Captivating Beauty 84p2

Chapter 84 p2

Xu Jinnan rarely left work early.

She opened the apartment door, turned on the lights, then instinctively stopped at Shen Shu’s bedroom door, glancing inside.

The only sign of life was the curtain swaying gently in the breeze.

The room, unoccupied for a single night, already felt colder, emptier.

She made herself a simple dinner of tomato and egg noodles, adding some pickled mustard greens, the small, crunchy strips a strangely melancholic addition to the otherwise colorful dish.

She took a picture and sent it to Shen Shu, who was probably still asleep due to the time difference.

After dinner, and a brief rest, she went to take a shower.

As she stood in front of the bathroom mirror, drying herself, her gaze fell on the faint mark on her neck, where Shen Shu had kissed her that morning. It had faded.

But the memory of the touch, soft and warm, lingered.

She had almost thought she had imagined it, Shen Shu’s whispered words, “I’ll give you a mark,” echoing in her mind.

She touched the sensitive skin on her neck, picturing Shen Shu leaning in, the initial contact a slight sting, then the warmth of her lips, the sweet scent of her pheromones, her own face buried in Shen Shu’s hair, inhaling her fragrance.

She quickly pushed the image aside, afraid of losing herself in the memory, her phone buzzing with notifications.

She returned to the living room and saw a missed video call from Shen Shu.

Her hair still slightly damp, she sat down on the sofa and called her back.

Shen Shu answered almost immediately.

She was lying in bed, her cheek resting on a pillow, her eyes half-closed, her face slightly puffy from lack of sleep. She had brought her own pillow from home.

Even in this state, her beauty was undeniable.

“Didn’t sleep well?” Xu Jinnan asked, drying her hair with a towel.

“Couldn’t get used to the bed,” Shen Shu replied, her voice slightly hoarse.

Xu Jinnan paused, then heard Shen Shu ask, “You don’t look so good either.”

“Couldn’t get used to the bed,” Xu Jinnan replied with a smile.

Shen Shu’s lips curved into a faint smile.

Xu Jinnan asked about the hotel, and Shen Shu turned the camera, showing her the room.

“It’s not bad. Just be careful when you’re coming and going.”

“I will.”

Shen Shu suddenly sat up, the thin straps of her pajama top slipping down her shoulders, the blanket covering her chest.

Even so, Xu Jinnan caught a glimpse of her cleavage.

“Is Tong Jia in the next room?” she asked, her throat tightening slightly.

“Yes.”

“Good.”

Shen Shu looked at her, puzzled.

Xu Jinnan’s gaze shifted from Shen Shu’s exposed skin to her face. “Just… so I can relax,” she said, then bent down to pick up her water glass from the coffee table, ending the video call.

Shen Shu placed her phone on the bedside table and folded her pajamas, then took off her nightgown, the tag still attached.

She had bought it on a whim earlier that day, at the mall, encouraged by Tong Jia, and had changed into it just before calling Xu Jinnan.

Remembering Xu Jinnan’s reaction, a smile touched her lips.

–

News of Xu Li’s attempted murder of Xu Tao spread like wildfire, and the Xu Corporation, along with Xu Jinnan’s own company, and Xu Jinnan herself, became the subject of intense online speculation.

It was clear to everyone that Xu Jinnan was now the heir apparent.

–

At the Xu Corporation shareholders’ meeting, several of the major shareholders had their eyes on the CEO position.

Even with Lu Yun’s efforts to promote Xu Jinnan, there was still resistance. Then, the meeting room doors opened, and Xu Jinnan entered, dressed in a business suit, her long, light brown hair cascading over her shoulders, her expression cool and aloof, her presence commanding.

“With your 14% stake, what’s the point of this meeting?” one shareholder asked, his tone challenging.

“I can’t believe the Xu Corporation has come to this. Do you really think a young girl like you can handle this?” another added.

A few others spoke up in her defense. “She’s only a few years younger than Xu Li, and her own businesses are thriving. She’s more than qualified.”

“What Xu Li did was unforgivable, but at least she had CEO Xu’s approval. While he dotes on Xu Jinnan, he never let her handle any important matters at the company. He clearly didn’t think she was capable. How can we trust her?”

“Exactly.”

Besides these concerns, some of them were also aware of Xu Jinnan’s past reputation.

They didn’t believe her recent success was due to her own abilities, and they were afraid she would ruin the company.

Xu Jinnan, ignoring their comments, sat down casually and placed a folder on the table. “Before you express your dissatisfaction, perhaps you should take a look at the Xu Corporation’s current financial situation. And let me make this clear, I’m not interested in this acting CEO position,” she said calmly.

The shareholders exchanged surprised glances.

Viola distributed a document to each of them.

After they finished reading, someone exclaimed, “What? Only fifty million in liquid assets? For such a large company…?”

They didn’t have to finish the sentence; everyone understood the implications.

Viola, at a nod from Xu Jinnan, continued, her voice calm and steady, “As you all know, the Xu Corporation has several major projects underway. While it might seem impressive, these projects require significant capital. And Mr. Xu has already used 15% of his shares as collateral.”

A murmur of shock and disbelief rippled through the room.

Xu Jinnan’s slender fingers tapped lightly on the table.

“CEO Xu isn’t forcing this on anyone. If any of you are capable of handling this situation, she’s more than happy to step aside,” Viola said.

The shareholders looked at each other. Even if they were willing, they didn’t have the resources.

The murmurs subsided.

Lu Yun, who had been sitting silently beside Xu Jinnan, sneered. “So, what’s your decision? Nannan’s company has nothing to do with the Xu Corporation. If any of you are willing to take over these three projects, we’ll gladly leave.”

“Mrs. Lu, please be patient. We’re still discussing this,” one of the shareholders said.

The discussion resumed.

Xu Jinnan waited patiently, then, after a few minutes, checking the time, closed the folder.

The simple gesture silenced the room.

“I have another appointment,” she said calmly. “Why don’t you continue your discussion and let me know when you’ve reached a decision?”

An older shareholder, unable to tolerate her casual dismissal, said, “Do you think we’re begging you?”

“Now, now, Mr. Liu, that’s not fair,” another shareholder said, trying to mediate.

Xu Jinnan raised an eyebrow. “And do you think I’m begging you?” she asked, a faint smile playing on her lips, then stood up and left the room without another word.

Lu Yun, initially surprised by her abrupt departure, glanced at the shareholders’ faces and realized it was a calculated move.

–

As expected, the next day, after the meeting, several of the key shareholders approached her.

After some discussion, they decided to give Xu Jinnan a chance.

They had realized that not only were the three projects draining the company’s funds, but the most important one, the Y1 Project, was even at risk of being halted.

This was a serious problem.

And for now, only Xu Jinnan had the resources to salvage the situation.

They hoped she could at least keep things afloat until Xu Tao recovered.

–

“Those shareholders still trust you. They’re all waiting for your return,” Lu Yun said, peeling an apple as she sat beside Xu Tao’s bed.

The sharp knife sliced through the apple’s skin, the thin peel curling away like ribbons, and Xu Tao, lying in bed, too weak to even speak, watched her, his eyes filled with resentment.

Lu Yun placed the sliced apple on a plate, then, as if suddenly remembering, said, “Oh, right, you can’t eat anything yet.” She took a slice with a toothpick and ate it, then, meeting Xu Tao’s gaze, noticed his heart rate spike on the monitor, jumping from 90 to 103 in a matter of seconds.

But Xu Tao, like a puppet with its strings cut, could only move his head slightly.

“Don’t get so excited. The doctor said your heart can’t handle any more stress. Otherwise… it could be fatal,” she said gently.

“Lu Yun… you… you bitch!” he rasped, his voice strained.

Lu Yun almost laughed, a surge of satisfaction coursing through her. She hadn’t forgotten his abuse, the weight of his hand, the sting of the whip.

“Oh, I forgot to tell you,” she said, her voice laced with amusement. “Nannan was just appointed acting CEO by the shareholders.”

“Acting CEO, but close enough,” she continued, taking a bite of apple. “After all, you’ll be spending the rest of your days in this room.”

Xu Tao’s face contorted in rage, his heart rate spiking again, the monitor beeping insistently.

A nurse rushed in.

–

At the Xu Corporation building, Xu Jinnan stood in her new office, the view from the 26th floor far more impressive than the one from her previous office.

The space was sparsely decorated, a sign of the company’s efficiency.

While she despised Xu Tao, she had to admit he was a capable CEO, maintaining a flawless public image while ruthlessly pursuing his own interests behind the scenes.

She had requested all of the Xu Corporation’s financial statements, business plans, and other relevant documents from the past five years.

It would take time for the various departments to compile everything, but she wasn’t in a hurry.

She called the CFO to her office, and after a few minutes of casual conversation, asked, “How often are payments made to Qucheng?”

“Every three months,” he replied.

“From whose account?”

“Mr. Xu’s personal account.”

“Oh,” Xu Jinnan said casually. “Stop the payments.”

She didn’t stay at the Xu Corporation for long. With Xu Tao incapacitated, the company was still running smoothly, thanks to his efficient management, and she had Viola create a group chat for the department heads, instructing them to contact her directly with any urgent matters.

After a quick lunch, she returned to her own office.

Her own company was also running smoothly, and as long as she delegated the important tasks, she could focus on the Xu Corporation.

It was a large company, with many employees depending on it for their livelihood.

She needed to assess the situation, to understand the extent of the corruption, before making any major changes, to minimize the impact on the innocent employees.

But it would take time, at least a couple of weeks, just to review the financial statements.

As for the three projects, they weren’t a major concern. It was simply a matter of injecting capital to keep them afloat, but her approach was different from Xu Tao’s.

He had wanted to monopolize everything.

She didn’t.

While the Y1 Project would be temporarily halted, it, like the other two, had government backing.

She would give it a few days, then contact other companies and offer them a share.

That way, even if the Xu Corporation went under, the projects wouldn’t be completely abandoned.

As she was thinking, Viola said, “CEO Xu, there’s something I need to ask you.”

“Go ahead.”

“About the team-building event. The administrative team has already booked a location and date. Should I postpone it?”

“When was it scheduled for?” Xu Jinnan asked, having forgotten.

“Originally, it was two days ago, then it was rescheduled for next Friday.”

“Next Friday is fine,” Xu Jinnan said. “Don’t postpone it again. It’ll dampen their enthusiasm. Where is it?”

“A hot springs resort near North City. We can camp and have a barbecue,” Viola replied.

“Oh, right,” Xu Jinnan said, nodding. “Then it’s settled.”

–

Half an hour later, as she stepped out of the elevator, the office area next door was empty, only a few equipment cases visible through the glass wall.

She thought about Shen Shu, who was scheduled to land at 5 p.m.

Cai Ying and Tong Jia would also be coming over tonight. It had originally been planned for two days later, but Cai Ying’s training program had been moved up, so they had rescheduled.

Cai Ying had even created a separate group chat, saying she wanted to decorate the apartment, and had given them the keys that morning.

Xu Jinnan hadn’t asked about the details.

As she and Viola entered her office, the employees seemed to be treating her differently, their usual cheerful greetings replaced by hesitant glances.

Xu Jinnan wondered if she had something on her face, then, dismissing the thought, unlocked her office door with her fingerprint.

She paused, seeing Shen Shu leaning against her desk, reading a book, who, hearing her enter, looked up.

Shen Shu was wearing a dress, a rare occurrence – a brown leather skirt and a black turtleneck sweater, the high waist of the skirt revealing a sliver of skin above her hips, her waist incredibly slender.

She looked at Xu Jinnan, a soft smile playing on her lips.

“Aren’t you coming over?” she asked.