CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 359: Looking Far Ahead

Chapter 359: Chapter 359: Looking Far Ahead

Qiao Rui froze for a moment.

The man’s deep eyes locked onto hers, moved slightly apart, and his husky voice sounded: "I haven’t kissed you since you came back. Let me kiss you."

Qiao Rui was about to say something when the man kissed her neck. A tingling sensation shot up her scalp, leaving her slightly numb.

A kiss was fine, but kissing her neck? Was he trying to kill her?

Qiao Rui shrank back and said, "Stop, everyone is waiting."

Pei Liyan finally lifted his head and kissed her lips again.

This time, he kissed her forcefully, giving her no chance to resist.

After a full five minutes, when Qiao Rui’s lips and tongue were completely numb, he finally let her go, satisfied.

Qiao Rui’s face was flushed, her lips red and swollen.

This was bad. If she opened the door now and let everyone see her like this, they’d know what just happened.

Her image of relying on a man to climb up the ranks would be cemented.

Qiao Rui sighed deeply, casting a resentful glance at the man.

Pei Liyan looked at her flushed face, rosy cheeks, with a faint smile. "Get up and put your clothes on properly."

"You’re doing this on purpose," Qiao Rui accused him, annoyed.

Pei Liyan nodded slightly. "Hmm, that’s the idea."

"How can you be so bad?" Qiao Rui accused him again.

Pei Liyan replied, "Just letting some men know you’re mine."

Qiao Rui pouted. "Do you think there’s anyone in all of Qingcheng who doesn’t already know that I, Qiao Rui, am your wife?"

"Hmm. Since you’re mine, I’ll protect you." Pei Liyan put down the ice, grabbed her jacket, and personally helped her put it on. "Go open the door."

At the moment, Gai Yin was at the door, anxious.

She’d been reviewing Qiao Junxian’s accounts, disentangling a mess of figures when Huang Ying called her about the incident involving the Young Master. Worried, she rushed over.

Stopped by Li Chongming and Fang Mo, she paid no heed and insisted on knocking, concerned about the Young Master.

The sound of the Young Master’s voice eased her worries to some degree.

Finally, the door opened.

Gai Yin saw Qiao Rui’s flushed face and froze, immediately realizing what might’ve just transpired. Her own face turned red, but she quickly composed herself and asked, "Are you alright?"

"I’m fine," Qiao Rui replied. "Come in."

She turned and walked back inside.

Gai Yin stood at the doorway and took a deep breath.

The last time she’d met Pei Liyan in Liu Garden, she was pretending to be the Young Master. Now, meeting him again, she was worried he might recognize her.

Qiao Rui seemed to sense Gai Yin’s hesitation.

She immediately turned to glance at Gai Yin, giving her a subtle reminder with her eyes.

Gai Yin slightly nodded in acknowledgment.

Entering the room, her gaze quickly fell on the man lounging on the sofa with an air of idle elegance.

Gai Yin walked inside and met Pei Liyan’s gaze. She greeted him with a polite nod and a calm smile. "Hello, Mr. Pei. I’m President Qiao’s assistant, Gai Yin."

Seeing it was a woman, Pei Liyan gave only a glance and nodded. "Hello."

Then, he subtly withdrew his gaze, no longer looking at Gai Yin.

He appeared especially gentlemanly, courteous yet notably distant.

Gai Yin inwardly relaxed. It seemed Pei Liyan hadn’t recognized her.

She felt relieved.

Qiao Rui timely asked, "Gai Yin, how’s the investigation going?"

Gai Yin instinctively glanced at Pei Liyan, wondering if it was appropriate to discuss this in front of him.

Qiao Rui understood her concern and instructed, "It’s fine. Mr. Pei isn’t an outsider. Just say it."

She didn’t hide anything from Pei Liyan. After all, Pei Liyan was invested; there was no need to avoid the topic.

Gai Yin nodded before speaking, "The accounts are an absolute disaster. They can’t withstand any scrutiny. If it goes through the audit department, Qiao Junxian will definitely end up in prison."

"That serious?" Qiao Rui looked stunned. "He’s been embezzling funds?"

"Yes," Gai Yin nodded. "The amount is substantial. Additionally, he’s terrible at managing finances, so the losses are quite heavy."

Qiao Rui turned to Pei Liyan.

At that moment, Pei Liyan suddenly glanced at Gai Yin, his brows furrowing slightly.

Gai Yin’s heart skipped a beat. Was he starting to recall something?

Indeed, Pei Liyan asked, "Assistant Gai, have we met somewhere before?"

Gai Yin froze, then shook her head. "Mr. Pei, I don’t recall meeting you."

"Is that so?" Pei Liyan furrowed his brows again, looking somewhat puzzled. Her voice felt oddly familiar.

Qiao Rui immediately interjected, "Sister Yin was in a serious car accident once, suffering head trauma that caused memory loss. Perhaps you’ve met before."

"Oh?" Pei Liyan looked at Gai Yin once more, nodding slightly. "Assistant Gai, you’re blessed. Surviving such a disaster means good fortune awaits."

"Thank you, Mr. Pei, for your kind words." Gai Yin offered a faint smile.

Qiao Rui then asked, "If I send my uncle to prison, could this end up angering my grandfather to death?"

"Sending him to prison will surely displease the old man. But if he regurgitates the stolen money, that’s another matter altogether," Pei Liyan replied. "The old man might not want to see his son imprisoned, but he could be very happy to see him cough up what he ate."

"Getting him to give it up won’t be easy," Qiao Rui said. "He’s quite stubborn."

"You’ve already taken over his position. Seize the moment and hit him where it hurts so he can’t fight back," Pei Liyan instructed.

Qiao Rui chuckled. "Hah, crime truly runs in families. Those two really are father-and-daughter villains."

Pei Liyan knew Qiao Rui had spared Qiao Xiang before and could reopen that matter anytime.

If Qiao Xiang misbehaved, Qiao Rui could easily send her away.

"It’s up to you," Pei Liyan said.

"President, I’ll continue checking the accounts," Gai Yin said, feeling it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to linger while Pei Liyan and Qiao Rui were here.

Qiao Rui nodded. "Go ahead and finalize the accounts. I need these to present to our hometown."

"Understood. I’ll have this year’s accounts consolidated before the end of the day," Gai Yin replied.

"Perfect," Qiao Rui nodded. "Go on."

"Yes." Before leaving, Gai Yin gave Pei Liyan a polite nod and turned to leave.

After the door closed, Pei Liyan said flatly, "Your assistant is impressive. Very efficient."

Qiao Rui grinned mischievously. "That’s right. But honestly, I was sweating bullets for you earlier while marveling at Mr. Pei’s foresight."

Pei Liyan frowned slightly. "Speak properly."

"I just find it amazing that you didn’t choose my elder sister back then. If you had, you’d be doomed for eight lifetimes!" Qiao Rui teased.

Pei Liyan gave her a speechless look and said, "When will you stop joking about this?"

Qiao Rui laughed. "Isn’t it fun?"

Pei Liyan said nothing.

Qiao Rui continued, "Did you already suspect my uncle had issues and wanted to avoid trouble, so you picked the ugliest option—me?"

Qiao Rui thought it must’ve been stressful for him to choose such an unattractive wife back then.

Pei Liyan smiled calmly. "I’m the chosen one. My luck has always been good, and I trust my instincts."

"Huh?" Qiao Rui exclaimed. "Are you saying you picked me based on instinct?"