109: A Battle of Wits

"I use my face," Yiyang said easily. "Who in the company doesn't recognize this handsome face of the crown prince?"

It was obvious what was going on. This detestable capitalist was actually firing me. Good grief, in the past, when I wanted to leave, he tried every possible way to keep me. Now, he was firing me so ruthlessly and efficiently. A capitalist with amnesia is truly cold and heartless.

Xiao Qi handed the card back to him and smiled faintly. "I don't need yours; I can get in without a card."

Yiyang took it back. Seeing Xiayang's smile, he didn't know if it was his imagination, but he felt as though her smile contained an untold bitterness.

"Xiayang."

Xiao Qi kept her eyes on the data on the computer and responded indifferently.

"We haven't finished our proposal yet. Help me write it, will you?"

Xiao Qi responded faintly.

"We went to Dr. Chen's to get the samples two days ago. Come with me to take a look!"

She still responded faintly.

"Our proposal will be reviewed in two days. This is our first project; let's do it together."

The large eyes fixed on the data finally shifted to the speaker. "Yiyang, don't worry. Although I've taken a bit of a hit, I will still work hard and diligently. Don't forget, I am the invincible little witch of the universe."

Yiyang was amused and smiled. "Mm! Then work hard. I'm heading to my office."

"Go ahead, go ahead!"

Yiyang looked back as he left, only to see her staring blankly at the data again. Fang Li had just said that his brother hated Xiayang now. Why would he suddenly hate Xiayang so much? Xiayang was the person he had liked for many years. How could he just start hating her like that? Was it because I kissed Xiayang, and my brother is jealous? But jealousy shouldn't lead to hatred, let alone firing her, right?

Yiyang was completely baffled. No one had told him that Yichen had forgotten Xiayang due to his amnesia. Therefore, he would never think in that direction. And why didn't Fang Li tell him that President Lin had forgotten Ye Xiayang? That was because of Xu Lu. Regardless of anything else, that woman was his biological mother. If he had forgotten Xiayang, it meant the amnesia was getting worse. The fewer people who knew about such things, the better!

###

Xu Hui closed the office door and immediately took out his phone to make a call. "Sister, I have good news to tell you. Over the past two days, Ye Xiayang and Lin Yichen have been arguing, and their relationship has become extremely strained."

On the other end, Xu Lu heard this and asked in confusion, "Didn't they love each other deeply before? How did they have a falling out so suddenly?"

"I'm not sure, but according to news from HR, Lin Yichen wants to fire Ye Xiayang, and Yiyang has been holding up the signature, so it's at a stalemate right now!"

"If they are at odds, why get Yiyang involved?" Xu Lu asked worriedly. "Firing that Ye Xiayang won't affect Yiyang, will it?"

"With Brother-in-law there, Lin Yichen wouldn't dare touch Yiyang," Xu Hui said with a laugh. "Sister, this is a huge opportunity for us. Ye Xiayang must know some of Lin Yichen's secrets. If they have truly fallen out, perhaps we can dig something out of her."

Thinking of Lin Baisen, Xu Lu felt a lingering fear. "Xu Hui, I think we should just let it go. Baisen already warned me before not to interfere in Lin Yichen's business. If this matter blows up, we'll be playing with fire."

###

"How could I possibly handle this personally?"

Xu Lu caught the implication. "You mean..."

Xu Hui gave a sinister laugh. "What kind of gossip do the media love to dig up the most? It’s the lives of those at the very top—their every move, especially regarding their personal relationships, is highly sought after by the media. If we just leak this matter casually, those reporters will scramble to write about it immediately. Then everyone will know."

"Sister, what do you think of the headline: 'Discarding His Subordinate and Lover'?"

Both people on the phone laughed with deep, hidden meanings.

###

Joanna stepped out of the elevator. Fang Li, who was heading to report something to President Lin, happened to see her. His first thought was that she had come to see the President, and since the President didn't remember her, would his cover be blown?

However...

Anna walked over and said only one thing: "I'm here to help Yichen."

Then, to Fang Li's astonishment, she pushed the door open and walked into the President's office.

Yichen, who was looking at some files, suddenly had a paper box placed next to his hand. He looked up; he didn't recognize the person before him.

Anna sat down in front of him, took the box, removed the contents, and placed them by his hand again. "Yichen, this is your favorite G A DOS coffee."

Before he could speak, Anna said directly, "I know you don't remember me now because your amnesia has flared up again."

Yichen looked at her sharply but said nothing.

Anna smiled. "I heard you've been pestered by a female employee these past few days, so I came today to help you."

"Yichen," Anna said, looking intently at his handsome face. "Do you know? I have been helping you cover up your amnesia, so you don't need to be on guard against me. I am happy to help you; you just need to accept it."

Yichen's gaze was somewhat dark and unreadable. After a long silence, he spoke. "How did you know?"

Anna looked at him and said word for word, "I love you, so I know."

The office fell silent. The two looked at each other for a long time. Yichen withdrew his gaze. "You said you want to help me. How are you going to help?"

Anna smiled elegantly. "For example, regarding the employee pestering you—if you need it, I can help you get rid of her."

Yichen tapped his index finger on the desk, seemingly considering her words.

Anna stood up with a smile. "I know you are busy with work, Yichen, so I won't disturb you. What I just said was sincere. Whenever you are ready, one phone call, and I will help you."

As soon as Anna left, Fang Li walked in. "President Lin, I don't know who leaked the news that you and Miss Ye have broken up. It’s been exposed by an online media outlet, and several outlets are now reporting it with photos of you and Miss Ye."

"Your relationship with Miss Ye was supposed to be confidential. How did the media find out?"

Yichen narrowed his dark eyes, then set down his fountain pen and stood up. "Is Ye Xiayang still in the company?"

Fang Li nodded weakly.

The two were in the office smelling perfume samples.

Xiao Qi sniffed one and suddenly acted as if she had discovered a new world. "This bottle—full of pheromones. This is it."

With so many perfumes, Yiyang didn't know how to combine them with the proposal. Xiao Qi offered a plan, saying that the biggest purpose for humans wearing perfume is to attract someone they are drawn to. As long as they could find the scent that best stimulated pheromones, their perfume would be a success.

Two hours later, Xiao Qi finally found it.

Yiyang took it and smelled it, praising, "Xiayang, how come I never realized you had such great ideas? Not only that, but you can even sniff out which bottle best stimulates pheromones. I'm impressed."

"My nose is just good," Xiao Qi said, her eyes dimming slightly. Then, acting as if nothing was wrong, she picked up another bottle to smell. "Just the one from before; its scent best stimulates male pheromones."

Yiyang clenched his fist. "Right, this one. From now on, our perfume will be called 'Pheromone.' With the design I have for the packaging, it will definitely make them sit up and take notice."

"Right," Xiao Qi clenched her fist just like him. "Make them sit up and take notice."

Yichen pushed the door open and looked at the two of them. "Yiyang, get out. I have something to discuss with her," he said coldly.

Yiyang couldn't figure out why he had come here. Besides, his gaze was icy, as if he were very angry. But he had seemed angry and cold for the past few days. With him like this, Yiyang naturally didn't dare leave Xiao Qi alone to face him; he still remembered him saying he wanted to fire Xiayang this morning. "I'm not leaving. I'm staying right here."

Yichen glared at him. "I'll give you one minute. Either you walk out yourself, or I'll kick you out."

"..."

"Yiyang, it's okay, you go out first," Xiao Qi said, glaring fiercely at the man. She crossed her arms and lifted her chin. "I'm not afraid of him."

Yiyang had no choice but to retreat.

Xiao Qi took the initiative. "As for my things, have you decided to return them to me now?"

"I don't know what it is you want from me," Yichen said expressionlessly, "but to threaten me for it? Isn't that a bit overestimating yourself?"

What on earth was he talking about? Xiao Qi looked at him in confusion. "Threaten? What do you mean?"

"Are you pretending?" Yichen said coldly. "The news of our breakup—only you, me, and Fang Li knew. Are you going to tell me you didn't leak this?"

"You are simply talking nonsense," Xiao Qi felt bewildered and angry. "Am I that kind of person? Even if I were angry, I wouldn't harm you like that."

"Do you think I'll believe you?"

"I'm telling you, I didn't do it. Believe it or not."

Yichen remained expressionless, but his words...

"Listen to me well. Starting today, I forbid you from saying anything about me to anyone. I have absolutely nothing to do with you. Understand?"

With that, he turned and walked out.

Xiao Qi was furious. What a stupid, narcissistic, self-righteous idiot of an Earthling!

Yichen returned to his office and gave an immediate order: "Tomorrow, notify the major media outlets. Get everything arranged. I want to come out and clarify this personally."

"Yes!"

Fang Li walked out of the office and immediately called Pan Sen.

"Dr. Pan, I feel like President Lin is beyond saving now."

Hearing this, Pan Sen was also deeply worried. It seemed they would have to manufacture something.

Xiao Qi was still fuming when her phone rang. It was her aunt.

As soon as Fang Yun spoke, she was filled with worry. "Xiayang, I saw the news on the media reporting that you and Yichen have broken up. Didn't you two get along well? Why did you break up?"

"Auntie, he and I were only pretending to be a couple in the first place, so the word 'breakup' doesn't exist."

Fang Yun was watching TV while talking. "Then why is the media reporting that Yichen is holding a press conference tomorrow to specifically clarify your breakup?"

As Fang Yun spoke, she seemed to realize something. "Xiayang, what did you just say? You were pretending to be a couple?"

Xiao Qi was already full of anger and had no patience to explain. "Auntie, this is between him and me. Please don't worry about it."

She hung up the phone. On the other end, Fang Yun became even more worried.