After Being Forced To Marry A Wealthy Man, Mr. Qi Wants To Divorce Every Day - Chapter 51
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- Chapter 51 - Emotional Crisis
Chapter 51 Emotional Crisis
Shen Kuozhi’s words suddenly made Qi Yue feel a bit uneasy, as if someone had grasped an invisible tail on him.
But soon he regained his composure and said calmly and firmly, “I overstepped before. Let’s continue to interact as partners in the future.”
This should be the best way for both of us.
Shen Kuozhi secretly tightened his grip on the steering wheel, looked ahead, and said in a low voice, “Is this the decision you’ve made after serious consideration?”
“Yes, a carefully considered decision.”
One person gazed ahead while the other looked out the window, neither meeting the other’s eyes.
It was an unexpected scene, yet inevitable.
After Qi Yue realized the nature of his relationship with Shen Kuozhi, the current situation was bound to arise.
“I think we can be friends. We got along well before, didn’t we?”
“Shen Kuozhi, you’re a great business partner, and I’m happy to continue cooperating with you in business. But personally, we’re not compatible. It wouldn’t be appropriate to treat this cooperation as a friendship.”
Qi Yue lowered his head, playing with his fingers.
The way Shen Kuozhi and Qi Yue began, it was destined that they couldn’t develop deeper feelings for each other.
Shen Kuozhi took a deep breath and ultimately didn’t continue on this topic.
Continuing this conversation would likely lead to the end of tonight’s date.
Shen Kuozhi took the initiative to change the subject. Since Qi Yue wanted to keep his distance, Shen Kuozhi would make sure Qi Yue had to stay in contact with him.
Yue Yue, don’t blame me for being despicable.
“Alright, I understand what you mean. Let’s only discuss our cooperation projects tonight, okay?”
“Mm.”
Qi Yue had no idea what Shen Kuozhi was thinking right now.
He finally spoke out the words he had been holding in for over two months. He thought he would feel relieved and relaxed, but at the moment he said them, he felt nervous and at a loss.
But since Shen Kuozhi had brought up cooperation, Qi Yue wouldn’t dwell on the embarrassing matter just now.
He just wanted to quickly resolve the Qi family’s affairs, so he could get rid of this absurd cooperation with Shen Kuozhi.
When Qi Yue saw their destination for tonight, he didn’t expect that the restaurant Shen Kuozhi booked would be the same one where they had their first blind date.
Should he say it was appropriate or not, the choice of location at this moment seemed quite fitting.
After getting out of the car, besides the more than one meter of social distance between them, they seemed no different from usual.
After arriving at the reserved private room, Shen Kuozhi spoke first, “Let’s have dinner first, and we’ll talk about cooperation matters after.”
“Okay.”
Qi Yue didn’t expect Shen Kuozhi to change his attitude so quickly. It seemed that their previous interactions were indeed just an act from Shen Kuozhi. Perhaps Shen Kuozhi didn’t want too intimate a relationship with him. After all, who would open their heart to a marriage partner they met with a purpose from the beginning? Shen Kuozhi was a smart person; he was just putting on a show.
Sitting facing each other, although the distance between the dining table was only a little over a meter, their hearts were at the farthest distance in the world at this moment.
Qi Yue finished the tasteless meal, knowing that the main event of the night was approaching, but he didn’t know how to start.
But unexpectedly, Shen Kuozhi took the initiative to break the silence, showing his thoughtfulness.
During the meal, although Shen Kuozhi and Qi Yue didn’t exchange a word, Shen Kuozhi quietly observed Qi Yue’s side from the corner of his eye.
When he saw Qi Yue gently wiping his mouth with a napkin after finishing his meal, Shen Kuozhi also silently put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth.
“Finished eating? If you want anything else, just tell the waiter,” Shen Kuozhi said.
“No, I’m done. Do you need anything else?” Qi Yue asked.
“I’m done too.”
After a brief small talk, Qi Yue took a deep breath and broached the subject of their cooperation tonight.
“Shall we discuss our cooperation now?”
“Sure,” Shen Kuozhi nodded, sat up straight, and adopted a businesslike tone. “Let’s first talk about our respective needs in detail so we can coordinate better.”
Tonight, for the first time, Qi Yue looked directly into Shen Kuozhi’s eyes and saw that Shen Kuozhi had already switched to business mode, his expression becoming more serious.
“That’s what I was thinking too.”
“You go first.”
Shen Kuozhi gestured for Qi Yue to start. In an instant, he abandoned his usual mild and gentlemanly demeanor, replaced by a fierce and domineering aura that pierced Qi Yue’s eyes.
This was the interaction mode Qi Yue wanted. Shen Kuozhi was indeed a clever person; upon realizing that their previous way of interacting didn’t work for him, he decisively changed it.
“Alright, let’s start with Qi Weixiong’s recent news. I don’t want to completely destroy Qi Weixiong for now. Qi Group still has its uses, so I won’t move for the time being. I want to let the members of the Qi family fight among themselves.”
Qi Yue spoke earnestly, subconsciously looking up at Shen Kuozhi, only to meet his deep gaze.
For a moment, Qi Yue felt a bit embarrassed, but he didn’t believe that the Shen family, with its vast business empire, hadn’t seen such dirty power struggles. Since this was just a cooperation, he didn’t need to conceal his dirty thoughts. He only needed Shen Kuozhi’s cooperation, not the opinions and judgments of others.
Ending calmly, Qi Yue asked, “Will you help me?”
Shen Kuozhi looked at the unabashedly scheming Qi Yue in front of him and felt nothing but relief and fondness.
Yue Yue was amazing. Those who bully him should be retaliated against. This was the charming Qi Yue he admired.
“I’ll help you, but you need to help me too.”
Shen Kuozhi readily agreed to Qi Yue’s question.
Although he could help Qi Yue unconditionally, their current relationship might only push Qi Yue further away. It was better to let Qi Yue think that they were mutually beneficial; it could even help promote their relationship.
Lightly tapping the bottom of his highball glass with his right hand, Shen Kuozhi also stated his own requirements.
Now, the atmosphere between them resembled contract negotiations, which reassured Qi Yue.
Qi Yue nodded and said, “Okay, whatever you need me to do, I’ll reciprocate equally. Once I finalize the specific plan on my end, I’ll send it to your email, and you can do the same for what you need me to do.”
After Qi Yue finished speaking, Shen Kuozhi stood up and naturally extended his hand towards him, saying, “Alright, then—here’s to a pleasant cooperation.”
“Pleasant cooperation,” Qi Yue replied.
Qi Yue looked at Shen Kuozhi’s businesslike attitude and shook his hand in response.
With that, they had settled their business for the night.
It seemed that he hadn’t chosen the wrong partner after all.
Feeling good now, Qi Yue unconsciously raised the corners of his mouth slightly.
After the meal, Qi Yue didn’t let Shen Kuozhi send him off. Instead, he took a taxi back to Lin Xiao’s house.
Since he didn’t have his own place at the moment, he would likely stay at Lin Xiao’s house for quite a while in the future.
But it was a good opportunity to accompany his friend who was going through a breakup.
When he returned home, the lights were on.
Lin Xiao was an artist, and his studio was at home. So whenever Qi Yue returned, he was greeted by the vibrant and cozy atmosphere of the house.
“Yue Yue, you’re finally back! I’ve been waiting to spill the tea from today’s online gossip!”
“I can’t believe how disgusting Qi Weixiong turned out to be! He caused trouble at your company. Who does he think he is? Doesn’t he know who you are? And he’s so arrogant and rude.”
“He’s asking for trouble!”
As soon as Lin Xiao heard the noise at the door, he hurried over, his bare feet stepping directly on the cool-toned tiles.
“He’ll get what he deserves sooner or later. But what about you? Why aren’t you wearing shoes?”
Qi Yue handed the dessert he had bought on the way back to Lin Xiao. Seeing Lin Xiao’s childish antics, he couldn’t help but feel both exasperated and amused.
“Wow! Today is truly a double delight. Not only do we have gossip, but we also have dessert! Yue Yue, my dear, I love you so much. How can you be so kind? I have to give you a kiss~”
Lin Xiao hugged Qi Yue and planted a loud kiss on his cheek before Qi Yue could react. Then, taking the dessert, he darted into the studio while Qi Yue was still processing what had just happened.
He ran like a little bunny, hopping and bouncing, and disappeared behind the door.
Qi Yue wiped his cheek with a tissue, feeling helpless and amused at Lin Xiao’s behavior.
Even though his best friend was an adult, he still acted like a child at times, carefree and unrestrained.
But this carefree and unrestrained demeanor of Lin Xiao’s was something Qi Yue admired.
Meanwhile, after parting ways with Qi Yue, Shen Kuozhi didn’t drive home but went to a private hospital instead.
Although his condition had improved considerably compared to before, his physical foundation was still very poor. Any slight mishap could be dangerous.
Upon arriving at the hospital, Shen Kuozhi’s originally straight posture collapsed, his face turning ashen. If he hadn’t worn light makeup when he went to see Qi Yue earlier, Qi Yue would have surely noticed that something was amiss with Shen Kuozhi.
As soon as Shen Kuozhi arrived at the hospital, the doctor who had been waiting for him took him for a medical examination right away.
The test results were quickly handed to Shen Kuozhi, confirming that his health was still precarious, but at least he could return to work at the company.
Only his elder brother knew about his hospitalization and recuperation over the past two months. Even Shen’s grandmother was kept in the dark.
If he didn’t return now, it might arouse suspicion from those with ulterior motives. It wasn’t the time to stir up trouble yet.
Shen Kuozhi walked slowly to the window of the ward and stood still. It seemed that the plan he had devised earlier needed to be put on the agenda as soon as possible.
Rubbing his forehead, Shen Kuozhi’s good mood before leaving the hospital vanished completely, replaced by a sense of frustration.
Shen Kuozhi, who hadn’t smoked for a long time, lit a cigarette today, breaking his usual habit.
Standing by the window, he casually looked down at the scenery below, the smoke from his cigarette dispersing around his fingertips, obscuring his expression.
Amidst the haze of smoke, Shen Kuozhi still dialed the familiar yet unfamiliar number stored in his phone.
After a few rings, the call was answered, and a voice both familiar and unfamiliar came through the other end.
Shen Kuozhi’s voice was hoarse as he said, “Hello, Lao Qi, it’s me, Shen Kuozhi.”