Adorable Liu Shuang'er, and Another Round of Layoffs at Xichuan Province's State-Owned Enterprises

"I get it. You're worried I'll use being your boss as an excuse to ask for something inappropriate!"

"Don't worry about that. We can put it in the contract. This will be a proper employment relationship, and I won't initiate anything that makes you uncomfortable..."

Seeing her expression, Lin Chao Ci immediately understood her concerns.

He explained with a smile and gave her his word on the spot.

Lin Chao Ci was a gentleman. Forcing anyone into anything was beneath him.

If anything did happen, she would have to make the first move!

"All right!"

Since he had gone that far, and she already owed Lin Chao Ci a favor, she really couldn't bring herself to refuse.

Li Si Han nodded in agreement.

"Great. Here's my company address. You can report there after school. I'll let the receptionist know!"

Once Li Si Han agreed and his business was settled, Lin Chao Ci prepared to leave. He rarely came to school, so of course he had to visit Liu Shuang'er while he was there.

"Okay!"

Li Si Han took the address and nodded.

Lin Chao Ci raised his hand to let the teacher know, then left the classroom and headed for Liu Shuang'er's class.

Reaching the doorway, Lin Chao Ci peered through the window and saw Liu Shuang'er looking listless, nodding off.

Her mind had probably wandered miles away already.

Seeing that she was sitting in the back row, Lin Chao Ci smiled slightly, struck by the urge to tease her.

He slipped in through the back door, crouched down, and crept up behind her.

Lost in a daze, she didn't notice him. Once he was behind her, Lin Chao Ci poked her shoulder.

Liu Shuang'er snapped out of her daydream, a little confused. Had she imagined it? It felt as though someone had just poked her shoulder.

She looked back in puzzlement, only to find empty space. There was no one there.

"Huh? Nobody's there..."

Liu Shuang'er wondered whether spending too long looking at her dear Chao Ci's photos last night had left her a little delirious.

There wasn't a soul behind her—not even a stray hair.

"Huh? What the heck?"

Liu Shuang'er had only just turned back when she felt someone poke her other shoulder.

This time, the sensation was unmistakable. The more she thought about it, the more frightened she became, a chill creeping over her.

"C-could it be a ghost?"

Timid as she was, Liu Shuang'er felt scared. She didn't dare move, but stole a glance behind her.

Still no one!

It was still completely empty. Nothing there at all.

Now Liu Shuang'er really began to panic. No one on the left, no one on the right—so who on earth was poking her shoulder?

If it wasn't a person, it had to be a ghost!

The more Liu Shuang'er thought about it, the more terrified she grew. Just as she was about to get up and flee, a muffled laugh escaped from behind her.

"Pfft..."

Liu Shuang'er really was such an adorable little dummy. She didn't even think about her blind spot and just kept looking left and right.

Lin Chao Ci couldn't hold it in any longer and laughed out loud.

Hearing that familiar laugh, Liu Shuang'er could hardly believe her ears. She lowered her gaze toward where it had come from.

Lin Chao Ci was hiding right in her blind spot, covering his mouth as he laughed handsomely and waving at her with his other hand.

He looked so handsome, so charming. At any other time, Liu Shuang'er would probably have taken a photo to keep as a memento.

Right now, however, she wasn't in the mood. Remembering how foolishly she had just acted, Liu Shuang'er wanted to find somewhere to hide.

Mortified, Liu Shuang'er held her head in her arms, not daring to look at Lin Chao Ci.

Lin Chao Ci sat down beside her.

Normally, Liu Shuang'er would have eagerly snuggled up to him. This time, she kept her arms around her head and turned her face away.

Lin Chao Ci poked her shoulder with a finger and said, "You were so cute just now!"

Although being called cute by Lin Chao Ci made Liu Shuang'er feel a little better, she was still too embarrassed to answer.

"..."

Lin Chao Ci offered a few more compliments, but Liu Shuang'er still gave him no response.

Then inspiration struck, and Lin Chao Ci came up with the perfect move. "Want a kiss?"

At those words, Liu Shuang'er's ears turned bright red. She was sorely tempted, but her maidenly modesty told her she couldn't be so eager or so casual.

That modesty didn't last more than a few seconds, though. After hesitating for perhaps three or four seconds, Liu Shuang'er lowered her arms and looked at Lin Chao Ci with shy anticipation.

She said nothing. Her cheeks were pink, and she was breathtakingly beautiful. Her large, jewel-like eyes gazed at Lin Chao Ci, shimmering as she gave a shy but definite nod.

Faced with such a beauty,

Lin Chao Ci couldn't care less that class was still in session. He immediately leaned in and gave Liu Shuang'er the sweetest kiss.

Fortunately, they had stood a few books upright on the desk before kissing. It was a rather transparent attempt at concealment, but at least it offered some cover.

The kiss was sweet.

But the other boys felt as though their hearts were shattering.

They were watching the goddess of their dreams kiss someone else right before their eyes.

"Boohoo... My dream is shattered! My goddess isn't pure anymore!"

"No! No! My heart hurts! It hurts so much!"

"Stealing a man's wife is an unforgivable feud! You thief, Lin! You villain! You traitor! You and I are sworn enemies!"

Quite a few boys' eyes reddened. If class hadn't still been in session, plenty of them would probably have burst into tears.

Lin Chao Ci and Liu Shuang'er paid no attention to what anyone else thought.

They kissed for a long time before finally parting. If they hadn't needed air, they could have kept kissing until the end of time.

"You're so beautiful!"

Lin Chao Ci gently brushed the girl's cheek, admiring her flawless, heavenly face.

Liu Shuang'er was bashful, her cheeks bright red and her gorgeous eyes seeming to glisten with moisture.

She was too shy to look Lin Chao Ci in the eye.

Liu Shuang'er felt as though her dream had come true. The man she loved loved her back. She was truly so happy.

"Beep, beep, beep!"

Just then, the bell rang.

The teacher didn't keep them past the bell and hurried out.

As for their classmates, some left immediately, unaware of what had happened.

Others remained in their seats, staring at Lin Chao Ci with reddened eyes as though he had murdered their fathers!

Still others couldn't wait to make calls or contact their friends by pager.

One of the most beautiful goddesses in the entire school had a boyfriend!

Who knew how many boys would have their hearts and dreams shattered today?

"It's almost noon. Let's go eat..."

Lin Chao Ci took the initiative to invite Liu Shuang'er.

Liu Shuang'er nodded, happily accepting.

Meanwhile, in the provincial Party committee's conference room in Xichuan Province's capital.

"The subject of today's meeting is an assignment from our superiors. Xichuan Province must shut down some inefficient factories with heavy losses. That will mean at least tens of thousands of workers..."

The Party secretary seated at the head of the table looked troubled as he opened the discussion.

"Ahem. I've been ill lately, and I need to spend a few days recuperating in the hospital. I won't be taking part in these layoffs!"

"Well, I'll be leading a delegation to another province tomorrow to inspect their operations. I expect we'll be away for ten days or so!"

"Ahem. I'm already in charge of two major projects!"