Chapter 2 Brake Failure

Shen Heyu had just returned to her department when she heard ALI scolding an intern from afar.

"Bai Sheng'er, if this USB is broken, the whole department will have to keep you company and work overtime for three months!"

"I know you're a recent graduate, but that doesn't mean you can't do anything right. Can't you be a bit more careful?"

She cast a faint glance in that direction.

The intern stood with her back to her, her delicate figure shaking like a frightened little rabbit.

She didn't pay attention, as ALI had always been decisive and strict, but never crossed the line when managing employees; it wouldn't be such a big temper if it wasn't for a real mess.

Shen Heyu returned to her office and began to handle her own work.

It wasn't until lunch break that HR Emily knocked on her office door.

Shen Heyu tiredly took off her glasses, revealing a pair of clear, cold phoenix eyes tinted with exhaustion.

Emily sighed, "ALI was fired, and everyone is saying it might be because of that new intern Bai Sheng'er."

Shen Heyu's eyebrows knitted tightly as she headed straight to President Pei's office.

She didn't care how Pei Yansi played around; it wasn't the first time he'd taken an interest in a company intern.

But to fire a veteran employee of the group for an intern—was that something he would do?

As the door opened, in addition to Pei Yansi's signature sandalwood scent, there was also a faintly sweet and sickly smell.

Shen Heyu's expression faltered, spotting a petite figure being hugged by Pei Yansi.

The intern in his arms turned her head upon hearing the noise.

Her face fully caught Shen Heyu's gaze.

Fair-skinned with a jade-like appearance, a pair of apricot eyes dark and bright, shining with moisture, they were pitifully endearing.

Such a charming girl—she had seen one before.

If Meng Xin from yesterday only bore a resemblance in her brows and eyes, then the girl before her had the same demeanor and charm.

Vibrant and lively, like a lychee shedding its shell, she was naturally appealing.

In an instant, she understood why Pei Yansi would make such a decision.

Bai Sheng'er seemed to notice the presence of an outsider, her pretty face blushing with shyness as she struggled to leave Pei Yansi's embrace.

Pei Yansi's mouth curled in an indulgent smile, his hand reached out to pat Bai Sheng'er's head.

"Scared of strangers?"

Bai Sheng'er's flush deepened, and she couldn't help but shyly glance at Shen Heyu again.

As if she feared Shen Heyu would be difficult with her.

Shen Heyu's expression was cool, her gaze indifferent.

Only she herself knew all too clearly the feeling of her heart being squeezed tightly, both stifling and uncomfortable.

Shen Heyu quickly adjusted her hoarse voice.

"Can you tell me the reason for firing ALI? She has put in a lot of effort for the company over the years."

Her eyes fixed on Bai Sheng'er, without directly pointing it out.

"Mixing personal life and work is not your usual style, Pei Yansi."

Bai Sheng'er went pale, her pretty face filled with fearful uncertainty as she looked at Pei Yansi.

Clearly, she was somewhat intimidated by Shen Heyu's sharp aura.

"You leave first, as soon as I'm done with this stuff, I'll take you to buy strawberry cake."

"Okay, I'll wait for you!"

Bai Sheng'er nodded vigorously, still cautious as she glanced at Shen Heyu, then quietly left the office.

Shen Heyu felt somewhat dazed, the resemblance was uncanny, even the manner and tone were exactly the same.

With Bai Sheng'er's departure, the pressure in the office dropped again.

Pei Yansi's originally gentle face turned icy cold as he casually picked up a folder and flung it toward Shen Heyu.

"Ali's business has indeed been doing well, so the project landed quite a few contracts, and the kickbacks were hefty."

"With these kickbacks piled up, it's enough to buy a villa."

The numbers on it were shocking, she knew some of it, but she didn't expect her to be so bold.

Shen Heyu's eyebrows slightly furrowed, "President Pei, after all, Ali is a veteran of the company with contributions that far outweigh her mistakes. Moreover…"

"It was you who personally said that we can't just eat meat and not allow those below to have a sip of soup. It was because of these words from you that those people worked their hearts out for this company."

"So what," the man's eyes were predatorily sharp, with a touch of dominance.

Shen Heyu was taken aback, her stance always crumbling completely in front of Pei Yansi.

"If it's just about taking kickbacks, how many people in the company haven't skimmed off the top? I find this reason for dismissal quite hard to accept."

She took a moment to calm the stifled feeling in her chest.

"So, did you fire Ali because of the kickbacks, or because she scolded that intern, and you wanted to retaliate for her?"

Coldness rose in the depths of Pei Yansi's amber eyes as he stood up from his chair and stepped closer to Shen Heyu, locking eyes with her, and whispered chillingly into her ear.

"Shen Heyu, I need to ask you, are you truly being considerate of your subordinates, standing up for Ali, or are you here feeling sour and jealous?"

Shen Heyu found herself cornered against the wall, her petty thoughts laid bare under his piercing gaze, her pale lips tightly pursed while waves of pain throbbed in her heart.

Pei Yansi's gaze was still unblinkingly fixed on Shen Heyu, more incisive than ever, his deeply affectionate gesture belied the frigid words he spoke.

"In the former case, I am the president of this company, and you're just a technical director, with no right to meddle in personnel changes. As for the latter, you're well aware that a Mrs. Pei in name but not in reality has no right to be jealous."

"Shen Heyu, you've crossed the line."

Having said that, he withdrew and left, without giving her another glance.

Shen Heyu slowly lowered her gaze, feeling as though his warm breath still lingered on her neck, her body so tense she couldn't move. Her heart felt as if it were being tortured with a knife, the pain so intense she could barely breathe.

She stood there for a while, saying nothing, and then turned and left the office.

He had made his decision, and with her abilities, she could never shake it.

A sense of powerlessness and weariness overwhelmed Shen Heyu, not just because of Ali's matter, but even including Bai Sheng'er.

Through the glass, she saw Bai Sheng'er's ears turned pink as she rapidly replied to WeChat messages.

It must have been a message from Pei Yansi.

Shen Heyu felt her mind was in disarray, even more so her heart.

She took the afternoon off and left the company right away.

Just out of the building, a flashy pink Ferrari stopped in front of Shen Heyu.

In the convertible car, Shen Heyu recognized the man with a rogue-like face at a glance.

It was Pei Yansi's childhood friend, Lu Hong.

Lu Hong was notoriously frivolous, leading a life of idleness, pleasure seeking.

"Miss Shen, I really like the outfit you're wearing today. How about you join me for a party, and afterwards, we find a hot spring hotel to spend the night?"

Lu Hong greedily eyed Shen Heyu's legs with no attempt to hide it.

Shen Heyu stepped back in disgust, her mouth corners turning bitter involuntarily.

Shen Heyu couldn't help but mock her own status in Pei Yansi's heart, so low that even his acquaintances wouldn't show her the least bit of respect.

"Get lost."

Her eyebrows knitted slightly as she prepared to change the pickup location for her ride-share.

Lu Hong hopped over the car door, reaching out to grab Shen Heyu.

"What's with the act? It's all the same whether you're with Pei Yansi or me, but I am much warmer than he is."

In the midst of their tussle, a loud bang occurred.

The pink Ferrari was instantly sent flying a few meters away, its entire body twisted and broken.

The window of the car behind was rolled down, and Pei Yansi appeared, his expression as cold as ever, just slightly cocking his head, and said to Lu Hong, "Sorry, the brakes failed."