Chapter 36: Sugar-coated Bullets.

“I dared to harass him, would he dare to let you know about it?”

“Whether you believe it or not, from today onwards, no matter how much you try to discredit me in front of him, he will only avoid you more.”

“When it comes to true interests, what does your mere few years of affection count for?”

Zhou Chengjing was skilled at sowing discord. These words, like a curse, kept lingering in Su Man’s ears, unwittingly leading her into a misconception.

She knew she shouldn’t test human nature, but stubbornly wanted to prove something to herself and to Zhou Chengjing: she and Wang Li were as solid as gold.

Coincidentally, three days later, it was payday.

Just after receiving his paycheck, Wang Li eagerly showed it to Su Man: “Darling! It’s been a while since we had a date. After work today, I’ll take you out for a fancy dinner.”

The figure in the bonus column was even higher than his salary, resulting in a total amount nearly doubling from what they usually had, based on their already high income.

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Fw Yyd oyp pwprknkswp. “Ps usw nsxl blal sqvld?”

Wang Li hesitated, then replied, “Yeah, recently, Mr. Zhou often brings me here. We’ve been here a few times.”

In fact, since he had just started working, he couldn’t be of much help. The first time he came with Zhou Chengjing, he almost embarrassed himself in public. As for why Zhou Chengjing was still willing to bring him along, it was probably because on the way back that day, he inadvertently praised the fish at this restaurant, and Zhou Chengjing overheard.

Wang Li’s eyes flickered as he served Su Man some food. “The fish here is really good. I always have it whenever I come. Darling, try it.”

After the meal, Wang Li went to pay the bill. The receptionist recognized him and smiled, asking, “Mr. Wang, shall I put it on Mr. Zhou’s account as usual?”

Wang Li felt embarrassed. “No, today it’s my personal…”

“It’s okay, Mr. Zhou instructed us. If you come, just put it on his account.”

Wang Li hesitated with his hand ready to pay. “Uh, then…”

Su Man interrupted him, saying to the receptionist, “Sorry, we’ll pay by card.”

After swiping the card and leaving the restaurant, Wang Li wasn’t very happy. He secretly regretted spending the money.

People are strange. Once they have the idea that something could have been free, it suddenly doesn’t seem as deserved.

Su Man took the opportunity to say to him, “Is Zhou Chengjing always this generous to every employee? He’s so good to you, could he have some other motive?”

“Haha,” Wang Li laughed awkwardly, instinctively denying, “Impossible. What could he possibly want? Besides lucking out with a gentle, caring, and capable wife like you, I’m just a broke guy. What could he gain from me?”

He often used sweet words to coax Su Man. Today was no exception.

Though unintentional, Su Man caught onto his words and jokingly said, “What if he’s after your wife?”

Wang Li replied firmly, “Impossible.”

These past few days, he had intentionally or unintentionally gathered a lot of information from the old-timers who had been with Zhou Chengjing for many years. He had already found out that Zhou Chengjing had a unique preference and didn’t like women at all.

Su Man wanted to say more, but he got angry, “What nonsense are you thinking? He’s just wealthy and considerate to his subordinates. Don’t view people so negatively.”

Wang Li pulled Su Man back home, quite eager to make love with her. However, Su Man’s body still bore marks that hadn’t completely faded, so she refused on the pretext of her menstrual period.

She tried to bring up the topic again, but as Zhou Chengjing had predicted, Wang Li was extremely evasive and soon feigned sleep.

While Su Man was tossing and turning in bed, Zhou Chengjing sent a message: “How was it? Did you enjoy their restaurant’s flavors?”

Clearly, the restaurant had informed him, or he had arranged it in advance.

Su Man couldn’t contain her anger: “What sugar-coated bullets did you use on him?”

Zhou Chengjing replied with an innocent expression: “Just a little trickery. It’s because Man Man wouldn’t give me a chance.”

“And? Doesn’t he like the boss’s considerate and passionate pursuit?”

Apart from despicability, at that moment, Su Man couldn’t think of any other word.

Zhou Chengjing continued: “I guess you must have tried today.”

Su Man fell silent, and Zhou Chengjing felt confident again, mocking her with a smirk: “It seems like I’ve won.”

“So, Man Man, are you willing to give me a chance now?”

Su Man was struck, feeling both angry and embarrassed: “What chance? The chance for you to pay for our meals outside?”

Zhou Chengjing replied, “Why would it be? If it were you, I would personally take you out.”

For him, what was precious was never money but rather time and companionship.

Su Man continued to argue, believing this didn’t prove anything. It was Zhou Chengjing’s interference. Even if Wang Li was hiding something, it wasn’t something that would betray her.

To this, Zhou Chengjing commented, “You never know until you’re in the coffin.”

Since that was the case, he decided to let Su Man ‘see for herself.’

The next day, Zhou Chengjing’s company issued a notice saying they would organize a team-building trip to a hot spring resort next weekend, all expenses covered, and each person could bring one family member.

The crowd cheered. After work, Zhou Chengjing met Wang Li and specifically instructed him: “HR said there’s one seat less on the rented bus. You and Xiaoman can ride in my car.”

This was obviously an excuse. Wang Li was taken aback and quickly said, “No, no need to trouble you, Mr. Zhou. My wife has something to do that day and can’t come. I can ride alone.”

Zhou Chengjing glanced at him, showing a clever smile, “Okay then. I’m not bringing anyone either. We can share a room at night.”

Wang Li: “!”

After much persuasion, Wang Li managed to convince Su Man, who pretended to have something else to do, to come along.

The journey was a bit long, so naturally Zhou Chengjing wouldn’t drive himself. With a driver, the seating arrangement for the four of them became a problem.

Zhou Chengjing took the boss’s seat, which meant Wang Li and he should sit in the back, while Su Man could sit in the front passenger seat.

But…

Because he had expressed a desire to share a room earlier, the moment he saw Su Man, he cleverly used a slightly regretful and reluctant gaze to scare Wang Li into feeling dizzy and voluntarily taking the passenger seat.

Zhou Chengjing achieved his goal. During a sharp turn of the car, he placed his hand on Su Man’s thigh.

---

Man Man: “Disgusting!”

Driver: “No wonder! He told me last night to drive a bit faster today. Mr. Zhou, this… (rubbing his fingers)”

Zhou Chengjing: “Extra pay, bonus.”

Driver: “Alright! Watch me perform!”