The drive to the office was thick with an unusual silence.

Lin Xi glanced at Song Xu. He looked solemn, his eyes fixed on the road ahead, yet they seemed slightly vacant as if his mind was miles away.

Is it safe for him to be driving like this?

“Brother Xu!” Lin Xi called out.

Song Xu snapped back to reality, realizing he had just missed a turn. After doubling back, he remembered she had called him and glanced over. “What is it?”

“It’s nothing,” Lin Xi replied, noting his mistake. “What were you thinking about?”

Seriously, what is on his mind? She thanked her lucky stars that traffic was light. She wasn’t ready to meet an early grave just yet.

“Do you have any other family?” Song Xu asked. He realized he didn’t know much about her personal history, only that she had a grandmother and potentially a missing brother.

Lin Xi went quiet for a few seconds. “Grandma is the only family I have left.”

“What about your parents? You never mentioned them,” Song Xu pressed.

“They…” As the word left her lips, Lin Xi’s fists clenched. A weight seemed to settle on her chest, making it difficult to draw a full breath. “They’re dead.”

Sensing the sudden shift in her mood, Song Xu immediately dropped the subject. “What do you want for lunch?”

Lin Xi forced herself to calm down. “Anything is fine. I’m not a picky eater.”

Song Xu remembered her fondness for spicy and sweet flavors. “How about spicy hot pot?”

“Yes!” Lin Xi agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

She quickly pushed the thought of her parents to the back of her mind. Wasting tears on people who didn’t deserve them was a luxury she couldn’t afford. In truth, she hoped she would never have to see them again for as long as she lived.

—

Song Xu knew of a popular hot pot restaurant near the office. After parking, they headed inside, where Song Xu requested a private room to ensure they wouldn’t be disturbed.

Song Xu could handle a little spice, but not much. Nevertheless, he ordered a “Yuan-Yang” double-flavored pot—one side mild, the other a numbing, extra-spicy broth.

The air in the room was thick with the scent of chili and peppercorns. Lin Xi took a deep breath, the aroma instantly sharpening her appetite.

When the pot arrived, Lin Xi stared at the bright red, bubbling broth, unconsciously swallowing. It looked absolutely divine.

Song Xu rubbed his nose. Can she really eat something that spicy?

As the plates of raw ingredients arrived, Lin Xi prepared two dipping sauces: a rich sesame paste and a classic spicy oil dip. Since this was her first time eating hot pot at a restaurant, she wanted to see which one lived up to the hype.

Song Xu also ordered two chilled desserts to help neutralize the heat.

Lin Xi took her first bite of sliced mutton dipped in the spicy oil. The combination of numbing heat and savory meat was explosive. “This is incredible!”

If Song Xu enjoyed spice as much as she did, she’d be tempted to make hot pot at the apartment more often.

Is it really that good? Curious, Song Xu fished a piece of meat from the spicy side. The moment he swallowed, his throat and stomach felt as if they had been doused in liquid fire.

He lunged for a glass of ice water, but it did little to help. Tears actually began to prick at his eyes from the sheer intensity.

It was a bit humiliating, but fortunately, Lin Xi was too focused on her meal to notice his struggle. He eventually retreated to the mild side of the pot, nursing his pride with chilled watermelon and yogurt.

Lin Xi, meanwhile, was having the time of her life. Her eyes were watering and her nose was running, but she couldn’t stop. Her lips were flushed a deep, swollen red as she alternated between wiping away tears and taking another bite.

Song Xu, having finished his own meal, spent the rest of the time serving her. “Is it not too spicy?”

“It’s spicy,” she managed between gasps, “and numbing. It’s perfect.”

Song Xu watched her, feeling the heat just by looking at her. Why do people do this to themselves?

—

By the time they finished, Lin Xi’s eyes were slightly red, the tip of her nose was pink, and her lips were a fiery crimson.

As they walked out of the restaurant, Song Xu took her hand and teased, “Look at you. Anyone who sees you now will think I’ve been bullying you.”

Lin Xi didn’t catch his meaning at first. It wasn’t until they were back in the car and she saw her reflection in the mirror that she realized what he was implying. Her face flushed a shade of red that rivaled her lips.

Wherever they went, Song Xu kept her hand firmly in his. Within just two days, Lin Xi had already grown accustomed to the gesture.

As they entered the corporate lobby, the receptionist greeted them warmly. “Good afternoon, President Song. Good afternoon, Miss Lin.”

The staff had spent the entire morning digging around until they finally discovered Lin Xi’s surname.

Lin Xi gave a friendly smile. “Hello.”

Song Xu, true to form, merely offered a cold, curt nod. The receptionist didn’t take it personally; the upper management was always aloof. They much preferred Miss Lin—she was gentle, cute, and far more approachable.

Up on the seventeenth floor, the entire staff was present. Those who had missed her the day before were now staring intently.

Shu Xi was there as well. Seeing Song Xu holding Lin Xi’s hand made her grip her pen so hard it nearly snapped. How is this woman any better than me? Why does she get to take my place?

Song Xu suddenly came to a halt in the middle of the hall. Lin Xi looked at him, confused. “Why did we stop?”

“You missed a spot.” Song Xu reached out, his thumb gently brushing over her slightly swollen lower lip. It was incredibly soft.

Lin Xi hurriedly rubbed her lip with the back of her hand. She hadn’t noticed anything in the car mirror. What could possibly be there?

“There. Let’s go.” Song Xu took her hand again and led her toward his office.

The moment the door closed behind them, the office erupted into hushed whispers.

“Is that the CEO’s girlfriend? She’s stunning. Look at that figure!”

“I know, right? They look so good together.”

“Did you see Miss Lin’s lips? Hehe, they looked a little… swollen!”

“I saw! Do you think the CEO kissed her? He looks so repressed and stoic, but maybe he’s actually a wild one in private!”

Shu Xi overheard every word. Unable to contain herself, she slammed her hand onto her desk. “What right does she have to be his girlfriend? She’s nothing more than a plaything!”

The office went dead silent. No one dared to respond to her outburst, but someone nearby quietly caught the entire scene on video.

—

Inside the office, unaware of the drama outside, Lin Xi immediately checked the time. “President Song, it is currently 1:30 PM. From this moment on, I am officially your part-time secretary.”

Song Xu rolled his eyes. “So precise. Do you want to go half-sies on that lunch bill, then?”

Lin Xi blinked. “Huh? Wasn’t that a business meal?”

“What kind of company serves hot pot for a business meal?” Song Xu snorted.

“It was a business meal for my role as your girlfriend,” Lin Xi muttered. “If we’re splitting the bill, I’ll just go back to the apartment and cook for myself next time.”

Song Xu found himself speechless. This girl really was a stubborn little stone—and she knew exactly how to get under his skin.

A knock at the door interrupted them. Zhang Qing stepped in. “President Song, you’re just in time. There’s a high-level executive meeting in the twentieth-floor conference room in ten minutes. Please don’t forget to attend.”

Song Xu gave a brief “Mm,” then tossed a notebook and a pen to Lin Xi.

“You’re coming to the meeting with me.”

Zhang Qing paused, looking confused. “…Then what about me?”