Chapter Thirteen: Something More Concrete

The crowd surrounding them quickly stepped aside, clearing a path for Xie Jinchuan outside.
“What happened?”
Luo Yu raised her hand and walked toward Xie Jinchuan, but he bypassed her entirely and headed straight for Shen Qingli.
Xie Jinchuan’s gaze fell on Shen Qingli’s hand, reddened by Luo Yu’s cup of hot water just moments ago.
In an instant, it was as if the air around Xie Jinchuan dropped by five degrees.
The colleagues naturally sided with the assistant to the president; who cared about the fate of a newcomer with dubious origins?
“President Xie, it was her—she deliberately poured hot water on Assistant Luo’s hand.”
Xie Jinchuan’s ice-cold gaze swept over the crowd, silencing the tea room’s cacophony in a heartbeat.
A few female subordinates whispered at the edge, “Looking at President Xie, that woman is doomed.”
“Just enjoy the show; maybe we’ll get some sugar out of this. We’ve been shipping President Xie and Assistant Luo for ages, and today it finally looks promising.”
“Exactly.”
Amid the schadenfreude, Xie Jinchuan gently took Shen Qingli’s hand in his palm, his eyes full of concern. “Does it hurt?”
The discussion among the crowd ceased abruptly. One by one, people stared incredulously at Xie Jinchuan and Shen Qingli.
Luo Yu, holding her swollen, scalded hand, watched the scene before her with eyes reddening and a heart pierced by jealousy.
After checking Shen Qingli’s hand and confirming she was unharmed, Xie Jinchuan turned and swept his scrutinizing gaze over those who had just eagerly accused her, now silent. “If you find the work at headquarters too leisurely, you may start packing and report to the branch office now.”
At his words, the crowd dispersed faster than any emergency evacuation drill, leaving only the three involved behind in the tea room.
Shen Qingli was amused by their reaction and withdrew her hand from Xie Jinchuan’s palm. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”
“Good.” Xie Jinchuan nodded, finally turning to Luo Yu, who had been waiting.
Luo Yu hurriedly hid her swollen hand behind her back, eyes red as she forced a pitiful smile. “President Xie, I’m fine. Miss Shen must not have meant it…”
“I certainly didn’t do it on purpose. If you hadn’t grabbed me, the hot water wouldn’t have spilled on your hand.”
Shen Qingli cut her off directly.
[Cilantro, do you have any bandages?]

[Yes, Host. I'll redeem one for you right away!]
She asked inwardly, and soon felt a new item in her hand. She promptly opened the bandage and placed it on Luo Yu’s wound, even patting it in place.
“All done. Miss Luo, please be more careful in the future! Don’t go grabbing people so casually.”
Luo Yu’s scalded hand, after Shen Qingli’s firm pat, made her inhale sharply from pain.
But she dared not show it, and with Xie Jinchuan’s gaze upon her, Luo Yu had no choice but to respond along Shen Qingli’s line.
“You’re right, Miss Shen. I shouldn’t have grabbed you, and I didn’t expect you to lose hold of the cup.”
Shen Qingli arched her brows and blinked. “So what you’re saying is, you’re still blaming me?”
“No, what I meant…”
Before she could finish, Shen Qingli sighed with apparent self-reproach. “Jinchuan, it’s my fault. I shouldn’t have held the cup so carelessly and ended up scalding your secretary.”
A glimmer of mischief flashed in her eyes, and Xie Jinchuan’s lips curved ever so slightly.
Luo Yu watched Shen Qingli’s performance, biting her lip in anger.
No matter what she said now, this wretch would always have a retort!
Besides, given the situation, she could only swallow her grievances.
Xie Jinchuan’s gaze fell on Luo Yu, his voice cool, “Go get it checked, the company will reimburse you.”
With that, he quickly turned to Shen Qingli.
“Will you come back to the office with me?”
Watching Luo Yu’s changing expression, Shen Qingli pressed her lips to stifle a laugh and nodded to Xie Jinchuan.
Luo Yu’s face twisted, but she still made way for the pair. She lowered her head, eyes locked on their joined hands, and said through clenched teeth, “Take care, President Xie.”
After they left, Luo Yu stomped hard on the spot, but forced a smile as she exited the tea room.
Once inside the office, Shen Qingli’s smile blossomed uncontrollably. She looked at Xie Jinchuan and said, laughing, “Jinchuan, thank you for today.”
Seeing her bright smile, Xie Jinchuan’s mood lifted.
“What are you thanking me for?”

She propped her chin on both hands, sitting across from him. “Thank you for speaking up for me today!”
As she finished, he rose and came to her side, suddenly leaning in and caging her in the soft chair with his arms. “If you really want to thank me, shouldn’t you make it more practical?”
Shen Qingli blinked, gazing at his handsome face so close, and leaned forward, pecking his lips lightly.
“Like this?”
She spoke, but the next second, the man’s breath enveloped her, his kiss fierce and invasive.
Shen Qingli stared wide-eyed, but responded shyly.
After a while, Xie Jinchuan suddenly broke the kiss, burying his head against her neck. The unique fragrance of the girl stirred his nerves.
“Although that wasn’t what I meant, this seems pretty nice too.”
With a hint of helplessness and restraint in his voice, Shen Qingli instantly understood, her cheeks turning rosy.
She lowered her head, her voice soft, “You’re so improper.”
He chuckled lightly, pulling away a little. “If I acted proper in front of you, shouldn’t you worry about our relationship?”
Her flushed cheeks made Xie Jinchuan want nothing more than to claim her then and there. He straightened his clothes and patted her little head.
“I have a meeting to attend. Stay here and don’t wander off.”
Shen Qingli nodded, and as he left, she immediately contacted Green Cilantro.
[Host, you and your target slapped faces together, earning twenty-five face-slapping points and a Strength Pill. Please use it wisely.]
Seeing her current face-slapping points, Shen Qingli was delighted, heading to the sofa to pick up her iPad and catch up on her shows.
Thinking about Xie Jinchuan’s words, Shen Qingli murmured, “Are you sure I’m the one pursuing Xie Jinchuan, not the other way around?”
[Host, you won’t lose anything. He’s handsome, wealthy, and cherishes you—a model husband in every way!]
Listening to Green Cilantro’s praise for Xie Jinchuan, Shen Qingli narrowed her eyes, her voice full of suspicion. “You’re not in cahoots with him, are you?”