Chapter 10 Are You Crazy?

Chapter 10: Got a Death Wish?

As soon as Gu Qingyin stepped out, Bai Jiali, who had been watching her, immediately approached with a polite smile. "Miss Gu, are you leaving? Let me walk you out."

Gu Qingyin stood still, sizing her up.

"Who told you I was leaving? Are you trying to kick me out on Huo Xingye's behalf? Do the secretaries at Huo Corporation really have so much authority that they can order the CEO around? You seem quite practiced at this—surely it’s not your first time. Does Huo Xingye know you’re overstepping like this?"

Bai Jiali panicked. "No, I didn’t—don’t twist my words! I just saw you come out and assumed you were leaving, so I asked casually." Then, feeling somewhat justified, she snapped, "If you’re not leaving, why did you come out?"

"To grab some food. Where’s the kitchenette?" Gu Qingyin asked naturally, as if she hadn’t just dressed someone down.

Biting back her anger, Bai Jiali coldly pointed in a direction.

Before leaving, Gu Qingyin shot her a glance and advised, "You should take some emotional intelligence classes in your free time."

Bai Jiali froze for a second before her face flushed crimson. Her EQ was not low! Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down.

She had to admit, Gu Qingyin was different from the other women—favored, sharp-tongued, and hard to deal with. She needed to change tactics.

Lost in thought, she turned back to her desk, unaware of the other secretaries and assistants exchanging knowing glances. The little white lotus was about to start another round of scheming—this would be entertaining.

The kitchenette on the floor where Huo Corporation’s CEO worked was, unsurprisingly, top-notch. But even so, its luxury still made Gu Qingyin exclaim, "Wow!"

Due to work, she’d visited many companies, big and small, but none had a kitchenette that could compare to this one.

An espresso machine, dessert rack, imported snack section, beverage zone, instant hot pot meals and rice—everything was well-stocked. There were even dedicated dining tables and chairs nearby. Though none of these items were particularly expensive, the fact that they were free to enjoy made them all the more enticing.

Tsk, tsk, tsk. Huo Corporation’s employees were living the dream.

After browsing around, Gu Qingyin picked up a slice of cake, heated a cup of milk, and carried them back to the office.

Without a word, she set the items on Huo Xingye’s desk and fixed him with a stare.

Huo Xingye: "I’ll eat in a bit."

Gu Qingyin nodded understandingly. "No rush, take your time. I’m just looking around." Then she continued staring.

Under immense pressure, Huo Xingye sighed in resignation, set aside the document in his hand, and quickly finished the cake in a few bites. He then chugged half the milk in one go.

The dairy smell rushed up his nose, making him frown. "I can’t drink any more."

Gu Qingyin raised an eyebrow. "Milk may taste awful, but it’s nutritious. Come on, treat it like medicine and finish it."

Huo Xingye: "..."

Holding his breath, he gulped the remaining milk, then immediately grabbed another cup to rinse his mouth.

Once the milky aftertaste faded, he felt as though he’d lost a certain kind of freedom.

Motherly concern—it was never simple.

After the meal, Huo Xingye returned to work, while Gu Qingyin, satisfied, went back to her own seat, unfolded some talisman paper, and prepared to draw a couple of talismans.

By the time both were done, it was almost 12:30.

Gu Qingyin couldn't help but think, at least Huo Xingye had eaten something earlier—otherwise, he’d be starving by now.

"Let’s go eat!"

As soon as the mother and son walked out the door, Bai Jiali, who had been waiting at her workstation for a long time, immediately stood up and headed straight for the elevator without a backward glance.

Only when Huo Xingye stopped beside her did she turn around in surprise, smiling as she said, "Mr. Huo, you haven't eaten yet? Why not join me? I heard there’s a new seafood stall downstairs—they say it's amazing."

Huo Xingye didn't mind and turned to ask, "Do you want seafood?"

"Sure," Gu Qingyin replied with a grin. "But I don’t like peeling shells, so that's your job."

Huo Xingye simply hummed in agreement.

Though he had never done this for anyone before, taking care of her was only natural.

Bai Jiali kept a polite smile plastered on her face, but inside she was screaming, *How dare that woman?! And Huo Xingye actually agreed! Has he been cursed or something?!*

The moment this thought crossed her mind, Bai Jiali’s heart skipped a beat. At first, it was just an internal rant, but the more she thought about it, the more convinced she became.

How else could Huo Xingye’s sudden change in behavior be explained? There was simply no other explanation!

"Secretary Bai?"

Snapping out of her thoughts, Bai Jiali realized Huo Xingye and Gu Qingyin had already entered the elevator. She hurried in after them, apologizing, "Sorry, I zoned out for a second." Then, she turned to face the elevator doors, her gaze firm with determination—she *had* to expose Gu Qingyin’s true nature and save Mr. Huo from her clutches!

The Huo Group’s cafeteria occupied the entire first and second floors, serving every cuisine imaginable. The chefs had been poached from high-end restaurants, and the dishes they prepared were as delicious as they were beautiful, making the cafeteria one of the company’s most famous benefits.

Many college graduates applied to Huo Group specifically for the cafeteria.

Even so, Huo Xingye rarely ate there.

Thus, the moment he stepped into the cafeteria, he became the center of attention—though most people didn’t dare stare openly, sneaking glances while wondering why the CEO had suddenly graced them with his presence today.

One look, then another… Everyone recognized Secretary Bai, but who was that mysterious woman beside Mr. Huo? What was her relationship with him?

*Whoa!* Mr. Huo was serving her food? Shelling shrimp for her? Even dismantling crabs?!

Before the lunch break was even over, news of Huo Xingye and his suspected girlfriend showing off their relationship in the cafeteria had spread through every company group chat, including the executives’ group.

Bai Jiali was so mad she saw stars and took the afternoon off.

Meanwhile, Gu Qingyin, completely unaware of the uproar, returned to the office. After a nap in Huo Xingye’s private lounge, she stepped out only to find the entire world had changed.

The previously aloof secretaries had suddenly become weirdly friendly, throwing her off balance.

Holding her afternoon tea, she politely declined the fifth secretary’s offer of fruit before quickly ducking back into the office. Walking up to Huo Xingye’s desk, she asked suspiciously, "Did something happen at the company during lunch?"

Huo Xingye countered, "What do you mean?"

Seeing the genuine confusion in his clear eyes, she waved a hand dismissively. "Never mind, get back to work." Sitting down, she pulled out her phone and messaged Xue Ning: *Add me to the company gossip group.*

Xue Ning, who was on a business trip far away, was baffled but complied.

After adding her, he skimmed through the group messages.

When he saw people talking about the appearance of Huo Xingye’s supposed girlfriend, he was both shocked and intrigued—and also confused. Shouldn’t he have been the first to know if Huo Xingye had a girlfriend?

Then, scrolling further up, he saw the photos of Gu Qingyin and Huo Xingye eating together, and Xue Ning almost lost it.

*What the hell is all this? Who started this rumor?! Do they have a death wish?!*