Chapter Eight: Xu Qingran’s Attitude

“Oh, isn’t that Xiao Chen?” At that moment, Jiang Yichen, not far away, happened to see Xiao Chen and immediately let out a mocking laugh, his eyes flashing with disdain.

Someone like this useless man wants to compete with him for a woman? Utterly overestimating himself.

Last night, Jiang Yichen had deliberately staged a performance, playing the hero who saves the beauty, and now Xu Qingran’s affection for him must have soared.

As for Xiao Chen… Jiang Yichen had seen Xu Qingran’s attitude toward him last night as well; it was nothing short of utter disappointment.

With Jiang Yichen’s words, the people nearby all turned their gaze toward Xiao Chen.

One after another, they began whispering among themselves, “So this is the useless husband of President Xu? It’s my first time seeing him.”

“He really isn’t much. Compared to Young Master Jiang, he’s miles apart. Look at his clothes—probably doesn’t cost more than three hundred yuan.”

“Did you notice? He seemed to have taken the bus here, doesn’t even have a car.”

“With someone like him, no wonder President Xu doesn’t care for him. Honestly, even I find him hard to look at.”

Xiao Chen paid no attention to their words, nor did he so much as glance at Jiang Yichen. He simply waited quietly outside the door.

Jiang Yichen cast a contemptuous look at Xiao Chen, not giving him another thought.

Just then, the sky suddenly darkened, and soon it began to rain. The rain was not heavy, but as it was early winter, the temperature dropped quickly.

Jiang Yichen hurried into his car for shelter, while Xiao Chen remained standing motionless where he was.

About ten minutes later, Xiao Chen’s eyes lit up as he saw Xu Qingran coming out of the company. He quickly waved to her, “Qingran, over here.”

With that, Xiao Chen strode toward Xu Qingran.

Jiang Yichen, however, was a step ahead. Holding an umbrella, he approached Xu Qingran first, presenting her with a bouquet of flowers. “Qingran, these are for you.”

He gazed at her face and said with deep emotion, “You’re beautiful today—more beautiful than the flowers.”

“Thank you,” Xu Qingran replied, her cheeks tinged with pink. After all, every woman enjoys compliments, and Jiang Yichen certainly fit the image of a prince charming in most people’s eyes.

But before she could accept Jiang Yichen’s flowers, Xiao Chen walked over.

Though the rain outside was light, standing for ten minutes had left Xiao Chen somewhat wet.

He seemed not to notice, and instead smiled warmly at Xu Qingran.

The suspicion and doubt he had felt toward her earlier had long been concealed; he did not want Xu Qingran to sense anything amiss.

Seeing Xiao Chen in this state, Xu Qingran frowned slightly, “How did you end up like this?”

Wet from head to toe, Xiao Chen looked little different from a beggar by the roadside.

“I was waiting for you to get off work. I didn’t want to embarrass you, so I didn’t go into the company to find you; I just waited outside,” Xiao Chen replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Xu Qingran’s expression softened a little, though she still seemed somewhat dissatisfied. “You could have found somewhere to shelter from the rain. Did you do this on purpose to show me?”

Xiao Chen remained unfazed, smiling lightly. “I was worried you might come down and not see me right away, so I waited at the door. Don’t worry, I’m very healthy—a little rain is nothing.”

He felt a hint of delight, because although Xu Qingran’s tone was reproachful, there was clearly a trace of concern in it.

It made Xiao Chen feel that everything he did was worthwhile.

Moreover, he hadn’t lied—he had jumped into a river before and come out fine. A bit of rain was hardly a problem for him.

Upon hearing Xiao Chen’s words, Xu Qingran felt an inexplicable constriction in her heart.

Her hand, which was about to take Jiang Yichen’s bouquet, withdrew, and she took a packet of tissues from her bag and tossed it to Xiao Chen. Her tone was cold: “Wipe yourself off. Don’t catch a cold and make me spend money again.”

Xiao Chen grinned as he took the tissues and wiped the rain from his body, then asked, “By the way, Qingran, you called me here—was there something you needed?”

Xu Qingran remembered her business. “The day after tomorrow is the day of the family gathering. After that, it will be Grandmother’s birthday.”

“I’ve been busy with work lately, so I want you to handle preparations for the family gathering and Grandmother’s birthday gift.”

She took out a bank card and handed it to Xiao Chen, “There’s a hundred thousand yuan on this. The password is my birthday. Use it as your budget.”

“Alright, I’ll take care of everything,” Xiao Chen replied eagerly, then looked at Xu Qingran with hopeful eyes and asked, “Qingran, you probably haven’t had lunch yet, have you? Can I join you for lunch?”

This was Xiao Chen’s small wish.

Xu Qingran frowned slightly, then shook her head. “I have an appointment with a client. No time. You go eat by yourself.”

Though disappointed, Xiao Chen could only agree and walked away into the distance.

Jiang Yichen shot Xiao Chen a disdainful look, then turned to Xu Qingran. “Qingran, I’ve booked a table at the Gourmet Pavilion. Allow me to escort you.”

He made a gentlemanly gesture of invitation.

They did not know that although Xiao Chen had left, he was still watching from afar, hoping to observe Xu Qingran’s attitude.