CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 357: Give Us Half an Hour, Do Not Disturb

Chapter 357: Chapter 357: Give Us Half an Hour, Do Not Disturb

"It’s really nothing," Qiao Rui reassured him once again, but he clearly didn’t believe her.

Sure enough, Pei Liyan suddenly grabbed her and headed straight for the Qiao Family Corporation.

The receptionist was startled when she saw them enter together. "Mr. Pei, President Qiao."

Qiao Rui shot the receptionist a piercing look, one filled with intimidating authority.

"President Qiao," the receptionist called out again.

Qiao Rui ignored her completely. That single glance was enough to scare her witless.

Today’s events had obviously reached the receptionist’s ears, and she likely felt uneasy now.

A moment ago, she must have witnessed the scene outside the entrance.

Qiao Rui thought there was no need to say much—the receptionist would behave herself for a while.

She and Pei Liyan walked in the direction of the elevator.

Pei Liyan said to her, "That receptionist, she’s also one of Qiao Junxian’s people."

"Of course!" Qiao Rui nodded. "What do you think? Wasn’t I quite intimidating just now with that cold, hard glare?"

Pei Liyan let out a small, disapproving sigh. "You... You shouldn’t be so careless."

"I wasn’t careless at all," Qiao Rui replied. "It’s just that, since this place has been taken over, conflict is inevitable."

"So now we’re claiming turf?" Pei Liyan asked with obvious exasperation.

"This is far beyond turf wars. It’s a life-and-death struggle," Qiao Rui explained matter-of-factly.

The elevator arrived, and the two stepped in together.

Soon, Fang Mo joined them, entering the elevator as well.

The sight of the two men standing by her made Qiao Rui feel momentarily as though she were relying on borrowed authority.

Without a doubt, Pei Liyan’s presence here would make her work a lot easier in the days to come.

Forget it—she didn’t have the energy to deal with office politics. Being under his wing would save her a lot of hassle.

When the elevator reached the floor, the staff in the President’s Office saw them step out together and paused in surprise. Then, their gazes turned to Pei Liyan, eyes brimming with admiration.

Particularly the women. They regarded Pei Liyan as if he were an idol.

Qiao Rui said nothing, leading him directly into the President’s Office.

Li Chongming spotted them and immediately stepped forward, being both respectful and grateful. "President Qiao, Mr. Pei, good afternoon."

Pei Liyan glanced briefly at Li Chongming and gave a slight nod.

It seemed this one had already been won over by Qiao Rui.

Much sooner than Pei Liyan had expected.

What on earth had this girl done to make someone loyal to Qiao Junxian switch sides so quickly?

Qiao Rui smiled lightly and said, "Carry on with your work."

"Understood, President. Would you, Mr. Pei, and Mr. Fang like tea or coffee?"

"Nothing," Pei Liyan answered firmly. "Give us half an hour and don’t disturb us."

Li Chongming froze, glancing at Qiao Rui.

Qiao Rui also looked at Pei Liyan, her gaze carrying a warning.

This behavior of his would make it hard for her to maintain authority in the office going forward.

Pei Liyan simply gave her a glance without saying a word, took her hand, and led her further inside.

Fang Mo smiled at Li Chongming and said, "I’ll take a coffee then."

"Alright, Mr. Fang, please come with me," Li Chongming said, personally escorting him to the lounge. "Li Secretary, prepare a cup of coffee."

"Yes," Li Secretary responded immediately as they went to brew coffee.

Fang Mo then added, "Please prepare a pot of tea in half an hour."

Li Chongming and Li Secretary were both taken aback but nodded in agreement.

Inside the President’s Office, Qiao Rui glanced at Pei Liyan, who had already locked the door.

"What are you doing? This is my office, and today’s my first day. Don’t make this awkward for me," Qiao Rui blurted out, startled.

Pei Liyan shot her a sideways look. "I’m just checking your injuries. What were you thinking?"

"No need. I’m not injured," Qiao Rui said quickly. "There’s no need for a check."

Without any intention of wasting words, Pei Liyan reached out to grab at Qiao Rui’s clothing.

Qiao Rui gasped and stepped back, dodging the man’s hand.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Either you take it off yourself, or I’ll help you undress. Make it quick—don’t waste time," Pei Liyan said, his face devoid of emotion as he stared her down.

Qiao Rui was left speechless. "On my very first day at work, you show up to undress me? People would laugh till they dropped if word got out."

"You don’t seem like someone who cares about that kind of thing," Pei Liyan replied coolly. "No, you don’t care at all."

Completely flabbergasted, Qiao Rui sighed, her voice filled with exasperation. "You’re being so overbearing."

"Hurry up. Stop wasting time," Pei Liyan said, still stern-faced.

With no choice, Qiao Rui turned and walked inside.

Her slow, dilly-dallying movements quickly eroded Pei Liyan’s patience. He stepped forward, grabbed her, and said in a commanding tone, "Stop testing my patience. I can’t wait any longer."

As he spoke, he lifted her clothing and revealed the large, crimson mark on her back—a punch imprint that stood out starkly against her fair skin, red and swollen.

The red mark looked especially jarring on such smooth, pale skin.

Pei Liyan’s eyes darkened instantly upon seeing it, a sharpness gleaming in his gaze.

Qiao Rui glanced at him and met his cold, icy expression. "Don’t look so grim—it’s scary."

"You know fear after all?" His tone was tinged with frustration—both anger and concern. "Against a dozen men, did you seriously think you could handle them alone?"

"A few of them seemed manageable. They’re just showy amateurs, not real martial experts," Qiao Rui replied matter-of-factly. "If they were all true experts, I’d have run."

Pei Liyan cast her a disapproving look. "Your little tricks will get used up sooner or later."

He reached out to touch her back.

"Ow!" Qiao Rui gasped in pain. "Don’t touch it."

It didn’t hurt as much when untouched, but the moment it was touched, the pain surged.

Pei Liyan’s expression grew colder, and he refrained from touching her again. Instead, he stared at the mark on her back, his face as icy as a glacier.

Pulling out his phone, Pei Liyan called Fang Mo. "Bring some ice over."

"Understood," Fang Mo replied immediately, realizing Madam was injured. He quickly informed Li Chongming.

Li Chongming was startled but relieved to find the office lounge stocked with ice cubes.

He personally prepared some and delivered them to the President’s Office.

After a knock, Pei Liyan opened the door, took the ice from Li Chongming, and shut the door again without a word.

Li Chongming and Fang Mo remained standing outside, both feeling a twinge of worry.

Back inside, Pei Liyan said to Qiao Rui, "Come to the sofa."

"No need," Qiao Rui replied, finding his reaction overly dramatic.

But as soon as she spoke, his glacially stern expression silenced her, and she had no choice but to walk over obediently.

A punch like that wasn’t severe, but being treated like this left her feeling slightly unsettled.

"Take off your clothes," Pei Liyan said curtly.

Qiao Rui couldn’t believe what she was hearing. She reluctantly removed her blazer, leaving just her camisole, which revealed her round, fair shoulders.

Pei Liyan instructed her to sit down and lean over his lap.

Qiao Rui was exasperated. "Does it have to be this position?"

"Either that, or sit directly on my lap," Pei Liyan replied firmly.