059: She is President Lin’s versatile and devoted personal maid.

Yiyang walked over just in time to hear every word the employee said.

Xiaoqi, unwilling to engage with her colleagues, spotted Yiyang and quickly got up to join him. “Yiyang, what brings you here?”

Yiyang smiled, “I came to the company today but haven’t stopped by to see my brother yet. He’s been in meetings all morning, but now it’s lunchtime, so I thought I’d come over.”

Since his younger brother had started working at the company, it was only proper to greet his elder brother.

“Oh, well, you should go on in then!”

“Mm,” Yiyang regarded her, “Have you eaten?”

The mention of food made Xiaoqi feel a pang of frustration, though she kept her expression neutral. “Yes, I have.”

“Alright, I’ll go have a word with my brother.”

Yiyang had just stepped inside when the gossiping colleague sidled over again. “Ye Xiyang, come on, tell us about your secret history with the CEO!”

Xiaoqi ignored her, laying her head on the desk, feigning death.

Seeing she clearly didn’t want to talk, the colleague lost interest.

As soon as Yiyang entered the office, he asked, “Brother, are you angry?”

His presence at the company meant he’d given up painting, and his brother had done so much for his dream of being an artist.

Yichen folded his hands, looking at him. “Whatever you choose to do is your decision. I won’t interfere like I used to. But since you’ve chosen this path, rely on your own abilities and do well. Even though you’re my brother, I will treat you just like everyone else.”

“I understand.”

“You can go now.”

Yiyang nodded and walked out of the office, glancing toward Xiaoqi’s desk.

She was slumped over, apparently asleep.

He looked at the tempered glass window of the office. From inside, everything outside was perfectly clear. And Xiaoqi’s seat was right in view...

Yiyang watched for a moment, then withdrew his gaze and left.

Entering his own office, his phone rang. He took it out and looked at the flashing name on the screen, a complex emotion flickering in his eyes.

He answered, “Yiyang, want to go out for a drink?”

“I… I’m working at TC now. Maybe after work—”

“Never mind,” Anna interrupted, “I’ll be busy then. By the way, why did you go to TC? Not painting anymore?”

“Mm.” Yiyang paused. “Have you and my brother…”

“What could possibly happen?” Anna recalled Yichen’s words that day: “I’ll never fall in love with you.” She gave a bitter smile. “Just like you said, he’s hurt me a second time.”

At that, Yiyang pressed, “My brother rejected you?”

“Yes, he said he’ll never love me.”

“So you…”

“I’ve accepted it,” Anna replied.

“You mean you won’t like him anymore…”

“I accept what he said, but I still like him,” Anna declared resolutely. “I will make him fall in love with me.”

Yiyang’s grip on his phone tightened. He said nothing more, simply ended the call, a bitter smile tugging at his lips.

#

Xiaoqi might have been sprawled on her desk, but her mind was spinning.

Her colleague’s words—“your secret history with the CEO”—kept echoing in her head.

In the capitalist’s eyes, she was Ye Xiyang, the one he liked.

So of course, he couldn’t really bear to do anything to her.

Otherwise, just for “stealing”—no, “taking”—the sapphire signal device, he’d have sent her to jail already.

Thinking this, Xiaoqi chuckled to herself.

She glanced at the clock on the wall—half an hour left before work resumed.

She was suddenly eager for the afternoon to begin.

Her nosey colleague saw Xiaoqi grinning to herself and sidled over again, “Look at you, all smiles after your nap—did you have a beautiful dream? Dream of the CEO?”

Xiaoqi realized that among all her colleagues, this one was the most meddlesome.

She replied with a broad smile, “Good dreams make for a good mood! I’m so refreshed I can’t help but smile at everyone. Haha. I’m off to the restroom.”

Her colleague stared after her. Was a dream really that good?

Xiaoqi spent a full half hour in the restroom. When she returned, Fang Li handed her a file. “Miss Ye, could you please take this to the CEO’s office for Mr. Lin to review?”

Always picking on her right as the afternoon began.

Still…

Xiaoqi put on a solemn expression. “Alright!”

She turned and walked to the door.

Deep breath—steady yourself, Xiaoqi. You will defeat that capitalist inside.

The goddess of victory always sides with justice, never the rich and powerful, no matter how handsome.

Instantly, Xiaoqi entered battle mode, her fighting spirit blazing as she strode into the CEO’s office.

She marched up to President Lin, silently reciting her lines. Don’t look him in the eyes—one glance into those intense, dangerous eyes and your resolve will crumble. That was the great truth she’d learned from a recent martial arts drama.

Tossing the file onto his desk, Xiaoqi crossed her arms and lifted her chin arrogantly. “Sign there.”

Yichen looked up. “Is this how you speak to me?”

She became even more defiant. “That’s how I am. If you don’t like it, fire me!”

“Not bad,” Yichen’s eyes glimmered with amusement. “I like employees with opinions. Wait here while I finish reviewing the file.”

Shouldn’t he be angry?

Not only was President Lin not angry, but she was now stuck waiting for him to finish before she could leave.

Alas! Round one—total defeat.

Two hours later, Xiaoqi’s head on the sofa suddenly dropped, then jerked back up.

She opened her eyes to see President Lin leisurely sipping coffee.

She sat up. “Finished with the file?”

He replied unhurriedly, “I finished as soon as you started nodding off.”

Grinding her teeth, Xiaoqi asked, “Then why didn’t you give it to me?”

“Because you were dozing.”

He set down his coffee cup. “Take the file to the sixteenth floor. Afterwards, make me a cup of coffee. Off you go.”

Xiaoqi stormed out, teeth clenched.

Coffee, is it?

Ten minutes later.

Xiaoqi returned, beaming. “President Lin, your coffee is ready. Please enjoy.”

She was about to leave.

“Wait,” Yichen said languidly, “this coffee is too hot. Test the temperature for me.”

Xiaoqi turned, still smiling. “Of course, President Lin. I’ll blow on it for you.”

“No, not blow—drink it. Test the temperature.”

Did he suspect something?

Still wearing her professional smile, Xiaoqi said, “President Lin, it’s too hot. I’ll just blow on it.”

“No need. Just taste it.”

She’d added a special ingredient to that cup. She’d never taste it herself.

“President Lin, if I try it, my saliva will be on the cup. Wouldn’t that mean you’d be drinking my—”

“It’s fine,” Yichen replied casually. “We’ve kissed countless times. I’ve already had more than enough of your saliva to care about a little more.”

Xiaoqi couldn’t keep up the act. If she kept going, she’d have to drink her ‘earthy’ coffee.

Clenching her fists, she made up her mind—her rebellion would start by refusing to taste the coffee! She raised her eyebrows. “I won’t drink it.”

He remained calm—and then…

Xiaoqi’s eyes widened.

He… he was taking off his clothes… what was he doing?

President Lin stood, moving with elegance, unbuttoning his jacket one by one.

She couldn’t look away.

Even though he only took off his suit jacket, his crisp white shirt still pristine, his every movement was captivating.

No wonder so many people liked to watch striptease. And more importantly, his physique…

Beneath that shirt—broad chest, eight-pack abs…

Suddenly her vision went dark—something had been placed over her head. The sight disappeared. She pulled it off and looked down.

Puzzled, she looked up.

“Hang this up for me.”

For a moment, Xiaoqi stood there, President Lin’s suit in hand, completely petrified.

A minute later, “Bang!” The jacket landed on the desk. “I’m not hanging it.”

Yichen glanced at her indifferently. “One, you’re my employee. Two, I’m your boss. Three, if you don’t hang it, your aunt can expect a court summons.”

Despicable people are invincible.

Fine, she’d hang it.

Once it was hung up—“This coffee’s cold. Make another.”

President Lin didn’t even look up, diligently reviewing documents.

See? He gave out orders as naturally as breathing. She was utterly, thoroughly defeated.

Ten minutes later, she set a fresh cup of coffee on his desk.

This time Xiaoqi didn’t dare add anything extra.

At this rate, she’d soon become an all-purpose maid—or rather, President Lin’s all-purpose personal maid.

“President Lin, if there’s nothing else, I’ll—”

“I suddenly want tea. Make me a cup.”

Enough is enough! Even the most patient would snap!

Xiaoqi raised her voice, “I will not make tea.”

Yichen looked up. “Why not?”

With all the backbone she could muster, she replied, “Because I don’t want to. If you want tea, make it yourself.”

His expression darkened as he strode toward her. Xiaoqi felt pressure closing in, growing heavier by the second.

Oh my god, he’s terrifying!

Could she run away?

But even if she left the office, she couldn’t escape his grasp.

That contract…

Even though Aunt wasn’t her biological aunt, she’d been so kind.

Sigh!

She really couldn’t win against President Lin.

Three sayings came to mind.

Fight with heaven, and she’d win.
Fight with earth, and she’d win.
Fight with the CEO, and she’d lose—utterly and foolishly.

“President Lin, actually, I didn’t mean it that way just now.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Then what did you mean?”

“It’s just…” Xiaoqi racked her brains but could think of no way to save herself.

Whatever—no matter what, she couldn’t fool him.

So she might as well… make something up.

“Because you just had coffee, and drinking tea right after isn’t good for your health.”

Yichen: “…”

Xiaoqi felt beyond hope.

But then…

He smiled slightly. “So you’re concerned… about my health.”

That smile sent chills down Xiaoqi’s spine. She quickly nodded, “Yes, yes, I’m very concerned about your health, President Lin.”

“And why is that?”

Why, indeed?