Chapter 32: An Unexpected Delight

Li Tian’er had only intended to rent the old garment factory’s workshop, simply to provide a place for the workers to continue their craft. She never imagined that Chen Bo would not only purchase the workshop outright, but also renovate it and replace all the machinery.

“Let’s go inside and have a look. The workers have already started. From now on, all our company uniforms will be custom-made right here.”

Stepping into the spacious, bright workshop, and meeting the eager gazes of the workers, Li Tian’er felt something boiling within her chest.

“No need to thank me. I merely used your money where it matters most. I’ve also invested another two hundred thousand. You’d better work hard—don’t let my investment go to waste. If things go south, I’ll have to sell my villa, and the two of us will be out on the street.”

“That won’t happen.”

Even if they did nothing now, in another three to five years, the land the factory stood on would be worth a fortune. Chen Bo had given her such an unexpected surprise that Li Tian’er immediately set to work on her business plan.

Chen Bo took a turn around the office and left without saying goodbye to Li Tian’er.

Finding Li Tian’er’s office empty, Sister Liao hurried in to report. All those who had signed up to return were workers, but the factory still needed an accountant, warehouse manager, sales staff...

From her tone, it was clear that Sister Liao hoped to land an easier position, but Li Tian’er merely smiled and continued sorting through the old warehouse inventory records.

“I’d like to be a salesperson. I’m an old hand here, so I’d be better at sales than any new hire.”

Seeing that her hints fell flat, Sister Liao decided to be blunt.

“Salespeople are paid a base salary plus commission based on sales volume. If you don’t meet your targets, you only get the base. If you’re up for the challenge, you can start right now.”

Li Tian’er put down her papers and grew serious. She was no longer the factory girl she once was. She was now the boss, and everything needed to be considered with the long term in mind—there was no room for sentimentality.

“What’s the base salary?”

Sister Liao had thought being a salesperson would be as easy as before: wining and dining clients, attending trade shows, traveling, and having fun. She hadn’t expected pay to hinge on sales performance. She didn’t dare risk it—if she failed, she’d have no face left in the factory.

“Then I’ll stick to sewing. But you promised us a ten percent raise—don’t go back on your word.”

“Of course!”

Li Tian’er sat up straighter, her gaze stern and commanding.

As soon as Sister Liao left, her phone rang.

Li Tian’er hadn’t expected Liang Xia to call. She was no longer Chen Bo’s assistant and couldn’t help Liang Xia with information or schemes. The urge she’d once had to provoke Liang Xia’s ambition to seize Chen Bo’s power had been nothing but an impulse to get back at him.

Now her feelings for Chen Bo were far more complicated, hard to define, but one thing was clear: her priority was to run the garment factory well.

“Go ahead.”

“All right, since you’re available, I’ll be direct.”

Liang Xia paused.

“I heard that Chen Bo bought Dongling Garment Factory for you. What exactly is your relationship?”

“We’re married.”

Even if she hadn’t said so, Liang Xia would have found out. All the company seals were in Liang Xia’s hands; if Chen Bo wanted to apply for a marriage certificate, he’d need to get the official stamp from her.

Li Tian’er admitted their relationship openly. Liang Xia was caught off guard.

This had been tormenting her for days. When Chen Bo had asked for the stamp, he’d said it was for a certificate, and she hadn’t paid attention to what kind. Later, when she heard he’d gotten married, she finally understood. Whatever lingering hope she’d harbored for Chen Bo was utterly dashed, and her heart grew cold.

Today’s call was just to confirm it with Li Tian’er.

“No wonder you told me not to pin my hopes on him. You’d already tied him to you. Clever! When you suffered at that clothing store, he had it shut down. When you were hospitalized, he brought the city hospital’s director back from an out-of-town conference to treat you. When you bought your home, he arranged for you to get it at cost. You really do have some magic—he keeps investing more and more in you.

To take over Dongling Garment Factory for you, he borrowed two hundred thousand from the company, due in six months. I wonder how he’ll pay it back. You probably don’t know, but the mining company is a paper tiger—its two main mines are almost depleted.

Chen Bo wants to transition the business, but with an operation built entirely on mineral resources, it’s not so easy to pivot. I’ll make sure he coughs up everything he’s taken from me, with interest. You wanted to help me get back at him, didn’t you? No more tricks—you’re just young and pretty, nothing more. Just wait and see—I’ll see Chen Bo ruined.”

A woman scorned by love can be truly terrifying.

Li Tian’er put down her phone, Liang Xia’s words still echoing in her ears.

At four-thirty that afternoon, Chen Bo’s white BMW pulled up in front of the factory. He was worried that being seen by the factory staff might undermine Li Tian’er’s authority. But he forgot that, in a place full of women, information spreads swiftly. And what woman doesn’t long for her man’s care and affection? The women in the factory envied Li Tian’er more than anything.

“You should be busy running the company. No need to waste time picking me up. I can take the bus.”

Her motorcycle had been wrecked, and she no longer dared to ride one; even bicycles made her uneasy.

“Why should I be busy running the company?” Chen Bo looked serious, turning his head to meet her gaze, his expression equally sincere. Then he broke into a wide grin.

“Afraid I’ll cling to you and break the rules between us?”

“What rules?”

Chen Bo feigned ignorance; Li Tian’er played along.

“Yes, I need to be busy running things, leading the company to new heights.”

Chen Bo’s words echoed the news headlines blaring from the car radio.

They both burst out laughing.

“Work hard—the future of women’s fashion in Dongling City rests on your shoulders.”

“You mean you want them all to wear your factory’s uniforms?”

“Haha...”

They laughed together again. By then, the car had turned onto the street lined with villas. Chen Bo braked and pulled over in the shade of a tree. Just as Li Tian’er was about to ask why they’d stopped before reaching home, Chen Bo turned and pulled her into his arms.

“What are you—”

Her protest was smothered as his lips claimed hers, her protests reduced to muffled murmurs. The sunset before her eyes blazed so brilliantly she couldn’t keep them open.

Noticing the passersby glancing toward the BMW’s windows, Chen Bo released her and sat upright, resting his hands on the steering wheel, his breaths still heavy.

“Let’s go home.”

Li Tian’er buttoned her shirt, cheeks flushed and heart pounding, feeling as though she had stolen some precious treasure—nervous, excited, and faintly satisfied. Staring out at the sunset, a sudden image flashed in her mind:

Nineteen minutes stealing kisses in the car, twelve passionate embraces in a row!