"Oh, so if I stay, can I leave afterward?" Shen Qi bit her lip and said. "I really have something to do today..."
He Yining lowered his eyes and paused for a moment before replying, "Mm."
With He Yining's approval, Shen Qi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
After finishing the meal, Shen Qi cheerfully went to the butler to leave her measurements and fingerprints, then happily grabbed her bag and left.
Seeing her flit away like a joyful little bird, He Yining suddenly felt annoyed.
Was she rushing back to meet that man whose beauty rivaled a woman's?
"President, are you going to the company today?" Xiao Chun packed up the briefings He Yining had tossed on the table and asked dutifully.
"No." He Yining irritably unbuttoned his collar. "Nothing much left. You all can take the day off. Just keep your phones on."
Xiao Chun and Xiao Xia exchanged a glance, thinking, *The boss's mood is off again!*
But they didn't dare say anything, silently stepping aside.
Shen Qi returned home and saw Shen Lu quietly playing on his computer in his room, finally relaxing.
She placed the bank card in front of Shen Lu. "Here, this is your account."
Shen Lu suddenly looked at her seriously. "Xiao Qi, I'll take care of you from now on."
Shen Qi burst out laughing. "Alright, Xiao Qi will rely on her brother from now on."
Shen Lu blinked. Seeing Shen Qi happy made him happy too.
Even though he knew Xiao Qi probably didn't believe him right now.
The housekeeper, Wei Wei, came back from grocery shopping and saw Shen Qi. "Xiao Qi, the neighbor across the hall has been asking around about you."
Ever since deciding to have Wei Wei move in to take care of her brother, Shen Qi insisted he call her Xiao Qi.
It made them feel more like family.
Shen Qi was curious. "What are they asking about me for?"
Wei Wei put the groceries in the fridge. "Seems like they're asking if you have a boyfriend or something."
Shen Qi scoffed. "That neighbor gives me a weird vibe. Don't bother with him, Uncle Wei."
Wei Wei nodded. "Got it. Are you eating at home today? I bought a lot of food."
Shen Qi nodded. "I'm free these next few days, so I'll be home. The doctor said my brother's condition is improving fast. Maybe with a bit more time, he'll fully recover."
Wei Wei looked pleased. "Xiao Liu has been doing really well these past two days."
Just then, the doorbell rang.
Wei Wei went to answer it and saw the neighbor from across the hall. He instinctively blocked the view. "Can I help you?"
Yu Bao craned his neck, spotted Shen Qi at home, and raised his voice. "I just organized an event and wanted to invite her to a neighborhood dinner."
Wei Wei immediately looked at Shen Qi.
Shen Qi declined flatly. "Sorry, I'm busy."
Before Yu Bao could say more, Wei Wei cut in. "Sorry, we're not interested. Bye!"
Wei Wei shut the door and couldn't help muttering, "That guy looks decent enough, but his eyes are shifty. Stay away from him, Xiao Qi."
"I know, Uncle Wei," Shen Qi replied with a smile.
Wei Wei bustled around in the kitchen, then popped his head out. "Xiao Qi, we're almost out of sweet bean sauce."
Shen Qi set down what she was doing. "I'll run to the supermarket."
She grabbed a hair clip, twisted her long hair up, secured it, and headed out efficiently.
As soon as Shen Qi left, Yu Bao followed.
"Hey, Shen Qi." Yu Bao greeted her first.
Shen Qi gave a faint nod, not bothering to engage.
Yu Bao followed her into the elevator, pushing his agenda. "Shen Qi, I just want to organize a dinner for the neighbors. If money's tight, I'll cover your share. It's just a meal—you're not going to turn me down, are you?"
Shen Qi glanced at him. "Sorry, I'm not interested in getting too close to the other neighbors. Sorry to disappoint."
The elevator reached the ground floor, and Shen Qi strode out without hesitation.
Yu Bao stuck close, chattering behind her. "Hey, Miss Shen, what's your deal? I'm just being friendly here."
"Sorry, not needed." Shen Qi kept walking, but Yu Bao suddenly couldn't hold back. He grabbed her arm and yanked hard.
Caught off guard, Shen Qi stumbled, nearly falling.
She looked down at her arm, her eyes darkening. "Let go!"
Yu Bao stepped forward, arms open as if to hug her. "Miss Shen, I really like you. Let's date!"
Shen Qi was stunned.
She'd never met such a shameless man!
They'd only met yesterday!
And he had the nerve to claim he liked her?
Shen Qi backed away. "Mr. Yu, please show some respect."
Yu Bao didn't care about respect.
All he knew was that he had to get Shen Qi.
By any means necessary.
Shen Qi retreated several steps until her back hit the cold wall, with nowhere left to go.
Just as Yu Bao was about to close in, she clutched her bag to her chest, ready to fight back.
Then, a chilling voice rang out from the entrance. "Who do you think you are? You're not worthy of her."
Shen Qi whipped around to see He Yining's tall, imposing figure standing at the doorway.
She had never been so glad to see him.
Instinctively, she ran to him and grabbed his arm. "Yining..."
Seeing her cling to him, He Yining's lips curled slightly, a flicker of pleasure in his eyes.
Yu Bao hadn't expected He Yining to show up. His earlier bravado vanished into thin air. Without a word, he turned and bolted.
Shen Qi couldn't believe how spineless he was—He Yining hadn't even done anything, and he'd already fled.
Coming to her senses, she realized she was still gripping He Yining's arm and yanked her hand back as if burned.
"How did you end up here?" she asked, suddenly aware that He Yining knew her address.
He Yining's phoenix eyes swept over her, feigning a casual tone. "I ruined your phone last night, so I'm taking you to get a new one today. Come on, pick whatever you want."
Shen Qi managed a smile. "I can't right now. I need to buy some things..."
"Then I'll come along." He Yining's tone left no room for argument.
How could that work?
A supermarket? Was that a place for a big CEO like him?
He'd probably get swarmed by the store's directors and managers the second he walked in.