Growing Closer

Li Xixi was slowly settling into her role at Shang Corporation, and her competence was beginning to earn the respect of her colleagues. However, Shang Cheng's attitude toward her remained cold, even hostile at times. She knew it was his way of punishing her for leaving without explanation five years ago, but she refused to back down. Instead, she chose to prove her worth through her actions.

One morning, as soon as she arrived at the office, Li Xixi was handed an urgent task. Shang Cheng demanded that she compile a detailed report on the company's latest project and prepare a speech—all within two hours. The deadline was tight, but Li Xixi didn't complain. She immediately got to work.

She sat at her desk, fingers flying across the keyboard, her eyes glued to the screen. Her focus was so intense that it drew the attention of her coworkers, but Li Xixi paid them no mind. She knew this was another test from Shang Cheng, and she couldn't afford to fail.

Two hours later, Li Xixi delivered the report and speech to Shang Cheng's office. He took the documents, flipping through them with a critical eye, his brow furrowing slightly.

"The key points aren't clear enough. Revise it," he said coldly.

Li Xixi hesitated for a moment but quickly nodded. "Understood. I'll make the changes right away."

She returned to her desk and reopened the file, carefully revising the content. As she worked, her mind kept drifting back to Shang Cheng's icy expression. She knew his resentment toward her wouldn't disappear overnight, but she believed that if she persevered, he would eventually understand her intentions.

By noon, Li Xixi had finished the revisions. She brought the updated report to Shang Cheng's office, and he took it without a word, scanning through it more carefully this time. His expression softened slightly.

"This is better," he said flatly.

Li Xixi let out a quiet breath of relief, but her reprieve was short-lived. Shang Cheng's next words caught her off guard. "There's a business dinner tonight. You'll accompany me."

"A dinner?" Li Xixi blinked, surprised. "Do I need to prepare anything?"

"No. Just be ready on time," Shang Cheng replied curtly before turning back to his work.

Li Xixi returned to her desk, her emotions in turmoil. She knew this dinner wouldn't be simple, but she had no choice. She would have to face it head-on.

At seven that evening, Li Xixi found herself seated at an upscale restaurant, across from one of the company's most important clients. Throughout the dinner, she maintained her composure, skillfully navigating the conversation and even stepping in to deflect some of the alcohol aimed at Shang Cheng. By the end of the night, her cheeks were flushed, and she felt a slight buzz from the wine.

As they left the restaurant, Shang Cheng opened the car door for her. The drive back was quiet, the only sound the hum of the engine. Li Xixi leaned against the seat, her head spinning slightly.

"Are you all right?" Shang Cheng asked suddenly, his voice low.

Li Xixi nodded. "I'm fine. Just a little tired."

Shang Cheng didn't respond, but she noticed the car slowing down. When they reached her apartment, Li Xixi stepped out and turned to him. "Thank you, Mr. Shang. Drive safely."

Shang Cheng gave a brief nod, watching as she walked into the building before driving off into the night.

The next morning, Li Xixi arrived at the office to find another challenge waiting for her. Shang Cheng summoned her to his office, his tone as cold as ever.

"Miss Li, there's an error in this report. Fix it," he said, handing her a file.

Li Xixi took the document and quickly scanned through it, spotting the mistake. She nodded. "I'll correct it right away."

Shang Cheng didn't acknowledge her response, already focused on his work. Li Xixi returned to her desk, her fingers flying across the keyboard as she revised the report. Her mind kept drifting back to Shang Cheng's cold demeanor, but she pushed the thoughts aside. She knew his resentment ran deep, but she was determined to prove herself.

By midday, Li Xixi had finished the corrections. She brought the updated report to Shang Cheng's office, and he took it without a word, flipping through the pages. This time, his expression was neutral.

"This will do," he said simply.

Li Xixi exhaled quietly, but her relief was short-lived. Shang Cheng's next words were unexpected. "There's another dinner tonight. Be ready by seven."

Li Xixi nodded, though her heart sank. She knew these dinners were more than just business—they were another way for Shang Cheng to test her, to push her limits. But she had no choice. She would have to endure.

That evening, Li Xixi found herself seated at another upscale restaurant, this time with a group of investors. She maintained her composure, skillfully navigating the conversation and even stepping in to deflect some of the alcohol aimed at Shang Cheng. By the end of the night, her cheeks were flushed, and she felt a slight buzz from the wine.

As they left the restaurant, Shang Cheng opened the car door for her. The drive back was quiet, the only sound the hum of the engine. Li Xixi leaned against the seat, her head spinning slightly.

"Are you all right?" Shang Cheng asked suddenly, his voice low.

Li Xixi nodded. "I'm fine. Just a little tired."

Shang Cheng didn't respond, but she noticed the car slowing down. When they reached her apartment, Li Xixi stepped out and turned to him. "Thank you, Mr. Shang. Drive safely."

Shang Cheng gave a brief nod, watching as she walked into the building before driving off into the night.

Li Xixi returned to her apartment, exhausted. She collapsed onto the couch, her mind replaying the events of the evening—Shang Cheng's cold demeanor, the investors' probing questions, the alcohol that left her feeling lightheaded. She knew this was only the beginning. The road ahead would be long and difficult, but she was determined to see it through.