Chapter 333: Chapter 333

Hua Xiaomo felt very uncomfortable and deeply annoyed. How could he act ? She wondered if his behavior was what made her feel this way.

Qi Longbing watched her with a smile. He felt extremely sorry. Although it was just a little prank, he hadn’t anticipated such a reaction. It appeared she cared a great deal about collaborating with his company, and it went without saying that she cared even more about her company’s listing!

Having something she cared about made things easier; the real difficulty lay in dealing with someone who had no weaknesses.

As long as he targeted her weaknesses bit by bit, launching effective, controllable attacks from time to time, he believed it wouldn’t be long before she would once again seek the comfort of his embrace.

"You’re so annoying! Do you find these kinds of jokes amusing? Don’t ever play this kind of joke on me again, got it?" Hua Xiaomo said, still somewhat angry as she tried to push him away. However, Qi Longbing’s arms were very strong, and she couldn’t budge him at all.

For a moment, Hua Xiaomo’s cheeks flushed red. She hadn’t expected him to still be so passionate toward her. Orıginal content can be found at 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚•𝙣𝙚𝙩

"Director Hua, what do you think about our two companies entering into a marriage alliance?" Suddenly, Qi Longbing’s voice eerily floated into her ears.

This sentence startled Hua Xiaomo. She looked up at him incredulously. "What did you say? A marriage alliance! What kind of alliance? I’m really going to faint."

"Don’t pass out; I’m serious. If our two companies form an alliance, it would be beneficial for both of us. Moreover, it could even directly facilitate your company’s listing! What’s not to like about that?" Qi Longbing said, looking at her with a smile in his eyes.

Hua Xiaomo looked at his smiling face. She sensed it was filled with ulterior motives. But if she didn’t agree to him now, would this collaboration even continue? Ugh, this Qi Longbing still harbored such mischievous thoughts.

But she had no way to refuse. Or perhaps she wanted to refuse, but felt unable to find the words to reject him.

"President Qi, do you mean you want to enter into an alliance with someone under my command?" Hua Xiaomo asked, pretending to be confused.

After all, if it were about her, would she even be considered? She thought the Qi Family was too large and too complicated; she still preferred a simple life, just her and Candy.

There was no need for a third person to intrude so deeply into their lives; it would cause her a sense of panic and could also change Candy’s life.

She felt it was unnecessary. Simplicity was better, so no changes were needed, right?

That was what Hua Xiaomo thought, but the man opposite her had completely different ideas.

Qi Longbing stared intently at her face without blinking, then suddenly said, "I’ve noticed your thoughts are getting more and more strange. Why would I marry one of your subordinates? The person I marry must match my status and identity—someone like you, Director Hua!" He’s deliberately contradicting her. Marrying one of her subordinates? Hua Xiaomo, you’re quite amusing!

"You want to marry me?" Hua Xiaomo looked at him, her eyes widening suddenly.

"What’s wrong? Can’t I marry you? You manage your company, I manage mine. Occasionally, we can meet to discuss our companies’ business or operational plans. That would all be beneficial, don’t you agree?" Qi Longbing said with a grin.

But Hua Xiaomo frowned as if she didn’t understand at all.

"If President Qi truly only wishes for a corporate marriage alliance, why don’t you choose Warner World? Unless I’m mistaken, you and Miss Pan Yutong have been engaged for five years now. It’s time you got married," Hua Xiaomo said, looking at him. She spoke word by word, her tone devoid of emotion. But only she knew how much she truly cared.

She wouldn’t say it though; she wanted to see what his stance was, why he could keep that woman waiting for five years without marrying her.

If it were her, she would be furious. Never mind five years—even if he made her wait one year without marrying her, she’d be at his doorstep with a mop, making him kneel and scrub the floors.

Frankly, from a woman’s perspective, Qi Longbing was going too far. Then again, Pan Yutong’s continued patience was likely because she was still waiting for Qi Longbing to come around.

Upon hearing this, Qi Longbing laughed. "Hua Xiaomo, you’re so well-informed about my affairs? It seems you do care about me after all. You can’t deny that!"

"What concerns me is whether our collaboration can proceed," Hua Xiaomo retorted, a glimmer of shrewdness in her eyes.

Qi Longbing regarded her, his eyes flashing with a predatory glint that suddenly dimmed. He thought of an excuse, but he didn’t know if it would satisfy her.

"I don’t want to marry that woman. But if you push me, I will," Qi Longbing replied.

Hearing this, a shadow crossed Hua Xiaomo’s face.

"What do you mean, ’if I push you’? When have I ever pushed you? Qi Longbing, I don’t think I have!" Hua Xiaomo said, feeling aggrieved. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on feeling wronged. She simply felt they should sign the contract quickly to avoid any complications from further delays.

Qi Longbing smiled. He realized that if the conversation continued , there would be no progress. He might as well get straight to the point.

"Hua Xiaomo, Director Hua, let me tell you formally: if you want your company to be listed, you yourself must take some action. Do you understand?" Qi Longbing said, directly addressing her most pressing concern. He knew she would hesitate on this and wouldn’t reject it outright.

"What exactly do you want? I feel we could have approached this from a cooperative standpoint, yet you insist on twisting this positive collaborative relationship. I just don’t understand your point. Or do you find this truly amusing?" Hua Xiaomo said, looking at him, unable to grasp his reasoning.

Even though she knew he was waiting for her, she couldn’t agree to him; it was that simple.

"Really? You think I’m the one twisting the relationship? That I’m making things difficult for you, is that it? But it seems it was your company that actively sought a partnership with the Qi Imperial Court. You can’t deny that, right?" Qi Longbing challenged.

Hua Xiaomo had nothing to say. Collaboration could be refused, but what about the listing then?