Seven Years of You

Chapter11

Jiang Shenghe would never have let Luo Qi "compete" for the position under normal circumstances, preferring to personally offer her the assistant role. After ending Luo Qi's call, he messaged Qin Molin to postpone their meeting.

Qin Molin: 【Last-minute issue?】Jiang Shenghe replied bluntly: 【Luo Qi's coming.】Qin Molin: "......"

While waiting, a Shanghai elder called regarding Luo Zhichiu's company crisis: "Pei Shixiao failed to help. Core R&D staff resigned. They can't even pay salaries now."Jiang Shenghe's expression darkened. "Arrange a VAM agreement through a third party. Offer necessary funding in exchange for his core patents if targets aren't met."The elder chuckled: "Consider this my wedding gift to you two."

Luo Qi arrived promptly. Jiang Shenghe cut formalities: "How soon can you transition?""One week. Latest by Monday."He outlined expectations: "Frequent overtime and business trips. No menial tasks like serving tea - focus on substantive work."When Luo Qi mentioned differing opinions, he warned: "I may not adopt your suggestions.""Understood, but I'll still voice them."

Post-meeting, Luo Qi consulted Secretary Ju about Jiang's habits. The veteran chuckled: "Let's vent about him properly tonight!"

Friday's official appointment made Luo Qi Jiang Shenghe's assistant. Colleagues offered cheerful greetings Monday morning.

At 8:40 AM, Luo Qi reminded: "President Jiang, time for the summit opening."As Jiang Shenghe donned his suit, she inquired: "Should I keep spare glasses?"He retrieved his gold-rimmed pair - the same ones from that fateful night. Watching her tuck the case into her work bag, warmth flickered in his eyes.

The two-day business summit saw Jiang Shenghe attending opening ceremonies and closing signings. As VIP guest in front row, he scanned side sections mid-event before texting Luo Qi: 【Where are you? Keep my phones.】

Luo Qi's tailored blazer drew admiring glances as she approached. Jiang Shenghe stood to introduce her to industry titans: "My new executive assistant, Luo Qi."

Murmurs rippled through attendees:"Is that Jiang Shenghe's EA?""Positioned higher than VPs internally."

Post-event, Jiang Shenghe handed her his corporate phone: "Handle all calls." At lunch, he observed her reviewing merger notes about Dongbo Medical - the acquisition involving Pei Shixiao.

Over modestly priced meals, Jiang Shenghe established new protocols: "Use my black card for expenses. No personal funds." He later modified group chat rules: 【All reimbursements through Ms. Luo.】

Meanwhile, Pei Shixiao appeared at Luo Qi's apartment complex."Just wanted to see you."She walked past silently. His mother's call interrupted brooding: "Fire that woman or face Weyuan's acquisition of Dongbo!"

Next day's signing ceremony revealed Jiang Shenghe's quiet accommodation - accepting glasses Luo Qi proactively offered during networking with He Xu, nephew of Suzhou tycoon He Wancheng.

Jiang Shenghe continued conversing with He Xu while returning the glasses case to Luo Qi. During this exchange, He Xu discreetly observed Luo Qi multiple times.

At 6:05 PM, Jiang Shenghe remained in his office despite an upcoming dinner engagement. The entire 42nd floor lay deserted except for Luo Qi finalizing documents. He lingered until she completed work, casually mentioning in the team chat: 【Friday welcome dinner for Luo Qi. Invite Secretary Ju for her promotion celebration.】

Meanwhile, Pei Shixiao received Cui Peng's message: 【Your mother came to the office.】 Having ignored his mother's demands to fire Cui Peng, he discovered her humiliation tactics:"Think you can enter our family? If anyone laid hands on Luo Qi, he'd risk his life!" Madame Pei's stiletto clicks faded as Cui Peng deleted Pei's contact, mimicking Luo Qi's decisive move.

Earlier at Weyuan Tower's lobby:"Last warning," Luo Qi told lingering Pei Shixiao. "Next time, no courtesy remains."Jiang Shenghe observed their confrontation, later intercepting Pei's 28 pink roses at reception. "Dispose of them," Luo Qi instructed staff.

Friday's team dinner plans saw Jiang Shenghe coercing cousin Jiang Sixun across time zones: 【Return for the welcome banquet. You're acquainted with Luo Qi - help ease atmosphere.】Jiang Sixun groaned: 【Respect time zones! My life matters too!】

On Thursday's car restriction day, Luo Qi woke up twenty minutes early to take the subway. The sudden cold front had temperatures plummeting 15°C overnight. She layered her blazer with a camel trench coat purchased during college years - a timeless classic.

At Weyuan Tower, Jiang Shenghe noticed her windblown hair through his car window during rush hour. By 9:30 AM, he casually instructed Xiao Jiang: "Prioritize Luo Qi's company vehicle assignment."

That evening, Luo Yu surprised her with greenhouse construction for balcony cucumbers. "Can't let love die twice!" The sisters spent three hours assembling plastic sheeting per Luo Xin's blueprint.

Friday's team dinner at the "You Come, I'm Still Here" tavern saw Jiang Shenghe establishing ground rules: "Three strikes rule - anyone using formal titles sings solo!"

Xiao Jiang protested: "Boss! We can't carry a tune!"Jiang Shenghe remained firm until Luo Qi intervened: "Three forgiveness tokens?""Granted," he conceded instantly, drawing colleagues' knowing glances.

Luo Qi wandered near her old high school, yogurt cup in hand, when Madame Pei spotted her from a passing car.

Inside her son's penthouse abroad, Pei Shixiao received an unexpected call:"I'll help you win Luo Qi back," Madame Pei bargained, "if you vote me as board chairwoman next year."

The revelation unfolded - Madame Pei's decades-long resentment towards her philandering husband:"I endured his affairs to secure your inheritance. Now I'll make him beg to keep this marriage before crushing him."

Earlier in Suzhou's winding alleys:Luo Qi's homecoming turned sour as her aunt-in-law lectured: "Why throw away the Pei family's wealth? That mistress..."Slam! The door shook as Luo Qi stormed out, yogurt spoon clattering.

At Weyuan Medical's acquisition talks:Jiang Shenghe arranged to meet Lu Baisheng, casually reminding Luo Qi: "My glasses?"She handed them over, memories of their shared chopsticks incident at the tavern still fresh.

Passing the "You Come, I'm Still Here" tavern facade, Luo Qi mused over Jiang Shenghe's Times Square phone wallpaper - unaware he'd captured her silhouette there years prior.

Back in Beijing, Luo Yu's text updates chronicled balcony cucumbers surviving autumn chill under plastic sheeting:"Your green babies thrive! When love fails, gardening prevails 😉"