anger. Strictly professional here, no ulterior motives."

The elevator doors finally opened. Zhao Yalin stormed out, unwilling to spend another second near him.

At that moment, her peripheral vision caught Ye Chenghuan's wandering hand approaching her backside again. She whirled around, "What are you doing!"

He withdrew the hand, scratching his head sheepishly, "Just... verifying the previous question."

"Ye Chenghuan!" she hissed through clenched teeth, "When you fail those marketing targets, I'll watch you become the company's laughingstock!"

"Take care, Director Zhao." Ye Chenghuan stuck out his tongue triumphantly.

Entering his office, he found only Zhu Lingling present, nibbling a pen while frowning at a design draft.

"Working so diligently?" Leaning over her shoulder, his elbows propped on the desk, eyes swiftly scanning the girl's three-dimensional cleavage.

"Aiya! Can't you see I'm busy?" Zhu Lingling pouted, though her chest did an involuntary bounce.

"Such dedication deserves a reward."

"What reward?" She set down the pen, cheeks propped in hands, blinking coquettishly.

"A kiss?"

"No! You always bully me."

Ye Chenghuan made a grasping motion midair, producing a Dove chocolate like magic. "How about this then?"

Her doe eyes curved into crescents, then she hesitated, "Are you trying to sabotage me? You know I love chocolate but hate gaining weight!"

"Fuller figures are better. Haven't you heard? 'A good woman has curves, a real man has body hair.'" His meaningful glance slid down her silk-stockinged legs.

"Really?"

"Do I look like a liar?" Ye Chenghuan maintained deadpan seriousness.

Giggling, Zhu Lingling finally unwrapped the chocolate. "Between me, Xiao Jie and Yanyan, who's prettier?"

Ye Chenghuan choked. Cuteness crowned Zhu Lingling, allure belonged to Tang Yan's bedroom eyes, while Zhou Jie's delicate beauty stood out. Each possessed unique charms beyond comparison.

Pouting, Zhu Lingling complained, "You're just humoring me! You really think they're both better, don't you?"

With internal sighing at women's constant comparisons, he solemnly asked, "You truly want my honest opinion?"

"Of course."

"Very well. In my eyes, your looks, figure, and aura are truly one-of-a-kind."

Zhu Lingling blinked, then burst into silvery laughter, "Silly! I was just teasing!"

Ye Chenghuan's lips twisted. Clearly overjoyed yet pretending it was all a joke.

"Who's one-of-a-kind in your heart?" Zhou Jie and Tang Yan swayed in like spring willows.

Zhu Lingling stifled laughter, suddenly engrossed in work, abandoning Ye Chenghuan to face the new challenge.

Hypocrisy was one thing, but such betrayal at critical moments! He'd deal with this minx later.

Ye Chenghuan laid pre-prepared snacks before them, innocence personified, "All three of you! Having such beautiful, brilliant colleagues kept me awake all night with excitement."

Tang Yan sucked a lollipop blissfully, "By the way, Director Ye, how did you win Director Zhao's favor? Her interviews are notoriously strict. Rising directly to middle management here is rare. Any tips for us?"

A sly glint flashed through Ye Chenghuan's eyes, "Actually... I just grabbed Director Zhao's butt—"

Jaws dropped across the room.

He shrugged innocently, "Believe it or not."

Tang Yan inhaled sharply, half-convinced, "You dared touch Director Zhao's butt? And she made you Marketing Head for that? Think we're fools?"

Ye Chenghuan waved dismissively, "Why couldn't her butt be touched? I'd even dare touch our female CEO's rear!"

"Stop! Your bullshit could kill!" Finding his claims increasingly outrageous, the trio lost interest and returned to work.

Ye Chenghuan shook his head. Women believed lies but doubted truths.

The office phone rang. Checking the caller ID, Tang Yan gasped, "The group headquarters... Executive Secretariat... Must be a wrong number."

"Probably for me." His smirk deepened.

"In your dreams!" Tang Yan answered, then stared incredulously at Ye Chenghuan, "It... really is for you..."

Under collective stares, Ye Chenghuan leisurely picked up the receiver, "Haoqing Marketing Department Head, Ye Chenghuan speaking."

Xia Ruyan's commanding voice crackled through, "Come here immediately."

"Miss Xia, missing me after days apart?"

"I formally summon you on behalf of CEO Lin! Come to group headquarters now!" Her volume spiked.

"Grandpa's busy!" Five words, then click.

Three pairs of eyes regarded him like a rare specimen. They knew the CEO's executive secretary held authority equivalent to group executives - Zhao Yalin's equal in different domains. A mere subsidiary department head like Ye Chenghuan daring to hang up and claim "grandpa" status? Unthinkable!

"Are you insane? Do you know who that was?" Zhou Jie exclaimed.

"Who cares? If she keeps bothering me, I'll go spank her."

Speechless. Utterly speechless.

The phone rang again - this time from the CEO's office. Ye Chenghuan frowned, answering.

Lin Peishan's icy voice stabbed through, "Be in my office within fifteen minutes. Or bear all consequences!" Click.

Contemplating, Ye Chenghuan realized she meant business. He headed out.

"Where are you going?" The trio chorused.

He glanced back with roguish wink, "As said earlier - going to spank her butt. You understand."

Amidst their horrified stares, Ye Chenghuan hurried downstairs.

Fortunately, Haoqing Company neighbored Eastern International's headquarters. Ye Chenghuan's long legs ate up the pavement, crossing one block to the skyscraper.

First stopping at the Executive Secretariat, he found Xia Ruyan as stern and rigid as ever, meticulously working at her computer.

Propping elbows on her desk, he leaned in grinning.

Xia Ruyan glared, "What do you want?"

"Can't I visit?"

"Working."

"Don't be so stiff. You're exhausting yourself. Smile for uncle."

"What did you say!" Her willow-leaf eyebrows shot up, icy demeanor cracking with indignation.

"Peace offering." He produced a crimson blossom from his pocket.

Xia Ruyan's eyes flickered, frost thawing slightly, "Where from?"

"Guess."

"Bought specially for me?"

His mysterious smile lingered as he gestured toward Lin Peishan's office, "What does CEO Lin want? Any hints from her right-hand woman?"

"Not details, but seems like you're in for a reckoning."