Human Hearts are Sometimes Fearful

The car's atmosphere grew tense as Yan Yan's expression darkened. Sensing the shift, Zhang, the assistant, tactfully intervened, "Miss Li, Miss Lei, perhaps you could get off at the next stop? It's a bit out of the way from your homes."

Li Xi responded with a hint of disappointment, "Ah, Special Assistant Zhang, that location is still a bit far from where we live." Her companion, Lei Xin, said more agreeably, "Okay, that's fine with me!"

Undeterred, Zhang pressed on patiently, "The thing is, Mr. Yan and I need to discuss some details regarding the last financial exhibition with Miss Tang. It's a matter that requires their attention."

Li Xi couldn't help but smile at this, recalling how she had missed the notification for that event while even Lei Xin had received it. Seizing the opportunity, she turned to Yan Yan shyly, "Then, Mr. Yan, may I join you? I'd also like to learn from you."

Yan's voice turned icy as he flatly refused, "I don't need you." Li Xi could feel the anger emanating from him, and she quickly glanced at Tang Qing, hoping the other woman would speak up for her.

Tang Qing, who had been silent until then, finally broke her silence. "There are some details regarding the last exhibition that can't be explained all at once and some that are relatively confidential. I believe Special Assistant Zhang means that I didn't handle certain aspects well, and Mr. Yan and I need to review them again."

A relieved smile spread across Li Xi's face. It would be best if Tang Qing were to be reprimanded for her mistakes, allowing Li Xi to take her place. Yan, on the other hand, quietly reached out and took Tang Qing's hand, comforting her, and said, "No, Qing Qing did nothing wrong." Even if Tang Qing had made a mistake, Yan Yan would not feel angry with her.

The car continued, the tension palpable. Li Xi's persistent attempts to engage Yan Yan had backfired, leaving her increasingly uncomfortable. Meanwhile, Yan Yan's protectiveness towards Tang Qing did not go unnoticed, further fueling Li Xi's unease.

As the vehicle neared its destination, Zhang said, "Miss Li, Miss Lei, this is our stop. I'll see you both next time." The two women reluctantly exited the car, glancing at the silent trio inside.

As Li Xi exited the car, she immediately turned to Lei Xin, her face etched with suspicion. "I can't help but feel that Tong Qing has been up to something behind the scenes," she said, her voice laced with envy.

Li Xi couldn't understand how Tong Qing had been entrusted with organizing the financial exhibition when Li Xi herself possessed skills that were no less impressive. Moreover, she had been kept out of the loop, not even receiving a notification about the event.

Sensing the tension in Li Xi's words, Lei Xin tried to diffuse the situation. "Li Xi, we shouldn't be so quick to judge Tong Qing," she said, her tone calm and measured. "You know as well as I do that Tong Qing's capabilities far surpass our own."

Lei Xin explained that she had witnessed Tong Qing's unwavering dedication firsthand. Even during their breaks, when the rest of them would rest and unwind, Tong Qing could be found diligently working, constantly learning new skills and knowledge. Lei Xin believed this was why Tong Qing had earned the trust and respect of their managers, including Cici.

Li Xi listened intently, but as Lei Xin spoke, a growing resentment stirred within her. She couldn't help but feel Lei Xin was always taking Tong Qing's side, seemingly excluding Li Xi at every turn.

Outwardly, Li Xi smiled and said, "I was just joking around, Lei Xin. Don't take it so seriously." However, her mind was racing as she pondered that Tong Qing might have been cozying up to someone other than Yan Yan, who Li Xi believed would never deign to associate with her. A sly, mocking smile crept across Li Xi's face as she considered that Tong Qing's target might be Zi Long.

The tension in the air was palpable as the two women grappled with their conflicting emotions and perspectives. Tong Qing's success struck a nerve with Li Xi, who felt overlooked and underappreciated, while Lei Xin remained steadfast in her colleague's defense.

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Once they were gone, Yan Yan turned to Tang Qing, his expression softening. Yan Yan gently took Tangqing's hand and carefully examined it. "Qingqing, what happened to your hand? Scars are forming here; does it hurt? Are you alright? I'm sorry that I didn't protect you well."

Yan looked at Tangqing with a guilty expression, as if he somehow caused the scars on Tangqing's hand.

Tang Qing smiled reassuringly, "I'm fine, Yan Yan. I just got it from hurrying and being careless," Tangqing said.

"Why were you in such a hurry? Who did this to you?" Yan didn't ask Tangqing, but he was thinking about it. He didn't want Tangqing to feel that he was being too impulsive, but he would certainly not let the person who had hurt Tangqing off the hook.

"Let's go to the hospital and treat your wound, Qingqing?" Treating Tangqing's wound properly was the priority right now, as Yan Yan would be heartbroken if it scarred.

"It's fine; I've already taken care of it," Tangqing said nonchalantly.

"Does it hurt?" Yan Yan kept asking Tangqing repeatedly.

Yang Qing looked at Yan Yan's eyes and asked, "Mr. Yan, shall we discuss the exhibition details now? I believe we have some important matters to address."

Yan Yan turned to look at his assistant Zhang and gestured for him to explain.

"Ah, you see Miss Tang, you know the sir is concerned about you. With so many people around just now, sir couldn't..." Zhang didn't finish his sentence, but instead looked over at Tangqing.

"It's like this, Qingqing, so there's nothing to discuss," Yan Yan said, looking at Tangqing, worried that she might be upset with him because of this little white lie.