Give me your meal, and I'll be stuffed to death.

So, Xiao Qi ended up doing the work of two people while only getting paid for one. Still, the salary at a big company like TC was nothing to scoff at, so she managed to console herself.

But her consolation didn’t last long.

At exactly eleven o’clock, she delivered the lunch she was holding to the president’s office.

She grumbled inwardly—where was that capitalist now? Off at a meeting, perhaps?

Just then, the door to the conference room inside swung open, and that tall, commanding figure emerged, surrounded by a group of department heads.

So, they’d been meeting inside after all!

The supervisors all nodded politely at her. “Good morning, Miss Ye!”

She was mortified.

Why were they being so courteous to her? She was just a new, junior employee.

Yi Chen glanced at her and suddenly said, “Xiyang, put the food on the coffee table and open it for me.”

“Alright!” She did as she was told, though she didn’t understand why.

She laid out the food and saw the group of managers sit down on the sofas, while President Lin settled into his own comfortable chair, picked up a stack of documents, and occasionally looked up to discuss projects she couldn’t make heads or tails of.

Weren’t they done with their meeting? Why continue out here?

Xiao Qi didn’t dwell on it—since they were all so focused on business, she decided to slip away quietly.

But—

“Xiyang,” President Lin, who had been engrossed in project talk with the executives, suddenly turned to her. “Bring the food here to me.”

“Okay!”

So why make her put it on the coffee table in the first place? Really, he just wanted her to run in circles. With all the executives watching, she complied.

Yi Chen glanced at the dishes. “Pick out the peas from the pork stir-fry for me.”

She stared at him.

He didn’t eat carrots or green peppers, and now he wouldn’t even touch those adorable peas? How picky could his palate get?

He ordered, “Hurry up, I’ll be eating soon.”

She shot a glance at the executives on the sofas—just moments ago, they’d all been so focused on discussing business, it was as if she was invisible.

If word got out that she was picking peas out of the boss’s lunch, how could she show her face at TC in the future?

But with so many eyes on her, if she refused to play along, who knew what underhanded tricks this capitalist might pull next?

Thinking of this, Xiao Qi felt a cold chill. The days ahead seemed destined to be fraught with hardship.

“Yes, President Lin.”

She’d worry about the future later. For now, she’d serve him as best she could—a personal pea-picker was still a prestigious gig.

She unwrapped the chopsticks, ready to pick out the peas, only to realize there were no extra utensils. Where was she supposed to put the peas? The trash? What a waste!

“Have you eaten yet?” Yi Chen asked her suddenly.

She shook her head instinctively.

Just then, Fang Li came in, carrying lunch, and set it down beside her. “Miss Ye, please enjoy your meal.”

Then he left.

Yi Chen said, “Pick the peas out as you eat.”

Xiao Qi quickly caught on—this capitalist was pulling a stunt, deliberately letting the executives see their unusual relationship.

Well, let them think what they would. He was the big boss, she was just a junior staff member. If anyone lost face, it wouldn’t be her.

Having figured it out, Xiao Qi pulled up a stool and sat next to Yi Chen, eating as she picked peas from the dish and placed them in her own lunchbox with practiced ease, completely unaware of the shock on the faces of the assembled executives.

Were those peas she picked out going straight into her own meal? That meant President Lin would be eating her leftovers!

It seemed Miss Ye was about to soar high in the company.

But how had she gained such favor with President Lin, for him to disregard all appearances in front of his managers?

They’d previously thought she was merely special to him. Now, it was clear her relationship with President Lin was anything but ordinary.

“That’s all for today, you may go,” Yi Chen said.

“Yes, sir!” The managers filed out, each wearing a thoughtful expression.

Yi Chen set down his documents.

Xiao Qi stood up, respectfully placed her lunchbox in front of him, and said, “President Lin, I’ve finished picking out the peas and just finished my meal as well. I’ll take my leave.”

Surely, with such polite manners, he’d let her go.

“Sit!”

“…”

“President Lin, I already—”

“Wait until I finish eating, then clear the dishes.”

“…”

Yi Chen glanced at her half-finished bowl. “Finish everything. Wasting food is inexcusable.”

“…”

So Xiao Qi hastily picked up her chopsticks and ate quickly, wolfing down her food with remarkable speed until her bowl was nearly empty.

President Lin frowned. “Eating so fast is bad for digestion. Eat like I do.”

“…”

Xiao Qi fumed inwardly, muttering, “You’re just jealous I eat faster than you. What grown man eats so slowly anyway?”

“I call it chewing thoroughly.” President Lin had heard her muttering but didn’t take it to heart. “One should eat slowly and with care. You’re gobbling like a starving ghost.”

“…”

Then, President Lin scooped half of his rice into her bowl. “Watch me and learn how to eat.”

“…”

Xiao Qi was nearly at her breaking point but managed to hold it in. “President Lin, I’m already full. If you give me your rice, I’ll burst.”

Yi Chen replied coolly, “You have a bottomless pit for a stomach, you won’t.”

He added, “Even if you burst, it would count as a workplace injury.”

“…”

“Don’t worry. If you learn to eat properly from me, you won’t overeat.”

Xiao Qi was on the verge of exploding. She forced herself to keep calm, took a bite, and glanced at President Lin to match his eating pace. Glancing too often, she suddenly found his bowl in front of her.

“See something you like? Help yourself, I’m always generous.”

Xiao Qi: “…”

Weren’t you the one who told me to watch you eat so I could learn?

She couldn’t speak with food in her mouth and just shook her head vigorously.

Yi Chen nodded understandingly. “I see, you mean you don’t want to help yourself—”

She nodded and nodded. At least this capitalist had some sense, otherwise she—

“You want me to serve you, then?”

“…”

Xiao Qi finally managed to swallow her food and was about to lose her temper when she choked at his words, coughing violently, her eyes flashing with rage: What made you think I wanted you to serve me?

Yi Chen ignored her glare, leaned in gracefully, and gently patted her back to help her breathe. “You’re coughing up tears—don’t let anger get to your liver.”

“…”

Enveloped by his rich, masculine scent, Xiao Qi’s rage vanished, replaced by a sudden quickening of her heartbeat. She shrank away from him.

This capitalist’s aura was overwhelming—any time he drew near, her heart protested fiercely.

Once she’d caught her breath, Xiao Qi hurried to defend her innocence. “I don’t need—”

Forget it, with a contract in his hands, she’d better hold her tongue.

“President Lin, I don’t dare covet the food in your bowl. Besides, I already—”

“I don’t mind if you do, you know how generous I am.”

“…”

Xiao Qi ground her teeth in frustration, but with her weakness in his hands, she couldn’t go head-to-head with him like before. And now, he was her boss.

Though, truth be told, she’d never dared go up against him, even before.

Alas, he was the big boss, and she was just a little alien—how could she fight him?

Now she was an alien without a signal transmitter.

Lazily, Xiao Qi said, “You’re mistaken. I was just checking if the door was closed properly.”

A colleague snorted. “Ye Xiyang, do you really think someone as sharp as me would believe your obvious cover-up? Your eyes were glued to President Lin’s office, and your face practically said, ‘I can’t bear to leave the president for even a second, separation will make me lovesick.’”

“…”

At that moment, Yiyang walked over, overhearing the whole exchange.

Xiao Qi ignored her colleague, but when she saw Yiyang, she got up and hurried to his side. “Yiyang, what brings you here?”

He smiled. “I haven’t seen my brother yet today. He’s been in meetings all morning, so I thought I’d stop by during lunch.”

If the younger brother was working at the company, of course he needed to check in with his elder brother.

“Oh, then you’d better go in!”

“Mm.” Yiyang looked at her. “Have you eaten?”

The mention of food made Xiao Qi feel stifled, though it didn’t show on her face. “Yes.”

“Alright, I’ll go have a chat with my brother.”

As soon as Yiyang went in, her colleague sidled over, eager for gossip. “Ye Xiyang, hurry up and tell us your secret history with the president!”

“…”

Xiao Qi ignored her and slumped over her desk, pretending to be dead.

Seeing that she had no intention of responding, the colleague lost interest.

Inside the office, Yiyang immediately asked, “Brother, are you angry?”

Coming to the company meant giving up painting; his brother had done a lot for his dream of being an artist.

Yi Chen folded his hands, looking at him. “Whatever you choose to do is your own decision. I won’t interfere like before. But since you’ve chosen this path, do your best. Even though you’re my brother, I’ll treat you like anyone else.”

“I understand.”

“You can go now.”

Yiyang nodded and left the office, glancing in Xiao Qi’s direction.

She was slumped on her desk, seemingly asleep.

Then he looked at the tempered glass window of the office.