C17 He Doesn't Hate You That Much!!

After Chu Yun's playful tease, Su Mingyue regained her composure. Her attractive red lips curved into a slight pout. "Do you see yourself as my boss?"

Chu Yun dramatically straightened his posture and declared with assurance, "Whether at home or in the office, you're always the boss!"

Su Mingyue fell silent.

She couldn't help but notice the remarkable transformation in Chu Yun. It had been six months since their last encounter, and he seemed to have undergone a complete metamorphosis. His personality had undergone a radical shift, and his approach to life was now worlds apart from before.

"How did you manage it?" Su Mingyue asked, her tone casual but filled with genuine curiosity.

Despite being terminated by Xue Chaoqing and facing a hefty contract breach penalty, the tables had turned overnight. Chu Yun had made a swift ascent to become the head of the artist department, and it appeared that her job was secure as well.

"Oh, it was nothing, just a trifle," Chu Yun said nonchalantly, brushing it off. "Director Xue and I clicked right away; he has a high regard for my talents."

Su Mingyue chose not to call him out.

The director of Zongheng's artist department earned an annual salary of 1.5 million, not including the year-end bonus. Chu Yun had caused quite a scene at Zongheng the day before, thoroughly embarrassing Mrs. Han. Unless Xue Chaoqing was utterly senseless, there was no logical reason to employ Chu Yun, let alone elevate him to a pivotal senior position.

"Your predecessor was Xue Chaoqing's brother-in-law," Su Mingyue mentioned.

"It appears that Director Xue isn't prone to nepotism," Chu Yun remarked earnestly. "He's someone capable of great things!"

"Is that your take on it?" Su Mingyue glanced at Chu Yun.

"What else could it be?" Chu Yun replied with a smile, a hint of slyness flickering across his otherwise unremarkable face.

Su Mingyue lapsed into silence once more.

She was sparing with her words and had no interest in delving into gossip.

Yet, the man sitting before her was, nominally, her husband.

After a moment of reflection, she spoke up, "When Xue Chaoqing founded Zongheng, his wife's family played a significant role. As the profits have grown over the years, so has the internal conflict. By taking his brother-in-law's place at such a critical time, you've made yourself a target for everyone's arrows."

Chu Yun's eyebrows shot up. "That's low! No wonder he insisted I take the director position when I would've been fine as a security guard. He even flattered me, saying I had the looks and talent of a leader!"

After a brief pause, Chu Yun's voice grew heavy. "So he was planning to use me as a scapegoat?"

"Yes," Su Mingyue admitted candidly. "I suggest you resign sooner rather than later."

"And if I resign, will you be the one to support me?" Chu Yun asked with a defiant air. "Xue Chaoqing told me this job has low stress and not much work. The toughest part is occasionally interviewing young girls who dream of stardom to see if they have any potential. Plus, last time Xiaoxiao, my sister-in-law, needed to borrow $18,000, I was too embarrassed to admit I didn't have it. I could only lend her $1,000. Looking back, it's quite a blow to my pride."

Seeing his resolve, Su Mingyue chose not to argue further.

Chu Yun continued, "Working at the same company, we can look out for each other. It'll be like a harmonious duet, the envy of everyone around us."

Su Mingyue remained silent, her eyes downcast.

Chu Yun was about to use the moment to deepen his connection with Su Mingyue when a sudden knock on the door erupted like thunder.

Chu Yun scowled. While he felt guilty enough to ingratiate himself with the Su family women, he was short-tempered and impatient with others, ready to ignite at the slightest provocation.

Before he could respond, the door was violently kicked open.

"Are you deaf?" a haughty voice demanded. "Or are you up to something unsavory?"

The newcomer was a suit-clad young man in his early thirties, his pale face and puffy eyes betraying his overindulgence and lack of vitality.

This was Xue Chaoqing's brother-in-law, Du Qing.

Fury etched across his face, Du Qing's icy glare landed on Chu Yun. "You've got some nerve, kid. You even dare to sit in my chair?"

Chu Yun chuckled and expertly lit a cigarette. "That's an overstatement."

"Don't be so humble," Du Qing said as he strode over and plopped down beside Su Mingyue, crossing his legs. "If you weren't somewhat capable, my good-for-nothing brother-in-law wouldn't have dared to promote you."

He then turned to Su Mingyue. "You're not picking sides, are you? I heard this kid stood up for you and put Chiang Yuan to shame."

That was hardly a rumor; it was Chiang Yuan herself, bitter and spiteful, who had spread the word.

"Su Mingyue, Su Mingyue, others might not understand the ins and outs of Zongheng, but as a lead artist, shouldn't you?" Du Qing's face was a mix of frustration and disappointment. "If you had sided with me from the start, Chiang Yuan wouldn't have been an issue. Did you really have to side with the man my useless brother-in-law has been promoting? What future is there in that?"

Su Mingyue's brow furrowed, and she attempted to stand and leave.

"Sit down," Chu Yun commanded, his voice firm as he continued to smoke.

Su Mingyue paused, then sat back down, clearly taken aback.

Hadn't they just been discussing leadership issues? How quickly they forget.

"You're Du Qing?" Chu Yun glanced at the evidently frail Young Master.

"Yes. What guidance does the director have to offer?" Du Qing asked, arms crossed and exuding arrogance.

"Do you know who she is?" Chu Yun gestured toward Su Mingyue.

"Just an aging starlet," Du Qing replied, bitterness lacing his words. He had long resented Su Mingyue for not reciprocating his advances, nor seeking his favor. To him, without his attention, she was nothing more than a pretty but useless ornament.

Chu Yun's smile didn't reach his eyes, which held a glint of ice. "She's my wife. My legally married wife."

Du Qing was taken aback. He had heard rumors that Su Mingyue's husband was a worthless freeloader. Yet he wasn't as heartless as Han Jin. Moreover, this 'worthless' man had taken over his office and his job.

Privately and professionally, Du Qing felt a twinge of guilt.

"If your brother-in-law were here, he certainly wouldn't allow you to cross me," Chu Yun stated calmly.

"Why?" Du Qing was incensed.

The guilt he had felt was quickly dissipating.

Calling me fat and then getting winded? He's just a pathetic director. Does he really think he's someone important?

"Because he doesn't despise you as much," Chu Yun said as he snuffed out his cigarette butt.

Du Qing burst into laughter.

He thought Chu Yun's arrogance was laughable.

What, are you a bloodthirsty tiger that can't be touched?

"You're amusing me," Du Qing said, settling into a more comfortable position. "You know what? You look like a complete fool."

Chu Yun chuckled as well.

He glanced at Su Mingyue and reiterated with emphasis, "A man can take a loss, handle some hardship; that's not a big deal. But it's unacceptable for his woman to be mistreated."

He swirled the coffee cup in his hand, his eyes glinting with a frosty light.

Crack!

As the room seemed to grow colder, the door was abruptly pushed open.

Xue Chaoqing hurried in, panting, with a flash of panic crossing his face.

Upon learning that his brother-in-law, Du Qing, had stormed into Chu Yun's office alone to stir up trouble, he was terrified out of his wits. It wasn't a matter of life or death, but if Du Qing ended up maimed, how would he ever explain it to the Du family?

Chu Yun was the man who had sent the wild Young Master Han Jin to the ICU and had the audacity to slap Mrs. Han in public. Even Captain Qi revered him, not daring to resort to violence. Wasn't his brother-in-law seeking his own demise by provoking such a man?

"You're worthless, you've already been fired!" Xue Chaoqing postured and smacked Du Qing on the head. "Get out now!"