"Add in the strained relationship between our countries. Analyze if I actually need to go or not. Have one last negotiation, or I will step in and see what I can do." Hong Kong was one of their biggest markets in the world. If the manufacturer there didn't cooperate, the loss would just snowball. Who knows if the other contracted companies will take a page from their book and follow suit to create trouble.

  With all the finished products sitting in the factories, Qian Meng couldn't be rash and just suspend all business with the manufacturers.

  "Find out what their wants are," Qian Meng demanded.

  It was only a matter of time before Li Min called back and told her that she did need to go. Qian Meng remained silent for a moment before sighing. Mo Qingchen had been taking a call. The door of their bedroom was open and she could hear his voice coming from the corridor as he paced. Every so often, he would pass in front of the door and make himself visible.

  It was a sweet gesture.

  She would need to discuss it with him. And quickly.

  "Your expression doesn't look good. What happened?" Mo Qingchen asked. She had been less tense just a while ago, but now, she was back with the frustrated and somewhat scared look.

  "I have to go to Hong Kong. There is a situation there that I need to take care of. I need to be there to solve it."

  Mo Qingchen's expression was sad but not surprised. Oddly enough.

  "When are you going to come back?"

  She looked away, picking at the label on her water bottle as she considered his question. She knew that she had to go to Hong Kong for work and it would take some time to sort everything out but it wouldn't be too long, right?

  "Depending on the situation and the ripple effect it causes. It could be a week or up to a month or two," she acknowledged. There were a lot of issues to be sorted out and if she needed a stronger company, she would have to weed out and discard all the problems.

  "Are you going to come back?"

  The question pulled her off-guard. Every motivation she had for marrying Mo Qingchen was still present. She would have to work remotely and focus solely on the company for a while but she had every intention of coming back.

  But what was he asking? Was he asking if their marriage was over? Was this what he wished for? Regardless of their problems and miscommunication, she didn't want their marriage to end.

  "Will I be able to?" she found herself asking, looking back over at him again.

  He seemed surprised at her answer and then maybe a little slighted.

  "What? Why would you think you wouldn't be able to come back?"

  She blinked. "I don't know how long I will be gone. What if you get tired of waiting on me? I won't be here to go places with you and, you know… sleep with you. What If you decide to find someone else who can be around when I am not?"

  Anger flashed in his eyes. He stared at her for a moment before he stood and walked away to get some air. She watched his back as he strode in the corridor and then returned.

  "Do you really think so little of me?" he asked just before turning to face her. "Do you think that I care nothing for you? That I would toss you aside like a used tissue?"

  She thought back to the night before and his gentleness as he bathed her. She remembered the way he held her as she cried and his vow not to leave her alone. She wondered if she should be reading into his affection or if it was all a ruse. She really didn't have the strength to go all in.

  She was so overwhelmed that she didn't have the capacity to try and assess her relationship with Mo Qingchen.

  "I want to come back." It was the best she could do at that time.

  He sighed as he came to sit down beside her, this time calmer. "I want you to come back. Always."

  She didn't pay heed to the last part. She had seen couples break up over smaller things. She didn't need to put her expectations too high.

  "I will."

  "What are you going to do about work in the city?"

  Qian Meng shrugged. "I will have one of the higher executives take up over that and leave the signing to me. I can't handle everything on my own. But I will go."

  They were quiet for a while. She watched him as he thought about something. She wondered what all of this was like from his perspective. He didn't really care about much and frankly, he got irritated with people who cried and couldn't solve their problems. He must have thought her incompetent despite what he said. The whole thing must have been awkward for him.

  "It worries me to think of you being in Hong Kong by yourself."

  "I won't be by myself. I will have Li Min with me," she answered.

  "But Li Min can't protect you, Qian Meng." His words hit her like a slap to the face. "I am sorry to be harsh but I am not sure you understand what is happening. I am not saying you should not go, but I worry about you being there alone taking care of everything by yourself. It's a huge emotional and professional pressure and you need someone to look after you."

  "I don't have a choice at this point, Mo Qingchen. My company is on the line."

  He nodded. "I understand that. I would want to go too if I was in your position, but I want you to be mentally prepared. It's going to be rough." He looked at her for something.

  "Of course, I am going to be surrounded by people who know what they are doing. I will know exactly what to expect and how to take care of the situation."