Chapter 490: Chapter 489 Choosing to Escape
Under Li Xiaolu’s persuasion, he slowly emerged from the shadows.
Now, Liu Zheng was no longer the Liu Zheng he used to be, his heart no longer had the naivety of before, but was filled instead with maturity and reason.
It wasn’t that he didn’t like Li Xiaolu, but that he was afraid to like her.
He was afraid of being hurt.
He didn’t want Li Xiaolu to suffer any harm, so he chose to evade.
"Xiaolu, actually..."
Liu Zheng opened his mouth, ready to say something.
"What are you doing? Hurry up and eat!"
A roar suddenly erupted.
A uniformed security guard walked in, glaring at the two and barked.
Seeing the security guard, Li Xiaolu got scared, stood up, and hid behind Liu Zheng, calling out softly, "Liu Zheng, I’m so scared!"
Hearing Li Xiaolu’s call, Liu Zheng turned his head.
A smile still hung on his face.
After clearly seeing who had come, Liu Zheng immediately reined in his smile, the smile on his face disappeared, replaced by a touch of indifference.
This security guard’s name was Li Qiang.
He was the head of security in Longjiang City and also the owner of this café. Because of Liu Zheng, he had always shown hostility toward Li Xiaolu, wishing he could drive her out.
Today he saw Li Xiaolu at the café, so he came to pick a quarrel.
Looking at Li Qiang’s face, Liu Zheng felt somewhat helpless.
"Director Li, please take a seat,"
Liu Zheng stood up and offered.
"Hmph!"
Looking at Liu Zheng, Li Qiang snorted coldly and sat down next to the table.
"Director Li,"
Li Xiaolu called timidly.
Hearing Li Xiaolu’s voice, Li Qiang looked over, showing a lecherous smile, "So you’re Li Xiaolu? Our company just happens to need a manager for the sales department, and you seem quite suitable. Why not, let you be our company’s sales director?"
Li Xiaolu’s face suddenly changed upon hearing Li Qiang’s words.
"You’re coercing someone into doing something."
She said, frowning.
"Don’t worry, as long as you do the job well, I will definitely give you a generous reward!"
Li Qiang promised, patting his chest.
Li Xiaolu’s expression turned even uglier, "Director Li, do you know what you’re saying? I am your niece! You actually dare to coerce your own niece into working for you? If my parents knew, they would kill you."
Seeing Li Xiaolu’s demeanor, a smile appeared on Liu Zheng’s face.
"Heh, Director Li, our Li Group’s finances are quite good. Why don’t you talk to my father, perhaps he could give you a suitable position."
Hearing Liu Zheng’s words, Li Qiang’s face turned even darker, "You brat! Do you think your dad can control me? Don’t forget, I’m your dad’s superior. If it weren’t for your dad, I would have been the chief of Longjiang Police long ago!"
"Director Li, since you’re so obstinate, there’s nothing I can do,"
Liu Zheng responded to Li Qiang’s laughter afterward.
In his heart, Li Qiang thought to himself, "I want to see how arrogant you’ll be when your dad is dead."
Watching Li Qiang’s laughter, a cold glint flashed in Liu Zheng’s eyes, and then he said indifferently, "Since Director Li is unwilling to cooperate, I won’t insist. This coffee is on me!"
Hearing Liu Zheng’s words, surprise appeared on Li Xiaolu’s face.
She never expected Liu Zheng to go to such lengths for her.
Tears swirled in her eyes, and she really didn’t know how to face Liu Zheng.
Li Qiang, however, sneered disdainfully.
There are still fools in this world.
He walked to the counter, pulled out a few hundred yuan, and stuffed it into the waiter’s hand.
Seeing this, the waiter hurriedly nodded and bowed, accepting the money.
"Alright, sir, please wait a moment."
"Hmm."
Li Qiang nodded and then sat in the chair, crossed his legs in an arrogant posture, and lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply after lighting it.
"I don’t believe you can take the money back."
"Liu Zheng, are you really going to do this?"
Hearing Li Qiang’s words, Li Xiaolu’s face turned pale instantly.
She never thought that Liu Zheng would actually help her.
Although she knew Liu Zheng was using her, she felt powerless to resist because she knew she was no match for Li Qiang.
"I don’t want to repeat myself a second time. This is your last chance,"
Li Qiang’s expression turned serious, his eyes carrying a barely noticeable murderous intent, "If you refuse, then I will have to resort to some unconventional methods."
Li Xiaolu bit her lip, murmuring softly, "Do you really want to make me resign?"
"There’s no room for discussion in this matter! I’m giving you two options: agree to become my secretary, or I will reveal your origins to your family, let them know how you seduce men. By then, their impression of you will plummet, they might even sever ties. What do you think?"
Li Xiaolu’s face was filled with indignation, "Li Qiang! You’re not human!"
"Ha ha..."
Seeing Li Xiaolu’s angry appearance, Li Qiang couldn’t help but laugh unrestrained.
"You girl, you haven’t grown up at all!"
"Liu Zheng! What are you standing there for? Hurry up and take her away to the police station, let everyone see who has bullied a member of our Longjiang City Public Security Bureau!"
Li Qiang shouted at one of his underlings.
The underling responded and approached with a ferocious expression.
Witnessing this scene, Li Xiaolu’s face showed a look of panic, she hadn’t expected Li Qiang to resort to such despicable methods.
Seeing this, Liu Zheng furrowed his brows, anger filling his heart.
"Director Li, you’re wrong here! Since you want her to be your secretary, at least give her a one-month probation period. If she doesn’t succeed at her job within that time, then you can’t continue the collaboration. After all, you’re not my direct superior at the moment,"
Liu Zheng said indifferently.
"Fine, we’ll do it your way. If she can’t complete the tasks within one month, we will stop collaborating!"
Li Qiang sneered, "Liu Zheng, don’t be too conceited. If she fails to complete the tasks within that time, I will have to let you lose face completely, and by then, even if I want to help you, I won’t be able to."
Li Qiang snorted coldly and turned to leave.
Watching Li Qiang walk away, Li Xiaolu’s heart was filled with worry and fear.
"Xiaolu, don’t be afraid, I’m here for you, no one will dare to hurt you,"
Liu Zheng walked up to Li Xiaolu’s side, gently stroking her hair and spoke softly.
Li Xiaolu looked up at Liu Zheng’s face, tears brimming in her eyes.
Liu Zheng asked softly, "Xiaolu, what exactly happened?"
"Director Li, he’s been bullying me,"
Hearing Li Xiaolu’s words, Liu Zheng clenched his fists tightly, his eyes flickering with an icy light. He raised his head and glared fiercely at Li Qiang’s retreating figure, saying, "Fine! Li Qiang, you’re ruthless!"
He gritted his teeth, punctuating each word, "In one month, we’ll see who ends up embarrassed!"
Hearing Liu Zheng’s words, Li Xiaolu’s tears flowed uncontrollably.
She had never before felt the taste of being threatened by someone.
In this world, there is nothing more saddening than being threatened by a loved one.
Looking at the crying Li Xiaolu, Liu Zheng let out a sigh and drew her into his embrace, comforting her, "There, there! Don’t cry, you still have me, your brother will protect you."
"Thank you!"
Watching this scene, Li Qiang’s lips curled into a cold smile, then he took out his phone and dialed Lin Xiaofeng’s number.
"Miss, you are safe now, I’m coming to pick you up,"
As soon as the call connected, Li Qiang spoke with a smile.
Hearing Li Qiang’s words, Lin Xiaofeng was taken aback.
"I’m at the Longjiang Hotel, come over,"
After hanging up the phone, Li Qiang stood up and walked outside.
"Aww, Xiaolu, why are you crying? Quickly, wipe it away!"
Seeing Li Xiaolu in tears, Liu Zheng quickly took out a tissue, speaking tenderly.
Li Xiaolu took the tissue and wiped her tears haphazardly.
Watching her crying yet charming appearance, Liu Zheng couldn’t help but be momentarily dazed.
"Rest for a bit, I’m going to buy some groceries and cook,"
After saying this, he left the room.
As Liu Zheng walked out, Li Xiaolu took a deep breath of relief.
"Liu Zheng, thank you. I really appreciate it. How about I treat you to dinner?"
Her gaze swept around the room, noting the lack of surveillance cameras.
Only then did she relax and then spoke to Liu Zheng.
Hearing this, Liu Zheng smiled and said, "It’s no problem, I’m a bit hungry anyway, so I might as well join you."
"That sounds great!"
With that, Li Xiaolu followed Liu Zheng out of the room.
The two went downstairs and Liu Zheng led Li Xiaolu away from the Longjiang Hotel.
"I remember there’s a Sichuan restaurant nearby, let’s eat there,"
Li Xiaolu suggested.
