Chapter Eleven: I Can't Sleep Without You

The old master’s cane tapped the floor impatiently, and with a cold huff, he strode out.

That evening, when Xie Jinchuan returned, he took off his coat still chilled from the night air and wrapped Shen Qingli, who was sitting on the sofa under a blanket reading, into his arms.

“What did you do today?” he asked.

Shen Qingli’s dark, bright eyes flickered mischievously. She set her book aside and looped her arms around Xie Jinchuan’s neck, gently ruffling his cool hair.

“I missed you,” she replied, her smile pure and innocent, her large eyes sparkling.

Xie Jinchuan was caught off guard for a moment, then a warm smile curled his lips. He lowered his head to kiss the softness in his arms.

[Congratulations, host, you have gained ten strategy points.]

Shen Qingli: [Yes!]

She opened her eyes to meet the deepening gaze of Xie Jinchuan, and, slightly breathless, she pushed him away, nestling softly against him.

“Grandfather came by today.”

Xie Jinchuan’s brows knit together. “Did he do anything to you?”

Hearing the concern in his voice, Shen Qingli shook her head quickly. “No, he just wanted to see me and asked me to plead with you to return and manage the Lu family business.”

“So, what will you say? Are you going to do as they wish and persuade me to go back now?” Xie Jinchuan asked.

Shen Qingli took his slender, pale hand in hers, playing with his fingers as she spoke. “I won’t plead for them. They’ve treated you so badly—I can’t stand them.”

[Congratulations, host, you have gained five strategy points.]

Shen Qingli: [Is it really that easy?]

[Green Parsley: Yes, it is.]

Xie Jinchuan said nothing, only tightened his embrace.

“I’ll take care of these matters from now on. You don’t need to concern yourself with them.”

Shen Qingli’s smile was sweet. “Alright, I understand.”

Just then, a chime sounded from the wall. Both glanced toward the entrance, where a servant stood bathed in warm light. “Sir, madam, Old Master Lu and Young Master Ziyi are outside.”

“Well, speak of the devil. They couldn’t wait, it seems. Ah Jin, let’s go and see what they want.”

Shen Qingli sprang from Xie Jinchuan’s arms. With doting resignation, he pulled her in front of him and draped his suit jacket over her shoulders. “Be careful not to catch cold.”

She stuck out her tongue and took his hand, leading him outside.

In the courtyard, a Rolls-Royce idled with its headlights glaring, bleaching the cobblestones in harsh white. Two figures, one tall and one short, knelt in the light before the car.

Drawing closer, it was indeed Old Master Lu and Lu Ziyi. The old man’s face was ashen with resignation, while Lu Ziyi, kneeling beside him with his head bowed, was flushed with suppressed anger and unwillingness.

Xie Jinchuan stopped before them. Old Master Lu’s wooden gaze regained some life. “Jinchuan, we’ve done as you asked. Please return to the company—if you delay any longer, it will be too late.”

Xie Jinchuan said nothing, his eyes shifting to Lu Ziyi.

Lu Ziyi stubbornly kept his head high. Old Master Lu, exasperated, struck him with his cane. With a cry of pain, Lu Ziyi prostrated himself, sobbing before Xie Jinchuan. “Uncle, I was wrong. Please, come back.”

Xie Jinchuan stepped back half a pace, his voice cold and commanding. “Tomorrow at work, I don’t want to see any trace of you in my office.”

Relief flooded Lu Ziyi’s face as he hastily agreed. “I’ll move everything out tonight. I’ll clear my things from the president’s office immediately.”

As soon as Lu Ziyi finished, the villa’s front door slammed shut. Xie Jinchuan’s elegant, languid figure vanished inside.

After dealing with the company matters, it was already late. Just as the two were about to rest, a servant arrived to announce that Luo Yu had come.

Shen Qingli stretched and rubbed her sleepy eyes. “Why is she coming at this hour?”

Xie Jinchuan fondly tousled her hair. “Go to bed first. I’ll just see her for a few minutes.”

Shen Qingli was about to agree when the system suddenly warned: [Warning. Threat detected. Please handle immediately. Rest period delayed.]

Suppressing a sigh, Shen Qingli forced herself awake, wrapping her arms around Xie Jinchuan’s waist with a sleepy, soft voice. “No, I can’t sleep without you. I don’t want to be alone.”

Warmth filled Xie Jinchuan’s heart as he held her close. “I’ll be right back.”

“No, I don’t care—I want to stay with you.”

He smiled helplessly. “I really can’t win with you. Fine, you can come with me.”

“Okay.” Shen Qingli looked up, a brilliant smile blooming on her lips.

Hearing footsteps, Luo Yu stood up from the sofa, her brows arched in a polite smile. But as she saw Shen Qingli nestled beside Xie Jinchuan, her smile froze, and the light faded from her once-bright eyes.

“Good evening, Luo Yu.”

Luo Yu forced a polite smile. “Good evening.”

She turned directly to Xie Jinchuan. “Jinchuan, I heard you’ve agreed to return to the group. Congratulations.”

He nodded slightly.

Shen Qingli’s lips curved with a hint of irony. “Miss Luo, your news travels fast. Old Master Lu and Ziyi just left, and you’re here already.”

Unfazed, Luo Yu replied, “As the president’s assistant, it’s my duty. I’ve already arranged for the office to be cleaned, and these are documents that piled up while you were away.”

“Good. Leave them in the study. I’ll deal with them tomorrow. It’s late, let Old Li drive you home.”

The light in Luo Yu’s eyes gradually dimmed as Xie Jinchuan led Shen Qingli upstairs. Watching their retreating figures, she was filled with desolation.

The next morning, Shen Qingli awoke to the system’s frantic urging.

[Host, new mission: undermine Luo Yu and assert your claim over Xie Jinchuan. Complete the task to gain fifteen strategy points.]

“Awake? What are you thinking about?” Xie Jinchuan’s deep, magnetic voice came from above.

Shen Qingli pondered for a moment, then flipped over to pin Xie Jinchuan beneath her, acting coy. “Ah Jin, I want to go to the company with you.”

“What for? I’m afraid you’ll be bored there.”

“No, I just want to go. Take me with you, please?” She clung to him, refusing to relent.

“Alright, alright, I’ll take you. But you have to promise me one thing.”

“What is it?”

He lowered his head, brushing her lips lightly. “That’s your condition?”

Her fair cheeks turned pink. She pulled the covers up, revealing only her glistening eyes. “Is that what you meant?”

Xie Jinchuan chuckled softly and scooped her up, blanket and all. “That was just a good morning kiss. The real condition is: when we get to the company, you mustn’t wander around. Stay obediently in my office.”