Xiao Qi wondered whether she should quietly slip away without making a sound.

As those around her congratulated her, a faint smile appeared on Yichen’s face. Amid the praising voices, Xiaoqi, delighted, said, “Yes! This fortune is quite good. It’s the first time someone’s called me a lady!”

Silence suddenly fell. Yichen glanced at Xiaoqi, who was beaming, just about to speak.

Xiaoqi realized something and said, “Wait, that’s not right. You must have made a mistake. I was asking about my luck, not my relationship.”

The Taoist hesitated, “Miss, your destined match has arrived. That’s a joyful event, and it will wash away your misfortune.”

“…”

“How do you know I’ve been unlucky lately?”

The Taoist responded quickly, “I can tell from your face.”

“…”

Can you really tell from someone’s face?

Xiaoqi touched her cheek, then looked at Yichen, who had been silent, and pulled him over. “Then look at his face.”

The Taoist stared intently for a few seconds, stroked his long beard thoughtfully, and said, “This gentleman’s brow shines with good fortune, joy radiates from his face—just like you, Miss. His destined match has arrived.”

He glanced at Yichen, and the fleeting smile was caught by the shrewd Taoist, who, realizing he’d flattered correctly, added with even greater enthusiasm, “Judging by your faces, you two are the most perfectly matched couple in the world.”

Xiaoqi: “…”

She sensed something was off, looked at the Taoist, then at Yichen, and then back at the Taoist, suddenly smiling sweetly. “Master, may I ask if you’re married?”

The Taoist instinctively replied, “Yes, I am!”

“Real Taoists don’t get married, so you must be fake. Hmph, give me back my thirty yuan for the fortune slip.”

Taoist: “…”

Xiaoqi stormed to the car, sitting in the back seat.

Yichen got in, and she couldn’t help but blurt out, “President Lin, is this what you find amusing? Dragging me here for some silly fortune during work hours? I never thought the mighty President Lin could be so childish.”

Yichen said nothing, simply started the engine. They drove in silence, as quiet as if even their breathing could be heard.

But as soon as the car reached the TC building entrance, President Lin spoke, “It’s almost eleven. Go pick up the takeaway and deliver it to my office at exactly eleven o’clock. If you’re late by a minute, I’ll deduct a hundred yuan. Off you go!”

Xiaoqi: “…”

She felt he was quite fond of docking her salary.

If she were just an ordinary Earthling, she’d definitely be late by eleven.

Hmph, but she’s an alien with superpowers—who’s she afraid of?

Yet…

At eleven sharp, the takeaway was delivered to the president’s office.

“Xiyang,” Yichen called her, his black eyes fixed on her.

Xiaoqi shivered under his gaze, feeling as if she herself had become a delicious takeaway. She forced herself to ignore the feeling and smiled, “Is there anything else, President?”

“Mmm.” Yichen withdrew his gaze, returning to his files. “Once I finish correcting these, you’ll take them to the eighteenth floor.”

“Oh.”

So, as before, Xiaoqi waited and waited, dozing off on the sofa.

Suddenly, she caught a whiff of delicious food.

She woke—actually, she was woken by hunger.

Opening her eyes, she saw President Lin beside her, eating elegantly.

Watching his fragrant meal, Xiaoqi swallowed, snapping awake.

Sleepiness vanished. She sat up, “President Lin, what time is it now?”

“Two o’clock.”

“…”

“Have you finished correcting those files?”

“Not yet. I got a bit hungry,” President Lin said, continuing to eat with grace. “I’ll fill my stomach first, then finish them.”

Xiaoqi pointed at herself, “But what about me?”

Yichen glanced at her, puzzled, “What about you?”

“…”

He was doing it on purpose.

Xiaoqi touched her flat stomach. “I haven’t eaten either.”

President Lin replied airily, “Oh!”

“…”

Just “oh”?

Xiaoqi tried to make her hungry, blurry eyes sparkle as she watched him eat. “President Lin, since the files aren’t done yet, can I go out for lunch?”

He pondered, “You could…”

Hearing this, Xiaoqi’s eyes lit up with a million-watt glow, her heart fluttering. At least he had a conscience.

“Thank you, President Lin. I’ll come back for the files as soon as I’m full.”

She was just about to get up…

“But lunch hour is over now. It’s work time.”

Meaning she couldn’t go out for food.

“…”

Xiaoqi forced a smile, “President Lin, you’re eating now too.”

He agreed readily, “I’m not an employee. I’m the boss.”

“…”

Xiaoqi was stubborn, especially when it came to her stomach. How could she give up so easily?

She sighed, “President Lin, this is the first time. Can’t you turn a blind eye just this once? Besides, you’ve always been easygoing.”

Yichen choked slightly on his rice but recovered instantly, “It’s quality, not quantity that matters. Even the first time counts.”

“…”

Xiaoqi wilted.

“If you’re really hungry,” Yichen pointed to a dish he hadn’t touched, “do you want to eat this?”

Xiaoqi instantly perked up, saliva pooling as she nodded vigorously.

But…

“I skipped breakfast and am eating lunch late. If I give it to you, I won’t be full. So forget it.”

“…”

He ate alone and still had the nerve to sound righteous.

Capitalists—always up to no good.

Sigh! She had to serve him and suffer under him. A true tragedy.

So Xiaoqi watched eagerly as the president demolished his meal, her gaze almost drooling.

Yichen, halfway through, glanced at her, lips curving.

Such a big matter as the Blue Sapphire, and she still hadn’t told him.

This stubborn little donkey who always accuses others of heartlessness deserved a bit of punishment.

A minute later, he handed her the half-eaten meal, speaking with concern, “Xiyang, maybe I shouldn’t eat any more. Have it. You’re starving, and I feel bad for you.”

“…”

Xiaoqi didn’t know if she was weak from hunger or anger, her voice feeble, “Didn’t you say it’s work hours? I’m not allowed to eat.”

“You’re eating in my office, out of sight. I’ll cover for you. You know me—I’m always easy to talk to.”

“…”

That phrase had become President Lin’s catchphrase.

Xiaoqi looked at the fragrant food, slowly reached for the chopsticks, then pulled her hand back and patted her face.

What was she thinking? Eating someone’s leftovers, eating after him, eating his saliva?

With surprising backbone, she turned away, “No, thank you. I won’t eat.”

“Won’t eat?”

Without looking at him, she said firmly, “Won’t eat.”

He nodded and continued eating.

Hearing his chewing, Xiaoqi wished she could snatch the food away.

Steady, steady. It’s just one meal. She’d make up for it after work.

Suddenly, Xiaoqi thought, why didn’t she bring her own meal when delivering takeaway?

Last time, she’d remembered to bring two, one for herself.

See, she’d forgotten her own meal and ended up starving.

That couldn’t be right—didn’t Assistant Fang always deliver her meals before? Why hadn’t he today?

Hmph, it was clearly intentional torment.

He dragged her to that ridiculous temple this morning and, when things didn’t go his way, pulled this childish stunt.

Yichen shoved the unfinished meal into her hands, “I won’t eat anymore—work comes first. I have to correct these files. If you won’t eat, throw it out.”

“…”

Xiaoqi looked down, reluctant to throw it away.

Though she’d always said wealth couldn’t corrupt her, poverty couldn’t sway her, and power couldn’t break her, at this moment she was truly starving, stomach growling, almost to the point of collapse.

She swallowed again, unconsciously picking up the chopsticks and lifting some food.

Just as she was about to eat, a large hand slapped the food directly into the trash can at her feet.

Xiaoqi looked heartbroken.

Staring at the trash can, she imagined it “crying,” tears dropping onto the discarded meal inside, rippling with countless heartbreak, shattered and desolate.

Alright! It wasn’t really tears—it was her heart bleeding.

Wait…

When did the trash can get placed at her feet?

“By the way, Xiyang, do you have anything you want to tell me?” Yichen suddenly asked, and her thoughts about the trash can drifted away.

She looked at him, puzzled, “Nothing, really.”

He scowled, “Clean up and get out.”

“…”

He was tormenting her, and he was the one upset?

As if he were the one being punished.

Xiaoqi angrily cleaned up the leftovers, replaced the trash can, making it spotless.

Without lunch, she was nearly faint.

Collapsing onto the sofa, she muttered resentfully, “You torment me like this, one day I’ll gloriously perish at your hands, and not even the almighty white rice will be able to save me!”

Yichen: “…”

Yichen ignored her, “Go make a cup of coffee.”

“…”

Xiaoqi had reached her limit, almost ready to cry. Driven by indignation, she strode up to him, grabbed the glass from the table, and without thinking, splashed it right into his face.

This tyrannical capitalist deserved to be dragged out and cut into a thousand pieces.

The atmosphere in the spacious office instantly turned solemn.

Afternoon sunlight fell on the man’s face, water dripping down his perfectly sculpted features.

It traced the sharp curve of his chin, like a beautiful man emerging from a bath.

His impeccably tailored white shirt was soaked, clinging to his chest, outlining his flawless physique and muscular chest.

The sight before her transformed anger into infatuation.

Yichen, black lines on his forehead, held his head.

This stubborn little donkey dared to splash him and then shamelessly swoon over him.

The day was nearly over; clearly, waiting for her to speak up was hopeless.

Yichen ignored her lovestruck gaze, putting on his jacket.

With his perfect chest hidden, Xiaoqi snapped back to reality.

Just now…she’d splashed him?

She glanced at the president out of the corner of her eye. He was working as if nothing had happened, not looking at her.

To be fair, he was indeed very busy.

So maybe he wouldn’t have time to endlessly torment her over one glass of water?

Xiaoqi wondered whether she should quietly slip away.