Not associating with opponents and not trusting easily prevents one from being easily manipulated. This was his principle of conduct.
"President Pan also mentioned that Xiao Min is my fiancée, and soon we will be one family. Families don't distinguish between each other. If she invests, then it's as if I'm investing. Although the investment amount is a bit small, it can be considered my humble contribution."
Yan Jue refused outright, giving President Pan no chance to negotiate further.
A look of helpless disappointment flickered across President Pan's face.
"It seems my visit here has failed to impress President Yan. To be honest, I'm quite disheartened."
"I reiterate what I said before: regardless of when President Yan decides to invest in the future, I will always welcome it. I hope that day won't be too far off."
Leaving a little room for maneuver in relationships, especially in business, was a common practice.
"Ha... why didn't you call me when you woke up?" a lazy female voice drifted over.
From the lounge, Tang Xiao Min emerged, yawning, still in a pink cartoon pajama set.
Upon suddenly seeing President Pan and his assistant, she awkwardly retreated and closed the door.
She had miscalculated; didn't people usually visit the office at other times?
Seeing this, President Pan appeared surprised for a moment.
He knew about Tang Xiao Min's engagement to Yan Jue, but he hadn't expected Yan Jue to be so capable as to keep Tang Xiao Min overnight.
Looking at Yan Jue's half-smiling expression, it was clearly a display of arrogance.
Continuing further was meaningless. President Pan stood up to leave.
"Since that's the case, I won't disturb President Yan further. If President Yan wishes to contact me in the future, you are always welcome."
Yan Jue gestured towards the door, a polite invitation.
"Don't let the door hit you on the way out."
...
As soon as they stepped outside, President Pan's assistant, Keisha, couldn't help herself.
"He's just someone who runs a crematorium, yet he dares to reject your invitation. He's truly unappreciative."
"We came all this way, and he didn't even offer us a cup of water. How arrogant."
He was indeed arrogant, more arrogant than any wealthy person she had ever met.
"If you could expand your branch offices worldwide in just over two years, and ensure every single one of them is profitable, then you too could be as arrogant as him."
"It's just a shady business, lucky break. It's incomparable to high technology."
"Not just incomparable, he shows absolutely no interest in high technology. All that effort, and even I personally got involved, yet the real big fish didn't bite. He's incredibly cunning."
"If he doesn't join, what do we do next?" Keisha asked worriedly.
"Proceed according to the original plan. The company will do what it needs to do. Make sure no one becomes suspicious, especially those shareholders."
"Yes."
This time, the much-anticipated nuclear battery would undoubtedly be unveiled, opening the world's eyes.
...
After President Pan left, Yan Jue once again dismissed Lu Xing.
Then, he unashamedly entered the lounge.
By this time, Tang Xiao Min had changed her clothes. Unexpectedly, she was sitting at the vanity, picking up cosmetics she had never been interested in before.
Yan Jue slowly approached, watching her with keen interest as she applied makeup.
"What's so special about today that you're dressing up so beautifully?"
Tang Xiao Min rarely wore makeup, so she was intensely focused when applying it.
Yan Jue's words startled her.
She was applying a light-colored lipstick and accidentally smeared it onto the corner of her mouth.
"You scared me to death; I drew it crookedly," she complained.
"Let me see."
Yan Jue cupped her face and turned it towards him. She looked quite comical.
"It is indeed crooked, but it's okay, I'll help you."
He gently rubbed away the excess lipstick with his fingertip. Before long, he felt his mouth dry.
Then, he couldn't resist lowering his head to kiss her.
Just as he was about to succeed, Tang Xiao Min suddenly turned her head, and his kiss landed on her cheek. Her face instantly flushed crimson.
After she woke up and remembered what happened last night, it dawned on her.
"I'm asking you, last night, did you deliberately get angry to trick me?"
This...
Yan Jue immediately denied it.
"How could you think that? I was really upset then."
He was indeed upset; it was the first time she had seen him show such pain in front of her.
"I think if you truly suspected something between me and Ye Lingyun, you should have gone to kill him in a fit of rage, rather than acting distressed in front of me."
"Besides, with Lu Xing's investigative capabilities, the evidence he collected should prove my innocence."
...
Having been discovered, Yan Jue quickly changed the subject.
"Min Min, this... the past cannot be recalled. One must look forward."
"You must be hungry. I'll prepare something for you now. You can come out after you're ready, no rush."
He quickly fled, wanting her out of his sight to avoid further trouble.
When a woman brings up old grievances, it's a terrifying prospect, and he certainly couldn't handle it.
"You scoundrel!"
Tang Xiao Min threw a makeup sponge, which bounced off the door and fell to the ground with a pathetic thud.
Her infatuation had severely impaired her intelligence; how could she have been so foolish as to fall for his act?
This time, she deeply realized what "a man's mouth is a deceptive thing" meant.
She decided that no matter how much he cried next time, she would absolutely not feel sorry for him.
Tang Xiao Min felt a bit hesitant to meet Yan Jue's gaze. After eating in an awkward silence, she went to school.
Her attention was caught by two small birds on a tree branch outside the window. Last night's events kept replaying in her mind. Due to her intense preoccupation, she didn't notice the teacher's disapproving glance.
After class, Shu Ya cheerfully approached Tang Xiao Min.
"Xiao Min, you're so distracted in broad daylight. Could it be you're lovesick..."
Tang Xiao Min was startled and quickly lowered her head.
"Don't talk nonsense. You're the one who's lovesick, you're lovesick every day."
Just then, Lin Ke Ke also joined them.
"Xiao Min, why is your face flushed? Look at you, your skin is rosy. What foundation are you using? Quickly introduce it to me."
"Hehe..." Shu Ya chuckled playfully.
"Not only is her complexion ruddy, but look at her eyes, so tender and charming, like silk threads. She's incredibly feminine."
"Cosmetics can't achieve this effect. In my opinion, it's the 'nourishment' from a man."
"President Yan's physique suggests he has great stamina, doesn't it, Xiao Min?"
...
Tang Xiao Min didn't know why she had such terrible friends.
As the saying goes, proximity to vermilion leads to being stained red, and proximity to ink leads to being stained black.
She must have been corrupted by them, which is why she dared to cross that boundary with Yan Jue before marriage.
Choosing friends wisely is crucial.
"Stop talking nonsense. It's nothing like that. If you keep talking like this, I'll have you fired from Tang Ye's company."
The moment she said this, Shu Ya's smile became even more suggestive.
"Before, it was just speculation, but Xiao Min, you're suddenly so angry, it seems we've guessed correctly."
"Xiao Min, you're amazing. I want to learn from you. Quickly impart some experience!"