Chapter 3 Fiancée, you know that's not what I meant.
Qin Lingchuan fumbled to bring the last dish to the table. The bottom of the bowl was a little hot. Youzhen didn't come to help even once. She just sat there and watched him go back and forth, again and again.
Knowing that she must be watching him, Qin Lingchuan deliberately displayed skill and agility, and the more he did so, the more abrupt the sound of the cardboard box falling to the ground became.
He still didn't hear her voice, and Qin Lingchuan's heart sank even further.
My fingertips touched the corner of the table and slid along the edge.
One square at a time, inch by inch...
Youzhen's hand, casually resting on the edge of the bowl, was about to touch his skin.
She abruptly withdrew her hand and quietly moved the bowl further away.
Qin Lingchuan didn't find anything, so he reached towards the air above her seat.
Youzhen carefully got up, holding onto the chair armrests to avoid making a sound as the chair scraped against the floor, and kept a distance of about half a palm's width from him.
Even breathing becomes light and suppressed.
Just as Qin Lingchuan's hand was about to leave the table, Youzhen handed him the plate of water chestnuts and shrimp, and then casually slammed it to the ground.
The sound of shattering ceramics rang out, and Qin Lingchuan stopped in his tracks, his first instinct being to grab the person in front of him.
"You...you're here?"
Shrimp were scattered all over the floor. Oh, my sister hates this dish the most, how could she possibly leave it on the table?
"Why are you so quiet again? Which dish fell on the floor?"
Youzhen dodged his touch, dismissing him with disdain: "Water chestnuts and shrimp, let's eat. We'll clean up after we finish."
Qin Lingchuan reluctantly withdrew his hand, a rare look of bewilderment on his face: "Have your tastes... changed?"
Youzhen twitched the corner of her mouth: "I dislike the taste of shrimp the most."
Qin Lingchuan didn't say anything more, found a chair, sat down, and silently ate his meal.
I had barely taken a few bites when Tao Bei called.
The shareholders wanted to discuss matters concerning the Xia family in advance.
Although he is blind, he cannot miss this important meeting held in another city.
In Youzhen's view, Boss Li's hosting was nothing more than a case of bears, lions, wolves, and eagles dividing up the lamb's carcass.
He was really worried about leaving her alone at home. In the past, when the two of them walked side by side, Qin Lingchuan liked to walk a little ahead, holding her hand and guiding her; now, he intentionally or unintentionally lagged behind her by half a step, always making sure she was within his reach before he felt at ease.
Although he had bodyguards with him, and Tao Bei was a specially recruited special forces soldier, so nothing would happen, he was still worried, afraid that Youzhen would disappear again in the blink of an eye.
Youzhen was naturally willing. But to avoid arousing his suspicion, she asked reservedly, "Then, in what capacity shall I follow you?"
Is she asking him for a formal title?
Qin Lingchuan's heart skipped a beat: "If you don't mind, can we keep our original identities for now? You are my future..."
Many things are still unresolved, but he wants to get the marriage certificate and hold the wedding as soon as possible, and he wants her to become Mrs. Qin as soon as possible.
But he knew he couldn't rush things. She had said those things at the engagement party, and many things had happened afterward. He couldn't pressure her too much.
Youzhen stared intently at the gauze covering Qin Lingchuan's eyes: "His original identity?"
Qin Lingchuan holds a large number of shares in the Xia family's businesses, so they are now considered his subordinates.
Should we address him as 'boss' like Tao Bei did?
Are they cattle and horses given to them by this capitalist?
This question reminded Qin Lingchuan that Boss Li had always been eyeing the Xia family covetously, so it was best not to let Youzhen show herself for the time being.
With a determined and patient attitude, Youzhen asked, "Shall I be your assistant?"
Qin Lingchuan felt it was inappropriate: "This is too unfair to you. We've already..."
Youzhen said, "It's not a hardship. I'll go book tickets for my employer right away."
She was quick and efficient, packing her things and even arranging his schedule.
Along the way, thanks to his good looks, the flight attendants brought him blankets and fruit. Youzhen put on her headphones and ignored the attentiveness beside her.
Due to airflow, the plane was very bumpy.
Qin Lingchuan looked unwell, his weariness was undeniable, and his well-defined hands pressed against his chest, his fingertips turning white as he exerted force.
Although he couldn't see, Qin Lingchuan knew that Youzhen was awake.
He was afraid she would see him in such a disheveled state, but she didn't offer a single word of concern, which made his heart clench.
Well, hopefully she didn't see anything.
Youzhen ignored her and continued sleeping.
I slept intermittently, and vaguely felt that no one was beside me.
The bathroom light was red, and if she wasn't dreaming, it seemed like it had been there for a long time.
Qin Lingchuan doesn't get airsick, so what's going on?
He looked nauseous just now, as if he was very uncomfortable, even though he was fine before boarding the plane.
As soon as the plane landed, they rushed off to a meeting.
Youzhen hesitated for a moment, looking at his even worse complexion, and asked, "Aren't we going to the hotel to settle in first?"
Qin Lingchuan grasped her wrist: "Tao Bei will send the luggage over first. Are you tired?"
Youzhen shook her head, remembering that he was blind, but with one wrist being held by him, Youzhen didn't want to speak.
Qin Lingchuan didn't get a reply from her and walked straight ahead.
Mo Ye and his subordinates, who came to pick them up at the airport, looked at the two women's hands and tactfully addressed them as "Sister-in-law."
Not only Youzhen, but Qin Lingchuan also froze for a moment.
He cleared his throat, but a strange curve appeared at the corner of his mouth, a smile that wasn't quite a smile, more like he was pursing his lips.
Youzhen pulled her wrist away from his palm, took a step back, and stood a little further away from him.
Qin Lingchuan immediately sensed her change in mood and put on a stern face: "What are you calling me? This is Miss Xia."
Mo Ye exclaimed "Ah!" in confusion, then winked at his subordinates behind him: "What are you yelling about? This is Miss Xia."
The daytime meetings are over, but the evening social engagements continue.
Qin Lingchuan untied his tie, handed it to Tao Bei, and gave him a few instructions, telling him to take care of them first.
He wore a brooch on his left side, with a slender U-shaped chain hanging down, which made him look less rigid.
His posture remained as upright as ever; if you only looked at his back, you would never imagine that this man was enduring discomfort.
While daytime meetings are important, evening banquets are often the best time to discuss serious matters. Since it concerns the Xia family's business, Youzhen is eager to attend and hear about it.
But Qin Lingchuan sent her away and asked Mo Ye to take her back to the hotel to rest first.
Of course, she wouldn't listen to Qin Lingchuan. As soon as she returned to the hotel, she avoided the bodyguards and went to the manor where the banquet was being held.
Qin Lingchuan never expected that Boss Li would allow his daughter to attend such an occasion.
Youzhen had always known that President Li wanted to facilitate this marriage.
Li Xiaotan swayed as she held her wine glass, sizing up Qin Lingchuan from head to toe.
The black suit exuded a sense of oppression. After exchanging pleasantries, Qin Lingchuan took a seat and unbuttoned one button.
His shoulders were so broad they could almost fit two of him.
As expected of the golden bachelor chosen by her father, Xiaotan also felt a bit hot, so she took off her outer cardigan, revealing a red sundress underneath. It was hard for any man passing by in the restaurant not to notice her.
She was so dazzling, standing out among thousands, shining like a star.
“I didn’t expect that Mr. Qin’s face would look even more refined with his eyes covered.” Xiao Tan ran her right index finger along his perfect jawline, rested her chin on her hand, and crossed her legs on the high chair, looking more relaxed. “I’m quite satisfied.”
She wasn't interested in the Xia family's business; she was just there to have fun and maybe check out some handsome guys.
Qin Lingchuan didn't have time to dodge, and she succeeded. He leaned back without saying a word.
Xiao Tan clinked glasses with Qin Lingchuan, took a sip of whiskey, and felt a pang of melancholy: "It would be a waste for me to be in the prime of my life and not have a passionate love affair."
Qin Lingchuan didn't respond, but he heard several young ladies coming and going outside the door, laughing and singing.
Li Xiaotan had a rather Westernized air about her: "They all say we're a perfect match, don't you think?"
Qin Lingchuan finally asked, "What's your major?"
Seeing that he had asked the question, Xiaotan placed her hands on the table and said, "I've told you so many times, but you never take it to heart. Finance."
It's 'Finance'.
Li Xiaotan: "Pardon?"
Qin Lingchuan's announcer-like voice: "The stress is on the first syllable, shouldn't American English pronounce it like this?"
This person is actually correcting her pronunciation?
For someone like her, a graduate of a prestigious university, to not stay abroad but come back to inherit the family business is already shameful. She usually crushes everyone with her knowledge and academic dominance. What kind of expression did Qin Lingchuan have? Was he mocking her?
Xiao Tan couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Qin Lingchuan stated directly, "We are just business partners, and I haven't started any other side businesses. Ms. Li, please understand. At the same time, I would also like to say that if you want to date, you should meet more people. However, you won't meet any high-quality men in this kind of setting."
"Ha." Xiaotan exhaled a breath of alcohol. "Are you insulting yourself?"
Qin Lingchuan also crossed one leg over the other: "I'm definitely not a good person."
Xiao Tan became even more interested: "I like bad girls. Want to try flirting with me?"
Qin Lingchuan had been listening to the commotion of the young ladies, and sure enough, he went into their private room.
As soon as they entered, they pounced on Qin Lingchuan.
Qin Lingchuan spread his hands and turned to Boss Li, asking, "What does this mean?"
Boss Li was also bewildered: "This... I didn't call him... I know you don't like this kind of thing, Brother Qin. I would never call someone like this in front of my daughter..."
Xiao Tan scoffed, as if she had seen through her father's scheme long ago.
The women groped Qin Lingchuan, and someone in the corner secretly pulled out their phone.
Qin Lingchuan said coldly, "Get out."
The pampered young ladies, rarely serving such a young and handsome CEO, were all busy trying to take advantage of him: "Boss, please be kind to us!"
Qin Lingchuan suddenly raised his hand and grabbed the neck of the woman who was moving towards his abdomen: "I don't like repeating myself."
The young woman hurriedly waved her hand, her throat itchy, and she choked until tears came to her eyes, but she couldn't utter a single word.
"You should be glad you're a girl, otherwise your neck would be broken by now." Qin Lingchuan pushed the person back forcefully, stood up and brushed aside the others as if brushing away scraps of paper.
They dared not approach any further, glanced pleadingly at Boss Li, and hurriedly left.
Mr. Li was quite embarrassed: "Oh dear, look at this mess. Come on, let me apologize to President Qin. Xiao Tan, quickly fill the wine glass."
Before the door could be closed, Youzhen raised her hand to block it and pushed the door open to enter.
"I'm late. Didn't the boss promise me that I would drink all the wine tonight?"
He snatched the wine glass from his hand, and before he could even tilt his head back, Qin Lingchuan grabbed Youzhen's wrist, his brow furrowed with displeasure: "Nonsense!"
Immediately afterwards, he drank it all in one gulp and showed the empty glass to Boss Li.
Everyone present was filled with laughter and joy, and they all turned to look at his new assistant.
Dressed in a smart, professional woman's outfit, with long, slightly wavy hair and delicate features—
Her features were exactly the same as those of the deceased Xia Ruozhen!
This is absolutely unbelievable!
Moreover, after Qin Lingchuan acquired the Xia family, he even made the former Xia family heiress his errand boy assistant. This humiliating way of doing things—no wonder he is the fearsome Qin Lingchuan!
Qin Lingchuan's expression changed. He put his arm around her shoulder, exchanged a few polite words, and then quickly led her away.
As Xiao Tan watched the two figures depart, she couldn't help but compare Qin Lingchuan and Zhou Yuanli in her heart.
Qin Lingchuan is composed and steady, while Zhou Yuanli is elegant and charming. Tsk tsk, I wonder if the two Xia sisters saved the galaxy in their past life or had the worst luck in eight lifetimes when they met these two men.
She's the only child, so everything is hers; she's being spoiled rotten.
Youzhen could feel that Qin Lingchuan had put some weight on her. Was he feeling unwell? He must have drunk a lot tonight because of the Xia family's affairs. He was really concerned.
Youzhen helped him into the car. With no one else around, Qin Lingchuan clenched his fist and rested it on his lower back.
Feeling nauseous and with a tightness in his chest, Qin Lingchuan suppressed his urge to ask, "You deliberately sent people here, didn't you?"
Youzhen looked at his sharp profile; he had found out so quickly.
Qin Lingchuan wasn't angry at all; instead, he seemed somewhat expectant: "Did you deliberately send them in to help me out because you didn't like me being with Miss Li?"
Youzhen lowered her head and denied it: "I didn't..."
Her voice was devoid of emotion, and Qin Lingchuan felt a strange premonition.
The car was unbearably stuffy. Qin Lingchuan took off his coat and clenched his fist: "You took the drinks for me because you were worried about me?"
Youzhen stammered, "I'm just fulfilling my duties as an assistant."
Qin Lingchuan suppressed a smile: "Just duty?"
He could tell that Youzhen was probably facing away from him at this moment, and her voice was cold: "Yes."
Qin Lingchuan sneered: "I don't need a woman to do things for me."
After sitting all day, my lower back is a little sore.
Qin Lingchuan was probably afraid of scaring her because his tone had been a bit harsh.
But she had so presumptuously shown herself in front of Boss Li, which made him very afraid.
Upon arriving at the hotel, Youzhen went straight to her room.
This was a two-bedroom suite. Qin Lingchuan unbuttoned his shirt and reminded him, "You haven't changed my dressing yet today."
Youzhen leaned against the door frame: "Didn't Dr. Huang come along? I'll go and invite him."
Qin Lingchuan pursed his thin lips slightly: "This isn't the old man's working hours."
"It's not my work time right now."
Qin Lingchuan sighed: "Help me, I can't see, I can't access the internet properly."
As Youzhen got the gauze and medicine bottle, she said, "Didn't you say you didn't need me?"
"What?" Qin Lingchuan heard her deliberately place the medicine bottle heavily on the glass tabletop. "When did I say I didn't need it?"
Youzhen rolled her eyes at him: "Didn't you say you didn't need a woman to do things for you?"
Qin Lingchuan then resorted to trickery: "Oh, you know that's not what I meant."
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