Chapter 5 Knock off

Chapter 5

Ethan adjusted his sleeve cuff, "You all did a good job. This concludes our meeting. Log off."

Did a good job? Log off?!

Managers from all departments exchanged glances.

Today, CEO Shaw was exceptionally gentle. During each monthly report, if they didn't die, they certainly shed a layer of skin.

Every month without fail, this was the day when they had to work overtime and rework their reports and plans.

But today, CEO Shaw actually said to log off!

Everyone felt utterly shocked, they quietly asked Assistant Kang, "What does CEO Shaw mean? Is he testing us in a new way?"

Kang Zhao, adjusting his golden rimmed glasses, said, "CEO Shaw's meaning is very clear: those who want to log off, log off; those who don't wish to, can stay voluntarily to contribute to the company."

Hearing what Assistant Kang said, everyone felt even more confused.

Log off?

Or, not log off?

Kang Zhao smirked mischievously.

Of course, this was CEO Shaw testing them.

CEO Shaw, a man who had been single for over twenty years, who neither played games nor read novels, what would he do once he gets home from work?

Kang Zhao followed with a stack of documents, "CEO Shaw, there are a few more documents that require your signature."

Ethan replied indifferently, "Leave them there, I will take a look tomorrow."

"Huh?"

Kang Zhao was caught off guard.

Ethan reiterated, word by word, "Kang Zhao, it's time to call it a day."

"What?!!"

Kang Zhao's mouth fell open.

So what CEO Shaw meant was to really knock off work.

Hold on, what would CEO Shaw do after work?

There must be something up.

Curiosity was itching at Kang Zhao. He looked up only to see CEO Shaw leaving in his private elevator.

He put down the documents in his hand, his heart filled with uncertainty.

There was nothing to do at home after work, so it was better to stay in the company.

He was single, so what was the point of going home?

Kang Zhao turned on his computer to organize CEO Shaw's schedule for the next day and the documents needed for the upcoming business trip.

A day without overtime is an imperfect day.

...

Ivy waited for a short while, and then Ethan arrived.

She hesitated a bit, opened the car door to sit in the passenger seat, and secured her seatbelt.

Ethan glanced at her and asked, "Don't you usually sit in the back?"

Ivy joked, "Dare I let CEO Shaw be my chauffeur?"

Ethan grinned, "Master Ivy seems to be in high spirits today. Business doing well?"

"That's for sure."

Ivy lifted her chin a bit, "The line of people wanting their fortunes told by me filled up an entire street. If it weren't for the damn heavens against me, I would have been a wealthy woman by now."

For some reason, Ethan found his mood lifting.

He raised his eyebrows slightly, "Master Ivy, if I want my fortune told by you, do I need to queue too?"

Ivy nodded, "Of course, you do."

"The rules of my profession state that business is business, and personal affairs are personal affairs. During work hours, only money is discussed, not emotions."

"However..." she fixed her gaze on the man beside her, "If you Let me bite you again, I'll let you cut in line."

Ethan did not respond to her proposal.

Instead, he asked, "Ivy, you seem to enjoy biting people."

Ivy blurted out, "Not at all, I only like biting you."

Ethan couldn't help but smile at the corner of his mouth.

Ivy tapped her head.

Something seemed off with that sentence.

But she couldn't pinpoint what was wrong.

Oh well, she let it go.

The two of them sat silently as the black Maybach slowly entered Yunyan Villa.

As soon as Ivy got out of the car, she heard a familiar voice.

"Welcome home, young master and young mistress!"

"Welcome home, young master and young mistress!!"

"Welcome home, young master and young mistress!!!"

Mr. Cheng, the butler, led a group of servants standing at the door, giving a deep bow to the two who had stepped onto the red carpet.

Ivy, now used to this display, walked beside Ethan with an impassive expression.

There was no disturbance in her heart; she even felt a bit amused.

The villa had a fresh new look, with two large red lanterns hanging at the entrance, a carpet of red covering the road, colorful ribbons and balloons hanging on both sides, and even red strings were hung on the tree branches.

Everything seemed normal when she left in the morning. A few hours later, the villa was significantly transformed.

Ivy couldn't help but sigh, the butler Cheng really had a knack for this.

She stepped inside, Margaret guided her by the hand to sit down. "Ivy, from now on, we're family. Don't bottle up if you have any issues. Speak up and let Grandma decide for you."

Ivy nodded silently, not knowing how to respond.

"The marriage registration was quite rushed. When will the wedding be arranged?" Margaret brought out a photo album and said, "Ivy, check out which style you like?"

Ivy declined politely, "Grandma, I don't want to have a wedding for now."

With her unfortunate disposition, she pictured an embarrassing scenario whereby halfway into the wedding ceremony, a thunderbolt would strike them out of the blue... It was a scenario too daunting to even think about.

It's alright if she gets embarrassed alone, but it would not be good if it affected the entire Shen family.

Margaret expressed regret, "Alright, let's go with your decision. Let grandma know when you want a wedding."

Ivy nodded again.

With a friendly grin, George asked, "Ivy, are you okay staying here?"

In her mind, Ivy shook her head vehemently. She couldn't live here.

Although grandparents were kindness personified, there were some inconveniences.

The five little paper figures needed to bathe in essence. They hadn't been able to get out for several days. Little Yellow had been grumbling every day.

Ethan was equally reluctant.

He voiced his refusal, "We're leaving tomorrow. Staying here is not convenient."

George and Zhū Qiūshuāng exchanged a glance, rendering a meaningful smile.

"Hahaha, as grandparents who have 'been there done that,' we understand ~ we understand it all ~"

Both Ethan and Ivy, fell silent.

The more they explained, the messier it got, they simply shut up.

George nudged the person next to him, "Ethan, when you were alone, living in that small apartment was fair enough, but now that Ivy is married to you, you can't continue to live in that crummy house anymore. You must buy a wedding house."

Ivy waved her hand, "No need, no need, as long as I have a place to sleep, it's fine. If there's a patch of land for farming, it would be even better."

"That won't do." George glared at Ethan, "Marriage is a big deal. You must have an apartment specifically bought for marriage."

Without batting an eye, Ethan, pushed his hand away, "Grandfather, I understand what you're trying to say, and the house has already been prepared."

"Ah, finally enlightened." George glared at him again, "Enough said, let's eat, everyone go eat."

After the meal, George and Zhū Qiūshuāng tricked and cajoled, locking Ivy and Ethan inside a room.

Zhū Qiūshuāng shouted from outside the door, "Ethan ah, Ivy ah, good evening, rest early."

Inside the room, Ivy and Ethan exchanged glances, feeling extremely awkward.

Despite Grandma saying that she's not in a good shape, her movements when shutting the door were quicker than anyone else's. She was more agile than anyone else.

Ethan was the first one to speak, "Grandpa and grandma won't easily let us go. I will sleep on the floor and you can take the bed. We will endure tonight and leave early tomorrow morning."

He looked around and found that there was only one blanket and one pillow in the entire room.

There wasn't even an extra piece of fabric around, it was impeccably clean.

He never knew his grandparents were so stringent.

Outside the door, Butler Cheng smiled secretly, keeping his triumph to himself.

In order to alleviate the awkwardness, Ethan pulled out his phone and pretended to be busy.

"Ivy, you go to sleep first, I still have some work left to do for the company."

Covering her face, Ivy sighed. How was she supposed to sleep?

Throughout the years, she had been living in the mountains, engaged in cultivation and fortune-telling besides catching ghosts. When her master left her alone to travel, he seldom taught her anything.

She had learned most of the metaphysical arts on her own.

Her master said she was extremely talented - not like a novice, more like someone who had not completely forgotten their past life knowledge.

Ivy understood that by interacting with Ethan, she could absorb the purple aura from him.

However, she was completely ignorant about matters between men and women, at most accepting a simple touch.

Anything more intimate, she dared not think about, let alone act upon.

Comparatively speaking, she and Ethan were strangers who had known each other for only a few days.

Making Ivy share a bed with a stranger could lead to a comical situation where she might kick him out during her sleep and possibly beat him up.

That would be even more awkward.

Ivy let out a sigh, "Ethan, you go to sleep. I'm going outskirts to cultivate. It is late at night and the dwelling silence makes the spiritual qi more abundant in the air. I used to do this often, so I am used to it."

She pushed the window open, ready to jump down.

Butler Cheng was standing below, his eight white teeth shining brightly under the light.

"Where are you planning to go, young lady?"

Ivy: "..."