Fang Shiqing smiled faintly, walked to the kitchen, and opened the fridge. "My cooking might not be as good as Shanshan's, so if it doesn't taste great, don't hold it against me."
"Not at all."
Yan Xin gave a light, calm smile.
He had come today to clear his mind. When he was in a bad mood in the past, he liked to stroll here, hoping he might run into Su Banxia. Even now, knowing she wasn't around, he couldn't break the habit.
It was a good thing he came today, or else Fang Shiqing might have suffered a much greater loss.
As his thoughts wandered, Fang Shiqing had already swiftly prepared the meal.
The dishes were simple—just three courses and a soup.
"I was afraid you'd be hungry, so I whipped up something quick. Give it a try and see how it tastes?"
Fang Shiqing eagerly pushed a bowl of rice toward him.
Looking at the steaming food, Yan Xin smiled calmly. "I think it's nice. It feels like home."
He was used to living alone, usually just grabbing whatever to eat when he got back, so this rare feeling was special.
Hearing this, Fang Shiqing paused briefly, a trace of a smile flickering across her face.
To her, Yan Xin was now a lifesaver. He had helped her twice already, and she had no way to repay such kindness.
"I think Lin Haoran will keep causing you trouble in the future. What's your plan?"
Yan Xin hesitated for a moment, then suddenly looked up and asked.
At the mention of this topic, a hint of indifference crept onto Fang Shiqing's face. "When a dog comes, you have to prepare a club, or else it won't know fear!"
Seeing this, Yan Xin smiled slightly. "I think you might be underestimating how sticky that plaster can be."
"If I'd known he was like this from the start, I never would have gotten involved with him!"
Fang Shiqing felt a wave of regret.
She seriously doubted her past judgment now—how could she have been so off?
"Alright, don't dwell on it. It'll pass eventually."
Yan Xin offered a calm reassurance, though the worry in his eyes was still obvious.
Regardless, Fang Shiqing was Su Banxia's best friend. Even just as a colleague, he felt he should look out for her.
The next day, Fang Shiqing went to the company as usual. Before she could even settle in, the office door was shoved open.
Su Banxia burst in energetically, grabbed Fang Shiqing, and inspected her from head to toe, making sure she was unharmed before finally relaxing.
"What's wrong?"
Fang Shiqing looked down at herself, amused and exasperated by Su Banxia's actions.
"And you're asking me what's wrong?"
Su Banxia's expression was complicated. "I only found out about what happened to you last night because I ran into Yan Xin downstairs!"
Hearing this, Fang Shiqing smiled faintly. "It's nothing big. Just ran into a dog."
Su Banxia shot her a glare. "You say it so lightly. If Yan Xin hadn't shown up in time, would you still be here right now?"
Thinking back to what Lin Haoran had done before, Su Banxia couldn't help but shudder.
That man had no heart; he always stopped at nothing to get what he wanted.
If Fang Shiqing had really fallen into his hands, what would the consequences have been?
Sensing Su Banxia's unease, Fang Shiqing chuckled softly. "I'm really fine. Look at me—I'm perfectly okay."
"That damn Lin Haoran is a cancer. Once he latches onto a spot, he spreads and grows!"
Su Banxia gritted her teeth, still uneasy. After a pause, she added, "No, I can't let you live alone. How about I move back in with you?"
Two people together would at least have each other's backs.
Fang Shiqing shook her head at that. "If you move in, won't President Pei chop me into pieces?"
"Well..."
Su Banxia froze for a moment. She had forgotten about that tyrant.
Fang Shiqing knew Su Banxia cared about her and said calmly, "I'm really fine. We've been sisters for years—don't you know what I'm capable of?"
Seeing her act so nonchalant, Su Banxia felt an inexplicable pang of sympathy.
They chatted for a while, but since Fang Shiqing had several interviews, Su Banxia had to leave quietly.
As soon as she entered her office, before she could even collect herself, someone suddenly hugged her from behind.
A familiar scent instantly filled her nostrils.
Su Banxia froze, feeling the warm breath against her neck, and a shiver ran through her.
"President Pei?"
"Hmm?"
Pei Shaoze frowned slightly, clearly displeased.
Su Banxia cleared her throat, a bit awkwardly. "Shaoze..."
At that, Pei Shaoze finally showed a hint of a smile, but then said coldly, "Does dropping off the kid take this long?"
He hadn't seen her when he entered the office, and immediately thought back to how she had wanted to leave before, making him panic.
Luckily, she came back not long after.
As if sensing what was on his mind, Su Banxia steadied herself, turned around, and looked at him calmly. "I just went to see Shiqing."
"What about her?"
Pei Shaoze furrowed his brow slightly, seeming a bit annoyed.
"Shiqing... she's not doing well."
Su Banxia spoke slowly, then paused before continuing, "Shaoze, can I discuss something with you?"
Seeing the hope on her face, Pei Shaoze didn't respond.
Su Banxia steadied her nerves, hesitated for a long moment, and finally asked, "Can I move in with Shiqing? I'm worried about her..."
"Don't even think about it."
Before she could finish, Pei Shaoze cut her off without hesitation.
Just as she expected...
Su Banxia gritted her teeth, gathered her courage, and tried again. "Lin Haoran has been harassing Shiqing lately. I really can't stand her being alone."
"In your eyes, can anyone or anything surpass me and be more important than me?"
Pei Shaoze's gaze sharpened, and he suddenly spoke coldly.
"No, I..."
"I'll handle Fang Shiqing's situation properly, but if you're thinking of moving out from my side, you'd better give up that idea now!"
Pei Shaoze was adamant.
Even if he kept her tied to him every day, this woman was always thinking of escaping. What would happen if she wasn't by his side?
Seeing this, Su Banxia felt utterly helpless.
"Secretary Su, there's something I want to remind you."
Pei Shaoze paused, looking at her coldly. "Don't forget, I'm your creditor now."
At the mention of the huge debt she was carrying, Su Banxia felt even more drained and had to swallow her words completely.
The atmosphere in the office was a bit tense. Su Banxia had no idea what she had done to anger this demon. Seeing him silent, she didn't dare breathe too loudly.