“Who is Shu Xi?” Song Xu asked, the name unfamiliar to him.

Zhang Qing stole a glance at Lin Xi, who was standing nearby. “She’s the girl you just called an ‘idiot.’”

“How did someone that stupid even get hired?” Song Xu muttered under his breath.

“President Song, Shu Xi is actually Director Shu’s daughter,” Zhang Qing reported in a low voice. “Apparently, he wanted her to gain some experience at the grassroots level before moving her into a mid-level management position later on.”

This was supposed to be a secret, but Zhang Qing had a former classmate working for Director Shu who had passed along the word to look after her.

He had never liked Shu Xi. She wasn’t particularly capable, but she certainly acted like she was above everyone else. She argued whenever she was given a task, and arriving late or leaving early was a regular occurrence for her. Whenever President Song wasn’t around, she was the first to slip away.

“Director Shu’s daughter?” Song Xu’s eyes darkened. “Does he think he owns this company? That he can just park his daughter wherever he pleases?”

Technically, his family owned the company, and the irony wasn’t lost on Zhang Qing, who kept his head down and remained silent.

Lin Xi broke the tension. “Xu Ge, maybe I should wait outside while you two finish discussing business?”

It didn’t feel right for her, an outsider, to be privy to internal company politics.

Song Xu turned to her, his voice softening considerably. “Xixi, why don’t you rest on the sofa for a bit? I’ll come keep you company as soon as I’m done.”

Fighting back a wave of internal cringe, Lin Xi forced a smile. “Alright.”

Zhang Qing’s jaw practically hit the floor. Good heavens, is this still the Young President Song I know? Where’s the cold, arrogant attitude? Since when did he become so… domestic?

Lin Xi sat on the sofa and leaned her head against her hand, trying to process Song Xu’s sudden shift in attitude. She had to keep reminding herself: It’s fake. It’s just an act. Don’t take any of it seriously.

Song Xu ignored their reactions and tapped his fingers on the project plan.

“Zhang Qing,” he said after a moment, signing his name and sliding the folder back. “Submit it exactly like this.”

“What?” Zhang Qing’s eyes widened. “President Song, you mean we aren’t going to fix the error?”

Song Xu nodded. “Keep a close eye on this project. I want to see exactly whose pockets that money ends up in.”

Zhang Qing understood immediately. They were casting a long line to catch a big fish. He took the documents and left the office.

Song Xu tapped the desk. “Come back and sit. Keep reading.”

Finally, he’s back to normal. Lin Xi let out a quiet sigh of relief and sat back down across from him.

The office fell silent once more. Lin Xi returned to her learning, and Song Xu went back to his files.

Time flew by until Zhang Qing knocked on the door again. “President Song, are we working late tonight?”

Song Xu checked the time. It was already past the end of the workday. Lin Xi had been sitting there for three or four hours without saying a word or moving an inch.

“No. You can head out.”

Satisfied, Zhang Qing left with a grin.

“Let’s go.” Song Xu began clearing his desk.

Lin Xi organized the files by category and waited for him. Once the computer was off, Song Xu grabbed his car keys, walked around the desk, and took her hand as they walked out of the office.

There were still employees at their desks. When they saw President Song walking out hand-in-hand with a girl, their eyes nearly popped out of their heads.

Good lord, President Song has a girlfriend!

Shu Xi watched them leave, her eyes burning with resentment. Why? Why does she get to be the one?

Song Xu didn’t let go of Lin Xi’s hand as they made their way from the seventeenth floor to the lobby. The receptionist recognized Lin Xi and immediately covered her mouth in shock. I’m dead. That was the girl from lunch!

She was bringing food for the Young President! That secretary really led her astray. She was certain she’d be fired by tomorrow morning.

Lin Xi had a good impression of the receptionist, who had been polite and kind. As she passed the desk, she gave the girl a small, reassuring smile and a nod. The receptionist felt half the weight lift off her chest as she gave a tiny wave back. Maybe her job was safe after all.

—

In the car, Song Xu drove with a dark expression while Lin Xi remained silent. The atmosphere was stifling.

As they drove past the apartment gates, Lin Xi couldn’t help but speak up. “President Song, you missed the turn.”

Song Xu acted as if he hadn’t heard her, pressing down on the accelerator. The car sped up.

Lin Xi stole a glance at him. His face was set in a grim line, and she felt a flicker of fear. Who set him off? Why the sudden mood swing? This man is so mercurial.

She swallowed hard and tried a different approach. “Xu Ge… where are we going?”

“To the mall,” Song Xu said, finally slowing the car down.

Lin Xi let out a quiet sigh. Apparently, she’d just used the wrong title earlier.

After parking in the basement, they took the elevator to the fifth floor—an entire level dedicated to high-end women’s boutiques. Song Xu’s grip on her hand never loosened as he led her from one store to the next.

Eventually, Lin Xi’s legs started to tire. “Xu Ge, are you buying a gift for someone?”

They had visited nearly a dozen shops, and he hadn’t seen a single thing he liked.

“I’m buying for you,” Song Xu replied. “Don’t you see anything you like?”

“Me?” Lin Xi was bewildered. “Why would you buy clothes for me? I don’t need anything.”

She had no interest in these brands because she couldn’t afford them. If something didn’t belong in her world, she didn’t waste time looking at it.

“I need you to have them,” Song Xu grumbled. “Dressing like that reflects poorly on me.”

Lin Xi looked down at her clothes. They were clean, just old. Was Song Xu really that shallow? Did he only care about appearances? Her mood plummeted, but she didn’t say a word.

“You’re my woman now,” Song Xu said, leaning down to catch her eye. “I have to spend money on you. Otherwise, people will think I’m a total skinflint.”

Lin Xi looked up. “That’s the only reason?”

“What else would it be?” Song Xu rolled his eyes. “We’ll get a few outfits first, then head downstairs for jewelry. Your neck and wrists look too bare. Think of these as work uniforms and essential supplies.”

Lin Xi thought about it and decided he had a point. Standing next to Song Xu in her threadbare clothes would look suspicious; no one would believe they were together.

“Alright, then.”

She remembered a shop they had passed earlier that had clothes more suited to her style. She pointed toward it. “Let’s try that one.”

Song Xu nodded and led her back to the boutique. He flipped over a couple of price tags—two or three thousand yuan. Too cheap.

Lin Xi saw the tags too and whispered, “Xu Ge, this is way too expensive. Maybe I should just buy something online.”

Song Xu felt a headache coming on. Why couldn’t Lin Xi be like other girls and just spend a man’s money? He was practically begging to buy her things, and she was still being difficult.

“How about I just take you to Chanel?” he suggested, remembering his mother’s favorite brand.

“No, let’s just stay here.” Lin Xi knew about Chanel. One outfit there cost as much as ten here. She’d be too terrified to even move if she were wearing something that expensive.

Song Xu scanned the store before turning to the clerk. “I’ll take every new arrival from this season.”

He gave Lin Xi a little nudge forward. “In her size.”