Chapter 37

Chapter 37

Since Aunt Wang arrived, all the cooking work at home was all on her.

It must be said, this new housekeeper was indeed professional – she only did her assigned tasks, barely said a word, arrived punctually at mealtimes to prepare the dishes, and cleaned up and left after meals.

Moreover, her cooking skills were excellent; not only was she good at Sichuan cuisine, but she could cook a little of everything, and she would whip up all kinds of snacks for Song Nian as after-meal treats.

Song Nian, happily stuffed with the food, had long forgotten about takeout.

Now on the dining table, there was usually half lightly seasoned, simple dishes and half greasy, salty, blazing hot dishes, catering to their two different tastes.

They looked totally mismatched but somehow got along, satisfying each other's preferences.

Just like the two people sitting at the table.

Every time he saw his favorite dishes on the table, Song Nian felt a warm wave wash over him.

Come to think of it, this was the first time anyone ever put his needs and preferences first.

He didn't have to settle or bend to others’ tastes anymore; instead, he could directly express his own thoughts and actually come first.

This was a form of attention and respect.

It wasn’t something he got to feel often back when he was the older brother.

Song Nian once talked Li Yanchuan into taking another bite of his favorite dishes, watching his face turn red from the spiciness the moment it entered his mouth, and cracked up at his own mischief.

Life seemed to have become more harmonious.

————

The day finally arrived for Li Yanchuan to take up his new position.

Thanks to Li Yi's sneaky planning, the so-called new position was given the nice label of "recover and not get bored."

To set the stage for what came next, he naturally agreed.

And today was the first day on the job, so he had to go to the company.

Hearing footsteps on the stairs, Li Yanchuan turned around and locked eyes with Song Nian who was coming down for breakfast.

"Good morning, you're going to the company today, right?"

Their eyes met in midair; Song Nian, yawning as he spoke, froze when he saw the scene in the living room, so shocked he nearly stopped mid-step.

His mouth just hung open.

He hadn't seen Li Yanchuan this dressed up since the wedding – in a suit and tie, incredibly handsome.

His hair was slicked back with pomade, sharp and mature. The black suit—stiff fabric, perfect tailoring—looked great on Li Yanchuan, paired with a masculine tie and watch, making him appear steady and reliable.

His whole body gave off that model-off-duty vibe that was hard to look away from.

Especially when he pursed his lips expressionlessly, even sitting in a wheelchair, his commanding presence didn't fade one bit.

Perhaps this was the very definition of "sexy in uniform."

No wonder they say a uniform is a man's best makeover – who could resist that?

No wonder he's my dream guy!

Song Nian chuckled, trotted up, his gaze locked on him adoringly.

"Why are you staring at me?"

Seeing him practically gawking, and he had even forgotten to eat his favorite breakfast, Li Yanchuan smirked in amusement and told him to sit down at the table and eat first.

"Because you look good!"

Hearing this, Song Nian grinned even wider, tilted his head, and wasn't stingy with the compliments.

Hearing it so bluntly made Li Yanchuan shy; he turned his head, cleared his throat awkwardly behind his fist.

Clearly it was a very standard outfit, but being praised like that, his ears secretly went red.

After breakfast, the driver and assistant arrived in the villa courtyard. Just as Li Yanchuan was about to go out, sudden, scampering footsteps sounded behind him.

Along with Song Nian's reminder:

"Hold up, hold up! I'm all set!"

Hearing this, the man turned around and saw Song Nian jogging over while buttoning his shirt.

Dressed like that, he obviously was heading out too.

Seeing the man's questioning expression, he put his hands on his hips and announced, full of conviction:

"I'm going to the company with you too."

After all, this was the first time Li Yanchuan had formally appeared at the company since the wedding. Although it wasn't the headquarters, what if there were still curious or ill-intentioned people stirring up trouble?

He had to go along personally to feel at ease.

"Don't worry, I brought bodyguards."

Understanding his meaning, Li Yanchuan comforted him.

How is that the same?

Although he wasn't as strong as the bodyguards or as experienced, as the saying goes, everything exists for a reason – tagging along's got to be useful for something!

Even if it was just to be their lucky charm.

Knowing he couldn't talk him out of it, Song Nian just went for it, shoved his wheelchair into the car without another word, then muscled his way in from the other door.

He parked his butt in the seat, arms crossed, chin raised – with a look that said he'd rather die than get out.

They had a stare-off for a good while; though he put on a bold front, seeing Li Yanchuan's unchanging expression, he actually felt a bit uncertain.

Is he gonna get tossed out by the bodyguards?

Just as Song Nian's mind was racing, the man in the wheelchair suddenly let out a quiet laugh.

This low chuckle was like the arrival of early spring, cracks appearing on the frozen river surface, with surging undercurrents carrying vitality.

In an instant, all things revived, spring filled the air.

Somehow melting at that smile and low chuckle, Song Nian was momentarily dazed, swallowed, and his face turned red.

He still hadn't fully recovered from his shyness when Li Yanchuan leaned in even closer.

The distance between them suddenly shrank, and the man's figure dilated in his vision, filling his entire field of sight.

It seemed that with just a fraction more, their lips could touch.

Startled by his own imagination, like a volcano had erupted, Song Nian's face flushed bright red, like a ripe tomato.

Just as his brain was overloaded, trying to figure out why Li Yanchuan had suddenly leaned in so close, a crisp clicking sound rang out, and the person before him pulled away.

It was only then that Song Nian realized his seatbelt had been fastened.

So he had just leaned in to help him put on his seatbelt...

The weight lifted from his heart, but then an inexplicable emptiness crept in.

Why was he feeling disappointed?

Before he could figure out why he was disappointed, he heard Li Yanchuan ask in confusion:

"Is it really that hot in the car?"

Otherwise, why would someone's cheeks be so red they looked like they were about to drip blood?

Before the denial could leave his mouth, he heard the man tell the driver to turn the AC down.

Feeling the strong gusts of cold air hitting his face, Song Nian fell silent.

Fine, let's just say I'm really that hot.

————

The Bentley pulled into the underground parking lot of the office building, where the subsidiary's office was located.

Although the office space was spacious and looked impressive, this business line was newly developed, and the brand's actual value was low—almost like a marginal department or an experiment.

The bodyguards and driver stayed on the first floor, while the assistant went ahead to the administrative office, while Li Yanchuan and Song Nian took the elevator directly to the top-floor office.

The top floor housed the CEO's office and the secretarial department, separated by a corridor, so they could be called on at any time.

As they walked through the corridor, curious gazes peeked out from the offices, sizing up the two walking side by side, but there was no malice.

As a first-timer here, Song Nian looked around curiously but kept pace, staying close beside Li Yanchuan.

Compared to the formally dressed CEO, his outfit today was somewhere between casual and formal.

A white V-neck shirt with French puff sleeves made the shirt less stiff, paired with black casual pants that flattered his leg shape. His long, straight legs were slender and straight, and his fair, clean-cut features made him look almost like a celebrity.

Actually, he had wanted to wear a suit, but he was afraid of overdoing it. What if he ended up blending in with the bodyguard and driver team? How embarrassing that would be. So he had switched to a regular shirt.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the corridor, outlining his soft silhouette. His already fair skin became as translucent as glass, like an angel descending.

One in white, one in black; one steady, one sunny. The two walking together were surprisingly pleasing to the eye—they looked good together.

The secretarial staff thought in unison: What a perfect couple.

Just as their inner gossip was blazing, they looked up and caught the man's warning gaze. They immediately lowered their heads, pretending to work, acting as if nothing had happened.

Instead, they frantically texted each other.

"What are you looking at?"

Turning his head to see Li Yanchuan glancing the other way, Song Nian, looking away, asked curiously.

"Nothing."

Li Yanchuan just shook his head.

Just as they arrived outside the CEO's office and were about to open the door, someone suddenly appeared from around the corner.

"Oh? If it isn't our new big CEO?"

The voice was sarcastic, sharp, and mean—clearly not someone nice. Song Nian turned to see a long-haired man standing with his arms crossed against the wall at the far end of the corridor.

That spot was at the end of the corridor; he must have been waiting there specifically for them.

After recognizing him, Li Yanchuan's eyes narrowed slightly, showing hostility.

He recognized him as a friend of Li Wenguang. Showing up here now probably meant trouble.

"Look at you, still in a wheelchair. Can you even stand? Rushing to work before your legs have healed?"

The long-haired man sneered, then abruptly changed the topic.

"So worried about being squeezed out of the corporate management by Wenguang, huh? Can't wait to make an appearance at the company. If you ask me, he's more fit for that position than you."

Hearing the admiration and pride in the man's tone when he mentioned Li Wenguang, Song Nian suddenly had an epiphany.

This guy... is he also one of the fish in Li Wenguang's pond?

Otherwise, who in their right mind would be dumb enough to offend a newly appointed boss?

Unless they want to get fired.

Li Wenguang, you're a real menace.

And that was indeed the case. The long-haired man, named Qin Xia, was originally an outstanding designer who had been completely charmed by Li Wenguang, even agreeing to condescend to join this subsidiary company.

Li Wenguang's original intention in seducing him was to poach talent to develop this business line and claim it as his own achievement.

But his abilities were limited; the new brand barely survived. After a while, he lost interest and became a hands-off manager.

As for Qin Xia, like the original protagonist back then, he willingly devoted himself to Li Wenguang, even waiting here today to please him, and harshly humiliate Li Yanchuan.

Relying on his status as the brand's pillar, he assumed someone abandoned like Li Yanchuan wouldn't dare cross him.

"Who would have thought that the once-glorious CEO Li would end up like this? Are you going to spend the rest of your life in a wheelchair?"

Qin Xia let out a scornful laugh, raising his eyebrows in a leisurely provocation.

The provocation was too obvious. Li Yanchuan cast a cold glance at this reckless fool, but before he could say anything, Song Nian stepped in front of him.

He blocked Li Yanchuan, hands on his hips, looking at Qin Xia with pity, and sighed:

"Ah, did Li Wenguang put you up to this, or did you do it on your own to win his favor? I bet it's the latter, right?"

"Do you even know that guy is selfish, greedy, and completely useless?"

"What a shame, you're so devoted, but you're just one of the hundreds of fish in his pond."