BXBX NOVEL Chapter 414 Currying Favor
"Of course! I just returned from vacation, so my head is muddled, but I remember you. Miss Li, right? What makes you come to the company today? Did you come here to have a meeting with your editor?"
"Not a meeting, but I do have a business with my editor here. I was very grateful for your help the other day. Thanks to your recommendation, my book could perform well in its first month."
The Chief Editor quickly noticed that Li Caiyi didn't seem to suspect anything and smiled widely, clearly in a better mood than before. "Your book is excellent, so of course, I will give it a chance it deserves."
"Thank you very much! Can you tell me which part of it strikes the deepest impression in you?"
At her sudden question, the Chief Editor flustered a bit. How could he have time to boost a newbie book if it weren't for currying favor with those with power? He couldn't care enough to read any book past the first page, much less remember the scene from the book.
However, there was no way he could openly admit it, so he quickly covered his fluster with awkward laughter.
"Ah, regarding that matter, you must forgive this old man's memory. I had so much work to do that I didn't read until the end, but I had faith in you and your editor's skill. He is one of the rare talents of our company, so when he spoke so highly of your book, I immediately pushed it forward."
Li Caiyi was familiar with that fawning smile on the older man's face. She had seen it so many times in the past when she and Meng Renshu were still on good terms.
Their marriage was sudden and mainly to fulfil the old promise between the two families. Still, no one would dare to offend her, with Meng Renshu steadily protecting her.
At that time, many people thought they were a harmonious couple, and some would act kindly to curry favor with her.
And the same smile was now plastered all over the Chief Editor's face. It chilled her heart, knowing that the idea of promoting her book probably wasn't his idea.
This man was clearly scheming something. This man must have been lying when he complimented her book. Her gaze, which previously looked up at the man in front of him, gradually turned cold.
"I see. I understand." Li Caiyi had confirmed her suspicion, so she didn't see any reason to stay there longer. Keeping her polite smile intact, she bowed slightly to him.
"Then I will not bother you anymore. Thank you so much for sparing time for me."
"Wait. Why don't we talk some more? This is a rare chance to meet a young and talented author like you, after all."
"But, didn't you say you were busy earlier?"
"Now that I think of it again, that matter can wait until later. What do you say?"
The older man was confident that Li Caiyi wouldn't refuse his offer. In his eyes, Li Caiyi was still a young woman who brimmed with aspirations and optimism. Her mind was filled with passion and dreams, just like any other ambitious youth.
Such a kid, she would never miss this opportunity to get a better connection in the editorial department. That was if she's bright enough to catch his drift.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Chief Editor. But I'm afraid I have made my editor wait. If there is a next time, I'd love to discuss it with you again."
Li Caiyi delivered a perfect answer while flashing her polite smile. Facing a similar type of person made her old habit resurface. She used to reject people this way whenever they tried to act friendly with her, just because they eyed the benefit of having Madam Meng as their backer.
Maybe that was why her voice sounded poise and distant when she talked.
Seeing her attitude, the older man immediately realized that this girl wasn't simple. He wasn't that stupid not to notice her vigilance, and it infuriated him. He had to urge back to glare disdainfully at this brat who dared reject his generous offer.
If it weren't for the people from Meng Pharmaceutical who contacted him directly to promote her book, would she be able to act callously in front of him like this?
"Then Miss Li, I wonder when that next time will come? Please don't misunderstand, because I'm interested in your next work. I believe you can do even better with more guidance."
Li Caiyi wanted to laugh at his pathetic excuse. Just a minute ago, he was impatient to get rid of her, but now he wanted to offer her some 'guidance'? Something was definitely off with this.
"I appreciate your offer, but I need to go back now. Jingfei and Mrs. Mei Ning are probably looking for me. Now, if you'll excuse me."
The older man grabbed her elbow and prevented him from leaving. "It won't take a long time. I will take responsibility for what happened later. Coincidentally, I also have some questions to ask you."
Li Caiyi frowned, feeling the man's chubby hand on her elbow. No matter the reason, he clearly had stepped over the line by doing this, so she opened her mouth to tell him off.
The words stuck on the edge of her throat because a hand suddenly came between them and pried the Chief Editor's hand away from her. Li Caiyi was stunned.
"No matter how eager you are, doing something like this in the office and in the middle of the day is rather unbecoming of you, isn't it right?"
The Chief Editor's face, which was initially annoyed, instantly turned ashen when he saw the bastard who got in his way.
"D-director! That's not how it looks!"
Li Caiyi was stunned as she looked up to see the man with golden-rimmed glasses from before standing beside her, visibly declaring his disapproval of the Chief Editor's way.
"This young lady is my brother's guest. I implore you not to do anything unsightly here that may cause our company to lose face."
His voice was calm and controlled. If it weren't for the slight frown on his brows and his stabbing words, no one would guess that this man was actually pissed.
"I didn't try to do anything. This lady is the one who approached me first because she is grateful to me. Then I asked her if she wanted to talk more about her books with me. Isn't that right, Miss Li?"
Both Chief Editor and Director shifted their gazes towards her. One with expectant eyes and another with unfathomable emotion.
What else could she say in this situation? She preferred not to cross anyone from this company because she still needed to survive. "He is telling the truth, Mr. Director."
The Chief Editor didn't even try to hide his triumphant smile. "See? Director, I didn't do anything, so your accusation made me uncomfortable. Please apologize to me."
What a man. He was shaking like a leaf just a moment ago, but now that she had testified in favor of him, he immediately tried to walk over his opponent's head. It was an ugly sight to see.
However, there was no ripple in his opponent's eyes as he casually corrected his glasses' position using his finger.
"Is that so? Then, I will do it if you apologize to this lady first for making her uncomfortable."