8 Refuting Myths

acing Shao Junhe and the others, Yan Luoxi was initially flustered. Seeing the stunningly beautiful Zhou made her speechless. With an otherworldly tone to herself, she muttered, "Zhou… You’re Zhou…"Mi...Chapter 8 Refuting Rumors

After Guan Xiaoke left his office, Li An's mind kept flashing back to her disheveled appearance and tear-streaked face. Without her yelling in front of him, his rationality quickly regained control over his thoughts. He casually called a few key company figures into the office and soon found out why Guan Xiaoke had suddenly acted like a mad cow.

Although he was arrogant since childhood, as a man, he wasn't too concerned about such scandalous rumors. But thinking of Guan Xiaoke's angry and tearful expression made him realize that she couldn't bear the humiliation.

In the middle of the day, those people who came to his office, including Guan Xiaoke's two best friends, were indeed called there by Li An intentionally; he just wanted to tease her a little bit but didn't expect it would have such bad consequences.

When he thought about how she cursed him for death because of this incident and that she might hate and distance herself from him even more due to this, Li An couldn't sit still. After much deliberation, he finally decided to hold a full staff meeting.

Hearing Li An say all this, Guan Xiaoke breathed a sigh of relief but immediately cursed Li An for being foolish; by bringing up the issue so aggressively, no one would dare point fingers at her again in the future, yet those who didn't know about it before now did.

Li An's chiseled and very handsome face was backlit with shadows covering his stunning features, exuding a frosty chill: "Anrui Company seems to be brimming with endless issues that need your attention. I hired all of you at high salaries not for you to fabricate scandals but to generate profits for me. Lately, the company's performance has been declining..."

Fortunately, fortunately, Guan Xiaoke patted her chest; Li An was still somewhat clever and managed to steer the topic towards business matters, making most people believe he was using this incident as a means to tighten discipline.

No matter how Li An concluded this full staff meeting in the end, Guan Xiaoke rose to prominence at Anrui International after it; no one there didn't know who she was.

When they got off work that evening, He Yufan and Ye Zixin waited for Guan Xiaoke outside the company. They were both witnesses of today's incident and later attended the meeting as well. They needed Guan Xiaoke to clear up their confusion; no one dared mention it at work, but after hours, they wouldn't let her off the hook.

"Xiaoke, what exactly happened today" Ye Zixin asked with concern.

"It's just as General Manager Li said. I fell asleep in his office from exhaustion and then everyone misunderstood," Guan Xiaoke replied nonchalantly without planning to tell anyone about her relationship with Li An, not even her closest friends.

"What a good nap that was! It made you an instant celebrity at Anrui International." He Yufan's words were tinged with envy.

Seeing Guan Xiaoke's dejected expression, Ye Zixin pinched He Yufan: "Enough. Don't talk about sleep anymore," referring to the vicious rumors that had also reached their ears this afternoon.

"What are you afraid of Didn’t Director Li personally come out to澄清這件事嗎！Ko, you're really lucky; even spreading rumors can get you connected with Director Li."

Ye Zixing ignored He Yufan and thought about the 100 yuan that Guan Xiaoke was penalized for. She asked: "Xiaoke, is there enough money this month If not, just tell me."

Ye Zixing and Guan Xiaoke were quite similar in temperament; in their trio, these two had a closer relationship.

"Take it from me. My family has just sent me some money." He Yufan generously offered. She was the only daughter in her family, with a relatively wealthy background and an extravagant personality. Over the years, during Guan Xiaoke's tough times, she and Ye Zixing had often helped her out.

"Yufan, then can you lend me 200 yuan I’ve already borrowed 300 from Zixing but haven’t paid it back yet!" Guan Xiaoke said dejectedly. In the past, she used to do two part-time jobs after class and receive a first prize scholarship as well as school aid for financially struggling students, which together could maintain her basic living expenses.

Now they were about to graduate; there was no hope of scholarships anymore since she devoted all her efforts to job hunting and had quit both part-time jobs. She now relied solely on getting a job to support herself.

After today's incident, Guan Xiaoke felt somewhat disheartened. Based on how Li An operated, at the end of the month, not only would she not receive her salary, but it seemed like she even had to pay him back!

"Why talk about this I’m not nagging you. Besides, my family is better off than yours; if there's anything, just speak up!" Ye Zixing hugged Guan Xiaoke’s shoulder as the three of them headed towards the subway station.

Guan Xiaoke felt a warm current in her heart. No matter how bleak life was, she still had two such good friends by her side, making her feel lucky indeed.

Ye Zixing lived nearby and got off the train earlier than them. Guan Xiaoke and He Yufan continued for three more stops before getting off near their school.

"Xiaoke, don't blame Director Li for fining you 100 yuan today. You really overstepped today; sleeping on Director Li’s couch on your first day at work was too much. It can’t be helped that he got angry, but let me tell you, it's only because our Director is magnanimous. Otherwise, you wouldn't just have been fined— you would’ve been fired!" He Yufan chattered as they walked.

"Why didn’t he fire me then" Guan Xiaoke painfully tugged at her hair.

"What did you say" He Yufan hadn’t quite heard her mumble.

“I said you favor the boss over a friend, calling him 'our Director' all the time. What kind of mind-altering drug did he give you The victim is me, it’s me, and it’s still me! If you don't help me out, that's fine, but why are you defending him instead Are we not four-year college buddies

He Yufan watched Guan Xiaoke's frustrated expression and didn't dare to argue anymore. She had already been through enough stress for the day; she cautiously said, "Xiaoke, how about we go out for dinner I'll treat you!"

"Why To celebrate me being fined a hundred bucks! Or because of all those rumors flying around!" Guan Xiaoke thought of these things and felt angry, particularly at the hateful Li An.

"You're really something! Stop biting like a mad dog!" He Yufan wasn't used to dealing with children's parents; her patience could only last three seconds.

"I will bite, I will bite!" Guan Xiaoke shook her head and was ready to snap at He Yufan.

"Xiaoke!" A clear male voice rang out. In the fading sunset, a graceful figure approached.

He Yufan said seriously but in jest, "Go ahead and bite this time! This person will let you bite anywhere you want, for as long as you want!"

The fierce expression on Guan Xiaoke's face vanished instantly. Like all love-struck girls, she looked at her beloved coming from afar, her eyes so soft they could drip water, but before leaving she couldn't help twisting He Yufan's arm: "You feel uncomfortable if you don't blabber nonsense for a day!"

"Ouch!" He Yufan cried out softly. "Hypocritical and wicked little woman; Zhou Guangtao must be blind to have chosen her."

Zhou Guangtao, the supposedly blind man who had picked Guan Xiaoke, was actually quite young and handsome, exuding a sunny vitality that drew several young female university students giggling and looking at him.

"Xiaoke, look at your old Zhou; he’s still pretty popular!" He Yufan gave Guan Xiaoke a nudge. "Go quickly before someone else steals him away."

"Let's go to the night market together! Tell him to treat us to some skewers," Guan Xiaoke grabbed He Yufan and sincerely invited her.

"That’s right, Rainy, let’s go together!" Zhou Guangtao had reunited with Guan Xiaoke two years ago and was now in a relationship; he got along well with these two close friends of hers.

“I’d rather not bother,” He Yufan massaged her slender waist. "Being a decorative flower is also very tiring."

"Come on, come on! You can accompany me to be annoying!" Li Xin suddenly appeared from somewhere and helped He Yufan massage her waist.

He Yufan was startled by Li Xin's sudden appearance and pushed him away irritably: "Why do you keep popping up unexpectedly"

"It's because you wouldn't answer my calls or see me. If I don't stay hidden, what if you run away when you see me" Li Xin looked aggrieved.

"I've eaten your food and worn your clothes; are you my creditor now Of course I'll run when I see you!"

Li Xin's eyes crinkled, his lips curling into a gentle smile: "I'm sorry if I said the wrong thing. Let me treat you to dinner as an apology."

"Put that fake expression away!" He Yufan didn't care anymore whether she was hurting him or not; she had to make things clear, otherwise it would be even more painful later: "I'll tell you, I have no feelings for you. You can save your valuable time and go look for spring somewhere else."

"Miss, please spare his face; our Mr. Li is very sensitive," Zhou Guangtao admired He Yufan's straightforwardness but still tried to mediate as Li Xin was a man who cared about his dignity.

Guann XiaoKe also chimed in: "Li Xin, you're only inviting Rain to dinner; why not me"

Lixin was infinitely accommodating in front of He Yufan and didn't get upset: "I'll invite everyone. Tonight I treat, where would you like to go"

He Yufan wasn't a nitpicker anyway, so after she had made things clear, Li Xin insisted on treating her to dinner despite his rejection; it wouldn't be nice to refuse him outright: "Alright, let's go to the Imperial Splendor for some fine dining."

"Don’t go there. You're all tired from work today, let’s stick with a nearby restaurant and head to 'Come Again' instead," Guan XiaoKe suggested.

The Imperial Splendor was the city's most luxurious Western restaurant located in its center; it would take two hours just to get there and back. Guann XiaoKe wasn’t trying to save money for Li Xin, but rather wanted to finish dinner quickly so she could spend more time with Zhou Guangtao.

Zhou Guangtao worked at a foreign company where he had been hired during his studies in the US and was now stationed back as an international liaison manager. He traveled on business for ten months of the year.

Everyone agreed to Guan XiaoKe's suggestion and went to "Come Again," which was near their school.

Before entering the restaurant, Guan XiaoKe deliberately lagged behind a step and whispered to He Yufan: "Can you not mention Li An in front of them"give the two kids there a heads-up and avoid any awkwardness.Hearing sounds from the suite door, Zhou Guangtao quickly let go of Yan Luoxi in his arms. Luoxi also hurriedly adjusted her clothes. Seein...