Chapter 134 - Nowadays, You Don’t Even Give Me a Goodbye Kiss (2/2)

“In-law, do you understand what I’m saying?” Guan Liya looked at Zhou Mingyan coldly. She did not hide her disdain.

Zhou Mingyan kept pushing her luck, as if she had forgotten her standing, and how the gap between the Jian family and the Qi family was unbridgeable.

Just because the Qi family was courteous to her, she thought she could do as she pleased.

“Heh heh.” Zhou Mingyan laughed dryly, her eye twitching. “I do.”

After Qi Chengzhi bade farewell to Qi Zhongxun and Guan Liya, he left with Song Yu.

Even after the Range Rover disappeared in the night, Qi Chengyue could still feel Jian Yi’s terseness.

When they boarded the car, Jian Yi immediately pulled his hand from Qi Chengyue’s grasp.

The sudden emptiness in her palm made it feel cold.

Qi Chengyue thought about Qi Chengzhi’s suggestion, then spoke up. “Jian Yi, Big Brother said that the branch in France is looking to hire a new general manager, and he wants you to go.”

“France?” Jian Yi turned sharply, studying Qi Chengyue’s agitated profile in the darkness.

“Yeah, you have to know that, if you stay in B City, you’ll never rise to the level of a general manager. This is not pleasant, but I have to be honest. There are many people within the Qi family. Forget my dad, even the current general manager position in Qilin Property is held by my second elder brother. He’s still young, and there are many more decades till he retires. Furthermore, he’s doing well, so there’s no reason to replace him. How long do you think it will be before the general manager position there becomes vacant?

“Besides, by the time my uncle and my dad retire, Big Brother will be in charge of Qilin Technology, and my second elder brother will be the director of Qilin Property. Even then, it’s still uncertain whether you can become the general manager because you’re relatively inexperienced. There are a lot of people in the company who would be against it.

“Even though it’s the Qi family’s operations, we still have to consider the feelings of the veterans. Otherwise, the company will be a mess. There will be an influx of noxious gossip going around, implying that you’re relying on the power of the Qi family to advance your career. Moreover, Big Brother always emphasizes the importance of choosing the best person for the job. He may not…” Qi Chengyue looked at Jian Yi hesitantly.

“It will be different if you go to France. You can be the general manager there for a few years and gather experience. You’d be more competent. It’s impossible for a departmental manager to be promoted to the position of general manager straightaway. It’s simply not realistic.”

“I’m not going.” Jian Yi replied frostily.

“Jian Yi, don’t fall under the impression that it’s just a branch and that the decisions there don’t have merit. Qilin’s branch in Franch is of a certain scale, and it’s important to Qilin’s operations. The reason for the vacancy is that another large-scale, local corporation headhunted the original general manager. If you transfer there, it’ll be akin to gold-plating your resume. Not only would you have the title of general manager, you’d also have gained valuable managerial experience, too.

“In the future, Qilin, and many other corporations will have their eye on you. And, if you wanted to start your own business instead, you’d be on the right track. Furthermore, with my family’s money, you wouldn’t be restricted to just Qilin: you could go anywhere you wanted.

“I know you don’t want to hear people talking about you behind your back; talking about how you used the Qi family’s status to rise to power.” Qi Chengyue placed her hand on top of Jian Yi’s on the gearshift. His fingers were long and slim, sinews and bones clearly visible beneath his pale skin. They looked lovely.

“Regardless, it’s a great opportunity. If the general manager in France didn’t leave, there wouldn’t be a vacancy. You’d still be a departmental manager in Qilin.” Qi Chengyue spoke patiently and gently, “Jian Yi, I hold no ill will. This is all for your own good.”

“I said, I’m not going!” Jian Yi snatched his hand from beneath her palm and planted it firmly on the steering wheel.

“Why? Can you at least give me a reason for not wanting to go?” Qi Chengyue’s face sank. Something sharp and venomous in her wanted to ask if it was because of Song Yu, but, as Zhou Mingyan was present, it would not be appropriate.

“Yes!” She had not expected Zhou Mingyan, seated at the back, to respond, and she started. “I think what Chengyue is proposing is reasonable. It’s a good opportunity. You can go to France for a few years, and then return. It’ll be of tremendous value to your career.”

Jian Yi sneered, “If I go to France, I’m not sure there’ll be a place for me to return to. I don’t think Qi Chengzhi is so kind. He wants to send me away so I won’t be an eyesore.”

“Jian Yi —” Qi Chengyue was determined to persuade him.

“It’s no use continuing this discussion. I’m not going!” Jian Yi snapped, frustrated. He spoke in a low voice, “If I can’t become the general manager of Qilin, I will start my own business.”

“I think…” Jian Yi glanced at Qi Chengyue, “you’d support me, right?”

“Of course, I’d do anything for your benefit, but —”

“Then this conversation is over.” Jian Yi was frigid, uncompromising. As though realizing his distance, he suddenly grabbed Qi Chengyue’s hand. “If I were to go to France, you’d have to follow. It’s not home, and everything would be confusing and inconvenient to you. You wouldn’t be able to adapt. Furthermore, you’d have to leave your parents and your family. Such is my reason, as well. My parents are getting older. I want to spend more time with them.

“Chengyue, the future is important, but our family is important too. My parents are here, and I can’t leave them on their own. I’m sure you’re not willing to leave your parents either.”

Zhou Mingyan teared up as she listened to what he had to say. She nodded vigorously. “I, too, would hate to part with you, but, for your future, I’m willing to make that sacrifice. Given you have no inclination to do so, however, I support your decision to stay. When you do start your own business, I believe it will grow to be as successful, if not more so, than Qilin!”

Jian Yi looked to Qi Chengyue again, unable to read her expression. She lowered her head and quietly said, “I understand.”

…

…

Qi Chengzhi sent her to the office the next day, parking his Range Rover right outside the office.

“I’m not busy today. I’ll pick you up tonight,” he said.

Song Yu unbuckled her seat belt as she hummed her acquiescence. As she was about to leave, she looked up and held Qi Chengzhi’s hand. His smooth palm was unusually warm.

The weather was growing warmer. He was not wearing a jacket, but his suit fitted nicely on his shoulders.

He looked lean and tall in a suit. It hid his sinewy, defined muscles.

His handsome face gave her sense of calm and rejuvenation, as if she had been graced by a morning zephyr.

Sometimes, Song Yu felt it a miracle for her to be dating a man like Qi Chengzhi. It was like a dream.

“Be careful when driving.” Song Yu pinched his arm and smiled up at his face. She felt she would never tire of it.

He dragged her back, as she placed one leg out the door. She toppled gracelessly on her back, almost landing on him. Instinctively, she tried to push herself up, and her hand accidentally landed on his groin.

She had not seen where she had placed her palm, only thinking that the sensation was peculiar, unlike what a leg should feel like.

So she looked down. Her hand was indeed on his private area, and, what was worse, she was pressing down on it. Her face exploded.

Her ears were burning with mortification and she was sure he could see them steaming. She heard Qi Chengzhi suppress a hoarse grunt above her.

Song Yu quickly removed her hand, but Qi Chengzhi caught it and held on tight.

“Do you care less for me?” Qi Chengzhi’s voice was deep and guttural, his words murmured into her hair. Her scalp tingled with electricity, his hot gaps of air making her mind go numb.

Song Yu looked up, still scarlet with embarrassment. He held her hand and brought it up to his soft lips. With his elegant hand still wrapped around hers, he began caressing her lips.

Song Yu’s lips quivered under his ministrations, until he intertwined their fingers. In his deep, low voice, he remarked, “Nowadays, you don’t even give me a goodbye kiss.”

Song Yu’s cheeks were aflame in red. She looked up at Qi Chengzhi’s delicate features. His lips curled into a small smile. His warm breath, and the intoxicating scent of him, fell across her face as he leaned in close.

Song Yu’s lips were still trembling. She looked up and kissed him, startled by the searing heat of his lips.

She had intended for it to be a simple goodbye kiss, brief and chaste. As she was about to pull away, however, Qi Chengzhi violently shoved her backwards.

His movements were like an agile leopard. He pressed her to the back of the seat, with the back of her head forced against the leather headrest. She felt as if she was about to sink into the chair.

“Oh!” Skillfully, he unbuckled the seat belt and crowded her.

His lips were jammed against hers. He found her other, soft hand and laced their fingers together. Pinning her hands by either side of her head, he invaded her mouth with his tongue, exploring every inch of her wet cavern, in a passionate kiss.