CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 229 I’ve Already Taken a Fancy to You

Chapter 229: Chapter 229 I’ve Already Taken a Fancy to You

"Oh?" He Zheng raised an eyebrow. "Since when has Secretary Si confided in me?"

Si Ran knew he was deliberately changing the subject. Talking to him was like seeking skin from a tiger—it was futile; she was never his match.

With a light smile, Si Ran’s voice was clear and tranquil, providing a very pleasant sensation: "President He, I have some things to attend to, so I’ll be going ahead."

"Wait!" He Zheng blocked Si Ran’s path, unwilling to end the conversation just yet. "Why the hurry?"

Si Ran smiled faintly, "President He, do you have any more matters for me?"

"Si Ran, you know what I mean. I thank you for not leaving my sister behind today, regardless of the circumstances," He Zheng said seriously and sincerely, expressing his gratitude. "I should be the one thanking you."

"President He is being too polite," Si Ran smiled lightly. "It’s a part of the job arranged by President Pei."

"Part of the job." He Zheng chuckled, elongating the end of his phrase, as if it held another, indescribable meaning.

Si Ran pursed her lips, saying, "Yes, work should be just so."

Having said that in such an indifferent manner, He Zheng’s eyes darkened instead.

He took a step back, smiling, "That’s true, Secretary Si is so capable, anything arranged by your CEO, you will definitely do well."

"Still, I’m sorry for not meeting President He’s expectations," Si Ran replied indifferently.

He Zheng chuckled lightly. "Can’t blame you for that, my sister’s been a troublemaker, after all."

Si Ran remained silent, not taking the bait, and moved forward.

He Zheng turned his head to look at her and walked back with her. "Secretary Si doesn’t argue against my sister being a troublemaker; it seems you quite agree."

"President He watched Miss He grow up, I don’t need to comment on what kind of person she is," Si Ran said, still wearing a lukewarm smile.

Beaten at his own game, He Zheng chortled, "Si Ran, you’re quite sharp-tongued."

Si Ran just responded with a smile, remaining silent.

He Zheng continued, "You’re very considerate. Either way, I owe you a favor."

"President He is being polite, there’s really no need to thank me, I haven’t done anything," Si Ran said.

"Secretary Si is the one being truly humble," He Zheng’s eyes glinted, shifting the conversation, "With your sharp wit, I suddenly have a desire to borrow you from President Pei. How about you come and be my secretary for a while?"

Si Ran paused, surprised by He Zheng’s suggestion, but knowing he liked to joke, she didn’t take it to heart. "President He, my abilities are limited; I fear they wouldn’t meet your criteria."

"Isn’t it obvious that I have my eye on you?" He Zheng smiled. "I’m afraid it’s my company that wouldn’t meet Secretary Si’s criteria."

Still thinking that he was just kidding around, Si Ran replied lightly, "President He, please stop teasing me, also, I have no plans to change jobs at the moment."

"So, Secretary Si looks down on me?" He Zheng raised an eyebrow and glanced at her.

Si Ran looked down and forced a smile. "No, President He is mistaken."

"Why refuse to join me then?"

"President He doesn’t genuinely intend to change secretaries, does he?"

"I could have a word with Liyan, borrow you for three months, how about that?"

"President He holds me in high regard, but let’s forget the idea of a loan; I’m happy with my current job and don’t wish to change," Si Ran said bluntly.

"Why not?" He Zheng persisted, pressing for an answer.

Si Ran stopped walking, looked at He Zheng, and spoke half truthfully, half as a jest, "Because President He is too handsome, I’m afraid of taking a liking to you; falling for a heartthrob like you will end up hurting myself."

He Zheng was taken aback, staring at Si Ran for a while before he burst into laughter. "Si Ran, you look so cute when you joke. This is the first time I’ve seen you make such a cold joke."

Si Ran’s complexion turned pale, then she also smiled, hiding the sadness of that moment.

Falling for him is a cold joke.

Indeed, her probing, in his eyes, was nothing but a joke.

When she looked up again, her smile was clear and fresh, with a calm and aloof look in her eyes. "You know, President He, you keep telling me cold jokes, how could I not tell one myself and match your enthusiasm?"

Finally, a slight ripple crossed the calm gaze of He Zheng, who then smiled thoughtfully.

Si Ran was odd; when she talked to him, she was neither servile nor overbearing, sometimes even stubbornly so.

He was intrigued and said with interest, "Talking to you is quite fascinating."

Si Ran responded with a light smile, "That is quite the honor for me."

She walked away, striding large steps.

He Zheng felt a subtle shock as he watched the confident woman. A complex emotion emerged inside of him.

He had always found Si Ran, the little secretary who managed everything effortlessly, quite amusing. Never fumbling, she was bold in conversation with him, never kowtowing.

She was different from any woman he had known before.

Having lived in the business world for many years, He Zheng had encountered all sorts of women.

Si Ran wasn’t overtly flirtatious, yet her appearance was charming, her style of handling affairs crisp and captivating.

Whenever he was idle, he enjoyed teasing this little secretary.

Si Ran had already moved on, without any hesitation in her steps.

He Zheng lifted his dark eyes, observing her retreating figure with a steady gaze.

Qiao Rui returned to the dining table, where the banquet had not yet begun; Pei Liyan himself was still there.

Upon her return, Pei Liyan raised an eyebrow, a slight emotion in his gaze. "Seems there was some excitement in the restroom just now."

Qiao Rui glanced at him, smiled faintly, and said, "Yes, Mr. Pei is remarkably perceptive; indeed it was quite eventful."

"Oh, do tell?" He prodded.

"Mr. Pei enjoys gossiping?" Qiao Rui teased him.

"Nothing better to do." Pei Liyan wasn’t embarrassed; he was determined to find out what he wanted to know.

Qiao Rui shrugged and said, "Just an overly lively scenario."

"He Lan must have been scared, right?" inquired Pei Liyan.

Qiao Rui was taken aback, then looked into his eyes with a dazzling smile, her allure undeniable. She looked like a seductive siren, smiling with a calm, cool depth in her eyes.

"Yes," Qiao Rui nodded.

"Who was it?" Pei Liyan asked.

"Qi Yun," Qiao Rui didn’t hide it.

Pei Liyan smiled lightly. "I guessed it was Miss Qi."

"Why do you think so?" Qiao Rui asked back.

"Miss Song seems to be unwell," Pei Liyan said indifferently.

Qiao Rui was taken aback. "Is that so?"

She sounded calm, but her mind was in turmoil. How on earth could Pei Liyan have noticed?

Pei Liyan just smiled. "Her face was very pale. Attending the engagement party probably took a lot of effort, resembling an arrow at the end of its flight."