Chapter 63: Her Letter of Resignation

Fu Yancheng’s eyes hardened as he pulled out his phone. “Clear the place.”

In less than three minutes, more than a dozen bodyguards in black swiftly entered, politely yet firmly escorting all the male models out. The music cut off abruptly, the lights blazed on, and the bar was plunged into an unnerving silence.

Chu Xiangxiang stood frozen in shock.

Next, Fu Yancheng strode forward and seized Qiao Xi’s hand.

“What are you doing!”

Qiao Xi, furious, tried to break free, but he gripped her wrist tightly, dragging her toward the corridor.

“Fu Yancheng, what right do you have—”

Before she could finish, he pulled her into the hallway.

He pinned her against the wall, his voice smoldering with anger. “Did those men touch you? Where?”

Qiao Xi laughed coldly. “Why do you care? Isn’t President Fu busy holding his ex-girlfriend?”

“That was a misunderstanding!” Fu Yancheng trapped her between his arms. “I admit I felt pity when I saw Zou Xin being bullied, but that’s all there was to it.”

He cupped her face, forcing her to look at him.

“From the beginning to the end, you’re the only one I love. Those photos were all taken at misleading angles by reporters. I’ve already sent Zhou Ze to investigate.”

Qiao Xi cut him off, her eyes rimmed red. “It’s always a misunderstanding, isn’t it? Do you think I’m a fool? In those photos, it’s clear you’re the one holding her!”

She shoved him away. “Move—I’m leaving.”

Fu Yancheng yanked her back abruptly, lowering his head to press his lips fiercely to hers.

The kiss was scorching with the heat of whiskey and a wild, possessive hunger, as if he meant to devour her whole.

Qiao Xi struggled, pounding his chest, but he pinned her wrists to the wall.

Only after a long moment did Fu Yancheng let her go, his voice hoarse. “Will you listen to my explanation now?”

Qiao Xi wiped her lips, her gaze icy. “President Fu’s way of apologizing is certainly unique. But…”

She suddenly gave a light laugh. “Compared to those male models, your skills are far inferior.”

Fu Yancheng’s expression darkened instantly. “Qiao Xi!”

“What? If you can do it, why can’t I?”

She pushed past him, smoothing her dress. “Don’t forget, we began as a one-night stand. Now we’re both just playing our own games. It’s perfectly fair.”

With that, she turned away, heading back to the booth and taking Chu Xiangxiang’s hand. “Xiangxiang, let’s go.”

Fu Yancheng stood rooted, staring at her resolute back, then punched the wall in frustration.

Back at the apartment.

Chu Xiangxiang was indignant. “Xixi, maybe you really should consider getting a divorce. There are plenty of good men in this world; why cling to Fu Yancheng?”

“If you ask me, President Lu of the Lu Group is much better than him!”

Qiao Xi stared blankly at the ceiling, absentmindedly rubbing her wedding ring.

Divorce?

The thought stabbed at her heart.

She remembered Fu Yancheng kneeling in the conservatory, sliding the ring onto her finger, remembered his gentle care for her birthday even when he was burning with fever…

But then, the image of Zou Xin nestled in his arms flashed before her eyes again.

She took a deep breath. No matter what, her work couldn’t be delayed.

The next morning at nine, Qiao Xi arrived punctually at the Fu Corporation Research Center.

She deliberately avoided the president’s private elevator, yet was stopped in the lobby by Zhou Ze, who respectfully handed her a thermos, saying it was ginseng tea Fu Yancheng had ordered for her.

Qiao Xi frowned. “That’s not necessary…”

“President Fu said you drank last night and need to look after your stomach.” Zhou Ze added quietly, “He stayed up all night dealing with Miss Zou’s issue and went to the airport early this morning. He asked me to tell you… all misunderstandings will be cleared up today.”

Qiao Xi was stunned.

Just then, her phone vibrated with a news alert:

[Zou Xin’s studio issues statement, admitting last night’s photos were maliciously staged, apologizes to Fu Corporation’s president.]

Then another: [Fu Corporation announces termination of all cooperation with Zou Corporation.]

Qiao Xi’s fingers paused, her mind a swirl of emotions as she entered the lab.

She found the team in a heated discussion.

When she approached, she realized the new spectrometer purchase had been approved this morning—the very request their team had been denied the previous week.

Qiao Xi was again taken aback.

That equipment cost more than thirty million; she’d never expected her application would go through.

She opened her computer and, sure enough, saw the approval email, with a note: “Priority for Project Eternal Youth.”

Just as she was about to check her mail, her phone vibrated again. Her best friend Gu Ranran sent an urgent message: [Xi, something’s happened at Snowkiss! The European lab’s been sealed—come quickly!]

Her face changed at once. She stood up abruptly, not even bothering to gather her things, grabbed her passport, and dashed for the elevator.

Half an hour later, Fu Yancheng hurried back to the company from the airport, just missing Qiao Xi.

He was carrying a gift for her, a rare hint of a smile on his lips.

But as he entered the president’s office, the lab assistant, Xiaoyu, handed him an envelope with red eyes.

“President Fu, this is from Team Leader Qiao…”

Fu Yancheng frowned as he took it.

Once he opened it, his gaze darkened sharply—it was Qiao Xi’s handwritten resignation.

“What’s going on?” His voice chilled instantly.

Xiaoyu sobbed, “She said… she didn’t want to see you again, and asked me to give this to you…”

Fu Yancheng gripped the resignation letter so tightly his knuckles turned white.

He strode from the office, heading straight for the lab.

“Where’s Qiao Xi?”

He threw open the door, his voice so cold it sent a chill through everyone.

The team, cowed by their president’s demeanor, barely dared to breathe. They could only say Qiao Xi had left in a hurry an hour before; they knew nothing else.

Hearing this, Fu Yancheng felt as if his heart had been ripped open.

He refused to believe Qiao Xi would leave like this—leave him so thoroughly.

He rushed out into the hallway, dialing her number, but only got a message that her phone was off.

“Zhou Ze!”

He roared, “Check all outbound travel records—now!”

Zhou Ze, running to catch up, quickly worked his tablet. “President Fu, I found it—Madam is on a flight to Paris departing in five minutes…”

Fu Yancheng snatched the tablet, and when he saw Qiao Xi’s name on the passenger list, his heart clenched.

She was really gone? She didn’t even want to talk things through in person?

Red-eyed, Fu Yancheng sprang up. “Get the car—airport, now!”

“President Fu…” Zhou Ze hesitated. “Madam’s flight has already taken off…”

Fu Yancheng’s gaze was icy. “Then get the private jet! File the flight plan—Paris, immediately!”

Zhou Ze hurried to comply, calling air traffic control at once.

Fu Yancheng grabbed his car keys and strode to the elevator, radiating a terrifying chill.

Meanwhile, in the Lu Group president’s office, Lu Yanzhi was leisurely savoring a glass of red wine.

“How deeply devoted,” he mused, swirling the glass as he spoke on the phone to Zou Xin. “Our President Fu is already chasing after her at the airport.”

Zou Xin giggled on the line. “President Lu, you’re brilliant. This diversion worked perfectly. When he gets to Paris and finds no one, his face will be priceless~”

Lu Yanzhi gave a soft laugh. “More importantly—”

He pulled up the equity transfer agreement on his tablet. “With him gone, I can finally take over Fu Corporation’s new energy project.”

After hanging up, Lu Yanzhi took a sip of wine, eyes growing cold as he looked at the name “Zou Xin” on his contact list.

Fool.

When Fu Yancheng returns, he’ll realize not only has he lost his wife, but his company as well.

Setting down his glass, Lu Yanzhi picked up the phone. “Inform the board—emergency meeting in one hour. Also…”

He paused. “Prepare the acquisition agreement for Snowkiss.”