It’s Not Okay to Kiss Me as Soon as We Meet (ABO) - Chapter 20

The clock passed eleven thirty, and every minute and second tugged at the hearts of everyone in the conference room.

Shen Yan grew increasingly impatient with the wait and simply stood up to pace thae conference room. His leather shoes clicked against the floor with a “clack clack” sound that only made people more irritable.

At that moment, Shen Jun’s secretary burst in. “General Jun, bad news—the outside is packed with media, all holding long lenses and short ones.”

Shen Jun lifted his eyes, bloodshot and fierce like a lone wolf, and glared viciously at the board members. “Who contacted the media?”

Everyone trembled and bowed their heads, not daring to meet Shen Jun’s gaze.

Shen Jun glanced at Shen Yan and his son, his suspicions deepening. With a wave of his large hand, he told the secretary, “Come on, let’s go see.”

As soon as they stepped out of the Shen Corporation building, a barrage of camera flashes hit them, nearly blinding Shen Jun.

He instinctively shielded his eyes with his hand. Before he could even start speaking, a microphone thrust toward him. “General Jun, has Shen Li returned to Shen Corporation with a solution?”

Other reporters raised their microphones too. “Did Shen Corporation really infringe?”

“Shen Corporation’s stock has hit limit down for three days straight—what’s General Jun’s take on this?”

Shen Jun checked his watch—it was eleven forty at night.

He pressed his hands down in a calming gesture. “Media friends, please stay calm. Right now, I’m waiting just like you—for my daughter Shen Li to bring back the solution.”

The reporters erupted in an uproar.

Shen Jun fell silent then, saying nothing more, his eyes fixed outside in hopes of a miracle bringing Shen Li back.

As a group chairman, the safest move just now would have been to say “no comment” and hurry back to the office building.

But Shen Jun had endured endless overt and covert mockery these past two days—people saying this wasn’t right about Shen Li, that wasn’t suitable—all urging him to send her home soon.

As a father, it hurt him deeply inside.

Though on the surface Shen Jun was impartial, treating Shen Li even stricter at the company than others—more demanding even.

But deep down, he was a father.

What father enjoyed seeing his precious pearl constantly criticized?

Besides, he knew in his heart that Shen Li held herself to high standards. Her efforts all these years couldn’t be erased by a single comment about her gender not fitting.

Shen Jun’s silence carried a powerful weight, and gradually, the noisy pack of reporters quieted down too, all falling silent. Everyone stared wordlessly toward the entrance, wondering in their hearts if Shen Li could arrive on time.

At that point, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky, dampening everyone’s shoulders.

But Shen Jun didn’t move, his secretary didn’t move, and the media didn’t move either.

Whether Shen Li could return on time hung in suspense, pulling at every heart.

The Shen Corporation board members saw Shen Jun hadn’t returned to the conference room and noticed time inching toward midnight—they guessed what was happening.

After exchanging glances, someone took the lead, and they all rushed downstairs in a group, standing by their chairman’s side.

Time ticked by, minute by minute. At some point, the product department colleagues gathered downstairs too. Some were tense and expectant, others just watching the show. Some prayed for Shen Li’s return, while others hoped she wouldn’t appear.

No matter what mindset brought them downstairs, everyone now stood in unified posture—ignoring the pattering rain on their shoulders, all silently staring at the Shen Corporation entrance.

“Eleven fifty-five!” someone called out—no one knew who.

The silent crowd seemed to have a boiling water bomb tossed in, and discussions erupted.

Five minutes until midnight—would there be a miracle?

Shen Jun couldn’t hide the disappointment on his face. His once-firm cheeks now looked etched with several more wrinkles.

Shen Jun let out a heavy sigh. “It seems Shen Corporation has nothing worth offering you all today.” He turned to leave.

The reporters buzzed like a poked hornet’s nest and wouldn’t let him go.

They swarmed around Shen Jun. “Will Shen Li resign from Shen Corporation?”

“How will Shen Corporation handle this breach of trust?”

In the midst of this chaotic scene,

A female voice with a smile cut through the crowd. “Who said Shen Li is resigning from Shen Corporation?”

Everyone looked over. Though travel-worn, her eyes shone bright as stars—who else but Shen Li?

Shen Li wore a deep blue one-piece suit dress, her slightly wavy hair naturally draped over her shoulders. Though her face showed fatigue, her eyes gleamed with confidence. Suddenly, a flash went off—some reporter seized the moment for a close-up of Shen Li.

The midnight chime rang out then, and everyone realized—now it was exactly twelve.

Shen Li had made it back on time, after all.

Before anyone could ask questions, Shen Li raised the file folder in her hand high, facing the reporters with poise. “Shen Corporation did not infringe. The authorization document stamped by Yamamoto Corporation is right here in my hand. Tomorrow, Shen Corporation will hold a press conference—everyone is welcome to attend.”

No one knew who started it, but the sparse applause at first grew into a full wave. Reporters, board members, and other Shen Corporation employees—all began clapping with genuine sincerity.

Water welled up in Shen Li’s eyes, but she instinctively glanced at Lin Huaiyi, who had quietly stepped aside into the dim corner.

Seeing Lin Huaiyi smiling and clapping for her too.

Her emotions surged. She bowed to everyone and flashed a smile. “Thank you all—we did it.”

Then, without warning, she pulled Lin Huaiyi out from the dim corner to share in the applause together.

Shen Jun, full of vigor, led everyone back to the conference room and took their seats.

Shen Yan was young after all, not seasoned enough—his joy and anger showed on his face. But he knew Shen Li wouldn’t joke in a setting like this and wasn’t foolish enough to demand verification of the document’s authenticity.

Shen Li wouldn’t leave that loophole for criticism anyway. She opened the file generously and passed it around for everyone to see.

Shen Jun felt utterly relieved and laughed heartily as he asked Shen Li, “Li Li, you have major credit this time. Any reward you want? Within reason, I’ll grant it!”

No one was so tactless as to question Shen Jun right then.

Shen Jun truly found himself liking and taking more pride in his precious lump the more he looked at her—he was just short of pinning a sign on her head saying “this is my daughter.”

Shen Li thought for a moment. “Dad, during the investigation these past two days, I found that product department deputy Luo Wen wasn’t cooperating actively—her actions seemed odd. I suggest the company form an investigation team to look into the unauthorized parts issue this time, starting from Luo Wen.”

Shen Jun nodded repeatedly. Shen Corporation products had their own full review process. For an accident like this to surface after exposure raised tons of red flags. Even if Shen Li hadn’t mentioned it, he planned to pursue it.

Now that Shen Li had returned within the deadline, it greatly boosted her personal reputation inside the company.

Before, Shen Jun had worried she was too young to hold down the product department. Now it seemed Shen Li was fully capable of leading it forward.

Shen Li’s request to investigate Luo Wen—whatever her motive—he as a father would definitely help his daughter remove this thorn in the product department and make her director seat more secure.

Shen Jun approved Shen Li’s idea. “Since Luo Wen didn’t cooperate with the product department’s investigation, per company rules, remove her from her post first. Then have a special company investigation team look into him. But who will take the product department deputy position?”

Shen Yan perked up at the mention of a vacancy and was about to recommend some of his cronies when his dad kicked him in exasperation. Shen Yan shot Shen Yi a aggrieved look and shut his mouth sullenly.

Shen Li pondered for a bit. “Dad, there’s a technical expert in the product department, Gao Qin—I think she’d be suitable for product department deputy. Gao Qin has ten years at Shen Corporation, specializing in virtual reality equipment. Right now, I’m very bullish on that market—next, the product department will propose a budget to the board for virtual reality equipment R&D.”

She paused for a second, then continued. “This patent authorization went so smoothly largely thanks to Lin Huaiyi in the product department. Her character and abilities are both top-notch. Though fresh out of school, her outstanding work this time left a deep impression on me. So I want to apply for a chance for her to lead the new virtual reality product team in the product department as group leader, reporting directly to the deputy and me.”

“Oh? Virtual reality?” Shen Jun’s interest piqued at the term.

In this ABO world, virtual reality tech had started commercializing—this field was hot but capital-intensive. Tech companies were all watching and waiting, none daring to be the first to eat the crab.

Shen Li had done heaps of homework already. “Yes, virtual reality. It used to be just conceptual, but now, including at our Shen Corporation, large-scale promotion tech is being developed one after another. I think virtual reality is a blue ocean now—worth Shen Corporation investing in. I’ll submit a full proposal to the board later.”

Shen Jun nodded. “Mm, the industry has been eyeing this too. If your product department’s proposal is feasible, the board will consider your idea.”

Shen Jun turned to Shen Yan. “A Yan, before Li Li got here, I think I heard you make a bet with Little Yang. What were the stakes again?”

Shen Yan saw Shen Li’s position secured and was about to slink away when Shen Jun called him out publicly without mercy.

His face flushed pig-liver red. “Uncle, what I said to Little Yang earlier was just joking—it doesn’t count…”

Shen Jun shot him a glare. “What’s the Shen family motto? Recite it for me.”

Shen Yan’s voice weakened. “A real man stands by his word—four horses couldn’t drag it back…” His head drooped lower as he spoke.

Shen Yi couldn’t bear seeing his son humiliated and couldn’t help but speak up. “Big Brother, A Yan’s just a kid—he said that hoping Li Li would come back soon. He doesn’t know how much a company-wide team-building costs. Big Brother, why not let him off this time…”

Shen Jun said nothing, just looked at Shen Yi with a half-smile.

Shen Yi’s heart chilled—he knew that before Shen Li returned, everyone had gone too far in their digs. Today, without shedding some bl00d, it would be hard to vent Shen Jun’s pent-up anger.

He quickly changed tack. “Big Brother, Li Li handled this so brilliantly this time—I’m thrilled as her uncle! Everyone’s been working themselves to death lately—how about this: we’ll pick the most luxurious spot, take the whole company for three days of fun, all expenses on me, Shen Yi!”