Return: My Hell and Heaven
Chapter 63: Net
Upon hearing Qin Lou’s words, Chu Xiangbin’s brow visibly twitched, a flicker of irritation flashing in his eyes. He suppressed it quickly, not letting it show.
“Is President Qin joking with me?”
Qin Lou raised his eyes innocently. “I’m not.”
“So, President Qin’s offer to me is… a person? Your head of HR, no less? Does President Qin think I’m short on staff?”
“…” Qin Lou lowered his head, chuckling softly. He turned, walked a few steps back, then stopped just a meter or two from Chu Xiangbin, looking up. “Director Chu, we’ve come this far—pretending ignorance now just seems pointless, doesn’t it?”
Chu Xiangbin remained silent, only raising an eyebrow as he looked at Qin Lou.
Qin Lou smiled. “My offer is Luan Qiaoqing, however you choose to interpret it. Once this is done, you can return to Vio, and she can work under you—what do you think, Director Chu?”
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Ubw Dkydtckd’p lulp eyajldle, yde yqvla y xsxldv, bl zlv swv y nsze zywtb. “Valpkeldv Ckd kp iwkvl tsse yv xyjkdt rasxkplp. Jwv rwvvkdt vbyv ypkel, kq vbkp pwnnllep yde usw okd vbl tyxczl, es usw vbkdj Ckdawk osd’v alyzkgl kv oyp xl clbkde vbkp?”
“Yyucl vblu’al pvwrke?”
“Ls xyvvla bso qsszkpb vblu yal, vblu’e pvkzz pll obyv’p byrrldkdt sdnl R alvwad vs Aks.”
“Gb… ps vbyv’p obyv nsdnladp usw.” Ckd Nsw pbssj bkp blye okvb y pxkzl. “Mblal’p ds dlle vs osaau ycswv vbyv, Pkalnvsa Ubw. Mblu oswzed’v eyal vyjl zltyz ynvksd ytykdpv usw.”
“Gde obu oswzed’v vblu?”
Ckd Nsw rywple, poyukdt pzktbvzu okvb y nypwyz pxkzl. “R byrrld vs byhl iwkvl y ckv sq lhkeldnl esnwxldvkdt uswa rakhyvl elyzkdtp okvb Ckdawk. Mblu olal vbl sdlp obs qkapv nalyvle vbkp ‘nsarsayvl pru’ plvwr, dsv Aks. Ju vbld, okvb Ckdawk nywtbv wr kd kdvladyz vwaxskz, vblu’e cl kdpydl vs oydv y zyopwkv nsddlnvle vs vbkp.”
“…”
Fllkdt Ubw Dkydtckd’p pkzldnl, Ckd Nsw’p tygl pbkqvle pzktbvzu, yde bl prsjl ytykd. “Tsolhla, bso usw nbsspl vs kdvlaynv okvb Nwyd Ckysikdt yqvlaoyae kp uswa sod cwpkdlpp—R nyd’v tkhl usw ydu twyaydvllp.”
Chu Xiangbin raised his eyes at him. “I don’t understand why President Qin keeps mentioning Director Luan.”
Qin Lou laughed softly. “We’re both intelligent men. Playing dumb is just a waste of time, isn’t it?”
“President Qin really believes that, in such a big matter that affects my entire career, even my life—I would stake it all just for Luan Qiaoqing?”
Qin Lou shrugged. “Those weren’t my words.”
“…”
“But what you said reminds me—earlier, you claimed that you were tired and indifferent to your career. Yet here you are, suddenly bringing it up…” Qin Lou sighed dramatically. “I wonder if Director Chu is just saying one thing and feeling another.”
“…”
The hallway fell silent for a long while. Chu Xiangbin looked away. “I’ll think about it, but not because of President Qin’s ridiculous offer—rather, for my own benefit. As President Qin said, I truly disagree with Qinrui’s approach to business; it contradicts my personal values. I’d much prefer to stand on your side.”
Qin Lou laughed softly. “Think whatever you like, Director Chu. I’ll be waiting for your answer.”
With that, he turned back and began to walk away.
Just as Chu Xiangbin lowered his gaze and was about to step into the elevator, he suddenly heard Qin Lou make a sound of realization.
Chu Xiangbin paused and looked over, seeing Qin Lou—now far down the hall—wave his arm, a mocking smile on his face.
“I know you’ve been wanting to leave for a while now—I could tell from the way your contact with Qinrui has decreased. But since you’re so tired of our rivalry, who exactly have you stayed for all this time?”
“—!”
As Chu Xiangbin tried to reply, Qin Lou turned the corner, disappearing from sight.
Chu Xiangbin turned back with a grim expression.
A few seconds passed, and the otherwise motionless Chu Xiangbin let out a sudden, bitter laugh.
—Qin Lou was right. They were both intelligent men; there was no need for this pointless back-and-forth.
The truth had been clear from the moment he couldn’t stay on the sidelines tonight and forcibly took Luan Qiaoqing out of that nightclub. Qin Lou had firmly grasped his weak point.
Qin Lou had waited all these years, choosing this precise moment to play his cards when Chu was powerless to respond…
He, along with Qinrui, had severely underestimated this so-called madman of a young man.
But…
“Luan Qiaoqing…”
Chu Xiangbin pressed his fingers against his brow, his head aching, as he stepped into the elevator.
After a moment, a faint voice of self-mockery echoed in the elevator.
“This pit I dug for Song Shu… somehow, I’ve ended up lying in it myself…”
—
Hearing the breathing of the other person in the room finally become steady, Song Shu leaned against the bed, sighing heavily, yet silently.
Guilt was truly a terrible feeling—she had never worked this hard to lull even Luan Qiaoqing to sleep back then.
After a moment of reflection, she quietly got up. She gathered up the scattered tissues left by someone who had nearly cried herself hoarse, finally switching off the lamp and leaving the bedroom of the suite.
As she opened the suite door and stepped out, she was startled by the figure leaning against the wall beside it.
“…Why are you out here?”
Hearing her voice, Qin Lou slowly straightened up, rubbing his stiff neck and shoulders. “Waiting for you.”
Song Shu kept her voice low. “Since you’re here, why didn’t you call or text me? How long have you been waiting?”
Qin Lou glanced at his watch. “Not long.”
Song Shu let out a small sigh of relief.
Then, Qin Lou said lazily, “About half an hour.”
Song Shu was speechless.
She couldn’t argue with him and tugged him towards the elevator. “Are you trying to make me feel guilty?”
“Mm.” Qin Lou replied without hesitation, leaning down to get a bit closer as they left. “Did it work?”
Song Shu glanced at him with a mix of emotions, saying nothing as she pulled him into the elevator.
A few minutes later, they returned to their suite.
After closing the door, Song Shu turned her back to him, sighing as she looked at Qin Lou. “Qiaoqiao only found out tonight. I have to calm her down and coach her on how to handle things—wasn’t that what we agreed on before leaving?”
“Yeah,” Qin Lou’s gaze lowered indifferently. “Did I say otherwise?”
Song Shu sighed helplessly. “Do you really need to say it?”
Qin Lou was silent for a few seconds. He leaned down slowly, pulling the girl in front of him into a tight embrace, then lowered his head, nestling into her hair.
“Sorry.”
“…”
“I don’t want to be so anxious and possessive, nor to pursue you so aggressively. I’m afraid I’ll scare you away, but I can’t help it.”
Song Shu sighed. “I didn’t ask you to apologize. I know you well enough that, no matter how hard you pursue me, I won’t run, Qin Lou. I just don’t like the way you express how much you care—it’s like you’re using self-torment to make me feel bad. Of course I care, but it does neither of us any good.”
“I know what you’re afraid of.” Qin Lou spoke softly by her ear.
Song Shu’s back stiffened slightly.
And then Qin Lou continued, “You’ve been afraid ever since you saw the writing on my wrist, haven’t you? Or maybe even earlier, from the time I took my medication in front of you. You’re afraid I care too much, that I’m self-destructive, that one day, over some minor misunderstanding or small issue, I’ll make some drastic choice.”
“…” Song Shu said nothing, but her arms around Qin Lou tightened gradually.
She wasn’t surprised.
He was so intelligent, skilled in both math and understanding people.
Silence lingered at the entrance of the suite until Qin Lou let out a soft sigh, a hint of bitter laughter in his voice.
“I’ve thought about it, and although I really want to promise you, I can’t—there’s no way I can promise I wouldn’t do something like that, my little clam.”
Song Shu’s expression shifted slightly.
Instinctively, she hugged Qin Lou even tighter. After a while, she spoke in a low voice, “You’re right; I’m very scared.”
Qin Lou paused, trying to straighten up and look at her face, but she held onto him tightly, refusing to let him pull away even an inch.
Her voice trembled, the tone betraying emotions she tried hard to keep under control. She exhaled slowly. “I’m afraid that the nine years I was gone… have already ruined you.” Her voice shook slightly. “That’s where all my guilt comes from, and I don’t dare show it because I don’t know what to do. I’m terrified that, even if I try my hardest, I’ll just end up watching as you slip further into the abyss. What if I can’t pull you back, Qin Lou?”
“I’ll stay grounded.”
Qin Lou interrupted her.
Song Shu shivered slightly. “Can I really?”
“Of course.” Qin Lou chuckled softly. “In this world, only you can. I’ll do anything you ask. As long as you’re here, as long as you tell me where the abyss is, I’ll stay far away from it. For you, I won’t fall.”
“…This is a promise, and you have to keep it.”
“I’ve always kept my word.”
Qin Lou hugged her tightly, smiling.
“And after I’ve finally got you in my arms again, how could I possibly let go?”
——
In November 2019, Qin Lou, “Qin Qing,” Luan Qiaoqing, and Chu Xiangbin concluded their business trip, returning mid-month. Before returning, Qin Lou had a private meeting with Song Shu and Chu Xiangbin that no one else knew about, lasting several hours.
That same month, Lin O, who had just returned from an out-of-province business trip, was reassigned overseas to Country E, tasked with preparing for the establishment of a new office.
Rumors began to circulate in the company that Qin Lou was dissatisfied with Lin O and intended to sideline him.
At the end of the month, Vio established a cross-departmental R&D team for derivative products. Key members included Finance Director Jerry Qiao and the rising star Deputy Director of the Investment and Development Department, Chu Xiangbin.
This move seemed to indicate Vio’s determined return to the financial derivatives market. The media, following up on the story, confirmed that Vio’s General Manager Qin Lou would personally oversee the development of the latest derivative product.
The news sent shockwaves through the industry.
On December 18th, 8:00 AM.
Chu Xiangbin stood in front of the mirror, meticulously tying his tie, tightening it.
He held his expressionless gaze in the mirror for a few seconds, then turned to pick up his phone, which had been vibrating on the table for some time.
The voice on the other end was filled with excitement and urgency. “Did you really get that product model?”
“Yes.”
“You can make it here today?!”
“I’m on my way.”
“Great, great! I’ll wait for your call—no, I’ll head down to meet you right now!”
“…”
The call ended.
Chu Xiangbin opened a drawer, picked up another phone, and dialed a number.
A few seconds later, the line connected.
Adjusting his tie in the mirror, Chu Xiangbin spoke calmly.
“Mr. Qin, it’s time to cast the net.”
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