Volume One, Chapter 18: Strengthening My Trusted Council

Once she confirmed that only she and Han Yan were in the office, Xu Qingning looked at him as if he were a fool.

“Han Sanhuo, why do you grow tall but not wise?”

“There are so many people around, and you want me to scold you in front of them just to feel better?”

“You’re the trusted aide of your boss, right? I guess the whole studio knows it by now. If I give you special treatment, what do you think the others will say?”

She placed the document on the desk. “Tell me, what has Boss Pei asked you to do?”

“Nothing much, just to keep you safe.”

Xu Qingning nodded. “Then from now on, you’ll follow me.”

“Why? Everyone else has somewhere to go; why do I have to stick with you?”

“Are you going to listen to your boss or to me?”

“Of course my boss… Wait, you’re tricking me!”

Xu Qingning spread her hands. “Look, if you stay with me, at least I won’t harm you. Even if I trick you, it won’t hurt much. But can you guarantee that if you go elsewhere, you won’t be used by someone with ill intent to harm Pei Xi?”

“So, I’m doing this for your own good. Besides, it’s not so bad to stay with me—I’m quite interested in your fighting skills. You can teach me.”

“You?” Han Yan eyed her small frame, thinking she looked fragile enough to crumble with a gentle squeeze. Naturally, he didn’t believe she was truly interested in martial arts.

“Believe it or not. By the way, if you stick with me, you get to see Boss Pei every day!”

“Really? Fine, I’ll follow you!”

One must admit, that line was more effective than anything Xu Qingning had said before.

Xu Qingning thought: So, how many more people are going to compete with me for my husband?

That evening, when Pei Xi returned home, Xu Qingning threw herself into his arms, cupping his face and examining him from every angle before summing up in four words: a beauty brings disaster.

Pei Xi chuckled, lowering her hand to his lips and kissing it. “Madam, why such words?”

She poured out her heartfelt admonitions about Han Yan and the whole situation, ending with the key point: “In short, I seriously suspect, Pei Xi, that you attract all these people with your looks.”

She straddled Pei Xi, “Tell me, how many more are coveting your good looks?”

“Maybe they covet my talent too?”

“What? People really covet that?” She pondered seriously for a few minutes. “Sending them away was the right choice. Otherwise, you’d be stuck at home all day.”

A sly smile curved Pei Xi’s lips as he held her waist. “I didn’t expect our Qingqing to be so possessive.”

“Of course! You’re my husband now, body and soul belong only to me!”

No sooner had she spoken than Pei Xi’s hand at her waist tightened slightly, making her shiver.

“Pei Xi, what are you doing? It tickles…”

Before she finished, Xu Qingning noticed the change in Pei Xi’s eyes. “W-what?”

“What did Qingqing just call me?”

Recalling, Xu Qingning realized what had caused Pei Xi’s reaction and blushed faintly.

“Do you want me to call you that again?”

Pei Xi didn’t answer but asked back, “May I?”

Strangely, though it had sounded natural before, looking into his eyes now, Xu Qingning found herself unable to speak.

She placed her hand on his and tugged gently, only to be pulled closer.

“Trying to escape, Qingqing?”

“But I don’t want you to let me off so easily today! Say it once more, or… give me a kiss.”

Feeling Pei Xi’s assertiveness for the first time, her heart trembled—not with fear, but excitement.

Feeling a bit mischievous, she cupped his face and kissed him. “Fine, fine. Not just one kiss—five, six, seven, eight are all fine!”

She kissed both sides of his face five times each, then grinned triumphantly. “Okay, now can you put me down?”

Without her noticing, Pei Xi’s hand had moved behind her head, pressing gently, bringing them even closer.

The scent of wormwood drifted into Xu Qingning’s nostrils as Pei Xi’s breath brushed her ear. “Sorry, I didn’t explain well just now. The kind of kiss I want is like this…”

His words mingled with the kisses trailing from her earlobe down to the corner of her mouth. Finally, he found his destination and captured the back of her head, kissing her deeply.

“Mmm…”

The aroma of wormwood seemed to flow through her entire body with the kiss. She felt her heartbeat quicken, and a strange tingling coursed through her limbs and core.

Sensing her intense shiver, Pei Xi quickly released her. “Qingqing, what’s wrong?”

Without his kiss, she seemed to lose strength, resting her head on his neck and shoulder.

“I don’t know, Pei Xi, my heart is racing so fast. Am I sick?”

After hearing her, Pei Xi paused before a smile broke free at the corner of his mouth.

“Qingqing is starting to like me. I’m very happy.”

“Like? Does liking someone make you feel like this?”

Seeing him nod, Xu Qingning felt shy and rubbed her cheek against his neck. “Pei Xi, I’m a little scared.”

Feeling her unease, Pei Xi gently patted her back. “It’s okay. It means Qingqing is beginning to accept me. If you feel uneasy, would you feel better if I held you?”

“Or is there something you want to do? Tell me—I’ll do it with you.”

When she remained silent, Pei Xi half-joked, “Don’t tell me, Qingqing is afraid to see me now?”

“No, it’s just…I don’t know how to be with you.”

Hearing this, he relaxed and stroked her hair softly. “Qingqing, just be yourself.”

“You don’t need to change for these feelings. If you want to be close to me, then do. If you want to say something, just say it. Just follow your heart.”

“As for everything else, I’ll handle it, alright?”

“…Alright.”

Preferring not to dwell on problems, Xu Qingning soon returned to her usual self. She climbed off Pei Xi and handed him the contract she had signed that day.

“Next, I’m going to strengthen my Jing Nang team. Han Yan is already on board. The next target is this.”

Pei Xi glanced at the document she had selected and smiled, raising an eyebrow. “Yan Yan? That won’t be easy.”

“The ruthless and cold negotiation expert? No worries. Watch me use my silver tongue to persuade her!”

“Hmm… that description fits perfectly. I wonder if I have the privilege to hear the madam’s plan first?”

“Nothing to it. Ahem, let me explain in detail…”