Chapter 37: Didn't you ask me to hit you? Naturally, I must oblige.

Zhang Zihao was caught off guard by this sudden display of affection, yet a look of enjoyment unconsciously flickered across his face. Watching from the sidelines, Zhao Qiang couldn't help but chuckle—Zhang Zihao certainly had a bottomless bag of tricks.

The female secretary, Linda, dressed in a black silk uniform, possessed a figure so curvaceous and provocative that it was utterly intoxicating. Her succulent red lips were slightly pursed, and her eyes shimmered with a seductive, misty allure. Her slender fingers rested lightly on Zhang Zihao’s chest, tracing patterns with deliberate intent, exuding an endless aura of temptation.

"Ahem..."

Only then did Linda realize there were others present, and she hurriedly smoothed her attire.

"Linda, is the contract ready?" Zhang Zihao asked, his face impassive, as if he hadn't even noticed Zhao Qiang. He had seen him; so what? Such a trivial matter couldn't threaten him. The only things that could truly threaten him were the two children in Liu Ruyan’s womb.

Zhao Qiang carefully reviewed the contract, confirmed there were no issues, and quickly finalized the signing.

"Mr. Zhang, your coffee is ready." Linda carefully brought over a cup of coffee. Wrapped in her form-fitting professional attire, her hot, sexy figure appeared even more alluring. Her long, straight legs were made all the more striking by her short skirt, and the high heels on her feet added an air of maturity and charm. She kept her gaze fixed on Zhang Zihao, her eyes practically dripping with desire.

"Mr. Zhang, since the contract is signed, I’ll be taking my leave." It was clear his presence was entirely superfluous; the two of them were already barely able to contain themselves.

"Zhao Qiang, I heard your wife gave birth. Is it a boy or a girl?" Zhang Zihao asked suddenly, his tone seemingly laced with intent.

Zhao Qiang froze for a moment but quickly recovered. He couldn't let on that he knew the truth. "It’s a pair of twins, both boys!"

Zhao Qiang curled his lips. *Asking questions when you already know the answer—this guy is putting on quite the performance.*

"Well, congratulations then! You’ve only been out of school for a couple of years and already have a smooth career and a happy family," Zhang Zihao said with a smile.

"That is all thanks to your guidance, Mr. Zhang. I will definitely work hard in the future and strive to bring more profit to the company." Zhao Qiang put on a look of profound gratitude, feigning ambition. "By the way, Mr. Zhang, I heard about your engagement banquet with the eldest daughter of the Chu family the day after tomorrow. I wonder if I might bring my whole family? I’d like to soak up some of the joy."

"Your whole family?" Zhang Zihao’s brow furrowed. Bring Liu Ruyan and her family? He certainly couldn't let Liu Ruyan appear at the engagement banquet—under no circumstances. If she ruined the alliance between the two families, he would be a sinner in the eyes of the Zhang family. "There are no invitations left. Maybe next time!"

Zhang Zihao felt guilty and rejected Zhao Qiang outright.

"Fine, if there aren't any, then never mind!"

As soon as Zhao Qiang stepped out of the office, the door slammed shut behind him. He couldn't help but laugh. That secretary, Linda, was clearly Zhang Zihao’s mistress. This Zhang Zihao, who acted like a humble gentleman on the surface, was nothing more than a sanctimonious hypocrite.

"Liu Ruyan, oh Liu Ruyan, you were nothing more than one of many women to this Zhang Zihao." The only difference was that she had borne his children, leaving Zhao Qiang to wear a green hat for ten years. Such humiliation was absolutely unforgivable. Zhang Zihao, in this life, I will make sure you are utterly disgraced. If he were fired after causing a scene at the engagement banquet, wouldn't he be entitled to a hundred million in compensation?

Zhao Qiang smiled to himself. Now that he had swindled the position of Vice President out of Zhang Zihao, if he didn't go back to show it off, how could he ever repay the "cultivation" Lin Meina and Zhou Jie, that pair of scoundrels, had bestowed upon him all these years?

Zhou Jie was currently throwing a tantrum in Lin Meina’s office. He had finally climbed to the position of manager, serving that old woman for so long, only to end up with nothing.

"Sister Lin, what should we do now? Not only was Zhao Qiang not fired, but he’s even more arrogant now." Zhou Jie didn't know what had happened while Zhao Qiang was with Zhang Zihao.

"My little darling, don't worry. In a while, I’ll just promote you back to manager, won't I?" Lin Meina comforted him. Since the General Manager only visited once in a blue moon, the company’s personnel orders were hers to decide. "As long as I’m here, he can't bully you."

Listening to the old woman’s empty promises, Zhou Jie left the office with a gloomy expression.

"Zhou Jie, back from giving Manager Lin a massage, are you?" He ran right into Zhao Qiang, who had just returned from outside. Zhou Jie, alone, immediately rushed over, furious.

"Zhao Qiang, shut your stinking mouth!" Zhou Jie despised him. Having lost his manager position, he was sure the company staff were gossiping about him behind his back.

"Is that how you speak to your superior?"

"I’m talking to you like that, so what? Not convinced? Hit me then!" Zhou Jie wasn't afraid. With Lin Meina as his backer, he didn't think Zhao Qiang would dare do anything to him.

Before he knew it, a loud "smack" echoed through the office. The entire room fell silent. My god! No one knew what had happened, only that Zhou Jie had been struck.

"You dare hit me?" Zhou Jie was stunned. "Zhao Qiang, are you out of your mind?"

"Didn't you ask me to hit you? I’m just satisfying you. Why aren't you happy after I gave you what you wanted?" Zhao Qiang teased. Some people were just born to be abused. He had never seen such a masochistic request in his life, so of course, he had to oblige. "I’m educating you for your own good. If you don't want to stay in this company after offending me, just tell me so I can fire you!"

"Fire me? You don't have the qualifications!" Zhou Jie gritted his teeth. He couldn't beat Zhao Qiang, so he had to swallow his pride. If he tried to fight back, he might just get another beating.

"Who says I don't have the qualifications? I am the company’s Vice President now. Firing you would be a piece of cake." Zhao Qiang said arrogantly. Zhou Jie had been cocky for long enough; it was finally time for his turn.

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire office erupted. People whispered, all thinking Zhao Qiang had lost his mind.

"You’re the company’s Vice President? How come I didn't know that?" Zhou Jie burst into laughter. This Zhao Qiang must still be dreaming. The position of Vice President required approval from headquarters, and since Zhao Qiang had just offended Mr. Zhang, he was lucky not to have been fired. Claiming to be the Vice President now was hilarious.

"Whether you believe it or not is your business; that doesn't change the facts. The company’s transfer order has already been issued." Zhao Qiang sat in a chair, looking as if he were ready to enjoy a good show.

Hearing the commotion, Lin Meina walked out of her office, only to find the chaotic scene.

"Zhao Qiang, what kind of trouble are you causing now?"

"Manager Lin, Zhao Qiang says he’s the company’s Vice President and wants to fire me! Tell him to wake up!" Zhou Jie laughed until he was breathless, seemingly having forgotten the slap he’d just received.

"Uh..." Lin Meina had come out intending to bite the bullet and announce the news. She had just received the notification from headquarters regarding the transfer order for Zhao Qiang, appointing him as the company’s Vice President. Lin Meina was dumbfounded; she had no idea why the General Manager thought so highly of him.

"Manager Lin, tell everyone! Is this true or not?" Zhou Jie stared at Zhao Qiang with a mocking expression, determined to ruin his reputation today.

"Manager Lin, tell them," Zhao Qiang said, crossing his legs and resting them arrogantly on the desk.