Why are they treating her with such courtesy?

“President Lin is a remarkable person. So, as you just said, there’s no limit to how unimaginable his actions might be.”

…

Damn it, this Assistant Fang is practically breathing through the same nostril as that capitalist.

“Miss Ye,” Fang Li said seriously, “President Lin has instructed that lunch delivery must be completed within one hour. If you’re late even a minute, he’ll deduct a hundred yuan.”

…

So, Xiao Qi does the work of two people but only gets paid for one.

But, well, the salary at the big TC Corporation is generous, so Xiao Qi could still find some comfort in that.

However, her balance was quickly upended.

At exactly eleven, Xiao Qi delivered the takeout to the president’s office.

She muttered inwardly about how the capitalist wasn’t in—maybe he was in a meeting.

Just then, the door to the meeting room opened, and that upright figure emerged, surrounded by a cluster of department heads.

So, there was a meeting inside after all!

When those managers saw Xiao Qi, they all nodded politely, greeting her, “Hello, Miss Ye!”

Awkward!

Why were they being so courteous to her?

She was just a new, insignificant employee.

Yi Chen glanced at her and suddenly said, “Xiyang, put the food on the coffee table and open it for me to see.”

“Oh!” Though she didn’t quite get it, Xiao Qi obeyed.

She opened the containers and watched more than a dozen people settle onto the sofas, while President Lin sat in his own plush chair, picked up a scroll, and occasionally looked up to discuss projects she couldn’t understand.

Wait, hadn’t their meeting ended? Why were they still talking business after coming out?

Xiao Qi didn’t think too much about it. Since they were all focused, she figured she could quietly slip away.

But—

“Xiyang,” President Lin, who had been discussing projects with the executives, suddenly turned to her, “bring the food over to me.”

“Oh!”

If you wanted it by your side, why did you have me put it on the coffee table earlier? That was a pointless move.

With all these department heads present, she held back her complaints.

Yi Chen glanced at the dishes. “Pick out all the peas from the pork and peas for me.”

…

He wanted her to pick out vegetables again?

Xiao Qi glared at him with wide eyes. He wouldn’t eat carrots or bell peppers, and now he even rejected those cute little peas? How picky could his taste get!

He ordered, “Hurry up, pick them out. I want to eat soon.”

Damn it, pick out peas, really?

She looked at the executives on the sofa, all looking so serious as they discussed business, as if she didn’t even exist in their world.

If word got out that she was picking out peas for him, how was she supposed to maintain any dignity at TC?

But with so many higher-ups watching, if she didn’t give the capitalist face, who knew what underhanded tricks he might pull against her?

At the thought, a chill ran down Xiao Qi’s spine—her days ahead were going to be a living hell.

“Yes, President Lin.”

She’d deal with the future when it came. For now, she’d better serve President Lin well!

So what if she was a pea-picker? At least she was his personal one!

She unwrapped a pair of chopsticks and prepared to pick out the peas.

But she ran into a problem—there were no spare utensils. Where was she supposed to put the peas? In the trash? That would be such a waste!

“Have you eaten yet?”

Yi Chen suddenly asked her.

She shook her head instinctively.

Just then, Fang Li entered with a lunchbox in hand, placing it beside Xiao Qi. “Please enjoy your meal, Miss Ye.”

Then he left.

…

Yi Chen said, “Just remove the peas while you’re eating.”

…

Xiao Qi finally understood—this capitalist was doing this on purpose.

He wanted all these executives to see that her relationship with him was far from ordinary.

Well, let them know. After all, he was the president and she was just a junior employee; she had nothing to lose.

Having sorted it out in her mind, Xiao Qi pulled up a chair and sat next to Yi Chen, starting her meal.

She deftly picked peas out of his dish and placed them into her own, completely oblivious to how shocked the executives were by this scene.

With Miss Ye picking food like this, President Lin was essentially eating what she’d touched with her own chopsticks.

It looked like Miss Ye was about to soar to new heights.

No one could figure out how she’d managed to win President Lin’s favor, or why he was so unreserved before them.

Before, it had seemed President Lin only treated her a little differently.

Now, it was clear that their relationship was anything but ordinary.

“That will be all for today. You may go.”

“Yes, sir!”

The department heads filed out, each lost in thought.

Yi Chen set down his documents.

Xiao Qi got up and respectfully placed the lunchbox before him. “President Lin, I’ve picked out all the peas and just finished my own meal. I’ll be heading out.”

She was so polite—surely, he’d let her go now?

“Sit.”

…

“President Lin, I’ve already—”

“When I’m done eating, you can clear the dishes.”

…

Yi Chen glanced at her bowl, which still had some rice left. “Finish your food. Wasting it is unforgivable.”

…

So Xiao Qi picked up her chopsticks and resumed eating, finishing quickly and efficiently. Soon, her bowl was nearly empty.

President Lin frowned. “Eating too fast isn’t good for digestion. Eat at my pace.”

…

Xiao Qi was full of complaints. She muttered, “You’re just jealous I eat faster than you. A grown man, dawdling over a meal—what’s that about?”

“I call it savoring each bite,” Yi Chen replied calmly, having overheard her grumbling but not bothering to argue. “Meals should be eaten slowly. You, wolfing it down like a starving ghost, is truly unsightly.”

…

With that, President Lin scooped half his rice into her bowl. “Watch me and learn how to eat properly.”

…

Xiao Qi fumed but held it in. “President Lin, I’m already full. If you give me more, I’ll burst.”

Yi Chen said coolly, “With your appetite, you won’t burst.”

He added, “Even if you did, it would count as a workplace injury.”

…

“Relax. If you learn from me, you won’t overeat.”

On the verge of blowing up, Xiao Qi restrained herself, taking a bite and watching President Lin’s pace. After a while—

Yi Chen held his bowl toward her. “Did you have your eye on a particular dish? Go ahead and take some. I’m always generous.”

Xiao Qi: …

Weren’t you just asking me to watch you eat?

Mouth full, she could only wave her hand to decline.

Yi Chen nodded knowingly. “I get it. You mean you don’t want to take anything—”

She nodded vigorously. At least this capitalist was perceptive, or else she’d…

“Or do you want me to serve you some?”

…

Xiao Qi barely managed to swallow her food before she started coughing, glaring at him in outrage: What makes you think I want you to serve me?

Ignoring her look, Yi Chen leaned over gracefully and patted her back to help her breathe. “You’re coughing up tears. Don’t let your anger burn a hole in your liver.”

…

Enveloped by his rich, masculine aura, Xiao Qi’s heart pounded uncontrollably. She shrank away instinctively.

This capitalist’s hormones were overwhelming—every time he got close, her heart protested fiercely.

Once she’d caught her breath, Xiao Qi quickly defended her innocence. “I really don’t need—”

Forget it. With a contract in his hands, she’d better hold her tongue.

“President Lin, I wouldn’t dare covet the food in your bowl, and I’ve already—”

“I don’t mind if you do. You know I’m generous.”

…

Xiao Qi ground her teeth, but with leverage in his hands, she couldn’t be as bold as she’d once been. Besides, he was her boss.

Then again, she’d never really dared go against him before, either.

Ah, he’s the big president and I’m just a little alien—how could I possibly challenge him?

Especially now, without any signal device, I’m a powerless alien >___

Xiao Qi said lazily, “You’ve got it wrong. I was just checking if the door was properly closed.”

A colleague sneered, “Ye Xiyang, do you think someone as sharp as me would believe such an obvious attempt to cover up? Your eyes clearly said you were reluctant to leave President Lin’s office. Your face practically screams, ‘Not even a second apart from the president, or I’ll waste away from longing.’”

…

Ignoring her colleague, Xiao Qi lay her head on her desk, feigning death.

Seeing that she didn’t want to respond, her colleague lost interest as well.

“Brother, are you angry?” Yiyang asked as soon as he entered.

Coming to the company meant he’d given up painting. His brother had done so much for his dream of being an artist.

Yi Chen folded his hands, looking at him. “Whatever you choose is your own decision. I won’t interfere like before. But since you’ve chosen this path, do your best on your own merit. Even though you’re my brother, I hold you to the same standard as everyone else.”

“I understand.”

“You may go.”

Yiyang nodded and looked back at Xiao Qi.

She was sprawled on her desk, apparently asleep.

He glanced at the office’s tempered glass window.