“What do you mean you haven’t ‘caught’ her yet?” Song Qingshi’s eyes narrowed. “Did she turn you down, or is she just playing hard to get?”

He couldn’t fathom a woman rejecting his son. Though Song Xu might not be as seasoned as he was, the boy was tall, handsome, brilliant, and highly capable.

Song Xu shook his head. “It’s not a game. She just has a very keen sense of self-awareness.” He knew exactly what Lin Xi was thinking; he simply hadn’t given her enough of a sense of security yet.

Song Qingshi didn’t buy it. “Women with that kind of brain are craftier than you think,” he warned. “Don’t let yourself be played like a fiddle without even realizing it.”

“Dad, I’m no fool.” Song Xu stood up, grabbed his hat, and tucked Lin Xi’s notebook under his arm. “If there’s nothing else, I’m heading back down.”

“Wait,” Song Qingshi called out. “Don’t go too far with Director Shu.”

Song Xu paused. “Did you know he planted his daughter in my department?”

“His daughter?” Song Qingshi tapped his fingers on the mahogany desk, his expression thoughtful. “Is he really entertaining such delusional fantasies?”

“He’s a toad lusting after swan meat,” Song Xu sneered. “The father and daughter are equally dim-witted.”

“Just watch your back,” his father cautioned. “Don’t fall into their traps.”

“Don’t worry. I’m leaving.” Song Xu hurried out of the CEO’s office, eager to get back to Lin Xi.

—

The moment Song Xu stepped off the elevator onto the 17th floor, he felt the shift in the air. The office was suffocatingly quiet.

The staff members were all hunched over their desks, heads down, not a single whisper to be heard. He quickened his pace, his heart sinking. Did something happen to Lin Xi?

As he strode toward his office, the employees collectively lifted their heads, necks craned, eyes hungry for the next act of the drama.

Just as he passed Zhang Qing’s office, the assistant bolted out and grabbed his arm. “President Song, something happened!”

“What is it? Who’s involved? Where is Lin Xi?” Song Xu’s voice was sharp. He had only been gone for a few minutes.

Zhang Qing pulled him into his office. “Miss Lin is in your room. She just got into a scrap with Shu Xi. Shu Xi ran off crying to find her father.”

“Is Lin Xi hurt?” Song Xu’s brow furrowed. That Shu woman had some nerve. She knew Lin Xi was with him, yet she still dared to lay a finger on her?

Zhang Qing shook his head quickly. “Miss Lin is fine. But Shu Xi’s forehead is quite… swollen.”

The tension in Song Xu’s shoulders vanished instantly. “As long as Xixi is okay. I’ll go see her.”

Song Xu pushed open his office door to find Lin Xi calmly flipping through a management book from his personal collection. Hearing the door, she looked up and stood, her expression indifferent. “President Song, you’re back.”

“Xixi.” He reached her in two strides, checking her from head to toe. “Are you hurt anywhere?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine, but I think I’ve caused more trouble for you.”

“You’re all that matters,” he said, brushing a stray hair from her forehead. “Tell me, how did it start?”

Lin Xi calmly recounted the encounter. After returning from the meeting, Shu Xi had gone out of her way to shoulder-check Lin Xi.

The impact had sent Lin Xi stumbling. She had grabbed Shu Xi’s arm, demanding an apology.

Shu Xi had simply sneered, shaking her off with a look of pure disgust. “Don’t touch me. You reek of a tramp.” With a smug toss of her head, she started to walk away.

Lin Xi took a deep breath. She handed her laptop to Zhang Qing. “Assistant Zhang, hold this for a second.”

Zhang Qing took the device, feeling a sudden sense of dread. “Miss Lin, maybe we should just wait for President Song in the office?”

“You go ahead. I need to talk some sense into her.” Lin Xi didn’t wait. She caught up to Shu Xi in a few quick strides, grabbed her by the collar, and yanked. “Apologize!”

Caught off guard, Shu Xi lost her balance and landed hard on her backside. The entire floor went silent as every eye turned toward them.

Livid, Shu Xi scrambled up and lunged. “You bitch! How dare you touch me? I’ll kill you, you little fox!”

Lin Xi was already a step ahead. She shifted her weight back and leaned away, letting the slap whistle past her face. Shu Xi had put so much force into the swing that she spun herself around.

Before she could stabilize, Lin Xi’s palm connected with her cheek.

Smack!

The sound echoed through the hall. The onlookers winced in collective, sympathetic pain.

Shu Xi stood frozen, clutching her face. “You… you slapped me? Do you even know who my father is?”

“Didn’t your mother tell you?” Lin Xi asked coldly.

So what if her father was a director? He was a big shot at Xingyue, but outside these walls, he was just another wealthy man. He had no power over her.

Besides, Lin Xi realized then that her contract with Song Xu was actually quite useful. If she was going to be accused of being a “fox,” she might as well enjoy the perks of his protection.

“You…!” Shu Xi was vibrating with rage. Realizing she couldn’t win with words, she scanned the room for a weapon. She spotted a broom in the corner and snatched it up, charging at Lin Xi.

If she couldn’t out-talk her, she would beat her. As long as she didn’t kill the girl, her father’s money could settle the rest. She just needed to vent this fury.

Lin Xi saw her coming. She remembered the small plastic figurine in her pocket—a promotional gift from their lunch earlier. Before Shu Xi could close the distance, Lin Xi flicked her wrist.

Her aim was true. The toy caught Shu Xi square in the forehead.

Fearing the sight of blood, Lin Xi immediately covered her own eyes. If there was even a drop, she’d be the one fainting, and she couldn’t afford to lose the upper hand now.

“Ah!” Shu Xi dropped the broom, collapsing to the floor as she clutched her head in a wail.

“Oh, goodness me!” Zhang Qing paced nearby, wringing his hands. The entire fight had escalated and ended in less than two minutes. Women, he realized, were far more decisive when it came to brawling.

“Miss Lin, are you okay?” Zhang Qing rushed to her side. He saw her covering her face and panicked. “Did she hit you?”

“Is she bleeding?” Lin Xi asked, her eyes still squeezed shut.

Zhang Qing glanced at Shu Xi. “I don’t see any blood, but she’s got a lump the size of a golf ball.”

Relieved, Lin Xi finally lowered her hands. she looked down at the sobbing girl. “Are we done? Because if we are, I’m going back to my office to rest.”