"Actually, I've thought about this many times. I think what Sister Mu Wan said last time was very right; let's just let it go. Besides, although I dislike her, we don't have any deep-seated hatred. She's also very capable at her job, so firing her would be a loss for Shang Sheng or the company. I can just make fewer trips to your brother's place from now on."
Lately, Shang Sheng seemed to be deliberately avoiding their meetings, and she didn't want to push her luck.
Chu Rang shook his head. "Yi Ge, you're too easygoing!"
Chu Mu Wan added, "Chen Ling is truly scheming. You're no match for her. You need to be cautious in everything you do from now on."
"I understand. Thank you all!" Qin Yi Ge picked up her water cup and toasted them, using tea as a substitute for wine.
The four of them chatted until almost nine in the evening, still not ready to part.
At that moment, the front door was pushed open from the outside, and Shang Sheng walked in.
Seeing him enter, Chu Rang spoke first. "Well, well! Mr. Shang is back. Hello, Mr. Shang!"
Chu Mu Wan chuckled softly.
Shang Yu chimed in, "Big brother is back! Big brother, have some fruit."
Shang Sheng ignored them, quickly changed his shoes, and as he took out his phone from his pocket, he walked towards Qin Yi Ge.
Watching the man approaching, Qin Yi Ge felt a pang of confusion.
Shang Sheng sat down beside her, and under the bewildered gazes of the others, he said calmly, "Grandma is checking up on us. There are only two minutes left, and she needs a photo. Cooperate."
Qin Yi Ge: "???"
Upon hearing this, Chu Rang burst into laughter. "Grandma Shang is so amusing!"
Shang Yu was about to join in the laughter when the next scene caused him to lose his smile.
Chu Mu Wan paused her munching on dried fruit, almost choking.
Chu Rang's smile froze on his face.
As for Qin Yi Ge, she was stunned as Shang Sheng pulled her into his arms and then, in front of everyone, kissed her on the lips.
Seizing the moment, Shang Sheng tapped his phone and took a photo of them kissing.
The atmosphere became somewhat peculiar. After completing his actions, Shang Sheng calmly released Qin Yi Ge, sent a message on his phone, and said, "Continue your conversation."
Chu Rang asked, "Ah Sheng, have we offended you recently?"
"No."
"Then why are you feeding us dog food?"
Shang Yu exaggeratedly pounded his chest. "Brother, Sister-in-law, please consider the feelings of this single dog!"
Chu Mu Wan coughed lightly. "Alright, I've decided. I'm going to find a boyfriend when I get back."
This was too sweet! So sweet that even she, a leftover woman, wanted to fall in love.
Who was it that didn't think highly of these two initially? Aren't they doing quite well?
Qin Yi Ge snapped back to reality, her face flushed as she nudged the man sending a message. She whispered, "What are you doing!"
"Grandma has stipulated that we must be home before nine o'clock every night and send a photo as proof," Shang Sheng explained.
"Why must it be nine o'clock?"
Shang Sheng pondered for a few seconds. "Perhaps she believes that coming home too late is not conducive to marital harmony."
Qin Yi Ge: "..."
But, didn't their marriage lack harmony in the first place?
Chu Rang and Shang Yu teased them for a while longer. They had originally planned to go out for a late-night snack, but Shang Sheng eventually sent them away, citing Qin Yi Ge's poor health and need for an early rest. kuAiδugg
Before leaving, Chu Mu Wan pulled Qin Yi Ge aside and whispered, "You two have surprised me. Yi Ge, you need to keep up the good work."
"Sister Mu Wan, actually it's not like that..." She felt troubled, wondering how to explain that she and Shang Sheng had no feelings for each other.
"Don't explain. Yi Ge, I'm very optimistic about you. Strive to win over Ah Sheng soon! I'm waiting for the day he becomes henpecked!"
Qin Yi Ge: "..."
After seeing off the three guests, only the couple remained in the house. Qin Yi Ge looked at Shang Sheng expressionlessly. "They've misunderstood."
"Misunderstood what?"
"They misunderstand that we are very much in love."
Shang Sheng nodded. "That's good. That's the effect we want."
Qin Yi Ge: "..."
That wasn't the effect she wanted!
The man loosened his tie, preparing to take a bath, when his phone rang.
He answered the call and said calmly, "It's me."
"Mr. Shang, I'm having trouble here. President Tong insists on seeing you..." Chen Ling sounded distressed.
Shang Sheng tossed his tie onto the sofa and unbuttoned two buttons of his shirt. "If every client requires my personal meeting to be finalized, what are you all for?"
Chen Ling took a deep breath. "I'm sorry, Mr. Shang. President Tong has been plying me with alcohol. They've agreed to gang up and scheme against me."
The entire secretarial department was waiting to see her make a fool of herself. She had to secure President Tong, no matter the cost.
Shang Sheng turned, inadvertently meeting a meaningful and suspicious gaze.
He: "..."
For some inexplicable reason, without having done anything, he felt a flicker of... guilt?
Avoiding Qin Yi Ge's gaze, he coughed softly and continued, "Tell President Tong that if he signs the contract, there will be plenty of opportunities to meet me in the future."
"Mr. Shang, as I said, it's no use."
President Tong was the most difficult client Chen Ling had ever encountered.
Shang Sheng replied, "Since he lacks sincerity for cooperation, you don't need to rush. Let's pause for now. There might be other opportunities."
A sweet voice chimed in behind him. "Husband, it's time for your bath!"
"..."
Shang Sheng turned abruptly. Qin Yi Ge was smiling at him.
Chen Ling, of course, heard the word "husband," and her heart sank to the bottom.
So, Mr. Shang and Qin Yi Ge were together...
After waiting for a long time without a response from Shang Sheng, Qin Yi Ge gritted her teeth. Was he not even going to answer her in front of Chen Ling?
The more he acted like this, the more Qin Yi Ge was determined not to let him off.
She took a few steps closer, not only closing the distance but also hooking her arm through his, and softly asked, "Husband, are you busy?"
The man's Adam's apple bobbed slightly, and his voice gained a barely perceptible huskiness. "Coming right up!"
"Now, let's take a bath together... Ah! You're on the phone? Sorry, I didn't know!" Her tone of innocence and surprise was perfectly executed.
Shang Sheng: "..."
Didn't know? If they weren't in the same space, he might have actually believed her fib.
Qin Yi Ge tiptoed and deliberately leaned towards the phone's microphone, whispering, "Then you take your call first, and I'll wait for you in the bathroom!"
With that, she turned and left with a mischievous smile.
However, before she could take another step, a strong hand firmly grasped her.
Qin Yi Ge's heart jumped, and she could only force a smile.
The man's eyes were as deep and dark as ink. He quickly said to the person on the phone, "You go back first. We'll discuss President Tong's matter at the company tomorrow! That's all."
He ended the call abruptly, tossed his phone onto the sofa, and pulled the woman who was trying to escape back into his embrace.
Her triumph lasted less than three seconds. Qin Yi Ge was now on the verge of tears, intimidated by his fierce demeanor.
"I, I'll go draw the bathwater."
Shang Sheng lowered his head, and an incredibly hot kiss landed on her earlobe. Qin Yi Ge immediately shivered.
He said in a low voice, "Playing with fire again? Madam, this time I can accompany you to the very end!"