Chapter 110 — Gao Tinghua's Visit

Wasn't he supposed to say something along the lines of "I don't know what you mean" or even "Are you telling me that I'm just flattering you?" Anything but this!

She couldn't believe he would say that in such a formal environment. They were in the office for crying out loud!

After regaining her calm, she said, "I'm just asking, no need to find out personally."

"Ah, but I really want to satisfy your curiosity, what do we do now?" He asked, moving even closer, his lips almost touching hers. He recently found out that he had developed a love for teasing her.

Seeing her blush and rendering her speechless were currently two of his favorite hobbies.

But he miscalculated. He had forgotten that even though she was usually shy, she could be quite bold at times, taking him by surprise.

"I was only trying to say you have a sweet mouth. But since you insist, I'll just have to find out myself." She said, before putting her hands on his shoulders and closing the miniscule distance between them.

The tip of her tongue darted out and licked his lower lip before she retreated, leaving him stunned. She then rubbed the inner part of her lip with her tongue before saying, "It's really quite sweet."

The heat in Li Chuanmo's eyes could almost scorch a person, but Pei Yueran noticed too late. She went "oh oh" in her head as Li Chuanmo straightened to lower the window blinds with the remote control.

"Chuan wait, calm down."

"I'm not sure I can do that." Li Chuanmo said, returning to his place by her side. He picked her up and sat her down on her table.

Pei Yueran was still trying to explain, "I didn't mean anything by that. I was just following your suggestion."

"Right, but what happens to the fire you started?" Li Chuanmo asked, his gaze misty.

"What fire?" Pei Yueran accidentally blurted out without thinking, but realizing the answer to that question might put her into more trouble, she quickly changed her words. "No, I mean sorry, okay? It was a mistake. I—"

The more her lips moved, the more it attracted Li Chuanmo's attention. Her words were swallowed when he seized her lips with his.

Pei Yueran was scandalized. What were they doing in the office on a workday, with their assistants and secretary just beyond the door?

But to be honest, she was really enjoying this. It felt like they were doing something wickedly exciting, stealing kisses in the office.

That was before someone knocked on the door. It was Min Shiyi.

"Special Assistant Pei, you have a visitor."

Pei Yueran was startled. Her hands, which had subconsciously circled his neck, began to push at his chest for him to release her. They eventually broke the kiss.

Li Chuanmo groaned. He wanted to shout in frustration when Pei Yueran quickly put her hand over his mouth, her finger doing the "shh" gesture. "Don't, she'll hear you!" She whispered urgently.

In response, Li Chuanmo looked into her eyes as the tip of his tongue licked the palm of her hand.

Pei Yueran removed her hand as if she had just been burned. "Chuan!" She whispered accusingly, but Li Chuanmo's soul was hooked with that tone that sounded coquettish to his ears.

She was really driving him crazy. His self control threatened to desert him for the second time today, but Min Shiyi's call of "Special Assistant Pei" brought him back to earth forcefully.

Pei Yueran sat back down on her seat and rearranged her hair, trying to calm herself down before responding, "Come in."

"See you later Ran." Li Chuanmo said, directing a mischievously hot smile her way before leaving the office.

On the other hand, the look he leveled at Min Shiyi on his way out made her feel cold all over.

For the first time in her illustrious 'gossiping' career, Min Shiyi failed to put two and two together, even after seeing Pei Yueran still blushing while smoothening her hair. She even asked in concern, "Did something happen to Chairman Li?"

Pei Yueran cleared her throat and tried to sound dismissive, "It's nothing. Who's the visitor?"

"Ah, he said he's the representative of the Gaoyi Group." She answered, blushing slightly. The visitor was quite handsome looking.

Pei Yueran frowned as she felt a headache growing. Who else from Gaoyi Group would come to her office without notice?

She sighed. "Let him in."

Gao Tinghua strode in a few seconds after Min Shiyi left. Despite introducing himself as a business partner, he was casually dressed in blue chinos, a white shirt and a pair of sneakers.

"Hi Yueran." He said, coming forward and making himself at home before she even offered him a seat.

She sighed inwardly again. Working with him was going to be quite painful. She adopted what Gao Tinghua was coming to know as her "Serious Business, Iron Lady" look.

"Good day Mr. Gao. What brings you here?"

"Hey, that sounds so formal. Just call me Tinghua." Gao Tinghua said with a hint of playfulness, but Pei Yueran was unmoved.

"I would like it very much if you can stick to speaking formally. We're in a business cooperation after all, Mr Gao."

"Let's do this: You call me however you like and I would call you however I like. Sounds good right? So, can we go out for lunch today?" He asked, ignoring the Pei Yueran's stoic expression.

"No." Pei Yueran didn't bother explaining.

"Why not? Do you have a prior engagement?"

"Yes."

"How about dinner then? I know a very nice hotel that offers fine dining here in City M."

Pei Yueran gritted her teeth as she replied, "No, thank you." Then without allowing him to speak, she looked at her wristwatch as if she had an appointment.

"If there's nothing else Mr Gao, I have something I need to attend to."

"But Yueran, you should at least honor your potential business partner's invitation. I won't bite, I just want us to talk."

While he was speaking, the telephone in her office rang. 'Saved by the phone' Pei Yueran thought inwardly as she ignored Gao Tinghua and picked it up. It was Li Chuanmo.

"I'm afraid I would do something nasty if I came to pick you up, so please come to my office. We need to leave soon for the event anyway."

"Alright, I'll be there sir." She sounded very professional, but looking at the way her eyes lit up and how sweet her voice became, Gao Tinghua narrowed his eyes. He could guess who she was talking to.

When they met earlier outside her office, both men ignored each other seriously. It also didn't help to see her slightly pink cheeks. He felt angry just thinking about why they were that hue.

Turning to him, Pei Yueran said, "As you might have guessed, my attention is needed elsewhere presently. If there's anything else Mr Gao, let's talk about it at our next meeting. Have a great day." She said, sending him away politely.

Gao Tinghua stood up and drawled, "Do consider my offer. Even if today really can't work, we can always meet another day. I'll be waiting."

"I suggest you stop wasting your time. And mine." Pei Yueran said bluntly.

Gao Tinghua smiled, "You don't know me well yet, but I'm a very persistent man. What I want, I get. Remember that." He said, striding out the same way he came in.

Pei Yueran frowned. Was that a threat?