Chapter 22: A Shameful Secret?

After the investigation team departed, the colleagues at the town government began to look at Tang Ye with a different expression. People are naturally inclined to admire strength.

Of course, Xu Yiping glared at Tang Ye with a grim face every time they crossed paths. Whether it was catching the thief or the inspection, Tang Ye’s performance had been outstanding; in one instance, he had ignored Xu Yiping’s existence, and in the other, he had treated him as nothing more than a backdrop, effectively offending him beyond repair.

Tang Ye did not mind. If he wanted to achieve something in Pinghu, clashing with the mediocre and set-in-their-ways old guard was inevitable.

While heading to the restroom, Tang Ye happened to see Xu Jie walking out. Having spent a week in detention, Xu Jie was visibly thinner. The moment he saw Tang Ye, a flash of malice crossed his eyes, but he immediately turned away as if Tang Ye were invisible. Tang Ye found it amusing; the kid was not only rude but unhygienic—he didn't even wash his hands after using the restroom.

Tang Ye did not enter immediately, instead noticing Xu Jie turning into the Party Secretary’s office. A cold sneer played on his lips. If a degenerate like that could walk in and out of the top leader's office as he pleased, it was no wonder the government couldn't get anything done.

Inside, Xu Jie sat on the sofa with a gloomy expression, boasting, "I just ran into Tang Ye; my instinct was to beat him up right there."

Xu Yiping threw a sharp look at him. "Do you want to go back in right after just getting out? From now on, put your energy into your work and stop causing trouble."

Xia Haiqiao, sitting on the other side of the sofa, complained in a low voice, "Secretary, I’ve been running around for days, yet Tang Ye stole all the limelight. It’s too frustrating."

Xu Yiping glared at him impatiently. "That’s your own fault for being self-righteous. You thought they were coming for you, but they were coming for Tang Ye."

Xia Haiqiao clenched his fists. "He’s too devious. He didn't drop a single hint before, which clearly shows he doesn't respect you at all."

The remark hit a sore spot for Xu Yiping. Though furious, he managed to keep his head. "He’s only going to be in Pinghu for a year before he leaves; there's no need to waste energy on a transient guest. If he can actually get the resort project settled here, it’s a good thing for us."

Xia Haiqiao continued to stir the pot, "It’s just that this kid doesn't know the rules. He’s clearly the type who likes to hog everything for himself. We might not even get a taste of the broth, let alone the meat."

Xu Yiping felt a sharp sting in his chest. His voice turned cold. "The resort won't be settled in Pinghu overnight. He’s been tasked with a forty-million-yuan project, and with only a month or two left until the end of the year, if he fails, he'll naturally learn what it’s like to sit on the sidelines."

Seeing his uncle and Xia Haiqiao obsessing over Tang Ye, Xu Jie felt an inexplicable agitation. He stood up and said, "I’m leaving."

As he walked out, he happened to see Gu Wenqin walking toward Tang Ye’s office with a gentle smile on her face. Xu Jie’s expression turned dark instantly. He crept silently to the door. It was left ajar, and as he peeked inside, he was so stunned by the scene before him that he couldn't speak.

Gu Wenqin and Tang Ye were standing very close. Gu Wenqin held a piece of intimate apparel in her hands, and Tang Ye was pointing at it with his fingers.

"This part still needs a slight adjustment. Although the gathering effect is good, it might be uncomfortable to wear in the lower section."

"The material you chose is fine; it feels quite soft. I wonder about the quality, and whether the clasp design is too complex—will it be inconvenient to unfasten?"

Xu Jie could only hear fragments, but sordid thoughts began to spread in his mind. In broad daylight, with the door wide open... these two shameless people weren't even trying to hide it.

"Don't worry, it's very easy to unfasten. You just pinch this spring part with your fingers."

"Oh, so that’s how it works! It requires a bit of technique. Wow, this is really tricky to undo."

"That’s just because you aren't used to it... by the way, take a whiff of the scent."

Peeking from the doorway, Xu Jie was struck dumb! Gu Wenqin had actually taken the initiative to bring the bra close to Tang Ye’s nose. It was a sample, so it only carried the scent of the materials; otherwise, Gu Wenqin would never have been embarrassed to show it to him.

Tang Ye’s eyes lit up. "It has a faint fragrance, like lavender, or perhaps honey."

Xu Jie was baffled, his mind spiraling into a frenzy. In his eyes, Gu Wenqin had always been a woman as cold and distant as ice. Yet, she was voluntarily letting another man smell her intimate apparel. He cursed under his breath.

"Hm? Someone’s at the door!"

Tang Ye noticed a shadow on the floor and rushed toward the entrance, but only caught a glimpse of someone darting away. Looking toward the stairs, he recognized the back of Xu Jie and frowned—had this guy managed to steal any core secrets?

Inside his car, Xu Jie felt the veins in his temples throbbing violently. Why had he run away when he had clearly caught them in a disgraceful act? Why was he the one feeling embarrassed when they weren't? He slammed the steering wheel in anger, unable to believe that the "cooked duck" had flown into someone else's plate. Could it be that Tang Ye’s act of saving the damsel in distress had brought him and Gu Wenqin together? At that thought, his heart was filled with regret.

A devious plot he had concocted while in detention surfaced in his mind. He dialed the number of a major distributor. "Mr. Zheng, I have something to tell you. I’d like to ask you to terminate all cooperation with Qinge!"

...

Tang Ye returned to his office. Gu Wenqin had already placed the bra into a black plastic bag, her face full of worry.

"Who was that?"

"Xu Jie! He ran off pretty fast." Tang Ye saw through her thoughts. "Don't worry, we were discussing business, not anything improper."

Gu Wenqin watched Tang Ye out of the corner of her eye. "I'm fine, I’m just afraid he’ll go around spreading rumors and damage your reputation."

She suddenly realized something: would Xu Jie have guessed that the sample was her own intimate wear? A deep blush spread across her fair neck.

Tang Ye also felt it was inappropriate; both of them were people who cared deeply about their reputations. However, he pretended to be nonchalant to reassure her. "We were discussing products; it was all above board, so don't worry about it. Besides, a degenerate like Xu Jie has no morals; no one would believe a word he says."

Gu Wenqin felt more at ease and sighed softly, "We should be more careful in the future. Let’s find a more private place to discuss products."

Tang Ye laughed heartily. "It’s mostly because the product is so sensitive. If it were something else, like a shirt, there wouldn't be any issue at all!"

Infected by his mood, a smile touched the corners of Gu Wenqin’s mouth. "Actually, I felt quite awkward talking about this with you at first. But thinking about it now, it really is nothing."

Tang Ye smiled. "Once the sample is slightly adjusted, it can go into production. Don't produce too many; wait to see market feedback after the first batch sells. By the way, how did your talk with the distributor go?"

Gu Wenqin looked troubled. "It didn't go very well."

Tang Ye sensed a problem. "Do you need my help?"

Gu Wenqin laid out the difficulties. "The distributor keeps making excuses. I need to talk to him in person."

Tang Ye nodded slightly. "I’ll go with you. Representing the government might add some leverage to the negotiations."

Fearing that she would delay his official duties, Gu Wenqin waved her hands. "It wouldn't be right to keep troubling you!"

"We’re partners, aren't we? Shouldn't we help each other? If I invest money and then just act as a hands-off boss, wouldn't that be irresponsible to myself?"

Gu Wenqin’s eyes shimmered like water, her gaze lowering as a sense of warmth flooded her heart.