Chapter 45

Chapter 45

Hearing this, Ye Zhiqiu raised his eyes to meet Qin Jianhe’s gaze for a moment before lowering them again, playing with the last shrimp in his bowl with a spoon.

The chair opposite him moved slightly, making a faint sound as Qin Jianhe got up and went back into the kitchen.

A moment later, he came out with two cups of coffee, placing one in front of Ye Zhiqiu.

"Didn't sleep well last night," he said. "Want a cup?"

"Did you add sugar?" Ye Zhiqiu asked.

"One cube," Qin Jianhe replied, looking down at him. "Is that enough?"

"Two more cubes," Ye Zhiqiu said bluntly.

Abandoning the shrimp, he began stirring his coffee with a spoon.

"Alright," Qin Jianhe chuckled, returning to the kitchen once more.

Soon, he came back with a small plate containing two sugar cubes and a few chocolate cookies.

"If you like sweets," Qin Jianhe smiled, "you might enjoy these too."

Ye Zhiqiu actually liked them quite a bit, but he still put on an air of indifference. He glanced at the plate and said, "Not bad."

Even though he said it was just okay, Qin Jianhe laughed. "Good, as long as you like them."

Ye Zhiqiu: "…"

Fine, he did genuinely like them.

Using tongs, he dropped the sugar cubes into his coffee cup one by one and picked up a cookie to eat.

The rich chocolate aroma exploded in his mouth. He looked up and asked, "Do you eat sweets too?"

"Not too much, but occasionally when I don’t have time for a proper breakfast, I’ll have one or two to boost my energy." Qin Jianhe paused, finding Ye Zhiqiu’s question amusing. "Everyone has their own preferences."

"I do too," he added.

"For example, roses?" Ye Zhiqiu asked, tilting his head to look at the rose in the picture frame on the windowsill.

Seeing his curious expression, Qin Jianhe got up and brought the frame over, placing it in front of Ye Zhiqiu.

"This way you can see it better," he smiled.

Ye Zhiqiu took the frame.

The frame was spotlessly clean, but the rose inside was just like any other. Ye Zhiqiu couldn’t tell what made this one special compared to millions of others.

Not as good as fresh ones, he thought. At least they’re brighter and have a scent.

"Besides roses, what else do you like?" Ye Zhiqiu asked, genuinely curious about the preferences of a successful man like Qin Jianhe. "Martial arts?"

"Martial arts are just a way to relieve stress and expend excess energy," Qin Jianhe smiled. "If we must call it a hobby, then yes."

"So the Huarong Road puzzle is also for stress relief?" Ye Zhiqiu found it amusing.

When he saw the colorful toy, he almost thought there was a child hidden in Qin Jianhe’s house.

"Yes," Qin Jianhe said. "One for mental exercise, the other for physical."

Saying this, he gave Ye Zhiqiu a meaningful glance.

Last night, Ye Zhiqiu had scratched and clawed at him like a toothless kitten.

"I also like cats," he added.

"Hey," Ye Zhiqiu chuckled. "Except for martial arts, your other hobbies don’t really fit the image of a cold and domineering CEO of the Qin Corporation."

He put down his cup. "Don’t tell anyone else about this, okay?"

"It would ruin your image," he wrinkled his nose, teasing with a smile.

"Alright," Qin Jianhe chuckled, putting down his cup as well. "I’m going to change clothes."

He was currently wearing casual loungewear, looking young and bright, not much different from an ordinary college student.

"What about you?" Standing up, he looked down at Ye Zhiqiu. "Some of my old clothes should fit you."

"I’ve already changed into new undergarments," Ye Zhiqiu tugged at the cashmere sweater he was wearing, which fit quite well and had a faint scent of laundry detergent. "This is also from your youth, right? How old were you?"

"About fifteen or sixteen," Qin Jianhe pursed his lips, unable to hold back a laugh.

Ye Zhiqiu: "…"

Getting angry wouldn’t help, so he gritted his teeth and endured.

"We ordinary people only need to change our undergarments daily. How come Mr. Qin is so meticulous, changing everything from top to bottom every day?"

He still couldn’t resist the sarcasm.

"From top to bottom…" Qin Jianhe repeated softly, his gaze becoming inexplicably intense.

Ye Zhiqiu: "…"

For some reason, Ye Zhiqiu instantly understood what Qin Jianhe was thinking.

"Hey," he blustered. "No being a pervert, okay?"

Qin Jianhe said nothing, but his Adam’s apple moved slightly without his control.

He lowered his eyes, his gaze falling on Ye Zhiqiu’s exceptionally red and tender lips.

After a moment, he bent down slightly, lowering his head to gently capture Ye Zhiqiu’s lips.

“I know,” he said, his voice low and hoarse, instinctively prying open Ye Zhiqiu’s teeth.

Ye Zhiqiu: "…"

Knowing that, still playing around? Is this intentional provocation?

Thinking this, he still obediently tilted his face up, subconsciously following Qin Jianhe’s rhythm.

When the kiss ended, Qin Jianhe finally straightened up.

He slightly lowered his eyes, his fingertips lightly rolling over Ye Zhiqiu’s wet lips, his voice slightly hoarse. “Wait for me; I’ll change my clothes.”

Ye Zhiqiu pursed his lips, sitting in a daze at the dining table for quite a while, feeling inexplicably flushed and warm.

What the hell?

What high-cold persona does Qin Jianhe have?

He’s just a kissing fiend.

However, before the image of a kissing fiend could solidify, he changed his mind again.

Because Qin Jianhe quickly came out, having changed into his clothes.

A well-fitted light gray suit made his already perfect figure even more outstanding.

Broad shoulders, slim waist, tall stature, long legs.

Especially that waist…

Ye Zhiqiu pursed his lips, involuntarily recalling the supple and strong muscle lines from last night under the dim light, covered with a thin layer of sweat.

Feeling a tingle in his nose, he instinctively looked away, afraid he might get a nosebleed.

"Ye Zhiqiu," Qin Jianhe called him, handing him the tie, "Can you tie a tie?"

Ye Zhiqiu had never heard of a fashion designer who couldn’t tie a tie. This guy was definitely doing it on purpose.

"I can’t," he said.

"Help me tie this tie," Qin Jianhe chuckled.

Ye Zhiqiu: "…"

His competitive spirit flared up again, and Ye Zhiqiu felt incredibly annoyed.

Why should he tie a tie for Qin Jianhe?

Even if it was for fun, he didn’t want to.

They weren’t really dating.

Seeing his cold expression, Qin Jianhe walked over and stood beside him.

The sunlight fell on his hand holding the tie, his fingers long and knuckles distinct, making the casual way he held the tie look even sexier due to the strength in his grip.

Ye Zhiqiu: "…"

Involuntarily, he thought of certain scenes from last night again.

Damn!

Just as he was about to curse, Qin Jianhe’s amused voice suddenly came from above.

"Will you do it if I beg you?" he whispered softly.

Ye Zhiqiu: "…"

Ye Zhiqiu stood up, taking the tie.

"How do you beg?" he asked.

"Whatever you want," Qin Jianhe said, looking down at Ye Zhiqiu’s slender white fingers skillfully tying the tie.

Ye Zhiqiu tilted his head, thinking for a moment but couldn’t come up with what to ask for.

"Owe me one for now," he said. "When I think of something, I’ll make you pay."

Qin Jianhe seemed to chuckle, saying nothing.

Ye Zhiqiu lowered his eyes, pursing his lips, carefully tying the tie for Qin Jianhe, feeling the intense gaze on him.

Who says Qin Jianhe doesn’t know anything?

He’s too good at this, isn’t he?

Luckily it’s me standing here today; otherwise, who could handle it?

If it were Li Ling instead…

Ye Zhiqiu thought about it, and the scene became too much to bear.

"In a bit, I need to get off early," Ye Zhiqiu changed the topic.

"Get out of the car when we reach the underground garage," Qin Jianhe said.

"That won't do," Ye Zhiqiu replied. "I'm a straightforward person and don't want to live in constant fear."

"Let's stop a hundred meters early," he thought for a moment. "There's a bar a hundred meters ahead; it's quiet in the morning. We can park by the entrance without anyone noticing."

Qin Jianhe remained silent, grabbing his coat, which was slightly darker than his suit, from the back of the chair and draping it over his shoulders.

For some reason, Ye Zhiqiu felt that his aura and presence immediately became more powerful.

However, his tone remained unchanged.

"Put on your clothes," Qin Jianhe said, handing Ye Zhiqiu his down jacket, scarf, and beanie.

Ye Zhiqiu didn't say anything and obediently put on his clothes.

As he was tying his scarf, he suddenly felt a gentle pressure on his head—Qin Jianhe was putting the beanie on him.

He lowered his head slightly as Qin Jianhe tidied up the stray hairs around his forehead and ears.

Qin Jianhe's fingers were warm and gentle as they brushed past his cheeks and ears, without any hint of intimacy, only warmth and comfort.

It made Ye Zhiqiu feel like a child again.

Like a parent carefully dressing him before sending him off to kindergarten after breakfast.

This feeling was unfamiliar, making him recall his childhood.

Tao Ruoqing always bought him many beautiful clothes, but no one ever helped him when he wore his shoes wrong or buttoned his clothes incorrectly.

Later, his teachers noticed and would patiently guide him to correct his mistakes, such as changing his shoes or fixing his clothes.

Thus, he became the first child in kindergarten who could dress himself perfectly without help.

He often received praise and rewards from his teachers for this.

But later, he noticed that Tao Ruoqing would patiently dress Ye Zhixia when she went to kindergarten.

Putting on hats, gloves, tying scarves, lacing shoes...

Now, thinking about it, perhaps this was part of Tao Ruoqing's deliberate attempt to weaken his sense of security, a form of manipulation.

Or maybe because she didn't care at all, she never noticed when he wore his shoes wrong or buttoned his clothes incorrectly?

So why was Qin Jianhe being so meticulous and careful?

Ye Zhiqiu was slightly distracted, so much so that when Qin Jianhe held his hand to lead him out, he didn't react at first.

Not until they entered the elevator and saw Qin Jianhe holding his hand and carrying his backpack in the mirror did Ye Zhiqiu come back to reality.

He subtly pulled his hand away from Qin Jianhe's grip. "You're acting like a parent taking a child to kindergarten."

"Admitting you're a child?" Qin Jianhe looked down at him with a faint smile in his deep voice.

"At most, I'm an older brother," Ye Zhiqiu said. "You're not much older than me."

"Six years," Qin Jianhe said.

"And yesterday, you called someone else 'brother,'" he added.

Ye Zhiqiu: "..."

Who did he call 'brother'?

How could Qin Jianhe make things up like this?

Just as he was about to protest, Ye Zhiqiu suddenly remembered.

Yesterday, during the phone call with Qi Xin, he had indeed sarcastically said, "My dear brother, my career, and my work are all unimportant; I'll just serve you, old man?"

Did that count as calling someone 'brother'?

The elevator reached the underground garage, and Ye Zhiqiu rudely snatched his backpack from Qin Jianhe and walked out silently.

Qin Jianhe's lips curved slightly as he followed closely behind.

During rush hour, traffic in the central business district was always congested.

The journey that took only ten minutes yesterday now took half an hour.

After navigating through the crowded streets, they finally arrived at the bar, and Qin Jianhe parked the car near the curb as instructed by Ye Zhiqiu.

Ye Zhiqiu then cautiously looked around before quickly getting out of the car.

It was only a hundred meters to his company, and Ye Zhiqiu soon arrived at the entrance.

Crossing the street, he couldn't help but look back.

Qin Jianhe's car was still stuck in the heavy traffic near the bar, unable to move.

For some reason, Ye Zhiqiu suddenly burst into laughter.

It had been a long time since he felt this light-hearted.

Despite not sleeping much last night, surprisingly, Ye Zhiqiu felt energetic and efficient in the morning.

After a busy morning, Ye Zhiqiu went downstairs as planned for lunch at the Western restaurant across the street.

Qi Xin had already arrived and was constantly looking around. Seeing Ye Zhiqiu, he quickly stood up.

"Tired yourself out, didn't you, Xiao Qiu?" Seeing the waiter come over to serve coffee, Qi Xin smiled slightly. "I asked them to add extra sugar for you."

"Thanks," Ye Zhiqiu replied with a smile.

Last night had indeed been intense and exhausting, but it wasn't work-related.

"What are you being polite for?" It was rare to see Ye Zhiqiu in a good mood, so Qi Xin said, somewhat flattered.

The coffee was personally served by the waiter right in front of him, so it shouldn't have been tampered with.

This environment was safe as well.

Ye Zhiqiu discreetly glanced around and saw several familiar faces from the company dining nearby, which reassured him.

"A couple of days ago, Ye Zhixia called me over," Qi Xin took the opportunity to start the conversation. "He said that you and his boyfriend..."

Qi Xin dared not continue.

Ye Zhiqiu was always unpredictable, especially on such matters. Qi Xin felt he had no right or position to care about this.

Sure enough, Ye Zhiqiu looked at him with a half-smile.

But this time, he did not lash out.

"Me interested in Gao Wenye, that old man?" Ye Zhiqiu sneered, his eyes filled with disdain. "What is Ye Zhixia thinking? Does he really believe that what he treasures is also treasured by everyone else?"

As he spoke, he unlocked his phone, pulled up the chat history with Gao Wenye, and handed it to Qi Xin to see.

The more Qi Xin read, the worse his expression became.

"How dare he harass you?" He tried to suppress his anger. "When I get back, I will definitely..."

"Definitely what?" Ye Zhiqiu smiled. "He just sent a message."

Qi Xin pursed his lips, his face full of indignation, but he remained silent for a moment.

"So," Ye Zhiqiu asked, "you believed whatever Ye Zhixia said?"

"I...," Qi Xin felt guilty but knew he couldn't admit anything. "How could I believe him?"

"That's good." Ye Zhiqiu smiled at him gently.

The young man's eyes curved slightly, the brown in them deepening under the light, giving a honey-like sweetness to his gaze.

Qi Xin's heart thumped heavily, feeling warm and almost melting.

They ate together, with Qi Xin attentively serving food to Ye Zhiqiu.

Now that he knew Ye Zhiqiu had no interest in Ye Zhixia's so-called boyfriend, Qi Xin finally felt relieved.

But at the same time, he thought again about the bottle of medicine Ye Zhixia had given him.

On one hand, he found Ye Zhixia incredibly malicious; on the other, he couldn't help but look at Ye Zhiqiu.

Ye Zhiqiu's eyes seemed particularly gentle today, and even his lips appeared redder than usual.

Qi Xin's heart beat faster without his noticing.

"Qi Xin," seemingly sensing his gaze, Ye Zhiqiu looked up. "Do you think marriage is how you truly get someone?"

"Marriage?" Qi Xin responded.

Ye Zhiqiu laughed and shook his head slightly.

"For me," he said, "the person must genuinely treat me well."

"I'll treat you well, Xiao Qiu," Qi Xin immediately said.

"A marriage certificate doesn't mean anything, nor does having sex," Ye Zhiqiu continued, smiling at him. "Qi Xin, only if someone treats me well, never betrays me, and doesn't scheme against me, can I truly open my heart to them and take things further."

"Gao Wenye," he scoffed, "what is he? Just a dog who isn't loyal to anyone."

Qi Xin didn't hear the rest clearly.

Ye Zhiqiu's words, "A marriage certificate doesn't mean anything, nor does having sex," resonated like a heavy hammer in his ears, making his head buzz.

Unconsciously, a layer of cold sweat broke out on Qi Xin's back.

The collaboration with Tao Ruoqing would be fine as long as they didn't talk about it; he believed Ye Zhiqiu wouldn't notice anything.

But...

He subconsciously touched his pocket.

He had indeed considered using that bottle of medicine on Ye Zhiqiu.

If he had actually done it...

He couldn't bear to imagine it.

He needed to throw it away, Qi Xin thought, leaving no trace behind.

*

On Thursday afternoon, Zhou Hui came for a fitting.

Tall and thin, Zhou Hui looked frail and lacked vitality.

Wearing the bright red Xiangyun brocade coat dress, she barely managed to carry off the presence required.

But if you only look at the figure, it's particularly fitting.

To be honest, Zhou Hui's first fitting wasn't very satisfactory.

Perhaps because her life and career have never been smooth, Zhou Hui herself lacks the confidence needed on the runway.

After the fitting, before Ye Zhiqiu could speak, Zhou Hui had already lost heart.

"Teacher Ye, why don't you see if someone else fits better?"

This was the first time someone had invited Zhou Hui to such a major show.

Usually, she walked in small, insignificant shows, filling in wherever there were gaps. She had never even had the chance to step onto a larger domestic runway, let alone one of the four international fashion weeks.

It felt like a dream; fate had given her this opportunity, but unfortunately, she lacked the courage and confidence to seize it.

"Be more confident," Ye Zhiqiu said with a smile, "let's try again after we do your makeup."

Zhou Hui: "..."

She looked nervously at Wang Ru beside her.

Wang Ru, who had just regained some confidence due to Wei Tingjin's interaction with Ye Zhiqiu, now found herself struggling again, her lips tightly pressed together, silent.

Fortunately, the makeup artist arrived soon.

Based on Zhou Hui's personal characteristics from her previous life and the features of this outfit, Ye Zhiqiu briefly outlined his requirements to the makeup artist.

In her previous life, Zhou Hui had become very confident and radiant after gaining fame.

So Ye Zhiqiu hadn't initially planned to call in a makeup artist, intending only to conduct a preliminary fitting to see if any adjustments were needed.

The makeup artist was called in at the last minute by Wang Ru from their long-term makeup team.

Having extensive experience with runway makeup, the artist quickly assessed the situation and, combining Ye Zhiqiu's instructions, created a vibrant yet innocent look for Zhou Hui.

The Xiangyun silk is elegant, even in bright red, exuding grace and restraint.

The vibrant innocence on Zhou Hui's face perfectly offset her meekness and lack of confidence.

"Try it again," Ye Zhiqiu said.

Zhou Hui carefully carried the dress into the fitting room.

This dress was truly beautiful, like a streak of evening sky draped over her, its radiance almost overwhelming her.

Even though she had been modeling for several years, this was the first time Zhou Hui had seen such a stunning dress.

Fearing that her makeup might smudge the dress, she changed with utmost care.

When she emerged from the fitting room, Zhou Hui instinctively looked at Ye Zhiqiu and Wang Ru's expressions.

Ye Zhiqiu's expression remained unchanged, but Wang Ru's eyes immediately lit up.

She looked at Ye Zhiqiu as if unable to hide her surprise, but perhaps sensing his slightly serious demeanor, she quickly reined in her emotions.

"Teacher Ye," Zhou Hui called timidly.

"Look at yourself in the mirror," Ye Zhiqiu said.

Zhou Hui turned around.

The long skirt swayed behind her like flowing sunset clouds, breathtakingly beautiful.

She looked at her reflection.

Perhaps it was the dress enhancing her appearance, but for the first time, Zhou Hui felt she was beautiful.

The person in the mirror had broad shoulders and a slim waist, accentuated by the high waistline, making her legs appear exceptionally long—just like the most enviable figures on runways.

The fiery red Xiangyun silk draped over her added an enigmatic beauty unique to Eastern women.

If only I could be a bit more relaxed, Zhou Hui thought.

With this thought, she suddenly raised her eyes and looked at Ye Zhiqiu.

"Why aren't you confident?" Ye Zhiqiu asked gently, "You should see yourself—you are beautiful and excellent."

Zhou Hui: "..."

Being praised and given such an opportunity in adversity, Zhou Hui felt her eyes welling up with warmth.

"I just... have never had the chance to walk in such a show," Zhou Hui said, "I mostly did mall shows, and I've barely walked in proper fashion shows. I..."

Even though she practiced her movements until they became second nature, no one ever invited her.

"Do you feel this way when you walk in mall shows?" Ye Zhiqiu asked.

Zhou Hui shook her head.

That was a familiar scene; she didn't feel nervous or inferior.

"There you go," Ye Zhiqiu said, "no matter where you walk, the path beneath your feet remains the same. The runway in a mall and the runway in Paris both require the same two legs to walk on." So, don't be afraid."

"If you're really nervous," he smiled, "imagine every upcoming show as if you're walking in a mall."

Zhou Hui blinked, then lowered her gaze in contemplation.

Wang Ru looked at Ye Zhiqiu once again.

Because she found that the shackles on Zhou Hui were gradually disappearing.

Her limbs slowly unfolded, her posture becoming more graceful, and her expression finally calming down.

Could Zhou Hui be this beautiful?

Wang Ru couldn't help but marvel inwardly.

The girl she had seen before, who looked sickly and lacked vitality, seemed to have transformed completely in an instant.

She wondered how Ye Zhiqiu could see the hidden potential and qualities within her.

This time, Wang Ru truly admired Ye Zhiqiu.

She made up her mind that from now on, if Ye Zhiqiu said one thing, she would not say another, and if he went east, she would not go west.

"Very good." Ye Zhiqiu also smiled, turning to look at Wang Ru, "Before we leave, find a teacher to properly instruct her."

Wang Ru nodded, her confidence greatly boosted. As soon as Zhou Hui changed out of her clothes, she immediately took her to meet the teacher.

After they left, Ye Zhiqiu felt a bit of lingering fear and lit a cigarette to calm himself.

In his previous life, Zhou Hui became famous about four or five years later.

He only saw her achievements and glory, neglecting the fact that the current Zhou Hui was still a dull seed buried underground, yet to sprout.

But fortunately, good talent is good talent. Zhou Hui's comprehension ability is strong, and although she has some self-esteem issues, she is also very stubborn.

He believed that as long as she took on this responsibility, she would perform excellently.

Even if she wasn't the best, having fifty to sixty percent of her past performance would be enough.

But this matter still served as a warning to him.

Relying too much on past information might lead to a misstep one day, causing him to fall and shatter.

He needed to step back and spend more effort observing and thinking.

Just as he was quietly pondering, the internal phone beside him suddenly rang.

Ye Zhiqiu answered casually, "Hello, who is it?"

There was a brief silence, then Qin Jianhe's low voice sounded in his ear, "Ye Zhiqiu."

Ye Zhiqiu's hand trembled, and ash fell onto his shirt.

Perhaps because of their encounter, Qin Jianhe's voice sent a shiver down his spine, making him feel a tingling sensation.

"Mr. Qin," he said, pursing his lips.

"Come to my office," Qin Jianhe said.

"Business or personal?" Ye Zhiqiu asked cautiously.

There was a low chuckle from the other end, followed by silence.

After a moment, Qin Jianhe's amused voice came through.

"Both," he said.

"Bullshit," Ye Zhiqiu said, "I'm busy."

But after hanging up, he extinguished his cigarette and headed upstairs, almost involuntarily.

Only when he reached Qin Jianhe's office door did he suddenly realize what he was doing.

Why did he come up just because Qin Jianhe called him? Wouldn't that make him seem too eager?

Just as he was about to turn back, Zhou Tongxin emerged from Qin Jianhe's office.

"Teacher Xiao Ye," Zhou Tongxin said, holding a thick stack of documents, "Do you need something from Mr. Qin?"

"Oh," Ye Zhiqiu stopped, maintaining a polite smile, "I wanted to discuss something about the exhibition with Mr. Qin."

"You've come at the right time," Zhou Tongxin whispered, gossiping, "Our leader seems to have come back to life recently. He's in a particularly good mood. When I went in, he was talking on the phone and laughing."

Ye Zhiqiu: "... Ha ha."

To be honest, Zhou Tongxin had never seen Qin Jianhe laugh like that in all the years he had worked for him.

Wow!

That was his icy-faced boss, actually laughing like that?

Zhou Tongxin was stunned.

Especially when he first entered the room, he almost turned back to check if he had gone to the wrong place or if his boss was possessed.

Zhou Tongxin was caught up in his gossip, but he still maintained his basic professionalism as a secretary.

Knowing that he should be reserved around outsiders, he suppressed his smile and said to Ye Zhiqiu, "Teacher Xiao Ye, you've come at the right time. Go ahead and enter."

When Zhou Tongxin walked away, Ye Zhiqiu pursed his lips and knocked on Qin Jianhe's door.

This time, no one said to come in.

Because the door was pulled open from the inside.

Caught off guard, Ye Zhiqiu met Qin Jianhe's deep gaze.

Those eyes seemed to burn with a hidden flame, causing Ye Zhiqiu's mind to buzz loudly.

In the next second, he was pulled inside by Qin Jianhe, who had grabbed his wrist.

A faint click echoed by his ear, and Ye Zhiqiu froze for a moment before realizing that Qin Jianhe had locked the door.