With the exact time obtained, the company's top executives did not continue to press further. Although they verbally declined, each of them sat obediently in their place, calmly accepting Xing Yujun's gesture.

This matter seemed to have reached a perfect resolution, but stability was just a facade; all the undercurrents were well concealed.

Once everyone had left, Xing Yujun's expression turned grim. Her gloomy demeanor sent chills down one's spine.

To say that Xing Yujun had a solution, what solution could she possibly have? What she had mentioned earlier was merely a stopgap measure. She didn't even know if these old foxes believed her. If she told them she had no solution, the company wouldn't need outsiders to destroy it; it would disintegrate from within.

Xing Yujun hung her head low, her teeth grinding audibly. But this was the best and quickest method she could think of. Xu Ke, who was riding a little yellow bike around, felt a chill on his back but didn't know why.

Xu Ke didn't take it seriously, but when he returned to the hotel in the evening, he saw Xing Yujun outside his room. One of Xu Ke's eyebrows involuntarily shot up, only to quickly settle back down.

Xing Yujun's legs were so numb from standing outside that they felt like prosthetics. When she saw Xu Ke return, she wanted to greet him, but she stumbled as she took a step, nearly falling. Quickly regaining her composure, she acted as if nothing had happened and smiled as she approached.

"Is Mr. Xu out having fun? Where did you go in Shangzhou? Did you enjoy yourself? I've been in Shangzhou for quite some time. If you don't mind, I could join you on your outings as a guide." Xing Yujun smiled brightly, though her smile hid flattery and submission.

But Xu Ke was not about to fall for this.

"Isn't President Xing usually very busy? Why are you standing outside my door, as if waiting for someone?" Xu Ke glanced at Xing Yujun, showing no intention of opening the door and inviting her inside.

Xing Yujun hadn't expected that after coming to Xu Ke's room and waiting so long, he wouldn't even bother with such a minor gesture as inviting her in. She almost lost the fake smile on her face.

"To be honest, I came here specifically to wait for you. I have something to discuss with you, if you're free?" As she spoke, Xing Yujun's eyes involuntarily fell on the tightly closed door, a questioning look in her gaze.

"Don't look; let's talk here. I won't let you into the room. It's inappropriate for a man and woman to be alone in a room, and I'm worried about causing unnecessary misunderstandings." Xu Ke glanced at the room's door from Xing Yujun's line of sight and resolutely refused her.

Xing Yujun's smile froze for a moment; she hadn't expected to be rejected right at the first step, giving her a bad feeling that she might fail today.

"But what I have to say isn't suitable for this kind of setting. Let's talk inside. If you're uneasy, you can set up a camera over there to prove your innocence." Xing Yujun attempted to struggle once more.

"It's late at night; where would I get a camera to set up? Besides, I don't think we have anything unspeakable between us. I, Xu Ke, handle my affairs openly, with nothing to hide. Speak here, or I'm going in; I need my rest." Xu Ke checked the time and said.

Xing Yujun was rendered speechless by Xu Ke, severely doubting that he understood concepts like showing pity to a woman or saving face.

As Xing Yujun was silently complaining about Xu Ke, he noticed her hesitation to speak and grew impatient, deciding to simply brush past her and open the door with his room card.

"What are you doing?" Seeing Xu Ke's actions, Xing Yujun instinctively grabbed his arm and asked.

"What am I doing—isn't it obvious? If you don't want to talk, then please don't block my way back into my room. I don't have time to stand with you in the hallway." Xu Ke impatiently shook off Xing Yujun's hand from his brow.

Xing Yujun's face showed signs of embarrassment as she realized Xu Ke was determined not to let her inside. Choosing to speak in the hallway, she decided to let go and go for broke.

"There's no need for pretense between us. You should know why I came to see you today, since you gave the orders yourself." Xing Yujun took a deep breath and looked intently at Xu Ke as she spoke.

"I know I was wrong about the past. I misjudged and said things I shouldn't have said, did things I shouldn't have done. I admit my mistakes and am willing to make amends to some extent. What do you want me to do to forgive me? Just say the word, as long as it's not excessive, I'm at your disposal." Xing Yujun spoke honestly.

"But I also hope you can be magnanimous and spare my company. It hasn't been easy for me to grow it from the brink of bankruptcy to its current scale. It also hasn't been easy for those who've fought with me to establish this empire. Some of them are nearing retirement age, and I don't want them to struggle their whole lives only to have nothing left as they grow old, needing to start all over again. I'm afraid they can't bear that." Xing Yujun lowered her eyebrows, looking both pitiable and resilient.

"Even if you can't pity me, at least pity them. They really can't start anew at their age with nothing. Consider it a good deed; give our company a chance to survive." Xing Yujun's earnest gaze fell on Xu Ke's face, hoping he would change his mind.

"Are you joking?" After listening carefully to Xing Yujun, Xu Ke couldn't help but laugh at her words.

"You're also the president of a company, so you must know how much effort, time, and money I've invested to make your company what it is now. And now you want me to give up everything within reach with a few words. Do I appear foolish to you?" Xu Ke raised an eyebrow slightly, tone suggesting disbelief.

"To put it bluntly, what do your employees have to do with me? I run a company, not a charity fund. Asking me to relinquish my advantage because they're a few years older—are you kidding?" Xu Ke looked at Xing Yujun seriously and asked in return.

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