The Bodyguard King’s CEO Wife Chapter 4 - 4 4 A Fortuitous Encounter in the Restaurant

The subsequent morning, an alarm's shrill cry roused Ye Shikai. He fluttered open his sleep-heavy eyelids, his gaze falling upon the caller ID displaying 'An Lan'. "Hello, what's up?" he mumbled.

"Today is your inaugural day at work; ensure you are not tardy," An Lan's voice conveyed a touch of apprehension through the receiver.

Ye Shikai’s eyes darted to the clock perched beside his bed. It was already seven, and the company’s official start time for employees was eight.

Yesterday, the lovely female colleagues had indeed emphasized the company's rigid adherence to its regulations.

Any employee arriving late would, at the bare minimum, forfeit their bonuses, with the ultimate consequence being immediate dismissal.

Even a significant number of senior management personnel hesitated to risk being late.

A gasp of shock escaped Ye Shikai's lips. He hastily terminated the call, rapidly got dressed, and departed the villa, forgoing breakfast altogether.

Noticing Su Qingyu’s Lamborghini was absent, he let out a wry chuckle. His wife, truly a dedicated workaholic. Compared to her, he felt like a mere pretty boy, devoid of any substantial contribution.

Exiting the residential complex, Ye Shikai flagged down a taxi and made a swift journey to the office. He practically sprinted into the elevator, reached the eighth floor, and proceeded directly to the Public Relations department.

No sooner had he clocked in than he heard, "Eight o’clock sharp, lucky fellow." Yet, as he pushed open the door to the PR department, he was met by a visage both cold and strikingly handsome. The subtle smile that had graced An Lan's lips gradually stiffened as her phoenix eyes fixed intently upon him. "Ye Shikai, step into my office." An Lan turned her head, a thought echoing in her mind, "This young man, I had such high expectations for him yesterday. He nearly arrived late today." Due to Tianya Group’s stringent policies, numerous employees harbored a deep-seated fear of tardiness.

Consequently, they typically arrived at least half an hour prior to the designated start time.

For over a year, the company had maintained an impeccable record, with no one reporting late. And here was Ye Shikai, on his very first day, almost shattering that streak.

"Explain yourself. What transpired this morning?

Were you attempting to set a new record for the quickest arrival after the start time?" An Lan inquired, seated behind her office desk and gazing directly at Ye Shikai.

A wave of displeasure washed over her. She had examined Ye Shikai’s personal file, learning that his sole close relative had tragically passed away during his high school years. Though his formal education was limited, his inherent capabilities were undoubtedly noteworthy. Furthermore, An Lan herself possessed a disposition that, while outwardly cool, held a core of warmth. She felt a pang of sympathy for the adversities Ye Shikai had endured and had even contemplated recommending him for advancement to her superiors. However, this morning's incident presented a significant obstacle.

Ye Shikai dared not meet An Lan’s gaze, acutely aware of her displeasure. His eyes drifted downwards, inadvertently fixating upon the curve of her décolletage. What a stunner she was. But he swiftly brought his thoughts back under control, understanding that any hint of his impropriety reaching An Lan's awareness would spell utter disaster. He swallowed, his gaze lifting to meet An Lan's slightly flushed cheeks. "Well, I stayed up quite late last night and consequently overslept this morning. It shall not happen again." Ye Shikai’s voice held a note of genuine guilt, his head bowed like a chastened child.

Hearing Ye Shikai's sincere apology, the simmering anger within An Lan subsided considerably. Her initial intention was merely to impose a minor disciplinary measure as a cautionary note, not to deal with him with undue severity. Ultimately, she settled for a stern warning against any repetition and then graciously permitted Ye Shikai to depart.

"Today marks your initiation into the company. Traditionally, as the newest member of the Public Relations department, I plan to host a dinner this evening to formally extend our welcome. You are available this evening, aren't you?" An Lan observed Ye Shikai's subtly uplifted expression, discerning his unspoken thoughts—the prospect of interacting with numerous beautiful women within the PR department was undoubtedly an appealing one for him.

"Certainly, I will be there without fail." With a soft click, Ye Shikai closed the office door behind him, the shadow of concern vanishing from his face. The thought of a night surrounded by attractive women, all seemingly drawn to him, filled him with anticipation.

Then, a sudden thought of his breathtakingly beautiful wife at home, the enigmatic ice queen, surfaced. Alas, the torment of being able to merely look but never touch was the most agonizing part.

Returning to his assigned workstation, Ye Shikai commenced his duties. Having experienced the rigors of a turbulent existence, the occasional respite of a white-collar routine seemed unexpectedly pleasant. Despite its mundane nature, it offered a welcome escape from constant vigilance.

His attention fixed upon the stack of documents littering his desk, Ye Shikai became engrossed in his work.

It must be acknowledged that Ye Shikai possessed remarkable efficiency, demonstrating a surprising grasp of certain company products. In a remarkably short span, he managed to complete a substantial volume of tasks.

An Lan, observing Ye Shikai through the semi-transparent blinds, noted the focused intensity of his profile. It is often said that a man's handsomeness is most pronounced when he is engrossed in earnest activity, and she found herself unexpectedly drawn to the concentration etched on Ye Shikai's features. He was, undeniably, quite a handsome man. From her youth into adulthood, much like Su Qingyu, she had always been perceived as an unapproachable goddess, consistently rebuffing every male admirer without hesitation.

Astonishingly, An Lan herself was unaware that she could be captivated by a man she had only encountered the previous day, her cheeks beginning to blush… After the workday concluded, the colleagues convened at the hotel entrance, arriving in small groups.

This establishment, known as Sea and Sky, was a popular destination for professionals owing to its excellent value and prime location. The hotel also boasted a KTV and bar on its premises, with guest rooms situated above, offering a comprehensive suite of services perfectly suited for urbanites seeking to unwind.

Upon entering the hotel, the guests were greeted by an interior adorned with purely European decor, radiating an aura of classic refinement and a touch of the quaint bourgeoisie.

An Lan, in Ye Shikai’s company, proceeded towards a private room, and shortly thereafter, the members of the public relations department began to arrive one by one.

As the sole male attendee at the dining table, Ye Shikai, a veritable rarity, found himself the focus of everyone’s attention.

Numerous bold and forward young women initiated drinking contests with Ye Shikai and engaged him with suggestive jokes.

It must be acknowledged that Ye Shikai possessed a certain handsomeness, the sort that gradually wins you over.

During his formative high school days, a multitude of female classmates harbored secret affections for him.

After several glasses of red wine, An Lan’s countenance was flushed, and she turned to Ye Shikai, proposing, “Ye Shikai, let’s head to the KTV to sing later.” She then accompanied her words with a suggestive wink, an undisguised invitation.

Her alluring form and captivating gaze stirred something within Ye Shikai’s lower body, as if beckoning him towards indulgence after his drinks.

While Ye Shikai wrestled with his thoughts, a fair arm encircled his neck. “Ye, do you find me attractive?” Ye Shikai glanced up and recognized the woman as Wanna, the team leader from public relations, infamous for her seductive demeanor.

Many male colleagues from other departments had previously vied for her attention.

Witnessing Wanna’s brazen flirtation, Ye Shikai couldn’t help but inwardly lament the audacity of this openly alluring femme fatale.

Sensing a warmth in his nose, Ye Shikai understood the necessity of immediate action, fearing he might otherwise succumb to the temptation and push them away.

He gently extricated himself from Wanna’s embrace. “Please stop, I am a married man.” Ye Shikai straightened his posture, projecting an air of deep wisdom and unwavering resolve.

Before Wanna could articulate a response, An Lan reacted to his declaration, abruptly standing and exclaiming, “How is that even possible?” The attention of the dozens present shifted towards An Lan, who immediately recognized her lapse in composure.

Her cheeks, now crimson like ripe apples, revealed her embarrassment, and even Ye Shikai was taken aback by An Lan’s outburst.

“It’s the truth, I am married.” “So what, Ye, is your wife as beautiful as I am?” This question was a direct challenge.

His own wife, Qingyu, was counted among Yanjing’s four most stunning women, capable of causing a stir in the city merely by stepping outside.

While Wanna possessed considerable charm, she still paled in comparison to Qingyu.

Ye Shikai felt a strong inclination to clarify his marital status, but then recalled Qingyu’s instruction on their wedding day—a directive to keep their union private. He swallowed his words.

Furthermore, even if he were to reveal the truth, he doubted anyone would readily believe him. In their eyes, he was merely a slightly more attractive office worker, hardly worthy of the esteemed and powerful beauty CEO.

After sharing a few drinks with the women, Ye Shikai experienced a pressing need to relieve himself, seizing it as a convenient opportunity to escape the allure of the assembled beauties.

Having concluded his business in the restroom, Ye Shikai splashed ice-cold water on his face to regain his composure.

Unexpectedly, just as he emerged from the restroom, a woman of exquisite beauty, possessing a slender waist and shapely figure, resembling an ethereal being, approached him.

Their gazes met, and to his utter astonishment, it was none other than Qingyu.

What an extraordinary coincidence—his own wife was also present for dinner.

“Ye Shikai, what brings you here?” Qingyu, similarly, expressed surprise at Ye Shikai’s presence.

Earlier that day, she had been engaged in crucial business discussions with several influential figures, negotiations that had been fraught with difficulty. The unwelcome leering from some of the attendees had significantly displeased Qingyu.

She had feigned an excuse to step away and had certainly not anticipated encountering Ye Shikai in this place.

“I’m attending a company dinner,” Qingyu regarded Ye Shikai with a measure of suspicion.

As she passed by him, a subtle fragrance of perfume reached her, and with her keen senses, she discerned that it was not a single scent but a blend of several.

The scoundrel! He must have slipped away to flirt with other women.