Boss, I was wrong. Please have mercy.
“You tell me,” Yichen said, enunciating each word clearly, “did you take the sapphire?”
“I…” Xiaoqi clenched the object tightly in her hand.
She remained silent for a long time.
Li Cheng, standing to the side, interjected, “President Lin, maybe we should call the police?”
Catching the look from the man across from him, Li Cheng immediately fell silent.
Xiaoqi had a sudden idea. While the man’s attention was elsewhere, she swiftly slipped the item into his pocket.
Yichen felt something move in his pocket and looked down.
“I agree to a body search.”
Hearing her words, Yichen looked at her again.
Xiaoqi took off her jacket.
Underneath, she wore a T-shirt and pencil pants.
Neither had pockets.
It was immediately apparent if she carried anything.
“If you still want to search me, I’ll take off more.”
Yichen grabbed her hand. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t doubt you.”
This was his Xiyang—how could he suspect her of stealing?
If she were the kind of person who loved money, she would have married him long ago.
Xiaoqi yanked her hand away and ran toward the elevator.
“Xiyang.”
Yichen glanced at Li Cheng, then chased after her.
Li Cheng felt puzzled.
She was the only one who had entered. He looked at the jacket on the floor.
Suddenly, it dawned on him.
Of course—there were surveillance cameras inside.
He hurried to check the footage, then went to find President Lin.
At the doorway, a colleague ran up, “Director, I found something. Take a look.”
In the man’s hand was a light blue gemstone.
Li Cheng’s eyes widened as he examined it.
This sapphire looked very similar to the missing one, though its hue was lighter.
“Where did you get this?”
“Second Young Master Lin is holding an art exhibition, right? I’m fond of paintings, so I bought a ticket to visit. Suddenly, there was a fire. I happened to be leaving the restroom, so I rushed out. Passing the burning room, I saw a glow inside—this gemstone was the source.”
“Hmm, I’ll study this gem first. Don’t mention it to President Lin yet. If it’s just ordinary, he’ll think we’re making a fuss.”
“Alright, I’ll get back to work.”
“Mm!” Li Cheng squinted at the gemstone, his instincts telling him it was closely linked to the missing one.
He pulled out his phone. “Miss Qiao, Ye Xiyang stole a sapphire from my lab.”
The person on the other end paused, surprised. “Why would she steal a sapphire?”
“Not sure, maybe for money. Anyway, I’ve informed you, Miss Qiao. What happens next, I suppose you don’t need me to tell you.”
…………
Having done something wrong, Xiaoqi hurried into the stairwell, patting her chest in relief.
Oh my goodness, that was terrifying.
So close.
Thank goodness I reacted quickly, or else…
Wait—the item’s on Lin Yichen. I need to retrieve it.
If he discovers it, I’m doomed.
But how can I get it back?
“Xiyang!”
“Ah?”
How did he find her here?
She didn’t realize her phone was being tracked.
Yichen looked at her deeply. “Xiyang, I’m sorry for doubting you.”
With the great President Lin apologizing, she felt embarrassed.
After all, she was guilty first.
But the signal device was on him.
Suddenly, Xiaoqi threw her arms around him, wailing loudly, “I feel so wronged, accused of being a thief. My pure little heart is suffering so much. It’s unbearable.”
“……”
Her hand gradually moved toward his pocket.
“How can I make it up to you, hmm?”
“Yes! Yes!”
“What kind of compensation do you want?”
Her mind was fixated on his pocket.
Her hand slowly reached in, touching the signal device.
Without waiting for an answer, Yichen pushed her away and looked into her eyes.
Her eyes were bright, hardly the look of someone who’d been crying.
Xiaoqi groaned inwardly.
So close.
“What kind of compensation do you want?”
Compensation?
She recalled what she’d just said, and thought of those six hundred yuan.
“Money.”
“……”
“Don’t you think monetary compensation is an insult?”
“I love being insulted!”
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“……”
Yichen pinched her cheek. “Weren’t you just sobbing miserably? Why aren’t you crying now?”
Upon hearing this, Xiaoqi hugged him again and cried loudly. “So wronged, so aggrieved, please hug me.”
“……”
“You like food, don’t you?” Yichen gently patted her trembling back. “How about I treat you to something?”
Food?
The foodie in Xiaoqi momentarily overcame her craving.
As she spoke, her hand again moved toward his pocket. “No, no, between money and food… such a stark contrast, such an easy choice. Money is so wonderful…”
“How much do you want…”
Yichen pushed her away and looked down at her, seeing her hand at his pocket.
The hand at his pocket quickly moved to his chest, squeezing it.
“Oh my God, why are your chest muscles so big? I think they’re even bigger than mine.”
Yichen: “……”
Seeming addicted, Xiaoqi placed her other hand there, utterly enraptured. “Oh wow, the feel is amazing.”
“……”
“Too bad it’s through the clothes. Hurry, take off your jacket so I can enjoy it directly.”
“……”
Yichen was exasperated.
Was she really feeling wronged?
Yichen grabbed her two misbehaving hands. “Xiyang, are you still upset?”
“Upset about what…” Suddenly, Xiaoqi realized, closed her eyes, and opened her mouth.
The wailing resumed, taking the mournful route. “I’m so sad, look at me crying my heart out. You can tell how heartbroken I am—I’m so cold, so please take off your coat and let me wear it.”
With that, she started unbuttoning his jacket. “I’m freezing, hurry and let me wear it.”
“……”
“Xiyang, is something wrong with your head?”
“Yes, yes, my brain’s frozen, so hurry and give me your coat.”
Yichen felt she was particularly obsessed with his coat.
But he had a meeting soon, so taking it off wasn’t proper.
“How about I ask Fang Li to buy you a coat?”
“No, no, I’m freezing now, and I only want to wear yours. Please, hurry.”
Yichen’s phone rang in his pocket. He took it out. “Xiyang, wait a minute. I need to take this call.”
“Hello!”
“I can’t wait, give it to me now, right now.”
On the other end, Fang Li was startled by the explosive situation. Could it be that President Lin…
Was he being forced?
No, from the sounds inside, it seemed Miss Ye was the one taking charge.
Yichen tugged Xiaoqi, “Xiyang, wait.”
“I can’t wait a second. If you won’t give it, I’ll do it myself.” She yanked, and the button popped off his jacket.
Yichen was momentarily stunned, hearing Fang Li’s sly voice: “President Lin, I see you’re quite busy. I’ll reschedule the meeting for two—no, five hours later. Take your time, no rush, really, no rush.”
The call ended.
“……”
Yichen had reached his limit. He pulled her close and then…
President Lin boxed her in.
“Xiyang,” Yichen pinned her hands, “you provoked me.” His thin lips pressed down.
“Wait,” Xiaoqi turned her head, her breath filled with intense pheromones, making her heart race.
Steady, heart.
Three, two, one—the old trick.
She wailed loudly for the fourth time.
Yichen covered his ears.
His eardrums were nearly shattered.
The meeting was about to start.
Now he couldn’t wear his jacket.
Yichen sighed and let her go. “Why are you so troublesome?”
President Lin, helpless, had fallen for such a troublesome person.
It was truly…
His blessing…
He took off his coat and handed it to her.
I’ll ask Fang Li to buy you another later.
“Go rest in the lounge and work well this afternoon.”
“Okay, okay, you go do your work!”
Xiaoqi watched him leave, then immediately retrieved the item from his pocket.
Finally, she had it.
“Xiyang!”
He was back again?
Yichen took her hand and led her out. “I think you’re unstable right now, so you’re coming with me to the meeting.”
What? Taking me to the meeting—how absurd!
Who knows how long his meeting will last?
All she wanted was to hurry home with the signal device.
But thinking of home brought a pang to her heart, which vanished instantly.
She shook off his hand. “President Lin, having me at your meeting is an honor, but it’s improper. You wouldn’t do something so rash, would you?”
“You’re right,” Yichen nodded. “I wouldn’t do something rash. So… I’ll change the meeting to a video conference. You’ll sit by my side.”
“……”
Xiaoqi clutched her stomach. “Oh my God, President Lin, suddenly my stomach hurts. May I go to the restroom?”
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“Mm, perfect, I need to go too.”
“……”
But the time spent in the restroom would suffice.
Xiaoqi entered, closed the door, but forgot to lock it. She immediately opened the box, closed her eyes, and opened her mouth.
Then she paused.
She stared at the signal device for a while.
No, don’t think about it. Going home is my priority.
She closed her eyes again, mouth open.
“Miss, what are you doing?”
“Ah?”
Suddenly, a voice startled her. Xiaoqi’s hand shook, and the item dropped… into the toilet.
“If you’re not using the toilet, come out. I’m dying to get in.”
The plump woman yanked Xiaoqi out and closed the door.
“Hey! Open the door.”
Suddenly, the sound of diarrhea came from inside.
“……”
It’s over, my signal device.
“Hey, open the door.”
She pounded the door.
After a while, the door opened, and flushing sounds came from inside.
It’s over—the signal device was flushed away.
“Are you crazy?” The plump woman opened the door wide. “Why knock on the toilet door?”
Her hefty body bumped Xiaoqi.
This time, Xiaoqi ignored the bullying and rushed in.
A foul smell assaulted her. She pinched her nose.
“My signal device is gone.”
Outside, Yichen’s voice came through.
Xiaoqi walked out, dazed.
Yichen saw her odd expression, “Xiyang, what’s wrong?”
Was her stomach really hurting?
Suddenly, Xiaoqi fainted.
“Xiyang!”
…………
In the car, Xiaoqi’s eyelids fluttered, then she slowly opened her eyes. “I’m not going to the hospital.”
Hearing her voice, Yichen stopped the car and looked at her for a few seconds. “Alright, not the hospital, let’s go to my place.”
The signal device was gone for good. Now Xiaoqi felt it didn’t matter where she was.
She had lost all purpose in life,
and could never return home.
She was almost useless now.
Oh!
“Want to have a meal?”
Hearing this, Xiaoqi immediately looked up. “Yes.”
Now she was in debt, so she had to eat as much as possible, store up energy to fight her sadness.
Transform grief into appetite, and appetite into strength.
Given her low spirits, he took her to a lively night market.
Xiaoqi happily ate and grabbed food, while the handsome man paid.
The vendor smiled, “Miss, your boyfriend is so handsome and considerate!”
Xiaoqi replied, “He’s not my boyfriend, he’s my boss.”
Yichen frowned, glaring at her all the way.
She ignored it.
Yichen gritted his teeth behind her. “Mind your words.”
Xiaoqi spoke with her mouth full of skewers, “I’m not wrong! You are my boss. And saying it feels great, because when the boss pays for the employee, it’s an amazing feeling—oh, you wouldn’t understand, being the boss.”
“……”
“Don’t get carried away and end up miserable.”
Xiaoqi chuckled, “I’m enjoying delicious food. How could I be miserable?”
“Mm! Because I plan to deduct all this from your salary.”
“……”
No way!
“You were the one who said you wanted a meal.”
Yichen nodded calmly. “Yes, but I never said I’d treat you.”
“……”
Xiaoqi blinked her big eyes, looking pitifully at him. “Boss, I was wrong, please have mercy.”
Yichen replied lazily, “Depends on your behavior.”
“……”
She stopped eating and moving.
Standing there like an isolated soul, apart from the world.
Yichen turned back and looked at her, unhurriedly, “Not eating or moving?”
Xiaoqi stared at him with watery eyes.
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