Listening to his words, Su Banxia felt a warmth in her heart. She occasionally stole glances at him, and looking at his handsome profile inexplicably lifted her spirits. Indeed, admiring a handsome man could truly cure all unpleasant things.
"If you want to look, look openly. Why sneak around?"
Pei Shaoze glanced sideways, his gaze sharp.
Su Banxia's face flushed instantly. Being caught red-handed was far too thrilling. She couldn't help but wonder if this man had eyes all over his body—how could every move she made escape his notice?
Sensing the gaze in her eyes, Pei Shaoze merely smiled calmly, lay down beside her fully clothed, and wrapped his arms around her securely. "Get some rest."
Hearing his deep voice, Su Banxia couldn't help but swallow, nestling into his embrace with a slight curl of her lips.
In the afternoon, since the Pei Group still had matters to handle, Pei Shaoze took care of Su Banxia before quickly leaving the hospital. But before that, he didn't forget to have someone investigate Ren Yuan's movements. When he learned about Gu Feifei's situation, a meaningful chill swept across Pei Shaoze's face.
As for Fang Shiqing, after Su Banxia's advice last time, she had a sudden epiphany and chose to take the initiative, though her approach was somewhat subtle. Since Yan Xin had helped her repeatedly, Fang Shiqing used that as an excuse to personally deliver homemade meals to him every day.
"President Yan."
Fang Shiqing gently knocked on the office door and only entered after receiving a response from inside.
"Manager Fang?"
Yan Xin was slightly surprised, looking up at her uncertainly.
Fang Shiqing seemed a bit nervous, cleared her throat, and said slowly, "I heard from Shanshan that you've been especially busy lately and your eating habits are irregular, so I specially made you some nutritious meals. Here."
As she spoke, Fang Shiqing placed the lunchbox in front of him.
As the saying goes, to capture a man's heart, you must first control his stomach.
Looking at the fragrant dishes before him, Yan Xin was momentarily stunned. "Manager Fang, you're too kind. I—"
"You've helped me so many times, President Yan, and I've never found a chance to repay you. So I can only do what I'm capable of. I hope you won't mind."
Fang Shiqing said earnestly.
Hearing her words, Yan Xin found it hard to be coy and could only smile, accepting it graciously.
Seeing him eat with relish, Fang Shiqing felt an indescribable joy. This wonderful feeling was completely different from what Lin Haoran had ever given her! Thinking of that scumbag, a chill ran through Fang Shiqing's heart. She truly didn't know what she had seen in him back then.
"By the way," Yan Xin paused mid-bite, his hand freezing, "Has Lin Haoran been bothering you lately?"
"I haven't seen him since that time at the hospital. I think your authority scared him off," Fang Shiqing said half-jokingly, half-seriously.
Yan Xin smiled faintly. "I'm not that capable. He's probably dealing with his own issues. I've heard the Lin family has been a bit unstable lately."
Hearing this, Fang Shiqing nodded. "So that's how it is."
"But if he ever causes you trouble again, feel free to contact me. I'll teach him a lesson," Yan Xin said seriously.
"Th-thank you."
Fang Shiqing's face flushed bright red, her heart racing with excitement.
After watching Yan Xin finish the homemade lunch she'd prepared, Fang Shiqing picked up the lunchbox and left the office. But she didn't notice that not far away, Zhang Shanshan was also holding a lunchbox in her hand.
Zhang Shanshan paused as she saw Fang Shiqing emerge from Yan Xin's office, her gaze naturally falling on the lunchbox in her hand. A flicker of malice crossed her eyes. Looking down at her own lunchbox, Zhang Shanshan's emotions churned. After a moment's thought, she turned and walked away.
At noon, most people had gone out for lunch. Fang Shiqing sat alone in her office, resting her chin on her hands, a faint smile occasionally playing on her lips.
The office door slowly opened, and Fang Shiqing instinctively looked up, her face breaking into a radiant smile. "Shanshan, you're here."
"What's got you so happy?" Zhang Shanshan walked in with a light smile, placing her lunchbox in front of Fang Shiqing. "I specially made some soup. I knew you probably hadn't eaten lunch yet, so I brought it for you."
Fang Shiqing was taken aback, her face lighting up with surprise. "Shanshan, how are you so thoughtful?"
She hadn't eaten anything yet, too focused on taking care of Yan Xin.
Zhang Shanshan smiled slightly. "It's nothing. I just hope my cooking suits your taste."
"How could it not? In my eyes, you're a top-tier chef. The soup you make is absolutely amazing," Fang Shiqing praised sincerely, then paused and asked with a smile, "Could I ask you for some soup-making tips?"
"Why the sudden interest in cooking?" Zhang Shanshan asked, knowing the answer.
"It's a little secret. I'll tell you when the time comes," Fang Shiqing said, a blush rising to her cheeks, her eyes full of anticipation.
Seeing her like this, Zhang Shanshan's expression darkened slightly, though she kept a smile. "It's not hard. Just master the heat and timing, and it becomes easy."
"You know I'm a hopeless case in the kitchen. My cooking is barely edible, so I'll have to trouble you for help with some things from now on," Fang Shiqing said with a raised eyebrow.
Zhang Shanshan smiled without saying much. After watching Fang Shiqing finish her lunch, she turned to leave. But as she reached the door, the coldness in her eyes chilled the surrounding atmosphere.
Fang Shiqing sat in her office, mulling over the day's events, and casually called Su Banxia to share her joy.
"So, Yan Xin didn't reject your advances?" Su Banxia said with a smile.
"That's right. Isn't this a good start?" Fang Shiqing felt deeply gratified.
Yan Xin's concern for her earlier had been like a clear spring, watering the dryness in her heart.
"Then let me congratulate you in advance. May you win quickly and bring the handsome man home," Su Banxia laughed cheerfully.
Seeing her best friend find love was a truly joyful thing.
Fang Shiqing raised an eyebrow dismissively. "Don't just bless me. What about you?"
"Me?" Su Banxia was momentarily stunned, then shook her head with a smile. "I won't join you youngsters in your fun."