EHTM | Chapter 8 - How do you want me to help you?

When Shen Donghuan got to the entrance, she ran into Mr. Wu, who had just arrived.

She looked around but didn’t see Xie Yuming. That struck her as odd.

Didn’t he say he’d already gotten here? So where is he? Did he go up without me?

She pushed that thought aside for a moment and walked up to Wu Wei to say hello.

“Mr. Wu, last time you mentioned you really wanted to try some of City A’s famous dishes. I’ve arranged everything for tonight. Right this way.”

Wu Wei had a rough, stocky build, a big belly, and wore a pair of black-rimmed glasses. He looked simple and honest on the outside.

When he saw Shen Donghuan, he laughed cheerfully and said, “Miss Shen, you’re so thoughtful.”

His small eyes narrowed, making him look like a sly, chubby fox, probably up to something. Clearly, he wasn’t someone easy to deal with.

Shen Donghuan kept a perfect smile on her face and guided Wu Wei upstairs.

“Mr. Wu, Mr. Xie really values this partnership with you. He cleared his whole schedule tonight just to drink with you and have a good time.”

Wu Wei patted his round belly, a pleased smile on his face.

“Haha, Mr. Xie really said that? Miss Shen, you’re not tricking me, are you?”

Shen Donghuan had been working on this deal with Wu Wei for three full months, and by now, she had him figured out.

She smiled sweetly and said, “Mr. Wu, those were Mr. Xie’s exact words. Why would I lie? If you don’t believe me, you can ask him yourself when he gets here.”

Wu Wei burst out laughing. He was in a great mood.

The two of them chatted and laughed easily as they walked.

Soon, they reached the private room they’d booked.

Wu Wei walked in with his big belly, expecting to see Xie Yuming. But the room was completely empty. His smile froze instantly.

“Miss Shen, where’s Mr. Xie? He’s not here yet?”

Shen Donghuan felt even more confused that Xie Yuming wasn’t in the room. But she’d been through plenty of tough situations before. Her expression didn’t change, and she kept smiling at Wu Wei.

“Mr. Wu, he’s stuck in traffic. He said he’d be a little late. Why don’t you sit down and have some tea? I’ll go call and see how much longer he’ll be.”

Wu Wei’s expression relaxed a bit. “Alright.”

Once she was out of the room, Shen Donghuan found a quiet, empty corner and called Assistant Li.

She called three full times before he finally picked up.

She checked the time. It was already 8:20, past the time she and Mr. Wu had agreed on.

“Assistant Li, didn’t you say Xie Yuming had already arrived? Then why don’t I see him?”

Assistant Li stammered and couldn’t get out a full sentence.

“Mrs. Xie, um… Mr. Xie, he…”

Shen Donghuan’s heart suddenly sank. A bad feeling rushed to her head.

“Assistant Li, did Xie Yuming leave already?”

Assistant Li was quiet for a couple of seconds, then quietly said, “Yes, Mrs. Xie. Mr. Xie had an emergency. He said he can’t make dinner with Mr. Wu tonight. He said to leave the contract to you.”

Shen Donghuan’s face changed. Anger flashed in her clear eyes.

“Assistant Li, you’ve met Mr. Wu. You know how he is. He hates it when people don’t keep their word. Now Xie Yuming is standing him up. If this billion-dollar deal falls through because of this, then all the work everyone at the company put in over the past three months will be for nothing.”

“Assistant Li, you know better than I do how important this partnership is. What’s so important that Xie Yuming has to blow this off?”

On the other end of the line, there was silence for a long time.

Finally, Xie Yuming’s voice came through.

“Donghuan, Fu Ling suddenly got a stomachache. I’m worried about the baby. I have to go to her right now.”

“I know this deal with Wu Wei is important. But for the past three months, I’ve left everything to you. Even if I’m not there tonight, I trust you can get this contract done.”

“Donghuan… I’m counting on you.”

That last sentence came out so lightly, but to Shen Donghuan, it hit like a bomb.

Her ears rang. Her whole world shattered.

Fu Ling again.

Always Fu Ling and that baby…

A cold wind cut through Shen Donghuan. She shivered all over.

She gripped her phone tightly. Her eyes turned red, grew redder, but the tears didn’t fall.

“Sister-in-law? Did my brother bully you again?”

Suddenly, Xie Shu’s voice came from behind her.

If you listened closely, you could even hear a little bit of tenderness.

When Shen Donghuan heard his voice, it was like a drowning person finally grabbing onto the last piece of wood that could save them.

Without even looking at Xie Shu, she threw herself into his arms, buried her face in his chest, and clutched the edge of his shirt.

Then she looked up, her eyes red, and begged him “Xie Shu, help me. Please?”

Xie Shu looked into her eyes. For a moment, it reminded him of the little rabbit he had as a kid. Every time he came to see it, it would stare at him with those innocent, reddish eyes, begging him to love it.

He gave a roguish smile, grabbed Shen Donghuan by the chin, pulled her down gently, and kissed her soft lips.

When the kiss ended, he breathed softly by her ear and asked, “Sister-in-law… how do you want me to help you?”

The warmth on Shen Donghuan’s lips hadn’t faded yet, but the redness in her eyes had lightened a bit.

She breathed softly, gripping Xie Shu’s collar. “I need you to play Mr. Xie for one night. Help me land this contract.”

Wu Wei had never met Xie Yuming before. He didn’t know what he looked like or what kind of person he was.

Besides, Xie Shu was Xie Yuming’s own younger brother. The Xie Group belonged to both of them. Xie Shu even had an official title, “Junior Xie”, at the company.

Wu Wei only asked to meet “Mr. Xie.” He never said which one.

Since Xie Yuming didn’t care about this billion-dollar deal, then she would give it to Xie Shu instead.

Xie Shu’s eyes darkened. He raised one eyebrow and smiled.

“Sister-in-law… I’ll do whatever you say.”