Chapter 30
Honeymoon.
New CEO.
The first two words were within Xu Yi’s expectations; the last three were a complete surprise.
The efficient and capable secretary stood silently before his boss’s desk for a full twenty seconds, a rare occurrence in his career.
He looked at Xie Zhang, his expression serious, then at the chibi shadow bustling around on the desk.
If he couldn’t get through to his boss, perhaps he could try reasoning with Madam Boss.
However, the culprit behind Xie Zhang’s sudden decision was feeling guilty, rolling a lemon across the desk, avoiding eye contact with his good friend.
But Xu Yi’s disapproving gaze was like a heavy weight.
He sighed.
Song Jingmo’s guilt intensified.
Xie Zhang, his head lowered, opened a folder on his desk, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Wherever Song Jingmo went, Xu Yi’s gaze followed.
It was as if he was saying: Have you forgotten our shared… struggles… I mean, our shared… reading material?
Unable to bear it any longer, Song Jingmo grabbed Xie Zhang’s phone, typed quickly, and placed it in front of Xu Yi.
Xu Yi read the scrolling text:
【You know about the red strings, you know about his condition. This is taking too long, so I decided to expedite the honeymoon plan.】
Xu Yi wasn’t surprised, nor did he object.
He’d known this was coming ever since he’d helped Song Jingmo with the PowerPoint presentation.
What he hadn’t expected was that Xie Zhang had already found a new CEO, who would be starting in two weeks.
Adjusting to a new boss wasn’t easy.
Especially a new CEO. He’d have to adjust himself, and then help the new CEO adjust to the company and its various department heads.
But…
A CEO couldn’t be absent for too long.
He was just a secretary, after all.
Looking at the apologetic, albeit featureless, shadow figure, Xu Yi resignedly pinched the bridge of his nose, then bent down, meeting Song Jingmo’s gaze.
“You’re both taking advantage of me, aren’t you?”
The chibi shadow nodded vigorously.
Xie Zhang coughed.
Song-shadow, realizing his mistake, frantically shook his head.
Xu Yi stared at him for a moment, then decided to confiscate his supply of… reading material… for the duration of his honeymoon.
Song Jingmo, unaware of his loss, peeked at Xu Yi, who didn’t seem too upset.
As Xu Yi straightened up, mentally preparing himself for the new CEO, he said to Xie Zhang: “Could you provide me with the new CEO’s resume and information?”
Xie Zhang’s voice was steady: “I’ll need a few days. He’s still finalizing his resignation; it’s best to keep things quiet for now.”
Unlike the Song corporation, Xie Zhang’s company was his own creation, free from the constraints of a board of directors. The CEO had the final say.
The title of “President” was a delegated role, with less authority.
Finding a qualified President was difficult, and headhunting them involved complex negotiations, not just salary and equity.
Until everything was finalized, such transitions were kept confidential to avoid unnecessary complications.
Xu Yi nodded understandingly.
He turned to leave, then paused.
“By the way, Mr. Song called this morning. He’d like to meet with you this afternoon.”
Xie Zhang was surprised: “At the office?”
Xu Yi’s voice was calm: “I believe he would have preferred a private meeting, but he couldn’t reach you.”
Xie Zhang, remembering his morning activities: “…”
Song Jingmo, realizing he was about to be blamed: “:O”
Okay, he’d been a bit… mischievous… in the bathroom this morning.
He’d been inspired by a… tentacle-related… image he’d seen online. Suction cups were just so… suggestive!
He’d tried to replicate the effect with his shadow.
Unfortunately, he hadn’t been able to achieve the desired… artistic… result. Some things were best left to actual tentacles.
He sighed.
A shadow tendril crept up Xie Zhang’s leg, patting his thigh apologetically.
He’d been a bit naughty, but…
It takes two to tango, right, Mr. Xie?
The office environment was a bit too much for the usually reserved Xie Zhang.
He caught the wriggling tendril, forcing his expression to remain neutral: “Apologies, I was in a rush this morning.”
“Schedule a meeting with Mr. Song. Any time this afternoon is fine.”
“Okay.”
Xu Yi agreed, pretending not to see the writhing shadow or the smug chibi figure perched on the desk.
But before leaving…
Song Jingmo was giggling to himself, clutching a lemon.
Since no one could see or hear him, he no longer bothered with maintaining his usual polite facade.
Then, a hand reached out and snatched the lemon from his grasp.
Song Jingmo: “?”
Huh?
Someone stole his shadow lemon?!
What had he done to deserve this?
He was an innocent, adorable shadow!
…
Secretary Xu, clutching the confiscated lemon, returned to his desk, retrieved a small knife, and expertly sliced the lemon, placing the slices in his thermos.
He even shared some with his colleagues.
“Wow, Xu Yi, this lemon isn’t…”
“From the CEO’s office, yes, but it’s a treat from Madam Boss, don’t worry.”
“Ha? Really? Well, we won’t complain!”
Whether the lemon was sweet or sour, no employee would pass up a treat from the CEO’s office!
…
Song Jingmo looked down at his empty hands, then stomped over to Xie Zhang, re-enacting the lemon theft.
Xie Zhang glanced at the now-bare lemon tree in his office.
“You were going to give it to him anyway.”
The sulking Song-shadow clung to Xie Zhang’s teacup, transforming himself into a teabag.
Xie Zhang smiled, picking up the teacup and kissing the shadow teabag.
“It’s just a lemon. Don’t be upset. Let’s not provoke him.”
He’d been losing a lemon a day ever since Momo started coming to work with him.
And that lemon would invariably appear on Xu Yi’s desk at the end of the day. He had no idea what kind of underground lemon trade they were conducting.
Song-shadow, having traded a lemon for… something, kissed Xie Zhang’s cheek apologetically.
Let’s forget about the lemon.
…
At 5 pm, Song Chengyan arrived as scheduled.
And he brought Song Jingmo’s phone.
