Volume One, Chapter 10: Nearly Forced into a Kiss!

Su Mei had risen to fame like a phoenix, while Su Wan remained nothing more than a lowly employee of her fiancé. This outcome had been predestined long ago. However, even if she had to leave, she could not resign voluntarily; otherwise, she would forfeit her severance pay.

"Mr. Meng, if she dislikes me working at your company, you are more than welcome to fire me."

Meng Yanli paused slightly. Feeling a sense of discomfort, he asked, "Do you think I am the kind of person who fails to separate professional and personal matters?"

Su Wan was taken aback and looked up at him. "Mr. Meng, you didn't call me in here to fire me?"

Meng Yanli tapped his slender fingers against the desk, his tone cold. "If you don't do your job well, then I might very well do just that."

Su Wan felt relieved. "Very well, I'll go back to work."

"Wait a moment..."

Su Wan stopped.

Meng Yanli stared at her with deep, unreadable eyes for a moment before saying, "Su Mei is young and perhaps a bit spoiled, but she is quite innocent. Please be more tolerant of her in the future."

"Alright, I understand."

Su Wan walked out of the office, a trace of mockery grazing her lips. Su Mei, that girl, innocent? She had to admit that Su Mei was quite the actress to have deceived someone as shrewd as Meng Yanli. But it didn't matter. Once she saved enough money, she would leave this company at the first opportunity. She knew full well that even if she didn't resign, Su Mei would eventually find a way to drive her out.

***

"Su Wan, I have a business engagement today. Come with me." As work ended, Meng Yanli suddenly stopped her, adding after a pause, "Assistant Wu has matters to attend to and cannot make it."

"Oh, alright." Since the boss had spoken, she had no choice but to comply.

At the club's private room, the guests had already arrived. When Meng Yanli entered, everyone stood up to greet him, their sycophantic intentions clear. When her gaze fell upon a young man, Su Wan couldn't help but freeze.

The man exclaimed in surprise, "Su Wan! I never expected to run into you here!"

Su Wan felt awkward. Ye Fan was a former college classmate who had once pursued her. Encountering him in such a setting was rather uncomfortable. Meng Yanli glanced over. The man was young, tall, and handsome.

Everyone took their seats, with Meng Yanli at the head of the table. Su Wan sat next to Ye Fan’s father. Across from his father, Ye Fan whispered to her, "Why didn't you come to the graduation reunion last time? Everyone missed you."

"I had matters to attend to back then." Since he had asked, Su Wan felt obliged to respond. Her voice was low, but those nearby could still hear her.

Meng Yanli, though occupied with small talk, hadn't missed the exchange. His expression darkened. He had brought this girl here to broaden her horizons, yet here she was, chatting away with a male classmate.

Perhaps finding it inconvenient to talk across his father, Ye Fan actually asked his father to switch seats.

"Don't be ridiculous. Eat your meal and keep quiet." Ye Fan’s father was a businessman; he could easily sense the subtle dynamic between the girl and Mr. Meng. The fact that she was brought to such an occasion by Meng Yanli spoke volumes. This foolish son of his truly lacked perception.

Su Wan breathed a sigh of relief. She had no desire to interact much with him; they weren't that close. Yet, Ye Fan persisted.

"I’m going to the restroom." Annoyed, Su Wan just wanted some air. As soon as she exited the room, she heard rapid footsteps behind her.

"Su Wan." Ye Fan had followed her out.

She paused, "Is something the matter?"

"There’s a class reunion coming up soon. You’ll come, won't you?" Ye Fan looked at her with anticipation.

"I’m quite busy with work, I don't think I'll have the time."

Ye Fan's face darkened instantly. "Busy with work? Is your 'busy' just accompanying your boss to functions?" He looked at her with a pained expression. "Su Wan, you were such an excellent student back in school. Why aren't you a designer? Why settle for being a trophy for your boss? Are you that desperate to climb the social ladder into a wealthy family?"

"If that’s what you want, my family is well-off too! My father's company is large, and one day it will all be mine. Won't you marry me instead?"

Su Wan’s eyes widened. She didn't consider herself close to this man; what right did he have to judge her life? How bizarre!

"Ye Fan, you’re drunk!" Although he hadn't had much, he was clearly feigning madness through alcohol.

"I'm not drunk, I'm speaking from the heart!" Ye Fan reached out to grab her. "Su Wan, you know I’ve always liked you! Just marry me..." He pulled her forcefully into his arms and leaned in to kiss her by force.

Su Wan’s face flushed red as she pushed against him with all her might, but her strength was limited. Just as it seemed he might succeed, footsteps echoed nearby. Ye Fan looked up instinctively and found Meng Yanli watching them with cold, piercing eyes.

Panic surged through him, and he let go immediately. Despite the alcohol, his mind was clear enough to know that Meng Yanli was not someone he could afford to offend. Su Wan was his assistant, and forcing himself on her would certainly be an insult to the man. Furthermore, who knew if Meng Yanli actually had feelings for her? Since Su Wan hadn't agreed to date him yet, he couldn't take the risk.

He stammered, "Mr. Meng, Su Wan and I are old classmates. We were just talking about old times..."

Meng Yanli said coldly, "That's good. Continue, then." With that, he strode toward the restroom.

Su Wan, feeling deeply embarrassed, hurried back to the room.

***

After the dinner concluded, they left the club. Su Wan intended to drive, but Meng Yanli insisted on calling a designated driver. When she reached for the passenger seat, he stopped her.

"Sit in the back. I have something to ask you."

Su Wan hesitated, then closed the front door and got into the back seat. The air in the car was stifling, and her palms were sweating. She could sense the boss's mood was off.

The man asked suddenly, "Are you dating Mr. Ye’s son?"

Su Wan was stunned and shook her head quickly. "No, he's just a classmate."

Meng Yanli glanced at her, his tone frigid. "Even if you were dating, do you think it's appropriate to be hugging and kissing in a setting like that?"

One left, and the other followed immediately after; it would be strange if there wasn't something going on between them.

"Mr. Meng, you’ve misunderstood. Actually, at that time, he..." She couldn't bring herself to mention the attempted forced kiss; it felt too humiliating.

Seeing her stammering, Meng Yanli’s expression darkened even further. "Fine, don't explain. Even if you're dating, you should know when and where to behave. Don't let this happen again."

"Yes, I understand." Su Wan didn't want to explain further; she felt there was no need. The innocent need no defense.

The rest of the ride was silent. Su Wan felt the heavy atmosphere, and Meng Yanli’s demeanor seemed even colder than usual. Finally, they arrived home. As she stepped out of the car, Su Wan breathed a sigh of relief. She thanked Meng Yanli for the ride, and he nodded, instructing the driver to leave.

Su Wan had just entered the house when she saw Su Mei charging down the stairs. The girl raised her hand to strike, but Su Wan caught her wrist mid-air.

"Su Mei, what madness is this?" Her father and brothers hit her, but now this girl wanted to hit her too?

"Su Wan, you are truly shameless! How dare you seduce my fiancé!"

"Are you having a breakdown? When did I ever?"

Su Mei gritted her teeth. "Don't try to deny it! I saw everything from the balcony just now."

Su Wan frowned, explaining with forced patience, "I just accompanied Mr. Meng to a business function, and he dropped me off on his way. That is all."

"Why would a boss drop an employee home? Su Wan, tell the truth! Did you pretend to be drunk to seduce Brother Yanli?" Su Mei persisted, questioning her loudly.

"I don't have the energy for you..." Su Wan let go, wanting nothing to do with this.

"Ah—"

Just as she took two steps up the stairs, she heard a sharp scream. She turned around to see Su Mei lying on the floor! Before she could react, the rest of the family came rushing down the stairs...