Xu Shuming rushed out of the car and grabbed Crystal's arm.
Xu Shuming: "What did Ou Yunchen say to you?"
Upon seeing Xu Shuming's face, Crystal stopped crying. She seemed to have forgotten her sadness for him.
Crystal: "Does it have anything to do with you?"
Xu Shuming: "Don't forget whose person you are. You must report anything about Ou Yunchen to me at all times!"
Crystal: "He didn't say anything."
Xu Shuming: "Impossible. Why would he suddenly come to see you?"
Crystal: "I took time off. He came to see me."
Xu Shuming: "That's it?"
Crystal: "That's it. What else could there be?"
Xu Shuming stared intently at Crystal. He knew that she would eventually be abandoned by Ou Yunchen.
However, seeing the shy expression Crystal had put on for Ou Yunchen earlier, he found it surprisingly innocent.
How could this woman have such an expression? Or was she trying to seduce Ou Yunchen according to her own plan?
Xu Shuming: "You haven't really fallen for Ou Yunchen, have you?"
Crystal: "So what if I have! Don't you want me to become Ou Yunchen's woman?"
Xu Shuming suddenly grabbed Crystal's neck, choking her.
Xu Shuming: "I sent you to be by his side to do my bidding, not to fall in love with him! You'd better know your place. If I ever find out you betrayed me, I'll… I'll sell you like before..."
Before Xu Shuming could finish, a man rushed out and shoved him away.
Ou Yunchen held Crystal's shoulders. He looked at Xu Shuming fiercely. After seeming to recognize him, his expression changed to one of surprise.
Crystal was also so frightened she dared not make a sound. They had both thought Ou Yunchen had left. Who would have thought he would return? Even more unfortunately, he had walked in on her and Xu Shuming together.
Ou Yunchen: "Are you alright?"
Crystal shook her head, her eyes dazed, only occasionally glancing at Xu Shuming.
Ou Yunchen: "What are you doing! Hey? Mr. Xu? Are you Mr. Xu Shuming?"
Xu Shuming, half-covering his face, quickly got up from the ground and fled in his car.
Ou Yunchen watched Xu Shuming leave, then turned to comfort Crystal.
Ou Yunchen: "What was that just now? Why was that man choking you?"
Crystal remained silent. She didn't know what lie she could concoct to make Ou Yunchen believe she had no choice.
Ou Yunchen: "That was Xu Shuming, right? The CEO of Su Shi Group?"
Unsure how to answer, Crystal thought of feigning unconsciousness. She weakly collapsed into Ou Yunchen's arms. This trick always worked; no man could resist helping a damsel in distress.
Crystal: "Mr. Ou, I feel a little unwell. Could you help me upstairs?"
Ou Yunchen: "Okay."
***
Ou Yunchen helped Crystal to her home and had her lie on the sofa. Ou Yunchen then went to get her a glass of water, as Crystal instructed.
Seeing the marks on Crystal's neck, Ou Yunchen looked both pained and angry. This deeply touched Crystal.
If she could truly win Ou Yunchen's affection, she would immediately abandon Xu Shuming and throw herself into Ou Yunchen's arms!
Ou Yunchen: "Are you feeling any better?"
Crystal: "Much better, thank you, Mr. Ou."
Ou Yunchen: "If you don't want to tell me, it's fine."
Crystal: "Mr. Ou, why did you come back?"
Ou Yunchen: "I don't know why either. I suddenly felt uneasy, so I came back. Fortunately, I saw that scene. Otherwise, I can't imagine what else might have happened."
Crystal's heart trembled. Her heart beat faster. Did Ou Yunchen really have feelings for her, which was why he cared so much?
Ou Yunchen: "You should rest. I won't disturb you."
Crystal immediately got up and grabbed Ou Yunchen's arm.
Crystal: "Mr. Ou, actually... the person you saw just now, the one I'm sorry about... that was him..."
Ou Yunchen: "Xu Shuming?"
Crystal nodded.
Crystal: "Yes, I've been lying to you. My previous profession was indeed a secretary, but not for Gao Bo of Kai Shi Group..."
Ou Yunchen: "Then who were you?"
Crystal: "I was Xu Shuming's secretary..."
Ou Yunchen feigned shock, as if hearing this for the first time. He even recoiled slightly, looking at Crystal with alarm, making her believe his reaction was genuine.
Crystal: "I'm sorry..."
Ou Yunchen: "Why? What was your purpose in coming to me!"
Ou Yunchen only raised his voice a little, and Crystal was startled. Perhaps this scene hadn't gone as she expected. She thought she would never have to reveal the truth and could marry Xu Shuming once her mission was complete!
Crystal: "I was forced by Xu Shuming. He made me come to you to monitor your every move. He was worried you would conspire with Mrs. Su against Su Shi."
Ou Yunchen: "Su Shi and he are a family. Why would he fear me and Mrs. Su joining forces?"
Crystal: "Because the Su Shi he possesses now was tricked from Mrs. Su. He wants to control Su Shi forever and doesn't want Mrs. Su to take back the Su Shi he painstakingly built."
Ou Yunchen: "What does that have to do with me!"
Crystal: "Because you saved Mrs. Su, Xu Shuming suspects you are someone Mrs. Su is working with behind the scenes."
Ou Yunchen: "So you've been secretly reporting to Xu Shuming all this time?"
Crystal: "Yes, I swear, I only reported on work-related matters. And you are indeed not Mrs. Su's person. Xu Shuming has confirmed this many times."
Ou Yunchen: "How did he confirm it?"
Crystal recounted how Xu Shuming had repeatedly sent people to tail him, and how she had reported on several large contracts signed by Datong.
However, those were all faked. The contracts were forged to provide Crystal with something to report, merely to deceive Xu Shuming.
Ou Yunchen was furious. He glared at Crystal, his previous gentleness instantly turning icy cold.
Crystal: "Mr. Ou, please believe me. I was truly forced, and I don't want to work for Xu Shuming anymore."
Ou Yunchen: "How can I believe you? You're my top secretary, and you've deceived me like this?"
Crystal: "What you just saw was Xu Shuming being dissatisfied with my work. I told him I didn't want to do it anymore, and he was going to silence me..."
Ou Yunchen: "Do you have anything he can hold over you?"
Crystal cried. On one hand, she was scared; on the other, she regretted it. To keep Xu Shuming, she had done many wrong things, all to satisfy Xu Shuming's perverted desires.
Ou Yunchen: "If I were to accuse you of stealing trade secrets, your career would be ruined."
Crystal: "No, please, let me go. I have nothing left..."
Ou Yunchen: "If you tell me, perhaps I can still help you."
Crystal: "Before... before I was Xu Shuming's secretary..."
Crystal stammered, speaking unclearly.
She repeated each sentence many times, as if breaking down her internal barriers. Ou Yunchen pressed her relentlessly, wanting that secret to become a sharp blade he could use to control Crystal later!
Crystal: "To make money, I worked in a hotel..."
Ou Yunchen looked at Crystal in disbelief. Crystal felt as if she was being looked down upon. She quickly grabbed Ou Yunchen's arm, but he pushed her away.
Crystal: "He used this to coerce me. If I didn't monitor you, he would ruin me..."
Crystal did not reveal that she was Xu Shuming's mistress. She would certainly not say that she was also working for Xu Shuming out of unrequited love, with the reward being to become the legitimate Mrs. Xu one day.
But she certainly couldn't become Mrs. Xu now, nor could she return to Xu Shuming's side. That beautiful wish was shattered. Now, only Ou Yunchen remained.
If she made herself seem pathetic, perhaps she could gain a man's pity for a woman. She believed in the idea of feelings developing over time. As long as she could stay by Ou Yunchen's side, he would eventually be won over.
Ou Yunchen: "I still can't believe you."
Crystal: "I really won't work for Xu Shuming anymore. Please believe me."
Ou Yunchen: "Xu Shuming will always hold your past against you, and you'll inevitably end up working for him again. I can't keep you."
Crystal: "Then I might as well die..."
Saying this, Crystal moved towards the window, intending to jump. She gambled that Ou Yunchen wouldn't let her. After all, based on what had just happened, Ou Yunchen seemed to have feelings for her.
Ou Yunchen immediately stopped her, calling her crazy. Seeing Ou Yunchen's concern, Crystal felt more confident.
Crystal: "I'll do anything for you, as long as you believe me."
Ou Yunchen chuckled inwardly. Finally, she took the bait.
Ou Yunchen: "Anything?"
Crystal: "Anything."
Ou Yunchen: "Betray Xu Shuming. Do you dare?"
Crystal: "Betray him? I promised you I wouldn't work for him anymore, as long as you protect me."
Ou Yunchen: "Not just stop working for him, but work for me."
Crystal hesitated for a few seconds, but looking at Ou Yunchen's determined gaze, she finally understood. Ou Yunchen wanted to conduct counter-espionage, to turn this corporate spy against Xu Shuming and gather intelligence on him.
Crystal: "You already saw me with him. Xu Shuming probably won't trust me anymore."
Ou Yunchen: "I will make him trust you again. But from now on, if you want to live a clean life in this world, you can only work for me."
Crystal: "Wait, I... I don't understand. Why are you suddenly interested in Xu Shuming?"
Ou Yunchen: "It's about Su Shi."
Crystal: "Su Shi?"
After tens of seconds, Crystal seemed to have a sudden realization. She smiled somewhat stiffly, then acted as if she had gone mad. She finally understood.
Crystal: "You're Mrs. Su's person?"
Ou Yunchen: "That's right. I've been working for Mrs. Su all along."
Crystal: "How did you manage it?"
Ou Yunchen: "You don't need to know that. You just need to tell me if you're willing to help me."
Crystal: "What's in it for me?"
Ou Yunchen: "A clean identity. You won't be threatened by Xu Shuming, and no one will know what you've done."
Crystal: "You're no match for Xu Shuming. Su Shi is too deeply entrenched."
Ou Yunchen: "Su Shi must remain. It's just that he cannot. What I want to do is return everything to its rightful place."
Crystal: "I'll consider it."
Ou Yunchen: "Good. I hope when we meet again, it will be on the day we join forces."